OrangeShadow
11-02-2005, 12:23 PM
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=552 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=cnnPWTitle colSpan=4>NFL Power Rankings</TD></TR><TR class=cnnPWHeader><TD align=middle width=50>Rank</TD><TD align=middle width=50>LW</TD><TD width=75></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #999 1px solid" width=377>Team</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnPWRank>1</TD><TD class=cnnPWLW>1</TD><TD class=cnnPWLogo align=middle>http://i.cnn.net/si/images/football/nfl/logos/colts_65.gif (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/teams/colts/)</TD><TD class=cnnPWTeam vAlign=top>Indianapolis Colts (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/teams/colts/) (7-0)
First they'll run Edgerrin James at the Patriots, and see if they have anywhere near the success Buffalo did with Willis McGahee last Sunday night. When New England stops that, the Colts will see how Duane Starks likes trying to cover Reggie Wayne, giving Starks the same unmerciful treatment they awarded Denver's poor Roc Alexander in last year's playoffs. Remember? The Patriots will be forced to give Starks double-team help, and if they ease up on the way they're covering Marvin Harrison on the other side, Peyton's gaze will switch to the right, where Asante Samuel will surprise him by how well he's handling Indy's premier receiver. But oh oh, look out for Brandon Stokley, working his crossing patterns against nickel back or combination coverage, or Dallas Clark finding yardage down an open middle. What can change this scenario would be: 1) the Colts screwing it up; 2) the Patriots' defense coming up with something weird and unexpected; or 3) the Colts' defense being a mirage, and Tom Brady making a track meet out of the game, a track meet New England wins. </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnPWRank>2</TD><TD class=cnnPWLW>2</TD><TD class=cnnPWLogo align=middle>http://i.cnn.net/si/images/football/nfl/logos/steelers_65.gif (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/teams/steelers/)</TD><TD class=cnnPWTeam vAlign=top>Pittsburgh Steelers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/teams/steelers/) (5-2)
Whew, I'm exhausted, and we're just starting. Big Ben wasn't right in the wheels dept. on Monday night. But after the Steelers gave him emergency repairs in the locker, he was out there same as usual, the Statue of Liberty being attacked by hawks. He's a big, strong kid, and he prevailed. After the game his insurance actuaries got together, studied his policy and decided to raise his premium by 18 percent.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnPWRank>3</TD><TD class=cnnPWLW>3</TD><TD class=cnnPWLogo align=middle>http://i.cnn.net/si/images/football/nfl/logos/giants_65.gif (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/teams/giants/)</TD><TD class=cnnPWTeam vAlign=top>New York Giants (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/teams/giants/) (5-2)
They won it for Wellington, and how. After the smoke had cleared from the Washington Massacre, you heard all sorts of optimistic opinions, such as, "if they can only keep this going every week," etc. Sorry, but it doesn't work that way. These emotional maelstroms, except in the most abnormal circumstances, usually are quickies, one-shots. I mean look what happened to the Philly defense the week after it overran San Diego. Consistency is what the coaches preach. Just play smart, play nice, don't fight.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnPWRank>4</TD><TD class=cnnPWLW>6</TD><TD class=cnnPWLogo align=middle>http://i.cnn.net/si/images/football/nfl/logos/broncos_65.gif (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/teams/broncos/)</TD><TD class=cnnPWTeam vAlign=top>Denver Broncos (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/teams/broncos/) (6-2)
Yes, a wonderful victory, to be sure, but they came very close to blowing it by leaving a crippled Champ Bailey in too long, after it was obvious he couldn't run or cut. It's not like the guy replacing him was a stiff. Domonique Foxworth only made the biggest play of the game, intercepting a pass in the end zone and halting Philly's comeback.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/dr_z/11/01/ranks.week9.part1/index.html
First they'll run Edgerrin James at the Patriots, and see if they have anywhere near the success Buffalo did with Willis McGahee last Sunday night. When New England stops that, the Colts will see how Duane Starks likes trying to cover Reggie Wayne, giving Starks the same unmerciful treatment they awarded Denver's poor Roc Alexander in last year's playoffs. Remember? The Patriots will be forced to give Starks double-team help, and if they ease up on the way they're covering Marvin Harrison on the other side, Peyton's gaze will switch to the right, where Asante Samuel will surprise him by how well he's handling Indy's premier receiver. But oh oh, look out for Brandon Stokley, working his crossing patterns against nickel back or combination coverage, or Dallas Clark finding yardage down an open middle. What can change this scenario would be: 1) the Colts screwing it up; 2) the Patriots' defense coming up with something weird and unexpected; or 3) the Colts' defense being a mirage, and Tom Brady making a track meet out of the game, a track meet New England wins. </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnPWRank>2</TD><TD class=cnnPWLW>2</TD><TD class=cnnPWLogo align=middle>http://i.cnn.net/si/images/football/nfl/logos/steelers_65.gif (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/teams/steelers/)</TD><TD class=cnnPWTeam vAlign=top>Pittsburgh Steelers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/teams/steelers/) (5-2)
Whew, I'm exhausted, and we're just starting. Big Ben wasn't right in the wheels dept. on Monday night. But after the Steelers gave him emergency repairs in the locker, he was out there same as usual, the Statue of Liberty being attacked by hawks. He's a big, strong kid, and he prevailed. After the game his insurance actuaries got together, studied his policy and decided to raise his premium by 18 percent.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnPWRank>3</TD><TD class=cnnPWLW>3</TD><TD class=cnnPWLogo align=middle>http://i.cnn.net/si/images/football/nfl/logos/giants_65.gif (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/teams/giants/)</TD><TD class=cnnPWTeam vAlign=top>New York Giants (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/teams/giants/) (5-2)
They won it for Wellington, and how. After the smoke had cleared from the Washington Massacre, you heard all sorts of optimistic opinions, such as, "if they can only keep this going every week," etc. Sorry, but it doesn't work that way. These emotional maelstroms, except in the most abnormal circumstances, usually are quickies, one-shots. I mean look what happened to the Philly defense the week after it overran San Diego. Consistency is what the coaches preach. Just play smart, play nice, don't fight.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnPWRank>4</TD><TD class=cnnPWLW>6</TD><TD class=cnnPWLogo align=middle>http://i.cnn.net/si/images/football/nfl/logos/broncos_65.gif (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/teams/broncos/)</TD><TD class=cnnPWTeam vAlign=top>Denver Broncos (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/teams/broncos/) (6-2)
Yes, a wonderful victory, to be sure, but they came very close to blowing it by leaving a crippled Champ Bailey in too long, after it was obvious he couldn't run or cut. It's not like the guy replacing him was a stiff. Domonique Foxworth only made the biggest play of the game, intercepting a pass in the end zone and halting Philly's comeback.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/dr_z/11/01/ranks.week9.part1/index.html