Final Regular Season 2011 NFL Power Rankings
Week 17 Top Fantasy Performers, Defenses

1. Green Bay Packers (15-1) - Previously: #1 - Quarterback controversy in Green Bay! Matt Flynn doesn't wear hats to every interview like Aaron Rodgers, so he may have the edge to start in Round 2 of the playoffs.
   
   In all seriousness, Flynn's performance might make me give Drew Brees the MVP award. I'd pick Rodgers over Brees if I were starting a team, but if you take both quarterbacks off their respective teams, I feel like Green Bay would be much better than New Orleans. The Saints might be almost as bad as the Colts because Brees does so much for that offense.
   
   
2. New Orleans Saints (13-3) - Previously: #3 - I don't know why the Saints played their starters against the Panthers. They had no shot at the No. 2 seed. Even if the 49ers had lost to the Rams, they still would have maintained the No. 3 seed.
   
   Don't believe me? Fine. Just check out this poll an e-mailer sent over:
   
   
   
   See? The 49ers would have gotten the bye no matter what (barring a tie).
   
   
3. Baltimore Ravens (12-4) - Previously: #4 - Just keep running the ball, Cam. Just keep running the ball.
   
   Let's go to Notes from NFL.com GameCenter - a list of a few stupid comments I read on NFL.com's GameCenter and my thoughts on them:
   
   1. "the bengals dont know what thier getting themselves into lol."
   
   I don't think you did either when you signed up for GameCenter.
   
   2. "Stealer fans have class?????? this coming from a team whos QB is a rap ist!!!! plz GO back to the slums u call pittsburgh"
   
   Ben Roethlisberger does rap? When is his next album coming out?
   
   3. "if you heart can take another joe cool trashing and you can make it far enough in the postseason well be more than happy to RELEASE THE FLACCEN on you for a third time lol."
   
   I don't think "me" heart can take much more of this GameCenter idiocy. RELEASE THE FLACCEN!
   
   
4. New England Patriots (13-3) - Previously: #2 - I'm dropping the Patriots because their defense is awful.
   
   Anyway, my NFL Picks have sucked this week, but just be glad that I don't give out the same gambling advice that GameCenter posters do:
   
   Pats,will loose brady is out
   
   Hey, maybe his prediction was right. Maybe they did loose. I sure as hell didn't see them tight. Bwahahahaha.
   
   
5. San Francisco 49ers (13-3) - Previously: #5 - Niner fans are the absolute coolest. Don't believe me? Just check this post out from the 49ers-Rams board:
   
   
   
   Two girls each, eh? If you have two girls to yourself, what the hell are you doing posting on GameCenter, bub?
   
   
6. Detroit Lions (10-6) - Previously: #6 - It's always fun to welcome in new bettors. When gambling on football, you start noticing really shady things. For instance, Facebook friend Doug R. posted this on my wall:
   
   First time I placed a bet. Lions -3 1/2. Now I see why you rip refs so much. These guys' ability to officiate is like Plaxico's gun control...
   
   I've realized that the trick to win football wagers is to hack into the officials' online sportsbook accounts and find out whom they are betting on that week. Like the refs in the Packers-Lions game were all over Green Bay and the points. It's a foolproof system.
   
   
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) - Previously: #7 - No way the Steelers lose to Tim Tebow and the Broncos, right?
   
   By the way, I forgot to show you this mock conversation that forum member CKane posted during the 49ers-Steelers Monday night game when Jon Gruden interviewed Alex Smith:
   
   Jon Gruden: "What made you want to come back to the 49ers?"
   
   Alex Smith: "No one was stupid enough to pay me or let me start."
   
   Ugh, seriously, what kind of a question is that? No one wanted Smith this past offseason. Thank God there was no Monday night game this week because I'm sick of Gruden.
   
   
8. New York Giants (9-7) - Previously: #8 - Curse you, Giants, for eliminating the Cowboys. This prevented us from watching an epic scene like this unfold in the playoffs:
   
   
   
   
9. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8) - Previously: #9 - I don't see how the Eagles can replace offensive line coach-turned-defensive coordinator Juan Castillo with Steve Spagnuolo. Spags is a good coach, but Castillo was the first coordinator in league history to do something like this, courtesy of NFL.com:
   
   
   
   That's even more impressive than a shutout! There's no way Castillo can be let go.
   
   By the way, I'll have an interview with Castillo posted later on.
   
   
10. Atlanta Falcons (10-6) - Previously: #13 - I had the Bengals in the No. 10 spot last week, but did you know that they are 0-7 this year against teams currently in the playoffs? That's pretty bad. The Falcons aren't much better at 1-4, but 0-7 is ridiculous.
    
    You can see the whole list on my NFL Picks page.
    
    

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12) - Previously: #31 - "Stats are for losers." -- Raheem Morris.

Having your team quit on you is a loser's trait as well. See ya, Raheem.

By the way, I found this amusing:



That's something you won't ever hear on ESPN. The sad thing is though, I could see LeGarrette Blount in a learning-disabled class. Speaking of which...



I love GameCenter. You can't make this stuff up.

31. St. Louis Rams (2-14) - Previously: #32 - It's time for my weekly bashing of NFL.com's bogus edge meter:



The 49ers are playing for a bye. The Rams are trying to land the No. 1 pick. Surely, this is a slight edge.

If San Francisco has a slight edge over St. Louis, then perhaps this would apply as well (thanks to Jay B. for this idea):



Emmitt can speak gooder English than someone else! It's a New Year's miracle!

30. Indianapolis Colts (2-14) - Previously: #29 - Speak of the devil, Famous GameCenter user Taton is still banned.

I wish I could read what Taton has to say about the Colts firing Bill Polian and the entire front office. Here are the posts Taton would have made on GameCenter if he were still a member:

On Bill Polian's firing:

- colt fire b.poland!!! b.poland make bad draft pick make good decison fire b.plan bfore he screw up draft and not take a.lock!!!!

On the rest of the front office getting axed:

- jim isray fire all front offece!!! why not fire back offece tooo!!!! jim isray make gay sex with cach cadwell in back offece!!!!!!!!

On Jim Caldwell still keeping his job:

- colt need fire cach caswell!!!! he spend to much tiem licking penas in back offece with jim isray and cristis prainter!!!!

On Peyton Manning being traded by March:

- p.manning throw too many int byebye p.mannnig team you go to have no hoep for playoff!!!!!!

On the Colts starting over with Andrew Luck:

- colt sack for leck and now get beast quarterbak in draft!!! i just hope cach casewell fire so he no lick a.lock penas in back offece with jim isray and cristis prainter!!!!!

29. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11) - Previously: #30 - I love the work that Scott Hanson does on NFL Red Zone, but he said something curious Sunday:

"There are some people in Jacksonville who don't want the Jaguars to win because of draft position."

There are people in Jacksonville who care about what the Jaguars do? This is news to me.

28. Cleveland Browns (4-12) - Previously: #28 - Thanks to Jacksonville's victory and the possibility of Peyton Manning going to Washington, the Browns' chances of landing Robert Griffin have just improved. They may not even have to move up to No. 3 to get him.

Speaking of Manning, check out this GameCenter post:



Manatee might be on to something. Instead of drafting Andrew Luck, the Colts should replace P Mann with Tee Martin.

27. Minnesota Vikings (3-13) - Previously: #27 - I was scared I was going to lose my Bears pick Sunday when Joe Webb replaced Christian Ponder. Webb inexplicably struggled, however. What happened? Hmm...

The Adventures of Derek Anderson's Magic Flask!

Joe Webb: This sucks. I'm so much better than that Ponder guy, but my coach doesn't want to start me for some reason. I need a drink.

Derek Anderson: Diiiid yewww sayyy drriiinnkkk? Iffff yewww wannanerrr beeee startunnn quarrrrbaaakk havvve a sssipp offff thissssss hic!

Joe Webb: I'll do anything to be the starter.

*** Ten minutes later... ***

Joe Webb: Whooooaaaa wwwuutttt cooolorrr issss myyy teeeammm I foorrrgoott I'lll jussss throwwwww tooo raanddddommzzz ppeeeopplleezzz!!!

The sad thing is that Drunken Webb is still better than Ponder.

26. Buffalo Bills (6-10) - Previously: #26 - Happy New Year! Wait, I won't get in trouble for saying that, will I?

Here are more Notes from NFL.com GameCenter (all from Facebook friend Jay B):

1. "aaron rodgerss should be mvp"

Apparently there is more than one Aaron Rodgers.

2. "Joe Flacco sux man lmaoooo"

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

3. "your mom like the chargers. How do I know?? SHE TALKS IN HER SLEEP BOOM"

And boom goes the dynamite.

25. Washington Redskins (5-11) - Previously: #24 - I love this story. ESPN 980 Washington reported Monday that Redskins inside linebacker Rocky McIntosh "stuffed his bed with pillows/blankets to make it look like he was in and not breaking curfew" during the team's trip to Philadelphia.

Stupid Rocky. His friend Cameron told him not to take his father's 1961 Ferrari GT California, but nooooooo, Rocky got caught because he just didn't listen.

24. Chicago Bears (8-8) - Previously: #23 - Ugh, how snake-bitten are the Bears? If losing Jay Cutler and Matt Forte wasn't enough, they may not have Brian Urlacher ready for the beginning of next year. My condolences, Chicago fans.

Hey, at least Mike Tice isn't your defensive coordinator. Moving him into that spot may seem silly, but that's what the Eagles did with Juan Castillo. As promised, here's my interview with Castillo:

Me: Hey Juan, thanks for taking the time to talk to me.

Juan Castillo: No problem, Walter.

Me: Your defense struggled early, but really improved in the final quarter of the season. What was the major difference?

Juan Castillo: Our players worked really hard, and the coaching staff worked really hard, and when you work really hard and believe in yourself, good things happen.

Me: But most NFL players work hard. Were there any schematic changes? I noticed you played more man in the final few games.

Juan Castillo: We played more man coverage, but we believed in ourselves and worked hard, and we prepared for our opponent, and when you work hard and believe in yourself, and prepare as best as you can, good things happen.

Me: What about Nnamdi Asomugha? What was the reason for his turn-around late in the year?

Juan Castillo: No one works harder and prepares better than Nnamdi. You should see how hard he works in practice every day and how much he prepares for his opponent each week.

Me: But I'm sure Nnamdi has always worked hard. Why did he suddenly improve in the final few games?

Juan Castillo: Nnamdi just continued to work hard and believe in himself. It was the belief in himself that really carried him. If you work hard, believe in yourself and give it your all, good...

Me: Yeah, I know, good things happen. What sort of things do you need to do to improve this defense next year?

Juan Castillo: I need to continue to work hard and to believe in myself. I need to prepare for my opponents and give it my all, and if that happens, our defense will improve because the players work hard and try hard, and they believe in themselves.

Me: Why do I feel like I'm talking to a broken record here?

Juan Castillo: Because you work hard and you believe in yourself, and you prepared for this interview. I've always admired your Web site, Walter, because you work hard and give it your all, and from what I can tell, you believe in yourself, and you prepare for the games each week.

Me: Why, thank you. By the way, what's your favorite cheesesteak spot in Philly?

Juan Castillo: My favorite is Station in the Krewstown shopping center in Northeast Philadelphia.

Me: Really? Mine too!

Juan Castillo: The workers at Station work hard and believe in themselves, and they prepare the food really well. They give it their all and work hard at making the best food possible, and when you work hard and believe in yourself, good things happen.

Me: How'd I know you were going to say that? All this talk about cheesesteaks has me hungry. Do you know the fastest way to get to Station from Feasterville? I take Bustleton, but there's always too much traffic.

Juan Castillo: I don't know the fastest way, but I have no doubt you'll find the fastest way there if you work hard and believe in yourself. If you prepare for the car ride over and believe in yourself and work hard and give it your all, you'll get there fast.

Me: Juan, if I wasn't so hungry, I'd strangle you right now.

23. New York Jets (8-8) - Previously: #14 - Why has Mark Sanchez regressed so much? Is it a lack of talent? Poor football IQ? No. Here's why:



If I were dating that, I seriously doubt I would have the motivation to improve as a quarterback.


2011 NFL Power Rankings: The Rest:
11. Miami Dolphins (6-10). Previously: #16
12. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7). Previously: #10
13. San Diego Chargers (8-8). Previously: #15
14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8). Previously: #11
15. Houston Texans (10-6). Previously: #19
16. Denver Broncos (8-8). Previously: #12
17. Tennessee Titans (9-7). Previously: #22
18. Carolina Panthers (6-10). Previously: #17
19. Arizona Cardinals (8-8). Previously: #21
20. Seattle Seahawks (7-9). Previously: #20
21. Oakland Raiders (8-8). Previously: #18
22. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9). Previously: #25

Leave a comment Name Comment Verification: click on image to refresh it   Arm Length 05-24-2013 05:24 pm xxx.xxx.xxx1.45 (total posts: 2) 1     0 ProFootballFocus did an analysis on arm length for offensive tackles and found no correlation to length or arms and performance. In fact, it actually looked like the longer armed tackles played worse. Now maybe you didn't read that article, but I am curious what you think of this evaluation: 23. Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa: A+ Grade History repeats itself. Two years ago, Iowa tackle Bryan Bulaga was a top-10 prospect who dropped to the 20s. That pick worked out really well, and I'll be shocked if the Lions don't have similar success with Riley Reiff. Detroit really needed a tackle to protect Matthew Stafford, and Reiff was the best player on the board. Great move. You should be more familiar with that since you wrote it. So Reiff went from being a great A+ pick to getting Stafford killed in one year despite shutting down the Texans' pass rush in his only start? Make perfect sense. Falcon Fan 05-23-2013 05:42 pm xxx.xxx.xxx4.21 (total posts: 1) 13     7 John Abraham is 35 and has lost a step big time. Clabo is 32 and is no longer a starter in my view. Todd Mcclure is so old his mom ran track with Jesus. Grimes didn't even play for the Falcons last year due to injury. Dunta was a liability in coverage and could not make a tackle in a phone booth. Osi is better than Abe. Sjax is better than Turner and Trufant will be a starter. We got better in the offseason and will be superbowl chamos this season! Patrick 05-21-2013 01:20 pm xxx.xxx.xxx3.11 (total posts: 2) 2     2 Please explain Chip Kelly's arrogance? Why because he is doing things his way and not falling into the mold of the NFL. Hmm...lets see, Harbaugh did that fairly well, as did PC in Seattle. You have Seattle ranked #1 and last year you would have had them in the bottom 10. Also while your add it please tell me you were in the discussion for Sheriff Floyd as the Eagles pick at #4. Great call. This website blows. Chris 05-19-2013 05:25 am xxx.xxx.xxx6.80 (total posts: 1) 80     2 Hey Walt, You're douchbaggery has actually reached a new level. "The Chiefs....not going anywhere with this unbelievably overrated Reid-Smith combination." Seriously? F' off. Are you getting tons of emails from KC fans saying we're going to easily beat the Broncos, win the AFC west and guarantee a Superbowl victory? No, jackass...you're not. Is ESPN or the NFL Network saying that? Nope. Look you toolbag, they had 6 Pro Bowlers and won 2 f-ing games last year. If they win 8 or 9 games after being 2-14, that's a huge jump. Most of us expect 7-9 to 9-7. Granted, I check this site out for entertainment and not unbiased reporting, but I suspect I'm one of a large group of your readers that's getting frickin' sick of your constant bashing of certain teams. Your need to get on your knees every chance you can for certain coaches, GMs or teams for the EXACT SAME decisions that you bash other teams for is amateur at best. I couldn't care less that you don't like my team. But if you want me...and I suspect a growing number of other readers.. to continue to check out your draft and FA stuff, you might try to make your bias a little less blatant. Bolder Perdictions 05-15-2013 09:03 am xxx.xxx.xxx.149 (total posts: 1) 9     4 Dole fan - you forgot the object in your sentence: Geno Smith and Matt Barkley will start a relationship this year. fixed. Also, the football world will be shocked when the seehawks finish in third place in the weast. Vikes 05-14-2013 04:02 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.154 (total posts: 1) 3     5 I have no idea why everyone will say the Vikings will finish worse than last season, when they only improved. It is true this is a make-or-break year for Ponder. If Ponder doesn't pan out then at least we can get Peterson's record out of the way. If we need a QB I hope we get A.J. McCarron. Dumbass Walt 05-13-2013 04:00 pm xxx.xxx.xxx0.96 (total posts: 1) 89     4 "So, the Eagles aren't going to run Chip Kelly's offense from Oregon, yet they still thought bringing in Kelly was a good idea. Yeah, that makes a ton of sense. Kelly's arrogance isn't a good sign for this regime. Kelly apparently believes that he can win in the NFL like he did in college with quarterbacks who aren't regarded highly. That's cool, but that's not how the league works." Facepalm.gif dolphan 05-12-2013 10:53 am xxx.xxx.xxx.220 (total posts: 1) 4     3 Geno smith and matt Barkley will start this year Mario Migelini 05-11-2013 09:14 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.199 (total posts: 1) 4     45 Seehawk r beest becouse seehawk gong allways to the supergame Rafaree love 49s rafaree hate seehawk Seahawks Fan Here! 05-11-2013 12:28 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.120 (total posts: 1) 16     6 I agree the NFL screwed the Hawks this year with all the early start on the east coast... and 4 of those games are against playoff caliber teams,, Yeah it seems to me the NFL and Goodell are afraid of there being a very, very good team in the Pacific Nrothwest... Anyway the Hawks have been getting screwed by the league office for years, so why change their ways now?.. The Hawks are a good enough team to win at least three of those games on the east coast... Kirmie 05-07-2013 11:39 am xxx.xxx.xxx5.30 (total posts: 1) 5     3 Josh, Walt said a star veteran. Not a 32 year old career #2 WR. Josh 05-06-2013 07:51 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.104 (total posts: 1) 45     21 You wish the 49ers would have used some of their picks to get a star veteran??? Umm...anquan boldin? And as good as tavon austin is, The 49ers used their 1st round pick on a safety, which was a much more pressing need than a wide reciever. The 49ers are the most complete team in the league and will beat the Seahawks on their division Craig 05-06-2013 12:50 pm xxx.xxx.xxx0.43 (total posts: 1) 4     4 I can't argue with the Seahawks and 49ers being the best 2 teams (on paper) in the NFL right now. But I do have a problem with the write up on the 49ers. They turned a 6th round pick into Anquan Boldin who is a top 10 WR and moved up to get who they believe is the best FS in the draft. They also picked up Nnamdi Asomough cheap to shore up their CBs. Nnamdi is not coming off an injury like Revis and is still one of the top CBs in the NFL, look at how he shut down Calvin Johnson last year with no help. You can't say they didn't improve as much as the Seahawks did and the time complaint is not a valid excuse on why the Seahawks lost to the Falcons. I look forward to seeing the 49ers and Seahawks play this out on the field at least 2 times this year. It's going to be a great season and I see the 49ers proving the doubters wrong again. Go 49ers!!! a wise man once said... 05-05-2013 11:35 pm xxx.xxx.xxx3.34 (total posts: 1) 8     13 It's amazing...after 48 Super Bowls, most fans of the NFL or this site aren't aware of the basic trends which highlight future Super Bowl Champions. How many QB/Coach combo's eg Pats (Brady/Bilicheck) or 49ers (Kaepernick/Harburgh) have won a Super Bowl after losing one? 1 in 48 How many individual QB's or coaches have lost a Super Bowl and then gone onto win one? 4 in 48 How many afro-american qbs have won a SB? 1 in 48 There is a whole bunch more of these trends which can identify the winners. The proces of elimination will give you the possible winner. Last year the Ravens were the team. This year there are 3. They are all +13/1 on the market. Rod Guidry in Sacramento 05-05-2013 10:18 pm xxx.xxx.xxx2.44 (total posts: 1) 104     133 As the season progresses the Saints will continue to climb. A 13-3 team in 2011 went to 7-9 in 2012 without Saint head coach Sean Payton, Sean is back. The Saints defense will be most improved in 2013. Offense will be back to #1. It's a good pre-season start ranking for Saints, but look for it to move up higher. A definite Superbowl contender once again in 2013. WHO DAT! Pages: 12 3 4 ...109 110