A casual fan I met at the airport Saturday asked me a question a lot of fans want answered, but nobody can really answer at all. He asked who I thought was the best team in the NFL this season.
What did he think I am, the owner of a psychic hotline? A tarot card reader? That guy who knows tomorrow's news today (anyone want the lottery numbers)?
It's impossible right now to say which is the best team at this point. If you say you know, you are downright lying.
 | |
| Jerry Rice kept producing in St. Louis, but the Raiders stubbed their toes. (AP) |
Marc Bulger?
The kid played well for the Rams, but if the Raiders were truly the best team, they would have put the spike right through the heart of the St. Louis season. Instead, the Rams still have life, albeit barely, and the Raiders have sent us searching for the best team in the NFL.
So here's a message for the Raider Nation: You in Silver and Black have to quit talking smack.
The nod this week as the best team, and it almost certainly will be a rotating thing right until the close of the season, goes to the Miami Dolphins. That performance Sunday night in Denver, including a pressure field goal by Olindo Mare with six seconds left to win it, vaults the Dolphins into the top spot in the SportsLine.com Power Rankings.
Miami will be forced to play at least the next month without quarterback Jay Fiedler, who broke the thumb on his throwing hand late in the victory over Denver. That means the supposed best team in the league will have Ray Lucas at quarterback this week.
Thinking the same thing I am? Miami might not be at the top spot a week from now. New Orleans, the second team, plays a tough one with the 49ers on Sunday. Are they on their way to the top?
Will the 49ers make the ascent to the top spot? Are the Packers on their way there?
Nobody knows. That's why it's so hard to answer a question like the one I got at the airport Saturday.
There is no definitive answer in this era of no dynasties. One question that can be answered though is of the opposite kind. Who's the worst team?
Hint: It's in Ohio and it has helmets with stripes.
That one we can answer.
The best? Pick any of the teams in the top 10. Over the next 11 weeks, they all might have their shot at the top.
Until then, don't even try saying you know.
The rankings for Oct. 15:
| Power Rankings | ||||||||||
| Current | Team | Previous | ||||||||
 | 1 | Colts · Trends | 1 | |||||||
| They make it interesting, but they still find a way. The amazing thing is that they are winning yet not healthy. That's what a good quarterback does for a team. | ||||||||||
 | 2 | Saints · Trends | 2 | |||||||
| Can anybody stop that offense? If they get to play their playoff games inside the Superdome, it's hard not imagining them in the Super Bowl. | ||||||||||
 | 3 | Vikings · Trends | 3 | |||||||
| If the playoffs go through their dome, they will be tough to beat. They seem to be getting better -- if that's possible. | ||||||||||
 | 4 | Cowboys · Trends | 5 | |||||||
| The offense woke up against the Raiders, which is a good sign moving forward. But it will be December the next time they play and we know how they fade in that month. | ||||||||||
 | 5 | Bengals · Trends | 6 | |||||||
| It wasn't pretty against the Browns, but they went to 8-3. The one concern I have is they aren't passing it that well right now. That has to get better down the stretch. | ||||||||||
 | 6 | Chargers · Trends | 7 | |||||||
| Momentum seems to be building for this team. As the defense improves, so will their Super chances. We know they can score. | ||||||||||
 | 7 | Patriots · Trends | 4 | |||||||
| They got ambushed in New Orleans. That defense has not played well when facing good passing teams. Where's the pass rush? | ||||||||||
 | 8 | Eagles · Trends | 9 | |||||||
| They struggled some against the Redskins and now must go on the road at Atlanta. That won't be easy. | ||||||||||
 | 9 | Broncos · Trends | 12 | |||||||
| That was a season-saving victory against the Giants. But be careful this week against the Chiefs. They've owned the Broncos in December at Arrowhead. | ||||||||||
 | 10 | Packers · Trends | 14 | |||||||
| They are starting to have a playoff look about them. The key will be how that offensive line holds up. | ||||||||||
 | 11 | Cardinals · Trends | 8 | |||||||
| The division race tightened up with that loss to the Titans, and now they have a huge game with the Vikings. They have to be careful of San Francisco creeping back into it. | ||||||||||
 | 12 | Steelers · Trends | 10 | |||||||
| The questioning of Ben Roethlisberger sitting out by teammates is not a good sign. They shouldn't do that. It could cause problems. | ||||||||||
 | 13 | Giants · Trends | 11 | |||||||
| This is a team in big trouble. If Eli Manning can't play at close to 100 percent the rest of the way, they can forget the playoffs. Even with them, they could miss out. | ||||||||||
 | 14 | Falcons · Trends | 15 | |||||||
| Matt Ryan won't play this week, which means Chris Redman will have their playoff hopes on his right arm against the Eagles. Can he play as well as he did last week, now that they know he's coming? | ||||||||||
 | 15 | Ravens · Trends | 17 | |||||||
| They had a huge victory last week over the Steelers, but now have to go to Green Bay to face the Packers. That will be tough. | ||||||||||
 | 16 | Jaguars · Trends | 13 | |||||||
| As long as they don't go to the West Coast again, they will be fine. They scored three points in two games there. Ouch. | ||||||||||
 | 17 | Titans · Trends | 19 | |||||||
| Watch out. They're coming fast. If they can beat the Colts this week, the schedule the rest of the way is favorable. | ||||||||||
 | 18 | Dolphins · Trends | 16 | |||||||
| Did they blow their playoff chances at Buffalo? If they did, that halfback pass on their opening drive of the game could be the reason why. | ||||||||||
 | 19 | Texans · Trends | 18 | |||||||
| When they learn to beat the Colts, then we'll take their playoff chances seriously. If they lose at Jacksonville this week, it could be the end of the Gary Kubiak era. | ||||||||||
 | 20 | Jets · Trends | 20 | |||||||
| They're still alive, but barely. They still don't look close to being the team that jumped to a 3-0 start. | ||||||||||
 | 21 | 49ers · Trends | 23 | |||||||
| Alex Smith has five games to show he is their guy for the future. He looked comfortable against the Jaguars. | ||||||||||
 | 22 | Bills · Trends | 24 | |||||||
| The team is playing better under Perry Fewell. But he probably has no chance to keep the job. | ||||||||||
 | 23 | Seahawks · Trends | 25 | |||||||
| It's too bad they don't play the Rams every week. If they did, they might make the playoffs. Justin Forsett looks like the real deal. | ||||||||||
 | 24 | Panthers · Trends | 21 | |||||||
| It's time to make a change at quarterback. Find out what Matt Moore can do. What do they have to lose? | ||||||||||
 | 25 | Bears · Trends | 22 | |||||||
| Paging Bill Cowher. Paging Bill Cowher. Is there any doubt they will make a coaching change now? | ||||||||||
 | 26 | Chiefs · Trends | 26 | |||||||
| That San Diego game was a reminder of how far this team needs to go. They are a long way away from competing. | ||||||||||
 | 27 | Redskins · Trends | 27 | |||||||
| They're still playing hard, but it doesn't matter. Jim Zorn is still gone after the season. | ||||||||||
 | 28 | Raiders · Trends | 28 | |||||||
| At some point they have to get a quarterback. There is talent going to waste on this roster. | ||||||||||
 | 29 | Lions · Trends | 29 | |||||||
| They have some offensive talent. Now they have to fix that defense. Teams do what they want. Green Bay wasn't even challenged. | ||||||||||
 | 30 | Rams · Trends | 30 | |||||||
| Will they win again? It doesn't look good. Now comes the big decision: Which quarterback do they take in next spring's draft? | ||||||||||
 | 31 | Buccaneers · Trends | 31 | |||||||
| Who will Raheem Morris fire this week? Is it another loss, another firing? It's time the blame goes to the man at the top. | ||||||||||
 | 32 | Browns · Trends | 32 | |||||||
| It has to be hard to watch this team, especially for Browns fans. The question now is whether Eric Mangini makes it for a second season. | ||||||||||
