Week 6 NFL Power Rankings: Climbing an Escalator Backwards Edition

by Jimmy on Oct 8, 2008 12:35 PM CDT in Power Rankings Comment 26 comments

BigW provides us with a look at the various power rankings after the jump.

What a hard fought win against a stellar defense. The game was ugly but a when you look in the column to the right it still shows a W and that is all the matters right? Apparently not judging by a few of the "knowledgeable" sports writers from around the country; how can you drop in the power rankings after a win? Flying under the radar has its advantages though. Who knows maybe we can pull a NYG move on our bye week and move up a spot or two!

NFL.com

Vic Carucci keeps us at #2. Unfortunately not everyone agrees with him.

After barely escaping Baltimore with a win, the Titans get a well-deserved rest.

ESPN.com

ESPN keeps the #2 train rolling by keeping us ahead of the overrated Redskins

They benefited from an iffy call in Baltimore but more than matched up physically. Class of the AFC is off, then at KC before a home Monday nighter vs. Colts. (PK)

FOXSPORTS.com

Well they did move us from 4 to 3 but we've still yet to impress the moron's at FAUXSPORTS

Give it up for old man Kerry Collins. Not many QBs could lead an 11-play touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter against this year's Ravens defense, and on the road. Jeff Fisher's crew is building something special, and already has a 2 1/2 game lead in the AFC South.

CBSSPORTSLINE.com

Pete Prisco keeps us at #2 on CBS Sportsline. The comment is less than endearing though.

The defense bailed them out again. But when you can go on the road and win without much offense, that's accomplishing something. Can they go a whole season without giving up 20 points in a game?

COVERS.com

I'm sorry but I don't see how the guys in Vegas can have Dallas still ranked #1. Skewed perspective because of the lines maybe?

Titans continue to find ways to win. But they have yet to face a competent offense.

Sure because it couldn't be our D making them look incompetent huh? One of the incompetent Os we've faced gave your #1 all they wanted this weekend but I digress.

Sports Illustrated

Dr. Z drops a spot to #2. What the hell?

Yes, I am aware of the fact that they came up with the win and dropped a spot. I think even rabid, or at least mildly aroused, Titans fans will agree that Washington's victory over the Iggles was a firmer achievement than Tennessee's victory over Baltimore. You won't agree? Well, I 'm very sorry but this is my game, my rules.

Please allow me to translate, "Dan Snyder and the Skins have a larger following and my editors thought my column would get a little more pub this week if I put them above the Titans."

ColdHardFootballFacts.com

I'm starting to really like these guys. It seems the folks who don't have to show large market allegiances tend to have us at #2.

Last week: The Titans defense allowed 10 points - just under its league-leading season average of 11.2 - in a brutal 13-10 win over the Ravens in Baltimore.

Cold, Hard Football Facts: The Titans are winning the sack battle in an extremely decisive fashion - they have registered 15 sacks and have allowed exactly two in five games.

Week 6 matchup: Bye. The Titans plan to spend their off week obsessively repeating the phrase "Sweet mother of pearl, we're 5-0!"

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Pete Prisco must have forgotten that we were coming off of back-to-back 30 point games going into Baltimore...

Michael Roos doesn't eat pitas because NOTHING BREAKS THE POCKET ON HIS WATCH!!!

by August West on Oct 8, 2008 12:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Sweet mother of pearl, we're 5-0!

Yeah, pretty much. I’m not sure whether I should be more excited about the Titans or Vandy being 5-0.

by hartley on Oct 8, 2008 12:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Vandy is the bigger surprise--by far.

And I saw that thing that said we can’t score more than 20 points. That one left me scratching my head. Are a lot of people putting up more than 20 against the Jags, Ravens, and/or Vikings?

DannoE

"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
Go Titans!

by DannoE on Oct 8, 2008 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

10-0 in early October big time football in Nashville...

I never thought I’d see it. Now we need to turn those starts into championships baby!

Michael Roos doesn't eat pitas because NOTHING BREAKS THE POCKET ON HIS WATCH!!!

by August West on Oct 8, 2008 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can Vandy beat Florida? Honestly? Or Georgia?

DannoE

"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
Go Titans!

by DannoE on Oct 8, 2008 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Danno...

Can they go a whole season without giving up 20 points in a game?

I think you may have misread that. He’s asking whether we can continue to hold opposing offenses to less than 20.

by SuperHorn on Oct 8, 2008 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe I did.

What I thought I read was, “The Titans aren’t an elite team because they can’t score more than 20 points per game.”

Hmm… maybe I heard that on Jeremy Greene’s podcast. I like Greene’s show, but he hates the Titans.

DannoE

"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
Go Titans!

by DannoE on Oct 8, 2008 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Honestly?

Yes, they can. They came really close to beating Georgia last year.

Florida, maybe not.

by hartley on Oct 8, 2008 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Vandy beat Georgia in Athens on their homecoming 2 years ago

And we’ve played Florida down to the last possession (including a double OT game) 2 of the last 3 years.

So yeah, Vandy CAN win any game in the SEC. Whether they will is another question…

Michael Roos doesn't eat pitas because NOTHING BREAKS THE POCKET ON HIS WATCH!!!

by August West on Oct 9, 2008 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Georgia no

Florida maybe………

by BigW on Oct 8, 2008 1:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Other way around BigW :)

(Rock n Roll Titans!)

by palpacino on Oct 8, 2008 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We'll know soon enough.

I hope they beat them both. My Vols forfeited their season during the spring game so I’ll cheer for the Dores as an ancillary. heh

by BigW on Oct 8, 2008 7:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hell, one for two would be awesome

i was at that georgia game last year and it made me sick how we gave that game away at the end. thought we were gonna do it again this year, but this is a different vandy team. bobby j’s turning this program around. no cussin’ just winnin!

by rolypoly32 on Oct 8, 2008 8:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Covers Power Rankings

These rankings are how the line is set in Vegas. As an oddsmaker, your job is to do your best to get 50/50 on each side of the game and make your money on the juice. The publics perception is what is skewing this. They didn’t move off of #1 even after the loss.

by SuperHorn on Oct 8, 2008 1:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Look at it this way...

…the line in Vegas is Colts +4. A smart man will take the Ravens and the points. I mean, maybe the Colts beat the Ravens (though I kind’a doubt it), but does ANY reasonable person think they’ll win by 4?

DannoE

"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
Go Titans!

by DannoE on Oct 8, 2008 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think you mean

Colts -4, but I see what you’re saying. Apparently the betting public is with you too, the line has moved from -6 to -4.

by SuperHorn on Oct 8, 2008 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just don't see

how they can let their lines effect their power rankings though is my point. Covers does some really in depth reporting but rankings leave a bit to be desired.

by BigW on Oct 8, 2008 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Eh... What do I know?

I don’t bet.

Thanks.

DannoE

"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
Go Titans!

by DannoE on Oct 8, 2008 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

dont make my giggles turn into all out laughs.

the titans defense makes offenses look incompetent eh?
so joe flacco is the next joe montana?

big ben getting sacked 9 times against the eagles then barely winning against a ho hum jags team with little or no offense. impressive resume of “competent offenses”the titans have played.

all the teams they have played are a combined….. are what? 6 and 17?

top knotch offenses your stopping.

by bubaroni on Oct 9, 2008 12:51 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Time will tell, big guy.

But I think most folk would argue that Minnesota, Jax, and Baltimore all have a good chance to turn their seasons around. I mean, do you seriously believe that NONE of those teams will finish above .500? I bet they all do. Well, I’ll bet that MN and Baltimore do and that the Jags finish 8-8.

Which competent offense should I fear?

DannoE

"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
Go Titans!

by DannoE on Oct 9, 2008 6:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Undefeated dude

I honestly can’t understand all the hatin’.

Laugh all you want.

5 and 0.

by gramsey712 on Oct 9, 2008 8:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Shoot the messenger

Lemme start by saying the Titans are one of my favorite teams. I’m happy you guys are 5-0, but ranking on the media outlets that don’t put TN at the top of their power rankings is kinda silly. The Titans have beaten mostly weaker teams with losing records, and calling teams like the Redskins “overrated” (they’ve beaten two of the best teams in the NFL on the road, back-to-back) is a little beneath you.

by heatsky on Oct 9, 2008 8:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

for coming here to tell me what I should think. I appreciate that!

by BigW on Oct 9, 2008 8:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't say that the Skins were over-rated.

I really like the Redskins. Used to live in DC during the Theisman era. In fact, I’ll bet I’ve seen them play in person more than almost anyone on the SBN ‘Skins blog-site. They’ve had a great season.

And since almost everyone has ranked the Titans at #2, it’s hard to be upset about that. In fact, I am actually not upset. But that doesn’t mean that I think people are right when they say that:
a) the Titans haven’t beaten anyone, and
b) the Titans can’t score point.

Fact is, the Titans have beaten three pretty good teams, and they hung 30 on the Vikings. Last I checked, 30 is a lot in the NFL. I mean, the Vikes didn’t give up anything like 30 to the Colts, and the Colts have a superior offense.

Bottom line, my point was that gauging the Titans’ offense by their game against the Ravens is not the best way to do it. The Ravens have a smothering defense. But against other teams, the Titans have scored some points. I mean, this year’s team is MUCH more balanced. I don’t say it’s a GREAT offense, but it’s not TERRIBLE. It can score points—even against quality opponents.

Prediction: Next week, we’ll be hearing a LOT about how good the Ravens are. And in two weeks, we’ll be hearing a lot about how good the Vikings are. And in three weeks, we’ll be hearing a lot more about how the Titans haven’t beaten anybody.

DannoE

"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
Go Titans!

by DannoE on Oct 9, 2008 8:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

How many teams

in this league lose to inferior teams every week? Say what you want, but 5-0 is impressive no matter who it comes against. The Titans can only play who is put in front of them. If they win every game they are “supposed to win” they will be a lot better off than most of the teams in the NFL.

Titans Blogger at Music City Miracles

by Jimmy on Oct 9, 2008 9:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think it was D that said in another post

that the biggest problem is no one will admit they were wrong.

The Jaguars were the next big thing—they lost to the Titans and the Titans suck.

The Vikings were the next big thing—they lost to the Titans and the Titans suck.

The Ravens were the next big thing—they lost to the Titans and the Titans suck.

And weren’t a lot of these same idiots picking the Texans to finish ahead of the Titans?

I don’t care though—Those idiots don’t influence what I think. The Titans can go undefeated this year and it will be “they played the easiest schedule ever” and “it’s only because Tom Brady was hurt.”

by gramsey712 on Oct 9, 2008 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs