Gridiron Experts Power Rankings

Here at Gridiron Experts, we do more than just list who we think are the top teams from 1-32 in our power rankings. We predict the top team’s next four games, and also help each team pick out a Halloween costume that best represents the way they have been performing.

1. Titans 5-0
The Titans have to be number one on our board as they have only allowed 56 points this season (an average of 11.2 points per game), which is very impressive. I admit I’m curious to see how well the Titans will play in their upcoming match up against the Indianapolis Colts, but as of now this team is playing some flawless football.
Next four games: @KC, IND, GB, @CHI = Grid-X is predicting the Titans first loss, but will go easily 3-1.
A Halloween costume that best represents the Tennessee Titans this season would be the guy from “No Country for Old Men” quietly killing everyone.

2. Giants 4-1
The NYG looked out of sync against Cleveland on Monday night, and they were handed their first loss. Up until that game, the Giants had been stomping on teams, whether it was at home or on the road. We expect them to bounce back into Super Bowl Champion form after the loss, and challenge for top spot in the NFC.
Next four games: SF, @PIT, DAL, @PHI = Grid-X is predicting a loss to either Pit or Phi on the road, but will still go 3-1.
A Halloween costume that best represents the New York Giants season thus far would be a Godzilla outfit. This team is BIG and mean, and the only way you can take them down is to go for their knees.

3. Dallas 4-2
I know that Tony Romo might be out, but the team can carry on winning without him. Brad Johnson isn’t that bad of a quarterback, and now has an extra weapon with Roy Williams. The Cowboys could lose a couple games with all of the recent injuries they’ve suffered, but going into the playoffs they are definitely Super Bowl favorites.
Next four games: @STL, TB, @NYG, BYE = Grid-X is predicting a win against the Rams, and then a win and a loss going into the bye at 2-1.
A Halloween costume that best represents the Dallas Cowboys would be the X-Men, since they have so many different weapons, and they always manage to pull together as a team.

4. Tampa Bay 4-2
John Gruden would love to pretend like this was his plan all along for Jeff Garcia, but either way it’s working. The Bucs shot up the board after they showed us last week that they mean business; 27-3 over the division rival Panthers is another big step towards winning a surprisingly tough NFC south Division.
Next four games: SEA, @DAL, @KC, BYE = Grid-X is predicting a least two wins going into their bye week, but the Dallas game is a little too early to call.
A Halloween costume that best represents the Tampa Bay Bucs so far this year would be Jigsaw from the “Saw” movies. In Saw, the killer doesn’t actually kill you, he makes you solve puzzles that decide your own fate…kind of like the Tampa 2 defense (minus the deaths).

5. Buffalo 4-1
The Bills got their asses handed to them in week 4 by the Cards, and although up until that point Buffalo was playing tough, at 4-0 a loss like that will do nothing but fuel this team right into the playoffs. Gridiron Experts likes the Bills this year, and feels that they’re a sleeper team.
Next four games: SD, @MIA, NYJ, @NE = Grid-X is predicting 3 tough wins over the next few weeks.
A Halloween costume that best represents the Buffalo Bills would be Rambo (from the latest Rambo movie). Nobody thinks the guy driving the boat can do anything, but then he’s leading the attack.

6. Pittsburgh 4-1
The Steelers battled through all of their injury problems and only lost one game. They could use maybe another week, but the bye came in at the right time. Look for Roethlisberger to rack up the yards in the next 4 weeks with Willie Parker still on the shelf. Next four games: @CIN, NYG, @WAS, IND = Grid-X thinks this team will go 2-2 over the next 4 games, but if Willie Parker can recover quickly, they’ve got a shot at 3 wins.
A Halloween costume that best represents the Pittsburgh Steelers thus far would be Maximus from the movie “Gladiator”. This team has fought Blitzing Eagles, Jaguars, and Ravens, and still found 4 wins…that’s tough.

7. Arizona 4-2
The Cards are now on the map after beating the Cowboys last weekend. They got help from all areas of their team: offense, defense, and especially special teams. This is a balanced team with lots of upside to it; being in the NFC West should get them to the playoffs, but they’ll want more than a first round exit.
Next four games: BYE, @CAR, @STL, SF = Grid-X is predicting 3 wins after a much needed bye week.
A Halloween costume that best represents the Arizona Cardinals this season would have to be Spiderman, a nobody kid that becomes a superhero to all (especially to people who hate the Cowboys).

8. Washington 4-2
Hard to put the Skins high after seeing the highlights from last weeks loss to the Rams, but it was only one game, and the Redskins are playing way above everyone’s expectations. It was an off week, and Jim Zorn will have them back in form by this weekend.
Next four games: CLE, @DET, PIT, BYE = Grid-X is predicting the Skins go 2-1.
A Halloween costume that best represents the Washington Redskins thus far would be Optimus Prime, or any Transformer for that matter. When we heard that Washington was “transforming” their offense into the West Coast style, it reminded us of the new Transformers movie…what could have been a disaster turned out to be amazing.

9. Atlanta 4-1
Nobody, I mean nobody, predicted a team with a rookie QB and a rookie head coach to do the things that the Falcons have done this season. But the question is, can they keep it up? With only one loss after six weeks, they have to be high on the board.
Next four games: BYE, @PHI, @OAK, NO = Grid-X is predicting the Falcons go 2-1.
A Halloween costume that best represents the Atlanta Falcons would have to be Neo from the Matrix, just wait until the Falcons learn kung fu.

10. Indianapolis 3-2
The truth came out last week that Peyton Manning had a second surgery, which the media was unaware of. This could explain the sloppy play we saw at the start of the season. Now Joseph Addai is out for 2-4 weeks, can the Colts carry on without their top RB?
Next four games: @GB, @TEN, NE, PIT = Grid-X is predicting a nose dive.
A Halloween costume that best represents the Indianapolis Colts this season would have to be the Karate Kid; even Ralph Macchio is now an old man.

11. Carolina 4-2
The Panthers lost an important game to the Bucs last week, which lowered their spot on our board. Carolina has both the talent and the coaching staff to be a great sleeper team in the NFC. Next four games: NO, ARI, BYE, @OAK = Grid-X is predicting the Panthers go 2-1, but they do have a chance to go 3-0 over the next four weeks.
A Halloween costume that best represents the Carolina Panthers thus far this season would be to go as Hannibal Lector; sometimes the Panthers are too smart for their own good.

12. Denver 4-2
We don’t trust the Broncos much, as they tend to lose to sub-par teams. We need to see more from this team before we can put them higher on our board.
Next four games: @NE, BYE, MIA, @CLE = Grid-X wouldn’t be surprised if they went 3-0 or 0-3. A Halloween costume that best represents the Denver Broncos this season would be Jekyll and Hyde. You never know which one is going to show up.

13. New York Jets 3-2
Brett Favre is doing everything he can, but the defense is not helping him out, allowing on average 26 points per game. Despite the two game winning streak, the Jets still need to prove they can win that big game. The schedule is in the Jets favor, and playoffs are very possible, but big games in December will be the real test. Next four games: @OAK, KC, @BUF, STL = Grid-X is predicting 3-1 over the next 4 weeks, but don’t overlook the Rams.
A Halloween costume that best represents the New York Jets season thus far would be ACDC; Favre is old, but he still rocks.

14. New England 3-2
This team is trying to get by with Matt Cassel…and in our opinion, it’s not working. Why do they not bring in an old vet? It’s easy to point the finger at Cassel, but he was playing defense last week against the Chargers. Until the defense can bail out this shaky QB, they stay at 14 on our list.
Next four games: DEN, STL, @IND, BUF = Grid-X is predicting the Pat’s go 2-2 over the next 4 weeks.
A Halloween costume that best represents the New England Patriots this season would be a Jedi Knight without his light saber.

At this point, all the remaining teams are .500 or less…so they get the point blank version:

15. San Diego 3-3
Defense is missing Merriman.
A Halloween costume - Ron Burgundy; “I’m kind of a big deal”…or at least they think so.

16. Philadelphia 3-3
Wait until they’re healthy.
A Halloween costume - the Predator; great when healthy, but always self destructs when in a bind.

17. Green Bay 3-3
Another team that can’t stay healthy.
A Halloween costume - Samara from the Ring; Rodgers may look like a little girl compared to Brett Favre, but he’s been trapped in a well and he’s really pissed off.

18. New Orleans 3-3
Have yet to win on the road.
A Halloween costume - The Punisher; mean as hell, but they have their demons.

19. Jacksonville 3-3
Injuries keep piling up.
A Halloween costume - a house cat…lazy, and only plays when they feel like it.

20. Minnesota 3-3
Starting to find their groove.
A Halloween costume - Jesus, since they already have Purple Jesus (Adrian Peterson).

21. Chicago 3-3
Need to win those divisional games.
A Halloween costume - an actual bear; this team is playing some mean football, but they don’t have any big play ability now that teams are kicking away from D. Hester.

22. Miami 2-3
Wildcat offense, but how many games will this work?
A Halloween costume - Aquaman; yes he’s a superhero…but a crappy one.

23. Cleveland 2-3
Huge win last week. They could move up our board, but they need to prove that beating the Giants wasn’t just a fluke.
A Halloween costume - Hancock, the drunken version; if they can stop making mistakes, they’ll be a superhero.

26. San Francisco 2-4
Halloween costume - Pepto Bismol.

24. Houston 1-4
A month of home games should fix their confidence.
A Halloween costume - the Hulk; if this team gets fired up, look out, as they have a talented young crew.