The Sports Inquirer

We’re a quarter of the way through the NFL season so its time for my first edition of my Power Poll along with my picks for this week.

Music to listen to: Manual Dexterity by The Omar Rodriguez Group　

32- Buffalo (0-4): When your starting quarterback going into the season goes from being benched to being cut in one week DURING the regular season, you have problems. The Bills have found ways to lose close at home to Miami, blown out on the road to New England and blown out at home to the Jets, all three divisional opponents by the way. If they don’t win at home against Jacksonville this week, we may be looking at a 0-for-October and November type of situation.

31- Carolina (0-4): I never understood why people were so high on the Panthers (I’m looking at you Peter King). Seriously, when you combine a lame duck coach, weak quarterback options, losses on defense, etc. that isn’t the recipe for a good situation.

30- Detroit (0-4): This may be an unfair spot because the Lions have actually played four close games against decent teams in Chicago, Philadelphia, Minnesota and Green Bay. However, when you’re winless, this is the spot you have to be at. There is hope for the Lions though and when quarterback Matt Stafford returns, I can see this being a four-win team.

29- San Francisco (0-4): Another squad that has played better than its record. The Atlanta game was especially crippling. All the Niners had to do was fall down after intercepting the pass late in the fourth quarter but their cornerback Nate Clements fumbled the ball and the Falcons ended up getting the game-winning field goal. Losing teams don’t lose games like that and as much as you want to like Mike Singletary as a head coach, that’s what the 49ers have become and firing your offensive coordinator during the season reeks of desperation.

28- Cleveland (1-3): The Browns aren’t awful, just not very good.

27- Oakland (1-3): The Raiders aren’t awful, just…

26- Seattle (2-2): Seattle hasn’t been as terrible as I thought they would be and in the NFC West, that might be good enough to win a division and host a playoff game. If newly acquired running back Marshawn Lynch can give the Seahawks a running game, they may be in business.

25- Arizona (2-2): I was actually torn between the Cards and Hawks for this spot but I think if the teams met right now, I would take Arizona. What does concern you is that the Cardinals have been destroyed by Atlanta and San Diego, giving up 40 points in each contest. However, those were also road contests against potential division winners.

24- St. Louis (2-2): I’m done talking about the NFC West and we’re not even halfway through the rankings. The Rams have the most stable offensive situation in the division, a Pro Bowl running back and an improving defense.

23- Denver (2-2) Nice win at Tennessee but its really hard to root for these guys, especially head coach Josh McDaniels. He was whining about the “dirty” Titans AFTER the Broncos won the game. Just keep your mouth shut and be thankful that the Kyle Orton experience is actually working out OK for now.

22- Jacksonville (2-2): I know that Jacksonville needed a 59-yard field goal to upset the Colts and the Broncos may turn out to be the better team but the Jags did beat Denver head to head in the first week of the season.

21- Tampa Bay (2-1): The biggest test of the season comes this Sunday at Cincinnati. If Tampa can win this me, you have to consider them as NFC wild card contenders.

20- Minnesota (1-2): I respect Randy Moss just as much as the next guy but I don’t think that his addition will answer all of the Vikings’ questions. The defense is solid and Adrian Peterson doesn’t hurt but I just don’t trust Brett Farve holding up for the whole season and playing at a high level. Wild card team, maybe. NFC title contender, not even close.

19- Miami (2-2): Special teams debacle aside against New England, the Dolphins haven’t gotten consistent play from quarterback Chad Henne and that may cost this team a playoff spot.

18- Dallas (1-2): Despite all of the drama that comes with the Cowboys, they are still only one game out of first place, still haven’t faced the Giants, Eagles and get the Redskins at home. The division is still in their control to win.

17- Philadelphia (2-2): Quiet quarterback situation in Philly, huh? I’ve been on record that the Eagles should have given Kevin Kolb a fair shake at quarterback and now we’re getting to see that. I just didn’t trust Mike Vick being the full answer at quarterback but I’ve changed my tone.

16- Washington (2-2): The Skins get the nod obviously for beating Philly on the road and having two division wins is massive for these guys. McNabb may just be enough to win the NFC East.

15- NY Giants (2-2): I have a feeling that the difference between all four of the NFC East teams is going to be slim this season. The Giants have the slight nod at this time because I trust their defense more than the other three teams.

14- San Diego (2-2): Winning blowout games over Jacksonville and Arizona doesn’t impress me, nor does losing on the road to Kansas City and Seattle. I have no idea where to place these guys so right in the middle seems right.

13- Tennessee (2-2): I’m taking a chance placing these guys this high but the losses are against a very good Pittsburgh team and a decent Denver squad.

12- Cincinnati (2-2): What a bad, bad loss to Cleveland. What has to be even more concerning is the regression of Carson Palmer as a passer. I don’t know if it’s the injuries or dare I say age but if the Bengals are going to make a run in the division, he has to improve immediately.

11- Chicago (3-1): You could see the Giants loss happening, but what you didn’t expect was Jay Cutler not getting rid of the darn ball. Not all nine sacks last week was on the offensive line, there were chances for him to get rid of the ball during the blitzes. Its called a hot receiver, make it happen Jay!

10- Kansas City (3-0): The Chiefs are keeping it simple. Run the ball, play good defense and don’t make mistakes. However, I don’t know if that’s going to work against Indy this week but the Chiefs are doing well so far this year.

9- Indianapolis (2-2): The bad news is that the Colts have lost two divisional games. The good news is that Peyton Manning is still in top form and they get to face Houston and Jacksonville at home later in the season. If they struggle at home against Kansas City, problems.

8- New England (3-1): The Patriots are going to miss Randy Moss more than they even realize. Also, can we calm down with all of the Danny Woodhead stuff. If he was black, no one would care. There, I said it.

7- Houston (3-1): I don’t think the loss to Dallas will doom this team in the end.

6- New Orleans (3-1): While its admirable that the Saints have found ways to get some tough wins, the offense has to improve if New Orleans is going to be a contender in the NFC.

5- Green Bay (3-1): The Packers are doing what a good team should do. Win against the teams you should beat and stay competitive in all of your contests. Even the loss to the Bears was not bad.

4- Atlanta (3-1): The only thing holding these guys back is that the Falcons needed the Saints to miss an easy field goal and for San Francisco to blow its contest for the Falcons to get two of its wins. The Falcons get a boost for taking the Steelers to overtime on the road.

3- NY Jets (3-1): The bite is starting to match the bark for these guys. How about Tomlinson looking like his old self at running back? I didn’t see that coming and thought that he was done. Also, respect to Mark Sanchez for playing well also. After the Baltimore game, I thought he was going to be terrible but has proven me wrong as well.

2- Baltimore (3-1): How can I put the Ravens two when they just beat my number one team, on the road…

1- Pittsburgh (3-1): The Steelers have the best defense in the league and have been this good without Ben Roethlisberger. For all of that, they get the top spot.

Now, on to my picks (home team in CAPS):

BALTIMORE (-7) Denver

Jacksonville (PK) BUFFALO

INDIANAPOLIS (-7) Kansas City

DETROIT (-3) St. Louis

Atlanta (-3) CLEVELAND

CINCINNATI (-6.5) Tampa

Chicago (+1) CAROLINA

Green Bay (-2.5) WASHINGTON

HOUSTON (-3) New York Giants

ARIZONA (+6.5) New Orleans

OAKLAND (+6) San Diego

DALLAS (-7) Tennessee

SAN FRANCISCO (-3) Philadelphia

NY JETS (-4) Minnesota

Last Week: 4-10-0

Season: 25-35-2