NFL Team Rankings

Thought I'd start off this week with my personal power rankings. Just a note, what you see is pure mathematics (driven by wins, loses, and offensive and defensive statistics). My own thoughts and ideas have not entered into these rankings. If they had, you'd definitely see some changes with Kansas City, Buffalo and Cleveland. Overall, I generally like the placement of the teams.

Now, onto the games.

Detroit, Houston, Minnesota, and Seattle are all off this week.

Arizona Cardinals (+3.5) at Carolina Panthers

If you're a football fan, then you have to love this game. Or is it, if you love this game, then you have to be a football fan. Is there a less appealing matchup around the Cards and Panthers? Yeah, I know, Carolina is 3-1 and playing well, but their offense just isn't clicking right now. The ground game is good, but Steve Smith is the only viable WR right now. He's a great player to watch, but he just can't carry a passing attack at this stage in his career. Muhammad is really needed in Carolina. For Arizona, Thomas Jones looks real iffy with a bad ankle. Look for him to attempt to play but be ineffective.

The pick: Panthers 19-14.

Washington Redskins (+5.5) at Tennessee Titans

Wuerffel must lead a charmed life or something. How else can you describe the luck of being named starting QB right before playing the horrible Titans pass defense? Shane Matthews must be thrilled. One thing's for certain: if Wuerffel can't get it done against Tennessee, then he just can't get it done. Eddie George hasn't set the world on fire lately, but the Redskins haven't been able to stop much on the ground. George should show up well this week. Also for the Titans, Wycheck should be the main beneficiary of Derrick Mason's absence.

The pick: Titans 27-21.

Cincinnati Bengals (+13.5) at Indianapolis Colts

Don't look now, but Tony Dungy has quietly improved the Colts defense. You won't confuse them with the Chargers or anything, but this squad is certainly better than last year's. They are really doing a number on opposing WRs, so sit all your Bengals pass-catchers (sarcasm intended). Meanwhile, Cincinnati is simply bad. Everywhere. If you have Dillon, though, you must start him as he's talented enough to peel off 100+ against anyone.

The pick: Colts 27-7.

Kansas City Chiefs (-3) at New York Jets

Here's a pair of teams that were fortunate to start 2002 with victories (Chiefs winning with no time on the clock and Jets winning on a TD on the overtime kickoff). Fast forward a few weeks and we see two different teams: one is good, and the other is the Jets. New York is in complete disarray and could easily be the 2002 version of last year's Carolina Panthers. I don't know what's worse: watching the Jets' offense or watching the Jets' defense attempt to stop the run. Priest Holmes will be able to name his yardage total.

The pick: Chiefs 35-20.

New England Patriots (+3) at Miami Dolphins

Kudos go out to both teams for taking the luster off this contest. Who would have wanted a battle of unbeatens? Still, this will turn out to be an excellent game. Each team's offensive strength matches up very well with their opponent's defensive weakness. The Patriots are not a run-stopping team. Enter Ricky Williams. The Dolphins have been a bit shaky against the pass. Enter Tom Brady. It's hard to imagine it, but one of these teams will leave the field with a two game losing streak.

The pick: Patriots 24-23.

San Diego Chargers (+5) at Denver Broncos

Congratulations are also thrown out to the Broncos for robbing us of another matchup of unbeatens. At least they lost to a powerhouse in the Ravens. Good job Shanahan. The Chargers on the other hand pulled off a huge win against New England that saw Tomlinson rock harder than System of a Down. San Diego will try unleash the man again this week. Don't bet against them or him. Overall, this will be quite a contest. The Chargers are the better team, but it is awfully hard to take one in Denver. Still, I'm taking them by a dog's hair.

The pick: Chargers 17-16.

New York Giants (pick 'em) at Dallas Cowboys

Remember when this game actually meant something? Yeah, me neither. Actually, it wasn't all that long ago. Ah well. At least Emmitt is still around. I know it's fashionable to beat on the guy as if he's only here for the record, but I still believe him to be the best RB in Dallas. He's still a viable threat. Let me close with an open memo to Jim Fassel: Get the ball to Jeremy Shockey with more consistency. When this rookie had the ball last week, he was like a bowling ball in the open field. Of course he only saw the ball on the first two series and the final series. Waddup with dat? It shouldn't take a mental Giant to see that he and Barber are New York's two biggest threats. Keep Ron Dayne on the sidelines and target Shockey consistenly throughout the ball game. Sheesh! Galloway has a ailing thumb but should be able to go this weekend.

The pick: Giants 14-10.

Philadelphia Eagles (-3) at Jacksonville Jaguars

Boy, were Fred Taylor owners cursing the name of Stacey Mack? Three TDs for the backup will make a fantasy owner go insane, but that's the way the ceiling fan turns sometimes. As long as he's healthy (knock on wood), Taylor is still the stud back here. Of course, if you're in a pinch, enjoy it and then take a look at starting Mack. Overall, I think Jacksonville is a tad underrated by the masses. While the Jets win is nothing to hang your hat on, splitting against the Colts and Chiefs is not a bad way to start the season. However, the Eagles have too much overall talent (led by top dog McNabb) and should take this game.

The pick: Eagles 26-20.

Oakland Raiders (-3) at Buffalo Bills

Even if you're no where near Hurricane Lili, you'll want to batten down the hatches for this one. You're looking at a pair of teams that last week combined to score 85 points and allow 52. Wow! You gotta know that both of those scoreboard operators were suffering from carpal tunnel after those games. Anyway, you shouldn't need me to tell you, but start everything you have here including the kitchen sink. This will be a TD fest for the ages as both passing games look destined for big numbers.

The pick: Raiders 35-28.

St. Louis Rams (+7) at San Francisco 49ers

Talk about a downer. Before the season began, this game was circled by many as must see TV. Now, there are at least a half-dozen more appealing games on this week's schedule. Check out these two fast facts for St. Louis and San Francisco:

• They have combined for fewer wins than Carolina has alone.
• In seven games, they have combined for fewer points than Oakland has scored in three games.

These two teams definitely have problems on offense. Of the two, the 49ers have a better shot at righting their ship as all of their skill players have 10 working fingers. Kurt Warner owners have to be suffering hard right now with his departure (for what will be around 2 months). Another big loser there is Torry Holt. Without Warner, his numbers will likely take a hit.

The pick: 49ers 17-14.

Pittsburgh Steelers (+3) at New Orleans Saints

Welcome Tommy Maddox - NFL starting QB. He certainly could find a worse pass defense to face in his debut as the Saints have been less than stellar against opposing QBs. Maybe he will be able to jump-start the Pittsburgh offense. If not, he won't hang around for long. For the Saints, be certain that Horn can go (as of this writing, he looked ready to start).

The pick: Saints 24-17.

Baltimore Ravens (+6.5) at Cleveland Browns

Just as in the last few weeks, Jamel White is our top Cleveland RB. When Butch Davis will realize the same is anyone's question. Just go ahead and put Green on the shelf for the season and see what White can do full time. What a lovely thought. It looks like the Ravens have exactly two players that do not suck (Lewis and Heap). Well, at least on offense. These two players can't be expected to do it all. And oh yeah, these two franchises have a little bit of history. Don't they?

The pick: Browns 18-15.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-1.5) at Atlanta

What a matchup we have here. A very good defense facing an excellent play-making athlete. As a matter of fact, both defenses are pretty salty (although the Falcons have trouble defending the run). Keyshawn Johnson is pretty much off of our must-start-regardless-of-opponent list. He's still worth a shot though as he does have a ton of talent.

The pick: Buccaneers 24-17.

Green Bay Packers (+1.5) at Chicago Bears

Let's go ahead and mark Monday Night Football down for a can't miss showcase of a game this week. These two squad should really be able to get things rolling as Chicago can't stop the pass and Green Bay can't defend the run. If Favre had a little more help at WR, he might be an even better start than he already is. As it stands, though, only Donald Driver will lend a helping hand. For the Bears, Thomas should have a superb day running the ball. Both kickers look good here as well. However, throw all that aside and just sit back on Monday Night and watch an outstanding football game.

The pick: Packers 28-26.