VanFulpen’s NFL Power Rankings – Week 6

1. New York Jets (5-1) – The Jets defense is outstanding along with a very offense.

2. New England Patriots (4-1) – The Patriots won in overtime against the Ravens.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1) – The Steelers got quarterback Ben Roethlisberger back and still have their great defense they are going to be hard to beat this season.

4. Baltimore Ravens (4-2) – The Ravens lost a very close game against the Patriots.

5. Indianapolis Colts (4-2) – There is news that tight end Dallas Clark might be out for a while and if so that will hurt the Colts offense.

6. New York Giants (4-2) – Right now the Giants are the best team in the NFC and they can take out the Cowboys this Monday Night.

7. New Orleans Saints (4-2) – The Saints are rounding in to form.

8. Atlanta Falcons (4-2) – The Falcons didn’t look very good against the Eagles.

9. Houston Texans (4-2) – Great last second win against the Chiefs.

10. Tennessee Titans (4-2) – Vince Young got hurt on Monday Night but the Titans where still able to beat the Jaguars.

11. Philadelphia Eagles (4-2) – The Eagles and Kevin Kolb rolled over the Falcons.

12. Chicago Bears (4-2) – The Bears have to fix their offensive line.

13. Miami Dolphins (3-2) – The Dolphins where able to go to Green Bay and beat the Packers.

14. Arizona Cardinals (3-2) – The Cardinals are coming off their bye.

15. Seattle Seahawks (3-2) – The Seahawks where able to go into Chicago and beat the Bears.

16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2) – Tampa Bay was is starting to come back to where we thought they where.

17. Kansas City Chiefs (3-2) – A heart breaking lose in the last seconds against the Texans.

18. Green Bay Packers (3-3) – The Packers injuries are starting to catch up with them.

19. Washington Redskins (3-3) – The Redskins are still a work in progress.

20. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-3) – The Jaguars didn’t look good on Monday Night against the Titans.

21. St. Louis Rams (3-3) – Can the Rams win the NFC West?

22. Cincinnati Bengals (2-3) – The Bengals are coming off their bye.

23. Minnesota Vikings (2-3) – This week is Farve vs. the Packers Part 3.

24. Oakland Raiders (2-4) – The Raiders really need to find a quarterback.

25. San Diego Chargers (2-4) – The Chargers have to start putting some wins together or they will be left out of the playoffs this year.

26. Denver Broncos (2-4) – Good thing the Broncos play in the AFC West cause they still have a shot to win the division.

27. Dallas Cowboys (1-4) – Monday Night against the Giants is a must win.

28. San Francisco 49ers (1-5) – If the 49ers can get on a roll they still can win the NFC West.

29. Detroit Lions (1-5) – After their bye it looks like Matthew Stafford should be back.

30. Cleveland Browns (1-5) – Rookie quarterback Colt McCoy should get his second start.

31. Carolina Panthers (0-5) – It might be a long season for the Panthers.

32. Buffalo Bills (0-5) – The Bills will play hard this whole season but when it said and done they will be pick 1st in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Power Ranking Number 17: Pittsburgh Steelers

QB Ben Roethlisberger was suspended by the NFL for the first six games of the season with the possibility to get the suspension reduced to the first four games. Even if that is the case and he misses only four game he still will miss 25% of the regular season. Offensive tackle Willie Colon will miss the whole season because of injury, and the Steelers offensive line last season wasn’t on of their strengths, and that was the reason of drafting Maurkice Pouncey in the 1st round of Aprils draft. Wide receiver Hines Ward is a staple in the Steelers passing game and the Steelers expect a lot out of second year wide receiver Mike Wallace this season. Running back Willie Parker is gone so the Steelers running game is all up to Rashard Mendenhall this season.

On defense the strength of their defense in their starting linebacking core with
LaMarr Woodley, James Harrison, James Farrior, and Lawrence Timmons, and they brought back Larry Foote to provide some depth. In the secondary they trade to bring back cornerback Bryant McFadden which helps the secondary out a lot since that was one of the weakness on the team last season.

Wide receiver Santonio Holmes was traded to the Jets this off-season and Roethlisberger is out at least the first four week of the season, quarterback Byron Leftwich will have to keep the team a float, but don’t be surprised in the Steelers miss the playoff for a second straight year.