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MSR Power Rankings
 Rank #1 Philadelphia Eagles 7-0
The Eagles may be the team to beat this season, after beating the only other undefeated team the Cardinals. The Eagles have some easier opponents coming up, so unless they get sloppy they could easily cruise into the playoffs with 1 or 0 losses.
 Rank #2 Los Angeles Rams 7-1
The Rams have jumped 6 spots since the last time I released Power Rankings. They are a very impressive offense, but lack on the defensive side of the ball. The upcoming week 9 game against top ranked Eagles will be important to prove to MSR what the Rams are made of.
 Rank #3 Arizona Cardinals 6-1
The Cardinals only loss comes from the #1 ranked Eagles, not too shabby. The Cardinals are another team that may not face another strong challenge for a few weeks, making it likely they will remain in the top 3 spots the next time Power Rankings are released.
 Rank #4 Kansas City Chiefs 6-2
The Chiefs had a nice rebound against the Buccaneers after suffering their second loss of the season against the Titans. The Chiefs still have statistically the best offense in the MSR, plus have beat both the Browns and Broncos… however, their defense may be what holds them back from an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl.
 Rank #5 Cleveland Browns 6-2
The Browns have reclaimed a top 5 ranking in the MSR Power Rankings after being ranked outside of the top 10 for the first time since season 1..this does not come as a surprise that the team has straightened out their path. The one surprise regarding the Browns is their defense, after the coach has invested heavily on it they are middle of the pack statistically.
 Rank #6 Denver Broncos 6-2
The Broncos have different teams in-front of them in the Power Rankings than who was there 4 weeks ago, yet they remain 6th in the rankings. If not for a loss to divisional rival the Chargers, the Broncos would have clearly been ranked ahead of the Browns and possibly an argument could be made the Chiefs who they lost to early in the season. As is, the Broncos are right in the race and need to find a way to win the AFC West this season.
 Rank #7 Tennessee Titans 5-2
The Titans have dropped 5 spots since the last time I revealed Power Rankings, suffering losses to both the Browns and the Steelers….however, squished in the middle of those two losses was a HUGE win against the Chiefs. Just because they are ranked 7th now, I wouldn’t be sleeping on them or you’ve made a grave mistake.
 Rank #8 Green Bay Packers 5-2
The Packers have jumped 8 spots after winning 3 straight games. They have control of the NFC North for now, knocking the Bears off their perch. I wouldn’t get too comfortable though. Looking at the Packers schedules they have faced an incredibly easy schedule thus far.
 Rank #9 Dallas Cowboys 5-3
The Cowboys have a new coach, and they moved up 14 spots on the Power Rankings regardless. This is due mostly in-part because the previous coach won 3 straight games before handing over the team, but when it came time to test the new coach the team won against the Saints in week 8. Time will tell if this coaching change will put the Cowboys back in the spotlight.
 Rank #10 Baltimore Ravens 4-3
The Ravens have been a bit up and down this season, starting strong--fading away--coming back strong again. This includes even losing their coach, although he wasn’t gone for even one game. The Ravens snuck into top 10, mostly because several of the teams underneath them they’ve beaten.
 Rank #11 Houston Texans 4-3
Of the next few teams that are at or near 4-3, the Texans are one of the few that won their week 8 game, and that in itself lets the team rank first among the group. The Texans are not the flashiest team, and they’ve found ways to beat on teams that just aren’t very good… but you’ll find that to be the case on several of the next teams.
 Rank #12 Carolina Panthers 4-3
Another win in their week 8 games, the Panthers had a decisive victory against the Vikings winning an impressive 23-0 and shutting them out. The Panthers have relied on a strong defense to keep them in games where teams average only 15 points against them.
 Rank #13 New York Jets 4-3
The Jets are about where I ranked them last time in week 4 yet they’ve only won one game and lost two since then. The Jets followed up week 5 and week 6 losses with a strong win against the Patriots in week 7 before heading into their bye week.
 Rank #14 Indianapolis Colts 4-3
The Colts have dropped 7 spots since week 4, and it shocking that it isn’t more. The Colts are not a bad team, but let’s be honest losing 0-24 to anyone and being shut out does not inspire confidence. The team needs to earn from their mistakes and turn a leaf to save their season from being mediocre yet again.
 Rank #15 Cincinnati Bengals 4-3
The Bengals have dropped 5 spots after being ranked in the top 10 and having a record of 3-1 after the first 4 weeks. The team is a bit different than the majority of others in the MSR in that they have a very strong offense but very weak defense.
 Rank #16 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4-4
The Buccaneers jump 12 spots in the rankings going 3-1 over the past 4 game stretch. The Buccaneers proved to be no match for the Chiefs, after playing them very strong the first half of the game. Eventually, the Bucs strong defense broke apart and allowed their offensive mistakes to outshine their defensive triumphs.
 Rank #17 New England Patriots 3-4
The Patriots had a strong win against their AFC East rival the Bills during week 8, which could setup a wild finish to who will win the division. This upcoming week they need to take care of business against the Chargers who just pulled off an upset against the Denver Broncos.
 Rank #18 Buffalo Bills 3-4
The Bills may have just lost the the Patriots but I feel confident with their team and coach. The Bills have proven they can fight tough down the stretch and I think they turn on a second gear soon.
 Rank #19 Atlanta Falcons 3-4
This season has been the tale of two separate Falcon’s teams. One who will win soundly over a divisional rival or NFC foe, and the other who will go into a game and become quickly overwhelmed by an opponent.
 Rank #20 New Orleans Saints 3-4
The Saints have lost more than they’ve won the past 4 weeks, but a big game against the Bears goes into the W column. The win is significant because that direct matchup is the only thing keeping the Saints above the Saints by only one spot this Power Rankings edition.
 Rank #21 Chicago Bears 3-4
The Bears were incredibly close to remaining in the top 21, having missed the cut by only one spot. The Bears suffered a 4 game losing streak to the Vikings, Eagles, Packers and Saints before getting a much needed bye and responding in a big way with a 24-3 victory over the Lions.
 Rank #22 Los Angeles Chargers 3-4
I am not denying the Chargers got a significant win against the Broncos this past week, however 1 win against 4-5 otherwise poor performances and a weak showing this season does not automatically fix the Chargers season. They have to continue showing they can compete with big power house teams within their own division.
 Rank #23[b] New York Giants 3-5
Ouch, since the last Power Rankings released the Giants have lost 4 straight, won 0 and dropped 14 spots. It really doesn’t get much worse than this...well, I shouldn’t say that because if the Giants somehow lose to the winless Redskins it has gotten much, much worse.
 [b]Rank #24 San Francisco 49ers 3-5
The 49ers still have a decent defense statistically, but last Power Rankings I wrote how they kept opponents “in-check.” And I wasn’t wrong, they still do… only problem is, actual good offenses have scored on the 49ers wise ease ie Eagles, Cardinals.
 Rank #25 Pittsburgh Steelers 2-5
New owner Buttermeelk shocked the league with an impressive win over the Titans this past week. Was it a fluke, or could the new coach be a force in the AFC north? The Steelers need to capitalize against the Bengals in week 9 and get their second straight victory to build confidence.
 Rank #26 Miami Dolphins 2-5
The Dolphins always play people tough is often heard after scraping by with a win against coach Zo. However, the coach and his team often have not capitalized on their chances to win games. WIth a past week win against the 49ers, and the Jets coming up next the Dolphins need to find a way to not just be close to winning the game...but doing it.
 Rank #27 Jacksonville Jaguars 2-5
Julio Jones has clearly lost a step as right now on the Jaguars he is third in passing receptions, second in receiving yardage, with only 1 touchdown this year. The Jaguars could really use Julio to have one more miracle year to help jumpstart their offense.
 Rank #28 Seattle Seahawks 2-6
The Seahawks have moved up 4 spots from the very worst spot in the Power Rankings and even have moved ahead of the Lions who share their 2-6 miserable record. This is due to the fact Seattle beat the Lions 31-26 in week 5. But the team still is very poor in talent and ability.
 Rank #29 Detroit Lions 2-6
We have a new Lions owner that recently joined MSR. After being introduced as the new coach of the Lions he said, “things can’t get much worse, only up from here!” then his team lost 3-24 to the Bears and he knew he was in trouble.
 Rank #30 Minnesota Vikings 1-6
The Vikings found it in their power to take down their divisional rival Bears in a chance to prevent the from securing another NFC North tower. The Vikings may be out of the playoffs but they could still play a deciding factor on which NFC North team wins the division and makes the cut to playoffs.
 Rank #31 Oakland Raiders 1-6
The Raiders have one of the worst defenses in the MSR and can’t seem to stop even the worst offenses. Hopefully Oakland figures it out soon.
 Rank #32 Washington Redskins 0-7
After facing some criticism that they suck maybe on purpose, it is clear the coach tomac struggles grasping all madden and all aspects that go into making a successful football team.
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