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By Joel Hammond
JHammond@pigskinpodcast.com
In yesterday's blog, I explicated exactly why I think the Cowboys will fall flat on their face in 2008, a year in which fans and media alike have big expectations for "America's Team."
They won't fail because of talent.
I added up Dallas' totals from ESPN.com's positional power rankings (Insider content, so you'll have to trust me), and they averaged a 5.67 in nine categories: quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive line, defensive line, linebackers, secondary and special teams.
The Cowboys' lowest ranking was 20, in special teams; they were ranked No. 1 in linebackers and secondary and No. 2 in tight ends and defensive line.
Well, I had a bright idea: Why not build a spreadsheet, enter ESPN's rankings and see what comes of it?
Here are the average rankings, in order from top to bottom:
1. Dallas, San Diego: 5.67
3. New England: 8.0
4. Indianapolis: 9.22
5. Jacksonville: 10.44
6. Green Bay: 10.89
7. Cleveland: 11.0
8. New York Giants: 12.0
9. Pittsburgh: 12.44
10. Philadelphia: 13.44
11. Baltimore: 14.78
12. Seattle: 15.44
13. Minnesota: 15.78
14. Tennessee: 16.78
15. Washington: 16.89
16. Carolina, Houston: 17.78
18. Tampa Bay: 18.22
19. Chicago: 18.56
20. New Orleans: 19.0
21. Arizona, Cincinnati, New York Jets: 19.22
24. Buffalo: 19.67
25. St. Louis: 20.0
26. Denver: 20.44
27. Oakland: 21.11
28. Kansas City: 22.0
29. San Francisco: 23.33
30. Atlanta: 24.22
31. Detroit: 24.44
32. Miami: 25.33
Surprises: Chicago at No. 19 and Baltimore at No. 11. The Bears were saved by their special teams. Take out their No. 1 there, and they're a 20.75, or No. 27.
Baltimore, meanwhile, was saved by its defense: They're fourth, ninth and seventh in the three defensive categories; offensively, they averaged a 20.8.
What would the playoffs look like if these rankings came true? Let's take a look:
AFC:
- Byes: San Diego, New England
- First round: Pittsburgh at Indianapolis, Jacksonville at Cleveland
NFC:
- Byes: Dallas, Green Bay
- First round: Minnesota at New York Giants, Seattle at Philadelphia
That'd be a fun postseason, right?
If that's the setup, I'll go this route:
- Wild-card round winners: Pittsburgh, Cleveland, New York, Philadelphia
- Divisional-round winners: Pittsburgh over San Diego, New England over Cleveland, Dallas over Philadelphia, Green Bay over New York
- Conference championships: Pittsburgh over New England, Green Bay over Dallas
- Super Bowl: Green Bay over Pittsburgh
What? You expected different?
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