Posted by ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert
Just as I teased earlier Tuesday, we Black and Bluers made quite a move in the latest edition of ESPN.com’s Power Rankings. We now have three teams among the top 11, thanks to a big leap from Green Bay, and we’re ready to take on the world.
Remember, we’ve changed our voting process this year and I’m no longer involved. The four voters are ESPN national gurus John Clayton and Jeffri Chadiha, along with NFC West blogger Mike Sando and AFC South blogger Paul Kuharsky. The way I see it, the new arrangement frees me up to praise and hammer as I see fit. I invite you to join me.
Here’s how the voters saw it this week for the NFC North:
No. 9: Minnesota
No. 11t: Chicago
No. 11t: Green Bay
No. 32: Detroit
That’s right, the Bears and Packers finished tied for No. 11. According to Sando, the Bears are listed first because of their superior 2008 record. In our late-July voting, the Packers were No. 17. I’m sure you’ve already noticed, but the Packers would have ranked much higher this go-around had Chadiha not slapped them at No. 18.
The Vikings also saw some disparity among voters. Clayton ranked them No. 4, while Kuharsky placed them at No. 14. (See Kuharsky’s explanation here.) All things considered, I think No. 9 is more than fair.
As for the Lions, I’m afraid they’re going to have to pull themselves from the cellar -- with a victory. I’m not sure the voters are going to look past 0-16 (and 22 of 23) until the streak ends.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Kevin Seifert
Seifert joined ESPN.com in 2008 after covering the Minnesota Vikings for the Minneapolis Star Tribune for eight years. He lives in the Twin Cities with his wife and daughter.