NFL Week 4 Power Rankings:

1. Bengals (1) - I had the Steelers #1 at the start of the season in deference to their status as Super Bowl Champions, but the fact of the matter is I've always thought the Bengals were the team to beat, and I've seen nothing to make me change that opinion.
2. Colts (2) - Showed that they are still the team to beat in the AFC South.
3. Bears (3) - Didn't show the kind of offense they flashed against Detroit and Green Bay, but it;s tough to start a season better than 3-0 in your own division.
4. Seahawks (4) - The Madden Curse strikes again; now, can the Seahawks cope?
5. Chargers (6) - Will the early bye hurt them down the stretch?
6. Jaguars (7) - Played the Colts tough again - but ultimately, not tough enough.
7. Broncos (8) - I'm not ready to completely forgive that week 1 loss to the Rams just yet.
8. Steelers (5) - They don't look like world beaters so far, but it's way too early to panic.
9. Cowboys (11) - The Cowboys are the top NFC East team almost by default.
10. Eagles (12) - They can beat up on garbage opposition, but that loss to the Giants still smarts.
11. Patriots (9) - Methinks Bill Bellachick finally bit off more than he can chew by ditching all of his wideouts.
12. Giants (10) - Ummm, what the hell was that?
13. Vikings (14) - Had the opportunity to make a statement, and let it slip through their fingers.
14. Ravens (15) - Baltimore was one interception in the end zone away from being the People's Exhibit A in the case of Why You Don't Overreact To 2 Games. As it is, they are somewhere around Exhibit H.
15. Panthers (17) - Nice to have a kicker you can depend on to make the big figgies.
16. Falcons (13) - Part of me wants to give the Falcons a mulligan for that loss - no team could have played with the Saints in the first half of that game; the other part of me wants to know why the Falcons offense couldn't turn anything around in the second half, after the initial rush wore off.
17. Dolphins (16) - Well, a win is a win, I guess.
18. Chiefs (18) - Can Larry Johnson keep the Damon Huard Era from being a complete disaster?
19. Redskins (19) - Nothing cures an offense's woes quite like the return of a 1,500 yard back - although a date with the Texans doesn't hurt, either.
20. Saints (22) - If nothing else, the Saints sure learned what they can be Monday Night.
21. Buccaneers (20) - Losing on a last second field goal to a team many have chalked as a Super Bowl contender isn't a bad loss, but it is still a loss.
22. Rams (21) - Tried to give the game away against the Cardinals, but the Cardinals tried harder.
23. Jets (24) - The Jets made a statement Sunday; "we're better than the Bills".
24. Cardinals (23) - ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports than Dennis Green wants Josh McCown back.
25. Bills (25) - The fact that the Bills looked so good the first two weeks might say more about the Patriots and Dolphins than it does about the Bills.
26. 49ers (26) - If #98 is able to run 98 yards with the ball against you, then your team wasn't trying, which is inexcusable, especially at home.
27. Browns (27) - Good teams find a way to win winnable games.
28. Packers (31) - Well, at least they might not finish last.
29. Lions (28) - That question about whether the Bears offense was good or if the Packers and Lions defenses were that bad - well, it got answered, and the answer is bad news for the Bears.
30. Raiders (29) - The bye week might be the best they look all season.
31. Titans (30) - Coach Fisher needs to do the fans a favor and put Vince Young out there.
32. Texans (32) - Think Reggie Bush is still dissapointed he wasn't taken #1 overall? Me neither.

NFL Power Rankings, week 3

Heading into the third week of the season, this is how the teams measure up, as I see it...

1. Bengals (2) - Carson Palmer most certainly is 100 % healthy.
2. Colts (3) - Addai isn't quite Edge yet, but Manning can keep the team running until he is.
3. Bears (4) - Do the Bears really have an offense or are the Lions just that bad? But the Lions did a good job of shutting down Seattle.
4. Seahawks (5) - Reminded Arizona who the class of the NFC West still is.
5. Steelers (1) - A loss on the road to a tough Jaguars team is understandable, but a shutout?
6. Chargers (7) - Imagine what this team will look like once Rivers gets comfortable.
7. Jaguars (8) - Fred Taylor looks great through two weeks, but that has never been his problem.
8. Broncos (6) - It's always impressive to hold the opposition to 6 points, but shutting down Damon Huard isn't going to earn you the Nobel Prize for Defense.
9. Patriots (10) - Week one the comeback from a 10-point defecit, week 2 they almost blow a 17-point lead; I'll say this about the Patriots - the game is never over.
10. Giants (11) - Great come from behind win on the road in the division, but the secondary looked terrible.
11. Cowboys (12) - They managed to hold onto the lead this time.
12. Eagles (9) - On one key sequence the Eagles threw consecutive incomplete passes on 2nd and 1, 3rd and 1, and 4th and 1; you can't win anything of substance in the NFL if you refuse to run the football.
13. Falcons (18) - The people who trash Michael Vick forget one very important thing - the Falcons win when he is playing, and they lose when he is not.
14. Vikings (19) - The Redskins and Panthers came into this season talking Super Bowl, and the Vikings have beaten both of them.
15. Ravens (20) - I thought their offensive line wouldn't be able to block anyone; through two weeks, they've done more than enough.
16. Dolphins (13) - Suddenly the Culpepper trade doesn't seem to be as much of a steal.
17. Panthers (16) - ESPN.com said the Panthers were the NFL's deepest team, but one injury seems to have crippled them.
18. Chiefs (17) - They had better hope Green will be suiting up again, and soon.
19. Redskins (14) - I told you depth was an issue - injuries to Shawn Sprins and Clinton Portis have the Redskins looking terrible.
20. Buccaneers (15) - At least the Panthers, Chiefs, and Redskins can point to injuries as the cause of their troubles; I don't know what Tampa Bay's excuse is.
21. Rams (21) - Follow up beating one of the NFL's elite by losing to one of the NFL's barrel bottom dwellers.
22. Saints (24) - The 2-0 record may be against chump competition, but: A) both wins came on the road, which is always impressive; and B) the Saints were supposed to themselves be chump competition.
23. Cardinals (22) - You weren't one of those chumps who got suckered into riding on the Cardinals bandwagon again, were you?
24. Jets (25) - If there is such a thing as looking impressive while getting beat by a touchdown at home, the Jets managed it.
25. Bills (27) - Well, well, well, the week one performance may have been legitimate after all.
26. 49ers (28) - This might not be the year, but if I'm a 9ers fan I'm encouraged for the future.
27. Browns (23) - All offseason we heard about how Cleveland was going in the right direction, but we haven't seen anything to indicate that yet.
28. Lions (26) - You have to wonder how much of Mike Martz's reputation is owed directly to Marshall Faulk.
29. Raiders (29) - All four of these teams...
30. Titans (30) - supposedly have their "QB of the future"...
31. Packers (31) - so the rights to Brady Quinn...
32. Texans (32) - will likely be up for sale.

Week 3 College Wrap

Before I get to the 12 games I listed, I should mention the 37-9 demolition job the Midshipmen did to the Stanford Cardinal late Saturday Night. The Middies have built a very successful program of late, perennially winning the Commander-in-Chief Trophy and regularly making Bowl game appearances. Could this be the year they finally topple Notre Dame?

Onto the games I listed Thursday...

Wake Forest 24, Connecticut 13 - Don't look now, but the Demon Deacons are 3-0. Wake Forest may not be a powerhouse, but they aren't the perennial push-over they were a few seasons ago. As for UConn, there was a time not too long ago when the Huskies were being billed as annual challengers for the Big East title. It certainly has not worked out that way; Connecticut doesn't have a bad team, but they aren't championship-caliber, either.

Iowa 27, Iowa State 17 - It looked like more of the same as the Cyclones jumped out to a 14-3 lead, but Iowa dominated the second half and ended up winning by 10. The Hawkeyes can now look forward to a Big 10 schedule that could vault them into National Championship consideration. The Cyclones can look forward to trying to squeek out 6 wins and a bowl appearance.

Texas Christian 12, Texas Tech 3 - The Big 12 looks miserable this season, which should mean a school like Texas Tech could sneak out a few upsets and maybe establish themselves in the conference. No way even that will happen if they lose games like this. As for TCU, this is a big win for them, but they will never be an elite program in that conference.

West Virginia 45, Maryland 24 - The Mountaineers looked like a legit top 5 team Thursday Night (the game wasn't even as close as the score indicated). As for Maryland, it's looking more and more like Ralph Friedgen's early success had mostly to do with the recruiting prowess of Ron Venderlinen.

Southern California 28, Nebraska 10 - Remember when Nebraska fired Frank Solich after his Huskers "only" went 9-2? I think they'd kill to have him back right now. USC continues to keep right on rolling. They could easily find themselves in the BCS title game again.

Michigan State 38, Pittsburgh 23 - The Big 10 is looking pretty good right about now. With Michigan State, Iowa, Michigan, and Ohio State undefeated and looking tough, the appears to be the second-best conference in college football. Pittsburgh does not appear to be a team capable of competing with WVU and Louisville.

Oregon 34, Oklahoma 33 - Maybe the ball hadn't quite gone 10 yards, but Oklahoma, blowing a 13 point lead with less than 4 minutes on the clock, had more to do with them losing this game than the officials did. That being said, Oklahoma looks like they have a better chance to challenge Texas than Oregon appears to have at challenging Southern Cal.

Louisville 31, Miami (FL) 7 - Louisville owned the Canes, but they're losing important players at a pretty high clip. They have an easy run over the next few weeks, but they need Brohm to be healthy for WVU on 11/2. The Hurricanes appear to be in free fall; Coker will be lucky to last the season.

Clemson 27, Florida State 20 - The Hurricanes aren't the only ACC Florida school in serious trouble. Clemson's win opened up the door that looked closed after they got beat by BC. But whoever wins this division is going to get killed by Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship game.

Michigan 47, Notre Dame 21 - The statement of the week was made by Michigan, who crushed the Golden Domers at their own place. Were the Irish that overrated or are the Wolverines a National Title contender? With the game that lopsided, the answer could be both.

Florida 21, Tennessee 20 - The Two SEC tilts were classics. By going into Rocky Top and beating a tough Volunteer team, the Gators showed the heart to win the SEC East. But do they have the talent to win at the Cocktail Party?

Auburn 7, Louisiana State 3 - Both these defenses proved a lot this game. Auburn is now the team to beat in the SEC, but LSU looks capable of running the rest of their schedule, too.

Tonight week 3 of the college ball season kicks off, so this is the perfect time for my weekly college primer. 12 games intrigue me this week, and they are, coutning down from 12:

12 - Wake Forest @ Connecticut (Sat 12:00) - These are hardly top-tier programs, but each has built themselves up to rexpectability over the course of the last few seasons. Each is looking to take the next step, and one will get a nice boost here.

11 - Iowa State @ Iowa (Sat 12:00) - Iowa has the much better program, but the Cyclones give the Hawkeyes fits. If Iowa wants to contend for a national title, they have to learn to leave their in-state rivals in the dust.

10 - Texas Tech @ Texas Christian (Sat 5:30) - Two schools fighting to escape from the shadows of Texas A&M and, of course, Texas. If either one wants to be able to recruit with those two, they'll have to prove capable of regularly beating teams like, well, each other.

9 - Maryland @ West Virginia (Thurs 7:30) - A lot of the preseason hype surrounding West Virginia treated this game like a cakewalk for the Mountaineers. But the Terps always play well against them, and will come into this game with a major chip on their shoulders.

8 - Nebraska @ Southern California (Sat 8:00) - With all the hype surrounding Ohio State, Notre Dame, Texas, and West Virginia this preseason, USC felt legitimately disrespected. They could make a statement here, but then again, so could the Huskers, who are trying to reestablish themselves as the dominant force in the Big 12 North and also as a National Championship-caliber program.

7 - Michigan State @ Pittsburgh (Sat 12:00) - Both of these two teams have looked impressive in early action but are still flying well under the radar of most pundits. Here's saying the winner of this game makes a lot of noise in their respective conference, and the loser may very well, too.

6 - Oklahoma @ Oregon (Sat 3:30) - A fantastically interesting contest between the two teams looking to challenge last year's Rose Bowl participants in their respective conferences. The fact that this game isn't in the top 5 is a very good indication of what a strong weekend of college ball awaits us.

5 - Miami (FL) @ Louisville (Sat 3:30) - The Hurricanes may not be the dominant force they were a few seasons ago, but they are still an imposing top-tier program. This is a huge opportunity for Louisville, and indeed for the entire Big East, to prove that they belong in the discussion with the big boys.

4 - Clemson @ Florida State (Sat 7:45) - The Bowden Bowl is the most-hyped match-up involving teams from the 3-way rivalry at the top of the ACC Atlantic Division. I'm not sure who does the scheduling in the ACC, but there is no way Clemson should be playing their two most important games of the season in weeks 2 and 3.

3 - Michigan @ Notre Dame (Sat 3:30) - A classic rivalry that goes back almost as long as there has been college football. A Michigan win would be a stunning upset, but stunning upsets litter the century-old battlefield that is the history of this great contest.

2 - Florida @ Tennessee (Sat 8:00) - The battle that for years defined the SEC East. Georgia has recently established themselves as the team to beat in this division, but they are by no means head and shoulders above their two biggest rivals. Whenever two of these three teams get together, get the couch ready, because you don't want to miss a snap.

1 - Louisiana State @ Auburn (Sat 3:30) - Last week's Ohio State/Texas match-up was billed as 1 vs. 2, but I feel that the two best teams in the country could very well be playing in this game right here. The winner of this game should be the SEC West Champion, will probably be the SEC Champion, and damn well could be the National Champion.

A quick word on baseball...

My fantasy team was eliminated from the playoffs last week, and thus ends my interest in Major League Baseball this season. I can't even bring myself to care enough to hope the Yankees lose. The sport of baseball has become such a joke, such a mockery, that's it is difficult to believe that anyone does care anymore. And you know what? They aren't caring, in increasing numbers.

Why is this? Well, quick, guess what two teams have the best record in baseball as I write this. I'll give you a clue. One of them plays in New York, and the other one plays in New York. We're pretty much at the point now where the size of the market determines how well the team will do. If that sounds like a fun sport to follow to you, then you suffer from some kind of brain damage. Where is the drama if you know where your team will finish every year? Even if your team is good, if it's good every year, simply because they have the most money to throw around, where is the intrigue? What fun is that?

The American League East this year will finish in the following order: Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Orioles, Devil Rays. Consider this, that division has finished that way 8 of the last 9 seasons. In the other season, the only difference was that the Orioles finished third and the Blue Jays fourth. 9 years in a row the standings have been essentially the same. Why would I follow a story for 6 months if I already know exactly how it is going to end? That's not why I watch sports.

So here's hoping for a Yankees/Mets World Series this year, and every year. Here is hoping the NFL continues to kick MLB's ass year in and year out because they deliver a product where every team has a chance to win. And here is hoping that someday MLB pulls their heads out of their asses and finally fixes my ex-favorite sport.

NFL Power Rankings, after week 1 Last week's ranking in paranthesis):

1. Steelers (1) - A solid win over Miami which wouldn't have been as impressive had they had their starting quarterback.
2. Bengals (2) - How do you make a statement in this league? By going on the road and trouncing a team with playoff aspirations, that's how.
3. Colts (4) - Pulled out a gritty win in a tough environment, but they looked like they missed Edgerrin James.
4. Bears (6) - Can they really score points now, or are the Packers just that bad?
5. Seahawks (3) - Sure, a win is a win, especially on the road, but beating the Lions on a last minute field goal has to be troubling; they'll take it, though.
6. Broncos (5) - Their 13-3 record last year earns them a mulligan, but one more performance like that and they'll take a tumble.
7. Chargers (9) - That's a hell of a way to kick off the Phillip Rivers Era.
8. Jaguars (10) - Lord Byron showed his stuff, but, more importantly, Fred Taylor looked like he still has something left.
9. Eagles (14) - Terrell who? They'll face tougher opponents, though...
10. Patriots (7) - How do you get docked 3 slots after a win? By beating the Bills by a safety at home, that's how.
11. Giants (11) - Losing to the Colts is understandable, but a team looking to be a Super Bowl contender has to protect their own turf from even the toughest of opponents.
12. Cowboys (15) - Yes, the Cowboys and the Dolphins moved up 3 spots after a loss, but that has more to do with how bad the 3 teams they passed looked than how impressive they looked in defeat.
13. Dolphins (16) - See the Cowboys.
14. Redskins (8) - If losing at home to the Colts means the Giants aren't ready, then the Skins must be much further away than I thought.
15. Buccaneers (12) - Getting your ass kicked at home is an inauspicious way to start the season.
16. Panthers (13) - See the Buccaneers.
17. Chiefs (17) - See the Panthers.
18. Falcons (18) - Ok, it's obvious I have a system in place, one that has, apparently, unfairly kept the next four teams from moving up after impressive wins....
19. Vikings (19) - If they can follow them up with a second quality victory, though, they'll be on their way up....
20. Ravens (21) - The purpose of the system is to keep from overreacting to one game....
21. Rams (22) - One game which, by the way, should not outweigh an entire season of mediocrity.
22. Cardinals (20) - What is the difference between a good team and a bad team? A good team trounces the 49ers at home, a bad one scrapes by.
23. Browns (23) - The really bad ones lose to the Saints at home.
24. Saints (28) - That Reggie Bush fellow looks like he might be alright, after all.
25. Jets (31) - If the Chad Pennington of old is truely back, the Jets might be much better than expected.
26. Lions (26) - Not a bad loss, but "not a bad loss" isn't exactly a win, is it?
27. Bills (27) - See the Lions.
28. 49ers (30) - They move up 2 spots by virtue of not getting their asses handed to them at home.
29. Raiders (24) - Ouch...
30. Titans (25) - These...
31. Packers (29) - Teams...
32. Texans (32) - Suck.

Well kids, this is my sports blog. This is, as some of you know, my nth attempt at keeping a blog, and I'll do my best to keep it somewhat regularly updated. If I'm successful, maybe in a couple months I'll add some other blogs in different topics, but for now, this is it.

This blog is gonna be all about sports; mostly football, because football is currently the only sport run competently enough to be worth following, although ice hockey, oddly enough, seems to finally be catching on. But I'll have plenty to say about baseball and basketball too, with the occasional tennis, golf, or maybe even (once in a blue moon) autosports comments thrown in, for variety.

But right now I want to turn my attention to the NFL, which finally kicked off the season Thursday night, and started in earnest yesterday. My beloved Skins don't play until tonight, but for 28 of the NFL teams, the season has begun. I'm going to give my preseason power rankings, with each team rated 1-32, along with a comment. Keep in mind that these rankings do not take into account yesterday's games. I'll put my post week 1 rankings up tomorrow, and then update them every Tuesday afterwards. Without further ado...

NFL Preseason Power Rankings

1. Steelers - they won the Super Bowl, so they get top billing.
2. Bengals - having a team full of criminals didn't hurt those early-90s Cowboy teams.
3. Seahawks - got jobbed in the big game, and now have to avoid the Super Bowl hangover.
4. Colts - it's only a matter of time before Peyton gets his ring. See Cowher, Bill.
5. Broncos - which Jake Plummer shows up for '06?
6. Bears - no offense, but 13 wins is 13 wins.
7. Patriots - New England is never out of the championship picture.
8. Redskins - got the holes patched up, but depth is an issue.
9. Chargers - will go as far as Phillip Rivers can take them.
10. Jaguars - coming off a 12 win season, but Jimmy Smith is gone and Fred Taylor is running on fumes.
11. Giants - Tiki Barber's health is a ticking time bomb; can he squeeze one more productive season out?
12. Buccaneers - Chris Simms and Caddillac Williams showed potential last season; they need to take the next step, now.
13. Panthers - a lot of hype for Carolina, but is 32-year old Keyshawn Johnson enough to get them over the top?
14. Eagles - no T.O. means fewer headaches, but it also leaves the Eagles short a go-to receiver.
15. Cowboys - Whether he behaves or not, Owens can't help the o-line.
16. Dolphins - the Phins are coming off a big winning streak to end '05, but many questions remain.
17. Chiefs - replacing Al Saunders with the Herminator is like replacing a brand new Mustang GT with a used Volvo station wagon.
18. Falcons - Michael Vick could be Steve Young times 10, if he wants that badly enough.
19. Vikings - great o-line, but no skill personnel whatsoever; the anti-Cardinals.
20. Cardinals - great skill personnel, but no o-line whatsoever; the anti-Vikings.
21. Ravens - the Cardinals of the AFC.
22. Rams - rebuilding around Steven Jackson, which appears to be a good idea.
23. Browns - things appear to be turning around in Cleveland, but that will take time.
24. Raiders - Art Shell could be exactly what this team needs - or he could be a complete disaster; time will tell...
25. Titans - well, with Vince Young around, at least the future looks bright...
26. Lions - Mike Martz might not be the best head coach, but he can turn around an offense.
27. Bills - for better or worse, the J.P. Losman Era has begun.
28. Saints - New Orleans is abuzz with excitement for the coming of Reggie Bush, as well they fucking should be...
29. Packers - a good plan is in place, but the team is two years away.
30. 49ers - Vernon Davis, Frank Gore and Alex Smith are some young, esxciting parts for Norv Turner to work with.
31. Jets - count me among those who believe Mangini was a good hire; also, count me among those who believe drafting a tackle over Matt Leinart was a big mistake.
32. Texans - horrible, just horrible.