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The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

At the quarter mark, some teams impress, others just stink

Wade Fink’s NFL Power Rankings are unscientific. They are based on record, previous and upcoming schedule, score differential and opinion.,The Pats are never losing again, Brett Favre looks like he’s 25 and the Falcons are ruing the day Mike Vick ever bought a dog. Here’s a look at the NFL a quarter of the way through the season.

Wade Fink’s NFL Power Rankings are unscientific. They are based on record, previous and upcoming schedule, score differential and opinion.

1 Indianapolis Colts (4-0)

The Colts now have 12 straight wins as a franchise, and despite Denver’s excellent first half last Sunday, the Colts still found themselves ahead 14-13. This is a finely-tuned machine and no Belicheater will knock them out unless we see something of a hiccup.

2 New England Patriots (4-0)

Not a distant second. The Pats are pretty remarkable themselves, and now that Brady has more to work with than Reche Caldwell, look out.

3 Dallas Cowboys (4-0)

The Cowboys are a Buffalo Bill away from 5-0 and facing the Patriots in a possible Super Bowl preview. If he keeps this pace, we may soon say it’s time to put Romo in the Brady and Manning category.

4 Green Bay Packers (4-0)

Favre now begs the question, “great or greatest?” Let’s go with neither, but the man is resilient and has an average Packers team truly believing. In the NFC North, 9 wins will do it.

5 Seattle Seahawks (3-1)

Next to Denver, Seattle is probably the worst place in the country to have to go play a football game. That will not matter much on the road this week. Seattle comes home 3-2 with force, at least by NFC standards.

6 Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1)

Last Sunday’s mistake may have cost the Steelers Top Five honors, but Tomlin has this team playing on both ends. They look like the old 3-4 defensive Steelers.

7 Denver Broncos (2-2)

If Denver got to play every game at home, they would be 15-1. Surprisingly, they played the Colts tough and are still deserving of a top 10 finish at 2-2. They play the struggling Chargers at home next week.

8 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1)

Jeff Garcia. During a Lions game two years ago, a Cleveland fan wrote about Garcia, “Thanks for taking out our garbage, Detroit.” Say what you will, but he’s fit nicely into Jon Gruden’s system once again.

9 Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1)

We don’t know this team yet. Del Rio has turned this franchise into a week-to-week competitor; just ask the rest of their division. This week will yield a better idea as they visit Kansas City.

10 Tennessee Titans (2-1) Enough about Vince Young. Who cares if he runs a lot? Who cares if his stats are atypical of a franchise quarterback? Young is winning and making the Titans a competitive team.

11 Baltimore Ravens (2-2)

The Ravens were a top team gone way south after last week’s embarrassment. At least they are in decent company with the Bengals.

12 Detroit Lions (3-1)

Even without the hands of Calvin Johnson, the Lions pulled off a mini-miracle, scoring an NFL record 34 fourth quarter points against the defending NFC champs. If they pull one off in the nation’s capital next week, we may have a top Lions team for the first time since Barry Sanders.

13 New York Giants (2-2)

This team deserves another week to be judged. They have won two straight, while their first two loses came to teams that are still undefeated.

14 Washington Redskins (2-1)

When they looked at their schedule and saw that they would come off their bye to face the Detroit Lions at home, I’ll bet Washington was happy. But now they face the 3-1 Lions after barely squeaking out their last two wins. Be careful, Gibby.

15 Chicago Bears (1-3)

The Bears have been brutalized by injuries. Ten victories could top the NFC North, so the Bears are not out of anything just yet. Once they get Mike Brown back, Lance Briggs stops hurting, and Brian Griese gets up to game speed, this team will fight to the end.

16 Carolina Panthers (2-2)

While Jake Delhomme remains sidelined, there may be a quarterback controversy brewing.

The Bottom Half

17 Houston Texans (2-2)

18 Cincinnati Bengals (1-3)

19 San Diego Chargers (1-3)

20 San Francisco 49ers (2-2)

21 Philadelphia Eagles (1-3)

22 Cleveland Browns (2-2)

23 Minnesota Vikings (1-3)

24 New York Jets (1-3)

25 Arizona Cardinals (2-2)

26 Oakland Raiders (2-2)

27 New Orleans Saints (0-3)

28 Buffalo Bills (1-3)

29 Kansas City Chiefs (2-2)

30 Atlanta Falcons (1-3

31 Miami Dolphins (0-4)

32 St. Louis Rams (0-4)

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