SLR’s Week 7 NFL Power Rankings
By Dean Holden
Oct 13, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Carolina Panthers cornerback Drayton Florence (29) breaks up a pass intended for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Joe Webb (14) during the fourth quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Panthers defeated the Vikings 35-10. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
32. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-6) NC
Give these Jaguars some credit. They’re still hapless, and the Denver Broncos beat them by two touchdowns, but they made it a football game, despite people making it sound like a funeral dirge coming in. Justin Blackmon went wild on the Broncos secondary for 190 yards, which should give some hope for the future.
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-5) ▼1
The good news is, Mike Glennon might not be incredibly awful. The bad news is, if the NFLPA’s accusation about Greg Schiano is true, the Bucs will be re-starting their rebuilding process under a new head coach, as soon as next week, and no later than next season. Of course, if it is true, getting rid of Schiano won’t actually be bad news.
30. New York Giants (0-6) ▲1
I’m not sure if it’s more hilarious or pitiful that Eli Manning is setting records for interceptions thrown while his brother sets records for touchdown passes. Given the way their valiant comeback attempt ended against the Bears, with a dropped pass turning into a game-ending pick, I’m leaning towards pitiful.
29. Minnesota Vikings (1-4) ▼8
Oof. They had two weeks to prepare for the Panthers, and they got their teeth kicked in at home. If they get something positive out of Josh Freeman, it might be the only good thing to happen to them this season. Matt Cassel isn’t the answer, and chances are neither is Christian Ponder.
28. Washington Redskins (1-4) ▼5
The RG3 schizophrenia saga continues. Is he good? Is he healthy? Are the coaches using him properly? Have defenses figured him out? They had a chance to get back into the divisional race with a win, and they flopped. They seem just a bit dysfunctional on both sides of the ball.
27. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-4) ▲2
A victory! This team isn’t great, but they don’t seem so bad as to have been winless until Week 6. Still, this team probably isn’t going anywhere this year. That won’t stop them from trying, of course, but Steelers fans have to be wondering, with this team regressing rapidly, whether it’s time to blow it up and start over yet.
26. Buffalo Bills (2-4) ▲1
Sometimes a team just deserves a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. Thad Lewis led the Bills back from 14 points down, only to have them lose on a special teams blunder in overtime. Now Lewis has a foot sprain, and the team is looking at Matt Flynn, which is NFL shorthand for “we’re in big trouble.” They’re fighting in every game, they just don’t have the firepower to pull them out.
25. Atlanta Falcons (1-4) ▼1
They move down during the bye because the teams below them won, and because the same Jets who just embarrassed them at home last week went on to give the Steelers their first win in dominating fashion. Can they turn this thing around? Without Julio Jones, it seems unlikely.