NFL Power Rankings Week 10
Baltimore Ravens (6-2)
Since week three of the 2010 regular season, Baltimore’s offence revolves around one guy and one guy only. There is no question that the Ravens’ play calling is somewhat predictable and lacks imagination.
But why wouldn’t it? Just put the ball in the hands of quarterback Joe Flacco and let him continue distributing the ball to his receivers and running-backs. It seems to be a winning formula with eight games left on their schedule.
Fresh off his season-high 129.6 QB rating, Flacco is playing at an incredibly high level and those around him are taking notice. “He's amazing," team-mate Ray Rice said.
"There's a reason they brought the guy in as a first-rounder. Quarterback is the toughest position to play on the field by far. I can't even tell you how much the guy has to read, how much he has to know.
For him to do what he's doing at this point in his career, it just shows how long the guy is going to play the game.”
But a short week with a trip to Atlanta on Thursday will test the 25-year-old. This should be a good measuring stick for the Ravens as they look to hold off the Steelers and win the AFC North division.
New York Giants (6-2)
Dominant. That is the only way to describe the New York Giants’ performance in week nine against the Seattle Seahawks. Riding a five-game win streak, the Giants led by Eli Manning, look poised to make
a deep post-season run.
They currently sit atop the NFC East division with a one-game lead over the Philadelphia Eagles. Manning has been electric this year and his receivers seem to be making highlight reel plays on a regular
basis. Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith have emerged in New York’s offence and have transformed this team into an offensive juggernaut.
The Giants are currently ranked second in the league averaging 401 yards per game. But all this success is not derailing the Giants’ head coach Tom Coughlin, who does not seem interested in any Super Bowl
chatter.
“I'm really not interested in all the anointing [the Giants are the favourites] and that stuff. The next game – that's our total concern."
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)
Obstacles have been all too familiar for the Steelers, but it has yet to disrupt them from a successful season at the midway point off the regular season. They managed to escape with a 3-1 record without
their star quarterback to begin the season. And they have posted the same record with him under centre.
Yes, Ben Roethlisberger has Pittsburgh on the right track to become Super Bowl contenders, but the success rests with the Steel Curtain.
The Steelers have always been known for their defence and up until now, not much as has happened to change that sentiment. No question that first downs on offence and defence, along with winning the turnover
battle, have been pivotal in the Steelers success. Their defence is among the best in the NFL and they are ranked first in the league in points allowed with 15.4 and in rushing yards having yielded only 58.2 yards per game.
New England Patriots (6-2)
Despite a shocking lost the Cleveland Browns, New England is an elite team in the NFL and has been over the past decade. But the Patriots’ defence has always been the weak link when examining the team
under the microscope.
That was apparent in week nine when Browns' running-back Peyton Hillis rushed for 184 yards and two touchdowns. Fortunately for the Patriots, they have arguably the best quarterback in the league and one
of the winningest coaches in the NFL in Bill Belichick. They have always found a way to win and this season has been no different.
Tags: