I'm on top of the world

Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the first ever Glenn Is Turning 40 NFL power rankings!

(And to the suits a the NFL? I ain't using any of your graphics or videos...just the names of your teams...plus I'm not making a dime of this so buzz off!)

More than half-way throughout the season and some teams have started to show their true colors!

We'll break it down by divisions staring with the AFC.

AFC NORTH

1) New Jersey Jets - with Alan Faneca blocking for Brett Favre the J E T S have gone from wannabes to first place in the division and a win over the Patriots. the running came is kicking in and Favre isn't making the big mistakes. This team should win their division and maybe a game in the playoffs. A lucky break or two and the Jets could maybe see the second round!

2) Foxborough Patriots - Wow. Call it the system, call the coach a genius, but whatever you call it the athletes that are stars on this team have stepped it up...on offense. The defense has still looked old and tired at times and Matt Cassel won't throw for 400 yards and three touchdowns every week. Let's remember this past week they beat a Dolphin team playing WAY over their heads this season...so all those stats go with a grain of salt.

3) Miami Dolphins - That said the turn around so far for the Dolphins has been amazing. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams have shouldered the load that Chad Pennington's weak shoulder can't and they've played within their new system well. Add to that a switch back to the type of defense that make Joey Porter dominate again and you have a potential playoff team...but probably not.

4) The Buffalo/Toronto Bills - After a fabulous start the lack of real superstars has caught up with the Bills. Injuries and some lack luster play has really knocked this team for a loop...and in a division this strong thus year its just not going to be good enough.

AFC CENTRAL

1) Pittsburgh Steelers - Big Ben looks healthy again and is running out of trouble more. The back-up running backs have been doing OK with Gary Russel looking like a good short-yard back. And the receivers have some of the best hands in the league...well Ward and Holmes at least! The defense is #1 in the NFL and Jeff Reed is money virtually every time he's called on to kick. Division and more this year!

2) Baltimore Ravens - The defense is still stellar but is getting old. The offense has looked good to great at times but has folded up against strong defenses. How far can rookie Joe Flacco take them? Maybe a wild-card win? Time will tell, as will a tough stretch at the end of the season.

3) Cleveland Browns - By default because Cincinnati sucks that bad. The team has no leadership from ownership, coaches, or players. A few stars may make them interesting but they were over-rated coming into the season and played down to their own level most of the year.

4) Cincinnati Bengals - Um, 1-9-1? And Marvin Lewis is still there? I know Mike Brown like to give second, or third, or sixth (Hello Chris Henry!) chances...but Lewis has lost this team and the team has lost virtually every game this year. Time for major over-haul.

AFC SOUTH

1) Tennessee Titans - I had to put them #1...they've only lost 1 game...but I'm still not sold. Kerry Collins is using his third 15 minutes of fame and should anything happen to him the head case Vince Young is behind him. the RB's are really good and the defense has stepped up but they're don't seem like a team that is good...but rather a team that peaked already. They're going to take the division, but I don't see a Super Bowl in their future.

2) Indianapolis Colts - Peyton Manning is still Peyton Manning, but he's playing like the Peyton Manning who was at Tennessee, not the one who won the Super Bowl. This team just doesn't seem to have an identity and is so schizophrenic that you don't know who will show up every week. Sorry guys, but unless someone falls off in the AFC East or North its no playoffs for the Colts this week.

3) Jacksonville Jaguars - Is there a reason that Jack Del Rio isn't questioned more? His switch to David Gerard last year was seen as a brilliant move, but the QB has performed this season. His one-two RB punch has been more of a jab than a good combination. The defense has blown up against some good teams.

4) Houston Texans - What can you say about a team that had to have its nickname remind them where they play? Perennial losers they might just get out of the basement thanks to the ineptitude in Jacksonville.

AFC WEST

1) San Diego Chargers - Yeah, I know they have a losing record and they are two game behind the Broncos...but they are STILL the best team in this division! And besides, and 8-8 or even 7-9 record might WIN this division. With the defense reeling since Shawn Merriman went down the first week the offense hasn't been able to pick up the slack. If Phillip Rivers can get hot and LaDainian Tomlinson can find some of that old voo-doo that he do so well this team takes the division...and promptly goes nowhere.

2) Denver Broncos - Jay Cutler can light up the Rookie Mountains...but the team as a whole has lost that magic of the past few years. No longer does seem that a new running back can simply be inserted into the system and run for 1000+ yards. And the defense looks very average. Other than the home-field advantage there is no reason to think the Broncos will go anywhere this season...even if they win the division by default.

3) Oakland Raiders - They are still in Oakland right? Anyway Crazy Al's House of Football is one giant mess...but they have shown glimpses of at least being able to beat the lower tier teams in the league. A new coach (and new owner...if that should ever happen) will go a long way toward determining where this team goes next year. Luckily for them this division seems to be weakening and an average year next year might be good enough.

4) Kansas City Chiefs - If Herm Edwards truly believes you play to win the game what the heck are the Chiefs doing? No QB. No RB. Porous defense. A sad demise for a franchise with a pretty good history. Edwards has to go, and emphasis on the QB and defense next year with some injury issued resolved and who knows? Like I said this is shaping up to be the NFC West of the AFC and a weak division might be winnable for a team that just gets hot enough!

Whew!

Tuesday the NFC!

~ Glenn