A weekly examination of the 49ers' ESPN.com Power Ranking:
Preseason ranking: 3 | Last Week: 10 | ESPN.com Power Ranking since 2002
The San Francisco 49ers’ short journey out of single-digit rankings is over after a 35-11 win at St. Louis in Week 4. Last week, the 49ers fell to No. 10 after dropping to 1-2. It was the team’s lowest ranking since Week 5 of 2011. The 49ers were never ranked lower than No. 5 last season.
Now, they appear to be on the right track again. The voting panel clearly respects and believes in San Francisco. The 49ers are the highest-ranked 2-2 team in the league. They are also ranked higher than Chicago, Detroit and Tennessee. Those teams are all 3-1.
A win over visiting Houston, ranked No. 15, should keep the 49ers pointing upward in Week 6.
Preseason ranking: 3 | Last Week: 10 | ESPN.com Power Ranking since 2002
The San Francisco 49ers’ short journey out of single-digit rankings is over after a 35-11 win at St. Louis in Week 4. Last week, the 49ers fell to No. 10 after dropping to 1-2. It was the team’s lowest ranking since Week 5 of 2011. The 49ers were never ranked lower than No. 5 last season.
Now, they appear to be on the right track again. The voting panel clearly respects and believes in San Francisco. The 49ers are the highest-ranked 2-2 team in the league. They are also ranked higher than Chicago, Detroit and Tennessee. Those teams are all 3-1.
A win over visiting Houston, ranked No. 15, should keep the 49ers pointing upward in Week 6.
A weekly examination of the Broncos’ ESPN.com Power Ranking:
Preseason: 3 | Last Week: 2 | ESPN.com Power Ranking since 2002
With their 59-20 demolition of the Philadelphia Eagles this past weekend, the Broncos moved up a spot and to the top of the ESPN.com Power Rankings as they emphatically launched themselves out of what coach John Fox calls the “first quarter of a four-quarter season." And they have done that with an opportunistic defense still without two of its best players and an offense that has overwhelmed four consecutive opponents.
The Broncos are averaging 44.8 points per game, a pace that is eight points a game better than the highest-scoring offense in league history: the 2007 New England Patriots. Quarterback Peyton Manning has thrown 16 touchdown passes, or more touchdowns than every other team in the league has scored overall. They have beaten their four opponents by an average of 22 points.
Oh, and they have played defense without cornerback Champ Bailey or star pass-rusher Von Miller in the lineup. Bailey has missed four games with a left foot injury he suffered in preseason and Miller will miss two more games as part of his six-game suspension.
“But there’s plenty to work on,’’ Fox said. “We want ... to be playing our best football in February.’’
Preseason: 3 | Last Week: 2 | ESPN.com Power Ranking since 2002
With their 59-20 demolition of the Philadelphia Eagles this past weekend, the Broncos moved up a spot and to the top of the ESPN.com Power Rankings as they emphatically launched themselves out of what coach John Fox calls the “first quarter of a four-quarter season." And they have done that with an opportunistic defense still without two of its best players and an offense that has overwhelmed four consecutive opponents.
The Broncos are averaging 44.8 points per game, a pace that is eight points a game better than the highest-scoring offense in league history: the 2007 New England Patriots. Quarterback Peyton Manning has thrown 16 touchdown passes, or more touchdowns than every other team in the league has scored overall. They have beaten their four opponents by an average of 22 points.
Oh, and they have played defense without cornerback Champ Bailey or star pass-rusher Von Miller in the lineup. Bailey has missed four games with a left foot injury he suffered in preseason and Miller will miss two more games as part of his six-game suspension.
“But there’s plenty to work on,’’ Fox said. “We want ... to be playing our best football in February.’’
A weekly examination of the Buccaneers' ESPN.com Power Ranking:
Preseason: 19 | Last Week: 31 | ESPN.com Power Rankings since 2002
The latest Power Rankings are out and the good news is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn't drop even after handing Sunday's game to the Arizona Cardinals.
The bad news is the Bucs really couldn’t go any lower. They’re at No. 31 for the second straight week and the only reason they’re not No. 32 is because the Jacksonville Jaguars have been even more dismal.
But the Buccaneers could have a shot at No. 32 next week. The Bucs have a bye this week, while Jacksonville faces the St. Louis Rams, who have been less than stellar.
Preseason: 19 | Last Week: 31 | ESPN.com Power Rankings since 2002
The latest Power Rankings are out and the good news is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn't drop even after handing Sunday's game to the Arizona Cardinals.
The bad news is the Bucs really couldn’t go any lower. They’re at No. 31 for the second straight week and the only reason they’re not No. 32 is because the Jacksonville Jaguars have been even more dismal.
But the Buccaneers could have a shot at No. 32 next week. The Bucs have a bye this week, while Jacksonville faces the St. Louis Rams, who have been less than stellar.
A weekly examination of the Patriots’ ESPN.com Power Ranking:
Preseason: 6 | Last Week: 5 | ESPN.com Power Ranking since 2002
The Patriots' No. 4 ranking represents their highest spot of the year. They've been as low as seventh.
When looking closer at the voting breakdown, it came down to the Patriots and Saints for the No. 4 spot, with New Orleans getting one more third-place vote to barely edge New England.
If things hold true this week -- the Patriots hit the road to face the Bengals, while the Saints visit the Bears -- it will set up a potential No. 3 versus No. 4 matchup between the Patriots and Saints on Oct. 13 at Gillette Stadium. If the weather cooperates, that could turn out to be a true gem, because from this viewpoint, there's not much better than high-level NFL football played on a perfect New England day.
But that's getting ahead of ourselves.
First up for the Patriots is a test against the Bengals, who dropped from sixth to 11th in ESPN's Power Rankings.
As for the No. 1 (Denver) and No. 2 (Seattle) teams in the Power Rankings, no arguments here. They deserve it and my sense is that most Patriots followers would agree, while also acknowledging that what the picture looks like today isn't always what we'll see when it counts in November and December.
Preseason: 6 | Last Week: 5 | ESPN.com Power Ranking since 2002
The Patriots' No. 4 ranking represents their highest spot of the year. They've been as low as seventh.
When looking closer at the voting breakdown, it came down to the Patriots and Saints for the No. 4 spot, with New Orleans getting one more third-place vote to barely edge New England.
If things hold true this week -- the Patriots hit the road to face the Bengals, while the Saints visit the Bears -- it will set up a potential No. 3 versus No. 4 matchup between the Patriots and Saints on Oct. 13 at Gillette Stadium. If the weather cooperates, that could turn out to be a true gem, because from this viewpoint, there's not much better than high-level NFL football played on a perfect New England day.
But that's getting ahead of ourselves.
First up for the Patriots is a test against the Bengals, who dropped from sixth to 11th in ESPN's Power Rankings.
As for the No. 1 (Denver) and No. 2 (Seattle) teams in the Power Rankings, no arguments here. They deserve it and my sense is that most Patriots followers would agree, while also acknowledging that what the picture looks like today isn't always what we'll see when it counts in November and December.
NFL Power Rankings: No. 27 Philadelphia
October, 1, 2013
Oct 1
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By
Phil Sheridan | ESPN.com
A weekly examination of the Eagles’ ESPN.com Power Ranking:
Preseason: 25 Last Week: 19 | ESPN.com Power Ranking since 2002
Chip Kelly knows all about how a blowout can affect a football team’s place in the weekly rankings. He used to run up scores all the time at Oregon. In his four years there, Kelly’s teams scored 50 or more points 21 times.
It’s a little different being on the other side of that. In the smoldering aftermath of Sunday’s 52-20 humiliation in Denver, the Broncos are BCS bowl-bound at the top of the ESPN panel’s weekly rankings. The Eagles dropped all the way to No. 27. That’s two spots below their preseason spot, which was based on a first-year coach taking over a 4-12 team.
There is good news in the rankings for Eagles fans, though. Three of their next four games are against teams that are below them: home-and-home against the No. 30 New York Giants and a road game against No. 31 Tampa Bay. There is a home game against the NFC East-leading Dallas Cowboys in there, too.
So the Eagles are where they deserve to be, but there is an opportunity for them to start climbing back toward the top 10.
Preseason: 25 Last Week: 19 | ESPN.com Power Ranking since 2002
Chip Kelly knows all about how a blowout can affect a football team’s place in the weekly rankings. He used to run up scores all the time at Oregon. In his four years there, Kelly’s teams scored 50 or more points 21 times.
It’s a little different being on the other side of that. In the smoldering aftermath of Sunday’s 52-20 humiliation in Denver, the Broncos are BCS bowl-bound at the top of the ESPN panel’s weekly rankings. The Eagles dropped all the way to No. 27. That’s two spots below their preseason spot, which was based on a first-year coach taking over a 4-12 team.
There is good news in the rankings for Eagles fans, though. Three of their next four games are against teams that are below them: home-and-home against the No. 30 New York Giants and a road game against No. 31 Tampa Bay. There is a home game against the NFC East-leading Dallas Cowboys in there, too.
So the Eagles are where they deserve to be, but there is an opportunity for them to start climbing back toward the top 10.
A weekly examination of the Cowboys’ ESPN.com Power Ranking:
Preseason: 20 | Last Week: 15 | ESPN.com Power Ranking since 2002
The Dallas Cowboys dropped three spots in this week’s ESPN.com Power Rankings after their 30-21 loss to the San Diego Chargers, but they will have a chance to make a big jump if they can knock off the top-ranked Denver Broncos on Sunday at AT&T Stadium.
With the way the Broncos are playing and the way the Cowboys' defense played last week against Philip Rivers (401 yards passing, three touchdowns), that seems like too tall of an order.
Among the voters, Dan Graziano continues to be a believer in the Cowboys, putting them at No. 14 in the rankings, while Kevin Seifert gives them their lowest ranking at No. 21. The Chargers did not receive much of a bump in beating the Cowboys, going from No. 19 to No. 17.
The Cowboys remain the top-rated NFC East team by a decent margin. The Washington Redskins check in at No. 25, but the Cowboys’ two wins this year came against the No. 29 New York Giants and No. 26 St. Louis Rams.
Beating the Broncos and Peyton Manning could be a huge boost, but the Cowboys are so much of a week-to-week team that you cannot predict that it would mean much going into their Week 6 meeting against the Redskins.
Preseason: 20 | Last Week: 15 | ESPN.com Power Ranking since 2002
The Dallas Cowboys dropped three spots in this week’s ESPN.com Power Rankings after their 30-21 loss to the San Diego Chargers, but they will have a chance to make a big jump if they can knock off the top-ranked Denver Broncos on Sunday at AT&T Stadium.
With the way the Broncos are playing and the way the Cowboys' defense played last week against Philip Rivers (401 yards passing, three touchdowns), that seems like too tall of an order.
Among the voters, Dan Graziano continues to be a believer in the Cowboys, putting them at No. 14 in the rankings, while Kevin Seifert gives them their lowest ranking at No. 21. The Chargers did not receive much of a bump in beating the Cowboys, going from No. 19 to No. 17.
The Cowboys remain the top-rated NFC East team by a decent margin. The Washington Redskins check in at No. 25, but the Cowboys’ two wins this year came against the No. 29 New York Giants and No. 26 St. Louis Rams.
Beating the Broncos and Peyton Manning could be a huge boost, but the Cowboys are so much of a week-to-week team that you cannot predict that it would mean much going into their Week 6 meeting against the Redskins.
Power Rankings: No. 21 Carolina Panthers
October, 1, 2013
Oct 1
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By
David Newton | ESPN.com
A weekly examination of the Panthers’ ESPN.com Power Ranking:
Preseason: 23 | Last Week: 21 | ESPN.com Power Ranking since 2002
Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera spent his bye weekend, in his words, "flopping around" the Charlotte area going to restaurants and other venues with his wife.
"It was just nice to be out and be carefree for a while," Rivera said.
His 1-2 team didn't flop around in ESPN's Power Rankings after the bye week, remaining at No. 21. You can't ask for much more.
Rivera did spend a little bit of time checking out the rest of the league. He would have spent more, but unfortunately he doesn't have the NFL Sunday Ticket as a part of his television package.
Not that he needs it. As Rivera said of his Sundays, "I'm usually busy."
So instead of watching upcoming opponent Arizona (2-2) beat Tampa Bay -- "I couldn't find it," Rivera said. -- he watched portions of the Minnesota-Pittsburgh game from London and the New Orleans-New England game on Sunday night.
"I watched what was on TV and it was interesting," said Rivera, whose team moved up six spots in the rankings a week ago after a 38-0 victory over the New York Giants. "My perspective is a little different. I drive my wife nuts because I talk during the whole game. She said, 'Do you ever just enjoy it?' I said, 'Not really.'
"I look at what teams are doing. I challenge myself and think about things that are going on. As my wife says, 'You don't do anything normal when you watch football.' But it was fun. It really was."
You can't ask for much more there, either.
Preseason: 23 | Last Week: 21 | ESPN.com Power Ranking since 2002
Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera spent his bye weekend, in his words, "flopping around" the Charlotte area going to restaurants and other venues with his wife.
"It was just nice to be out and be carefree for a while," Rivera said.
His 1-2 team didn't flop around in ESPN's Power Rankings after the bye week, remaining at No. 21. You can't ask for much more.
Rivera did spend a little bit of time checking out the rest of the league. He would have spent more, but unfortunately he doesn't have the NFL Sunday Ticket as a part of his television package.
Not that he needs it. As Rivera said of his Sundays, "I'm usually busy."
So instead of watching upcoming opponent Arizona (2-2) beat Tampa Bay -- "I couldn't find it," Rivera said. -- he watched portions of the Minnesota-Pittsburgh game from London and the New Orleans-New England game on Sunday night.
"I watched what was on TV and it was interesting," said Rivera, whose team moved up six spots in the rankings a week ago after a 38-0 victory over the New York Giants. "My perspective is a little different. I drive my wife nuts because I talk during the whole game. She said, 'Do you ever just enjoy it?' I said, 'Not really.'
"I look at what teams are doing. I challenge myself and think about things that are going on. As my wife says, 'You don't do anything normal when you watch football.' But it was fun. It really was."
You can't ask for much more there, either.
Power Rankings: No. 19 Arizona Cardinals
October, 1, 2013
Oct 1
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By
Josh Weinfuss | ESPN.com
A weekly examination of the Cardinals' ESPN.com Power Ranking:
Preseason: 26 | Last Week: 22 | ESPN.com Power Ranking since 2002
So maybe Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians was on to something when he said it doesn’t matter how his team wins, as long as it wins. The Cardinals pulled off a fourth-quarter comeback in Tampa Bay to cap a 13-10 win in as ugly a game as you’ll see. But style points don’t count in the NFL, and the win helped Arizona move up three places in this week’s ESPN.com Power Rankings. Last week in Sarasota, Fla., offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin discussed the offensive flashes Arizona has shown, but recently, that’s all it’s been. But during those flashes, the Cardinals have displayed how powerful Arians’ new offense can be -- not a secret around the NFL. The Cardinals moved the ball with ease on two drives in the third quarter, but they were derailed by Carson Palmer interceptions. This team has the pieces, it’s just a matter of the players figuring out how to make them work. Arians said Monday he has never seen a team take so long to figure out his offense, which he labeled as “putrid.” If “putrid” means a win, it can only go up from here.
Preseason: 26 | Last Week: 22 | ESPN.com Power Ranking since 2002
So maybe Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians was on to something when he said it doesn’t matter how his team wins, as long as it wins. The Cardinals pulled off a fourth-quarter comeback in Tampa Bay to cap a 13-10 win in as ugly a game as you’ll see. But style points don’t count in the NFL, and the win helped Arizona move up three places in this week’s ESPN.com Power Rankings. Last week in Sarasota, Fla., offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin discussed the offensive flashes Arizona has shown, but recently, that’s all it’s been. But during those flashes, the Cardinals have displayed how powerful Arians’ new offense can be -- not a secret around the NFL. The Cardinals moved the ball with ease on two drives in the third quarter, but they were derailed by Carson Palmer interceptions. This team has the pieces, it’s just a matter of the players figuring out how to make them work. Arians said Monday he has never seen a team take so long to figure out his offense, which he labeled as “putrid.” If “putrid” means a win, it can only go up from here.
Power Rankings: No. 3 New Orleans Saints
October, 1, 2013
Oct 1
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By
Mike Triplett | ESPN.com
A weekly examination of the Saints’ ESPN.com Power Ranking:
Preseason: 14 | Last Week: 3 | ESPN.com Power Ranking since 2002
Technically, the Saints (4-0) stayed put at No. 3. But it feels like they moved into that upper tier with the No. 1 Denver Broncos and No. 2 Seattle Seahawks after a dominant 38-17 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Monday night.
That’s because the Saints’ prolific passing offense truly exploded for the first time this season, with quarterback Drew Brees throwing for 413 yards and four touchdowns (96 or more yards for Darren Sproles, Jimmy Graham and Marques Colston). The Dolphins looked lost trying to cover all of those matchup nightmares. That’s what the Saints’ passing offense looked like in 2011 (a 13-3 season), when Brees shattered Dan Marino’s NFL record with 5,476 passing yards and 46 touchdown passes.
The Saints' run game remained grounded Monday, but they still had offensive balance with short passes to Sproles and Pierre Thomas. And the revamped Saints defense continued to play a huge role with four turnovers and four sacks.
With that combo, the Saints are once again bona fide Super Bowl contenders. But so far, we’ve mostly seen them picking on teams on their home turf. We’ll learn even more about them on the road over the next two weeks at the No. 9 Chicago Bears (3-1) and No. 4 New England Patriots (4-0).
Preseason: 14 | Last Week: 3 | ESPN.com Power Ranking since 2002
Technically, the Saints (4-0) stayed put at No. 3. But it feels like they moved into that upper tier with the No. 1 Denver Broncos and No. 2 Seattle Seahawks after a dominant 38-17 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Monday night.
That’s because the Saints’ prolific passing offense truly exploded for the first time this season, with quarterback Drew Brees throwing for 413 yards and four touchdowns (96 or more yards for Darren Sproles, Jimmy Graham and Marques Colston). The Dolphins looked lost trying to cover all of those matchup nightmares. That’s what the Saints’ passing offense looked like in 2011 (a 13-3 season), when Brees shattered Dan Marino’s NFL record with 5,476 passing yards and 46 touchdown passes.
The Saints' run game remained grounded Monday, but they still had offensive balance with short passes to Sproles and Pierre Thomas. And the revamped Saints defense continued to play a huge role with four turnovers and four sacks.
With that combo, the Saints are once again bona fide Super Bowl contenders. But so far, we’ve mostly seen them picking on teams on their home turf. We’ll learn even more about them on the road over the next two weeks at the No. 9 Chicago Bears (3-1) and No. 4 New England Patriots (4-0).
A weekly examination of the Bills' ESPN.com Power Ranking:
Preseason: 30 | Last Week: 24 | ESPN.com Power Ranking since 2002
Just a slight bump.
That was all voters gave the Bills after their win over the Baltimore Ravens, who were ranked No. 11 entering the game. Improving to 2-2, the Bills rose just one spot in the overall rankings, to No. 23.
I think they should be higher. Of teams Nos. 20-22, the Bills have lost to one (the Jets, No. 22), defeated another (the Panthers, No. 21) and will play the other Thursday night (the Browns, No. 20). The Panthers' lone win came against the 0-4 Giants, and the Browns were ranked No. 31 two weeks ago.
Are the Bills really worse than either Cleveland or Carolina? I don't think so.
And ESPN's Kevin Seifert doesn't, either. He gave the Bills their highest vote of the season, placing them No. 18 in his ranking.
Preseason: 30 | Last Week: 24 | ESPN.com Power Ranking since 2002
Just a slight bump.
That was all voters gave the Bills after their win over the Baltimore Ravens, who were ranked No. 11 entering the game. Improving to 2-2, the Bills rose just one spot in the overall rankings, to No. 23.
I think they should be higher. Of teams Nos. 20-22, the Bills have lost to one (the Jets, No. 22), defeated another (the Panthers, No. 21) and will play the other Thursday night (the Browns, No. 20). The Panthers' lone win came against the 0-4 Giants, and the Browns were ranked No. 31 two weeks ago.
Are the Bills really worse than either Cleveland or Carolina? I don't think so.
And ESPN's Kevin Seifert doesn't, either. He gave the Bills their highest vote of the season, placing them No. 18 in his ranking.
Power Rankings: No. 24 Minnesota Vikings
October, 1, 2013
Oct 1
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By
Ben Goessling | ESPN.com
A weekly examination of the Vikings’ ESPN.com Power Ranking:
Preseason: 17 | Last Week: 26 | ESPN.com Power Ranking since 2002
The Vikings don't get much of a bump this week after hanging on to beat the No. 29 Pittsburgh Steelers at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, but they left London feeling much better about themselves following their first win of the season. It was the first time the Vikings -- who didn't win a game in which they lost the turnover battle last year -- didn't give the ball away, and Matt Cassel passed for 248 yards and a pair of touchdowns in relief of Christian Ponder, who missed the game with a rib injury.
The Vikings' quarterback situation will be the hot topic during and after their bye week, with Cassel having posted a passer rating Sunday that was higher than any single-game rating Ponder has posted in his career. The Vikings might feel beholden to Ponder, whom they took 12th overall in the 2011 draft, but they need to take advantage of a schedule stretch that all of a sudden looks soft if they want to turn their season around. The Vikings' next five opponents -- Carolina, the New York Giants, Green Bay, Dallas and Washington -- have a combined 5-13 record this season. That group includes two of the past three NFC champions and two division winners from 2012, but if the Vikings can get themselves on track in time to catch those teams while they're reeling, they might be able to edge back into the playoff race in what has so far been a mediocre conference.
Preseason: 17 | Last Week: 26 | ESPN.com Power Ranking since 2002
The Vikings don't get much of a bump this week after hanging on to beat the No. 29 Pittsburgh Steelers at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, but they left London feeling much better about themselves following their first win of the season. It was the first time the Vikings -- who didn't win a game in which they lost the turnover battle last year -- didn't give the ball away, and Matt Cassel passed for 248 yards and a pair of touchdowns in relief of Christian Ponder, who missed the game with a rib injury.
The Vikings' quarterback situation will be the hot topic during and after their bye week, with Cassel having posted a passer rating Sunday that was higher than any single-game rating Ponder has posted in his career. The Vikings might feel beholden to Ponder, whom they took 12th overall in the 2011 draft, but they need to take advantage of a schedule stretch that all of a sudden looks soft if they want to turn their season around. The Vikings' next five opponents -- Carolina, the New York Giants, Green Bay, Dallas and Washington -- have a combined 5-13 record this season. That group includes two of the past three NFC champions and two division winners from 2012, but if the Vikings can get themselves on track in time to catch those teams while they're reeling, they might be able to edge back into the playoff race in what has so far been a mediocre conference.
A weekly examination of the Colts’ ESPN.com Power Ranking:
Preseason: 10 | Last week: 9 | ESPN.com Power Ranking since 2002
The five remaining undefeated teams are the only things standing between the Indianapolis Colts and a top-five ranking. So an argument can’t be made that the Colts aren’t getting any respect in this week’s rankings. I was a little surprised the Dolphins are ranked a spot behind the Colts since they beat Indianapolis on the road in Week 2. Voters John Clayton and Dan Graziano feel the same way because they had the Dolphins ranked higher than the Colts. The Colts are the fourth-best team in the AFC based off this week's rankings. They should move up even higher if they beat the undefeated Seattle Seahawks at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday. With a win against Seattle, the Colts should move past at least Kansas City because the Chiefs are playing Tennessee, which is without starting quarterback Jake Locker (hip).
Here’s where each voter ranked the Colts this week:
Ashley Fox: 6
Mike Sando: 6
Kevin Seifert: 5
John Clayton: 7
Dan Graziano: 8
Jamison Hensley: 6
Preseason: 10 | Last week: 9 | ESPN.com Power Ranking since 2002
The five remaining undefeated teams are the only things standing between the Indianapolis Colts and a top-five ranking. So an argument can’t be made that the Colts aren’t getting any respect in this week’s rankings. I was a little surprised the Dolphins are ranked a spot behind the Colts since they beat Indianapolis on the road in Week 2. Voters John Clayton and Dan Graziano feel the same way because they had the Dolphins ranked higher than the Colts. The Colts are the fourth-best team in the AFC based off this week's rankings. They should move up even higher if they beat the undefeated Seattle Seahawks at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday. With a win against Seattle, the Colts should move past at least Kansas City because the Chiefs are playing Tennessee, which is without starting quarterback Jake Locker (hip).
Here’s where each voter ranked the Colts this week:
Ashley Fox: 6
Mike Sando: 6
Kevin Seifert: 5
John Clayton: 7
Dan Graziano: 8
Jamison Hensley: 6
Power Rankings: No. 20 Cleveland Browns
October, 1, 2013
Oct 1
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By
Pat McManamon | ESPN.com
A weekly examination of the Browns’ ESPN.com Power Ranking:
Preseason: 28 | Last week: 25 | ESPN.com Power Ranking since 2002
The Cleveland Browns are close to moving into unfamiliar territory, and they and their fans have to be thrilled about it.
The Browns moved from No. 31 in the Week 3 rankings to 20 after trading running back Trent Richardson and moving third quarterback Brian Hoyer into the starting spot. Those moves were treated as cataclysmic by many, but the result has been two consecutive wins over playoff teams in 2012 (Minnesota and Cincinnati) and an 11-spot jump in the Power Rankings.
The last time the Browns were ranked 20th was the 15th week of the 2012 season.
A win Thursday night over Buffalo might even move the Browns into the teens. That hasn’t happened since the Browns were ranked 17th in Week 2 of the 2008 season.
Preseason: 28 | Last week: 25 | ESPN.com Power Ranking since 2002
The Cleveland Browns are close to moving into unfamiliar territory, and they and their fans have to be thrilled about it.
The Browns moved from No. 31 in the Week 3 rankings to 20 after trading running back Trent Richardson and moving third quarterback Brian Hoyer into the starting spot. Those moves were treated as cataclysmic by many, but the result has been two consecutive wins over playoff teams in 2012 (Minnesota and Cincinnati) and an 11-spot jump in the Power Rankings.
The last time the Browns were ranked 20th was the 15th week of the 2012 season.
A win Thursday night over Buffalo might even move the Browns into the teens. That hasn’t happened since the Browns were ranked 17th in Week 2 of the 2008 season.
A weekly examination of the Texans' ESPN.com Power Ranking:
Preseason: 7 | Last week: 13 | ESPN.com Power Rankings since 2002
Another loss dropped the Texans again, though not as far as last week. Houston fell two spots to No. 15 after its 23-20 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks. While I thought last week's nine-point fall was an overreaction to Houston's loss to the Ravens, as I examine the list of teams now ahead of the Texans, it's hard to argue with most of the teams ahead of them.
Last week, the Texans fell below the Indianapolis Colts in the division. This week, both the Colts and Tennessee Titans are ahead of Houston. Though I'm not sure how impressive Tennessee's win against the New York Jets is, they have looked like a good team all year, even in their overtime loss in Houston. The Texans are one spot below the Ravens and one spot ahead of the Falcons. This week's opponent, the San Francisco 49ers, are ranked eighth.
Preseason: 7 | Last week: 13 | ESPN.com Power Rankings since 2002
Another loss dropped the Texans again, though not as far as last week. Houston fell two spots to No. 15 after its 23-20 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks. While I thought last week's nine-point fall was an overreaction to Houston's loss to the Ravens, as I examine the list of teams now ahead of the Texans, it's hard to argue with most of the teams ahead of them.
Last week, the Texans fell below the Indianapolis Colts in the division. This week, both the Colts and Tennessee Titans are ahead of Houston. Though I'm not sure how impressive Tennessee's win against the New York Jets is, they have looked like a good team all year, even in their overtime loss in Houston. The Texans are one spot below the Ravens and one spot ahead of the Falcons. This week's opponent, the San Francisco 49ers, are ranked eighth.
Power Rankings: No. 11 Cincinnati Bengals
October, 1, 2013
Oct 1
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By
Coley Harvey | ESPN.com
A weekly examination of the Bengals' ESPN.com Power Ranking:
Preseason: 9 | Last week: 6 | ESPN.com Power Ranking since 2002
Cincinnati's 17-6 loss to the Browns on Sunday sent it for a free fall in this week's ESPN.com Power Rankings. After shooting up four spots to No. 6 with a 34-30 win over Green Bay last week, the Bengals plummeted five spots following an offensive display at Cleveland that offensive coordinator Jay Gruden called "shocking."
Head coach Marvin Lewis said the way the game was lost indicated how inconsistent his team is. At times this season, the Bengals have looked unstoppable. On other occasions, like this past weekend, they have looked like the old version of themselves that so many NFL fans have come to know throughout the league's history. If this inconsistent play continues, expect this trend of seesawing in the Power Rankings to persist, too.
The No. 11 ranking is the lowest for the Bengals so far this season.
The Bengals received one top-10 vote from ESPN.com's six-person Power Rankings panel. Dan Graziano placed them ninth on his ballot. Ashley Fox and Kevin Seifert gave them a No. 15 ranking, the panel's lowest.
Preseason: 9 | Last week: 6 | ESPN.com Power Ranking since 2002
Cincinnati's 17-6 loss to the Browns on Sunday sent it for a free fall in this week's ESPN.com Power Rankings. After shooting up four spots to No. 6 with a 34-30 win over Green Bay last week, the Bengals plummeted five spots following an offensive display at Cleveland that offensive coordinator Jay Gruden called "shocking."
Head coach Marvin Lewis said the way the game was lost indicated how inconsistent his team is. At times this season, the Bengals have looked unstoppable. On other occasions, like this past weekend, they have looked like the old version of themselves that so many NFL fans have come to know throughout the league's history. If this inconsistent play continues, expect this trend of seesawing in the Power Rankings to persist, too.
The No. 11 ranking is the lowest for the Bengals so far this season.
The Bengals received one top-10 vote from ESPN.com's six-person Power Rankings panel. Dan Graziano placed them ninth on his ballot. Ashley Fox and Kevin Seifert gave them a No. 15 ranking, the panel's lowest.
