Through 13 weeks, here are my top 10 and honorable mention:
1. New York Giants (11-1).
They are tough. That’s the best word I can use to describe them. Physically and mentally, the are tougher than everyone else right now. Nothing fancy. They just beat you with physical play on both sides. To win a Super Bowl, under crazy conditions, and then return to the top as we head into December is a huge accomplishment. Are they invincible? No. But they are the team to beat.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3).
If I had to pick the Super Bowl matchup right now it would be the Giants vs. Steelers. And I would pick the Giants. Of course, things could change. The Steelers aren’t as complete as the Giants, but they are as tough. In fact, the teams remind me of each other. Their quarterbacks aren’t Hall of Famers, at least not yet, but they make plays. Both guys have led their teams to Super Bowl titles. Enough said.
3. Tennessee Titans (11-1).
This is a very good team. I just don’t think they are a great team. The Ravens in 2000 and the Bucs in 2002 proved that you can win a Super Bowl with a great defense and good running game (138 yards per). Kerry Collins has 9 TD passes, less than one per game. He also has only four interceptions. It’s time they let him loose a bit. They are going to win the division. Give him some rope and see if he can be a tad more explosive. It will be needed come January.
4. Indianapolis Colts (8-4).
I realize I’m in the minority here. They don’t blow teams out like they used to. But they have now won five straight and the schedule gets easier with Cincinnati, Detroit and Jacksonville up before the finish with Tennessee in a game that might not mean anything. The concern I have with these guys is running the football. Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes average only 3.6 yards per carry. That’s not going to cut it outside of a dome.
5. Tampa Bay Buccanneers (9-3).
I haven’t given this team much love, because of their offense. It’s OK. Jeff Garcia (8 TD passes) hasn’t been able to take a team to the next level. They will be playing Carolina on Monday night in Charlotte. I believe they are better. Warrick Dunn is their go-to back, averaging 4.4 yards per carry.
6. Atlanta Falcons (8-4).
I’ve been waiting for these guys to come back to reality. Maybe reality is that they are decent to good team and Matt Ryan is not going to buckle. If they are for real they must beat the disappointing Saints this weekend in New Orleans. The week after they play Tampa. Michael Turner has proven to be a great acquisition with 1,200 yards and 13 rushing TDs.
7. New York Jets (8-4).
What happened against the Broncos on Sunday? Your guess is as good as mine. Maybe they aren’t ready to handle the success they’ve created for themselves. They should win all four games on their schedule (San Francisco, Buffalo, Seattle and Miami). At 12-4, they would still be a Wild Card team, losing tiebreakers with the Steelers if they finish with the same record. They get a pass because the Broncos have talent.
8. Dallas Cowboys (8-4).
Tony Romo has fixed this team, which I still doubt the Cowboys in a big game. While many people probably rate them higher, their schedule is tough with Pittsburgh, Giants, Baltimore and Philadelphia. They need to beat the Giants and a win over Pittsburgh would move them into the Top 5. But I don’t think they’ll win either.
9. Carolina Panthers (9-3).
If they beat Tampa on Monday night, I will reassess this team’s ranking. The only good team they’ve beaten in Atlanta. Obviously with their record they deserve mention.
10. Baltimore Ravens (8-4).
The Ravens deserve a spot here. But everything could change in December. They play Washington, Pittsburgh and Dallas the next three weeks. They must win two of them, which might be asking too much. QB Joe Flacco has done a decent job guiding this offense. They are solid rushing the ball (three backs with at least 420 yards). But defense is obviously their strength. Again, they must beat the Redskins on Sunday.
Honorable mention:
11. New England Patriots (7-5) … Easy schedule, but the way they folded against the Steelers might have been indicator of injury problem.
12. Washington Redskins (7-5) … Division is so tough. Have an easy schedule after Baltimore. So stay tuned.
13. Miami Dolphins (7-5) … Easy schedule until final game with Jets. Probably has to win them all, which is doubtful.
14. Arizona Cardinals (7-5) … They will probably win their division at 10-6, maybe even 9-7. Poor running game hurts them.
15. Chicago Bears (6-6) … Suspensions to Vikings linemen drops them down and moves Bears just ahead. I’ve jumped from their bandwagon.
