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Welcome back for another week of my power rankings. I don't think any power rankings have consistent rhyme or reason to them, and mine are no different. There is usually a fairly close connection to win-loss record, but this week is an example where I added a little more context. That of course is the Arizona Cardinals.
The Cardinals lost Carson Palmer to a knee injury, and will have to rely on Drew Stanton the rest of the season. He was 2-1 in place of Palmer earlier in the season, with his only loss coming on the road to the Denver Broncos. However, much like the NCAA tournament selection committee will lower a team in the bracket because of a major injury, so to do I lower the Cardinals following the Palmer injury. I do think Arizona can hang around in this divisional race, but that 8-1 record is suddenly looking mighty precarious. They get their first big challenge right out of the gates, hosting the 7-2 Detroit Lions this Sunday.
I gave the San Francisco 49ers a considerable following their huge road win over the New Orleans Saints. They looked incredibly inconsistent at times thanks primarily to dropped passes, but they got a win they desperately needed. They travel to face the New York Giants this Sunday, so we'll see how they build on it. Hopefully there is no emotional letdown after such a wild win this past Sunday.
I'm sure plenty will doubt my slotting of the Cleveland Browns. They may burn me before the season ends, but I'm a big fan of what they're doing. It is not pretty at times, but that team is doing big things. They currently hold a half game lead in the AFC North, and they look like that team that comes out of nowhere each season to earn a playoff berth. I'm sure plenty would drop them lower, but I'm buying into Cleveland.
Rank | Team | LW |
1 | New England Patriots (7-2) | 2 |
2 | Denver Broncos (7-2) | 3 |
3 | Philadelphia Eagles (7-2) | 4 |
4 | Detroit Lions (7-2) | 6 |
5 | Arizona Cardinals (8-1) | 1 |
6 | Indianapolis Colts (6-3) | 5 |
7 | Dallas Cowboys (7-3) | 7 |
8 | Seattle Seahawks (6-3) | 8 |
9 | Cleveland Browns (6-3) | 11 |
10 | Green Bay Packers (6-3) | 12 |
11 | San Francisco 49ers (5-4) | 17 |
12 | Kansas City Chiefs (6-3) | 13 |
13 | Cincinnati Bengals (5-3-1) | 9 |
14 | Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) | 10 |
15 | Buffalo Bills (6-3) | 14 |
16 | Baltimore Ravens (6-4) | 19 |
17 | San Diego Chargers (5-4) | 18 |
18 | Miami Dolphins (5-4) | 15 |
19 | New Orleans Saints (4-5) | 16 |
20 | Houston Texans (4-5) | 21 |
21 | Minnesota Vikings (4-5) | 24 |
22 | Carolina Panthers (3-6-1) | 20 |
23 | Chicago Bears (3-6) | 22 |
24 | Atlanta Falcons (3-6) | 27 |
25 | New York Giants (3-6) | 23 |
26 | Washington (3-6) | 26 |
27 | St. Louis Rams (3-6) | 25 |
28 | Tennessee Titans (2-7) | 28 |
29 | New York Jets (2-8) | 31 |
30 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-8) | 29 |
31 | Jacksonville Jaguars (1-9) | 30 |
32 | Oakland Raiders (0-9) | 32 |