Power Rankings from Around the Web

I admit it. I obsess on the power rankings. I particularly obsess on the Football Outsiders DVOA rankings, which I find to be more interesting than some writer’s opinion ranking, but I like the writer’s opinions too (mostly because most writers have a higher opinion of the Broncos, at least last year, than DVOA. Though two years ago DVOA loved the Broncos).

So here’s what I’ve got:

Football Outsiders DVOA: 10 (Preseason 13. Total VOA: 19.7%)
Alas, no witty commentary this week. Instead I give this related quote:

It might be a bit early to bury Denver’s defensive line with the same old jokes. Elvis Dumervil tipped and intercepted a Losman pass at the end of the first half, ending the second of two horrible drives for Buffalo in which they appear to have rented Scott Linehan’s End Zone Force Field.

Also, Jay Cutler might be the best pure thrower off the back foot I’ve ever seen. I’m serious. If we ever chart DVOA off the back foot, Cutler’s would be off the hook. I’ve seen at least three long completions in that fashion — perfect rainbows right in the receivers’ arms.

FOX Sports: 8 (previously 7)

Travis Henry started his career as a Bronco with a bang. T-Hank had 183 total yards in the Broncos’ last-second 15-14 victory over Buffalo. Though he repeatedly denies any such comparisons to the Denver legend, quarterback Jay Cutler looked Elway-esque on the Broncos last drive, guiding Denver 44 yards in the final two minutes of the game. Cutler passed for 304 yards, hitting star receiver Javon Walker nine times for 119 yards. Jason Elam hit the game-winning field goal as time expired, his third FG of the game. The Broncos face Oakland on Sunday.

CBS Sportsline (Pete Prisco): 6 (previously 9)

Jay Cutler handled himself well at Buffalo, and that’s a good sign. Traveling across the country and winning a road game on opening day is a big deal for this team.

ESPN: 10 (previously 9)

Just how Jason Elam’s field-goal unit managed to scramble onto the field and kick the game-winner against the Bills before time expired is still one of the small miracles from Sunday’s action.

MSNBC: 11 (previously 12)

K Jason Elam made up for his two misses with one of the more remarkable game-winning field goals ever to seal a 15-14 win in Buffalo.

Cold, Hard Football Facts: RB Travis Henry has rushed for 764 yards and a 5.0 YPA over his past eight games.

Sports Illustrated (Peter King): 8 (unsure of previous)

Jay Cutler had a nice opener — 23 of 39, 309 yards, one touchdown and one pick — but he’ll be challenged more with the physical D’s of Oakland and Jacksonville coming up … followed by the lightning–quick defense of the Colts.

USA Today: 14 (previously 12)

I’m not sure if Gil Brandt is doing rankings at NFL.com this year or not; if he is they probably will show up tomorrow (when Dr. Z’s rankings also show up). But in absence of NFL.com’s actual rankings, I give this Vic Carucci quote instead:

I’m still marveling at what Jay Cutler pulled off in the Denver Broncos’ amazing 15-14 win over the Buffalo Bills. It wasn’t just that he threw for 304 yards and a touchdown. It was that he did that and so much more while making only his sixth career start in front of a highly stoked opening-day crowd of 71,132 at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Sure, Cutler had moments when he looked like a kid way over his head. He threw an interception that killed a scoring drive late in the first half and nearly was returned for a touchdown. He almost lost a fumble with a reckless attempt to make something happen. But in the game’s final 2:13, Cutler did a pretty good imitation of the quarterback the Broncos have yet to successfully replace — John Elway. He engineered a 42-yard drive, which included his seven-yard run on fourth-and-2, to Jason Elam’s winning field goal. He delivered perfect throws on slant routes to Jevon Walker, deftly managed the clock, and alertly got the offense off the field while the field-goal unit scrambled on for Elam to connect on his 42-yard attempt with one second left. “I’ve been involved with a lot of comeback victories with John over the years,” Elam said. “I’m not sure anything compares to this.”