Power rankings system devised and compiled weekly by Stemshul. “Expert” analysis by paradroid.

We have a new #1 for the first time since week 11, when the Titans briefly knocked Arizona from their perch. Since week 4, it’s the only time the Cardinals haven’t been #1. So who knocked them off and opened the door for Tampa Bay? It was the Rams, which begs this year’s constant question: are they good or not? After a 7-1 start to the year, L.A. lost three in a row. They were tough games, and there’s no shame in losing to Tennessee (#8) and Green Bay (#3). Even the San Francisco loss is defensible, with the 49ers surging (5 wins in 7) and now up 7 spots to #12. Plus division games are always tough since the teams know each other so well. But the manner of the loss had to be a little demoralizing, with S.F. dominating from the start of a 31-10 victory. The inability to stop the rushing attack (44 carries for 156 yards) was worrisome. The 3.5 YPC average is good, but the Rams were unable to shut it down enough to stop drives. Jimmy Garoppolo was very accurate (15-19 for 182 yards and 2 TDs) and the combination allowed San Francisco to dominate the time of possession (39:03 vs. 20:57). Basically, the Rams vaunted defense couldn’t keep the opposition off the field, and the Rams made too many mistakes on offense to come back. Stafford looked pedestrian (26-41 for 243 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT) and they had to abandon the run early as they fell further and further behind.

But in the 2 weeks since, L.A. first got right against the lowly Jagjaguwars (#30), and got that huge win against the Cards. Now they are only one game back in the tightening NFC West, where only the Seahawks are really out of it thanks to S.F.’s resurgence. Just 3 games separate the top three, and although the 49ers probably can’t win the division thanks to their two losses to the Cardinals, they’re looking good for the playoffs, currently slotted in for the 2nd wildcard. The division looks like it will send three this year, with second place likely to fill another wildcard position. But are the Rams a real contender? I would say yes. If Odell Beckham, Jr. can continue to build chemistry with Stafford, the offense should be fine. Questions about Stafford’s ability to win in the playoffs will remain until he gets that first win, but I never saw a lack of toughness or character all those years watching him in Detroit. While I don’t think they win it all this year, I foresee at least a win or two during the postseason. They’re good on both sides of the ball and they’ve made runs with this coaching staff before with an inferior quarterback at the helm (I and other Lions’ fans can assure you that Stafford>Goff).

Speaking of Lions’ fans, they had to witness a pretty terrible performance against the Broncos (#17), but between Covid protocols and a flu circulating around the players this week, it was always going to be that way. Really disappointed about the ACL injury to promising rookie Jerry Jacobs, who has played well in coverage and really shined with his open field tackling since injuries at cornerback forced him into the starting lineup. I hope he comes back healthy next year, and based on reports of his attitude and work ethic, I think he will. There isn’t much else to say about this forgettable week, so we’ll just look forward to next week’s opponent. Let’s see here, the schedule says…the Arizona Cardinals…coming off a big loss…playing for the division title and playoff seeding. Uh, oh. Well, we still have Atlanta and Seattle coming up. And Green Bay might have the #1 seed wrapped up by the last week of the season, so we may see more wins this year. But not next week.

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