[Editor's note: Today we introduce a new weekly feature here at MSF, courtesy of Big MB, our soon-to-be renowned NFL expert and already renowned teller of "this".
Every week around this time, Big MB will be checking in with his NFL Power Rankings. He goes 1-15 and gives you the low down on the NFL's best teams.
Bold prediction: the Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins will not be making it into Big MB's first list.
Find out after the jump.]
1. Baltimore Ravens
For years now, the Ravens have made their name on defense. Although it may not be the best defense in the NFL anymore, it is still one of the best, and one of the most physical.
By the way, Baltimore has an offense to go with that defense now, second in points scored, only to the Saints. Watch out for Joe Flacco, he may be a legend forming right front of our eyes.
2. New Orleans Saints
Even when Drew Brees doesn’t throw a touchdown, this team still puts up 27 and wins by 20. Who do you stop? Brees, Colston, Henderson, Thomas, Bush, Shockey? Good luck keeping this team out of the playoffs, and the record books.
3. Indianapolis Colts
Peyton Manning is like a fine wine. He gets better with age.
All of the skeptics said without Marvin Harrison and Anthony Gonzalez that the Colts offense would go stale. Well they were wrong. With the emergence of Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie, and of course Dallas Clark, this team seams to be hitting on all cylinders.
Oh by the way, the defense is getting pretty darn good after holding the prolific Cardinals to just 10 points.
4. New York Jets
This may be the surprise of the year, and the only reason they aren’t higher in my rankings is, ironically, the same reason they are as high as they are: Mark Sanchez. The rookie has displayed nothing but poise since he was named the starter for the Jets. The team seems to rally around him, and they all seem to love him.
But, he is just a rookie. This team is dangerous, but Sanchez will make mistakes as the year progresses. Big matchup coming up this week against the Saints.
5. Minnesota Vikings
From new to old…I would like to say to all of the nay-sayers, What do you have to say about Favre now?
His last two games have been very Favre-like, and he has thrown 5 touchdowns to one interception. The best RB in the league lines up behind him, and that can’t hurt the situation.
This week’s matchup has Favre playing his old team Green Bay, this time with #4 in evil purple. Expect this one to be a nasty game. Favre has something to prove to his former organization.
6. New York Giants
No Plaxico? No problem. Steve Smith and Mario Manningham have more than made up for hole left by Plaxico. (Maybe not so much the one in his leg, but oh well.)
Eli has gotten his confidence back, and Jacobs will continue to bruise every defender that steps in his way. The NFC East is their division to lose this year.
7. Atlanta Falcons
How good is Matt Ryan? He’s another youngster playing like a veteran. He did look a little confused against the Patriots this past week, but hell, this is his second year. Great coaching, great play calling, great players….Atlanta should walk away with the NFC South this year.
8. Chicago Bears
Jay Cutler seems to finally be settling down in Chicago, and that can’t be a good thing for anyone in the NFC North. This is a tough division though, with Minnesota and Green Bay both hanging their hats on forcing turnovers. Cutler will have to watch his “gunslinging” and focus and a short surgical passing game. Devin Hester is proving to be a good WR, and though he still needs work, he’s not just a kick returner anymore.
9. Green Bay Packers
It was really tough to decide between Green Bay and Chicago this week. The Pack’s defense has been nothing less than stout during the course of the 2009 season, and has come up with big turnovers when needed.
I’m not completely sold on Aaron Rodgers, and I flat out don’t like Ryan Grant, but Jennings and Driver make one hell of a combination down field. Guess what…Mr. Favre is coming to town on Monday Night Football this week!
10. Denver Broncos
Of all seven 3-0 teams, I like the Broncos the least. At best they should be 2-1, if it were not for the miraculous deflection that WR Brandon Stokley took to the house in the closing seconds of week one. My confidence doesn’t grow in them that much considering their other two wins were over extremely weak teams. They are, as of right now, without a doubt pretenders.
11. Cincinnati Bengals
On the other side of things, are the Cincinnati Bengals, the victims of the “Immaculate Deflection” against the Broncos. The Bengals beat the World Champion Steelers, and very well could be 3-0, and sitting pretty in perhapsthe toughest division in football, except for the Browns. (Sorry JRod)
[Editor's Note: Got to hell Myles. Only I can diss on the Browns on this site!]
12. New England Patriots
The Patriots should be 1-2 and not even on this Power Rankings list. But this past Sunday, we saw Tom Brady and New England start to play like the team the experts said they would be. I still think they are on the decline, and with the emergence of the Jets, perhaps may not even make the playoffs for a second straight season.
13. San Fransico 49ers
The 49ers are definitely my dark-horse NFC team this year. The bad news is that Frank Gore could be missing 4-6 weeks. The good news is that the 49ers play in the weak NFC west. If they could sign Michael Crabtree, there is a possibility that they could make a playoff run.
14. Philadelphia Eagles
McNabb’s ribs are still a major problem, but Kevin Kolb has played phenomenally. We now understand why Andy Reid drafted this kid, even though he already had one of the top 5 QB’s in the league. I don’t believe that the Eagles are in too much trouble, but they need a healthy Brian Westbrook.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers
Well, who would have though the Champs would start out 1-2?
After a tough loss to Cincy, I flirted with not even mentioning them in my top 15. But it was them or Dallas, and when you have to put a game away on MNF, at home, in your new stadium, in the closing minutes, against a bad Carolina team, you don’t deserve to make the top 15.
So congrats Pittsburgh, you made it here by default. You may want to step up your game though. Last time I checked, Baltimore is pretty good, and now you’ve lost a division game to Cincinnati.
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You can follow BigMB on twitter at www.twitter.com/mylesb3269
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