What They Say…Week 7 Power Rankings
By author
Last week most analysts dropped the Giants about two
spots after that ugly loss against the Seahawks. This week’s win against a hot team in the Bills moved the team up anywhere from 3 to 5 spots. Glad a good win is worth more than a bad loss, at least so far in the season.
The Giants, despite some bad defensive plays in the beginning, played well and kept the Bills in check long enough to stage another fourth quarter comeback. And their efforts were noted in each of the rankings below. National Football Post has them up three spots to number nine. Read on to see how the rest of the experts ranked them.
The Giants Across the Board
"The last two weeks have been like Jekyll and Hyde for the Giants. They lose to the Seahawks in Week 5 and then hold off the feisty Bills in Week 6. Thanks to the Redskins loss, the Giants now sit atop the NFC East all alone at 4-2."
I like to think that this version of the Giants is the real deal. Most teams have an off week or two at some point in their season, and the Giants are always better for it when it happens to them, especially early on.
"They lead the NFC East, but it’s tough to get a real handle on the Giants because of inconsistency. Heading to their bye, do we really know this team?"
Noticing a theme here? But this is nothing new for Giants fans, they love to drive us crazy!
"Good news for the Giants: after the bye week they should be much healthier. They could see the return of a lot of their injured players. Justin Tuck, Prince Amukamara, Ramses Barden, Adam Koets.Bad news for the Giants: their schedule is getting much tougher.Good news for the Giants: Jason Pierre Paul is awesome.Bad news for the Giants: their defense is not."
Bringing those injured players back should help boost the defense, both physically and mentally. They have it in them to play better, and they have proved that they can be competitive with good teams. The tough schedule is scary, no question, but they have just as good a chance as anyone to succeed this year.
"It was fitting that the rematch of Super Bowl XXV was decided by a field goal."
Well said, and given that I was in the stands on Sunday, it felt almost as exciting. The 12th man was out in full force this week, even from section 332.
Some more relevant rankings via National Football Post:
Miami Dolphins: 31 (0-5, week 8 )
Sparano-watch continues as this team cannot seem to do anything right. The Jets were lousy Monday night and they still couldn’t stop a sputtering offense from scoring in every quarter, while they only managed two field goals themselves. Look forward to this game folks, it’s one of the few soft ones left.
New England Patriots: 2 (5-1, week 9)
They beat the Cowboys, something that just doesn’t hold the same luster it did a couple years ago. As always, keeping the ball away from Tom Brady will be the key for the Giants, since I doubt we will see the defense get to him as often as they did in Super Bowl XLII. Hear that running game?
San Francisco 49ers: 6 (5-1, week 10)
Remember the days when a Lions – 49ers game was about the last thing you wanted to watch? Wasn’t that just last year? You just never know how things will change in the NFL.
Philadelphia Eagles: 16 (2-4, week 11)
The first of many must-win games was a success for the Eagles. And the Giants, who are atop the NFC East for the time being. The big playmakers got the job done. Whether this will continue remains to be seen.
Dallas Cowboys: 18 (2-3, week 14)
This team is ok, certainly better than last year at this time. Next week is St. Louis, and I think they can kiss the season goodbye if they can’t control that game.
Washington Redskins: 19 (3-2, week 15)
Sounds like Beck-watch will come to an end this week. We all knew Grossman’s days were numbered. This is still a good team that cannot be underestimated, but if the change is inevitable then it’s better to do it now while there is still a chance for the ‘Skins.