2011 NFL Power Rankings: Week 8
Week 7 Top Fantasy Performers, Defenses

1. Green Bay Packers (7-0) - Previously: #1 - Did the Packers really have to let Christian Ponder backdoor them and cost me $440 in the process? Jerks.
   
   Maybe I should take some betting advice from NFL.com from now on. Take a look at the picture they posted in their Packers-Vikings page prior to the game:
   
   
   
   "How in hell does that arrow indicate a 'slight edge?'" I thought beforehand. Now I know. NFL.com knew this game was fixed.
   
   
2. New England Patriots (5-1) - Previously: #2 - I want to clear something I received a ton of e-mails about. Throughout my Week 7 NFL Picks pages, I stated that teams coming off byes were screwed this year because they wouldn't be able to practice and improve on things per the new post-lockout rules.
   
   I didn't mean all teams. I meant just the crappy ones. If you've noticed, crappy and sub-par teams coming off their bye have looked dreadful this year. Good teams won't have this problem because they're, well, good.
   
   An example of this is New England. I don't expect them to struggle whatsoever in Week 8 because Tom Brady and the other captains organized player-only workouts during the bye. I have to imagine that they'll be sharp at Pittsburgh.
   
   I can only imagine what some of the other crappier teams did with their week off. Perhaps Kevin Kolb found Derek Anderson's magic flask buried in the catacombs of the Cardinals locker room - because he sure as hell played like he had one too many sips against the Steelers.
   
   
3. New Orleans Saints (5-2) - Previously: #3 - The Saints just slaughtered the Colts, and now they get to do the same thing with the Rams. It's a shame they don't play the Dolphins this year.
   
   Speaking of Miami and St. Louis, I found this interesting:
   
   In NFL history, there have been only four teams to start 0-6 without covering the spread once:
   
   1989 Cowboys
   1991 Colts
   1991 Bengals
   1998 Redskins
   
   The 2011 Rams and 2011 Dolphins are now on that list (depending on what spread you had in the Miami-Cleveland game).
   
   By the way, the worst a team has ever started was 0-8 straight up and against the spread. The '91 Bengals did that before winning their ninth game.
   
   
4. San Francisco 49ers (5-1) - Previously: #5 - Prior to the 2011 NFL Draft, I found an interesting (and stupid) comment in a 49ers forum:
   
   49ERS TRADE 2011 AND 2012 1ST RD PICKS FOR QB CARSON PALMER.
   
   Phew. I guess Jimmy Harbs dodged a bullet there.
   
   
5. Buffalo Bills (4-2) - Previously: #6 - The Bills just had a bye week, so 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. "Fitz brings so much good moral to his team, no wonder those guys are playing like a unit."
   
   The moral of the story is that GameCenter people are idiots.
   
   2. "Sorry for the second post.....the first did'nt show for 20 min. My computor blows!"
   
   Maybe you're the one who blows.
   
   3. "JUST SO YAW KNO... LOTS OF EXPERTS ARE PIKEIN US TO WIN... WE WILL WIN!"
   
   I wouldn't base it off that. Experts can't really pike games correctly all the time.
   
   
6. Baltimore Ravens (4-2) - Previously: #4 - A recap of the Ravens-Jaguars game:
   
   1. Three hours prior to kickoff, Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon had the following exchange on PTI:
   
   Kornheiser: How can the Jaguars win this game?
   
   Wilbon: Forfeiture.
   
   Not so much, though you can't exactly blame Wilbon for saying that. No one gave the Jaguars a chance in hell of winning. They were 10-point home underdogs facing a team coming off a blowout against the Texans.
   
   2. This was brutal to watch though. I can sit through any game, even a preseason tilt between the Browns and Dolphins, but I almost felt the urge to switch over to the World Series. Almost.
   
   The Ravens couldn't move the ball whatsoever. They had 16 total yards of offense in the first half - the fewest yards any team has had in a first half since the 2009 Bengals, who had nothing to play for in their finale against the Jets.
   
   Joe Flacco's throws were all over the place. He completely missed his receivers and made poor decisions. The offensive line's ineptness didn't help, but I thought John Harbaugh should have considered Tyrod Taylor. I reasoned the following on the forum:
   
   In baseball, if a pitcher struggles, even if it's an ace, you take him out of the game. I'd take Flacco out of the game.
   
   Flacco eventually engineered a touchdown drive, finishing 21-of-38 for 137 yards, one score and a pick, but it was too little too late.
   
   3. It wasn't just Flacco sucking for Baltimore. Ray Rice had only 28 yards on eight carries. He also fumbled twice, prompting forum member RoflDogs to comment:
   
   Two fumbles from Ray Rice in the same half?? Every team that Walt bets on is cursed.
   
   Seriously. Teams should start paying me to pick against them.
   
   4. It wasn't much prettier for the Jaguars. Blaine Gabbert was only slightly better than Flacco, going 9-of-20 for 93 yards. Maurice Jones Drew (30-105) fumbled three times, including once at the Baltimore 1-yard line (though one fumble was a bad hand-off by Gabbert).
   
   5. By the way, NFL, please stop it with these f***ing ridiculous roughing calls. Bernard Pollard tackled a receiver in the chest and was whistled for a personal foul. It was completely clean, much like numerous other hits this weekend that were flagged.
   
   The officiating was awful all night, lending credence to those who believed Vegas fixed this contest to earn money back from an awful weekend for them. I personally would like to know why Rashean Mathis was allowed to mug receivers 10 yards downfield on every single play. It's like this was some bizarre football game from the 1990s when you were able to hit wideouts past five yards.
   
   6. Some interesting exchanges in the Live In-Games Thread at the expense of Flacco:
   
   EllijayFalconsFan: Matt Ryan > Joe Flacco
   
   VBSiena: Matt Ryan > Mark Sanchez > Joe Flacco
   
   Me: Derek Anderson > Jimmy Clausen > Matt Moore > Joe Flacco
   
   Steven Lourie: Derek Anderson > Jimmy Clausen > Matt Moore > Joe Flacco > Blaine Gabbert
   
   McNulty: Vietnamese Food > Thai Food > Chinese Food
   
   
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) - Previously: #9 - I'm not sure how good the Steelers are. Their wins have come against the Seahawks (2-4), who were playing a dreaded early game on the East Coast, Cardinals (1-5), Colts (0-7) by three points, Titans (3-3) without Kenny Britt and Jaguars (2-5) by four points.
   
   Meanwhile, the only team they played currently in the Top 10 is Baltimore, whom they lost to by 28.
   
   
8. New York Giants (4-2) - Previously: #10 - The Giants may be in the first place at the moment, but don't expect that to last too long. Well, at least one GameCenter person thinks so:
   
   COWBOYS ARE THE BEST TEAM ON THE PLANET OF ANY SPORT!!!!! MOST WINNING!! MOST BELOVED!!! MOST HATED!!! MOST EVERYTHING!! WE HOLD ALL THE RECORDS AND NO ONE IS AS GOOD!!! DC4L!!!!!
   
   Most games choked away by their quarterback? Yeah, that works too.
   
   
9. Detroit Lions (5-2) - Previously: #7 - Hey Lions fans, did you know that you're in the Suck for Luck sweepstakes? It's true, well, according to this bozo. E-mailer Jason J. sent me part of a conversation he had a couple of weeks ago with some clown on a football forum:
   
   
   
   
10. New York Jets (4-3) - Previously: #15 - I have no idea whom to rank No. 10. I refuse to put the choking Cowboys up here. I knocked the Chargers off after that ridiculous performance yesterday. No one else is worthy of being in the Top 10, though the Jets have Nick Mangold back and should play better going forward.
    
    Speaking of the Chargers, two quick thoughts on their AFC West rival Broncos.
    
    1. Cris Carter absolutely hates Tim Tebow. Like, he wants to ruin Tebow's life for some reason. Here's something he said during Sunday NFL Countdown:
    
    "Tim Tebow can't do in the pocket what Cal Orton can do in the pocket, hee hee hee honk honk."
    
    OK, just kidding about the Urkel noises, but seriously, what the hell? Orton is 6-21 in his previous 27 starts. His YPA this year is 6.3. His completion percentage is 58.7. And his name isn't freaking Cal!
    
    2. Speaking of Orton, I found it odd that he went out for the coin toss in overtime against the Dolphins. Orton called heads, but the coin landed on tails. Tebow eventually prevailed, but it's clear that Orton tried his best to sabotage Tebow's first start this year. If Orton wanted Tebow to win, he would have called tails. Tails never fails. Duh.
    
    

32. Miami Dolphins (0-6) - Previously: #32 - In the Dolphins-Broncos Live In-Game Thread on NFL.com, several posters were attacking the Miami fans by saying that their mascot is lame. One of the Fins fans defending his squad:



If that's the case, then it's quite apparent that GameCenter posters do not kill sharks.

31. St. Louis Rams (0-6) - Previously: #31 - I already discussed how epically bad the Rams and Dolphins are. Here's another indicator:

Points the St. Louis Rams have scored in their previous four games since Oct. 23: 27
Runs the St. Louis Cardinals have scored in their previous four games since Oct. 23: 20

The Rams are outscoring the Cardinals by only a touchdown! Seriously, how pathetic is that? Perhaps the Rams can sign Albert Pujols after this season to play tight end or something. He can't be worse than what the Rams currently have at the position.

30. Indianapolis Colts (0-7) - Previously: #30 - Beloved GameCenter poster and Colts fan Taton was spazzing out during his team's 62-7 loss to the Colts:



I guess Indianapolis should take itself out of the Suck for Luck sweepstakes, since getting Luck "isn't change anything good."

29. Arizona Cardinals (1-5) - Previously: #28 - It's official. CBS' fantasy football league manager is the worst major one out there. In addition to costing lots of money, it gives terrible advice. Facebook friend Michael M. shared this with me:



That's right - for the price of Larry Fitzgerald or Chris Johnson, you can be the proud new owner of Houston or Cincinnati's defense. Huzzah!

28. Seattle Seahawks (2-4) - Previously: #25 - For those of you who started Marshawn Lynch, direct your hate mail toward Pete Carroll. It was initially reported that Lynch injured his back during pre-game warmups and consequently didn't play. However, it was later revealed that Lynch was having issues with his back all week despite the fact that he was never listed on the injury report.

Carroll is a pathological liar and a complete douche bag. Avoid all Seattle fantasy players at all cost until Carroll is fired.

At any rate, a funny e-mail from Joey T:

I hope you're done saying Charlie S***hurst is the best QB on the Seahawks. That's all.

Charlie S***hurst? Tarvaris "Poop Salad" Jackson? No wonder the Seahawks are so crappy.

27. Cleveland Browns (3-3) - Previously: #26 - Cleveland's three victories this year have come against the Colts (0-7), Seahawks (2-4) and Dolphins (0-6). They lost their other games by a combined score of 82-47 - that was to the Bengals, Raiders and Titans.

Just a hunch that Cleveland's 3-3 record is a bit misleading.

26. Tennessee Titans (3-3) - Previously: #20 - The Titans really blow without Kenny Britt.

Anyway, here are more Notes from NFL.com GameCenter (the first from Facebook friend Jay B):

1. "uh oh, victoria's panties are starting to get bunched up, lookout!"

Slowly but surely, GameCenter is transforming into a sex forum. Check out my NFL Picks page to see how these clowns react to a hot girl being on there.

2. "Alex did start agest more teams in the halfway/higher Ranked strength based teams. What exactly happined to cause that easy 9 points for the Aints in like week 3? or w/e. With the safty and the easy field position it wasnt entirely his fault GRANTED"

I wasn't following this guy at all until he capitalized the word "granted" and ended his sentence abruptly. Now it all makes sense to me.

3. "two best teams in the furture for the west is a much more constentent rams team and a 49ers team which needs a primary lead QB we have a good secondary in alex smith, but he cant play as head QB ill keep him for secondary becouse hes GREAT at that spot but the 9ers primary needs agood head QB which it hasnt land yet."

Did this guy just say he wants the 49ers to use Alex Smith in their secondary? Perhaps his Idiot's Guide to Football didn't land in his mailbox yet.

25. Washington Redskins (3-3) - Previously: #22 - Poor Rex Grossman was so sick before the Panthers game that he couldn't stand on the sidelines. Luckily, there was a camera in the locker room that captured what Grossman was doing and saying.

"I SUCK SO MUCH BLEEHHHHH, I LOST MY STARTING JOB TO JOHN F***ING BECK BLEEEHHHH, I TOLD EVERYONE MY TEAM WAS GOING TO WIN THE NFC EAST BLEEEHHHHH, I'M THE WORST QUARTERBACK EVER BLEEHHHH, NOT EVEN MIKE SHANAHAN COULD FIX ME BLEEHHHHH."

Unfortunately for the janitor, Grossman missed the toilet each time he puked.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5) - Previously: #29 - Jacksonville hung tough with the Steelers and beat the Ravens. Blaine Gabbert hasn't shown anything yet, but the defense is awesome.

At any rate, the Jaguars may not have many fans, but the very few are extremely tough. Check out this post from GameCenter:

Funny story...I went to the Jags vs. Bears game a few years back...it was at Chicago. Some dude started talking smack, so I smacked the living crap out of him and his buddies just stood there and stared. Chicago is full of punks.

A Jags fan who goes to road games AND beats the living crap out of opposing fans? There's no way this team can move to L.A. now.

23. Minnesota Vikings (1-6) - Previously: #27 - I'm moving the Vikings up because they're going to win some games with Christian Ponder.

Anyway, if you haven't heard, The NFL Network's Michael Lombardi recently reported that Donovan McNabb's work ethic has been abysmal this year. Per Lombardi, McNabb showed up late to meetings and practices. There have also been other reports that McNabb refused to listen to coaches who wanted to fix his throwing motion; that he just doesn't want to put in the time to be successful.

I wanted to give McNabb a chance to defend himself, so I called him up for an interview.

Me: Hey Donovan, thanks for joining me.

Donovan McNabb: Hello, George.

Me: George? Who's George?

Donovan McNabb: You.

Me: I'm not George.

Donovan McNabb: This is not George from GeorgeFootball.com? Sorry, I didn't exactly read your e-mail.

Me: No, I'm Walt from WalterFootball.com.

Donovan McNabb: Oopsie-doopsie!

Me: Anyway, I wanted to get to Michael Lombardi's comments, but first I have to ask you, what went wrong this year? Most people thought you'd bounce back with Adrian Peterson.

Donovan McNabb: Who's that?

Me: Adrian Peterson... the best running back in football...

Donovan McNabb: He's on my team?

Me: Umm... yeah...

Donovan McNabb: Oopsie-doopsie! I didn't get around to reading the roster just yet. I've been too busy watching TV.

Me: You don't know who's on your team? Do you even know who your coaches are?

Donovan McNabb: Uhh... Andy Reid?

Me: Andy Reid? You're not on the Eagles anymore!

Donovan McNabb: Oopsie-doopsie! No wonder I'm wearing purple now.

Me: You know, I'm starting to think I don't even need to ask you about Lombardi's comments.

Donovan McNabb: Good, because I'm missing some quality TV right now, George.


2011 NFL Power Rankings: The Rest:
11. San Diego Chargers (4-2). Previously: #8
12. Dallas Cowboys (3-3). Previously: #11
13. Chicago Bears (4-3). Previously: #16
14. Houston Texans (4-3). Previously: #14
15. Philadelphia Eagles (2-4). Previously: #13
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-3). Previously: #12
17. Atlanta Falcons (4-3). Previously: #17
18. Cincinnati Bengals (4-2). Previously: #18
19. Kansas City Chiefs (3-3). Previously: #23
20. Carolina Panthers (2-5). Previously: #21
21. Oakland Raiders (4-3). Previously: #19
22. Denver Broncos (2-4). Previously: #24

Leave a comment Name Comment Verification: click on image to refresh it   Saints fan 06-11-2013 01:31 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.205 (total posts: 4) 3     3 Also dbomb doesn't Rodgers have as much as Brees does and yet makes the playoffs?also he doesn't have a Jimmy Graham or Darren Sproles.just saying... Saints fan 06-11-2013 01:28 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.205 (total posts: 4) 2     2 Dbombnation if any of the coaches should be out it should be Joe Vitt and GOAT(he doesn't deserve the name Greg)Williams. dbombnation 06-07-2013 02:31 pm xxx.xxx.xxx3.42 (total posts: 2) 3     2 And again think losing the head coach for a year over bountygate is enough okay tell that to families in the nfl that are supported by it okay and a guy could possibly have his career cut short over a bounty yeah payton should have lost his job and been indefinately suspended he's the head proffesional in charge plain and simple he should have a better grasp on his people and the people around him the Saints are i disgrace to the NFL that's worse than the spygate that the Patriots pulled but since the Saints bandwagon is high for now until they slip into another deep suck after brees retires we won't penalize them too badly I'm a fan of the game being played the right way by professionals not street thugs trying to take out the other guy trying to even the odds. Dbombnation 06-07-2013 10:08 am xxx.xxx.xxx3.42 (total posts: 2) 3     2 I really think you just don't like organizations well certain ones lets see bucs were close to making playoffs last years and improved the worst part of the team drastically also to the lions yes the lions made great strides to not only increase offensive fire power but pieced together a decent defense and the ever aging over rated Saints they have a phenomenal QB average backfield and average o-line they have lost their 2 best protecters now drew brees will play a similar role to matt stafford in pickjing him self up off the grown frequently match that with a lackluster d and you finish behind the falcons bucs and panthers and then the dolphins make a leap because of a one year wonder and a diva wide receiver get it together i use to respect this site Dharv 06-04-2013 10:19 pm xxx.xxx.xxx1.65 (total posts: 1) 2     2 I think the bears should be top ten not only because they added Marc trestman as the new head coach, they got protection for cutler who is deadly when he has time in the pocket peter 06-04-2013 08:27 pm xxx.xxx.xxx9.88 (total posts: 1) 106     15 Thank you, I don't know person who would of thought 1:00 pm game on the east coast could cause them to lose. But yes they have to get use to the different time and 1:00 pm!! I'm a hawks fan, I can't stop but think dose roger hate us(dislike us), I think he dose! GO HAWKS!!!!!!! Tony 06-03-2013 11:18 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.193 (total posts: 1) 2     4 hhahhahahahha wow this person that made this page is down syndrome you have 8 teams above a team that went 11-5 last year and they all had 8 wins you my friend should stuff your face with dynamite and light the wick FeevekarTeece 05-31-2013 11:40 am xxx.xxx.xxx.160 (total posts: 1) 25     50 弊社は<a href=http://yewjournal.com/jp/reviews/top/toryburch/>トリーバーチ バッグ</a>高級作れます、配達は早い、品質保証の低価格、優れた顧客サービス。 appefeviobe <a href=http://yewjournal.com/jp/reviews/top/toryburch/>トリーバーチ バッグ</a> 代表作 人気の<a href=http://yewjournal.com/jp/reviews/top/toryburch/>トリーバーチ アウトレット</a>新作を激安価格で通販しています。 appefeviobe <a href=http://yewjournal.com/jp/reviews/top/toryburch/>トリーバーチ 店舗</a> Arm Length 05-24-2013 05:24 pm xxx.xxx.xxx1.45 (total posts: 2) 4     3 ProFootballFocus did an analysis on arm length for offensive tackles and found no correlation to length or arms and performance. In fact, it actually looked like the longer armed tackles played worse. Now maybe you didn't read that article, but I am curious what you think of this evaluation: 23. Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa: A+ Grade History repeats itself. Two years ago, Iowa tackle Bryan Bulaga was a top-10 prospect who dropped to the 20s. That pick worked out really well, and I'll be shocked if the Lions don't have similar success with Riley Reiff. Detroit really needed a tackle to protect Matthew Stafford, and Reiff was the best player on the board. Great move. You should be more familiar with that since you wrote it. So Reiff went from being a great A+ pick to getting Stafford killed in one year despite shutting down the Texans' pass rush in his only start? Make perfect sense. Falcon Fan 05-23-2013 05:42 pm xxx.xxx.xxx4.21 (total posts: 1) 45     27 John Abraham is 35 and has lost a step big time. Clabo is 32 and is no longer a starter in my view. Todd Mcclure is so old his mom ran track with Jesus. Grimes didn't even play for the Falcons last year due to injury. Dunta was a liability in coverage and could not make a tackle in a phone booth. Osi is better than Abe. Sjax is better than Turner and Trufant will be a starter. We got better in the offseason and will be superbowl chamos this season! Patrick 05-21-2013 01:20 pm xxx.xxx.xxx3.11 (total posts: 2) 3     8 Please explain Chip Kelly's arrogance? Why because he is doing things his way and not falling into the mold of the NFL. Hmm...lets see, Harbaugh did that fairly well, as did PC in Seattle. You have Seattle ranked #1 and last year you would have had them in the bottom 10. Also while your add it please tell me you were in the discussion for Sheriff Floyd as the Eagles pick at #4. Great call. This website blows. Chris 05-19-2013 05:25 am xxx.xxx.xxx6.80 (total posts: 1) 101     3 Hey Walt, You're douchbaggery has actually reached a new level. "The Chiefs....not going anywhere with this unbelievably overrated Reid-Smith combination." Seriously? F' off. Are you getting tons of emails from KC fans saying we're going to easily beat the Broncos, win the AFC west and guarantee a Superbowl victory? No, jackass...you're not. Is ESPN or the NFL Network saying that? Nope. Look you toolbag, they had 6 Pro Bowlers and won 2 f-ing games last year. If they win 8 or 9 games after being 2-14, that's a huge jump. Most of us expect 7-9 to 9-7. Granted, I check this site out for entertainment and not unbiased reporting, but I suspect I'm one of a large group of your readers that's getting frickin' sick of your constant bashing of certain teams. Your need to get on your knees every chance you can for certain coaches, GMs or teams for the EXACT SAME decisions that you bash other teams for is amateur at best. I couldn't care less that you don't like my team. But if you want me...and I suspect a growing number of other readers.. to continue to check out your draft and FA stuff, you might try to make your bias a little less blatant. Bolder Perdictions 05-15-2013 09:03 am xxx.xxx.xxx.149 (total posts: 1) 10     4 Dole fan - you forgot the object in your sentence: Geno Smith and Matt Barkley will start a relationship this year. fixed. Also, the football world will be shocked when the seehawks finish in third place in the weast. Vikes 05-14-2013 04:02 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.154 (total posts: 1) 4     5 I have no idea why everyone will say the Vikings will finish worse than last season, when they only improved. It is true this is a make-or-break year for Ponder. If Ponder doesn't pan out then at least we can get Peterson's record out of the way. If we need a QB I hope we get A.J. McCarron. Dumbass Walt 05-13-2013 04:00 pm xxx.xxx.xxx0.96 (total posts: 1) 89     4 "So, the Eagles aren't going to run Chip Kelly's offense from Oregon, yet they still thought bringing in Kelly was a good idea. Yeah, that makes a ton of sense. Kelly's arrogance isn't a good sign for this regime. Kelly apparently believes that he can win in the NFL like he did in college with quarterbacks who aren't regarded highly. That's cool, but that's not how the league works." Facepalm.gif Pages: 12 3 4 ...109 110