PFT Week Zero power rankings

[insanesteelersfan]

....Can't believe their highest rated AFC team is a team that didn't even make the playoffs last year



[url="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/09/06/week-zero-2011-power-rankings/"]http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... -rankings/[/url]

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: PFT Week Zero power rankings

biggest mistake in these rankings is placing Washington as the next to last worst team in the NFL.

the Redskins are going to be around 8-8 this year, they will be much closer to #16 than #31...

and why are the Chargers always ranked so high in pre-season?

[papillon]

Re: PFT Week Zero power rankings

biggest mistake in these rankings is placing Washington as the next to last worst team in the NFL.

the Redskins are going to be around 8-8 this year, they will be much closer to #16 than #31...

and why are the Chargers always ranked so high in pre-season?

Because they have the greatest quarterback of all time that has done the least in the NFL, except compile yards.

Pappy

[Djfan]

Re: PFT Week Zero power rankings

and why are the Chargers always ranked so high in pre-season?

Because they can't do crap during the regular season.

Two words - Norv Turner

[fezziwig]

Re: PFT Week Zero power rankings

That's stupid that they're going to compare this Steelers team to the 95 Steelers team.

A couple of reason why that mojo doesn't come into affect.

The 95 team never won a Super Bowl prior to their loss.

The 95 team lost their starting stiff armed puppet the following season.

Our guys have already won two Super Bowls prior to this past loss. Our teams have been pretty much intact and the reason we even get to the Super Bowls is because we have Ben, and obviously, Ben is still with us.

This team I believe is on a mission to return to and win this years Super Bowl.

[fordfixer]

Re: PFT Week Zero power rankings

Blue chips and red chips: Ranking all 32 teams
[url="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82205ca0/article/blue-chips-and-red-chips-ranking-all-32-teams?module=HP11_content_stream"]http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8 ... ent_stream[/url]

By Michael Lombardi NFL Network
Front Office View
Published: Sept. 7, 2011 at 03:09 p.m.
Updated: Sept. 7, 2011 at 10:28 p.m.


Before the opening of the season, it's natural for the media to rank teams based on the work organizations did in the offseason and how they looked in the preseason. I'd like to take a different tack.

Two weeks ago, I unveiled my annual blue-chip/red-chip ratings. Basically, I ranked the top 10 or so players at each position, as well as coaches. The end result is a comprehensive look at the best of the best in the NFL.
Point values for blue-chips/red-chips


Position Blue Red
QB 12.5 10
RB, TE, WR, G, C, DT, ILB, S 10 7.5
OT, DE, OLB, CB 11 9.5
Coach 12.5 7.5

Today, I'm ranking the 32 teams based on the amount of blue chips and red chips each has. To do so, I assigned a point value to each position (see table, above). I then tallied up the points for each team and ranked them accordingly.

First, I made a few adjustments to my original list. I took receiver Saints wideout Marques Colston off the list and added Broncos receiver Brandon Lloyd. Also, I took ex-Cowboys and current Ravens center Andre Gurode off the list and elevated Bengals center Kyle Cook from red to blue. The reason for changing out Colston for Lloyd was that even though Colston has been a better player over his career, Lloyd had the better season in 2010. Lloyd had 1,448 yards and 11 TDs to Colston's 1,023 and seven. As for Gurode being dumped from the list, after watching more tape, I decided he was not playing to the same level.

Also, understand these rankings are based on how players performed last season. It does not account for a player who might have a great season in 2011, nor does it account for an older player who used to be a blue but no longer plays to that level.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers

Total points: 107
Blues: QB Ben Roethlisberger, C Maurkice Pouncey, ILB Lawrence Timmons, OLB James Harrison, OLB LaMarr Woodley, S Troy Polamalu, Coach Mike Tomlin
Reds: RB Rashard Mendenhall, WR Mike Wallace, TE Heath Miller, DT Casey Hampton
Talented team with blue-chip players at the most meaningful positions



2. Green Bay Packers

Total points: 106
Blues: QB Aaron Rodgers, WR Greg Jennings, G Josh Sitton, DT B.J. Raji, OLB Clay Matthews, CB Charles Woodson
Reds: TE Jermichael Finley, T Chad Clifton, CB Tramon Williams, S Nick Collins, Coach Mike McCarthy.
Young team with the potential to add more blues (Finley, for one) to the list next year

3. San Diego Chargers

Total points: 85
Blues: QB Phillip Rivers, TE Antonio Gates, T Marcus McNeill, C Nick Hardwick
Reds: WR Vincent Jackson, G Kris Dielman, OLB, Shaun Phillips, CB Quentin Jammer, S Eric Weddle
If the Chargers can add one more blue in their defensive front seven, watch out

4. New York Jets

Total points: 76.5
Blues: T D'Brickashaw Ferguson, C Nick Mangold, CB Darrelle Revis, Coach Rex Ryan
Reds: WR Santonio Holmes, G Brandon Moore, ILB David Harris, CB Antonio Cromartie
Getting this many points without a blue/red QB or RB is amazing, but the offensive line and secondary are talented

5. New England Patriots

Total points: 73.5
Blues: QB Tom Brady, G Logan Mankins, DT Vince Wilfork, ILB Jerod Mayo, CB Devin McCourty, Coach Bill Belichick
Reds: WR Wes Welker
Young team with potential to add more blues/reds to the list based on their offseason work

6. Philadelphia Eagles

Total points: 71
Blues: DE Trent Cole, CB, Nnamdi Asomugha, Coach Andy Reid.
Reds: QB Michael Vick, WR DeSean Jackson, T Jason Peters, CB Asante Samuel.
LeSean McCoy and Jeremy Maclin are close to becoming reds, but the Eagles will need to get another front seven player on the list to really make a difference

7. New Orleans Saints

Total points: 67
Blues: QB Drew Brees, G Jahri Evans, Coach Sean Payton
Reds: WR Marques Colston, G Carl Nicks, DE Will Smith, ILB Jonathan Vilma
Getting a running back (Darren Sproles or Mark Ingram) to blue/red level, along with a receiver, would propel them up the list

8. Atlanta Falcons

Total points: 66.5
Blues: RB Michael Turner, WR Roddy White, ILB Curtis Lofton
Reds: QB Matt Ryan, DE John Abraham, CB Brent Grimes, Coach Mike Smith
The Falcons must hope the 33-year-old Abraham continues to play at a red level and then find another defender to become a blue/red

9. Baltimore Ravens

Total points: 56
Blues: RB Ray Rice, DT Haloti Ngata, OLB Terrell Suggs, S Ed Reed
Reds: ILB Ray Lewis, Coach John Harbaugh
Ravens are in trouble if their older players don't continue to play at the same level

10. Indianapolis Colts

Total points: 53
Blues: QB Peyton Manning, WR Reggie Wayne, TE Dallas Clark, DE Dwight Freeney
Reds: DE Robert Mathis
This number might come way down if No. 18 is not able to play for an extended period of time, as it will affect all the other skill players on this list

11. Minnesota Vikings

Total points: 48.5
Blues: RB Adrian Peterson, G Steve Hutchinson, DE Jared Allen, DT Kevin Williams
Reds: TE Visanthe Shiancoe
Vikings must hope defensive end Brian Robison takes a huge step forward and that Donovan McNabb has at least a red season
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T-12. Houston Texans

Total points: 47
Blues: WR Andre Johnson, De Mario Williams
Reds: QB Matt Schaub, RB Arian Foster, CB Johnathan Joseph
Texans have the skill players, but they need an offensive lineman to step up and get Joseph to continue his red play

T-12. New York Giants

Total points: 47
Blues: G Chris Snee, S Antrel Rolle
Reds: QB Eli Manning, DE Justin Tuck, Coach Tom Coughlin
Giants must get some skill players on the blue/red list, and they have a few candidates (Hakeem Nicks, for one)

14. Chicago Bears

Total points: 45
Blues: DE Julius Peppers
Reds: ILB Brian Urlacher, OLB Lance Briggs, CB Charles Tillman, Coach Lovie Smith
Bears must improve their offensive line and hope quarterback Jay Cutler can take a step into the reds

15. Carolina Panthers

Total points: 44.5
Blues: C Ryan Kalil, ILB Jon Beason
Reds: RB DeAngelo Williams, WR Steve Smith, T Jordan Gross
Panthers have a few talented players but need to get more at critical positions, like Cam Newton at quarterback. Doubt the Panthers will go up in blues/reds this year

16. Kansas City Chiefs

Total points: 39
Blues: RB Jamaal Charles, S Eric Berry
Reds: OLB Tamba Hali, CB Brandon Flowers
Chiefs have looked bad this preseason and losing tight end Tony Moeaki hurts their chances of adding more players to the list

17. Miami Dolphins

Total points: 37.5
Blues: T Jake Long
Reds: WR Brandon Marshall, OLB Cameron Wake, CB Vontae Davis
Can Reggie Bush give the Dolphins the big plays they need? If he does, he'll become a red, but he might be the only one who can make the jump
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18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Total points: 37
Blues: T Donald Penn, CB Aqib Talib
Reds: TE Kellen Winslow, G Davin Joseph
Good, young team that stood pat in the offseason, and I'm not sure they have anyone, outside quarterback Josh Freeman, who could make the jump

19. San Francisco 49ers

Total points: 36.5
Blues: TE Vernon Davis, ILB Patrick Willis
Reds: T Joe Staley, DE Justin Smith
49ers have some talented players but have no chance of finding a blue/red quarterback this year

20. Dallas Cowboys

Total points: 36
Blues: TE Jason Witten, OLB DeMarcus Ware
Reds: WR Miles Austin, DT Jay Ratliff
If Tony Romo and corner Terence Newman can become reds like they should, this will help the 'Boys make a huge jump.

21. Arizona Cardinals

Total points: 27.5
Blues: WR Larry Fitzgerald, S Adrian Wilson
Reds: DT Darnell Docket
Cards need Kevin Kolb to become a red, but I am not sure that happens this year

22. Tennessee Titans

Total points: 27
Blues: RB Chris Johnson
Reds: T Michael Roos, ILB Barrett Ruud
Titans need to get red play from new QB Matt Hasselbeck to make the jump in the South. Watch for tight end Jared Cook to be on the list next year

23. Washington Redskins

Total points: 24.5
Blues: None
Reds: OLB Brian Orakpo, S O.J. Atogwe, S LaRon Landry
Added a few pieces on defense (like DT Barry Cofield) who have the potential to be reds, and a few of their offensive linemen are capable of making the jump, too

24. Seattle Seahawks

Total points: 22.5
Blues: None
Reds: TE Zach Miller, C Max Unger, S Earl Thomas
It is hard to find the next blue or red Seahawk on this roster

25. Cleveland Browns

Total points: 20
Blues: T Joe Thomas, C Alex Mack
Reds: None
Can quarterback Colt McCoy become a red? If he does, some of their other young players will make the jump as well

26. Cincinnati Bengals

Total points: 19.5
Blues: C Kyle Cook
Reds: CB Leon Hall
Bengals have a great defense, but they won't make a playoff run until they get red play from the quarterback position

T-27. Detroit Lions

Total points: 17.5
Blues: DT Ndamukong Suh
Reds: WR Calvin Johnson
Look for a giant leap this season for the Lions, who have many players ready to make the list, starting with quarterback Matthew Strafford

T-27. St. Louis Rams

Total points: 17.5
Blues: RB Steven Jackson
Reds: G Harvey Dahl
Rams are another team with potential to make a huge jump, based on the play of quarterback Sam Bradford. They have increased their talent base greatly in one year

T-27. Jacksonville Jaguars

Total points: 17.5
Blues: TE Marcedes Lewis
Reds: RB Maurice Jones-Drew
Losing a starting quarterback will make it hard for tight end Mercedes Lewis and running back Maurice Jones-Drew to keep their status

T-30. Denver Broncos

Total points: 7.5
Blues: None
Reds: WR Brandon Lloyd
Broncos fans were mad that Champ Bailey and Ryan Clady were not on the list, but both are capable of having better seasons to get back their one-time status.

T-30. Oakland Raiders

Total points: 7.5
Blues: None
Reds: DT Richard Seymour
Raiders are another team that could make a move if their young talent plays well

T-30. Buffalo Bills

Total points: 7.5
Blues: None
Reds: DT Kyle Williams
First-round pick Marcell Dareus is the best chance for the Bills to add to the list this season

Follow Michael Lombardi on Twitter @michaelombardi

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: PFT Week Zero power rankings

Browns and Bengals ahead of the Lions and Rams? All 4 teams have sucked royally over the last decade (or more), but you have to admit that Detroit and St. Louis are doing what they can to emerge from the doldrums this year. They are teams on the rise...no doubt. Meanwhile the Ohio teams continue to rot.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: PFT Week Zero power rankings

NFL win total projections

September 9, 2011
By DJ Gallo


NFL season is here. YAY! Now let's determine how many games each team will win using Vegas' over-under win lines.


Arizona Cardinals: 6.5
Over. This year the Cardinals have Kevin Kolb, a member of the Dream Team as recently as six weeks ago. Just imagine how much better the 1992 Angola men's basketball team would have been had it acquired Christian Laettner from the original Dream Team. Sure, not a ton better. But this is the NFC West we're talking about: the Angola of NFL divisions. A little goes a long way.


Atlanta Falcons: 10.5
Over. The Falcons have the look of a team that is ready to defend its NFC South title, then get destroyed by the Packers again in the playoffs. But definitely destroyed by fewer points this time. I think.


Baltimore Ravens: 10.5
Over. The defense is overrated; Joe Flacco struggles in big games; they lost Todd Heap, Willis McGahee and Derrick Mason. Blah blah blah blah. The Ravens have four games against the Browns and Bengals. So the question is not whether they can go 11-5 or better, which is tough for any team. The question is whether they can go 7-5 against NFL teams. That's a pretty safe bet.


Buffalo Bills: 5.5
Over. Bad news for the AFC East: Science just proved that the Bills are the NFL's most attractive team. The Bills will be able to win a few extra games late this year when they catch their opponents flat-footed, staring at their dreamy faces.


Carolina Panthers: 4.5
Under. Any time Vegas makes a typo, you want to jump on it. I just don't know how they hit "4" when I'm sure they meant "0." Those numbers are six keys apart. Some intern is probably going to get fired. This is a mistake that will cost millions of dollars.


Chicago Bears: 8.5
Over. Enough with the stuff about Jay Cutler's knee or his supposed lack of "toughness." He played behind a lousy line last year and took hard shots all season long. He's plenty tough. And it's simply not possible to play a football game with a torn MCL. Everyone needs to get over it and go back to laughing at Cutler turnovers.


Cincinnati Bengals: 5.5
Under. OK, this is getting ridiculous now. Another typo. The internship coordinator needs to be let go, too.


Cleveland Browns: 6.5
Under. This time last year, Peyton Hillis was the Browns' backup running back. Now he's on the cover of "Madden." Introducing your "Madden NFL 13" cover boy: Montario Hardesty!


Dallas Cowboys: 9
Over. It's my opinion, OK? It's not like I feel good about it. I ruined three laptops while typing this in the shower.


Denver Broncos: 5.5
Over. This is a tough call. How much losing and smiting will the Broncos put up with before they give the job to Tim Tebow? If they make the change before Week 11, around the time the locusts will roll in, they can get to six wins.


Detroit Lions: 7.5
Under. By picking the Lions to go 7-9, you might think that I'm not drinking the Lions Kool-Aid. That's not true at all. But we're talking about the Lions, and I am a student of history. Although I enjoy Kool-Aid, I don't like Kool-Aid when it's been spiked with large amounts of alcohol. That's dangerous. Kids could get into that.


Green Bay Packers: 11.5
Over. Safe pick here. The Packers already have one win in the books, and next week they'll play the Panthers. OK, update: They already have two wins in the books.


Houston Texans: 8.5
Over. They should be the class of a division that features the Luke McCown-led Jaguars, the Matt Hasselbeck-led Titans and the Kerry Collins-led Colts. Congratulations, NFC West fans -- there might be a division you can make fun of now.


Indianapolis Colts: 9.5
Under. I pulled this over/under number before Peyton Manning had another surgery. I'm feeling pretty confident about this one. Pret-tay pret-tay confident.


Jacksonville Jaguars: 6
Under. As with the Colts, I also pulled the Jaguars' number before they released David Garrard and named Luke McCown the starter. But that quarterback change doesn't affect Jacksonville's fortunes this year. Most scouts say McCown projects as: "Exactly like David Garrard, but with a job."


Kansas City Chiefs: 7.5
Over. The Chiefs should win eight games, but I don't see them getting back to the playoffs. Ah, come on, Todd. Don't be that way.


Miami Dolphins: 7.5
Under. The Dolphins are going to be terrible this year, and best of all, I won't have to deal with any angry e-mails from Dolphins fans for saying that, as "Dolphins fans" don't exist.


Minnesota Vikings: 7
Under. We always hear about aging teams needing to win before "their window closes." It seems the Vikings' window has closed. Unfortunately, Donovan McNabb climbed in first.


New England Patriots: 11.5
Over. Tom Brady is clearly going places this year. Looks like shopping. But probably also the playoffs.


New York Giants: 9.5
Under. The Manning brand rests on Eli this year. Archie and Olivia may want to consider adopting Texans safety Danieal Manning.


New York Jets: 10
Over. Rex Ryan has predicted that the Jets will win the Super Bowl this year. To get into the playoffs and win a championship, the Jets likely have to win more than 10 games. So I'm hinging everything on a Rex Ryan prediction. No way this backfires on me.


New Orleans Saints: 10
Push. WILL THE SAINTS WIN A SINGLE GAME THIS YEAR?!?! Apologies. Sometimes I, too, fall prey to the media trap of freaking out over one game. Despite losing to the Packers in the opener, the Saints have a quality team, and 10 wins seems more than possible. But, seriously: WILL THE SAINTS WIN A SINGLE GAME THIS YEAR?!?!


Oakland Raiders: 6.5
Over. I can see the Raiders going 7-9. What I'm not clear on is when Al Davis will fire Hue Jackson. Probably sooner than later. "Hue FIRED!" sounds fun to say.


Philadelphia Eagles: 10.5
Over. So the Eagles are placing their talented roster in the hands of Andy Reid. No way this backfires on them.


Pittsburgh Steelers: 10.5
Over. The Super Bowl loser historically does not perform well the following season. But the Steelers are already bucking trends -- Ben Roethlisberger made it through an entire offseason without being accused of anything.


St. Louis Rams: 7.5
Under. The Rams have potential, but they have a brutal opening schedule: Eagles, at Giants, Ravens, Redskins, at Packers, at Cowboys, Saints.


San Diego Chargers: 10
Over. The Chargers are a popular Super Bowl pick this year, which means that this year is pretty much the same as every year in recent memory. It's good to know that even in these turbulent times, some things never change.


San Francisco 49ers: 7.5
Over. The 49ers' offense will be helped by the addition of Braylon Edwards, especially because Roger Goodell chose not to suspend him. It's good to know that Goodell's suspension dartboard has a "0-game" section.


Seattle Seahawks: 6.5
Under. Do the Seahawks have the potential to win more than six games? Sure. But what does a 7-9 or 8-8 season do? I think they should go for history and try to be the first 6-10 division winner. WE BELIEVE IN YOU, SEATTLE! YOU CAN DO IT!


Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 8
Push. The Buccaneers were close to making the playoffs last year, and they need only slight improvement to make it this year. Unfortunately, their biggest acquisition was punter Michael Koenen, who is also dubbed a "kickoff specialist." One problem: Under the new NFL rules, everyone with functioning legs is a "kickoff specialist."


Tennessee: 6.5
Under. After reporting to the Titans, Chris Johnson -- who said he was shooting for 2,500 rushing yards last year -- was asked what his goals are for the season: "We haven't been to the playoffs in two years, so I want to get back to the playoffs, hopefully win the Super Bowl here," he said. "I've got a lot of team goals. We haven't been in the postseason, so that's the big thing this team hasn't done, and I've always got that goal to rush for 2,000 yards again." Team goals?! This is the fantasy age, Chris. Your team goals are just selfish. I have you in a keeper league, guy. Knock it off.


Washington Redskins: 6.5
Under. I'm sorry, but I just don't think the Redskins will be very good this year. It's my honest opinion. Yet I fear Dan Snyder will see this as further persecution against him. He probably also saw the D.C. earthquake as a personal attack. You're a hater, tectonic plates!

[url="http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/story/_/id/6947809/page-2-dj-gallo-projects-win-totals-nfl-team"]http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/story/_/i ... s-nfl-team[/url]

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: PFT Week Zero power rankings

Week 2 Power rankings

posted by Dale Lolley
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2011


1. Green Bay - Nice performance against a good New Orleans team.

2. New England – The Patriots looked strong on opening weekend

3. Baltimore – Impressive win by the Ravens over their biggest rival.

4. N.Y. Jets – Needed Tony Romo to be Tony Romo to win against Dallas. Luckily for them, Romo came through.

5. Philadelphia – Vick's numbers weren't great, but they were effective.

6. New Orleans – I'll give the Saints a mulligan for losing at Green Bay on opening night.

7. Steelers - Will right the ship after sleepwalking at Baltimore.

8. Houston - Looking at a possible letdown game this week at Miami after demolishing the Peyton Manning-less Colts.

9. San Diego – I had them high last week, but even though they won, they looked bad at home against a pretty mediocre Minnesota squad.

10. Detroit – Yes, I actually believe in the Lions - as long as Matthew Stafford can stay healthy.

Dropped out: Atlanta


Bottom 10

23. Kansas City – Got a feeling that wasn't an anomaly last week against the BillsI

24. Indianapolis – Could be a lot lower than this by the time Peyton Manning is ready to return.

25. Cincinnati – Caught the Browns sleeping to pull out a win. Still not very good.

26. Jacksonville – Curious move cutting David Garrard.

27. Minnesota – Donovan McNabb looks like and old, old man.

28. Denver – Lost at home to Oakland and looked bad doing it.

29. Seattle – Truly awful performance at San Francisco

30. Tennessee – Has to get Chris Johnson going.

31. Cleveland – The Browns are improving, but still have a way to go.

32. Carolina – Nice start by Cam Newton, but he won't be taking anyone by surprise now that he's starting to build some game tape.

[url="http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/sidelines/"]http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/sidelines/[/url]