Hock’s Take: NFL Power Rankings Week 17

1. Indianapolis Colts
Last Week: 1
Oh no! They lost a meaningless game! How ever will Peyton Manning recover from that humiliation in time for the Playoffs?!

2. New Orleans Saints
Last Week: 2
They’re in this position only because they’ve got home field advantage wrapped up throughout the Playoffs. Unlike the Colts, they’re backing in on their own accord.

3. San Diego Chargers
Last Week: 3
Now that the Colts lost, the Chargers are officially the hottest team in the NFL. Until Norv Turner gets into the Playoffs.

4. Philadelphia Eagles
Last Week: 4
There isn’t a team in the NFC playing better ball right now, and they control their destiny going into a tough game against Dallas.

5. New England Patriots
Last Week: 7
This isn’t the Patriots of two years ago, with a complete team that everybody fears, but nobody’s more dangerous in the Playoffs.

6. Arizona Cardinals
Last Week: 10
Shockingly, the Cardinals are actually in pretty decent position to end up with a bye, if only they can avoid the dreaded MADDEN CURSE! That can still hit now right?

7. Minnesota Vikings
Last Week: 5
Exciting end to the game, but it still leaves you wondering what happened. Oh wait, Adrian Peterson fumbled again. Now I remember.

8. Dallas Cowboys
Last Week: 7
Don’t think the Cowboys aren’t playing for anything this weekend. They still remember what happened last year, and would love nothing more than to keep Philly from that bye.

9. Green Bay Packers
Last Week: 8
Their offense looks pretty much unstoppable, but I wonder how preparing for yet *another* game against the Vikings might affect their run up to the Playoffs.

10. Cincinnati Bengals
Last Week: 9
Improbably, the Bengals are in the Playoffs again, I don’t know a single person who would’ve predicted this going into the season, except maybe (maaaaybe) Ochocinco.

11. New York Jets
Last Week: 16
They got the benefit of a gift win, and hold the enviable position of holding their own cards this weekend. How will a rookie coach and quarterback react?

12. Baltimore Ravens
Last Week: 13
They’ve got a good shot a the Wild Card, but I don’t know of any teams that are running particularly scared of the Ravens right now.

13. Denver Broncos
Last Week: 13
Leave it to the Broncos to falter so spectacularly in the second half of the season. Again. See? It doesn’t matter what personnel or coaches you have!

14. Pittsburgh Steelers
Last Week: 14
I don’t think they’ve got a shot in hell of actually doing it, but I’ve got to give props to Ben Roethlisberger’s Rally Porn Stache.

15. Houston Texans
Last Week: 21
Somehow still in the Playoff hunt. Unfortunately, my psychic prediction from a couple weeks back has them losing this week. Better luck next year!

16. New York Giants
Last Week: 11
Well…yeah. The best way to back your way out of the Playoffs is to do it in the most spectacularly horrible way possible.

17. Miami Dolphins
Last Week: 15
Note to Self:  Losing your number one weapon and starting quarterback is not the way to make a Playoff run.

18. Tennessee Titans
Last Week: 17
It’s small comfort, I know, but it’s pretty amazing how far this team has come since Week 6, especially considering that Vince Young was actually an upgrade over Kerry Collins.

19. Atlanta Falcons
Last Week: 19
Tony Gonzalez was supposed to fix everything, but nothing could break Matt Ryan’s sophomore slump. See also: the entry on Dolphins, Miami.

20. San Francisco 49ers
Last Week: 18
They looked like world beaters the way they came out swinging in Week One, but they’ve ultimately settled back into being just mediocre.

21. Jacksonville Jaguars
Last Week: 20
Man this team is going to be so good when they move to L.A. They’re going to make everybody in Jacksonville so pissed off that they never realized they even had a team.

22. Carolina Panthers
Last Week: 22
See now this is how you lose star players to injury. After you’ve already lost a ton of games with them in the line-up and can comfortably put up 40+ points with your backups.

23. Chicago Bears
Last Week: 23
I was thinking about how much good Mike Shannahan could do with Cutler if he went to Chicago, but then I realized that he didn’t play receiver.

24. Oakland Raiders
Last Week: 26
Consider this: The Raiders are (technically) only three games out of Playoff contention right now. Is this commentary on how much better Oakland’s been playing or how bad the bottom rungs of the AFC are this year?

25. Seattle Seahawks
Last Week: 24
Not much fight left in the Seahawks, who seem to have given up even conceptualizing defense. Matt Hasselbeck’s hair has a more formidable line.

26. Buffalo Bills
Last Week: 25
It’s hard to believe T.O.’s time with the Bills is almost at an end. In fact…it’s a little hard to remember him playing for them at all this year.

27. Cleveland Browns
Last Week: 27
It’s nice to see them putting up some semblance of a fight now that guys are trying to save their jobs before they get whisked away by Mike Holmgren’s mustache.

28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last Week: 28
Speaking of which, a good job all around by the Bucs this week. They’re still one of the worst teams in the NFL, but really they’re only four wins away from being a Playoff also-ran.

29. Detroit Lions
Last Week: 29
It was nice that they gave Drew Stanton one last chance to be pulled out of a game, I’m sure he’ll treasure the moment forever. Joey Harrington is available. I’m just saying.

30. Washington Redskins
Last Week: 30
Ugh…will this season just end already for Washington? I mean I guess you just have to think positively. If they were in the AFC, they’d practically be a Wild Card team.

31. Kansas City Chiefs
Last Week: 31
Meanwhile, Larry Johnson is sitting on the bench in Cincinnati thinking about how he really showed the Chiefs. Who says slurs and fights with your coach don’t get you anywhere?

32. Saint Louis Rams
Last Week: 32
The great debate is already brewing about who the Rams should take in this year’s draft. Eric Berry? Ndamukong Suh? Any of the Quarterbacks? Things are so bad in St. Louis, I half expect them to trade for the rights to Ricky Rubio.

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Hock’s Take: NFL Power Rankings Week 16

It’s a holiday tradition for the Hock Show, and now I bring it to you. This week’s NFL Power Rankings presented to you (very, very loosely) in verse:

1. Indianapolis Colts
Last Week: 2
The Colts win again,
And off they go,
Not much left to stop them,
From going 16-0.

2. New Orleans Saints
Last Week: 1
Injuries are mounting,
Half the defense is down,
Not good news,
With the Playoffs around.

3. San Diego Chargers
Last Week: 4
They continue to ride Rivers,
And LT’s suddenly healthy,
With Gates, Sproles and Jackson,
The Chargers seem wealthy.

4. Philadelphia Eagles
Last Week: 5
The offense is great,
The defense is coming around,
It seems like these Eagles,
Have finally left the ground.

5. Minnesota Vikings
Last Week: 3
They left Carolina,
Without putting up a fight,
Best news of this season?
No more games on Sunday night.

6. Dallas Cowboys
Last Week: 10
Great win for them, yeah,
But talk about a kicking curse,
How do you replace Nick Folk,
With somebody even worse?!

7. New England Patriots
Last Week: 8
Randy Moss stepped to the mic,
“Put the weight of the world on me,
 Then I will finally have a reason,
For being so damn lazy!”

8. Green Bay Packers
Last Week: 6
Gimmick defense ahoy!
This will confuse the other team!
Wait…Touchdown Mike Wallace,
Guess it’s time to drop that scheme.

9. Cincinnati Bengals
Last Week: 7
They bore a great weight,
And gave it their all,
Nothing bad to say this week,
It’s just football.

10. Arizona Cardinals
Last Week: 9
Another NFC West title,
Is down in the books,
It’s time to play Leinart,
And see how he looks.

11. New York Giants
Last Week: 14
Domination? Well yeah,
But look who they faced,
Playing your best game now,
Seems like a waste.

12. Baltimore Ravens
Last Week: 13
Another Ravens win,
One step closer to clinching,
First to the Wild Card,
And hope the Bengals keep flinching.

13. Denver Broncos
Last Week: 11
The mighty have fallen,
From their nigh perfect start,
Losing to Oakland,
Isn’t just another brainfart.

14. Pittsburgh Steelers
Last Week: 16
Now the season is saved,
Steelers fans cry,
But it will take a lot of luck,
And your well might be dry.

15. Miami Dolphins
Last Week: 11
From triumph to tragedy,
In just a few ticks,
They did the hard work,
But lost by a kick.

16. New York Jets
Last Week: 14
The Jets led by four,
Through most of the game,
But one Atlanta touchdown,
Led to more of the same.

17. Tennessee Titans
Last Week: 17
Too little too late,
The Titans top the Fins,
They’ll still be outside,
When the Playoffs begin.

18. San Francisco 49ers
Last Week: 16
Another loss and now nothing,
Just like every year recent,
But hey one good offseason,
And they might finally be decent!

19. Atlanta Falcons
Last Week: 18
Matt Ryan escapes with a win,
Thanks to some fourth quarter magic,
Too late to save the season,
Which is really just tragic.

20. Jacksonville Jaguars
Last Week: 19
They gave it their all,
But their all wasn’t enough,
They’re a movie about a cage fighter,
Staring Shia Laboeuf.

21. Houston Texans
Last Week: 22
A win and a loss,
Is all that it would take,
For my prediction to come true,
They’d be 8-8!

22. Carolina Panthers
Last Week: 25
Steve Smith loves the Vikings,
It’s always his best day,
And how about Julius Peppers,
Finally (not really) earning his pay?

23. Chicago Bears
Last Week: 20
Oh Cutler, Oh Cutler,
How did we know?
Oh Cutler, Oh Cutler,
You’d play even worse in the snow?

24. Seattle Seahawks
Last Week: 23
Turned down by Holmgren,
Burned the Bucs,
Cliff Lee already wants out,
Poor Seattle just sucks.

25. Buffalo Bills
Last Week: 24
Even with Moss actually playing,
They had a chance to win,
But when it comes to beating Brady,
They don’t know where to begin.

26. Oakland Raiders
Last Week: 29
A shocking swerve, indeed,
JaMarcus returns to the field,
The Raiders can actually win,
When they keep him concealed.

27. Cleveland Browns
Last Week: 30
Ha! The Browns win a shootout?
Sorry, don’t mean to be glib,
Too bad their whole offense,
Is still Joshua Cribbs.

28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last Week: 32
Another win vaults Tampa,
Out of the top spot in the Draft,
Somewhere in St. Louis,
The Rams officials laughed.

29. Detroit Lions
Last Week: 29
Somewhere in Detroit,
A frail, stray dog howls at the moon,
Not because he is hungry,
He wants the Lions season to end soon.

30. Washington Redskins
Last Week: 28
After seeing this week’s effort,
Shanahan probably already quit,
There’s nothing here to be polished,
With just moxy and spit.

31. Kansas City Chiefs
Last Week: 30
Somehow the Chiefs lost a battle,
To a team even worse than them,
Todd Haley’s face says it all,
Arrowhead should be condemned.

32. Saint Louis Rams
Last Week: 31
And then there’s the Rams,
Locked in a season of woe,
With the first pick they select,
Anybody but Tim Tebow.

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Hock’s Take: NFL Power Rankings for Week 14

1. New Orleans Saints
Last Week: 1

The Saints, like the Patriots during their 18-1 run, are looking more and more beatable as they head down the stretch. I wonder if Sean Payton has the chops to pull this off.

2. Indianapolis Colts
Last Week: 2

The Colts’ run continues, but the elephant in the room has clearly become what they’re going to do for these next few games without Jim Sorgi’s mopping expertise.

3. Minnesota Vikings
Last Week: 3

Good bounce-back game against the Bengals. Offensively, they look a little flat without Percy Harvin, but Antoine Winfield fills the playmaker hole left by E.J. Henderson nicely.

4. San Diego Chargers
Last Week: 4

I have a hard time buying a Norv Turner playoff run, but stranger things have happened. Like Norv Turner getting this job in the first place.

5. Philadelphia Eagles
Last Week: 7

Lost in the fact that their offense was awesome was that their defense was atrocious. It’s always feast or famine for the Eagles, and right now they’re feasting like Andy Reid at a buffet.

6. Green Bay Packers
Last Week: 8

The Packers have gone from contender to joke to contender already this season. They’ve basically got the wild card sewn up, and as bad as they’ve been, they can beat one of the first round playoff teams.

7. Cincinnati Bengals
Last Week: 5

Tough weekend for the Bengals, who are still in great position. It’s not an easy stretch, though, including a matchup with the Chargers this week. I know because Ochocinco Tweeted it.

8. New England Patriots
Last Week: 10

They move up based on a win basically locking up a playoff spot, but it’s time to give up on the Patriots as a top contender this season. If you don’t believe me, ask Randy Moss.

9. Arizona Cardinals
Last Week: 6

So maybe it wasn’t 42-0 like I predicted last week, but it might as well have been.  The Cardinals are a feast or famine team and are going to need a run like they had last year to do any damage.

10. Dallas Cowboys
Last Week: 9

So making Tony Romo the holder didn’t solve the Cowboys’ or Nick Folk’s ills? You know what that means…time to bring in Jessica Simpson.

11. Denver Broncos
Last Week: 11

Nobody expected them to win this week, but with all the action he was getting, they should’ve put Brandon Marshall on defense. Maybe he would’ve had 20 picks too.

12. New York Jets
Last Week: 15

It’s nice to see Kellen Clemens finally taking his job as the Jets’ quarterback seriously. Even if it is several years too late.

13. Baltimore Ravens
Last Week: 16

The Ravens are coming off a “Feel Good About Yourself” game against the Lions, but they’re still just jockeying for position in a crowded wild card scene.

14. New York Giants
Last Week: 12

It was an ugly game in just about every way, even if they were able to ring up a bunch of points. Somehow, I don’t think Mark Sanchez should be giving Eli Manning sliding tips.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers
Last Week: 13

So let me get this straight: You’ve lost to the Raiders and the Browns? The Browns, of all teams? I don’t care if you won the Super Bowl last year—you’re done.

16. San Francisco 49ers
Last Week: 22

A big win keeps the 49ers (theoretically) in the playoff picture, though they’re going to need a lot of help. And no, I don’t mean Mike Singletary taking his pants off again.

17. Tennessee Titans
Last Week: 19

The Titans won yet again, but Vince Young hurt his leg again, and he’s looking awfully fragile down the stretch. At least they still have Kerry Collins—who has been horrible this year.

18. Jacksonville Jaguars
Last Week: 14

The Jags lost the biggest game of their season, but they’re still actually in the driver’s seat for a playoff berth. Look for them to plow into their three remaining fans along the way.

19. Atlanta Falcons
Last Week: 18

They had every chance to beat the Saints, but without Matt Ryan and Michael Turner, it wasn’t going to happen. Tony Gonzalez is still probably just relieved that he’s not still a Chief.

20. Chicago Bears
Last Week: 20

Par for the course for Cutler and the Bears, who are getting used to Jay’s vacant sourpuss look after every drive. They should make that the team logo.

23. Houston Texans
Last Week: 21

One win out of the way; they only need to go 2-1 now for my prediction to be accurate. Not that I’m paying attention to the Texans of all teams right now.

24. Seattle Seahawks
Last Week: 21

Over the past few days, the Seahawks have been called talent deficient, inconsistent, pathetic, pitiful, and unprofessional. And that’s just what they’re saying about themselves.

25. Buffalo Bills
Last Week: 26

Well, they beat the Chiefs anyway. Yes, that’s how far they’ve fallen, when “Well, they beat the Chiefs anyway” is pretty much the biggest compliment I’ve given them all season.

26. Carolina Panthers
Last Week: 24

They were so busy pointing out how awful Moss was that they…forgot to play the game themselves.

27. Washington Redskins
Last Week: 27

Well, on the plus side, the Redskins have been improving steadily over the past few games. Unfortunately for them, it’s pretty much too late to save anybody’s jobs.

28. Oakland Raiders
Last Week: 26

JaMarcus Russell may get his chance to win back his starting job this week against Denver. Then again, he may also get the chance to lose it forever. Isn’t Raiders football exciting?

29. Detroit Lions
Last Week: 28

Huge loss, but it’s hard to fault the Lions for anything at this point. What exactly are they playing for? To show other teams there’s no point in signing Daunte Culpepper next season?

29. Kansas City Chiefs
Last Week: 29

They had their chances to win, but Matt Cassel ultimately packed it in in the fourth quarter, and the Chiefs are looking at yet another offseason where they need to fill holes at every position.

30. Cleveland Browns
Last Week: 32

Browns win! Browns win! Browns win! Somewhere, Brady Quinn is sending smug text messages to Charlie Weis.

31. St. Louis Rams
Last Week: 30

In other Rams news, I’ve been invited to try out for the Rams’ quarterback job. On one hand, it’d be a couple million dollar contract. On the other…I’d have to play for the Rams. I guess we did finally find a team for Daunte Culpepper though.

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last Week: 31

Back to the bottom of the league for the poor Bucs. They just couldn’t sustain the momentum after their…one win.

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Hock’s Take: NFL Power Rankings for Week 13

1. New Orleans Saints
Last Week: 1
The Saints were exposed a bit by Washington, but luck is on their side. So long as Drew Brees stays healthy, they’re the team to beat.

2. Indianapolis Colts
Last Week: 2
Technically, Indy was the first team into the playoffs this year. They’ve got their fair share of problems, but wins aren’t one.

3. Minnesota Vikings
Last Week: 3
The loss to the Cardinals doesn’t hurt them as much as you’d think. The loss of E.J. Henderson, on the other hand….

4. San Diego Chargers
Last Week: 4
In any other year, the Chargers would be the hottest team in the league right now, as it is, they’re just another contender.

5. Cincinnati Bengals
Last Week: 5
If Chad Ochocinco wants to keep getting fined for being hilarious, that’s fine. But he’s going to go broke if he keeps spending money like this.

6. Arizona Cardinals
Last Week: 8
The Cardinals are a mystery wrapped in an enigma. How can a team so good be so inconsistent week to week? This week? A new high, so expect them to lose 42-0 on Sunday.

7. Philadelphia Eagles
Last Week: 10
Quite a return for Michael Vick to Atlanta, marking the first and probably last time the Eagles will utilize Vick effectively this season.

8. Green Bay Packers
Last Week: 11
The Packers’ defense really came around in this game, harrying the Ravens offense. The Packers will surprise some people in the wild card round.

9. Dallas Cowboys
Last Week: 7
It’s too bad that we’re already past Thanksgiving, or I could make a cooked goose joke about Wade Phillips. Who does Jerry Jones’ ultimatum help, exactly?

10. New England Patriots
Last Week: 6
The Patriots let the Dolphins slip by again, but there’s no excuse this time  Get fooled by the Wildcat, shame on the Dolphins. Get fooled by Chad Henne? Shame on you.

11. Denver Broncos
Last Week: 12
Leave it to the Chiefs to provide the Broncos with an extra bye week and a leg up on the wild card in case they can’t catch San Diego again.

12. New York Giants
Last Week: 13
For a team that was so baffling the last couple weeks, they looked competent at least. Eli Manning must have been watching all those Citizen Eco Drive commercials again. “Sort of Competent? Eli Manning Is!”

13. Pittsburgh Steelers
Last Week: 9
Ah yes, how do you respond to Mike Tomlin’s declaration that the Steelers will take the league by storm in December? By losing to the Raiders.

14. Jacksonville Jaguars
Last Week: 16
David Garrard said that the Jaguars are a “Team of Destiny.” What he failed to mention is that destiny is to finish 8-8 and two games out of the playoffs.

15. New York Jets
Last Week: 18
I take it those sliding lessons with the Yankees didn’t go over so well? I guess we’d better hold off on the injury prevention lessons from Greg Oden.

16. Baltimore Ravens
Last Week: 17
It’s nice to see that John Harbaugh graduated from the Mack Brown School of Clock Management, it’s just too bad he never learned the “Win the Game” part of that.

17. Miami Dolphins
Last Week: 19
Could the Dolphins actually be challenging for an AFC East title without Chad Pennington or Ronnie Brown? Well, no. But at least it’s getting interesting.

18. Atlanta Falcons
Last Week: 14
And so ends this year’s Chris Redman comeback attempt. Join us next year as he replaces an injured Brooks Bollinger and leads the Florida Tuskers to a loss in the UFL Playoffs.

19. Tennessee Titans
Last Week: 17
On one hand, they lost. On the other hand, Chris Johnson is making an incredible run at being the best running back ever on a sub .500 team.

20. Chicago Bears
Last Week: 24
Orlando Pace looks like he’s done, and it’s a sad way for the big man to go out. As a final favor to the team, though, he could at least eat a couple of the Bears’ safeties on his way.

21. Seattle Seahawks
Last Week: 27
The Seahawks defense is finally starting to gel a little bit. Only 13 weeks too late for it to mean anything, too!

22. San Francisco 49ers
Last Week: 20
Heartbreaking loss by the 49ers, as it put them from closing in on a potential tie with the Cardinals to playing for draft position with one kick.

23. Houston Texans
Last Week: 21
A familiar position for the Texans, who have lost four straight, and look to close out their season 3-1. I’m no psychic or Vegas prognosticator, but this will happen. They’re a team of destiny. I know because I asked David Garrard.

24. Carolina Panthers
Last Week: 22
Jake Delhomme is probably a little relieved that a broken thumb might end his season. Now he can turn over his turnovers to Matt Moore. And hey! They won!

25. Oakland Raiders
Last Week: 26
Forever proving the motto, “If you play enough bad football games, eventually somebody will take you for granted and you’ll win.”

26. Buffalo Bills
Last Week: 23
Happy Birthday to Terrell Owens this week. To mark this special occasion, we’re going to go ahead and let T.O. get out of Buffalo in a couple weeks.

27. Washington Redskins
Last Week: 28
The Saints were who they thought they were, and they let them off the hook. Actually, Denny Green probably has more power over the Redskins than Jim Zorn.

28. Detroit Lions
Last Week: 29
The only big story in Detroit now is Matthew Stafford gutting out another shoulder injury. Which…your quarterback constantly getting injured isn’t good news, no matter how gutsy he is.

29. Kansas City Chiefs
Last Week: 24
And now Matt Cassel is starting to look like the guy who’d never played a real snap before coming to the pros. At least he’s not Brodie Croyle.

30. Saint Louis Rams
Last Week: 27
The Rams should just give up and line up 10 offensive linemen and snap the ball to Stephen Jackson. I’m pretty sure that worked for my gimmick Madden team a couple years ago.

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last Week: 29
A tale of two stat lines for Josh Freeman: Over 300-yards passing. Three red-zone interceptions (and five total on the day). Josh Freeman is the new Jay Cutler.

32. Cleveland Browns
Last Week: 32
It’s nice to see that half the Browns’ defense is getting an early start on the offseason. They’ll be back just in time to meet their new head coach!

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Hock’s Take: NFL Power Rankings for Week Four

1. New York Giants
Last Week: 1
It’d suck to lose Eli Manning to a non-impact injury, but I think he’ll play through the pain. Steve Smith is turning into the most underrated wide receiver since Steve Smith.

2. New Orleans Saints
Last Week: 3
The Saints have answered their one lingering question: Can they stop anybody long enough for the offense to win games? Yes. Which makes them scary dangerous. So long as Darren Sharper stays upright.

3. Indianapolis Colts
Last Week: 4
To be honest, the Colt’s four wins have come against some unimpressive teams. But they’re doing what they need to do, and the rest of their schedule isn’t too threatening.

4. Minnesota Vikings
Last Week: 6
Revenge was his, so now how will Brett Favre get through the rest of the season? More pressing, how will Adrian Peterson come back from two consecutive sub-100 yard games?

5. Philadelphia Eagles
Last Week: 7
Might be a bad week for their bye, this team has to get some consistency going. McNabb coming back would help, but either way they could be fantastic or they could drop off the map like they did against the Saints.

6. New York Jets
Last Week: 5
The Jets are still a good team, but Stafford is going to have some more games like this. I think Rex Ryan has this team geared up for success, though.

7. New England Patriots
Last Week: 9
The Patriots aren’t the great team they were a few years ago, but they’re still going to be one of the teams to beat in the AFC. Tom Brady is looking more comfortable in the pocket, and they’re developing a reliable, if unwieldy, running game.

8. San Francisco 49ers
Last Week: 8
San Francisco blew out the awful Rams, and look to be in control of the NFC West. The curious thing will be seeing how they deal with playing a good team this week, when they take on Atlanta.

9. Denver Broncos
Last Week: 14
Remember when we made fun of the Broncos defense, and talk about how terrible they were going to be in Josh McDaniels’ new system? Well…yeah. About that…

10. Chicago Bears
Last Week: 15
Cutler-copter aside, this was a pretty good looking win against a driving Lions team. I don’t know if they’re a Playoff team, especially if Forte continues to struggle as he has.

11. Pittsburgh Steelers
Last Week: 11
What’s happening in Pittsburgh? They’re not a bad team, the nucleus is still there from the Super Bowl win of last year. Troy Polamalu will be coming back and Mendenhall looks good, but they’ve got some catching up to do.

12. Baltimore Ravens
Last Week 2
Somewhere, Mark Clayton has his head buried in sand. If Clayton could have caught either of those two passes, the Ravens would still be undefeated, and they’d still be higher on this list.

13. Atlanta Falcons
Last Week: 10
Tough game against a good San Francisco team coming out of the bye. I hate to say “must win” in Week Five, but they can’t afford to fall any further behind New Orleans.

14. Dallas Cowboys
Last Week: 12
Marion Barber probably won’t be on the field this Sunday, but it won’t matter facing the Chiefs. Still, they’ll need their full compliment of running backs if Tony Romo continues to struggle.

15. Cincinnati Bengals
Last Week: 19
Gotta love the Bengals finding ways to win games. Also gotta love Ochocinco randomly inviting any fan on his Twitter account to come have dinner with him.

16. San Diego Chargers
Last Week: 16
Good bye for them, as they’re going to have to get their house in order. Tomlinson looked like a guy who isn’t going to make it through this season, and Rivers is going to need that running game sooner rather than later.

17. Green Bay Packers
Last Week: 13
The Packers offensive line might as well stay on the sidelines for every snap. I think Aaron Rodgers would honestly play better if he just started scrambling immediately rather than wait for a pocket that never develops. Tough loss against Favre.

18. Seattle Seahawks
Last Week: 17
After a hot start, there’s not much about the Seahawks that’s inspiring confidence. There’s a reason Jim Mora Jr. lost his last coaching job, and I don’t have much faith that he can put it together in Seattle.

19. Buffalo Bills
Last Week: 17
The Bills are the only team that fired its offensive coordinator this offseason that actually has a win. So, I guess miracles really do happen.

20. Houston Texans
Last Week: 20
The long trek to 8-8 has already started for Houston. Mario Williams is hurt, which is a scary prospect for them, but the offense is actually producing this season.

21. Jacksonville Jaguars
Last Week: 25
It’s practically a winning streak in Jacksonville! Look out for the Jags! And hell, they’ve got a legitimate shot at winning their next four games, too. They might just have the least threatening schedule in the league.

22. Arizona Cardinals
Last Week: 22
Hopefully they used their bye to put something together. Their game plans have looked more like the Cardinals that used to go 3-13 lately, than the ones that nearly won the Super Bowl last year, and I don’t think they can beat San Francisco.

23. Oakland Raiders
Last Week: 23
Jeff Garcia said this week that he didn’t believe the Raiders actually wanted to win games, and that JaMarcus Russell was not skilled enough to start in the NFL. Which is all true, despite the fact that it was Jeff Garcia who said it.

24. Miami Dolphins
Last Week: 24
Miami actually won, which is a nice uptick from their woes this season. Still, they might already be out of contention for the division, and their schedule only gets tougher from here on out.

25. Tennessee Titans
Last Week: 21
Did this team really make the Playoffs last year? Really? Don’t tell me Albert Haynesworth made all that difference, because there isn’t a single part of the Titans team that’s clicking right now.

26. Detroit Lions
Last Week: 26
Their victory party was short lived, as it’s back to the drawing board this week. Dante Culpepper might see a start while Matthew Stafford winks at his bum knee.

27. Carolina Panthers
Last Week: 27
A good week for the bye, as they can round up the troops and figure out where everything went wrong. Unfortunately, one week off can’t fix Jake Delhomme’s brain.

28. Washington Redskins
Last Week: 29
They got lucky playing against Tampa, but Jim Zorn’s going to be on the hot seat for the rest of the season.  And Sherman Lewis isn’t going to be the solution.

29. Kansas City Chiefs
Last Week: 28
Matt Cassell looked a lot sharper this week, but the Chiefs were still at a loss to do anything against the Giants. If they keep improving though, they might win a game by Week 12.

30. Cleveland Browns
Last Week: 30
LeBron James and Braylon Edwards are arguing over an altercation Edwards had with one of James’ posse outside a night club last week. And now, Braylon is out of Cleveland. Coincidence? I think not. LeBron is more powerful than the Browns.

31. Saint Louis Rams
Last Week: 31
After they go shut out for a second time this season, it didn’t seem like things could get worse for the Rams. Then Rush Limbaugh said he wants to buy the team. At least they know they’ll never sign Donovan McNabb.

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last Week: 25
Josh Johnson didn’t look…awful. But they missed out on their best opportunity win a game this year. They desperately miss.

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Hock’s Take: NFL Power Rankings For Week Three

1. New York Giants
Last Week: 1
They had the game so well in hand that David Carr played. Let me reiterate that. David Carr took snaps this week. That’s a team that’s riding high.

2. Baltimore Ravens
Last Week 2
Ray Rice broke his consecutive games without a touchdown streak this week, finally breaking through the end zone. Join us in three years when he does it again.

3. New Orleans Saints
Last Week: 3
It was bound to happen some time, the Saints offense got completely derailed this week, though they ended up winning the game. I’d just like to take the time to blame it on Kim Kardashian.

4. Indianapolis Colts
Last Week: 5
Peyton Manning put on another show, but Adam Vinatieri’s struggles are concerning. The guy has been clutch when it counts, but eventually they’re going to need him to score at the beginning and middle of the games too.

5. New York Jets
Last Week: 6
The New York Titans defeated the Houston Oilers this week, in a really sloppy game. Still, it’s easy to see why Jets fans are excited about Mark Sanchez.

6. Minnesota Vikings
Last Week: 7
Favre really Favred that one. By all rights, the game shouldn’t have been that close. The Vikings receivers dropped way too many balls, and the defense was apathetic, but that’s nothing new. They came through when it really mattered, though.

7. Philadelphia Eagles
Last Week: 11
Kevin Kolb performed at a remarkably high level…against the Kansas City Chiefs. So, let’s temper our enthusiasm a little bit. And hey, Michael Vick.

8. San Francisco 49ers
Last Week: 8
They’re going to be without Frank Gore for a while, but Mike Singletary has this team built to fight. They put themselves in a position to beat a playoff team, and in a year or two, they’ll win those games.

9. New England Patriots
Last Week: 10
A bit of a bounce back, including the discovery of a running game. But it’s still clear that they’re not quite back up to the level that they have been the past few seasons.

10. Atlanta Falcons
Last Week: 4
Every team’s going to have some bad games, and in the end, the Falcons will be fine. The biggest concern is all the penalties that drove them out of contention.

11. Pittsburgh Steelers
Last Week: 9
I didn’t think they’d miss Troy Polamalu *this* much. They’ve lost two winnable games in a row, but with the exception of a few winnable games down the stretch, the schedule only gets tougher from here on out.

12. Dallas Cowboys
Last Week: 12
The Cowboys got lucky, taking a win from the suddenly hapless Panthers, after a first half where they couldn’t do anything. The defense looked better, at least.

13. Green Bay Packers
Last Week: 14
Let’s face it. It was just the Rams, but the Packers still did what they had to do to improve. Their offensive line is going to need to be a lot better if they want to beat Jared Allen and the Vikings.

14. Denver Broncos
Last Week: 15
They might very well be the worst 3-0 team in NFL history, but they’re sitting in pretty damn good position to win their division. Maybe Josh McDaniels isn’t such a bad coach after all.

15. Chicago Bears
Last Week: 16
Chicago’s win over Seattle was barely noticed on Sunday, but they’re a steadily improving team. But one that’s going to have to open up the running game for Matt Forte sooner rather than later.

16. San Diego Chargers
Last Week: 22
It’s a little difficult to feel safe about the Chargers in any game. But Rivers is moving the ball well, and developing a good rhythm with Vincent Jackson.

17. Seattle Seahawks
Last Week: 13
Seneca Wallace is a fine stopgap, but the Seahawks aren’t going anywhere without Hasselbeck back in the lineup. They’re also not going anywhere with those lime jerseys. Leave that for the Oregon Ducks, guys.

18. Buffalo Bills
Last Week: 17
Those who had Week Three in the “T.O. Suddenly Realizes He’s in Buffalo Playing with Trent Edwards” pool: Step forward and claim your prize.

19. Cincinnati Bengals
Last Week: 23
Little by little, they’re recapturing 60-70 percent of that magic they had a few years ago. We’ll see if Ochocinco’s hot pink accessories help him get some targets to go along with his fines next week.

20. Houston Texans
Last Week: 18
In coverage, they’re still sloppy, and no messages written on their shoes can help that. And their run defense? Actually managed to be worse.

21. Tennessee Titans
Last Week: 19
How the mighty have fallen. The Titans, who ripped off ten straight to open last season, haven’t found a way to win this year. And Kerry Collins is starting to look his age.

22. Arizona Cardinals
Last Week: 20
Speaking of looking their age, a couple more weeks like this and Kurt Warner is going to bitching about his weird beard in a rocking chair with Emmitt Smith. If only he could throw against his own defense.

23. Oakland Raiders
Last Week: 21
There is some talk about letting Robert Gallery’s beard start at quarterback for the Raiders at some point this season. And I have to admit, I think the beard would have a lot more touch than Jamarcus Russell.

24. Miami Dolphins
Last Week: 24
It’s nice to see the Dolphins reverting to form this year. I can’t wait to see that intense Chad Henne/Tyler Thigpen battle over who gets to start for a UFL expansion franchise next season.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars
Last Week: 27
The Jags actually won a game! And I bet they win at least one more before a lineman steps on Maurice Jones-Drew, and they have to rely on the arm of David Garrard to win games.

26. Detroit Lions
Last Week: 31
THEY DID IT! THEY DID IT! THE LIONS HAVE WON A GAME! Leave it to Washington to bail out the Fords.

27. Carolina Panthers
Last Week: 28
Jake Delhomme’s statlines are starting to look a lot better, but the guy has clearly given up mentally. He and Julius Peppers should take naps together during TV time outs.

28. Kansas City Chiefs
Last Week: 29
There was a rumor going around this week that the Chief’s entire playbook has been junked a few times already, and that neither Brodie Croyle nor Tyler Thigpen has any idea what’s going on week to week. Which sums up the offensive Juggernaut that is that Kansas City Chiefs pretty well.

29. Washington Redskins
Last Week: 26
This has to be the most embarrassing loss any of these players have experienced in their careers. The thought of failing to keep up with the second losingest team in NFL history was so bad, Albert Haynesworth’s ass gave out on him.

30. Cleveland Browns
Last Week: 30
So…I guess Derek Anderson isn’t the answer at quarterback either? What about letting Josh Cribbs take some snaps? I’m only half kidding there.

31. Saint Louis Rams
Last Week: 32
They hung in with Green Bay for most of the game, which is way more than I thought they’d do. Credit where credit is due: They’re fighting harder than any team that will end up 2-14 would normally do.

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last Week: 25
I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt. After all, they almost made the playoffs last year. But the Bucs are just terrible. Looking down their schedule for the rest of the season I don’t see a game I think they’ll win, no matter who their quarterback is.

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Hock’s Take: 49ers Not Ready for Peterson, Vikings

Somewhere, taped inside the front of Brett Favre’s helmet, there is a message posted. It says simply: “Turn around, and hand off the ball.”

It’s a simple strategy, but an effective one, and one that has served the Vikings well for the past two seasons. Because in their backfield, there is a guy you may have heard of named Adrian Peterson.

People have been waiting for Favre to revert to his gun-slinging ways, to suddenly go from putting up line scores like 23/27-155-2-0 to his old 31/47-310-2-3, and maybe he will. But it’s not going to happen this week.

“But, Matt!” I can somehow hear you saying, “The 49ers run defense is one of the best in the league this season!”

Well, yes. That’s technically true. But Adrian Peterson is not Beanie Wells or Justin Forsett. And if the Niners think they’ll be able to stymie Peterson like they did two season ago, they’re in for a surprise.

Not that I think the 49ers are so haughty as to think that. Mike Singletary might be a hothead with a propensity for pulling his pants down, but he understands good run defense. After all, he did star for the Bears for a 100-odd years. So he’ll have his team geared up to stop Peterson.

And it won’t matter.

Simply put, the Vikings’ offense is perfectly suited to run against the 49er’s 3-4 scheme. By overloading the left side of their offensive line by putting Jim Kleinsasser in to block, Peterson should be able to bypass Justin Smith and get around the corner.

Once he gets to the second level, Peterson’s speed and power are unmatched by any current player. He is not afraid to get Patrick Willis or Takeo Spikes on their heels. Even with a sore back, Peterson has always been an instinct first runner, and he won’t shy away from contact.

And therein lies the reason for the Viking’s success in the past two games. While the 49ers might be able to bottle the running game up for a quarter or two like this, stuffing runs for 2-3 yards per play with some creative run blitzing, second level defenders are not used to getting hit, and the Vikings play a more violent run scheme than just about anybody.

I don’t see the Vikings altering their scheme any for this game. I think Peterson takes 20-25 carries, mostly to the left center of the line behind Bryant McKinney and a tight end. Also, I suspect one or two reverses to Percy Harvin out of the backfield, to take advantage of the 49ers’ overeager linebackers crashing down on Peterson early in the game.

We’ve yet to see how the 49ers react to playing a more physical, run-first offense, and I think it might just be a rude awakening. Honestly trying to compare the Niners’ last two opponents to the Vikings is like comparing a pen knife to a tank.

Okay, given Peterson’s injury, we’ll say a pen knife to a bazooka.

And if the Niner’s become so fixated on maintaining their status as one of the NFL’s best run defenses? We might just get to see how far Brett can still throw it.

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Hock’s Take: NFL Power Rankings For Week Two

1. New York Giants

Last Week: 2

The Giants haven’t played a complete game yet, but what they’ve shown is flashes of what made them the Super Bowl champions a couple of years ago. If Eli Manning can stay healthy and keep his young receivers active, the Giants are staring down a long playoff run.

 

2. Baltimore Ravens

Last Week: 8

The Ravens might be the most complete team in the AFC right now. Their pass defense has left a lot to be desired, but they clamped down when they needed to, and Ray Lewis showed a preternatural instinct for diagnosing plays to stuff the Chargers at the end of this week’s game.

 

3. New Orleans Saints

Last Week: 9

The offensive explosion continues unabated in New Orleans, and Drew Brees looks to be on pace to throw for about 10,000 yards. But the running game is already wearing down (in Week Two!) and, while Darren Sharper is providing big plays, the defense has left a lot to be desired.

 

4. Atlanta Falcons

Last Week: 7

I hinted at it last week, but in case you didn’t know, Tony Gonzalez is a pretty fantastic weapon for a young quarterback to have. I still don’t think the Falcons are an elite team, but it’s looking like this year isn’t going to be dominated by elite teams.

 

5. Indianapolis Colts

Last Week: 4

It’s certainly something when you can take a bathroom break and miss the Colts’ entire offensive performance, and they still win the game. That’s neither a condemnation of the Colts’ offense (who took about 30 seconds to score every time they touched the ball) or a mark of approval for their defense (who were half asleep until Chad Pennington started lobbing shovel passes 50 yards downfield at the end of the game).

 

6. New York Jets

Last Week: 14

It takes some brass balls to send your third-string quarterback, former Patriot Kevin O’Connell, out as a captain, just to dig into Bill Belichick. But the Jets defense looked fantastic, and they backed up all the smack they talked last week.

 

7. Minnesota Vikings

Last Week: 5

At some point, the Vikings are going to have to shake out of their slow first-half playbook and put some series together or some team is going to catch them. I mean, it’s great that they’ve mastered retooling at halftime, but it’s not going to help if San Francisco blows up on them 35-0 in the second quarter.

 

8. San Francisco 49ers

Last Week: 18

It’s too bad Frank Gore exploded like he did on Sunday. Not bad for the 49ers, who suddenly look like an NFL franchise by the way, but too bad for Gore because his performance is going to be overshadowed all week by the even more insane day for Chris Johnson. But…Gore’s team won.

 

9. Pittsburgh Steelers

Last Week: 19

It all came crashing down for the Steelers in the fourth quarter. Troy Polamalu and Jeff Reed standing on the sidelines, looking like extras from a really bad funeral scene. They’ll be fine this season, but it’s going to be rougher than they thought.

 

10. New England Patriots

Last Week: 3

At some point, you have to believe that New England will find their groove. But for the time being, they’re pretty quickly falling apart.

 

11. Philadelphia Eagles

Last Week: 6

A slow and steady drop until McNabb comes back, but they’ll have an awfully big hole to climb out of in the NFC East when he does. The defense clearly misses Jim Johnson and Brian Dawkins.

 

12. Dallas Cowboys

Last Week: 10

It was the perfect set-up. Sunday Night Football. Brand new stadium. Tony Romo coming off a great performance, a huge divisional game, and… Well, things didn’t end up quite how Jerry Jones hoped. Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. Really.

 

13. Seattle Seahawks

Last Week: 11

Without Matt Hasselbeck, this is not a particularly good team. What is it with rib injuries to quarterbacks lately? Next the NFL is going to mandate no hitting the quarterback in the upper body.

 

14. Green Bay Packers

Last Week: 12

Green Bay’s defense has flashes where it looks fantastic, but ultimately, it can’t contain anything for too long. As for their offensive line, it has flashes where it looks terrible, and ultimately it can’t contain anything either.

 

15. Denver Broncos

Last Week: 17

Say what you want about the Broncos’ offseason, but they’re sitting at 2-0, and they saw a nice uptick in production from their offense this week. They’re still not contenders, but they’re not who we thought they were.

16. Chicago Bears

Last Week: 20

Jay Cutler in a nutshell: Leading the team on a game-winning drive, Cutler takes his helmet off and rests it on his head. Looking more stoned than the cast of every Cheech and Chong movie, he manages to miss the referee standing two feet in front of him, and gets whacked in the face. The he manages to catch his flying helmet behind his back by his fingertips.

 

17. Buffalo Bills

Last Week: 22

The Bills are going to be fine. They won’t be great. 8-8, probably, but they’re making headway. Have your popcorn ready, just in case.

 

18. Houston Texans

Last Week: 24

An offensive showcase to mask how horrible their defense really is. No coverage on Chris Johnson? Really, Texans? Still, that climb to .500 doesn’t seem so far off any more.

 

19. Tennessee Titans

Last Week: 10

A one-man explosion, which dwarfed the fact that the Titans couldn’t really put anything together outside of a handful of amazing runs. This isn’t the same team that put together a great year last year, and I think they’re a few mediocre games away from Vince Young lining up behind center again.

 

20. Arizona Cardinals

Last Week: 19

Forget what Marcus Fitzgerald is Tweeting. The Cardinals have to be thrilled with their performance on Sunday. I don’t have a ton of faith in these guys to keep this up, but they’re still dangerous.

 

21. Oakland Raiders

Last Week: 21

From the most accurate passer of the week to Jamarcus Russell. The Raiders got the win this week, though. And I’m pretty damn sure one of Russell’s passes landed within 50 feet of his target. Progress, folks.

 

22. San Diego Chargers

Last Week: 13

The Chargers had it, but Ray Lewis read right through their scheme, and the Chargers’ line couldn’t keep him from stuffing Darren Sproles in the backfield. They’re probably better than this ranking allows, but without Jamal Williams, the wheels are still slowly coming off the bus for the Chargers.

 

23. Cincinnati Bengals

Last Week: 26

Chad Ochocinco dared himself to do a Lambeau Leap, and to his credit, he did it. Sort of. It couldn’t have been easy to find Bengals fans in the crowd that day. Or at all for that matter. Still, the Bengals showed they can play a little offense.

 

24. Miami Dolphins

Last Week: 22

Two things happened on Monday: The Miami Dolphins played the best ball control offense in NFL history. Secondly? The Dolphins played the worst 30-second defense in NFL history. I guess you can throw “Chad Pennington throws a pass of 10+ yards” in the achievement pile too.

 

25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Last Week: 23

Looking at the stat lines, the Bucs have given up almost 1,000 yards in total offense already this season. Somewhere, Monte Kiffin and Derrick Brooks are laughing about this. And John Gruden is grimacing at a potted plant.

 

26. Washington Redskins

Last Week: 25

The Redskins have a relatively easy schedule coming up, but I’m pretty leery about calling their next two games gimmies. They’re playing so poorly right now, that I actually believe that Washington might be the team that breaks Detroit’s streak.

 

27. Jacksonville Jaguars

Last Week: 27

The Jaguars lost starting wide receiver Troy Williamson for the rest of the year on Sunday. I don’t really have a whole lot more to say to that. I just wanted to give Vikings fans a chance to gasp at the words “starting wide receiver Troy Williamson.”

 

28. Carolina Panthers

Last Week: 28

Even when Jake Delhomme doesn’t look bad, he looks bad. The rest of the Panthers didn’t really help him, but the loss falls on Jake for not coming through at the end of the game. There isn’t a team in the league that looks like it needs the bye week more. And it’s only Week Three.

 

29. Kansas City Chiefs

Last Week: 29

Todd Haley is quickly becoming my favorite head coach. Not because I think he’s a great coach, or because I’m a huge Chiefs fan, but because every time the camera rolls anywhere near him, he launches into a swearing tirade that would make Bobby Knight cry. No wonder Matt Leinart never learned anything.

 

30. Cleveland Browns

Last Week: 30

Well, whatever the Browns thought they learned from their game against the Vikings, it’s pretty clear that they forgot it in a hurry. Eventually, Eric Mangini will probably get on the same page with his team, but right now, I don’t know that they’re in the same library.

 

31. Detroit Lions

Last Week: 32

The Lions having a successful first half against an opponent, who then dominates them in the second? Say it ain’t so! Yeah, pretty much the same old Lions this week, but you can almost see the pieces falling into place there. In two or three years, they might be dangerous. Or they might still be the Detroit Lions. Who knows?

 

32. St. Louis Rams

Last Week: 31

Maybe it’s a bit controversial, but I haven’t seen a single thing I like about the Rams this year, which is even less than I can say about a team that’s lost 19 straight games. There honestly isn’t a single game I think the Rams can win this year. Except maybe for the most epic showdown in NFL History. Week Eight. Nov. 1st. Rams/Lions. I hope I get that game in my market.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

A Look at The Minnesota Viking’s Rookie Class of 2009

The season starts next week, and thanks to three preseason games, we’ve got a good look at all the Vikings’ rookies. How do they stack up? Let’s take a look.

Round 1:  Percy Harvin, WR

There’s no doubt that Harvin is an immensely talented athlete. The Vikings are just beginning to scratch the surface of the ways they can use him, even if the vaunted Percy-cat formation doesn’t work out.

First round receivers usually don’t produce much until their second year, but Harvin has the skills to have an excellent rookie season.

Round 2:  Phil Loadholt, T

Loadholt’s answered a lot of questions after being handed the starting right tackle job almost immediately after being drafted.

He’s a raw, physical blocker who has had a solid preseason, but he definitely needs some game experience. He’s looked fine run blocking, but his footwork has been a bit suspect in pass protection.

Round 3: Asher Allen, CB

After starting off training camp hot, Allen’s buzz has cooled somewhat. It’s not that he’s playing badly, but more that he’s not been able to match his fantastic production from earlier in camp.

Still, he’s a lock to split time with Benny Sapp in the Vikings’ nickel package.

Round 5: Jasper Brinkley, LB

Brinkley’s a lock to make the special teams unit, where his straight line speed and hard hitting will be a boon to one of the NFL’s worst units from last year.

His understanding of the defense has improved significantly from the start of camp, and the Vikings seem very comfortable with Brinkley being the top backup to middle linebacker E.J. Henderson.

Round 7: Jamarca Sanford, S

Sanford has made a few good plays on special teams, but hasn’t really separated himself from the pack, especially playing behind last year’s preseason superstar safety Hussein Abdullah. Still, Sanford will probably make the team to improve safety depth, and hopefully another year of work will bring him more up to speed next offseason.

 

UDFA: Nick Urban, G

Urban was cut this week after failing to distinguish himself in a fairly mediocre guard unit. At least he has that job at Target to fall back on.

UDFA: Bobby Williams, WR

Williams won’t make the 53 man roster, but it won’t be for lack of trying. He’s had a solid camp, putting in a lot of work with Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels. He will probably slip onto the practice squad, and may eventually make the team.

More likely, he’ll turn out to be the Vikings’ Ryan Hoag, a preseason superstar year after year, who never makes it past the last round of cuts.

UDFA: Jon Cooper, C

Cooper is currently considered the Viking’s second best center, though Ryan Cook would probably start ahead of him in the event of a John Sullivan injury.

Still, there’s a lot to like about Cooper, a former linemate of Phil Loadholt at Oklahoma. In a few years, he could be starting someplace else.

UDFA: Ian Johnson, RB

Johnson has a great feel good story, leading Boise State to a Fiesta Bowl victory over the aforementioned Sooners on a trick play touchdown, and then getting engaged on national TV.

Unfortunately, the fairy tale is probably over for Johnson, who hasn’t played well enough in camp to supplant Albert Young as the Vikings’ third running back. Still, I think he has a chance of catching on with another team or sneaking onto the practice squad.

UDFA:  Vinnie Perretta, WR

I don’t know what the Vikings were trying to do here. Replay that Fiesta Bowl game during practices, I guess. Perretta’s a fine young guy, but he’s not going to make any teams this year. Maybe he can hook on to a Canadian or UFL squad.

UDFA: Antoine Smith, RB

Already cut. Smith was added to give a little depth to the training camp backs. He actually had a few nifty little runs in his limited playing time, but he’s not an NFL ready back. Might be a practice squad guy if they can’t hold onto Johnson.

UDFA: Colt Anderson, S

Colt Anderson filled the Vikings’ desperate need for a player named “Colt,” but not much else. He’s actually a fine player, if a bit small. I just don’t see him making the squad. Good training camp body though.

UDFA:  Nick Moore, WR

Moore wasn’t even that great a wide out in college. Just a warm body to run routes.

UDFA: Antoine Holmes, DT

The Vikings are actually hurting for young tackle depth, so I could see Holmes getting picked up for the practice squad. He’s got one of the most unintentionally hilarious MySpace pages, I’ve ever seen by the way. There’s a drawing of him as a Dragonball Z character, and it looks like it was made by a 14-year old girl. Pretty awesome.

UDFA:  De’von Hall, CB

The Vikings’ defensive backfield  is suddenly a bit crowded. Hall is a developmental player in a position where the Vikings need consistency. Possibly a practice squad guy, but he won’t make the team.

UDFA: Andy Kemp, G

Kemp’s a good run blocker who needs to work a lot on technique. While he’s not an NFL level talent yet, he’s a good pick to keep around, and maybe groom into a potential replacement for Hutchinson down the road.

Kemp would really have benefited from playing in a program like NFL Europe. Which is too bad.

UDFA: Juan Garcia, C

He’s just center depth, outplayed by Cooper in camp. He got a medical red shirt and a regular red shirt, so he spent six years in college. That makes him two years older than you want your developmental players to be.

UDFA: Tremaine Johnson, DE

Johnson adds good depth to a line that could use it. He’s probably not going to make an active roster this season, but if the Vikings take a roster hit later this year, I could easily see them adding Johnson, because he seems to have picked up the system pretty well.

Hock’s Take: I Take Back Nearly Everything I Said About Brett Favre

Just last week, I bemoaned the end of my consecutive Favre-less streak, but I stand here before you a changed man.

Actually, I’m sitting here, and I’m not really before you, but the point still stands. I have seen the light!

No matter what happens this year, I’m glad that Brett Favre is a Minnesota Viking.

Now I can hear all the “haters” out there, who’d want defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier to punch Brett in the jaw. “He’s too old, he’s washed up! Didn’t you see him at the end of last year? And now he’s got a torn rotator cuff on top of that?”

It’s all true, of course. He’s a washed-up shell of his former self coming into a team and system he doesn’t know as much about as he thought he did, but ultimately, it doesn’t matter.

The best case scenario for the Vikings this year is that Favre is a great stop-gap. A playoff team with as much talent as Minnesota has should be able to ride even a mediocre quarterback deep into the playoffs. There’s no reason to think they can’t win a Super Bowl.

Worst case? The Vikings make a ton of money. Favre’s jersey is already selling out across the state. Even last year, in the more jaded New York market, Favre’s jersey was the best selling in the NFL, and Minnesota is a much better locale for licensed sports merchandise.

Ticket sales are already up, and should continue to climb as the roster takes shape heading into the season. That means more ad revenue and fewer possible blackouts, which means less begging for money from corporate sponsors.

Additionally, even if Favre does flop and the Vikings go 4-12 (they won’t), they’ll be in a perfect position to draft one of the top college QBs coming out this year.

You can’t tell me that the Vikings wouldn’t be better for drafting Bradford, McCoy or, yes, even Tebow.

I don’t think it’s all for naught. Ultimately, I think the Vikings will do well under Favre, make the playoffs, and possibly even make the Super Bowl. Even if they don’t, interest in the team has never been higher, and that’s good for everyone.

News From Around the League:

NFC East: Michael Vick is expected to play against the Jacksonville Jaguars, probably only taking a handful of snaps, then it’s back to the pound where he plans to read to disadvantaged puppies.

NFC South: Julius Peppers has been taking a lot of criticism for taking plays off during the preseason, but in Peppers’ defense, he’d much rather be taking plays off for another team during this stretch.

NFC West: Still terrible.

NFC North: Lions coordinator Scott Linehan is apparently furious about how poorly the Lions have been practicing lately. I guess nobody told him that he’s coaching the Lions. Then again, I’m thinking this group makes his Rams squad look pretty fantastic in hindsight.

AFC East: Terrell Owens hasn’t practiced with the Bills since the first preseason game, and probably won’t play for the rest of the preseason. His agent, Julius Peppers, says this is nothing to worry about.

AFC South: Titans Punter/Running Back A.J. Trapasso nailed the scoreboard at Cowboy Stadium with a punt, netting me a cool $10.

AFC West: LaDainian Tomlinson continues to play his first preseason games in years, trying to work himself into game shape after two disappointing seasons (by his standards). Terrell Owens and Julius Peppers declined to comment.

AFC North: Bengals first round draft pick Andre Smith still has not signed, in a deal that has gotten a lot more scrutiny since the negotiations are being broadcast on HBO’s series “Hard Knocks.” In case you haven’t seen the series, the two sides are still miles apart on what cheese will top Smith’s mountain of cheeseburgers.

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