National Football Post's Joe Fortenbaugh Evaluates Bloguin Power Rankings
A tremendous week 4 is in the books and the Bloguin NFL sites have once again ranked the entire league from top to bottom.
At the quarter point of the NFL season, the Giants, Saints, Colts, Vikings, and Patriots find themselves at the top of the Bloguin power rankings. Last year's two Super Bowl teams both find themselves outside the top ten along with the Broncos who are one of the NFL's four undefeated teams.
We Wanted to revisit with an expert in Joe Fortenbaugh from the National Football Post to see what he thought of our rankings in week 4. Previous to National Football Post, Joe worked at JB Sports, a leading agency for NFL players, so basically he has major blogger street cred. Below is his take:
Last week you highlighted that the Packer's had some issues upfront and that the Vikings would expose them. You weren't kidding! Going forward are the Vikings a pretty safe bet to win that division? If so do the Bear and or Packers make a wild card spot?
A: You have to tip your hats to the Vikings right now. They are playing excellent football on both sides of the ball and will be very difficult to beat at the Metrodome this year. They have the most talent of any team in the NFC North and are off to a real hot start. As long as Favre's arm holds up, they'll win the division.
Green Bay worries me with that offensive line. The only team capable of challenging for the division title will be Jay "Captain Comeback" Cutler and the Chicago Bears. I see the Bears making the playoffs, but the Packers at sitting at home in January.
Braylon Edwards has allegedly been dealt to the Jets. How will that impact the development of Sanchez and the Jet's post season aspirations?
A: The Jets clearly feel they have a contender on their hands right now, so they made a bold move by going out and addressing one of the few weaknesses on their roster. Edwards gives Sanchez a big-play target who can get down the field. Opposite Cotchery, Sanchez now has a very dangerous receiving tandem to complement New York's impressive rushing attack.
The Jets have to be viewed as a legitimate postseason contender at this point. They have an outstanding defense and Calvin Pace is returning from suspension this week, so they just got tougher.
What team will stay undefeated the longest? Who will follow in the footsteps of the Lions and flirt with a 0-16 record?
A: In terms of going 0-16, it's going to be a battle between the Chiefs and the Rams. They just happen to be two very bad football teams. If I had to pick, I'd go with St. Louis. There just isn't enough talent to compete at a high level.
Who will stay unbeaten the longest? I'm taking the Indianapolis Colts. The Giants and Saints meet in Week 6 which means one of them will go down. In addition, Indy doesn't have a potential loss (in my opinion) until November 15th when they host the Patriots. I learned my lesson the hard way a few years ago: never bet against Peyton Manning.
If these teams were stocks, who would you buy and sell at this point?
A: I'd buy the Jaguars at No. 20. They are 2-2 but played the Colts real tough in Week 1. This is a team that is really flying under the radar. I don't expect them to make the playoffs, but finishing 9-7 or 8-8 would be better than most people expected.
This is a tough week to find a team to sell on the Bloguin Power Rankings. I'd try to sell the Chiefs at 29 for a small profit. They are worse than the Bucs and Browns. Cleveland has a chance to win some games with Anderson at quarterback and Harrison at running back.
Most overrated and underrated teams at this point?
A: The most underrated team would be the Steelers at No. 11. Their defense and Pro Bowl quarterback make them a top-ten team no questions asked. I don't care what their record says, they dismantled the Chargers on Sunday night.
The power rankings are pretty solid this week, so it's very difficult to find an overrated football team at the moment. If I had to pick, I'm going with the 49ers at No. 9 despite the fact that I love what they are doing this year. I think at least lower-ranked teams below (Atlanta, Pittsburgh and Chicago) would all beat them.
They play Atlanta this Sunday, so we'll see if I know what I'm talking about.
After stumbling the first 2 weeks, the Patriots seem to be on their way back with 2 straight wins versus top ten teams. Are they really back or are they still rounding out into form?
A: Asking me if I like the Patriots is like asking Hugh Heffner if he likes blondes. I'm a huge Bill Belichick and Tom Brady fan and you can't convince me that Randy Moss is not the best wide receiver in the game.
The fact that they have won the last two games purely by out-scheming their opponents is a testament to how good of an organization they truly are. Brady will continue to get better and Belichick will always find a way to put his players in the best possible position to win. This may not be the same deadly team from 2007, but they are still extremely dangerous to have on the schedule.
The pollsters had both the top 5 and bottom 5 in many different orders. How would rank those teams?
A: Top Five:
- New York Giants
- New Orleans Saints
- Indianapolis Colts
- New England Patriots
- Baltimore Ravens
I left out the Vikings because I believe that if they played any of the top five teams at a neutral site, they would lose.
Bottom five:
- Oakland Raiders
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Cleveland Browns
- Kansas City Chiefs
- St. Louis Rams (this would be spot No. 32)
The Raiders lone win is the only thing that keeps them above Tampa and Cleveland. That team is so dysfunctional they make a Quinton Tarrentino movie look like something produced by Walt Disney.
Is there a team ranked in the 20's that you think will make the playoffs? How about a team in the top ten that might miss the playoffs?
A: As far as a team in the 20's cracking the playoffs, I don't see it happening. If I had to roll the dice, I'd go with Seattle. Hasselbeck is coming back and the NFC West is one of the weaker divisions in the NFL.
San Francisco would be the only team in the top-ten that could miss the playoffs, but I still wouldn't want to bet it. They are playing so tough that I feel like I'm disrespecting them by saying that. They are playing physical, sound football the way the game is meant to be played.
Last week you went 3-0 in predicting the biggest 3 games of last week (Pats over Ravens, Vikings over Packers, and Saints over Jets). This week is kind of a bland NFL schedule. Who do you have winning Bengals vs Ravens, 49ers vs. Falcons, and Broncos vs. Patriots?
A: I'll take the Ravens over the Bengals. Baltimore is hosting this one and they are a better football team on both sides of the ball. However, Cincy is a lot tougher than most people (myself included) thought they would be. Expect a close game.
San Fran and Atlanta is a tough one, but I'll take the Falcons on the road coming off the bye. Atlanta's offense is very potent. This will be an excellent test for the Niners defense.
Pats-Broncos is an excellent matchup as it pits the teacher (Belichick) with the student (McDaniels). With all due respect to Denver (and I said this last week too), I don't pick against New England.
Wide spectrum of opinion on how John Gruden is doing on Monday Night Football. I really like him but wanted to get your thoughts on how Chucky is doing.
A: Chucky is hardcore in that if you know and understand the game, or study the game and are looking to learn, he will clue you in on some of the inner workings of what is taking place on the field. To be honest, I'm usually keying in on one or two things taking place on the field each play (for example: Winfield vs. Jennings on Monday night) so I really don't listen to what is being said (unless it's Jim Nantz and Phil Simms).
Always good to get Joe's opinion (especially if you're going to Vegas). Thanks for the feedback and we'll see if he can go 6-0 on his early seasion predictions!
