So we are at week # 6 of the NFL season and the big story along with the play of the Bears is the wide gap between the good and bad of the NFL. Sadly there are 8 teams this year that are god awful and really have no shot at the playoffs. And that there are a couple others who are close to joining them. I think it maybe just one of the years where there is an issue of talent imbalance. Also right now the D has the upper hand. The D's have caught up with Offenses. If this goes on for another season, then something needs to be done to level the playing field. Hopefully without making a shame of things. The league does sell when points are going up on the board.
So let is get to the big board.
BOSKI"S 2006 NFL POWER POLL Sponsored by Yugo
1. Chicago Bears (Last week #1 - NC) The undefeated Bears put another beating on another unsuspecting foe. A 41-7 drubbing of the Bills. I think the Bears were pissed to give up the 7. Right now they are rolling and they are the team to beat right now. The Defense is playing up to the hype and the Offense is generating points. But there is still a long way to go, so all the Super Bowl Shuffle Part Deux talk needs to be tempered, just a smidgen. (Up Next at #28 Arizona Mon.)
2. Indianaplois Colts (Last week #2 - NC) Should get dropped for almost losing to the Titans at home, but they are still undefeated. This league is still based on wins not style points. But the Colts have looked shaky of late. The Titans rammed it down their throats for 200+ yards on the ground. Losing Corey Simon will not help. The Colts need to get the running game going, since teams are clamping down on the receivers. If the Colts can't return to the fast break offense then team will be able to hang in, run the ball and shorten the game. The Titans did and almost won. A team with more talent wins that game. (Up Next Bye)
3. Denver Broncos (Last week #5 - Up 2) Great win on Monday. Smacking the big bad Ravens in the mouth. Two weeks out of the last three where the D got to show it's wears on the national stage. So far the Broncos have put the clamps on people. They have only allowed one TD so far. Throw out the St. Louis game and the numbers are even better. The offense is still has issues it needs to address, if it has any hopes of going deep in the playoffs. They have a chance to make some hay before a huge match up with Indy in two weeks. So they would be smart and not look ahead.(Up Next vs. #67 Oakland)
4. New England Patriots (Last Week #4 - NC) They beat on the Sea Mammals this past weekend. They are still having problems throwing the ball, but I think they are closer to getting things clicking than other teams with passing problems. Oh sure they are grasping at some straws with some of the free agents they have pulled in, but I think the Pats brain trust get a pass till it blows up in their faces. (Up Next Bye)
5. San Diego Chargers (Last Week # 8 - Up 3) Now if they keep playing like this they will be a beast. You see Marty what happens when you stay on the offensive, good things can happen. Let the players play Marty. They did not allow the Steelers to find any real kind of rhythm. (Next up at #22 San Francisco)
6. Philadelphia Eagles (Last week #10 - Up 4) One of the teams moving up the most is the Iggles. This time they played 4 Quarters and won a big divisional game. Right now they are establishing that they are the ones to beat in the NFC. The most impressive thing other than McNabb MVP play is that they have been doing this banged up. Now they face a tougher than expected road game (Next up at #11 New Orleans)
7. Seattle Seahawks (Last Week #6 - Down 1) Even with a week off the birds fall to a lower perch. They have not looked great expect for the first half of the Giants game and the Cardinal game. Right now they are missing Hutchinson more than they care to admit. I think that more than Alexander being dinged up. Well right now they face a big road game. Last year they were 2-2 going into the dome and then went on a tear. I don't see that happening. But a win this week will help them right things. If they lose do not be surprised to hear the Super Bowl Loser curse pop up. (Next up at #14 St. Louis)
8. Atlanta (Last week #7 - Down 1) We will now see if the Falcons early season success is a mirage. They have run the ball so well. Sadly part of it that they can not effectively throw the ball and that will come back and kill them later. Vick needs to hit some passes to loosen things up. They host the Giants this weekend and I think this game will say a lot about where the Falcons go. (Next up vs. #17 New York Giants)
9. Baltimore Ravens (Last week #3 - Down 6) One of are furthest fallers. The Ravens got a does of their own medicine. That was a game they could have won, but they made mistakes and the Broncos made them pay. Their offense is still looking sluggish. McNair is not doing a great job in getting the ball down the field. That compounded with Jamal Lewis having no explosiveness spells trouble for the Ravens, the D and Special Teams are not going to get them two scores each week. (Next up vs. #13 Carolina)
10. Cincinnati (Last week #9 - NC) The Bengals have had a week to lick their wounds. The biggest problem they face next to the poor run defense is that teams have gotten pressure on Palmer. He has made a great comeback from the injury, but that will mean nothing if they lose him to another injury. (Next up at #28 Tampa Bay)
11. New Orleans Saints (Last week # 15 - Up 4) They pull out another victory. I know it's only week six, but I do see a fundamental change in the Saints. Since 1999 they have lost many a game where they were the more talented team. They could not handle prosperity, but it looks like the new coaching staff has instilled something that has not been there for a long time. They know they are in every game. They get a huge test this week as the Eagles roll in. They will need the 12th man this week. (Next up vs. #6 Philadelphia)
12. Jacksonville Jaguars (Last week # 13 - Up 1) They came out and dismantled the Jets, but it came at a cost. They lost Peterson for the season. That on top of losing Hayward and having Storud nicked up should be reasons for concern. This team is built on it's D and not to have that would be devastating especially if the offensive does not continue it's maturation. So they will be happy to have a bye to get people some rest. (Next up Bye)
13. Carolina Panthers (Last week # 14 - Up 1) Slowly rounding back into the shape we all expected, but they are bit maddening. This team just does not put away teams it should. I know I say a win is a win, but too many times they let teams they are much better than stay in games. This week a big road game vs. a quality opponent. (Up Next at #9 Baltimore)
14. St. Louis Rams (Last week # 16 - Up 2) Before I get too mushy about the Rams I have to remember who still owns them and how she and John Shaw screw us out here. I am not a Rams fan, but I rooted for them when they were out here. They intentionally ran that team into the ground and then blamed the fans for not supporting it. Assholes, plain and simple. But I will say they did the right thing by getting Linehan. He has brought this team some calm. He was also very smart to get Hasslet to run the D. They have not appreciably upped the talent from last year. They brought in a couple of guys, but they just are getting more out of them. You can see it. This weekend is a huge game in which they can take the NFC West lead and have the Seahawks chase them. (Next up vs. #7 Seattle)
15. Minnesota Vikings (Last Week # 18 - Up 3) Bounced back from their loss at Buffalo with a win. Even though they took their time Sunday to get things rolling. spotting the Lions a lead and then coming back with 23 in the 4th. I am impressed with their progress, but the uniforms are ridiculous. (Up Next Bye)
16. Dallas Cowboys (Last week # 11 - Down 5) Another big tumbler. They had their chances, but they kept wasting them. I wonder at what point Bill punches Jerry in mouth for T.O. It looks like T.O. is now becoming the distraction everyone was worried about. He has not divided the locker room yet. I say in couple of weeks he sucker punches Drew in the press. The other worrisome thing about the Cowboys is their D has not been as stellar as I thought they were going to be. Other than the Washington game and Titans game they have been pushed around. Having a offense that is turning the ball over never helps, but I thought this team was a top 5 unit. Like many things it appears I am wrong. (Up next vs. #24 Houston)
17. New York Giants (Last week #20 - Up 3) They love to make me look like a fool. Just when I think they are ready to go belly up they don't. But this team still is a disaster waiting to happen. Their defense has too many issues. The back 7 can't cover, they are soft up the gut and their vaunted pass rush is not so vaunty. Going to Atlanta we see what kind of team they are. (Up Next at #8 Atlanta)
18. Kansas City (Last week #21 - Up 3) Herm has done a great job getting this team back on the right path. They have gotten better than expected play from Huard and the Defense keeps getting better. The only concerns are the Tackle spots. It has hampered the running game and LJ is being contained. He has not had one of those breathtaking performances he flashed at the end of last season. He has been frustrated, but he has been a good solider and grinded out tough yards. (Up next at #19 Pittsburgh)
19. Pittsburgh (Last week #12 - Down 7) It looks like the mighty are tumbling. They have not looked in sync for weeks and they have to get it going or this season may be lost before the half way mark. I know it is easy to say, but I think that we are now see the effects of the bike crash. Ben just looks lost out there at time. What is making it even more difficult is that they have taken away Ward who I think is not at 100% himself. Add that with the running game is not being as effective have put the Steelers into a 1-3 hole and with a Chiefs rolling into town things could go from bad to worse. (Up next vs. #18 Kansas City)
20. Washington Redskins (Last week #17 - Down 3) Them and the Giants I will never figure out. But I do believe that both are closer to bottoming out than making deep runs in the playoffs. Again Dan for such a smart business man you run a whacked out football team. If you ran a business like this they would have fired you, twice. But things are looking up Dan. They have to since you are a wee little man. I hope you and Tom have a great time over selling and under performing. (Next up vs. #30 Tennessee)
21. Buffalo Bills (Last week #19 - Down 2) Gentlemen you should consider yourselves lucky that there are a lot of teams worse. I know the Bears are good, but you could have put up a little more fight. (Up next at #31 Detroit)
22. San Francisco 49ers (Last week #26 - Up 4) I know it was only the Raiders, but I am more impressed that they recovered from the ass beating they took to play well. Of the "bad teams" out there this year, this one is showing signs of progress. But I think the good feelings end this weekend. (Up next vs. #5 San Diego)
23. Ohio State (Last week # 32 - Up 9) Look at the teams below and tell me a college team does not deserve to be ranked above them. Hell there are a couple other college teams that may get in. (Up Next - More Raider Jokes)
24. Houston Texans (Last week # 27 - Up 3) A sign your team is bad. You highest moves on the chart are when you don't play. Probably by the end of the season they will be like the 49ers in that you will see progress. (Up Next at #16 Dallas)
25. New York Jets (Last week # 22 - Down 3) After last weeks game the FAA requested they be grounded. Ah there are the Jets we expected this season. This team will have more afternoons like this if they do not find any kind of running game. The Jets are hoping this was an aberration. (Up next vs. #27 Miami)
26. Cleveland Browns (Last week #24 - Down 2) Kellen here is an idea since you want the ball. play without a face mask and keep you mouth open as you run patterns. Do that and there is no way Frye could miss that target, even when he is throwing one of is his ill advised red zone cross the body heaves. (Up next Bye)
27. Miami Dolphins (Last week #25 - Down 2) I don't think Flipper could save this one. (Up next at #25 New York Jets)
28. Tampa Bay (Last week # 29 - Up 1) They may have found something in Gradkowski. He played a good game in a very difficult spot. But sadly this ship has sunk. (Up next vs. #9 Cinncinati)
29. Arizona Cardinals (Last week # 23 - Down 6) The Birds are back and snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. They had that game won, but instead of running in the 4th they kept throwing, stopping the clock enough to let the Chiefs come back. Leinhart did a decent job, but that Line is awful and no matter who the skill players are they are not going to win. Hey good news guys you going to be on Monday night, oh wait you have to face the Bears. (Up next vs. #1 Chicago)
30. Tennessee Titans (Last week # 31 - Up 1) They had their chance to win at Indy. They had the right game plan, but too many mistakes and having a QB who is still too green hurt. They had a great game plan for Indy. Jeff Fischer will make another team happy when he is freed from this miss (Up next at #20 Washington)
31. Detroit Lions (Last week #28 - Down 3) Where have you gone Eric Hipple? The thought most Lions fan have," hey at least the Tigers will hold us over till the Pistons start". (Up Next # vs #21 Buffalo)
32. Green Bay Packers (Last week #30 - Down 2) Wouldn't is suck if after years and years you finally got Pack season tickets and this is what you get. God bless you if can stomach that. I wish this season that they would have played the Bucs. We could have relived those days back in the 80's when that match up was called the "Bay of Pigs". (Up next Bye)
Other receiving scorn - Oakland Raiders (Last week #32 - down 35) Temple is fighting to get them on their schedule (Up next at #3 Denver)
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