Foxboro Blog Top 12: Week 12

Another big game for the Patriots, another big disappointment.  I’ve been ragging on the Colts and Vikings for not beating anyone of substance, and it’s time to come to grips with the fact that, honestly, the Patriots haven’t beaten many good teams either.  Sure, Baltimore was scorching hot back in Week 4, and the Falcons were much better in Week 3 than they are now, but by and large, the Patriots have spent their season roughing up the bottom-feeders and getting smacked around by the big boys. Out of the seven teams they’ve beaten, none hold a record better than 6-5.   On the flip side, the combined record of the four opponents they’ve fallen to, at the time of their defeat, is a staggering 25-0.

Right now the Patriots are an enigma wrapped in a mystery.  Here’s what we know: they’re undefeated in New England and in the original England.  They’re 0-4 in road games in America.  They’ve played seven of their eleven games against undefeated competition and won three of them.  The other four games against teams with at least one loss, were pretty lop-sided victories.  I honestly don’t know what to make of this team any more.  They’re shutting teams out 59-0 one week, and getting burned for 75 yard TD passes the next. All I know is that after Monday’s pathetic performance, they’re due for a tumble in the our rankings.

Click on “Read More” to view this week’s edition of our Top 12 Rankings…

Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
1		1	0	11-0	vs. Redskins
		What else is there to say, New Orleans completely whipped the Patriots.  Whatever slight Super Bowl hopes that I’m clinging to rely heavily on soembody in the NFC knocking these guys out before the big game.  I want no part of this team again.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
2		3	1	10-1	@ Cardinals
		I can’t stand Brett Favre, but he’s doing exactly what he needs to for the Vikes to be successful.  As a firm believer in AFC dominance, I think we’re seeing the torched passed here with New Orleans and Minnesota.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
3		4	1	11-0	vs. Titans
		One of these days, somebody isn’t going to blow that 14 point lead that Indy’s given up.  One of these days…
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
4		5	1	8-3	@ Browns
		I was tempted to slide San Diego up to #3.  Right now, they’re my pick to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.  Mostly, I just wanted to leave some good room to drop the Colts after Vince Young handles them this week.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
5		2	3	7-4	@ Dolphins
		The Patriots have ruined their chances for good playoff positioning. They’re inability to win on the road will force them to go on the road in the post-season.  New England needs to wrap up the division this week and then fine-tune their game for what’s looking like a guaranteed 4th seed.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
6		6	0	8-3	vs. Lions
		I could’ve gone either way with the five and six spots. Is squeaking by the Browns any more noble than getting blasted by the Saints?  I say, no.  Especially when you lost to Jokeland the week before.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
7		8	1	8-3	@ Giants
		Dallas finally found their offense again, so they get to move up.  If they can officially stomp out the Giants’ season this week, they may rise even higher.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
8		7	1	7-4	vs. Vikings
		It was a bad last-second loss to a hot team.  The Cardinals get their chance for a big rebound vs. Minnesota.  The real question for this team is the health status of Kurt Warner
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
9		9	0	7-4	@ Falcons
		Philly’s still lurking in the NFC East.  If they make the playoffs, it’ll be because they earned it with Atlanta, New York, Denver, and Dallas on tap.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
10		9	1	6-5	@ Packers
		They pulled out a must-win game over the Steelers on Sunday Night.  It keeps their playoff hopes alive, but they still drop a spot. You shouldn’t need overtime to take out the Steelers missing Big Ben.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
11		N/A	N/A	7-4	vs. Ravens
		Green Bay has quietly worked its way back into the playoff picture  They won’t get a home game thanks to Minnesota’s dominance, but they could spell trouble for a team like Arizona.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
12		N/A	N/A	5-6	@ Colts
		Well look who bounced back from their 59-0 drubbing!  Tennessee, winners of five-straight, are in must-win mode for the rest of the season.  Everything’s on the line for them against the Colts.  I smell 11-1 coming…