LogFAQs > #928639685

Power Rankings

1. Hawks
2. Dolphins
3. Jaguars
4. Cowboys
5. Vikings

The Hawks have the #1 offense and is Top 5 in both running and passing the ball, as evidenced by them owning the league's passing and rushing yard leaders. They have an absurd +13 turnover differential, which would beat the record by I want to say four (+26 would beat what the Dolphins did last season, which I believe was +22). The only area that could be seen as a problem is a pass D that is ranked 17th in the league, but that's not an awful problem to have by any stretch of the imagination.

Despite giving up 400 yards of offense to the Browns in Week 7 (haven't given up 300+ yards to any of their seven other opponents), the Dolphins own the league's #2 D behind the Rams and a +11 turnover differential. While HB Jacquizz Rodgers is mired in a mediocre season (3.8 YPC, 73 rushing yards per game), the backups have picked up some slack as Eddie Lacy and Chris Thompson have chipped 40 yards per game on 4.6 YPC. QB Sam Keller had a slow start to the season but is now 3rd in passer rating, 2nd in yards, and 3rd in TDs, though he is on pace for his lowest completion % (62.4) since S7. Their penalties (65 is "good" for fifth most in the league) and sacks allowed (24 is third most) even in light of poor OL health are troublesome in a highly competitive AFC, but they seem to get things done regardless.

This is the Jags D of old as they are 5th in the league, including #1 against the pass. It probably isn't as impressive when you figure in that five of their seven games have included the moribund passing attacks from the Titans, Bills, Lions, Colts, and Bears, but this is a very young secondary with seven of its nine members in their rookie through third seasons in the league. Sultan has to be ecstatic about that. The offense has been sneakily good yardage-wise (9th), but I don't think anyone is particularly fearing to play the offense this season. HB Adrian Peterson is on pace for his worst non-injury shortened season (yardage-wise, and his 4.2 YPC would be his second-worst in a full season), and QB Tim Tebow has an even TD:INT ratio. While there are some signs to regression (many stats seem to be based on cup-cake schedule), they are 6-1, and they have the overall production to match.

Ignore the 4-3 record, the Cowboys are still the class of the NFC. They are 1st in scoring, 5th on offense, 4th on defense, have a +8 turnover differential, and they have an MVP candidate in QB Vince Young. It is weird that all three of their losses have been decided by double digits, including two against against some of the worst offenses in the league (Packers and Bears). Their only red flags are on defense as their offense has no holes. They are 29th in scoring D (not that all points scored on them are while their defense is on the field), 26th in sacks, 20th in Def INT, and 30th in red zone scoring % D. The fact that they are 4th on defense suggests that the scoring and red zone Ds will be coming down quite a bit.

I should really put the Raiders here. Those wins against the Dolphins and Bucs are looking better as the season goes on, and they have the #7 O, #6 D, +4 turnover differential. They should be 6-2, but I guess I will put the Vikings here despite some glaring issues. They have the #3 offense behind HB Courtney Lewis, dual-threat and one-time MVP Josh Portis, and a deep roster of pass-catchers. The OL is still a work-in-progress after at least six members have hit the injury report at some point this season. They do have an issue of turning the ball over (16 in eight games), but they lead the league in takeways with 24 (13 INTs, 11 FRs), so it has all worked out. While their D has been a playmaking machine (3rd with 27 sacks + INTs/FRs), they are 21st on D, and it is rare for a playoff team to have a D ranked 20th or worse. There's still half a season to work on it.

HM: Raiders, Broncos, Seahawks
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KCF can't actually be a real person but he is - greengravy