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   Chris 03-11-2013 11:35 am xxx.xxx.xxx23.3 (total posts: 1) 10     6 Rivers' arm isn't about to fall off he will be back to being a top 10 QB next season. Bolts need to resign Alexander, Spurlock and Vasquez. Release Royal and try to sign Jake Long in FA or draft Eric Fisher. If this happens I think they will be a 6th seed in next years playoffs. d-wayne 03-11-2013 04:59 am xxx.xxx.xxx.122 (total posts: 1) 58     52 Just wanted to point out the seahawks 11-5 record should be 10-6 after they were handed a win by the replacement refs. Mark H 03-10-2013 08:14 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.107 (total posts: 1) 21     8 Yeah, I would agree with this over all, allthoughI think the Bronco's will not end up in the Top 10 by the end of the year... Seattle and the 9ers are going to battle it out.I think the thing that interest me the most looking at Seattle (2 things) 1st, the age of the team, these guys are really young, and are just starting to come together. 2nd, last season, they never lost a game by more than 1 TD, and their average loss was 4 points.. I think the Seahawks can do it next year, but Football is not that easy to predict. The Ravens had a great battle and win for the SB, but they won't repeat.. @what 03-09-2013 01:33 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.173 (total posts: 1) 8     6 So the 49ers played lousy in Seattle because they played an emotional game in NE and had to travel across the country to get spanked by Seattle? well the Seahawks played in Toronto before coming home to play the 9ers, do they had the same cross country trip... Also, if you are going to use the "emotional" NE game as an excuse for the 9ers getting their butts kicked in Seattle, then i will use the same excuse for the Seahawks playing poorly against the rams after they bent the 9ers over the week before.... lastly, the Seahawks were not competitive against the falcons??? How about we compare that game with the 9ers-ravens in the sb... terrible first half followed by a huge comeback to make it close at the end...? So the Seahawks were in fact just as competitive in their game against the falcons as the 9ers were in the sb... Run-DMG 03-09-2013 11:25 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.11 (total posts: 7) 7     390 Your negativity is so annoying. You're kinda like Skip Bayless. What 03-09-2013 09:52 am xxx.xxx.xxx.110 (total posts: 3) 6     221 I can't understand all of this sudden Seahawk love. It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if they don't even make the playoffs this year. Everybody seems to be all over them because they blew out the 49ers in Week 16, a game in which the 49ers were coming off an emotional victory at NE and had to fly back across the country for a second consecutive road game. What else has Seattle done to deserve such worship? After the niner game, they nearly lost to the Rams, were getting trounced in WAS until RG3 got hurt. and were, at best, competitive against the Falcons. They've got a promising young team but its ridiculous to call them the best in the league. Eric 03-09-2013 02:13 am xxx.xxx.xxx.110 (total posts: 3) 5     19 Nice to see the Seahawks as this year's trendy super bowl favorites. As history has shown, the trendy super bowl favorite never ends up actually winning the super bowl. Adam 03-09-2013 01:22 am xxx.xxx.xxx.110 (total posts: 1) 8     5 Ravens at 15. I love it. Live 03-09-2013 12:13 am xxx.xxx.xxx.170 (total posts: 1) 17     7 As a "Dolfan," you have us ranked too high. The Redskins and Colts (playoff teams) ranked below us? I don't see it right now. Should have had the rankings during the first week of Free Agency. Seattle first? Don't see the 9ers being slouches next season, they're a powerhouse. chuck 03-08-2013 11:54 pm xxx.xxx.xxx6.88 (total posts: 1) 117     89 Rams above Ravens? Sh*t above apple butter? delusional raiders fan 03-08-2013 11:41 pm xxx.xxx.xxx9.22 (total posts: 2) 4     3 hey at least the raiders ain't the worst! progress baby RavensFan 03-08-2013 11:30 pm xxx.xxx.xxx6.47 (total posts: 5) 17     4 Oh and another thing: "Love or hate Tom Brady, you have to admit that his trolling of Joe Flacco by taking a 3-year, $27 million contract was pretty epic. Flacco seems like such a douche now." FALSE! Joe Flacco's cap hit for next year is only $6 million because HE didn't want his contract to force Baltimore to get rid of any players they wanted to keep, which makes him look like an even better guy than Brady!! Do some freaking research before you post this crap man.. RavensFan 03-08-2013 11:23 pm xxx.xxx.xxx6.47 (total posts: 5) 121     38 What a douchebag post! Seriously all you do is hate on the Ravens. They are the most consistent team in the league! Putting us at 15?? Really? Oh wait this is the same idiot that refused to put the Ravens into his top 10 even after they made the playoffs.. Joe 03-08-2013 11:16 pm xxx.xxx.xxx66.6 (total posts: 1) 5     4 smh. Ravens are not losing Boldin. John Brodie's Ghost 03-08-2013 10:38 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.112 (total posts: 1) 4     3 I will never get those 3 minutes back again... Pages: 1 2 ...5 6 7 89 10 11 ...108 109