Foxboro Blog Top 12: Week 9

When you’re at the top, there’s only one direction you can go.   It should come as no surprise then, that New England plummeted this week after a three week run at the #1 spot.  Unfortunately, the old addage, the bigger they are, the harder they fall rang true, as the Pats are this week’s big dropper, losing four spots in the ranks.  For the most part, the rest of the rankings held fairly firm, with most teams only moving 1-2 places in either direction.  Houston fell off the charts with their loss to the Chargers, and more importantly, probably fell out of playoff contention.  Replacing them are the Eagles, who came up big in their win over the Colts this week.  That’ll always earn you some good will with me!

Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
1		2	1	6-2	@ Falcons
		There’s a new team atop the rankings, although it’s a pretty arbitrary call.  The Ravens did lose to the Patriots, and they also lost to the Bengals, who have a worse record than the Browns, whom the Pats just lost to.  When it comes to common opponents, Baltimore was less convincing in their wins over Buffalo and Miami than New England was.  So why are the Ravens #1, dethroning the Patriots?  Because you can’t lose to the Browns and stay #1.  And because this NFL season is just ridiculous.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
2		3	1	6-2	vs. Cowboys
		Nobody’s won more in a row than the NYG.  However, my anti-NFC bias keeps them from putting them #1.  To be the best, you have to actually play the best.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
3		4	1	6-2	vs. Patriots
		The same can be said for pretty much every team, but the Steelers have had some pretty non-convincing victories of late.  They were a few yards away from losing to the 2-6 Bengals on Monday Night.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
4		6	2	6-2	vs. Ravens
		Atlanta continues its NFC South dominance, but an even bigger test looms with #1 Baltimore on tap this Thursday.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
5		1	4	6-2	@ Steelers
		The game against Cleveland was not a smart one to lose with Pittsburgh and Indy on the schedule the next two weeks.  The Patriots are going to have to man up now and take care of business to stay atop the AFC East.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
6		5	1	6-2	@ Browns
		I was debating the Jets/Pats placemend at #5 and #6.  Ultimately, with the Jets being #5 last week, I had to drop them at least one spot for their bogus win against the Lions.  A win in which you need your opponent’s rooke D-lineman to shank a field goal does not count as a win in my book.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
7		8	1	6-3	Bye Week
		Don’t look now, but somebody may have just woken up the defending champs.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
8		10	2	6-3	Bye Week
		The Pack have strung together a nice set of wins. However, mauling the Cowboys will only earn you so much good-will.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
9		7	2	5-3	vs. Bengals
		It’s a bit jarring to see the Colts struggling this much.  At some point, you just have to chalk it up to injuries and the fact that this might not be their season.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
10		11	1	5-3	@ Dolphins
		Don’t ask me why adding Randy Moss, a player who’s already been jettisoned twice this season, makes me feel better about the Titans.  I guess I’m just a sucker for the crazy ex-girlfriend.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
11		N/A	N/A	5-3	@ Redskins
		Philly pulls off a big win over Indy and is back in the Top 12. If history holds firm, you can pencil them in for a loss to Washington this week.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
12		9	3	4-4	vs. Titans
		In all fairness, Miami’s four losses have all come at the hands of Top 6 teams, and the Top 4 teams in their conference.  They’ve beaten the teams that they’re better than and lost to the teams that they’re worse than.  I think that’s reasonable for a #12 ranked team.