NFL Power Rankings Week 8: Colts, Jets Earn Respect
By Dean Holden
SLR’s Week 8 NFL Power Rankings: 32-25
Oct 20, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (7) is sacked by Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Tamba Hali (91) during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
32. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-7) NC
They’re fighting — which you actually really like in a team this hopeless — but they’re still losing. It’s probably not going to get any better this season, but the product on the field right now isn’t indicative of their current management, it’s indicative of their past. They’ll be better next season, if only because they can’t get worse, but for now, “0-16 Watch” has officially begun.
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-7) NC
Is Mike Glennon the answer in the long run? He certainly has something going for him, and it’s not bad. This team isn’t going to play more than 16 games this season, so the rest of the season should be about figuring out the answer to that question, and evaluating the rest of the roster. That, and firing Greg Schiano as soon as possible.
30. Minnesota Vikings (1-5) ▼1
Holy wow, it is no wonder this team drafted a punter. I don’t know what’s worse, Josh Freeman completing under 38 percent of his passes, or only giving the ball to Adrian Peterson 13 times and letting Freeman throw 53 times. Either way, oof. Things are going to be not great over the last 10 games. Stay strong, Vikings fans.
29. New York Giants (1-6) ▲1
Well, that was about the ugliest game ever played on Monday Night Football. Granted, Colts-Broncos was a tough act to follow, but that was about on the level of the Rolling Stones opening up for Nickelback. Still, I guess somebody had to win it. Congrats, Giants. Please never make us go through that again.
28. Houston Texans (2-5) ▼7
The good news is that Case Keenum was unexpectedly good, at least as an emergency stopgap. They played extremely well against the undefeated Chiefs with a strong defensive effort. The bad news is that the Chiefs are still undefeated, and Arian Foster is injured. That, and the team is one of the worst in football at 2-5. Lots more bad than good.
27. Washington Redskins (2-4) ▲1
Oh, well hello there, Washington. Welcome back to contention. Bring that offense, because giving up 42 points to a Bears offense run by Josh McCown is… not great. On the bright side, you play in a division with the Eagles and Giants, so anything is possible.
26. Atlanta Falcons (2-4) ▼1
They finally won, but they had to fight for it against the winless Bucs. That doesn’t make them a good team, that makes them not one of the worst. It seems unfair that they move down after a win, but everyone around them also won, more convincingly, and against tougher competition. At least they found out they have good depth at wide receiver.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-4) ▲2
Are they back? You don’t see a lot of 0-4 teams run off two straight wins against decent teams, so which one is real? The 0-4 team or the 2-0 team? They’ve been completely different since the bye week, but I doubt there’s quite enough talent here to make a full comeback and playoff run. Still, there’s plenty of season left to prove me wrong.