Denver Native (Carol)
10-06-2009, 08:12 PM
http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/article/2009-10-06/nfl-power-poll-cowboys-feeling-tos-void
So far, the addition of Terrell Owens has not sparked the Bills, and the subtraction of T.O. has not helped the Cowboys.
Both the Cowboys (2-2) and the Bills (1-3) lost on the road in Week 4 — two teams with lofty hopes that have yet to realize them. The Bills have dropped to No. 22 in the NFL Power Poll, and other than their Week 2 victory over the Buccaneers, little has gone right for them. If things do not get better soon, coach Dick Jauron might not want to answer his phone when the Bills reach their bye in Week 9.
The Cowboys (No. 17) hoped Roy Williams could fill Owens' role as a consistent No. 1 wide receiver, but that has not materialized. While a consistent group of Giants wide receivers has allowed them to make a successful transition without Plaxico Burress, Dallas' wide receivers are not striking fear in the opposition. Neither Williams (214 yards) nor Patrick Crayton (199 yards) ranks among the NFL's top 25 in receiving yards. Even when Owens was not catching passes, he stretched the defense and created opportunities for teammates.
Maybe Tony Romo ( four touchdowns, four interceptions, 79.4 quarterback rating) misses Owens more than he would ever care to admit.
While the Cowboys and Bills are in the bottom half of the poll, the unbeaten Broncos continue their climb into the upper echelon.
1. New York Giants (last week: 1). Steve Smith is producing like a No. 1 receiver without being a diva.
2. Indianapolis Colts (2). It would be any wide receiver's dream to play with Peyton Manning.
3. New Orleans Saints (5). A legit defense orchestrated by Gregg Williams makes New Orleans a legit contender.
4. Minnesota Vikings (3). Favre had his way against the Packers. If he keeps it up, it could be the Vikings' year.
5. New York Jets (6). We will find out something about Mark Sanchez's resiliency this week, as he comes off his worst game.
6. New England Patriots (8). When Wes Welker is on the field, the offense steps up another level.
7. Denver Broncos (11). After turning back the Cowboys, Denver's defense takes on the Patriots in Week 5.
8. Philadelphia Eagles (7). The bye week came at a good time for ailing Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook.
9. Baltimore Ravens (4). They need to shake off losing to the Patriots and focus on winning the AFC North.
10. Atlanta Falcons (9). Their road schedule is difficult, making their road to a playoff berth more challenging.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers (15). Rashard Mendenhall could add the sizzle to a running game that has been lacking.
12. Cincinnati Bengals (12). They have shown a knack for winning close games, a good habit to have.
13. Green Bay Packers (13). Not getting enough sacks, while Aaron Rodgers is being sacked too often.
14. Chicago Bears (14). Even if it would make them 4-0, they would never trade Jay Cutler back to the Broncos.
15. San Francisco 49ers (16). Mike Singletary's leadership has dramatically changed the attitude of this franchise.
16. San Diego Chargers (10). Before they can compete against the best, they need a healthy LaDainian Tomlinson and Shawne Merriman.
17. Dallas Cowboys (17). If the playoffs are in their future, they must start beating quality opponents.
18. Arizona Cardinals (18). There was plenty to work on during the bye week. We will see if it helped.
19. Miami Dolphins (19). Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams hold the key to salvaging the season.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (21). Nice work scrambling back to 2-2, and their schedule is easier the next four games.
21. Houston Texans (22). The next three games (at Cardinals, at Bengals, 49ers) will tell where they are headed.
22. Buffalo Bills (20). It is becoming clear that Trent Edwards cannot make the most of his talented receivers.
23. Tennessee Titans (23). The time is fast approaching for Vince Young to get another shot as a starter.
24. Seattle Seahawks (24). Matt Hasselbeck is irreplaceable for this team, and the running game is not reliable.
25. Carolina Panthers (25). They should run DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart until they need oxygen.
26. Detroit Lions (27). No doubt they have improved, and more victories could be coming this season.
27. Washington Redskins (28). Both wins have been ugly. Perhaps that is the only way they can win.
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (29). Josh Johnson's debut was not bad. Is he or Josh Freeman the Josh of their future?
29. Cleveland Browns (30). This week's visit to Buffalo is their best chance for a victory before their Nov. 8 bye.
30. Oakland Raiders (26). The offense is putrid. Maybe sitting JaMarcus Russell might help. Playing him has not.
31. Kansas City Chiefs (31). Wonder if Matt Cassel would still get that contract if the Chiefs had it to do over?
32. St. Louis Rams (32). Steve Spagnuolo will find out which players want to win, and who is ready to pack it in.
Clifton Brown is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at cliftonbrown@sportingnews.com.
So far, the addition of Terrell Owens has not sparked the Bills, and the subtraction of T.O. has not helped the Cowboys.
Both the Cowboys (2-2) and the Bills (1-3) lost on the road in Week 4 — two teams with lofty hopes that have yet to realize them. The Bills have dropped to No. 22 in the NFL Power Poll, and other than their Week 2 victory over the Buccaneers, little has gone right for them. If things do not get better soon, coach Dick Jauron might not want to answer his phone when the Bills reach their bye in Week 9.
The Cowboys (No. 17) hoped Roy Williams could fill Owens' role as a consistent No. 1 wide receiver, but that has not materialized. While a consistent group of Giants wide receivers has allowed them to make a successful transition without Plaxico Burress, Dallas' wide receivers are not striking fear in the opposition. Neither Williams (214 yards) nor Patrick Crayton (199 yards) ranks among the NFL's top 25 in receiving yards. Even when Owens was not catching passes, he stretched the defense and created opportunities for teammates.
Maybe Tony Romo ( four touchdowns, four interceptions, 79.4 quarterback rating) misses Owens more than he would ever care to admit.
While the Cowboys and Bills are in the bottom half of the poll, the unbeaten Broncos continue their climb into the upper echelon.
1. New York Giants (last week: 1). Steve Smith is producing like a No. 1 receiver without being a diva.
2. Indianapolis Colts (2). It would be any wide receiver's dream to play with Peyton Manning.
3. New Orleans Saints (5). A legit defense orchestrated by Gregg Williams makes New Orleans a legit contender.
4. Minnesota Vikings (3). Favre had his way against the Packers. If he keeps it up, it could be the Vikings' year.
5. New York Jets (6). We will find out something about Mark Sanchez's resiliency this week, as he comes off his worst game.
6. New England Patriots (8). When Wes Welker is on the field, the offense steps up another level.
7. Denver Broncos (11). After turning back the Cowboys, Denver's defense takes on the Patriots in Week 5.
8. Philadelphia Eagles (7). The bye week came at a good time for ailing Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook.
9. Baltimore Ravens (4). They need to shake off losing to the Patriots and focus on winning the AFC North.
10. Atlanta Falcons (9). Their road schedule is difficult, making their road to a playoff berth more challenging.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers (15). Rashard Mendenhall could add the sizzle to a running game that has been lacking.
12. Cincinnati Bengals (12). They have shown a knack for winning close games, a good habit to have.
13. Green Bay Packers (13). Not getting enough sacks, while Aaron Rodgers is being sacked too often.
14. Chicago Bears (14). Even if it would make them 4-0, they would never trade Jay Cutler back to the Broncos.
15. San Francisco 49ers (16). Mike Singletary's leadership has dramatically changed the attitude of this franchise.
16. San Diego Chargers (10). Before they can compete against the best, they need a healthy LaDainian Tomlinson and Shawne Merriman.
17. Dallas Cowboys (17). If the playoffs are in their future, they must start beating quality opponents.
18. Arizona Cardinals (18). There was plenty to work on during the bye week. We will see if it helped.
19. Miami Dolphins (19). Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams hold the key to salvaging the season.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (21). Nice work scrambling back to 2-2, and their schedule is easier the next four games.
21. Houston Texans (22). The next three games (at Cardinals, at Bengals, 49ers) will tell where they are headed.
22. Buffalo Bills (20). It is becoming clear that Trent Edwards cannot make the most of his talented receivers.
23. Tennessee Titans (23). The time is fast approaching for Vince Young to get another shot as a starter.
24. Seattle Seahawks (24). Matt Hasselbeck is irreplaceable for this team, and the running game is not reliable.
25. Carolina Panthers (25). They should run DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart until they need oxygen.
26. Detroit Lions (27). No doubt they have improved, and more victories could be coming this season.
27. Washington Redskins (28). Both wins have been ugly. Perhaps that is the only way they can win.
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (29). Josh Johnson's debut was not bad. Is he or Josh Freeman the Josh of their future?
29. Cleveland Browns (30). This week's visit to Buffalo is their best chance for a victory before their Nov. 8 bye.
30. Oakland Raiders (26). The offense is putrid. Maybe sitting JaMarcus Russell might help. Playing him has not.
31. Kansas City Chiefs (31). Wonder if Matt Cassel would still get that contract if the Chiefs had it to do over?
32. St. Louis Rams (32). Steve Spagnuolo will find out which players want to win, and who is ready to pack it in.
Clifton Brown is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at cliftonbrown@sportingnews.com.