Everyman's Fantasy

Another week hiatus, but this time they return with comments. I don't want to say I told you so, but my #1 team still reigns and we are eight weeks in. How many other power rankers (an exclusive group, I assure you) can say that? Meanwhile, at the bottom, comments aren't necessary or deserved. It's getting ugly down there.

1. New Orleans (1)- My #1 all season just keeps getting better and better. In two weeks, they've beaten their top contender for the NFC crown (Giants) and shown they can handle adversity (down 21 to Miami). This is the type of season New Orleans fans dreamed about when Reggie Bush was drafted. Ironically, the team's running game revolves around two undrafted players, Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell.

2. Indianapolis (2)- In my mind, this is the favorite to win the Super Bowl, and Peyton Manning should be the front runner for the MVP. Why?

3. New England (10)- When you outscore opponents 94-7 in the last two weeks, you deserve to jump up in the power rankings.

4. Denver (4)- Undefeated and still not ranked ahead of a team they beat three weeks ago? Maybe it's unfair, but you tell me you'd take Denver and Kyle Orton over New England and Tom Brady right now.

5. Pittsburgh (13)- Pittsburgh and Minny are both very good, not great. Minny is winning with Brett Favre being a glorified game manager (odd) and Pittsburgh is winning by throwing the ball all over the field (even odder). Chester Taylor's lack of stick-um gave Pittsburgh the win last week, and the slight nod in these power rankings.

6. Minnesota (5)- See above.

7. Green Bay (17)- Don't look now, but here come everyone's preseason darlings! With the Minny loss, they are only a game and a half back. Beating Favre in his homecoming game would mean a lot more than simply making up a game, that is for sure.

8. Cincinatti (8)- The old Bengals would never bounce back like that after a disheartening loss to Houston. The new Bengals? They look about as good as their rejuvenated running back, The Gazelle, who inexplicably still leads the league in rushing yards.

9. Arizona (14)- After dismantling the Giants, the Cards Super Bowl odds have dropped form 40/1 to 23/1 and people are jumping on the bandwagon. I'll begrudginly move over.

10. NY Giants (3)- Two straight losses has everyone wondering what is the real Giants. I'm hoping its the one we say struggle against the Saints and Cardinals.

11. Dallas (16)- They may not have the name recognition of Roy Williams and Marion Barber, but Miles Austin and Tashard Choice have proven that they are more reliable and more valuable to the Cowboys.

12. Atlanta (6)- One bad week is not enough to dampen my love for the Falcons. They are still the best bet to lock up the first NFC wild card spot.

13. Houston (21)- With two straight wins over decent teams, the Texans may have finally rid themselves of their Jekyll and Hyde personality, and they are doing it behind the arm of fantasy's top ranked quarterback, Matt Schaub.

14. Baltimore (9)- Baltimore fans are hoping that their team figured things out during the bye week, because they face a tough next five weeks, with games against Denver, Cincy, Indy, and Pittsburgh.

15. Philadelphia (7)- Not much to say about the Eagles victory over Washington other than that they won. They did little to inspire confidence, especially on the heels of the stinker they threw up against the Raiders.

16. San Diego (11)- 16 is the perfect spot for this Chargers team. They are 3-3. They have beaten bad teams (Kansas City, Oakland) and lost to good teams (Pittsburgh, Denver). They have as much talent as any team in the league, and as little leadership as any team in the league. San Diego, its football purgatory.

17. NY Jets (15)- The Mark Sanchez lovefest officially ended after his five turnover performance two weeks ago against Buffalo, and Jets fans should be rejoicing. Every rookie, especially quarterbacks, will have ups and downs, and now that Sanchez has experienced the lows of the league, he can focus on simply improving each week. It is also a wake up call for Rex Ryan and his coaches, who now know that they can't throw everything on Sanchez's shoulders and hope for success.

18. Buffalo (27)- Yes, the Bills have won two straight games, and technically are very much alive in the playoff hunt. However, they are starting Ryan Fitzpatrick, a player best known for his perfect Wonderlic score. Ask Vince Young, that don't mean nothing.

19. Jacksonville (22)- If fans don't want to pay to watch Jacksonville, I don't want to write about them for free.

20. San Francisco (18)- The Cardinals top competition for the division comes from a team that has a quarterback controversy between Alex Smith and Shaun Hill. And you wonder why I'm betting the Cards hard?

21. Chicago (13)- Hey Chicago, have fun with your less talented, just as cocky, younger Brett Favre. 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions through six weeks is exactly the performance that Denver did not want to deal with, and that Chicago thinks is worth $15 million a year.

22. Miami (19)- Things the Wildcat is good for: Controlling the ball, protecting a quarterback who shouldn't be starting in the NFL, reviving Ricky Williams career. Things the Wildcat is not good for: Coming from behind, scoring after the third quarter, beating the Saints.

23. Seattle (20)- In Seattle's two wins, they have shut out both opponents. In their four losses, they have given up an average of 27 points. Incredibly, with Detroit, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, and Tennessee still on the schedule, Seattle has a chance to get four more shutouts.

Want to know how bad the bottom 9 are? Outside of Oakland's win over Philly, not a single team in the Bottom 9 has beaten a team outside of this wonderful nineumvirate. They are a combined 9-51. Vegas is going nuts, making spreads 14, 15, 16 points when one of these teams IS PLAYING AT HOME and they still aren't covering. Four or five of them could legititally make claims that they are the worst team, even Washington, which has two wins (by a combined 5 points over the Rams and Bucs). Tennessee, which is winless, is ranked ahead of SIX OTHER TEAMS. Yes folks, this is the Bottom 9 for ya.

24. Carolina (23)

25. Detroit (25)

26. Tennessee (28)

27. Cleveland (26)

28. Kansas City (30)

29. Oakland (32)

30. Washington (24)

31. Tampa Bay (29)

32. St. Louis (31)