2013 Week 13
Birds of a feather flock together. It's an old adage that certainly seems to be the case in this week's Power Rankings with 3 different teams with avian mascots occupying Top 10 spots (here's a hint, they're not the Falcons or the Ravens). That's what makes the match this week between the Eagles and Cardinals so interesting. Philadelphia has been pleasantly surprised with the quarterback play of Nick Foles, but they have yet to beat a team with a winning record; if they can win at home versus Arizona, then they're contenders beyond their division. Likewise, after coasting through 4 straight wins to a 7-4 record, we are all quick to more highly regard the Cardinals, but their only victories against winning teams have come against a meandering Week 5 Panthers who hadn't found their mojo yet and last week against a Colts team that is seemingly falling apart.
The Bengals have been winning despite their QB, but Dalton is going to have to improve in upcoming games with the equally enigmatic Chargers, Colts, Steelers, and Ravens. In Kansas City, the Chiefs need to be scrambling to fix their defense. While their turnover differential was never going to hold, it wasn't supposed to fall apart this much. Finally, with two matches with the Saints on the horizon, the Panthers need to be sure not to overlook the Buccaneers this week as they work to develop consistency on offense. So how are all these teams ranking, along with the 49ers, Seahawks, Saints, Patriots, and Broncos? Let's get to it; hike!
Nipping at #10's heels: The Colts & Cowboys
Last Week: 10th
Top Ranking: 10th (Week 12, 13)
9. Arizona Cardinals (7-4)
Last Week: --
7. Kansas City Chiefs (9-2)
Last Week: 6th
Last Week: 5th
Top Ranking: 5th (Week 12)
5. San Francisco 49ers (7-4)
Last Week: 8th
Top Ranking: 1st (Pre-Draft, Preseason, Week 2)
Let's be clear; the 49ers had two really ugly, blowout losses at the start of the year, but since then their only two losses have come to the Saints and Panthers, losing by a combined total of 4 points. A big rivalry game with the Seahawks is coming up in Week 14, but the 49ers can't overlook an often-stout Rams team next week. Kaepernick has been struggling, but the return of WR Michael Crabtree will help.
Last Week: 3rd
Top Ranking: 2nd (Week 6)
Before the 49ers get to take a crack at the Seahawks, the Saints are in for a major fight in Seattle this week. It's a big game with divisional and seeding implications for both teams. Not only that, but the Saints have to follow up with 2 games against the Panthers in the next 3 weeks. No other team in the Top 10, possibly in all the NFL, have a tougher 4 game stretch.
3. Denver Broncos (9-2)
Last Week: 1st
Top Ranking: 1st (Week 5, 6, 7, 12)
Last Week: 4th
The Denver Broncos got very unlucky at the end of overtime this past Sunday. On the other hand, they got very lucky in each of the first three Patriots drives, picking up fumble after fumble after fumble. They turned those turnovers into points, but it took them much too long to score points without any Patriots offensive blunders. Their passing game, too, was not what Broncos fans are used to seeing, with Manning throwing very few tight spirals, a fact reflected in his less than stellar passer rating. None of that is irreversible and if you think you can count out Manning and the Broncos on the basis of one game, you're being foolish. But Denver does have issues to work out if they want to help their QB improve his postseason reputation.
2. New England Patriots (8-3)
Top Ranking: 1st (Pre-Free Agency)
There is not a more mentally tough team in football than the Patriots. Yeah, I'm a NE fan, but think about it: They were down 24-0 at halftime, playing a team many consider to be the best in football, with a roster filled with injuries and struggling rookies. I don't know how many teams would think they'd still have a shot, but I can tell you the Patriots came back to score 31 unanswered points. Going forward, players are still injured and rookies still need experience, but with TB12 and BB the Patriots can beat any team in this league. And remember that if the Pats win out (which they very well could) and if the Broncos lose one more (the best chances of which being either to the Chiefs this week or to the Chargers in Week 15), then NE has the 1st seed, giving them a bye and home field advantage; a terrifying prospect for all other AFC teams.
1. Seattle Seahawks (10-1)
Last Week: 2nd
With 10 wins, the Seahawks have the best record in the NFL and are essentially the team to beat. Their defense and offense are equally talented, while their home field advantage is unrivaled in all of football. Back in May I predicted we'd see them in the Superbowl and I'm sticking to that forecast, seeing no reason to doubt their NFC dominance.
No comments:
Post a Comment