Dr. Giganto

Week 9

1. Indianapolis Colts: Finally got the monkey off their back, winning in Foxboro for the first time in Peyton's career. Road to 16-0 will be tough, however, with games against the Steelers, Chargers, Cincinatti, Jacksonville, and Seattle still on the schedule.

2. Denver Broncos: It wouldn't be fair to drop them down after their bye week, would it?

3. Pittsburgh Steelers: Big Ben has been good, but a win over the Packers proves they can without him (and without Jerome Bettis and Willie Parker)

4. Cincinnati Bengals: Making the most of a soft schedule, they go into their bye week with the second-highest winning percentage in the NFL.

5. Carolina Panthers: Steve Smith could make a serious case for MVP. He won't get it, but if he keeps it up, he'll be in consideration. This a solid all-around team, which looks like the best the NFC has to offer.

6. Atlanta Falcons: Vick puts together a good game against a solid defense, and the team pulls off a victory against a feisty Miami team

7. New York Giants: The defense, which struggled early in the year, hasn't allowed a touchdown in two weeks. The offesne keeps trucking along, putting up big points.

8. Kansas City Chiefs: GREAT call by Vermeil on that 1st and goal play with 5 seconds left. If Oakland wins the coin flip, there's no way the mediocre KC defense stops them. So, which option do you like better: Letting your great offensive line clear a path for Larry Johnson to pick up one yard, or the 50-50 chance of winning the OT coin flip? Not many coaches would have the testicular fortitude to make the call Vermeil made.

9. Seattle Seahawks: Seriously...Shaun Alexander is good. with darrell Jackson out, Alexander has really picked up the slack.

10. Dallas Cowboys: Again, no reason to drop them after a bye. In fact, they move up a notch.

11. Jacksonville Jaguars: A scrappy bunch, with few big names on the roster, but they get the job done. They'll have to hope for the wild card, though, since they will not catch Indy. They'll have to put up a better showing in upcoming weeks than they did in squeeking by the 1-7 Texans at home.

12. San Diego Cahrgers: A winning record in spite of an inept coach. Marty Schottenheimer has no idea how to put other teams away. Got lucky to beat a battered Jets team, and it took a bad no-call by the refs and a lucky swat of the ball on 4th down by Quentin Jammer (who wasn't even looking at the ball) to pull off the victory.

13. New England Patriots: Before people start panicking (and I know people who have started already), the Patriots 4 losses have come @ Carolina, vs. San Diego, @ Denver (the biggest home field advantage in NFL history...look it up), and vs. undefeated Indianapolis. And the Patriots are still in first place. All they need to do is get healthy and pick up some momentum before the playoffs start.

14. Washington Redskins: After being on each end of a blowout in back-to-back weeks, the Skins played a close one and pulled off a victory over a shook-up Eagles squad. They'll probably fight with the Giants and Cowboys for the NFC East crown this year.

15. Chicago Bears: Ladies and gentlemen, yoooooooour NFC North leaders. They've got a two-game lead, and I doubt the Lions, Vikings, or Packers have what it takes to dethrone them this year. Pencil them in for the playoffs.

16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: a quick fall from grace after the 5-1 start. With Cadillac Williams banged up, and an inexperienced (but well-pedigreed) QB in Chris Simms, I expect Tamps to struggle throught the rest of the season.

17. St. Louis Rams: They'll be getting their passing game back soon, as Bulger, Holt, and Bruce have had the bye week to rest up. Let's hope they didn't forget how well Steven Jackson ran in their absence.

18. Philadelphia Eagles: Honestly, what can I say about this team that hasn't been said already. With no discernible running game, no decent recievers, and a QB who is VERY injured, it wouldn't be unreasonable to expect this team to finish 6-10.

19. Oakland Raiders: They really should have won that game at Arrowhead. Division losses like that sting. But, then again, when Randy Moss only catches one ball, maybe you don't deserve to win.

20. Miami Dolphins: Ricky scores! But, they couldn't pull off the upset against Atlanta. Note to Nick Saban: DRAFT A QB!!!!

21. Buffalo Bills: They still have a ton of talent. they just need to put it all together, and hope Holcomb can run the offense efficiently

22. Cleveland Browns: Reuben Droughns has been a bright spot on this mostly mediocre team. Much needed win this week against a mediocre division rival in Tennessee.

23. New Orleans/Baton Rouge/San Antonio: After everything they've been through, they still have to deal with their scumbag owner trying to move the team. Some people really just don;t deserve the money they are more often than not born into.



24. Minnesota Vikings: Um...they're not very good. But, they won this week, so I'm kinda forced to vault them ahead of the Lions. Think they miss Randy Moss?

25. Detroit Lions: Lost to a mediocre division opponent led by a back-up QB in his late-30's. Things are not good in the Motor City. Hey, at least they have the red Wings.

26. Baltimore Ravens: Anthony Wright is like Michael Vick, but without the talent.

27. Tennessee Titans: Ummm.....I really have nothing to say about them. Let's move on.

28. New York Jets: Sometimes, it's just not your year. 4 tries from the 3 yard line with the game on the line, and theycouldn't get in. Also, if Brooks Bollinger plays well, as he did in the second half of Sunday's game, expect a lot of second-guessing regarding Vinny Testaverde as a starter.

29. Arizona Cardinals: Kurt Warner: Not a good QB. Can't wait to hear who his wife blames for this year's struggles

30. San Francisco 49ers: You know, they're really not that bad on defense. Julian Peterson is a monster. But the offense is terrible at best. Well, except Brandon Lloyd. did anyone see that catch he made that was called back by holding. If you have to ask "Which catch?", then you didn't see it. Wow. Their offensive line is TERRIBLE, by the way.

31. Green Bay Packers: After injuries to Ahman Green, Najeh Davenport, and Tony Fisher, the Sam Gado era has offically begun. Let's hope the Aaron Rodgers era begins fairly soon.

32. Houston Texans: Sigh...such offensive talent (Carr, Domanick Davis, Andre Johnson) wasted because of an atrocious offensive line, and a defense that couldn't come up with a big stop when they needed to against the Jags