NFL Power Rankings

By Tom Torrisi
SportsTicker Pro Football Editor
(Last week's rankings in parentheses)

1. (2) New England Patriots - NFL confiscated more videotape and caught Bill Belichick smiling. Four victories by at least 21 points will do that.
2. (1) Indianapolis Colts - Fantasy freaks scrambling to pick up backup RB Kenton Keith. Or is it Keith Kenton?
3. (3) Dallas Cowboys - Tony Romo looking like a reincarnation of Roger Staubach.
4. (7) Seattle Seahawks - Defense showing similarities to the crew that made it to Super Bowl two seasons ago.
5. (6) Jacksonville Jaguars - David Garrard has league's best passer rating on third down, although we have no idea what it means.
6. (8) Green Bay Packers - Only sign of a running game for Pack are fans bolting toward the beer lines.
7. (11) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - With Cadillac garaged for the season, the ride could get bumpy for Jeff Garcia and friends.
8. (4) Pittsburgh Steelers - Brought back to earth with a thud in the desert.
9. (5) Baltimore Ravens - A few more steps backward and Ray Lewis' best moves will be on "Dancing With The Stars."
10. (10) Denver Broncos - At least one offense is clicking in the Rockies.
11. (18) Arizona Cardinals - The only reason for two-QB system is that one can't play.
12. (17) Tennessee Titans - Rumors that LenDale White lost five pounds were listed at doubtful. One pound was listed as questionable.
13. (20) Detroit Lions - Yes, that was 34 points put up in the fourth quarter - or one for each receiver drafted by Matt Millen in the last six years.
14. (9) Chicago Bears - Brian Griese shows Rex Grossman, anything you can do, I can do better/worse.
15. (23) New York Giants - One more sack by Osi Umenyiora and Lawrence Taylor would've ripped off his helmet and gone into the game.
16. (12) San Diego Chargers - Don't have to be a Charger fan to start yelling "Marty, Marty."
17. (13) Cincinnati Bengals - The good news is they have more wins than arrests this season (so far).
18. (14) Philadelphia Eagles - Donovan McNabb was on his knees more times than Phillies fans last Sunday.
19. (25) Kansas City Chiefs - Dwayne Bowe might just run right through that rookie wall.
20. (15) Carolina Panthers - Maybe the reason for David Carr's troubles all those years in Houston wasn't due to the offensive line.
21. (21) New Orleans Saints - Holding steady in the rankings after well-timed bye week.
22. (16) San Francisco 49ers - The reason they make history books is to prove that Trent Dilfer once won a Super Bowl.
23. (19) New York Jets - Man-genius suffering the curse of Belichick-gate?
24. (24) Washington Redskins - Idle last week. And on a bye, too.
25. (22) Houston Texans - Matt Schaub's homecoming turned into going-away party in Atlanta.
26. (27) Oakland Raiders - Daunte Culpepper gives Dolphins a (healthy) knee to the groin (figuratively speaking).
27. (30) Cleveland Browns - And I thought Derek Anderson played basketball at Kentucky.
28. (31) Buffalo Bills - Rookie Trent Edwards was endorsed by the late Bill Walsh. Same guy who saw something in that Montana kid.
29. (26) Minnesota Vikings - Brad Childress is doing the unthinkable - reviving thoughts of Mike Tice roaming the sideline.
30. (32) Atlanta Falcons - Critics of Joey Harrington take note: He has one more victory than Michael Vick. Now call off the dogs.
31. (28) St. Louis Rams - Any chance Los Angeles will take them back?
32. (29) Miami Dolphins - Dolphins-Cam getting a lot of hits, and not for the cheerleader shots.