Best of the best
Tennessee continued its roll through the league, but with two other Top-5 heavyweights going at it this week, was there a change in the rankings? Of course, still at the top are...
The Tennessee Titans (Last week: No. 1)
No one in the Titans' passing game is going to be a must-grab in fantasy leagues, but the Tennesee offense has proven that it can score. Chris Johnson and LenDale White remain a dynamic duo in the backfield, having scored 14 of the team's 18 offensive touchdowns this season, more than any other team in the league. Despite being in the bottom half of the league in yards per game, the Titans are in the Top-10 in points per game, while giving up less than two touchdowns a game. Now that is a recipe for success.
New York Giants (Last week: No. 2)
The Giants were not at all inspiring in Week 8. They didn't run the ball well. They didn't throw the ball well. It took a safety on a bad snap to the punter and a touchdown on the ensuing free kick to win the game. But the important thing is they won. Against a good team, at that. Defensively, the Giants were the Giants we expect, sacking Ben Roethlisberger five times, while picking him off four times. Defense - and sometimes a little luck - wins championships.
Pittsburgh Steelers (Last week: No. 3)
Despite an awful day by Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers had a lead to squander going into the fourth quarter when the wheels fell off. The fact that they lost an ugly game to a bad team won't cost them, as long as they can prove they can recover. With Washington, Indianapolis and San Diego coming up the next three weeks, things get rough for the NFC North leaders.
Philadelphia Eagles (Last week: NR)
The Eagles are back with a vengance. Brian Westbrooks, the catalyst of the Eagles' offense had a career game in his first appearance back from injury and Kevin Curtis looked like he missed no time at all in the Eagles' 27-14 drubbing of the Falcons. Now completely healthy, one of the league's most potent offenses just got that much better.
Washington Redskins (Last week: No. 4)
For the third straight week, the Redskins struggled against a defense they should have powdered. While they've only allowed an average of 15.6 points in those games, it has to be a cause for concern. This team needs to find help for Santana Moss and Clinton Portis, but Pittsburgh's defense is not one you want to be trying to figure out your offense against.
Worst of the worst
Seattle Seahawks (Last week: No. 3 worst)
Just because you beat a bad team, it doesn't make you a good one. 261 yards of total offense against a team like San Francisco is just sad. 16 yards on 11 rushes by your starting tailback is even worse.
San Francisco 49ers (Last week: NR)
J.T. O'Sullivan mercifully got benched in the Niners' fifth straight loss and it looks like it'll stick. After 11 interceptions and six lost fumbles (11 total) in eight games, it's about time.
Kansas City Chiefs (Last week: No. 4 worst)
The New York Jets' answer to Tyler Thigpen's best game a a pro? Leon Washington. Those seldom-used third down backs can be pretty tricky.
Detroit Lions (Last week: No. 1 worst)
It's pretty sad when losing by just eight points is a moral victory. Detroit put a scare into the Redskins, but special teams failed them. If it's not one thing, it's something else.
Cincinnati Bengals (Last week: No. 2 worst)
How can things get any worse for the Bengals? How about a 35-6 pounding at the hands of the mighty Houston Texans? Ryan Fitzpatrick's QB rating is almost as low as George W. Bush's approval rating.
