The Tentative Ten: Week 9

My power rankings are fittingly named the ‘Tentative Ten’ because every week it’s subject to change, and erratically at that. Also featured is a Rookie, Defensive, and Offensive Player of the Year Watch, and a Coach of the Year Watch, and Movie to watch this week.

1. New Orleans Saints (8-0)

I see a pattern developing. I’m not sure if the Saints just struggle in the first half or that they just make to make it interesting. However I’m not expecting too many struggles against St. Louis.

Glaring Stat: The Saint’s offense has out gained their opponents by 762 yards on the season.

2. Indianapolis Colts (8-0)

Finally! The Colts play a challenging game! The Patriots and Colts match up for the billionth time, but this time Tony Dungy isn’t battling Bill Belichick, it’s rookie Jim Caldwell. This is Caldwell’s first true test of his rookie season, I’m not a betting man, but I have my money on double B.

Glaring Stat: The teams Indianapolis have played this season have a combined record of 26-39 (.4). The Colts have also only played two teams that have five wins on the season.

3. Minnesota Vikings (7-1)

Is the NFC North even a race? The Vikings would have to fall very far behind to lose this division. If the Vikings weren’t actually good I’d say Chicago and Green Bay are giving them the division by default.

Glaring Stat: Brett Favre has the second best passer rating in the NFL at 106.0, .1 behind Drew Brees.

4. Cincinnati Bengals (6-2)

The Bengals have two games left in the AFC North left, and they haven’t lost one yet. If the Bengals can manage a win at Heinz field they’ll have to beat the Browns and the division is theirs, that rarely happens for any team in any division, let alone the NFC North.

Glaring Stat: The Bengals first round draft pick Andre Smith has yet to play a snap this season.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)

Pittsburgh is full of momentum right now, but they have to face the leader of the AFC North come early Sunday afternoon. Bengals versus Steelers will be on the same time as the Broncos game, so I’m definitely putting it up on my computer (thank you DirecTV!). I’d really like to see the Bengals win this one, especially after the spanking the Steelers just doled out at Mile High.

Glaring Stat: Rashard Mendenhall is averaging 5.7 yards a rush.

6. New England Patriots (6-2)

Bill Belichick is having a phenomenal year, he is really coaching the whole team. Tom Brady is starting to get back in sync and Randy Moss proves again why he is the best in the league.

Glaring Stat: Randy Moss now ties Terrell Owens in career touchdowns with 140.

7. Denver Broncos (6-2)

Screen pass, screen pass, screen pass, interception, screen pass, check down, interception, dump off, rush for a loss, rush for a yard, screen pass, interception, tears.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Broncos’ offense! We’ve all heard that Kyle Orton throws like girl but I’d actually like to see him try to extend the field, at least a few attempts. Josh McDaniels is a great and I’m glad Denver picked him over any candidate out there, with that being said, I’m still pissed at him. McDaniels has said before “We’re going to do things that no one has ever seen before.” I’m starting to think that’s not a good thing. Something no one has ever seen before? Does McDaniels mean get your ass handed to you at home? Because if he does, he should see the San Diego game at home circa 2007.

The defense is playing well but they have proved that they are not part of the elite. The offense isn’t doing them any favors, but good defenses adapt and overcome no matter how much time they spend on the field. I’m happy to see Robert Ayers finally have an impact, hopefully this will be the confidence boost he needs to start having a good year.

Speaking of rookies, I’m very disappointed in Knowshon Moreno and Alphonso Smith. I’ll let “the Phonze” off the hook for now because cornerback is one of the hardest positions for a rookie to adapt to. On the other hand, running back is one of the plug and play positions for a rookie. What is Moreno doing out there? I really hope he can have a breakout game against the Redskins.

Glaring Stat: The Broncos are not in the top five against the pass or rush, but they are third overall in total defense.

8. Dallas Cowboys (6-2)

Another week where the Cowboys play good and consistent football. The defense is playing together like a whole unit instead of a Pro Bowl team practicing for a week. I’m rooting for the Cowboys to make the playoffs so Wade Philips doesn’t get fired. Why? Mike Nolan is a perfect fit in Dallas if Wade crumbles in the end like usual. Nolan will let Jerry Jones buy the groceries, squeeze up the potential of that all star caliber defense, and Jason Garrett will be able to run the offense. That would be a dangerous team.

Glaring Stat: Last week Miles Austin was averaging 21.7 yards a catch and becoming the go to go on the Cowboys anyone would predict that figure to fall. Miles Austin says nay, his average now lies at 22.7 yards a catch.

9. Arizona Cardinals (5-3)

Kurt Warner loves career highs, last week he threw a career high 5 interceptions, this week he throws a career high 5 touchdowns. Broncos fans, it’s time for our weekly thank the team that beat the Bears! Now the best record the Bears can have is 12-4… we still have some ways to go.

Glaring Stat: Two more touchdowns and Kurt Warner will have 200 touchdown passes throughout his career.

10. San Diego Chargers (5-3)

Damn you Philip Rivers! How dare you take the lead with less than 30 seconds remaining! Now the Chargers are gaining ground and are breathing on the back of Denver’s neck. Broncos fans are feeling mighty nervous.

Glaring Stat: The Chargers actually sold this home game out.

Coach of the Week

Marvin Lewis – Cincinnati has swept Baltimore this year, who was considered a playoff favorite. Now Baltimore has to run the gauntlet and pray for a playoff berth. Marvin Lewis has proved that he knows how to build a defense and that he won’t be fired anytime soon.

Rookie of the Week

Josh Freeman – Josh Freeman was just 14/31 for 205 yards. The thing to mention is that three of those 14 were touchdowns. Freeman threw one pick but played well enough to help his team win their first game of the season.

Offensive Player of the Week

Kurt Warner – The old man threw 5 touchdowns and completely debacled the Bears. The ironic side of the Cardinals v. Bears match up is that Jay Cutler had a great day, but the defense couldn’t hold. Sound familiar? Some things never change.

Defensive Player of the Week

Jay Ratliff– Jay Ratliff had 5 tackles and two sacks against Philadelphia, which may not seem like defensive player of the week material. However, this was a huge game for the Cowboys who never win against the Eagles. Jay Ratliff is proving he is one of the best defensive linemen in the game.

Rookie of the Year Watch

1. Percy Harvin – Percy Harvin may have scored some fantasy points just sitting on the couch.

2. Jairus Byrd – Even without playing for a week Jairus Byrd is still tied for the lead in interceptions.

3. Hakeem Nicks– Nicks had a disappointing game against the Chargers, but so did they Giants as a whole.

4. Mark Sanchez– Can Sanchez expose the Jets’ secondary? I don’t think so.

5. Knowshon Moreno – This kid has one more week on the list if he keeps running like that. Right now Moreno would be a good pick if he was a second or third round choice.

Defensive Player of the Year Watch

1. Elvis Dumervil – Max Starks was basically picking his nose the whole game. Elvis still left the building with half a sack.

2. Darren Sharper – Darren Sharper is a free agent after the season, this will be interesting.

4. Jared Allen – I bet Jared Allen was watching Elvis Dumervil on Monday night.

5. Jarius Byrd – I think Jairus Byrd got two picks on his bye week.

6. Darrelle Revis – Get those hands ready Darrelle Revis, David Garrard is coming to town.

Offensive Player of the Year Watch

1. Chris Johnson – Now that the Titans have a quarterback who doesn’t turn the ball over or finishes games with negative passing yards, they can win games. Chris Johnson is on a mission to turn this year around.

2. Peyton Manning – Who makes more money… Peyton Manning or Justin Timberlake? GO!

3. Drew Brees – He’s just as frustrating to defenses as he is on your fantasy team.

4. Cedric Benson – Cedric Benson is the backbone of the Bengals offense, I bet you feel stupid Ron Turner.

5. Adrian Peterson – It’ll be interesting to see how Peterson emerges from the bye week.

Coach of the Year Watch

1. Josh McDaniels (6-2) – McDaniels hot start is rapidly cooling off, he needs to refocus and take Washington seriously.

2. Sean Payton (8-0) – Saints fans have found their messiah.

3. Jim Caldwell (8-0) – Thanks to Tony Dungy’s greatness, an easy schedule, and Peyton Manning, the Colts are 8-0. However, it doesn’t matter who you are or what you have, 8-0 is impressive.

4. Marvin Lewis (6-2) – Everyone pegged the Bengals as a huge let down this year and predicting this to be Marvin Lewis’ last year in Cincinnati. Sound familiar?

5. Mike Singletary (3-5) – With Chicago coming to town this could be Mike Singlescary’s last week on the list. Can the 49ers be apart of the weekly Denver Broncos thank list?

Who Needs a V8?

Chad Henne – Know how many timeouts you have before you decide to call one.

Unforunate Incident of the Week

Brady Quinn is a starter yet again. What is going wrong in Cleveland? Exhibit A for keeping Orton in the lineup. Never mind… I just compared the Broncos to the Browns.

Movie Show to Watch this Week

South Park – South Park finally managed to put together a great episode. Now don’t get me wrong I love Chipoltaway as much as the next red blooded American, but the episodes this season have lacked, and this last one was great. What? You don’t agree with me? Well I bet you hate smurfs.

What do you think Nation? Any more deserving teams in the Tentative Ten? Air it out!