NFL Power Rankings: Steelers And Panthers Take Over Top Two Spots

The Tennessee Titans have had the best record in football for the entire season, but they had been unable to crack the top spot in our rankings thanks to the defending champion New York Giants. Last week, the Titans finally took over the top spot.

That number one ranking lasted exactly one week. Tennessee was upset on Sunday against the Texans, and the Giants lost their second consecutive game. That opened the door for the two new top teams this week.

The Pittsburgh Steelers ran their record to 11-3 on the road at Baltimore Sunday. It capped off a string of games in which the Steelers have defeated the 9-5 Patriots, the 9-5 Cowboys, and the 9-5 Ravens. They locked up a first round bye and can win home field throughout the playoffs with a win over Tennessee this weekend.

Pittsburgh will still have to beat Cleveland on the last weekend to secure the top spot, but that looks trivial at this point with the way the Browns have been playing.

Carolina also took advantage of the chance to move up in the rankings. They are in a similar spot as the Steelers after pummeling the Broncos this past weekend. The Panthers can wrap up home field advantage with a win against the Giants Sunday.

Tennessee, despite the loss at Houston, stays at number three this week. They may have a tough time staying there after losing all pro defender Albert Haynesworth for the rest of the regular season.

The Giants are number four, and the Indianapolis Colts round out the top five after another strong performance Sunday. New England is the new number six, followed by the Eagles at number seven.

Baltimore hung right with the Steelers for fifty eight minutes Sunday, that was enough to keep them in the top ten at number eight. A Miami Dolphins team who won one game last year comes in at nine. They are on pace to break the record for fewest turnovers in a season.

Minnesota had an impressive win and have now won four straight games. They sneak into the top ten, but with many match ups this week at the top, the Vikings are poised to make a move in the upcoming week.

December 16, 2008
Posted By Vincent Tapoglia III
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
Submit News!