Clump’s Week 10 Power Rankings

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Once again, the top couple of spots remain the same. Clearly, the best teams reside in the AFC with 4 of my top 5 being from that conference. Doesn’t appear that the top teams will be dislodged this week, but as we have seen many times this year, you just never know.

My playoff rankings:

AFC: 1) Kansas City 2) Tennessee 3) New England 4) Baltimore 5) Indianapolis 6) Denver

NFC: 1) Dallas 2) Seattle 3) Carolina 4) Minnesota 5) St. Louis 6) Philadelphia

1) Kansas City (9-0): Put away a valiant Browns team who were competitive early but Chiefs clearly no match. Must travel to Cincinnati where the brash WR Chad Johnson has guaranteed victory. Chiefs likely to use that bold statement to their advantage as they drive towards an undefeated season.

2) Tennessee (7-2): Manhandled the Dolphins. Fins had no answer for the offensive attack or the defensive pressure. Must not lose focus as the upset-minded Jags visit.

3) New England (7-2): Come off the bye week healthier and rejuvenated. Just in time for a visit from Bill Parcells and the Cowboys in the “Battle of the Bill’s”

4) Dallas (7-2): Survived the Bills anemic offensive showing but were rather anemic as well. Running game is a key in this with the Patriots but the Cowboys have been inconsistent running the ball.

5) Indianapolis (7-2): Have struggled the past two weeks, losing late to the Jags in Jacksonville. Now must host the Jets without two top offensive weapons in Harrison and Pollard. Defense has been susceptible to the run.

6) Carolina (7-2): Tough game vs. Bucs last week, but they were able to drive for the winning TD against the “Mouths from the South”. Revenge game for Stephen Davis vs. a suspect Redskins’ defense. Look for Davis to win this battle.

7) Seattle (6-3): Struggled in winnable game vs. Redskins. Need to bounce back vs. Lions because Rams are getting healthy and are now tied for the division.

8) Minnesota (6-3): Third sub-par performance in three weeks. Do I detect a trend? Must visit the Raiders, which is usually not an easy trip.

9) Philadelphia (6-3): Amazingly finding ways to win, however, Packers had 6 turnovers while the Eagles had zero but Eagles won by 3 in the last seconds. Can’t continue this in future games.

10) St. Louis (6-3): Welcomed Marshall Faulk back and he contributed 2 TD’s. He’s likely to see more action in the weeks ahead, as he should be well rested. Author likes that because he has Faulk in a couple of FF leagues.

11) Baltimore (5-4): Division up for grabs now that Ravens must go to third string QB. The infamous Ray Lucas is now the back up. This doesn’t look good for the Ravens.

12) Denver (5-4): Plummer returns in time for the Broncos to put a stranglehold on the final playoff spot in the AFC.

13) Miami (5-4): Absolutely dominated in Tennessee last week. The OL cannot block for either the run or pass, thus I predict the offensive woes will continue.

14) Green Bay (4-5): Lost in last seconds to the Eagles, but they deserved to lose the game with 6 turnovers. Now have to visit the 4-5 Bucs and the loser basically has their season ended.

15) San Francisco (4-5): Bye week permutations move them up 3 spots. Replacing Garcia with Rattay who played well vs. Rams before the bye. Need to utilize the talents in the backfield to take the pressure off of Rattay.

16) Tampa Bay (4-5): “Mouths of the South” are silent FINALLY! That happens when you lose a game you “guarantee”

17) Buffalo (4-5): If the offense could move the ball, the Bills would be 6-3 and in the fight in the AFC East. Must win next two vs. AFC foes, Texans and Colts, in order to stay in hunt for the last wild card spot with Dolphins and Broncos

18) NY Giants (4-5): Inconsistent? Yes! Overrated? Yes!!

19) New Orleans (4-5): Don’t bet money on this team!

20) Cincinnati (4-5): Have realistic chance at division title only because they play in the AFC North. Ravens QB woes give the Bengals a chance to surprise all. However, must host the undefeated Chiefs and overcome the brash talk of newly extended WR Chad Johnson. Bengals formula though should be “Rudi! Rudi! Rudi!” and keep the Chiefs offense off the field.

21) NY Jets (3-6): Never as bad as their start. Pennington and return to running game have given them some hope to rebound and produce a competitive season. Focus on being a spoiler and make teams earn it.

22) Washington (4-5): Bruce Smith is one sack from the all-time sack record. How long has he hung around waiting to get it? Too long! Could be spoiler if the running game continues to get healthy

23) Houston (3-6): Defense ranks near the bottom of the league. Visit the punch-less Bills. Something must give! Good chance to view top pick WR Andre Johnson in person as the author will be in attendance at this game

24) Pittsburgh (3-6): They beat the Cards and again, due to the ranking permutations, move up 3 spots. Running game still far too inconsistent. Defense not making the big plays as in the past.

25) Cleveland (3-6): Who’s running this insane asylum?

26) Detroit (3-6): I feel bad for those who watched the 12-10 win over the Bears

27) Chicago (3-6): See above

28) Arizona (3-6): Good chance to play the youngsters. Oh wait, there are!

29) San Diego (2-7): QB controversy on a 2-7 team. Must mean Flutie is around

30) Jacksonville (2-7): Upset the Colts to the displeasure of the author. Must now travel to Tennessee. I do not foresee another one.

31) Atlanta (2-7): Big deal Peerless, so ya beat the Giants.

32) Oakland (2-7): Starting QB: Rick Mirer. Back-up QB: Rob Johnson. Nuff said!