Writing the Pine

AP Photo/Chris Schneider

Anderson’s Week 5 NFL Power Rankings

1) New York Giants (5-0) – The Giants early season schedule seems to be a breeze early on given that they’ve already faced the Bucs, Chiefs, and Raiders. Nevertheless, credit needs to be given to teams that take of business when they’re supposed to. Eli Manning has been able to pick apart opposing defenses with ease, while the Giants defense hasn’t really been tested yet other than in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys. All of that is going to change next week when they face the undefeated New Orleans Saints, possibly a battle for sole possession of first place on these rankings. Without a doubt, this will be their toughest task to date, especially at the raucous Superdome. What Giant fans should be more worried about that Eli’s plantar fasciitis is the running of Brandon Jacobs. Ahmad Bradshaw has proven to be the better back thus far this season. Jacobs is still dancing too much at the line and not running with authority. I understand that he’s trying to develop into the complete running back, but he was never blessed with the lateral agility to complete this development.

2) Minnesota Vikings (5-0) – Following a very impressive Monday Night outing against the Green Bay Packers, the Vikings take care of business against the lowly St. Louis Rams. Boy, these top teams seem to be feasting on the bottom of the barrel in the NFL. The Vikings defense was the story in this game, although that’s not saying much given that Kyle Boller was starting at quarterback. However, I’m seeing a disturbing trend of Brett Favre throwing more than handing the ball off to Adrian Peterson. It’s great that they’re trying to rest Adrian Peterson, but at least get Chestor Taylor the ball when Peterson isn’t in the game. Vikings fans might be outraged right now, but Jets fans know all too well that Favre’s shoulder might fall off by midseason.

3) Indianapolis Colts (5-0) – I have the Colts ranked ahead of the Saints, not because I think the Colts have a better team than the Saints do (I think it’s pretty even), but because the quality of the victories and the fashion in which the Colts have won has been VERY impressive. After two scares early in the season against the Jaguars and Dolphins, the Colts have demolished their previous three opponents, two of which are quality wins against Arizona and Tennessee. They might be running away with the AFC. Peyton Manning is on his way to another MVP.

4) New Orleans Saints (4-0) – Bye week to rest up for the Giants next Sunday. This will be a very physical game. If the Saints can win this game, it would go a long way for them in terms of home field advantage in the playoffs since I see the Giants, Vikings, and Saints vying for that #1 seed in the NFC.

5) Denver Broncos (5-0) – Wow, what a HUGE win on Sunday against the New England Patriots. Josh McDaniels is looking like runaway winner for coach of the year given that they’ve more than exceeded expectations for this season. I remember alot of analysts predicting a 3-13 season for this Denver team. No one had faith in Kyle Orton, but he’s proving to be a solid David Garrard like quarterback that makes all the right throws and limits turnovers. I wrote an article sometime in the summer imploring the Broncos to sign Brandon Marshall. They did just that and it’s paying huge dividends right now. He’s been coined the nickname ‘Baby T.O.’, but that’s unfair given that his gripes aren’t with anyone in the locker room. Defensive Coordinator Mike Nolan is doing wonders with the defense. Elvis Dumervil is leading the league in sacks and Champ Bailey is playing with a huge chip on his shoulder after having lost the title as the best ’shutdown’ corner in the league the last two seasons with the emergence of Nnamdi Asomugha and Darrelle Revis.

6) Cincinnati Bengals (4-1) – The Bengals appear to be a team on a mission this year. With Marvin Lewis’s job on the line, they’ve given an effort every week and have been in a position to win every game. This past week, the Bengals dedicated their effort to defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer who lost his wife midweek and that emotional effort helped propel them over the Ravens. The defense this year seems to be playing with an attitude and toughness that they’ve lacked in past seasons. In all fairness, they should be 5-0 and on top of the Broncos on the Power Rankings. With Pittsburgh rebounding quickly, I wonder if the Bengals can stave their other AFC North foes long enough to win the division.

7) Atlanta Falcons (4-1) – The Falcons are flying very low under the radar. Given all of the noise made in the NFC about the Giants, Vikings, and Saints, no one has made a big deal about the Atlanta Falcons. In my mind, their victory against the 49ers was the most impressive win of the weekend given that the 49ers have one of the better defenses in the league. The Falcons straight up whooped them. Their division games against the New Orleans Saints will likely determine who runs away with the division crown.

8 ) Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) – Don’t look now but the Steelers are on the rise again. Rashard Mendenhall is finally getting it and Ben Roethlisberger is finally playing like an elite quarterback. The defense has looked shaky at times, but Troy Polamalu is on the verge of returning. The Steelers need to learn how to finish games. They are letting teams back into games after accumulating multiple possession leads.

9) New York Jets (3-2) – Originally, I was going to write up my Power Rankings Sunday Night and assume that the Jets were going to win this game against the Dolphins. I’m glad that I didn’t do it. Teams are starting to figure out Rex Ryan’s uber-aggressive defense. There’s an old saying in the NFL, ‘you live by the blitz, and you die by the blitz.’ There’s no reason that offenses shouldn’t be able to make a defense pay if they are blitzing the entire house unless it’s 3rd and a mile. Teams are finding some success running the ball against this Jets defense. It’s nice to see Mark Sanchez rebound after a debacle of a performance last week against the Saints, and it’s looking like the Jets got the better end of the Braylon Edwards trade.

10) New England Patriots (3-2) – I’m amazed at how well the defense is performing given all of the turnover that went on with the players in the offseason. Their biggest issue is still their cornerbacks. Shawn Springs is a good savvy corner, but he’s up there in age. Leigh Bodden is probably no better than Ellis Hobbs. Nevertheless, the defense is doing enough to allow the Patriots to win the game. Now, if only Tom Brady can be Tom Brady…