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 didn't look great against the 49ers, but they found a way. That's what good teams do. It has to be good having Bob Sanders back again. | ||||||||||
 | 2 | Saints · Trends | 2 | |||||||
| It was a little bit of a struggle against the Falcons, but the schedule is favorable the rest of the way, to say the least. Is an undefeated season possible? | ||||||||||
 | 3 | Vikings · Trends | 4 | |||||||
| They have a real hold on the division after sweeping the Packers. They really are a balanced team and Brett Favre is coming off a big game. There, I said it. Aside from the Steelers game, he is playing well. | ||||||||||
 | 4 | Broncos · Trends | 3 | |||||||
| After their first loss, here come the champions. The Pittsburgh Steelers will provide another stiff test for the Broncos. They need to throw it better. Period. | ||||||||||
 | 5 | Patriots · Trends | 5 | |||||||
| They come off the bye with a chance to take a real hold of the division by beating Miami. You know they'll be ready for the Wildcat. | ||||||||||
 | 6 | Bengals · Trends | 6 | |||||||
| At 5-2 after their bye, they get a rematch with the Ravens this week. They can throw it better now than when they beat them the first time, which should help. | ||||||||||
 | 7 | Steelers · Trends | 7 | |||||||
| They can show they are back with a road victory at Denver. The bye week gives them a little edge heading into that one, although Denver will be angry coming off its first loss. | ||||||||||
 | 8 | Eagles · Trends | 8 | |||||||
| We get Eagles-Cowboys this week for first place in the NFC East. That should be fun. The Eagles are rolling after that Oakland disaster two weeks ago. | ||||||||||
 | 9 | Cowboys · Trends | 11 | |||||||
| Is it time to stop ripping on Tony Romo? He's playing some of his best football. The defense, which was a problem much of the season, is playing better. | ||||||||||
 | 10 | Ravens · Trends | 14 | |||||||
| They had to beat Denver to save their season, but now they get a big one against the Bengals on the road. To have a real chance to win the division, they need that one. | ||||||||||
 | 11 | Cardinals · Trends | 9 | |||||||
| Can anybody figure this team out? They play well on the road and stink it up at home. Good thing they're on the road this week. | ||||||||||
 | 12 | Giants · Trends | 10 | |||||||
| They are an example of how fast things can go bad in the NFL. If that defense doesn't play better soon, they could be playoff-less. | ||||||||||
 | 13 | Texans · Trends | 16 | |||||||
| The improvement of the defense to go with that passing game has really helped this team. They do have a lot of premium talent on the defensive side of the ball. | ||||||||||
 | 14 | Chargers · Trends | 17 | |||||||
| They seemed to right things the past two weeks, but now must head east to play a desperate Giants team. That won't be easy. | ||||||||||
 | 15 | Falcons · Trends | 12 | |||||||
| They played well at New Orleans, especially in the second half, and the schedule gets easier now. They are a good 4-3 team. | ||||||||||
 | 16 | Packers · Trends | 13 | |||||||
| Boy that offensive line is bad. If they don't improve there, Aaron Rodgers doesn't stand a chance. | ||||||||||
 | 17 | Bears · Trends | 19 | |||||||
| Nothing like the Cleveland Browns to provide the perfect potion for all that ails a team. Facing Arizona at home this week won't be as easy. | ||||||||||
 | 18 | Dolphins · Trends | 22 | |||||||
| That wasn't pretty against the Jets, but they found a way. Now they have to go to New England, with a chance to get back into the race. Playing two consecutive road games is tough. | ||||||||||
 | 19 | Jets · Trends | 15 | |||||||
| There is no way they should have lost to the Dolphins at home, but at 4-4 they have been way too inconsistent. How about some special-teams work this week? | ||||||||||
 | 20 | Jaguars · Trends | 18 | |||||||
| They will be a .500 team at best. The defense isn't very good, so they will play a lot of high-scoring games. The good news is they have a winnable game against Kansas City this week. | ||||||||||
 | 21 | Panthers · Trends | 24 | |||||||
| Was that a job saver for coach John Fox and a season saver last week in Arizona? It was a big win, but those two things are still to be decided. | ||||||||||
 | 22 | 49ers · Trends | 20 | |||||||
| Playing close isn't good enough. They have to start winning those kinds of games. It's hard when they're limited on offense. | ||||||||||
 | 23 | Bills · Trends | 21 | |||||||
| The run defense is really bad and they don't have the offense to make up for it. Did you ever think they would long to get Trent Edwards back so much? | ||||||||||
 | 24 | Seahawks · Trends | 23 | |||||||
| They've been a major disappointment in a lot of people's minds. But the injuries have crippled this team. It's a tough first year for Jim Mora Jr. | ||||||||||
 | 25 | Raiders · Trends | 25 | |||||||
| At least they showed up and competed against the Chargers. It's more than they did the previous week. Wonder how Tom Cable's troubles will affect the team? | ||||||||||
 | 26 | Chiefs · Trends | 26 | |||||||
| They come off their bye with the Larry Johnson saga hanging over their heads. Something they need more of: Better play from Matt Cassel. | ||||||||||
 | 27 | Redskins · Trends | 27 | |||||||
| Did they fix things during the bye? Is Jim Zorn safe now that he made it through the week off? Can they turn it around? Doubtful. | ||||||||||
 | 28 | Rams · Trends | 31 | |||||||
| They won. They won. They won. After 17 consecutive losses, they should celebrate. Steven Jackson is having a good year for a bad team. | ||||||||||
 | 29 | Titans · Trends | 32 | |||||||
| The move to Vince Young paid off. Yeah, as long as Chris Johnson runs for 228, it paid off. They did show more life coming off their bye in winning for the first time. | ||||||||||
 | 30 | Lions · Trends | 28 | |||||||
| Losing to the Rams drops them down a few spots. They are competing, which is a good sign for this young team. | ||||||||||
 | 31 | Browns · Trends | 29 | |||||||
| Does this team need a bye or what? Do they really have to play out the season with that offense? | ||||||||||
 | 32 | Buccaneers · Trends | 30 | |||||||
| The Josh Freeman Era begins, and it's the right thing to do. They have to get him going for the future. Why wait? | ||||||||||
