Foxboro Blog Top 12: Week 4

After a week of chaos, the Top 12 has decided to settle down yet again.  Four teams didn’t budge a spot.  Only three teams moved more than one position.  Still, that didn’t keep the Romocoaster from derailing the Cowboys and sending them off the board…
 

Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
1		1	0	4-0	@ Falcons
		Finally, we have a team that can hold the top spot for more than one week.  Figures that it’s the defending champs.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
2		3	+1	3-1	Bye Week
		Baltimore has now shellacked two Top 12 teams.  Actually, I’d be hard pressed to name another team that’s shellacked even one Top 12 team.  Impressive.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
3		2	-1	3-1	@ Panthers
		The drop isn’t a knock on the Saints.  Baltimore was just more impressive this week.  With the Ravens having a bye, perhaps New Orleans can convice me otherwise with a strong showing against Cam Newton.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
4		4	0	3-1	vs. Jets
		It was a solid win on the road against Oakland, but defensive questions still remain.  I’d really like to see more opposing drives end in punts.  With the Pats’ D, it’s either either a score or a turnover.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
5		5	0	3-1	vs. Raiders
		Texans looked strong against the Steelers.  But just when you thought they had the South wrapped up, along come the Titans…
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
6		6	0	4-0	vs. Bears
		Detroit is undefeated and living on a prayer.  How many big comebacks can one team have?  After the past decade, I’m sure Lions fans don’t care how the W’s come, as long as they keep coming.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
7		12	+5	3-1	@ Broncos
		San Diego has yet to impress me, but at least they haven’t shot themselves in the foot.  I can’t say that for many of the teams who dropped below them this week.  And the schedule doesn’t look too rough from here for the Bolts.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
8		9	+1	3-1	vs. 49ers
		The Buccs don’t look like world-beaters, but they’re getting the job done.  They are keeping pace with the Saints and are in prime position for a Wild Card berth at worst.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
9		7	-2	3-1	vs. Eagles
		Classic trap game last week for the Bills, who were flying a bit too high.  Still, they definitely look like the 2nd best team in the AFC East right now, and playoff-worthy to boot!
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
10		N/A	N/A	3-1	@ Steelers
		Titans are pulling out some quiet victories.  We’ve got a classic 10/11 matchup brewing, which could have big playoff implications down the stretch.  I see Pittsburgh and Tennessee being Wild Card hopefuls.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
11		9	0	3-1	vs. Titans
		The Steelers just don’t look right.  Still, I rarely penalize for keeping things close vs. a higher ranked team.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
12		8	-4	2-2	@ Patriots
		I feel like I’m setting the Pats up for a catastrophe by dropping the Jets four spots right before they head to New England.  This could come back to bite me. However, Gang Green looked that bad against the Ravens.  It’s deserved.