AMLoB Season 8 Power Rankings v3

by Ljdubzero | 6 years ago | 0 Comments

1.) Carolina Panthers (8-0)

 

What more can really be said about this Panthers team that hasn’t been said already. They’re the defending Super Bowl champs and are off to another great start coming into these power rankings at 8-0. Kizer is back to an MVP level, the ball is being spread around nicely and even though a couple of injuries have happened the players will be back for their week 10 game. This bye week has been much needed so that this team can continue to try and roll the rest of the season. The defense is pumped, the offense is playing great and this team looks primed and ready as they’ll be refreshed on the back half. The real question is, can this team stay hungry and make another super bowl run in the tough NFC? I guess we’ll have to continue to watch and see with this team.

 

[Prev. Rank: 1]

 

2.) Cleveland Browns (8-0)

 

The Browns have been a perennial top 3 team the last few seasons and we go back to what was asked about the number 1 spot.....what more can be said? Well how about the fact the Browns have looked as good this season as they have since West has arrived. The offense is firing on all cylinders, the defense has been stingy and the coach has this team focused on making a super bowl run. The passing attack continues to be lethal with Godspeed and Mach making it tough on defenses and that’s not even talking about Njoku at TE. Marcus Williams is a HoF caliber player and continues to have this defense looking amazing. With all the regular season success you would think the playoff success would translate too, so could this be the Browns year?

 

[Prev. Rank: 3]

 

3.) Green Bay Packers (5-2)

 

Well when you beat 3 teams ranked in the top 10 in as many weeks consecutively it makes it tough not to jump in the rankings, but coming in at number 3 all the way up from 17 are the Packers. Under new management from a coach that has made a super bowl in his previous destination is looking to make even more of a splash in his second season here. The Packers were a tough out last year making it all the way to the divisional round and losing by 3. Holland is showing no signs of a rookie slump and this defense has played stellar with the help of Worley and Trotter. At 5-2 it looks like they could make something happen as the season rolls on. As they continue to overachieve with a coach that has done well in a similar situation this could spell good things for this squad.

 

[Prev. Rank: 17]

 

4.) Kansas City Chiefs (7-1)

 

The Chiefs have had a really good season at 7-1 with a roster loaded with young talent. Mahomes has been playing football out of his mind other than the terrible game he has against the fellow top 10 Bucs 15 passing TD’s to 5 INT’s in the other games. Battle and Tarrant have been great targets for him as well with Tarrant building on his rookie campaign and Battle showing and proving why he’s the top WR in the league. On defense Landrum and Toefield are making it look easy, as if they’re battling each other for the better performance with both pulling down at least 5 a piece. McAlister being the main stay of the defense has helped a lot too especially with his coverage ability. The Chiefs tend to struggle on the back half though so we shall see how they handle it down the stretch.

 

[Prev. Rank: 8]

 

5.) New England Patriots (6-1)

 

We have the Patriots coming in at #4, dropping a spot from their previous position in the rankings. This team has been impressive even though the schedule hasn’t been too great aside from a big win against the fellow top 10 Cards. The tough matchups are down the stretch so we’ll see how it plays out, but I think this team has what it takes to continue their success. With the Texans, Jags, Bengals and Jets twice this team should be able to show why they are regarded so highly against some really tough teams. Brandin Cooks continues to put up all pro numbers as McNabb has continued to build rapport with him. Another overachieving team that can show how good they really are by having a winning record down the stretch will tell us a lot as this season finishes up.

 

[Prev. Rank: 4]

 

6.) Detroit Lions (7-1)

 

A loss to the current #3 team dropped the Lions from 2 to 6 but the season has still been a great one thus far. Lewerke was the driving force behind a successful season last year but even with his struggles Weston Bridges has been a monster and kept this team at an elite level with over 700 yards on the ground, almost 200 receiving and 11 TD’s. On defense, which has probably been the most spectacular thing with this team, Joe Bachie and Kenny Wilikies have been playing great football for this team and holding opponents to 13 or less in all but 2 games. Tough slate coming down the stretch though with the Panthers, 9ers, Texans, Cards and Packers so let’s see if this team can continue to build on this momentum.

 

[Prev. Rank: 2]

 

7.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-1)

 

This Bucs team might be having one of the more surprise seasons in the league so far at 6-1 and not really showing signs of slowing down. Canty has shown that he continues to be an impact player in his second season in Tampa. His versatility and talent have made this defense something to be reckoned with. Even though this team dropped 2 spots from “about as quality of a loss as you can get” says the coach, the Bucs are still playing well. They also have a rematch against the Panthers so there’s no telling what could happen there. This coach finally has this team built the way he visioned it when he took over a few seasons ago and is showing what he can do with his guys. We’ll see if they can finish strong and make their first playoff appearance in 5 seasons.

 

[Prev. Rank: 5]

 

8.) Arizona Cardinals (5-2)

 

The Cards have looked like a team that can make another Super Bowl run here this season as Hangartner would be looking at his 3rd one if it comes to fruition. The team continues to find ways to win whether it’s the offense going crazy or the defense being stout. The only two losses this team have are to two teams that are currently ranked ahead of them in the power rankings. One thing that is unusual is the inconsistency of Hangartner who has never really had the problem over his career in Arizona. I’m sure when the time comes he’ll be in playoff form though along with Malcolm Greene who’s been moving it really well on the ground. The Cards are looking to take back their division crown from the rival 9ers and win a Super Bowl as well, maybe they do it.

 

[Prev. Rank: 9]

 

9.) San Francisco 49ers (5-3)

 

The 9ers seem to have bounced back from a couple losses early to the Panthers and division rival Cards, picking up 5 wins to 1 loss since those games. Tapia is having an MVP caliber season and giving this team a boost with his play with his arm and his legs. A collective effort has this ground attack looking great between Pourdanesh, Snell and Tapia. The passing attack has been potent with two rookie WR’s leading the way, and the defense has been led by a rookie as well with Rickey Rone having 11 sacks so far. A couple tough games down the stretch but the 9ers have shown that they can continue to get it done as a perennial playoff contender in the conference. Tapia has played at an MVP caliber level but can he keep the pace is the real question.

 

[Prev. Rank: 14]

 

10.) Denver Broncos (4-3)

 

The Broncos have continued to play well with a very tough schedule so far. Belcher continues to make moves on the ground with Wheezer playing solid under center, but what has been more impressive is this defense led by newcomer Bamba. At 6’7” in the 2nd level he is an anomaly and he is second in the league in picks. Martin Wilkerson has contributed a lot as a rookie, leading this team in receiving and showing what elite speed at the position can do. After tough games against the Browns, Panthers, Chiefs, Saints and Falcons the second half brings the Chiefs again, Bucs, Ravens and Bengals so it doesn’t lighten up, but the Broncos coach has shown he can handle it and make it happen. Potential playoff spot on the line, let’s see what happened. 

 

[Prev. Rank: 7]

 

11.) New York Jets (5-2)

 

[Prev. Rank: 12]

 

12.) Houston Texans (6-2)

 

[Prev. Rank: 19]

 

13.) Jacksonville Jaguars (4-3)

 

[Prev. Rank: 13]

 

14.) Los Angeles Rams (4-3)

 

[Prev. Rank: 10]

 

15.) Atlanta Falcons (4-3)

 

[Prev. Rank: 11]

 

16.) Baltimore Ravens (4-3)

 

[Prev. Rank: 16]

 

17.) Cincinnati Bengals (5-2)

 

[Prev. Rank: 6]

 

18.) New Orleans Saints (5-2)

 

[Prev. Rank: 22]

 

19.) Washington Redskins (5-2)

 

[Prev. Rank: 15]

 

20.) Chicago Bears (3-4)

 

[Prev. Rank: 25]

 

21.) Pittsburgh Steelers (2-5)

 

[Prev. Rank: 23]

 

22.) Indianapolis Colts (3-5)

 

[Prev. Rank: 18]

 

23.) Los Angeles Chargers (2-5)

 

[Prev. Rank: 21]

 

24.) Tennessee Titans (1-7)

 

[Prev. Rank: 24]

 

25.) Dallas Cowboys (1-6)

 

[Prev. Rank: 25]

 

26.) Seattle Seahawks (1-6)

 

[Prev. Rank: 26]

 

27.) Buffalo Bills (1-6)

 

[Prev. Rank: 27]

 

28.) Minnesota Vikings (0-8)

 

[Prev. Rank: 29]

 

29.) Miami Dolphins (0-7)

 

[Prev. Rank: 28]

 

30.) Oakland Raiders (0-7)

 

[Prev. Rank: 31]

 

31.) New York Giants (0-8)

 

[Prev. Rank: 30]

 

32.) Philadelphia Eagles (0-7)

 

[Prev. Rank: 32]