Home >> Power Rankings
Email  |  Print

The NFL's Top 10 in Week 9
Cold, Hard Football Facts for November 3, 2004

The Cold, Hard Football Facts have digested all the data from the first nine weeks of the season and offer the most accurate Power Rankings in football. Unlike other systems, the Cold, Hard Football Facts put a premium on quality wins*, the single most accurate indicator of teams' relative strength. But remember, this is the NFL. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

I
Philadelphia (7-0; last week, 3) - The Eagles surrender 113 rushing yards each game, but only one opponent has been able to turn those rushing yards into more than 20 points. However, Philly has struggled against mediocre AFC opponents and goes to Pittsburgh this week.
II
Pittsburgh (6-1; last week, 8) - Roethlisberger distributes the ball better each week. In his first start, Hines Ward and Plaxico Burress caught 11 of his 12 completions. Against New England, the trio of Antwaan Randle El, Verron Haynes and Dan Kreider caught as many balls (nine) as did Ward and Burress.
III
New England Patriots (6-1; last week, 1) - Early-season turnovers have become a signature of Tom Brady's career. He ushered in the end of the streak by coughing up the ball three times against Pittsburgh and already has 10 turnovers this season.
IV
New York Giants (5-2; last week, 7) - The Giants won big at Minnesota last week. But that's no surprise: In the 21st century the Giants have a .556 road winning percentage and a .514 record at home.
V
New York Jets (6-1; last week, 8) - The Cold, Hard Football Facts have said that the Jets need to ease the load on Curtis Martin. Monday night, LaMont Jordan and Martin both rushed for more than 100 yards and the Jets hung 41 on a solid Miami defense. The Jets are the first team this season with two 100-yard rushers in the same game.
VI
Minnesota (5-2; last week, 2) - The Vikings are 0-2 against quality teams, after their 34-13 thrashing at the hands of the Giants. Minnesota had gone just three quarters all season with putting up points. Then the Giants shut them down for three quarters Sunday.
VII
San Diego (5-3; last week, unranked) - LaDainian Tomlinson has just two 100-yard rushing performances, and none since Oct. 3, but Drew Brees is on pace to throw 28 touchdown passes and six interceptions. In his best season of 2002, Brees threw 17 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.
VIII
Houston (4-3; last week, unranked) - Four teams have joined the league in the past 10 years (Jacksonville, Carolina, Cleveland and Houston). All four have topped the .500 mark by game seven of their third season. Houston's victory over Jacksonville was its first quality win this season.
IX
Atlanta (6-2; last week, unranked) - Michael Vick is the Falcons' leading rusher, but even Miami's Jay Fiedler is more productive in the passing game. Vick has passed for six touchdowns in eight games. Fiedler has tossed six TD passes in five starts.
X
Indianapolis (4-3; last week: 5) - If the season ended today, Peyton Manning and the mighty Colts offense would miss the playoff bus. Blame a Colts pass defense that surrenders a miserable 306 yards per game through the air - 30 yards per game worse than the 31st ranked pass defense of New Orleans.

Dropped from last week: Detroit, Jacksonville, Denver

* The Cold, Hard Football Facts define quality wins as any victory against a team that currently possesses a winning record.

The Cold, Hard Football Facts X from XXXII list is compiled by contributor Robert Glickler.


East
South
North
West