NFL Midseason Power Ranking

With the season officially half way over, a clear picture of the serious contenders is beginning to form. Not much has changed since my first rankings at the quarter mark of the season. The Colts and Saints are still unbeaten at 8-0 and remain number one and two, respectively. However, beyond the top two spots there has been great movement throughout the rest of the Top Ten.

1. Indianapolis Colts (8-0)

I had the Colts in the top spot when they were 4-0 and as they have done nothing but continue to win they remain number one. Peyton Manning is still playing at an unbelievably high level and despite the loss of All-Pro safety Bob Sanders, the Colts boast the stingiest scoring D in the league allowing only 13.5 points per game. The Colts will face a tough challenge this weekend when Tom Brady and the New England Patriots come to town.

2. New Orleans Saints (8-0)

The Saints have shown great resiliency as they have come from behind to pull out wins in each of the last three weeks. Drew Brees and the offense are simply rolling. The offense is averaging a league leading 37.9 points and 426.9 yards per game. Even scarier is the balance this offense displays as they rank fourth in passing yards per game and fifth in rushing. With St. Louis and Tampa Bay upcoming, 10-0 looks like a legitimate possibility before the Saints are tested in week 12 against the Patriots.

3. Minnesota Vikings (7-1)

As the only one loss team in the league, the Vikings have convincingly made their case as the second best team in the NFC. Brett Favre and Adrian Peterson continue to lead an effective offense that puts up 30.5 points per game, second only to the Saints. The Vikings come off a bye to take on Seattle on Sunday before facing the Lions next week. If Favre stays healthy the Vikings could be sitting nicely at 9-1 before what may or may not be an important divisional game with the Bears in Week 12.

4. New England Patriots (6-2)

After the top three, things become a bit more muddled as five teams sit at 6-2. My vote goes to the Patriots as the best of this group. As a whole, New England might be the most balanced team in the league. They have an explosive offense that ranks third in the league with over 28 points per game. Of course they pass the ball as well as anybody, but recently they have begun to run the ball too and now gain a very respectable 114.2 yards per game on the ground. All this to go along with a defense that is allowing the second least points per game in the league with 14.4. That, ladies and gentleman, is a balanced team.  

5. Cincinnati Bengals (6-2)

 The Bengals have been one of the biggest surprises of the year. They have been impressive all year and have a chance to sweep their second divisional opponent this year when they take on Pittsburgh this weekend. The Bengals are coming off two impressive victories, a convincing 17-7 win over the Ravens last week and a 45-10 drubbing of the Bears the week before their bye. This team looks solid all over and is carried by the strong play of Carson Palmer and Cedric Benson. If they are able to beat the Steelers this weekend the AFC North will be theirs to lose.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)

Don’t look now but the Steelers are coming off two huge wins and look to once again be in the conversation as serious contenders. In Week 7 the Pittsburgh defense was able to harass Brett Favre en route to handing the Vikings their sole loss of the season. Then, after their bye, the Steelers came out and thumped the suddenly slumping Broncos 28-10. This weekend is extremely important for the Steelers as they look to avenge an earlier defeat to division foe Cinncinatti. That game will go a long way in determining who will come out on top in the AFC North.

7. Dallas Cowboys (6-2)

The emergence of wide receiver Miles Austin has been the story as the Cowboys have won four straight and taken control on the NFC East. Austin has become the big play threat the Cowboys have desperately needed since the loss of Terrell Owens. He has racked up 612 yards and seven touchdowns so far and is averaging 22.7 yards per catch (tops among all players with more than 13 catches). He has helped the Cowboys throw the ball all over the field for over 400 yards per game while boasting the fifth best scoring offense with over 27 points a contest. This week the Cowboys play the Packers who just served Tampa Bay their first win of the year. Then they get Washington and Oakland; look for the Cowboys to be 9-2 in three weeks.

8. Denver Broncos (6-2)

After starting the season as one of the major surprises in the NFL with a 6-0 start, the Broncos have been exposed, especially on offense, with two consecutive losses. First Baltimore embarrassed the Broncos, handing them a 30-7 defeat. Then, in Monday Night’s game, the Steelers easily handled the Broncos 28-10. In that game Kyle Orton, who had been a picture perfect game manager, struggled mightily and threw three picks.  This is a team that must make some rapid offensive changes or they will continue to lose and fall in these rankings. The defense doesn’t get a free pass, however, as they allowed more than 28 points in each of the losses.