PTF 2004 - Week 13 Power Ranking
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PTF 2004 - Week 13 Power Ranking
Top 8 – Division Winners
• The Vikings continue to roll and remain atop the Power Rankings… they dismantled the Jacksonville Jaguars in an impressive 33-12 victory. The defense was aggressive forcing the Jaguars to use 3 different QBs (two QBs left with injuries)… offensively, both HB Warrick Dunn & Clinton Portis rushed for over 100 yards.
• The Chargers climb a spot in the Power Rankings… and have now won 6 games in a row. The defense continues to be dominant and was in the Chiefs backfield ALL DAY (knocked QB Byron Leftwich out with a broken jaw). Offensively… QB Steve McNair is now 2-0 with his new team and threw for 293 yards with 2 TDs, HB LaDanian Tomlinson rushed for over 100 yards and a TD, while WRs Muhsin Muhammad & Brandon Stokley combined for 200 yards.
• The Buccaneers climb two spots in the Power Ranking… in spite of injuries, they have now won 5 games in a row. A victory over divisional rival Carolina Panthers is HUGE and the Buccaneers now have a 3 games lead in the NFC South.
• The Indianapolis Colts climb 4 spots in the Power Rankings… the defending Super Bowl Champs have won 3 games in a row – that excitement should be somewhat tempered though [those 3 teams have a combined 9-24 record]!
• The Cowboys [3 game lead in the NFC East], Bills [tied in the AFC East], Ravens [1 game lead in the AFC North] and Rams [tied in the NFC West] all fell in the Power Rankings after losing wee 12! These teams still lead their division (even if it’s just in a tie breaker)… so they control their destiny – it’s hard not to worry about the St. Louis Rams after losing QB Kurt Warner for the year with a broken wrist.
On The Bubble – Wild Card?
• In the AFC, right now, I could see the New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cincinnati Bengals and Tennessee Titans battling for the playoffs.
• In the NFC, right now, I could see the Green Bay Packer, Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers battling for the playoffs.
Losing Ground… but NOT dead!
• AFC – Keep an eye on the Raiders and Steelers… though both teams are 5-6, a soft schedule to close the season and a relatively healthy roster (McNabb appears ready - PROBABLE).
• NFC – Keep an eye on the Panthers and Seahawks… the Panthers are 6-5 and really only face 1 difficult team the rest of the way (Bucc’s) while the Seahawks are 5-6, the schedule isn’t as soft but the Rams could be ready for a fall in the standings.
Playing for 2005 – The Smith Sweepstakes
• Thought the New York Jets won this past week (beating the PATHETIC Arizona Cardinals) the Houston Texans continue to lose – the Jets own both teams 2005 first round selection, so they are still the front runner to be selecting before any other team. The Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons are still in contention for the coveted selection… so don’t count them out!!!
