July 10th, 2010 
Russ Loede 
Posted in 
16. St. Louis Rams: 0-16? This team is no better than the 2008-2009 Detroit Lions. Potential to become be the most pathetic pass offense ever. The Most Miserable Show On Turf? Would’ve never drafted Sam Bradford #1 overall, he’s a complete waste of money and an injury waiting to happen. Who’s their back-up, A.J. Feely? Simply put, it’ll be an all-out circus come September. On the other side of things, I can’t think of a more awful defense. As a whole, can’t name anyone outside of Steven Jackson you would desire to watch. Better days to spend your fall in St. Louis: Busch Stadium, Cardinals baseball.
15. Seattle Seahawks: Pete Carroll? Can’t believe in Matt Hasselbeck. How many games will he last? The run game does not excite me whatsoever. Pass rush is non-existent. Every expert said Draft was one of the best, it was an OK draft on paper, too many safe picks, no playmakers. Only thing going for ‘em: Qwest Field, 12th Man.
14. Arizona Cardinals: So are they going to be a more run-oriented offense? Run first? Is Matt Leinart ready to take over for Kurt Warner? Larry Fitzgerald is going to have to be Jerry Rice, and then some. On defense, secondary always seems to be hurt and shaky. Darnell Dockett is too up and down, roll of the dice. More questions than answers for yet another mediocre NFC West squad.
13. Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan is just an “average” NFL QB. Michael Turner is “burned” out from 2008. Best years behind him. You have to wonder will he ever be the same? Next Jamal Anderson, post-1999 Super Bowl year? 1-2 combo of Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez bring hope and points. Defense gets no penetration when John Abraham is quiet. He’s just about done. LB corps need to play out of their minds. 5-6 wins sounds right.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Josh Freeman has chance to become franchise QB. Given the hand, cards he was dealt, encouraging rookie year. OL has the potential of a formidable group. Benn, Williams, Winslow will form a better trio of pass-catchers than people think. Defense has some pieces and go-getters at each position. Will Cadillac get you over 1,000 yards? They have to be able to run the rock to keep pressure off Freeman.
11. Chicago Bears: Reliant upon Jay Cutler. Depending too heavily on the rocket arm of an erratic QB who has a makeshift offensive line, decent running attack, and rag-tag group of unknown receivers. They must think he’s the next Brett Favre in the Windy City. Defense hings upon Urlacher, Harris, and Tillman. Not a good sign. Mike Martz expected to do wonders. Don’t see more than 6 wins.
10. Carolina Panthers: Best bet: Start Jimmy Clausen. By far the best signal caller in last April’s Draft. Hands down, best option to reach .500. Jonathan Stewart is prime to burst for 1,300+ yards and double-digit touchdowns. DeAngelo Williams will rescind starting role, becoming best #2 back in the game, giving the Cats a change-up; a formidable tandem that’s arguably the best in the biz. Defense will miss Julius Peppers, but not as much as you think. Loss of Thomas Davis stings. Just can’t say enough about Jon Beason, he is the best ’backer outside of Patrick Willis, and I am convinced the secondary will continue to defend the air consistently like they do every year. This unit feeds off Beason’s fierce intensity, following every step of their rock solid commander-in-chief.
9. Philadelphia Eagles: Stewart Bradley, LeSean McCoy, Jeremy Maclin, Kevin Kolb, Andy Reid. 5 on the hot seat. Defense will get to the QB, secondary is solid, but will Bradley recover and return to 2008 form? He’s the key to how good the defense plays. McCoy and Maclin have the talent and skill to wow you and make you stand in awe, but to what extent can you count on second-year players? Kolb has shown us the ability to throw, but how long will he survive in Andy Reid’s pass-happy system? Can he flourish without a steady running game to support him? Will he always be compared to Donovan? Reid has to change his over-aggressive ways to a degree for this squad to succeed.
8. Detroit Lions: Really liking Jahvid Best. Stafford-Best-Johnson has the Motor City doing cartwheels and backflips! Offense is a definite strength. Fun team to watch in 2010. Points will come easy. Defense? Suh, Vanden Bosch, Levy, Peterson, Spievey, and Delmas is a good start. Promising unit but still not good enough to compete for NFC North division crown. To me, Schwartz is a fine head coach and will have his defense improved. 7-8 victories is surely within range.
7. Washington Redskins: Donovan still has game. Pro-Bowl level year is not far-fetched. McNabb has just enough weapons, just enough of a line, and an offensive genius in a head coach. Just like in Philly, same scenario. Imagine if Portis stays healthy, while Larry and Willie keep him fresh, ideal circumstances? Utilizing this three-back rotation, offense would be tough to stop. Will Shanahan put this in play? With this being said, the defense could be the icing on the cake. There’s more than enough reason to think the defense will do its job and considering all things you could see the Nation’s Capital rewarded with a winner. Can they earn a Wild card berth? Produce a 9-7, or 10-6 team? The NFC is deep, and the NFC East is loaded.
6. Green Bay Packers: One of the most talented teams in the NFL. Just not confident enough in their ability to win the ugly game or the close game consistently. Run game leaves much to be desired. Lacks the punch and power to get the tough yards on third and short. Defense has the play makers but doesn’t hold the fort down like it should. Overall, as a whole, too finesse and up and down? Lacking a true leader on the field? I don’t see them getting that much better. Quite frankly, the better teams are more balanced and I feel this team is missing a Dorsey Levens, an Ahman Green, a Reggie White, or a LeRoy Butler to take ‘em to the next level. One week they look like world beater, the next week they lose to a winless team.
5. New York Giants: Under the radar. All the talk is about Big D, Donovan leaving Philly for Washington, and #4. Coughlin likes this. They still possess the run game to control the clock. Aerial fireworks should be in full effect mode. And, why not? Hakeem Nicks, Steve Smith, and Mario Manningham will display one of the top trios. Defense looking for leader with Pierce gone. Tuck? Line can be a vaunted unit once again. Secondary is the best its been in awhile. That helps against pass-happy NFC East. Don’t know if Eli is a top 10 QB. Has to prove it and outpeform Romo and Donovan. Best chance to make Playoffs: Balance. Eli needs to settle down from time to time and let run game and defense do work. More is less. If they find and achieve level of balance, they will contend with Dallas for NFC East.
4. San Francisco 49ers: Pieces are in place on offense. Defense is stifling. Alex Smith can be above-average, and if he is this team can win beyond the Regular Season. Frank Gore is the 2nd best back in the NFC behind Adrian Peterson. Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree will make Alex Smith’s life easier. Willis and friends will create havoc and make things difficult for opposing offenses. Mike Singletary is the perfect coach for this team. This is the year. 49ers football is back!
3. New Orleans Saints: Offensive line concerns, average run game, and problems stopping the run will be too hard to overcome again in 2010. I’ll side with history and say they will not make it back to the Super Bowl. Can we really expect Drew Brees to carry the team on a magic carpet ride again? The party’s over New Orleans. Defense better be prepared to do more heavy lifting. Two players who have to have Pro-Bowl years: Pierre Thomas and Darren Sharper. Does Sharper have another healthy high level year? Can Reggie Bush pick up the slack and complement Pierre Thomas if he comes back down to earth? Don’t count out Sean Payton. Yet, how many tricks does he have up his sleeve? Any more rabbits to pull out of his hat?
2. Dallas Cowboys: Stacked from top to bottom. Any reason not to be at home come February? This year its the only goal. Destination: Super Bowl XLV. Dallas or Bust. Romo has all the weapons in the world at his disposal. 3-4 defense led by DeMarcus Ware can get to any QB. The secondary looks good on paper. Jenkins/Newman are good in man coverage. I believe Felix Jones and Dez Bryant could be the players to get them over the top. Two dynamic threats with the breakaway speed to burn and change a game.
1. Minnesota Vikings: Funny how Adrian Peterson is rarely ever mentioned other than for his well-documented and overly discussed fumbling habits. Do we forget he possibly could be the NFL’s most electrifying player? The player who could get the Vikings to the Super Bowl? Look for Adrian and Percy Harvin to make the Vikings even better than they were in ’09. It’s hard to find a team that holds two explosive game breakers like “All Day” and Percy. Is there a better duo you can offer in the open field? Can’t forget to include Sidney Rice to the mix. He’s near unstoppable in jump-ball scenarios. Defensively, you have a unit that is well-rounded and pressures the QB at will. When was the last time they were outside the Top 5 stopping the run? This team reminds me of the 1999 Denver Broncos. I think they have the opportunity to be that dominant.
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These imposters are trying to make me look like an idiot. Please stop whoever you are. My main point at the beginning of the season was that the Falcons were not very good in my eyes and still aren’t. I still think Matt Ryan is a below average quarterback and that Michael Turner is washed up. I stand behind those statements. New Orleans is one of the best in the league even if they can’t stop the run and haven’t really shown much this year. Detroit is still my sleeper pick and I think they’ll surprise a few. The 49ers are obviously better than the Falcons (that win was total luck) and will end up 10-6 and in the playoffs. So all you “Dirty Bird” fans need to shut your mouths. The Bears are a team of destiny for the NFC this year anyways you losers!
You really are retarded, 4-1 and tied for the BEST RECORD IN THE NFL!!!! Suck on that faggot!
Atl and the 49ers are turning into a shovel at this point.
That hole is getting deeper, and deeper.
Also you made YOURSELF look like an idiot with these retarded rankings, dipshit.
Also you really thought Clausen was better then Bradford, do you know ANYTHING about football?????????
As for looking like an idiot you have nobody to blame but yourself. Alex Smith = above average QB, Matt Ryan = below average QB. What planet are you from? Ask how many GMs, if given the choice, would take Alex Smith over Matt Ryan. Matt Ryan is career 16-1 at home. How many below average QBs boast that kind of record? What is Alex Smith’s record at home (2 losses already this year)? Don’t use the weak argument that Qbs don’t win games by themselves since its quite obvious Alex Smith has lost a couple of games with his boneheaded mistakes this year. Besides Turner has been washed up since 2008 according to you (despite being #6 in rushing yards despite sitting out most of game 2) so running game isn’t helping Ryan right. Your #1 & #2 teams is sitting 1 – 3…yeah you know your stuff and you’re sticking by it.
You know what’s sad?
I found this incredibly obscure site by typing “people that don’t understand football” into a search engine.
How embarrassed typist of these rankings is.
49ers Football is back!
More Russ Loede wannabes
Seriously you people are obnoxious. Quit impersonating me on my own site! I hope the Falcons lose the rest of their games.
Yet another Russ Loede that is not authentic
If you see the name is in RED it is NOT me. Trust me. My name will be in black. Please quit wishing you were me!
Yet again another fake Russ.
What is the point of all this? Too funny. You guys are all hilarious.
Vanity, vanity, all is vanity. What does this profit? Can’t wait for Sunday.
Was it luck again this time? Seems to be what you put in the comments every time they win. It’s funny to watch them creep up your weekly power rankings. Must be painful for you…
Your top 5 summer picks are currently 8/15
You bottom 5 summer picks are currently 18/10
Bwahahahahahaha.
Next summer just go with the opposite of however you think they should be ranked.
I learned to day that I will be forced to shut down my site. Congress just passed an new interwebz competency law and turn out I no longer meet the minimum IQ requirement to run a website…
“The 49ers are obviously better than the Falcons (that win was total luck)”
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHHAHAHHAHAHhA!!!!!!1!!!!!
Terrible rankings, by the way.
Really……I’m a Saints’ fan and wouldn’t have ranked the Falcons that low and the Bucs that high.
49ers at 4, Lions at 8? Really?
You’re almost as dumb as those Failclowns fans……nah I take it back. You are much, much dumber.
Who Dat?!?!?!
Where are your Power Rankings for this week? I can’t wait to see’ em!
HAHAHAHA!
It’s gotta be painful for you to keep moving the Falcons up and the 49ers down every single week huh buddy?
Chalk up yet another “Russ Loede imposter” comment
The total is getting rather high
Atlanta “still” might not make the playoffs…Still a “very average team”. How can you tell me otherwise? Let’s see them this week at Philly against a “real” QB, possibly, #7. Mike Vick. Regular season champs through five weeks. What does this amount to? Come on, my Bears are 4-1. That means nothing. Still a “very average” squad as well. Give me a club in the NFC East any day over Atlanta. They are PHYSICAL. GIANTS are the BEST team in the NFC right now!
Who’s more IMPRESSIVE than the Giants right now? No one.
Why is it painful for me to accept the obvious/reality. Of course, I was wrong on my opinions/beliefs on the 49ers/Falcons. However, it’s STILL ONLY Week 6. 5 games have been played. 11 more to go. Can we wait? No one makes the Playoffs or wins anything of significance in September and early October.
Though I must say, we’re inching closer to “Pretender/Contender” land. Entering Weeks 6 and 7 – we start to find out who’s who and who’s not.
Makes for interesting end of the month. Here’s where the “real” games show up. Good stuff. Should be an intriguing Week 6! Love it!
Thanks for the comments/feedback guys.
Why is this “painful”?
We win some, you lose some. I’m still looking forward to the rest of the season. I don’t know about you guys, but A LOT, and I mean A LOT can CHANGE from here on out. You know that, I know that, it’s simple.
Easy concept, smart perspective. Let’s wait and see, shall we?
Who knows, you beloved Dirty bird backers may just have a Pretender on your hands. Injuries may come up. Bad streak. Or just the reality, your average team might just get exposed. The balls may not fall your way every time. Possibilities. Right?
Turner still isn’t the same back he was in ’08.
Never said Ryan was “below average” just average. However, right now he’s playing beyond my expectations, exceeding my evaluation of him. So as of right now, “Matty Ice” has been “ROCK-SOLID”. Very “above average”. Does just enough to win games. Sometimes more than enough. In other cases, he looks like a Top 10 QB.
But, let’s see if he can keep this up. Can he continue his impressive play throughout the course of an entire season? I have my doubts, questions, and concerns, although, I must say, he’s looked rather sharp, quite crisp.
By the way, Curtis Lofton/Kroy Biermann, two guys I really liked on this squad, are playing out of their minds. Good stuff.
Harry Douglas: Where has he been? Still recovering from last year’s tough injury? He got overhyped. Jenkins is back. Does that mean anything? This team needs to find someone else next to Roddy/Tony for Matty. Douglas has been a disappointment thus far. Really like him too. Adds a different dimensional with his speed.
A Saints fan chiming in. How clever and witty you are. How was that loss to Arizona? How did that hit ya? What are your feelings like? Super Bowl hangover? The inevitable? New Orleans hasn’t really looked good all year. Must be early season jitters, right?
Luck ran out? Has it finally kind up to you guys in the Big Easy?
Just admit it, the Falcons SHOULD BE 2-3, not 4-1. LUCKY! But a WIN is a WIN, and they are 4-1. They are playing decent.
Please send Garrett Hartley and Nate Clements a gift this Christmas. A present is necessary, they “gift-wrapped” those games for you dirty birds. Still lots to prove this upcoming season. You guys haven’t won a Playoff game since #7. Yes, that #7, Mike Vick. Let’s not open our mouths TOO SOON! Temper your excitement.
Finally? Best record in the NFL through five games. No wonder you guys haven’t won a Playoff game since Vick.
I can see why you guys get so excited because you have to get it in during the regular season because you guys haven’t done anything beyond it since #7.
Get it in now, before the “lucky” streak plays its way out. Do all your yappin’ and trash talkin’ in the regular season before its over because you still might not make the Playoffs.
Actually, I’ll got out on a limb, since I’m used to that, to say your team won’t make it to the Playoffs.
No wonder you never respond anymore. You are a total fucktard.
Clausen-Braford debate: ROOKIES! 5 games! When was a QB ever made through 5 games! Clausen has started ONLY 3 games! Let’s WAIT! You are ridiculously unbelievably out of your mind to say that Bradford is JUST SO BETTER than Clausen at this point. Jimmy and Sam match will not be determined for a LONG, LONG, LONG time!
As for Bradford, I already changed my stance on him. Yet, not Clausen, just yet, too early. What I saw from Sam in just a little bit of preseason action was enough for me to say this kid is the real deal. That was it. Yea, I don’t know football…
As for them this year: Bradford a completion percentage under 57% and 8 picks. Sacked 11 times, and he is just dinking and dunking. Just lost 44-6 to the previously winless Lions.
Of course Bradford is CLEARLY outplaying Clausen. However, different situation, as Sam is giving more free reign to do whatever he wants. Look at the pass attempts. 203 to 91 in favor of Bradford. Also, Clausen only has three picks, but his downfall is his fumbles. But he has only lost two, but Sam hasn’t fumbled a single time yet.
Clearly, we need to wait to evaluate. So far give Bradford the edge, albeit, an early edge, a premature one.
As for the Lions, let’s wait until their franchise QB Matthew Stafford returns. They are MUCH better than their record indicates. Too easy to know about that one. Yet, the NFL is a “bottom line” business, so I can’t say much else to back up my judgment on the club. “It is what it is”. So, let’s see how they do with Staff.
With that said, with Stafford, they would be over .500 guaranteed. 3-2 more than likely.
As for Jahvid, he is the man. He has shown it thus far. And I’m STILL clinging towards my opinion on Jahvid over the “burned out” Turner and Stafford over Ryan in the battle of Matts under center. Give me Stafford any day as the better signal caller. Better arm will prevail among other things. Stafford is more of a “big play” guy in my book. With Staff, the sky’s the limit, whereas with Ryan, it’s a “nothing more, nothing less” case, a scenario of, “what you see, is what you get” which isn’t bad. However, I rather go for it ALL with Staff instead of Ryan. Close debate.
Also, how about those Bucs? Josh Freeman and Matt Stafford over Ryan. I’ll STILL take ‘em in the long run. Looking good. Should be interesting to follow the trio as the weeks progress.
The fact that you go against every expert opinion shows just how biased you are. You did it last summer when you put us at the worst of our division. You could have made a case for ranking us 6 but to put us as the third worst team in the NFC? You are not going to live that down anytime soon.
Sure, there is a chance we might not make the playoffs. Still a lot of season to go and sigificant injuries could rob us of a chance a second year in a row. Nothing is set in stone. But it is obvious that is what you wish for which shows your bias even more.
Just admit it. You hate Atlanta. It would at least make your arguments make sense. Otherwise you just keep looking stupid.
How is Singletary working out for you? Still think he turned that organization around? If you spend any time around him you might want to bring a tarp. Dude looks like his head might explode any moment.
Singletary is not the problem, he’s more of an answer, if anything.
He’s more involved with what’s going well in the Bay Area, not what’s going wrong.
Tell me this, where would Vernon be without Mike?
Respond to this, where would the 49ers be without him calling the shots?
An even more hopeless situation?
You answered it all for me in your rhetorical question.
“An even more hopeless situation?”
A couple of weeks ago you said singletary had turned the organization around. How does that reconcile against your rhetorical question?
It is funny how the Niners have things going right even though they are 0-5 and we are just an average team at 4-1. Admit it. You HATE Atlanta.
Well, everyone is bashing the Niners, and I’m still standing by them despite their lackluster play. 49ers can still right this ship and Singletary is the captain to navigate.
As for Atlanta, still to me truthfully, they are very average all-around. Nothing stands out to me. Honestly, I’d be shocked if they win a game beyond the regular season.
Still waiting on your current and up to date power rankings. Funny how it’s taking you a little longer to put them out this time. You seriously had the Falcons a few spots from being one of the worst in the NFC. Now if you check every power ranking out there (ESPN, SI, CBSSPORTS, FOX) you’ll see their at least top 4 IN THE LEAGUE!
http://www.nflgridirongab.com/2010/10/13/sgn-columnist-russ-loedes-week-six-power-rankings/
I issue them out every Wednesday like clock-work.
“Roddy White can make a case as the NFC’s best receiver. Matt Ryan is a winner”
You seemed to have changed your tune a bit week by week. Next thing you know we’ll be hearing you say Matt Ryan is “above average”.
Hey…remember this?!?!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmJRVcFrDmE
something tells me that’s still where some of your HATE stems from…
bwahahahahaha!
I’ve always immensely admired Roddy’s play.
Matty Ice wins. Can’t refute that.
As for the Bears, those games mean nothing. Both teams are 4-1 right now. Go figure.
I guess you didn’t get the memo: I am not a true, typical “diehard” Bears fan. I enjoy, root for a variety of teams. Falcons beat the Bears the past two outings. Exciting games, finishes. Very thrilling.
Not looking good for Singletary…
http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Report-Playoffs-Wont-Save-Singletarys-Job-104884784.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Shz9zUfADBI
http://www.nflgridirongab.com/2010/10/15/are-the-falcons-the-best-team-in-the-nfc/#more-15750
Well we put up the 5 in the 5 or 6 wins you predicted. The “burned out” Turner and the “just about done” Abraham are on track for a good year.
Ryan still looking average to you?
49ers just dropped another against a winless team. Singletary still the answer?
I missed you last week.
How about the Falcons secondary? Carson looked like Boomer.
Yep. Secondary is an issue when our starting CB is out.
Remind me again how many wins you predicted us to get this year?
Six wins. One better.
Falcons. 5-6 wins? We are at seven wins already. You really suck russ!
Seven wins and counting. Staring 10 wins in the face. Mr. Loede, just admit you were offbase and we will call it even. After the Ravens game this past week, even you have to admit the team is stronger than you initially thought. Even if you want to say the Ravens let one get away, we held them to 76 total yards in the first half and dominated them almost the entirety of the game. Let’s hear you admit your mistake, shake hands, and move on.
7-2
Does Matt Ryan look Average to you now? The only thing average or should I say below average is your prediction skills… maybe your little pecker as well.
EPIC FAIL!
wow very nice prediction on the falcons they have to be the luckiest team in the nfl to have come out with 7 wins and 2 losses when Russ Loede predicted 5-6 wins on the entire season
Is this based on Madden or something? Worst. Rankings. Ever.
Seriously, drawing teams’ names out of a hat would be more accurate. Are you mentally handicapped?
“Start Jimmy Clausen. By far the best signal caller in last April’s Draft. Hands down, best option to reach .500.”
LOLOLOLOLOL
“Would’ve never drafted Sam Bradford #1 overall, he’s a complete waste of money and an injury waiting to happen. ”
LOLOLOLOLOL
I wonder why people put up terrible power rankings, when 4-6 weeks in they are going to look beyond stupid. Saying the Falcons would get 5-6 wins is laughable, they have 7 wins and are at the top of the NFC.
Well, at least you got 1 winning team in the top 4. Good job. With that kind of amazing prognostication, it’s a wonder you aren’t a leading analyst with ESPN or something. Tard.
Oh wait here come the 49ers. They are still the best team in the NFC. They just havent won any games. They are just “unlucky” that counts for 95% of the grade. If you are too lucky you just suck
Falcons will be ONE & DONE.
Man, come on. You are digging your hole even bigger. One and done? If we get home field in the playoffs, you know we are a tough team to beat. Come on Russ, stop embarrassing yourself.