Divisions will quake following the collisions in the NFL power rankings games in primetime. Big Ben and Tom Brady eye sweet revenge, while Philip Rivers can salvage a sinking season with a win over the Packers. Who will survive?
Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders: Carson Palmer and Tim Tebow must grow
Carson Palmer threw three interceptions in his first game with the Oakland Raiders. Tim Tebow has gotten sacked fourteen times in two games with the Denver Broncos. Both quarterbacks struggle for an identity on teams that have high expectations for them. Whether those expectations are fair this early might get answered soon.
Final score: Raiders win 18-15
Cincinnati Bengals at Tennessee Titans: Andy Dalton faces stiff defense
Andy Dalton can't complain about his status in the NFL power rankings. His Cincinnati Bengals are 5-2 and tied for first in their division. However, much of that gets credited to an easy schedule and might get a dose of reality when the stingy Tennessee Titans visit with their tough and mouthy defense. If Dalton does well, then he's passed another test.
Final score: Bengals win 21-20
St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals: Kevin Kolb out and Sam Bradford in
It's hard to see how this game was considered a division-leading matchup at the start of the season. Now the St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals are fighting for draft place, Kevin Kolb remains uncertain for the game with a bad ankle while Sam Bradford may return from his own ankle injury.
Final score: Rams win 23-17
New York Giants at New England Patriots: Tom Brady wants Eli Manning bad
Nobody has had a quiet thirst for revenge on Eli Manning quite like Tom Brady. Four years after the New York Giants quarterback helped steal a Super Bowl ring and undefeated season from the New England Patriots, Brady finally has his chance. Expect the Patriots to attack the injured Giants secondary and force Manning to answer.
Final score: Patriots win 28-24
Green Bay Packers at San Diego Chargers: Philip Rivers needs Aaron Rodgers
No quarterback has had a more rotten two weeks than Philip Rivers. After a heartbreaking collapse in New York, the San Diego Chargers watched their normally steel-willed leader fumble a critical snap that allowed the rival Chiefs to steal a win. With the defending champion Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers coming to town, Rivers can erase all the bad memories with a win this Sunday.
Final score: Packers win 37-34
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger out for revenge
Ben Roethlisberger hasn't forgotten the humiliating defeat the Baltimore Ravens handed his Pittsburgh Steelers in week one. Now with home field and a four-game win streak, Big Ben hopes to expose Baltimore for the shaky team they've appeared the last two weeks. Get ready for a classic AFC North blood bath.
Final score: Steelers win 24-17
Chicago Bears at Philadelphia Eagles: Can Matt Forte contain Michael Vick?
There's little doubt Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears watched the Sunday night beating the Philadelphia Eagles handed the Dallas Cowboys. Michael Vick and the Eagles offense looked potent as usual which means any chance of victory must hinge on limiting their touches. That means clocked management and large doses of Matt Forte.
Final score: Bears win 27-24
The NFL power rankings won't be the same at the end of this week. Stay tuned for game results to come.
recommend
Facebook
Twitter
bookmark 
print
Comments: 6
now onwards to 2012 Super Bowl . . . – Super Bowl XLVI will take place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 5, 2012
We’ve seen all the preseason games. We’ve read all the practice reports. We know who made the teams and who was cut. Now it’s time for real football.
Pittsburgh and Baltimore, your take?
The Ravens offense has looked atrocious at time the last two weeks. The only reason they weren't blown out of the building last week was because it was the Cardinals. Joe Flacco hasn't matured enough to take the offensive reigns away from Ray Rice and that's a problem. The defense is still strong but it won't survive many more games where they have to make all the plays needed to win.
Ultimately I have to look at the obvious factors: momentum, home field and health. Pittsburgh has won four straight and are at home. Their defense is banged up pretty bad though, which means Baltimore is healthier. That's 2-to-1 in favor of the Steelers. Throw in a little revenge edge after the beating the Ravens handed to them in week 1, I think Pittsburgh will win this game.