TDMMC NFL Power Ten, week 3

[MaineDolFan]

TDMMC Power Ten, week 3!
#1.  Steelers
Total points:  104
High vote: #1
Low vote: #6

#2.  Packers
Total points:  73
High vote: #1
Low vote: #9

#3.  Colts
Total points:  65
High vote:  #1
Low vote:  #2
One member did not cast a vote for this team

#4. Saints
Total points:  64
High vote:  #2
Low vote:  #7
1 member did not vote for this team

#5.  Bears
Total points:  58
High vote:  #2
Low vote:  #9
3 members did not vote for this team

#6.  Jets
Total points:  50
High vote:  #3
Low vote:  #10
1 member did not vote for this team

#7.  Cheifs
Total points:  46
High vote: #3
Low vote: #10
2 members did not vote for this team

#8.  Falcons
Total points:  43
High vote: #3
Low vote:  #10
1 member did not vote for this team

#9.  Eagles
Total points: 25
High vote:  #3
Low vote: #10
4 members did not vote for this team

#10.  Texans
Total points: 21
High vote:  #4
Low vote:  #10
5 members did not vote for this team

Other votes cast:
Patriots:  17 (high 4, low 10)
Ravens:   16 (high 7, low 10)
Dolpins:   15 (high 5, low 7)
Titans:       7  (High 7, low 10)
Cowboys:  1  (1 vote, #10)

[CF DolFan]

The lowest vote for the Dolphins was 7th?

[Philly Fin Fan]

I enjoy looking at this every week, and trying to figure out why people put teams in certain spots. Like someone put the Packers at #1? I know people use different criteria, but after their 17 penalty performance Monday night, that strikes me as odd.

I think it'd be cool for everyone on a weekly basis to give their reasoning for the #1 overall team.

[Dave Gray]

The lowest vote for the Dolphins was 7th?

He doesn't include when they're not voted on the list at all.  So, the lowest vote received (when they received a vote) was 7th.

[fyo]

I enjoy looking at this every week, and trying to figure out why people put teams in certain spots. Like someone put the Packers at #1? I know people use different criteria, but after their 17 penalty performance Monday night, that strikes me as odd.

I think it'd be cool for everyone on a weekly basis to give their reasoning for the #1 overall team.

Sure...

I have the Packers at #1 because their loss (against what people apparently think is the 5th best team in the NFL) only occurred due to an absurd number of penalties that I doubt will ever happen for them again. At least not this season. I.e. the penalties were a fluke that allowed Chicago to stay in the game (and win). If Chicago really is the 5th best team, I'm doubly sure of my #1 Packers ranking. No way those penalties happen again.

If Packers - Steelers played Sunday, would I put money on the Steelers? No way. Bears? ABSOLUTELY NO WAY.

Are they "as good" as I had them at #1 last week? No. In fact, as I wrote elsewhere, I had a little minus sign next to all 6 of my top picks last week. They didn't all lose (Patriots), but played poorly enough to warrant docking a few "points". (I don't actually have a scale or give points or anything.)

The Steelers are an interesting case. I think the Titans are overrated and the Bucs, while young and improving, just aren't very good. The week 1 win against the Falcons isn't near enough for me to put them #1, so (for me) the argument would come down to how good will they be when Roethlisberger comes back. I gave up trying to figure that out and just rated based on their current play -- and I don't see how that's even close to #1.

(So, yeah, someone defend that #1 Steelers ranking!)

[Brian Fein]

I didn't vote the Packers #1, but penalties don't speak for a team's strength.  The fact that they had 17 penalties and still came down to the last play shows their strength.  Any other team would have been demolished.

[Philly Fin Fan]

I hear what you are saying in regards to the "absurd number of penalties that (you) doubt will ever never happen for them again".
But from the way I've been reading it, this is supposed to be based on how the team is playing right now. And right now, after losing a MNF game due to that absurd # of penalties, I can't see them as having a #1 rank.

[Tenshot13]

I hear what you are saying in regards to the "absurd number of penalties that (you) doubt will ever never happen for them again".
But from the way I've been reading it, this is supposed to be based on how the team is playing right now. And right now, after losing a MNF game due to that absurd # of penalties, I can't see them as having a #1 rank.

That's how I see it too, and why I picked Pitt first.  They are the most impressive 3-0 team right now.

[fyo]

But from the way I've been reading it, this is supposed to be based on how the team is playing right now.

I do base it on level of play "now"... but not "exactly how they played last Sunday/Monday". There's certainly a greater weight to the most recent game, but can you honestly tell me that if the 2007 Patriots had been stomped by a bad team mid-season, you would have dropped them off the top10 (because that's clearly how they played THAT GAME)?

[Philly Fin Fan]

I do base it on level of play "now"... but not "exactly how they played last Sunday/Monday". There's certainly a greater weight to the most recent game, but can you honestly tell me that if the 2007 Patriots had been stomped by a bad team mid-season, you would have dropped them off the top10 (because that's clearly how they played THAT GAME)?

Midway thru the season is very different than having a small sampling of games, like say a team in week 3 which beat the Eagles (a decent team), crushed the Bills (a horrible team) and then lost due to the Bears due to a lack of discipline.

[fyo]

Midway thru the season is very different than having a small sampling of games, like say a team in week 3 which beat the Eagles (a decent team), crushed the Bills (a horrible team) and then lost due to the Bears due to a lack of discipline.

And that's why I look at more than just the box scores

Bottom line is, I don't see a REALLY good team right now. The Bears are (and I've watched a good part of all their games) way overrated. So is KC, and to an even greater extent. The Steelers are too, IMHO. From what I've seen of their games, they've been lucky playing some bad teams and teams playing poorly. I'd like to see their D go up against a really good offense -- and I'd like to see their offense go up against a good D (I wouldn't be surprised if they get shut down on O against the Ravens -- in fact I fully expect them to, although their D may well get them the W).

All the top teams seem to have major flaws. The Packers are my #1 right now because they have the fewest flaws. I think they'll be the hardest to exploit. They offense is very good and their defense is very good. Pittsburgh has a better defense, maybe, but a HORRIBLE offense (an opinion I'll happily revise if they have success against the Ravens). The Colts have a great passing offense, but I'm not convinced they can run the ball and I'm not convinced they can STOP the run. And the Saints... they're just too "up in the air" right now.

So, by my reasoning, which team am I supposed to put #1? I don't see much choice. For me, Green Bay is the #1 team. I'd pick them to win, right now, over any other team in football. Not that I'd have them as huge favorites, not at all, but favorites none-the-less.

[Dave Gray]

I totally agree with having the Pack high, even at #1 (which I didn't, but I certainly think it's justified.)

They are playing some of the best football in the league.  Had they won that game at the end...say the Bears miss the kick, does that mean they're #1, then?  I think that we have to find a balance between how good a team is and the ultimate result.

I think that the penalty issue was not indicative of the normal play of the Packers.

And I think that the Packers are the best team in the NFL right now.  I would take them on a neutral field against any other team in the league, today.

[Dave Gray]

My top 5 teams are the same, but mixed around.  I weigh losses and wins pretty heavily, because I think it can affect your play down the stretch, even if you're the better team.

And even though I think the Pack is the best team in the league right now, I put them at #4.

The only team on this list that's not on mine is the Falcons.  I have the Pats ahead of them in my 10 spot.

[Dolphin-UK]

I find it odd that the Packers at #1 has been jumped on, yet no one has mentioned that the Colts got placed either #1 or #2 by all but one voter, who didn't rank them at all!

[fyo]

I find it odd that the Packers at #1 has been jumped on, yet no one has mentioned that the Colts got placed either #1 or #2 by all but one voter, who didn't rank them at all!

I think that's one of the things you have to expect this early in the season (and the Packers discussion, btw). There are just so few games worth of play that it eventually comes down to a gut feeling, especially for teams you haven't seen a lot of on TV.

And even though I think the Pack is the best team in the league right now, I put them at #4.

What's your ranking criteria? If not "performance right now", then what? Expected for the full season?