Power rankings system devised and compiled weekly by Stemshul. “Expert” analysis by paradroid.
No more undefeated teams, but despite their loss, the Cardinals remain on top of our rankings. This is due in part to the fact that the Packers get to play the rest of the NFC North (Vikings: #16-tie, Bears: #18-tie, Lions: #32) while Phoenix gets the rest of the NFC West (Rams: #3, 49ers and Seahawks: tied at #21). But let’s talk about the team that gave them their first loss: Green Bay. After that 38-3 drubbing by the Saints on opening day, it’s been 7 wins in a row. All is well, right? They shrugged off Aaron Rodgers’ stated desire during the summer to never play for the team again and the resulting holdout until he absolutely must to avoid being fined and look like what they were last year, one of the best teams in the league. Then this morning we got some fun news; Rodgers not only has Covid-19, not only isn’t vaccinated, but also lied to pretty much everyone about it and conducted himself during all team activities as if he was indeed vaccinated.
What does this mean? Well, he definitely misses the Chiefs game this weekend, but how can the NFL not punish him for breaking Covid protocols and lying about it repeatedly? It’s entirely possible (and appropriate, in my opinion) that he gets fined and/or suspended. Man, being a Lions fan all these years has made me hate facing the Packers because Rodgers is so good and at the same time really appreciate him for just that reason. I look forward to watching him against any team outside of Detroit, but his curmudgeonly persona has gone from kind of fun to pretty annoying in the last year. Asshole Rodgers is making the no-win situation the Packers put themselves in by drafting Jordan Love (and pissing off their current QB enough for him to go and get a revenge MVP and announce his disgust for management soon after) into an easy choice this coming off season. I think at least some Green Bay fans will be much more open to moving on next year as Rodgers uses up a chunk of the goodwill he earned in the past. None of this is likely to scare any teams off like the Deshaun Watson baggage, so they should be able to get a pretty good haul for him from a win-now team in need of a veteran difference maker at quarterback.
In other news during this very eventful week, Jameis Winston tore his ACL and is out for at least the rest of this year. The Saints will be hard pressed to continue winning in light of this news, but it’s easy to underestimate Sean Payton’s ability to figure a way to win. After Weeks 7’s discussion of how the Titans can win if they lean on their run game, Derrick Henry suffers a foot injury which will keep him out 6-10 weeks. Both teams may be in trouble, but at least Tennessee has a 3 game lead in the AFC South (effectively 4 since they already beat the Colts twice and Jacksonville and Houston don’t look likely to offer any resistance this year. New Orleans isn’t even in 1st in the NFC South and catching the Tampa Bay Flyin’ Bradys was going to be a stretch anyway.
The worst news this week came yesterday, as Las Vegas wide receiver Henry Ruggs III, going over 150 mph at around 3:40 a.m. in Las Vegas, saw another vehicle far too late and slammed his Corvette into the back of a Toyota RAV4 at 127 mph. The Toyota burst into flames, and the passenger and her dog were both killed. Police report that Ruggs appeared to be impaired, and after being released from the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, he was taken into custody. If he was impaired (it has been reported that him blood alcohol level was .161), he is looking at 2-20 years without possibility of probation for DUI resulting in death. If sober, reckless driving is 1-6 years with probation available. He also had a loaded weapon in the car, so a weapons charge may be added, not to mention a second DUI charge since his passenger (the mother of his child) was injured in the crash as well. The Raiders immediately cut him, and it looks like his career may be over. The victim, of course, had far more than that taken from her.
Not much to say about the Lions this week. It was their worst performance of the year (44-6 loss) against a thoroughly mediocre Eagles team (#23 after the win). What a let down after last week against the Rams. Next up is the Steelers. For the first time this year, I think 0-17 is a possibility.
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