2011 NFL Power Rankings: Week 3
Week 2 Top Fantasy Performers, Defenses

1. New England Patriots (2-0) - Previously: #1 - Tom Brady is on pace to throw for 7,520 yards and 56 touchdowns this year. I've discovered the secret to his success, and I'll reveal it in my Week 3 NFL Picks section.
   
   For now, an exchange between Jim Nantz and Phil Simms during the Patriots-Chargers telecast (thanks to Facebook friend Steve L. for this):
   
   Nantz: There's Rob Gronkowski, what do they call him?
   
   Simms: I don't know.
   
   (Silence)
   
   No wonder Chris Simms sucked.
   
   
2. Green Bay Packers (2-0) - Previously: #2 - The Packers surrendered the all-time rookie passing yardage mark to Cam Newton on Sunday. I think there are issues with this defense - especially with Nick Collins out for the year - but Aaron Rodgers doesn't seem to believe so. In the post-game press conference, he admitted that he was relieved to play Carolina this early, since it'll be scary once Cam Newton figures things out. He also said he was impressed with Newton about a billion times.
   
   Remember when every single NFL Draft analyst thought Newton really didn't deserve the No. 1 pick? I'd make fun of Mel Kiper, Mike Mayock and the Sun Tan Man, but I wrote this gem of Carolina's selection of Newton:
   
   [Newton] is not pro-ready at all either, which is a concern. Running a Looney Tunes offense at Auburn for one year did not prepare him for the NFL whatsoever.
   
   Whoops. Looks like everyone was wrong. More evidence that the NFL Draft is a complete crapshoot.
   
   
3. New Orleans Saints (1-1) - Previously: #4 - That stupid yard the Saints couldn't get last week could decide homefield advantage in the playoffs. If so, that's terrible news for New Orleans because I don't see them winning at Lambeau in January.
   
   At any rate, let's go to Notes from NFL.com GameCenter - a list of a few stupid comments I read on NFL.com's GameCenter and my thoughts on them:
   
   1. "YOU GUYS BETTER PREY AND HOPE WE DONT SEE YOU GUYS AGAIN IN THE PLAYOFFS"
   
   You better "prey" and hope that your English teacher doesn't give you a pop quiz this week.
   
   2. "the ravens are too ham told people that flacco was holdin back for week1 but chuck has not boy he is lettin them fly go Raven! "
   
   So "ham" means "good" in GameCenter slang. Can I presume that "green egg" means "bad?"
   
   3. "steelers stoel the todd heep thing when ben throws to the tight end"
   
   Forget Tony Gonzalez, Shannon Sharpe and Mark Bavaro. Throwing the ball originated when Kyle Boller and Joe Flacco threw to Todd "Heep" - and the damn Steelers stoel their idea!
   
   
4. New York Jets (2-0) - Previously: #6 - Poor Luke McCown. Thirty years from now, he'll still be having nightmares about his team's 32-3 loss against the Jets.
   
   I feel sorry for his wife too. She'll have to hear Luke mumble the following in his sleep for the next 50 or so years, "No... NO... No Darrelle Revis... don't intercept... don't intercept... my passes... my passes too weak... and inaccurate... REVIS!!! AHHH!!! REVIS!!! NOOOOO!!! SHUT UP JASON HILL!!! DON'T PROVOKE... DON'T PROVOKE REVIS!!!"
   
   
5. Baltimore Ravens (1-1) - Previously: #3 - I'm beginning to notice a pattern. Last year, the Ravens upset an AFC Championship participant in Week 1 and went on to suffer an upset on the road against the crappy Bengals the following game. This year, the Ravens essentially upset an AFC Championship participant in Week 1 and went on to suffer an upset on the road against the crappy Titans the following game.
   
   Note to Joe Flacco, Ray Lewis and the rest of the Ravens: Don't celebrate a Week 1 shocking victory by drinking heavily, having sex with hookers and snorting coke. Focus on your Week 2 game next time.
   
   
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) - Previously: #8 - Here's something interesting I discovered after Facebook friend Kyle A. told me that he bet the Titans because the Ravens were coming off a victory against the Steelers. Kyle believed that Baltimore had an abysmal record after defeating Pittsburgh.
   
   I looked it up, and it's not entirely true. The Ravens' spread record in this situation is 3-5, though they are 1-4 if they have to play on the road. The intriguing part is a similar trend that applies to all teams:
   
   All teams are 17-35 against the spread after beating the Steelers since 2001.
   
   Isn't that nuts? I'd make a joke about Ben Roethlisberger raping his opponents into submission, but that's silly. He wasn't around before 2004.
   
   
7. Chicago Bears (1-1) - Previously: #5 - I'm going to post my thoughts on the Bears' failed cover in my Week 2 analysis on the Week 3 NFL Picks page. Instead, a word on the stupid NFLShop.com commercial with Alyssa Milano.
   
   First of all, I've always hated these commercials. I despise the song, and the theme is stupid. I don't know many women who like football enough to wear football gear to begin with, and those who do are proud to simply own several jerseys. They're not going to wear that crap, even if Milano models it well.
   
   Second, where the hell did Milano go? This ad was at least somewhat bearable because we got to see her at the end. Now, they've replaced her with some short black woman with a lesbian haircut. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
   
   
8. Philadelphia Eagles (1-1) - Previously: #7 - QB Dog Killer has now made 14 starts with the Eagles. In his first seven starts, he had only one turnover. In the next seven starts, he's had 12 turnovers (seven interceptions, five fumbles).
   
   Overrated.
   
   
9. Atlanta Falcons (1-1) - Previously: #9 - Speaking of Philadelphia's quarterback, Facebook friend Dave P. brought up a great point:
   
   I'm baffled by the fact that Falcons fans are celebrating Mike Vick with signs like "we miss you." All he did in Atlanta was not earn his contract by not working hard, then he disgraced them with the dogfighting scandal. He also lied about dogfighting to the Falcons owner and Roger Goodell.
   
   I have a strong feeling that things will end poorly in Philadelphia as well.
   
   
10. Detroit Lions (2-0) - Previously: #10 - I'll move up the Lions soon. Beating the crappy Chiefs doesn't count.
    
    By the way, I really think Jamaal Charles' injury really epitomized how much Detroit has improved. The team is so tough that even the mascot is taking out the opponent's best player.
    
    

32. Seattle Seahawks (0-2) - Previously: #32 - The score may not show it, but the Seahawks were oh, so close to pulling the upset over the Steelers. They would have done so if Tarvaris Jackson didn't suck, and if the offensive line could actually block, and if Marshawn Lynch had running lanes, and if the defensive line could pressure the quarterback, and if the secondary could stop Mike Wallace. Seattle was THIS close.

31. Indianapolis Colts (0-2) - Previously: #30 - Beloved GameCenter poster Taton, an avid Colts fan, hasn't posted anything in three weeks. Here was the last thing he wrote on GameCenter:

coach Cadwell never learn from his mistake oh well Colts wont be good if Colts keep Cadwell

Perhaps Taton should coach the Colts instead of "Cadwell." Against the Browns, Indianapolis challenged a stupid 2-yard completion on 2nd-and-9. They won the review to put Cleveland in a 3rd-and-9 instead of a 3rd-and-7. Unfortunately, "Cadwell's" strategy failed, as Colt McCoy converted the first down on the next play anyway.

30. Kansas City Chiefs (0-2) - Previously: #29 - Through two games, the Chiefs have 10 points and nine turnovers. Thank you @kranzicans for that stat.

By the way, for any Kansas City fan angry that Detroit ran up the score Sunday, please forgive Matthew Stafford and company. The Lions simply have never maintained a huge lead in the fourth quarter before, and they had no idea that it's frowned upon to keep throwing the ball.

29. Cleveland Browns (1-1) - Previously: #31 - I'm going to b**** and moan about the Browns covering the 2.5 at Indianapolis in my Week 3 NFL Picks, so here are more Notes from NFL.com GameCenter:

1. "I'M WORRIED ABOUT TOO MANY TACKLES MISS THE DEFENSE"

If ESPN hired Yoda, I'm pretty sure he would say something like this.

2. "2 bad teams going at it ... unfortinitly for NFC West I bet the only games that matters is the games vs Devision and eveything eles is so-so OVer-all"

I bet your parents wish your spelling was "so-so Over-all." That would be a huge improvement.

3. "be honest Packers and Panthers fans would i be better with Driver or Steve Smith at my line up"

You want honesty? You're a complete dumba** to go to NFL.com GameCenter for fantasy advice.

28. Minnesota Vikings (0-2) - Previously: #21 - I can't believe the Buccaneers came back and won. I gave up on my Tampa +2.5 zero-unit play.

It was really dreadful for the Bucs in the first half. They couldn't do anything. During the early games, forum member Hyperborean and I had a brief exchange:

Hyperborean: What's happening in Minnesota, other than the Bucs sucking?

Me: Bucs really sucking.

27. San Francisco 49ers (1-1) - Previously: #26 - E-mailer Harris M. alerted me that Rotoworld had the following blurb on Tony Romo following Dallas' victory over San Francisco:

Anyone questioning Romo's ability in late game situations needs to rethink their stance after tonight's comeback.

Ah, yes. Because a game against the crappy 49ers in which the Cowboys were favored should define someone's ability to perform in the clutch.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) - Previously: #20 - Idiot Jags receiver Jason Hill talked trash this past week, calling the Jets and Darrelle Revis "overhyped." The kicker is that Hill didn't even play against New York on Sunday. Since he didn't get to back up his words on the field, I called him up for an interview:

ME: Hey Jason, thanks for joining me. You know I have to ask. Do you still feel like the Jets are overhyped?

HILL: Yes! The Jets are f***ing trash. Darrelle Revis is f***ing trash. New York is overhyped!

ME: Really? After that 32-3 drilling?

HILL: That's only because I didn't play. The Jets are f***ing trash.

ME: I just don't get how you can talk trash and not play. Have you no shame?

HILL: I don't need shame because Revis is overhyped and f***ing trash.

ME: Well, I have a surprise for you, Jason. I have Darrelle Revis here with me!

HILL: What!?!?!?!

REVIS: What's up, Jason?

HILL: Is that really you, Darrelle?

REVIS: Yes, it is. I hear you've been calling me and my team overhyped.

HILL: No! No... No! I swear, Darrelle! I haven't said anything of the sort! All lies!

REVIS: I just heard you say that I'm "f***ing trash!"

HILL: Please, Darrelle! Please, oh God! I didn't mean it! I was joking!

REVIS: It didn't sound like you were joking to me.

HILL: Darrelle, I beg you! I didn't mean to say it! I yield! Yield, I say! Yield! Please have mercy!

REVIS: Fine, fine. Whatever.

HILL: Oh, thank you, Darrelle! You are too kind! Too kind!

REVIS: Whatever, man. I'm going out to lunch. Thanks for having me on, Walt.

ME: No problem, Darrelle. See ya later. All right, Jason. Darrelle's gone, so we can end this interview.

HILL: Good! Because Darrelle Revis overhyped and f***ing trash!

ME: How'd I know you were going to say that?

25. Miami Dolphins (0-2) - Previously: #23 - One of the announcers on the CBS broadcast team had the following to say about the crowd at the Dolphins-Texans game:

It's so hot on the field that there are more fans on the sidelines than there are in the seats!

Guess all of this B-list celebs aren't selling tickets, eh? Somewhere out there, Celebrity Man just had a stroke reading that comment.

24. Cincinnati Bengals (1-1) - Previously: #24 - Andy Dalton was really impressive at Denver. Sure, he was playing a crappy Bronco defense missing Champ Bailey and Elvis Dumervil, but he looks like he could be really good in a year or two.

At any rate, here's a recap of the Giants-Rams game:

1. Despite losing 28-16, the Rams outgained the Giants by 61 yards. Sometimes yardage stats are misleading, but this one is not. St. Louis should have had the lead against New York, particularly in the first half. The problem was that the Rams kept making costly errors:

- Greg Salas muffed a punt in the first quarter, which led to a Hakeem Nicks touchdown.

- Sam Bradford threw a backward pass to Cadillac Williams, who dropped the ball. Cadillac didn't recognize that it was a lateral, opting to just stand around while New York linebacker Michael Boley scooped the ball up and ran 65 yards for a touchdown. As this happened, I posted the following in the forum:

What the ****, same ****ing bull**** as last week.

- The Rams had three possessions inside the Giants' 7-yard line in the first half, including a first-and-goal at the 1, yet they couldn't score a single touchdown. No one was able to get open.

- The second half of this contest featured countless drops by the St. Louis wideouts. Everyone had a hand in it, but Billy Bajema and Greg Salas were guilty of key drops in the fourth quarter that could have moved the chains on third down. Danario Amexander (3-122, TD) and Mike Sims-Walker (6-92) put together nice statistical games, but had issues getting open all night.

2. Bradford (22-46, 331 yards, TD) looked really comfortable in the up-tempo no-huddle offense in the first half. It was so effective that on one play, two New York defenders faked injuries to stop the action. I don't know why the Giants weren't penalized or a charged a timeout. This was one of many botched calls by the refs in what was a horribly officiated game.

The purpose of bringing up the no-huddle offense is that the Rams inexplicably went away from it. I have no idea why they did that. They had the Giants on their heels. It's like Josh McDaniels outsmarted himself.

3. The Giants were able to run the ball at will against the Rams, as Ahmad Bradshaw, Brandon Jacobs and D.J. Ware totaled 131 rushing yards on 34 carries. On the first drive, I posted the following on the forum, "Just run the ball, Giants." It was working so well there was no need to air it out. Coincidentally, Eli Manning tossed a pick on the next play. I replied to my own post:

Way to not listen to me, a**holes.

4. As for Manning, he was definitely better than last week, going 18-of-29 for 200 yards, two touchdowns and that pick. He still didn't look comfortable with his receivers though. This will be an issue against the Eagles and their elite cornerbacks, especially if Mario Manningham can't play coming off a concussion.

5. Facebook friend Steve T. posted the following on my wall:

For all you fantasy buffs out there: be sure to add Greg Salas in your points-per-dropped-receptions leagues!

23. Denver Broncos (1-1) - Previously: #27 - Of all the teams in these power rankings, I had the toughest time placing the Broncos. Their 24-22 victory over the Bengals was obviously unimpressive, but Champ Bailey, Elvis Dumervil and Brandon Lloyd were all out, and John Fox had to use Tim Tebow at receiver because he ran out of wideouts. At least that kept the fans from booing.


2011 NFL Power Rankings: The Rest:
11. San Diego Chargers (1-1). Previously: #11
12. Dallas Cowboys (1-1). Previously: #12
13. Houston Texans (2-0). Previously: #13
14. Washington Redskins (2-0). Previously: #14
15. New York Giants (1-1). Previously: #15
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1). Previously: #16
17. Buffalo Bills (2-0). Previously: #19
18. Oakland Raiders (1-1). Previously: #17
19. Arizona Cardinals (1-1). Previously: #18
20. Tennessee Titans (1-1). Previously: #28
21. Carolina Panthers (0-2). Previously: #25
22. St. Louis Rams (0-2). Previously: #22

Leave a comment Name Comment Verification: click on image to refresh it   WyattBurp 05-03-2013 04:10 pm xxx.xxx.xxx4.80 (total posts: 5) 7     3 @Dro. Cowboys need a new GM. WyattBurp 05-03-2013 04:02 pm xxx.xxx.xxx4.80 (total posts: 5) 11     37 Evening, NFL fans. I'm a Detroit Lions fan. This power ranking really gives me the woolies. Lions has a bad year, and the doubters run around saying, "They suck!" Well, that's not the case. They had a setback. This year, I'm predicting the Lions will reach the playoffs, easily. Ranking them twenty-first is commentary about history. That's not good enough. As for ranking the Vikings sixteenth -- well, that's about right. Ponder is OK. AP is the man, but can't do it himself. Coach, GM, both good. Aging defense, lack of WRs, not so good. Yeah, sixteenth is about right. So is ranking the Packers fifth. They're showing the other teams how it's done. OK, I get it. But ranking the Bears twelfth? This is where I have to say, "Put the crack pipe down, son." They just cut Urlacher (Like they cut Olin Kruetz). They're O-line is Swiss cheese. Their defense is old and grey -- and they just put in new coach and GM. Twelfth? Really? Bears will finish dead last. Not a chance. That's my prediction, and I'm sticking to it! Ran Dro 05-03-2013 03:04 pm xxx.xxx.xxx2.32 (total posts: 2) 3     6 By record, the Cowboys were the 15th team last year, despite having Rob Ryan around, and loads of injuries. Whether you like their draft value or not, the team essentially lost nobody, replaced their DC with a better one, and should be at least a bit healthier. Logically, that drops them 5 spots in the "rankings"...that should also put their record at 7-9. Love them, hate them, anywhere in between...but why should the team be worse next year? What's the justification, beyond schadenfreude and trolling? Also: Dallas was 2-2 in November...not great. It was 3-2 in December, despite having half the defense out due to injury...not crappy. Dallas had a massively important game against the Saints, and Romo was brilliant in it. Boy, you're lazy... Mike 05-03-2013 02:54 pm xxx.xxx.xxx5.18 (total posts: 1) 4     3 Walter could have mentioned that instead of grabbing Austin and Manuel with their first two picks, the Bills turned those two picks into four and grabbed Manuel, Woods, Alonso, and Gragg. Walter could also have mentioned that multiple sources (with far more insider knowledge that Walter) have predicted that Manuel would not have been available for Bills to take in the 2nd round. But no, Walter is Walter for a reason. Quality Control 05-03-2013 02:49 pm xxx.xxx.xxx8.13 (total posts: 1) 330     27 Walter has to be the laziest writer, what is this garbage? CHRKinRAL 05-03-2013 02:02 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.135 (total posts: 1) 30     19 Why do you keep insisting that the Jags GM is intent on building around Gabbert? The draft class for QBs sucked this year. He built the rest of the team up well. He knows its a 2 or 3 year process to fix the old GMs mistakes. They will get a new QB next year. But you will still probably spend all next season harping on about Gabbert sucking, and Andy Reid being fat. You seem to get stuck in ruts on your opinions and it is getting old. Allison Brie 05-03-2013 01:55 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.173 (total posts: 2) 73     51 Sorry Walter, I only date my fellow jews. Also, you're a f@ggot. Your girlfriend is a trashbag whore, too. Wesley C 05-03-2013 01:37 pm xxx.xxx.xxx6.74 (total posts: 1) 2     3 Walt, in a future Steelers write-up could you please have a conversation between Mensa members and former Steelers Rashard Mendenhall and Mike Wallace? Justin 05-03-2013 01:06 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.109 (total posts: 1) 4     3 You're right, Christian Ponder won't perform better because of Jennings and Patterson. It will be because he has an extra year of experience and only his second full NFL season. As Vikings fan, I understand the skepticism, but Ponder is far from a lost cause. At least for now. denver 05-03-2013 12:34 pm xxx.xxx.xxx5.15 (total posts: 1) 4     3 we added a pass rusher in the draft (williams) and another in the free agency (phillips). i also don't think dumervil has been that good since he went from olb back to de. he doesn't produce all the time like miller, he gets his sacks mostly against lowly opponents and doesn't play well against the run. and we can sign half the starters on defense for his kind of money. his loss hurts - but not that much. Garrett 05-03-2013 12:17 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.198 (total posts: 1) 5     2 One thing you continue to fail to mention about the Bills is that we got an extra 2nd round pick for the trade so we couldn't of had Austin and Manuel. We did hoever get Manuel, Robert Woods and Kiko Alonso in the first two rounds instead. We we're one pick from getting Minter which then would've been a lights out deal but oh well @no. 05-03-2013 11:03 am xxx.xxx.xxx0.33 (total posts: 2) 8     2 You are crazy dude. You contradict yourself in your own rant. "The championship team, shall remain the championship team, until said team is removed from its pedestal" Where you imply the 49ers should be #1 because they won the division. You then later say "The best team in the NFL? On paper, maybe. But it's all about wins. And frankly, the Denver Broncos hold that title. Or Atlanta, if you feel inclined. I'm not going to be the guy that says "MY TEAM (49ers) WERE THE BEST NOT THE HAWKS" because they didn't have enough W's to earn that title. So once again, you are wrong." Where it seems you are stating that Denver or Atlanta should be #1 because they won more games. Also, if the Ravens won the title, should they not be #1?? So please grace us with your genius. Who should be #1? Denver or Atlanta for having 13 wins? SF for winning their division? or Baltimore for winning the Super Bowl? You make arguments that all 4 teams should be #1 with your statements. Also, remember power rankings are a like a Balance Sheet in accounting. It's a look at right now. Power Rankings rank the teams based on current rosters, recent success and future schedule. Seahawks have "The best team in the NFL? On paper, maybe" (That's your words) which means if they currently have a better roster, have an easier schedule than SF this coming season and have had very good recent success, they should be ranked quite high. Get over your blinding homer-ism for once. Wrong...again 05-03-2013 11:03 am xxx.xxx.xxx2.76 (total posts: 1) 2     3 Maybe Bushrod was overpaid, maybe Long is 'raw' however neither are the main reason for believing Cutler will no longer be 'running for his life'... Marc Trestman/Aaron Kromers offense/zone blocking scheme are the real reason. West coast based, throw the ball to a spot not a player system will have Cutler upright moreso than at anytime during his career. tyler 05-03-2013 10:59 am xxx.xxx.xxx.238 (total posts: 1) 2     2 Never doubt ozzie or ray rice will f*** up ur bets that 4th and 29 was b.s ns I'm a ravens fan.. go bad refs wooooo Halsey 05-03-2013 10:40 am xxx.xxx.xxx.150 (total posts: 1) 5     2 Seems like you're putting all the focus on who the Falcons lost. The Falcons replaced the guys they lost. Steven Jackson is not the only player they added...And Brent Grimes didn't even play last year. Pages: 1 2 3 45 6 7 ...109 110