Thanks to NFL Shortcuts on DirecTV and my utter lack of social life, I watched 11 NFL games the past few days. So here's a Power Poll based on my careful examination of the teams involved and, more importantly, my various biases. Enjoy.
1. Green Bay (3-0): Are they dominant? No. But they weren't for most of last season either. The pass rush will be cobbled by hook or by crook through various Dom Capers blitzes as the only bona fide threat is Clay Matthews. "Only" three sacks against the Bears is a bit concerning, though. The loss of free safety Nick Collins might hurt more than all the guys that went to the IR for them last season. It seems that Ryan Grant and James Starks will take turns as the primary runner, depending on their mood. Veteran WR Donald Driver looks ready for the glue factory, but with guys like Jordy Nelson, James Jones and TE Jermichael Finley, who's practically a wideout himself, it hardly matters.
2. New Orleans (2-1): Only indispensable part is Drew Brees while the other skill players on offense are mix-and-match. I love their RB trio of Mark Ingram, Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles, and the way the Saints use them, all three will be fresh for the stretch run. The receiving corps is interchangeable too and haven't really missed a beat with the collarbone injury to Marques Colston. TE Jimmy Graham has been a breakout star and no one has been able to cover him yet. Defensively, we have to temper expectations. They're better than they've shown, but have to beat other elite offenses in shootouts. It's a defense that's built to play with a lead.
3. Baltimore (2-1): You get the feeling that their "A" game is better than anyone else's. Haloti Ngata and Terrell Suggs are off to sensational starts and Ed Reed and Ray Lewis have show they still have something left in the tank. They left Rams QB Sam Bradford looking utterly beaten and defeated midway through their decimation of the pitiful Rams. Offensively, Torrey Smith gives them a new toy on the outside, which will only help Ray Rice, Anquan Boldin and their two tight ends. Only a wobbly O-Line and questionable corners can spoil this.
4. New York Jets (2-1): Despite how easily Darren McFadden ran through them, I stubbornly cling to the belief that this is the most complete team in the AFC, with the fewest weaknesses. Their offensive line badly missed injured center Nick Mangold, and will continue to, for a couple more weeks. RB Shonn Greene hasn't gotten going yet. Antonio Cromartie has struggled big-time. I expect Rex Ryan to figure out the defensive issues. He'll cut the nonsense and start putting Darrelle Revis on the opponent's best guy and scheme around the other side of the field. The run defense is more of a concern.
5. New England (2-1): Depending on who you listen to, Tom Brady was either responsible for two, one or none of his four interceptions at Buffalo. Regardless, even with their funky, cobbled-together running game, that offensive is gonna dominate just about everyone, even if they lack a speed threat on the outside. TE Aaron Hernandez missed the game and they didn't skip a beat really, just more throws to Rob Gronkowski and Wes Welker: Fantasy God. On the other side they're just terrible, and unlike with the Jets, none of these players have a track record of being particularly good, so I don't see much cause for optimism in the future.
6. Philadelphia (1-2): Yes, despite their losing record, I still have the Eagles here. They've had the lead in both of their losses while Michael Vick was in the game, and then their defense and backup Mike Kafka have combined to crap the bed. Their linebackers and safeties have just been dreadful and Philly is continuing to shuffle it up in these two spots, hoping for the right combination. S Nate Allen and LB Brian Rolle are in, S Kurt Coleman and LB Casey Matthews are out. Offensively, Vick wasn't right the whole game, playing a week after he sustained a concussion, and Andy Reid was uncharacteristically conservative as a result. I never thought I'd rip them for running the ball too much, but here we are. Also, it seems that DeSean Jackson will not try hard until they pay him, so perhaps they should get on that. Despite all the late-hit controversies and injuries, the offensive line hasn't been that bad and Vick isn't getting hit any more than most QBs. He's just frustrated from fluke injuries and I expect the team to clean those problems up.
7. Detroit (3-0): Matt Stafford finally tasted some turf against a desperate Minnesota pass rush after a spotless first two weeks, but persevered in the second half once the coaches figured out that TE Brandon Pettigrew wasn't being covered. They exploited that match-up over and over and when Stafford got bored of that, he just lobbed up a couple of lollipops for Megatron. (Why does Calvin Johnson call himself "Megatron" anyway? Stafford is the one with the arm cannon. Johnson should call himself "Devastator" or something.) Jahvid Best is in a really fortunate situation here, to still be a starter. On defense it's amazing the Lions have been as good as they've been without getting anything from No. 1 pick Nick Fairley, but they get a good test Sunday at Dallas.
8. Buffalo (3-0): Offensively legit, without a doubt. I had concerns before the season about their offensive line, but Ryan Fitzpatrick is getting the ball out quickly and the Bills are spreading the field with so many receivers that opposing pass rushers don't have much time. Pretty soon all NFL offenses will look like this (yes, even the Niners). C.J. Spiller is in a bad spot. He's viewed as a bust when really Fred Jackson is just better than him. I think Spiller is better than Jahvid Best, for example, but Best has nobody in front of him. The defense did a good job in making the Patriots one-dimensional, and the secondary took advantage of the opportunities they got.
9. Houston (2-1): No shame in losing on the road at New Orleans, and they actually had the lead for most of it. Defense showed hints of its ugly past in getting scorched by Drew Brees in the second half, and Mario Williams has been oddly quiet, perhaps not transitioning to linebacker as easily as he wanted to. They released Steve Slaton (Miami picked him up on waivers), whose career has just fallen off a cliff from a couple seasons ago. Arian Foster still can't get healthy either, so it's the Ben Tate show for now.
10. Oakland (2-1): Speaking of offensively legit, I've got nothing but respect for what the Raiders have been able to accomplish. Hue Jackson is really scheming around Jason Campbell's limitations and he and receivers coach Sanjay Lal deserve a lot of credit for getting rookie WR Denarious Moore up to speed and for getting production from guys like Derek Hagan. Another rookie, Stefen Wiesniewski, has filled in more than capably for the departed Robert Gallery. Front four very solid against the Jets, but I'm curious if they can bring that same kind of heat against Tom Brady on Sunday.
11. San Diego (2-1): Philip Rivers hasn't been himself at all through three games and has thrown a ton of picks. He's missed his usual security blanket in Antonio Gates and has been compensating by throwing a ton of check-downs to backs Ryan Matthews and Mike Tolbert. The offense is still trying to figure its identity. The defense, meanwhile, took a hit with S Bob Sanders out for the year (shocking, I know). Also they only managed one sack against the feeble Chiefs. Larry English was a healthy scratch and Shaun Phillips might as well have been. DE Luis Castillo will miss most if not all the season with a broken leg. At this point, it wouldn't be a surprise to see both bay area teams win their divisions (jinx!).
12. Pittsburgh (2-1): Did everything they could to blow that game over the skeleton crew Colts team. Offensive line in shambles. Can't protect Big Ben, can't run block for Rashard Mendenhall (sounds familiar). The offense might as well be a spread at this point. Defensively I didn't see much in that game to give me confidence for the future, if I'm a Steelers fan. Still too old, too slow, and a real trouble spot at corner. Game at Houston could get ugly for them, or maybe they'll prove the naysayers wrong and knock Matt Schaub silly.
13. Tampa Bay (2-1): Tough defense that beat the hell out of Matt Ryan and Michael Turner for the better part of four quarters on Sunday, but injuries are starting to take their toll in the secondary and I'm not sure about the long-term potential of that pass rush. Josh Freeman doing everything he can on offense, at times too much, but they're over-reliant on him. Receivers Mike Williams and Arrelious Benn have been ghosts so far and need to be more involved. Relative breather coming up Monday night at home vs. depleted Colts.
14. Washington (2-1): By all rights they should've won on Monday at Dallas. Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett dialed up one too many blitzes late when it was 3rd-and-18 late in the fourth quarter and the Skins clinging to a 16-15 lead. Play coverage there, drop nine guys back and double-team everybody and what would Tony Romo be able to do? Again, as it always happens with that guy, corner DeAngelo Hall's mouth wrote checks that his play couldn't cash. And of course, he blamed everyone but himself afterward. Classy guy.
15. Dallas (2-1): Pretty gutty win considering all their injuries, but I felt like I needed an air sickness bag after listening to "Jaws" and "Chucky" go on and on about Tony Romo's heroism like he just pulled a bunch of people out of a burning building or something. Cowboys have an imposing pass rush, but that secondary can be had and they're susceptible to passes to running backs as well. Offensively that line has major issues, especially at center, but at least their run blocking was better. Interesting home game coming up against high-powered Detroit.
16. New York Giants (2-1): Big win on the road in Philly for Eli Manning, who has a history of playing really well there for some reason. He did it with no tight ends and really, no receivers since Mario Manningham was out and Hakeem Nicks was very limited. The beat up defense got a bit of a reprieve since Michael Vick was clearly not himself and the Eagles had to call far more run plays than usual. It's hard to get a read on the Giants. They're beat up to hell, but playing some dinged up foes, too. Interesting match-up in the Arizona desert on Sunday.
17. Chicago (1-2): Can't fault them too much when their two losses have been at New Orleans and against the defending champs. Their issues protecting Jay Cutler are well documented, but when they can't even open any holes for Matt Forte (9 carries, 2 yards) then they've got some real problems on offense. What they do have going for them, however, is some magic formula that helps them contain Aaron Rodgers at least somewhat, whereas no one else can stop the Packers at all. If they're serious, they need to take care of Cam Newton and the Panthers, convincingly. Don't understand why they wasted a fabulous trick play on the punt team at a time they trailed by ten with a minute to go. Save it for a tight game, no?
18. Atlanta (1-2): Did anyone block worse last week than the Falcons? Matt Ryan took some hellacious shots and Michael Turner couldn't get anything going. They've got two great receivers and of course Tony Gonzalez is a valuable weapon in the red zone, but they've been hard-pressed to get into any kind of sustained rhythm when they're not in the no-huddle. Defensively they stiffened up when they had to at Tampa, but it was too late and the damage had already been done. Still don't have much confidence in those corners, but they've got a relative breather this week at Seattle.
19. Tennessee (2-1): No, I am not a believer in Matt Hasselbeck. This two week stretch was an aberration and he'll find mediocrity -- or injury -- soon enough. Also, they've lost Kenny Britt to an ACL, so now the offense really needs Chris Johnson to find his old form because this can't be a passing team any longer. I do have more faith in their defense to keep them afloat and competitive in most games.
20. San Francisco (2-1): The offense is better than the number say. At least it should be, on paper. Alex Smith isn't turning it over, which is keeping the team in games. The receivers are slow and the line is abysmal, but at least the coach is showing growing faith in his quarterback week after week. With Shawntae Spencer and Dashon Goldson back in the lineup, the defense is now above board in all three levels, and this looks like the most complete team in the ghastly NFC West.
21. Minnesota (0-3): Obviously they're winless, but as much scorn as we have to heap on them for their lousy second halves, we have to at least give some measure of credit to Minny for having enough quality to get out to big halftime leads against three good opponents in San Diego, Tampa Bay and Detroit. Adrian Peterson runs harder than anyone and his backup Toby Gerhart is another guy who should be a starter elsewhere. The Vikes don't have a lot of speed at receiver, their O-Line is wobbly and their secondary is sub-par. Also, it seems apparent that Donovan McNabb keeps waning in games. Is it a fitness issue? Confidence? Play-calling? Coaching adjustments? Who knows.
22. Carolina (1-2): Not so sure what a win against the Jaguars during a flood tells us about them. DeAngelo Williams joins Frank Gore, Chris Johnson and Arian Foster on the list of first round fantasy picks who are absolutely murdering their owners right now. One day I'll watch them play with a critical eye and figure it out, but Jags-Cats wasn't gonna do it for me. The Bears on Sunday? That's a bit better.
23. Cleveland (2-1): This is probably about five spots too high, to be honest. Anyone who watched that game against Miami (or the replay of it, like I did) can't deny the truth: This is one of the least-talented teams in football. Their offense was based on QB Colt McCoy drawing roughing-the-passer penalties and throwing up prayers into the corner of the end zone, hoping his guy can out-jump the Dolphins corner. I can't deny the more I watch McCoy the less I'm convinced he'll ever be a franchise QB. He's someone that can only be appreciated through highlights. Watching whole games makes me sour on him.
24. Arizona (1-2): How in the world did they lose up at Seattle? Just 10 points? Is Beanie frickin' Wells that crucial to the operation? My conclusion, at the risk of being repetitive, is that their offensive line kinda stinks. Dare I say that Alex Smith has been the best quarterback in the division so far. Big one coming up for the Cards at home against the Giants.
25. Denver (1-2): They're a couple bounces away from 3-0, yet even then they would be of no concern or threat to anyone. Neat trick, that. LB Von Miller looks like the early front-runner for DROY and they'll be getting Elvis Dumervil and Champ Bailey back soon enough. Still, there's this general malaise about this team, this whiff of irrelevance. Their running game is a bit of a joke, and Kyle Orton is the wrong quarterback to ask to do move the ball singlehandedly. Things get grim on Sunday with a trip to Green Bay.
26. Cincinnati (1-2): The 49ers finally got Andy Dalton to look like a rookie quarterback last Sunday, but what struck me was that for the third time in three weeks their defense wasn't a liability. Sure, they haven't played anyone good, but still I thought the Bengals would be pretty bad on that end if they had to rely on guys like Manny Lawson and Nate Clements in the starting lineup. Now they host the Bills. I wonder if Buffalo is looking past them?
27. Miami (0-3): They absolutely should've killed Miami, but were done in by dumb penalties, bad luck and some jump balls. So it goes for this woebegone team. I'm just laughing that they've already pretty much given up on the idea of Reggie Bush: Running Back and have signed Steve Slaton on waivers. It doesn't get any easier this Sunday at San Diego.
28. Indianapolis (0-3): Even with Curtis Painter at quarterback, they have more talent at receiver, tight end and defensive end than the teams below them on this list. Still, the injuries mount, with LB Gary Brackett and S Melvin Bullitt are on IR. I'm guessing Peyton Manning wants to play in December just to avoid having to deal with having Andrew Luck as a teammate.
29. Seattle (1-2): Okay, the defense has looked spunky of late. And Sidney Rice did give the offense a boost. I remain skeptical. Lets see them show us something against the Falcons at home.
30. Jacksonville (1-2): Making the move to rookie Blaine Gabbert was the right call and the necessary one. If he struggles, so what? It's not like anybody is watching. Just move to LA already. Also, what the hell are they putting out there at receiver? Good lord.
31. St. Louis (0-3): Pretty embarrassing effort Sunday against Baltimore. How do you not show up at home like that? They need more speed at corner, which was a problem that plagued the 49ers for years. Offensively, the line is playing like I thought they'd play last year, and Sam Bradford is starting to get frustrated. I like Steve Spagnuolo a lot as a coach, so I was pretty disappointed to see him hire an asshat like Josh McDaniels to be his offensive coordinator.
32. Kansas City (0-3): Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.
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49ers Team Statistical Rankings, Presented Without Comment:
49ers Offensive Rankings:
Rushing: 69.7 YPG (30th); Yards Per Carry: 2.5 (31st); Rushing Touchdowns: 3 (T-5th);
Passing: 144.0 YPG (28th); Completion Percentage: 68.9 (T-4th); Yards Per Attempt: 6.8 (22nd);
Passing Touchdowns: 2 (T-26th); Interceptions: 1 (T-1st); Sacks: 11 (T-27th);
QB Rating: 91.3 (12th); 3rd Down Percentage: 32.6 (T-21st);
Yards Per Game: 213.7 (32nd); Scoring: 23.3 (12th)
49ers Defensive Rankings:
Rushing: 62.7 YPG (3rd); Yards Per Carry: 2.9 (T-1st); Rushing Touchdowns: 0 (T-1st)
Passing: 244.0 YPG (16th); Completion Percentage: 57.1 (T-6th); Yards Per Attempt: 7.0 (T-10th);
Passing Touchdowns: 5 (T-15th); Interceptions: 5 (T-2nd); Sacks: 7 (T-16th);
Fumbles Forced: 4 (T-8th); Fumbles Recovered: 3 (T-5th);
3rd Down Percentage: 30.8 (T-4th); Yards Per Game: 306.3 (7th); Scoring: 17.3 (4th)
49ers Special Teams Rankings:
Kickoff Return: 39.7 Avg (1st); Kickoff Return Allowed: 21.6 Avg (10th);
Punt Return: 13.0 Avg (8th); Punt Return Allowed: 9.6 Avg (18th);
Field Goal Percentage: 100.0 (T-1st); Net Punt Average: 47.4 Yards (2nd)
Giveaway/Takeaway:
Giveaways: 2 (T-1st); Takeaways: 8 (T-3rd); Plus/Minus: +6 (T-1st)
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