After the current week’s games every sport site out there comes up with power rankings based on if teams won on the road, demolished a mediocre team, or just hung in there for a while with the New England Patriots. However, every week we fans see huge movement in these rankings, which proves nothing besides that it all is a bunch of educated guess-work, if even that.
So, in the spirit of gambling which runs deep in the heart of all sports fans, we’re going to predict teams that are destined to rise or fall this week:
Destined to Fly High (or at least higher)
San Francisco 49ers- This team brought in a new offensive coordinator with Mike Martz to offset the defensive mind of Mike Nolan. Now, I am not going to say that this will bring the glory days of the 49ers back, but it will raise them out of power rankings’ gutter. They are playing Arizona this week (we will talk about them later) who is just an injury to Kurt Warner away from having to revisit their wasted 1st round pick Matt Leinart, not to mention an aging running back in Edgerrin James (30 now). San Francisco should be able to play touch, if not win, with this game being at home.
St. Louis Rams- No, there is no way that they beat the Eagles in Philadelphia, barring injuries to both Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook. However, does a team with Stephen Jackson and Marc Bulger really deserve to be at the bottom of the barrel? Yes, their offensive (in more ways than one) line will bring them down, but they should rise at least a few places this week to fill spots left from our droppers.
Buffalo Bills- This team has some weapons and defense to make a move. Unfortunately, they play in the AFC East with the New England Patriots, so the move may be ultimately to the same couch in watching the playoffs. However, this week, they are a tropical storm away from seeing if the Seahawks can handle heavy rainfall, as opposed to drizzle.
Destined to Drop
Minnesota Vikings- Come’on this team cannot be ranked in the top half of the league. Yes, they have a great running back and a great defense, but can you even call Tarvaris Jackson serviceable? They apparently think so with Daunte Culpepper being allowed to file his retirement papers instead of getting a contract with the Vikes. However, what happens when Adrian Peterson faces 8 man fronts and the offense turns to Jackson? Way too many 3 and outs for a defense to catch their breath!
Arizona Cardinals- It’s odd to see the Cardinals not on the bottom, so we have to get them back there fast. As previously said, they have too much reliance on high-injury risks to be able to not have a losing season. Coupled with the Anquan Boldin situation this summer, this team may implode upon itself. First signs will be the 49ers actually winning Sunday’s game.
Seattle Seahawks- Of course, if Buffalo rises, it would make sense for the Seahawks to drop. Maurice Morris and Julius Jones are good complement backs, but can either one be a true #1? Coupled with the fact that Tropical Storm Hanna is supposed to drench the New England states Sunday morning, this is going to be a long game for them. I don’t imagine this team handling a running, hard-nosed game very well.
But like any predictions, we shall see what happens after the games, and come Tuesday morning when the new Power Rankings come out.
Tell us what you think and defend the droppers at InGameNow!
Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings, Power Rankings, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams
