AllGreenBayPackers.Com

NFL Power Rankings: Packers at #4

PACKERS RANK:  #4         So here’s the skinny… I still am not sure how the PACKERS went 15-1 last year. No matter how great we all think AARON RODGERS is, it is almost incomprehensible that a team whose Defense allowed an NFL record 299.8 ypg in passing lost only one game? How does a team that averages 97.4 ypg rushing at a clip of 3.9 ypc win 15 games? How do you stop NFL passing attacks when your D can muster only 29 Sacks for the League’s 32nd ranking in Sack Pct?

There are a litany of improbabilities for rationalizing the PACKERS 2011 successes, but conversely they did a lot right. They scored the most points in the League with 560, while ranking a respectable 19th in points allowed. They managed a total of 38 defensive turnovers, tied for first in the League, while only turning it over themselves 14 times. Their +24 Turnover Differential was second only to the 49‘ers. They also had one of the best teaching Coaching Staffs in football, which allowed them to once again find success with one of the youngest rosters in the League.

But enough of last year and second guessing what happened. The real question right now is how will they fare in 2012. My PACKERS readers will probably crucify me for only ranking them 4th overall, but until I see some of the promised defensive improvement I have to be somewhat skeptical. And their lack of a real running game clearly showed up in their Play-Off loss to the GIANTS, resulting in that very disappointing one and done post season.  Read more... (1861 words + 1 image, estimated 7:27 mins reading time)

---- Get AddToAny

Well, that was one of the most depressing weeks of football ever. After watching the performances of the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings, I am seriously considering never watching football again. It was that bad.

This weekend made me wonder if the NFC North is really that much better than the NFC West. The entire division managed to score 20 points in week 14. 20 points!

Anyway, I guess it is time for this week’s power ratings. No, the Packers will not be ranked No. 3 like they were last week.

First, here is how the NFC teams still alive for the playoffs currently rank:

1. Atlanta Falcons
2. Chicago Bears
3. Philadelphia Eagles
4. St. Louis Rams
5. New Orleans Saints
6. New York Giants
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
8. Green Bay Packers
9. Seattle Seahawks
10. San Francisco 49ers
11. Arizona Cardinals

Here is how I rank these teams. Please argue with me. Call me names, insult my family, do whatever. This weekend sent me into a severe state of football depression and I need something to snap me out of it (I’ve also added each team’s remaining games in parentheses).

1. Atlanta Falcons (@Seahawks, Saints, Carolina)
We know how good the Falcons are at home. Now they are winning on the road too. Since 2000, only four of 35 teams have won three consecutive road games. With a win over the Seahawks Sunday, the Falcons can become the fifth.  Read more... (747 words + 1 image, estimated 2:59 mins reading time)

---- Get AddToAny

Sunday’s dismantling of the Vikings was the Packers most enjoyable win in a long time. The game has already been adequately covered on this blog, so in an attempt to get Packers fans re-focused on the rest of the season, I thought I would take a look at the bigger picture in the NFC and try to figure out where the Packers fit and how they stack up against the other top teams in the conference.

I’ll start with a basic set of NFC power rankings. From there, I’ll break down the top six teams with a focus on how they match-up against the Packers. This is not a predictions piece (I learned my lesson the last time I tried to make predictions). Rather, it’s an examination of where the NFC stands right now, factors that could influence where it might be at the end of the season, and how the Packers might figure into the whole thing.

By now, the hangover from the win over the Vikings should have worn off. It’s time to get back to work.

NFC North Power Rankings

1.       Eagles

2.       Packers

3.       Falcons

4.       Saints

5.       Giants

6.       Buccaneers

7.       Bears

8.       Redskins

9.       Rams

10.   Cowboys

11.    Seahawks

12.   Lions

13.   49ers

14.   Vikings

15.   Cardinals

16.   Panthers

Eagles  Read more... (1598 words + 1 image, estimated 6:24 mins reading time)

---- Get AddToAny