NFL 2013 Power Rankings – Week 10

What a crazy week in football. It started with the wild allegations coming out of Miami and it ended with Monday Night Football as those same Dolphins took on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. What happened in between was a few huge upsets and one of the wildest finishes of the season in Baltimore. On to the rankings.

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-8) (32) – I never thought I’d see it. I really thought they’d accomplish what so few had been able to accomplish. The Jaguars proved that it truly is very difficult to go 0-16. In truth, the Jags let me down. They were supposed to go winless, #TankForTeddy and turn this franchise around. Watch. Now they’ll somehow rally around this win and finish 4-12 and waste their pick on someone mediocre. In the end, the Jags will always be the Jags. And because they’re the Jags, they can’t even move up int he rankings because the only other winless team also won its first game this week. So here they stay at 32. Next game: vs Arizona Cardinals

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-9) (31) – The Bucs stunned a decent (but distracted) team on Monday Night Football but you know what? They could have lost this game and they still suck. I really feel like Darelle Revis calls his own plays and has completely stopped listening to the coaches. It makes sense if you think about it. The best part of the night was the Bucs retiring Warren Sapp’s number. The man deserved it and I’m extremely happy to see him honored that way. Next game: vs Atlanta Falcons

30. Oakland Raiders (3-6) (26) – The Raiders are a bad team but the Giants are a better bad team. The quarterback play in this game was dreadful but the Raiders just seemed to make more mistakes than the Giants did. Pryor didn’t throw a touchdown and was turned over and sacked a few times, plus the defense couldn’t stop the run all day. Next game: @ Houston Texans

29. Atlanta Falcons (2-7) (27) – This game was a battle between two teams going in opposite directions. The Seahawks are the class of the conference, while the Falcons are just trying to make it to the end of the season without another major injury. They couldn’t stop Marshawn Lynch or Russell Wilson. The secondary was gashed for almost 300 yards and two touchdowns. The pass rush couldn’t get get Wilson and offensively, they never got going. Next game: @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

28. Minnesota Vikings (2-7) (30) – The Vikings found a way to win despite their starting quarterback getting hurt and Adrian Peterson looking very pedestrian. AP did, however, score two touchdowns. The Vikings defense let RG3 pass all over them and Alfred Morris ran for a game high 139 yards but they rallied and found a way to win. Next game: @ Seattle Seahawks

27. Buffalo Bills (3-7) (25) – Why do people always forget the obvious? Dick Lebeau doesn’t lose to rookie quarterbacks. Only twice in 19 times has a rookie quarterback managed to beat a Dick Lebeau run defense. As talented as EJ Manuel is, he was harassed all day and didn’t have the running game to lean on as Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller combined for 78 yards on 20 carries and no touchdowns. The Bills defense couldn’t get off the field, which was apparent in the disparity in time of possession. Next game: vs New York Jets

26. Tennessee Titans (4-5) (23) – The Titans really upset me. You’re not supposed to lose to the Jaguars. You’re just not. Jeff Fisher wouldn’t have let that happen. Eddie George and Steve McNair didn’t bust their asses all those years trying to make the Titans relevant just to have this team lose to a winless Jacksonville team that barely belongs in the NFL. If I was on this team, I’d be chomping at the bit to play my next game and redeem myself. Next game: vs Indianapolis Colts (TNF)

25. Houston Texans (2-7) (22) – Without a legitimate running game, teams can just pin their ears back and rush the passer without any fear of getting hurt by the run. Thats what Arizona did. The Cardinals already have a good defense but the Texans made it a little easier. Case Keenum has been playing pretty well the past few weeks and Matt Shaub is likely out of a job but with Arian Foster out for the season and Ben Tate banged up, this isn’t a complete team and they might as well be tanking for Jake Matthews. They just released Ed Reed. I’m not sure how I feel about that because I’m a huge Ed Reed fan. I hope he goes back to Coral Gables and helps motivates the Hurricanes. Next game: vs Oakland Raiders

24. San Diego Chargers (4-5) (21) – In the beginning of the game it looked like the Chargers were going to hang around and make this game interesting but the Broncos pulled away after halftime, despite what the score says. This was a 21-6 game at one point. Ryan Mathews had a better game than his numbers would indicate, especially after he had a huge run called back by a holding call. Next game: @ Miami Dolphins

23. St Louis Rams (4-6) (29) – The Rams aren’t making the playoffs but man are they making things interesting. Finally after nine weeks, they figure out how to use Tavon Austin. Or did they? Austin got one score on a punt return. The other scores came on short passes that he took to the house. Most impressively, the Rams defense took care of business against a good Colts team. Next game: Bye Week

22. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-6) (26) – The Steelers are technically still in the hunt for the AFC North after the Ravens beat the Bengals in overtime. Any one of these teams that go on a run and win the division. The defense is playing really well (granted this was against the Bills) and their schedule is relatively favorable. Next game: vs Detroit Lions

21. Philadelphia Eagles (5-5) (24) – If there was ever any doubt that Nick Foles should be the starting quarterback for the Eagles, it should be gone now. The guy has thrown for 16 touchdowns and zero interceptions this year, including 10 in the last two weeks. I know Chip Kelly wants a mobile quarterback to run his system but Foles has to be the guy going forward. He could spark this team to the playoffs in a crap division. Next game: vs Washington Redskins

20. Cincinnati Bengals (6-4) (12) – The Bengals should have won this game. Point blank. To come back the way they did and force overtime on a wild Hail Mary tipped to AJ Green by James Ihedigbo…they deserved to win. Marvin Lewis’ play calling was shoddy. I don’t know what he was trying to pull calling that screen pass to Bernard on 4th down. Why not punt and force the Ravens to march down the field? Instead you put them in good field position in overtime. Bad job by Lewis but the team played well enough to win in spite of him. Next game: vs Cleveland Browns

19. Miami Dolphins (5-4) (14) – The team that started out 3-0 and gave a lot of people hope has really dropped the ball and gone 2-4 in its last 6 games. Ryan Tannehill can’t stay upright, the running game is nonexistent and the receivers don’t aren’t given enough time to get open. With the Jets playing well, the team that once looked like they would shock the division and make the playoffs is quickly losing hope. Next game: vs San Diego Chargers

18. Cleveland Browns (4-5) (18) – Bye Week. Next game: @ Cincinnati Bengals

17. New York Giants (3-6) (20) – Would anyone be surprised if the Giants ran the table, won the division and won the Super Bowl this year? I know I wouldn’t. This is exactly what the Giants have done under Tom Coughlin. There’s no better motivation in sports than rallying around the idea that no one believes you can win. The “us against the world” mentality has worked and will continue to work. Next game: vs Green Bay Packers

16. Washington Redskins (4-5) (19) – The Skins played well enough offensively to win this game. Alfred Morris had a great game, RG3 played as well as one could hope to play but the defense didn’t do enough. Amazingly, the Redskins are still in the hunt for the division. Next game: @ Philadelphia Eagles

15. New York Jets (5-4) (15) – Bye Week. Next game: @ Buffalo Bills

14. Arizona Cardinals (5-4) 17) –  Carson Palmer didn’t look half bad which is abnormal because he usually looks at least 3/4 bad. But if you want to point to the team’s MVP at this point, its gotta be the defense. D-Wash is playing as well as any linebacker in the league, Calais Campbell is playing well and the combination of Tyrann Mathieu and Patrick Peterson aren’t exactly shutting down receivers but they’re getting the job done.Next game: @ Jacksonville Jaguars

13. Baltimore Ravens (4-5) (16) – The Ravens didn’t earn this win. They were gifted the win. The Bengals coaching staff made a bad decision at an even worse time and it cost them. Ray Rice was held in check, Joe Flacco made mistake after mistake and the defense constantly gave up huge plays. I guess sometimes its better to be lucky than good. In the Ravens case, they aren’t very good so they must have a whole lot of luck.Next game: @ Chicago Bears

12. Chicago Bears (5-4) (11) – This is a legitimate question. Is Josh McCown as good of a quarterback as Jay Cutler? The Bears haven’t missed a beat when he’s been out and McCown is clearly a cheaper option. Maybe Marc Trestman really is an offensive genius and can coach anyone up. The Lions are leading the division right now but there’s much more football to play. Next game: vs Baltimore Ravens

11. Green Bay Packers (5-4) (9) – Who can blame the Packers for losing? They were already behind the 8 ball with Aaron Rodgers being out for 4-6 weeks, now Seneca Wallace hurts his groin and they have to go to battle with their third string quarterback, Scott Tolzien, who had just been promoted from the practice squad. Tolzien actually didn’t play that bad but it’ll be interesting to see if he can lead this team going forward.Next game: @ New York Giants

10. New Orleans Saints (7-2) (13) – The Saints bounced back from their loss to the Jets and hung 49 points on the Cowboys. They ran the ball well, they passed the ball well and the defended well. Tony Romo had his worst game of the season and Drew Brees only had 7 incompletions. The man is a virtuoso at quarterback. Next game: vs San Francisco 49ers (SNF)

9. Dallas Cowboys (5-5) (7) – What good can i say about this game? Tony Romo didn’t throw an interception. In fact, he didn’t have any turnovers at all. He only completed 10 of 24 passes for a measly 128 yards. Why he kept passing is beyond me. Then again, when you’re losing and have to catch up, you have to keep throwing the ball. Demarco Murray had a good game on the ground, so thats something the Cowboys can hang their hats on. Next game: Bye Week

8. Detroit Lions (6-3) (10) – The Lions are alone in first place atop the NFC North and they’re looking like a really dangerous team. The defensive line played really well and dominated the trenches. The issue is that the Lions can be passed on, but they can score with anyone in the league. Reggie Bush is headed toward his first Pro Bowl and the other targets in the receiving corps have taken some of the defensive attention away from Megatron. Next game: @ Pittsburgh Steelers

7. Indianapolis Colts (6-3) (6) – Andrew “The Giant” admitted it after the game. They got smacked in the mouth. The Rams defense smacked them in the mouth. The Rams offense smacked them in the mouth. To quote the great Pedro Martinez, “Sometimes you have to tip your cap and call people your daddies.” They play this game 10 times, you probably won’t get the same result every time. The Colts will bounce back from this.Next game: @ Tennessee Titans (TNF)

6. Carolina Panthers (6-3) (8) – Six weeks ago, I said Ron Rivera was on the hot seat and if he didn’t turn this team around, he’d get fired. Riverboat Ron must be reading my power rankings because since then they’ve been undefeated and have one of the best defenses in the league. If they get into the playoffs, they could be dangerous. Next game: vs New England Patriots

5. New England Patriots (7-2) (5) – Bye Week. Next game: @ Carolina Panthers

4. San Francisco 49ers (6-3) (2) – This was a game between two similar teams. Mobile quarterbacks, limited receiving corps and very good defenses. Defense was the name of this game. Both quarterbacks completed exactly 50% of their passes. Cam finished with 169 yards to Kaep’s 91, neither of whom threw a touchdown pass and both threw an interception. The 49ers are in a must win situation now that the Seahawks have all but surely locked up the division, especially since their schedule doesn’t get much easier.Next game: @ New Orleans Saints

3. Denver Broncos (8-1) (4) – The Broncos are a really good team. People know this, right? Its not a secret anymore than the Broncos are good? With or without John Fox, they’re taking care of business. I know people are worried about Peyton Manning having an MRI this week, but guys…be real. He’s playing He wants a championship. You think he wants to walk around knowing Eli has more rings than he does? Please. He’s playing and he’s winning. No way he missed this next game. Next game: vs Kansas City Chiefs

2. Seattle Seahawks (9-1) (3) – The Seahawks are on a roll and are looking better and better as the season rolls on. They didn’t seem to have any flaws against a clearly flawed team in Atlanta. Now with Percy Harvin seemingly healthy and ready to play, the potential for the Seahawks is almost limitless. Next game: vs Minnesota Vikings

1. Kansas City Chiefs (9-0) (1) – Bye Week. Next game: @ Denver Broncos

As always, questions and comments can be directed to s_talouis@yahoo.com or follow me on twitter @FunnyManStan