Statement Sunday.
We said it on NFL Network all last week. Over the top? Maybe. True? Absolutely.
Let's face it: The league has become such a parity party that it's impossible to determine which teams are consistent and which are two-week wonders. We're all lulled into some kind of trance upon seeing back-to-back strong showings from a club, but the reality in 2012 is that the overall quality of play seems to be down. How else do you explain the 12-2 Houston Texans struggling, even in recent wins? Or the Atlanta Falcons getting blasted in Carolina in Week 14? Or the Detroit Lions sporting a not-so-sterling 4-10 mark one year after breaking through at 10-6?
We've been forced to swallow a large gulp of mediocrity. Thus, the eyeball test must apply in spots. So does some simple logic (where applicable).
Yeppers. Jordan, it has to be that way. And because the San Francisco 49ers jumped all the way from No. 5 to the top spot, some good teams had to drop despite wins. That's life in the Power Rankings at this stage of the season.
With so much shakeup in the top 10, we're prepared for some, uh, "feedback." The dropbox is @HarrisonNFL.
Now, let the dissension commence ...
(Note: Arrows reflect change in standings from last week's Power Rankings.)
Statement Sunday = big-time football from the San Francisco 49ers.
In terms of the Broncos dropping a spot ... Well, where would you like me to put them? Denver's three losses came against the three teams directly above them in this pecking order. And that other team, the 49ers, just beat last week's No. 1 squad on its home turf. Not to mention, San Francisco is a more well-rounded group than this one.
What a boon it would be to the organization to go through all of the offseason drama, the loss of Sean Payton, an 0-4 start, months of bad press ... and end up at 8-8. Just sayin'.
Elliot Harrison is an analyst on NFL Network's NFL Fantasy Live show, weekdays at 1 p.m. ET and Sundays at 11:30 a.m. ET. Follow him on Twitter _@HarrisonNFL_.