SneakerReporter NFL Power Rankings: 10/10

SneakerReporter NFL Power Rankings: 10/10

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by | Oct 10, 2019 | Featured, NFL

Each week, SneakerReporter will put out their power rankings of all 32 NFL teams. 

With Week 5 kicking off tonight (New York Giants vs. New England Patriots, 8:20 PM EST on Fox and NFL Network) it’s time to unveil where each team sits.

The fun begins below and be sure to check back each Thursday to track how far up or down your favorite team moves from week-to-week. 

1. New England Patriots 5-0 (LW: 2)

You can only play who’s in front of you and New England has done an amazing job of finding ways to absolutely destroy the lesser competition. 

 

2. Kansas City Chiefs 4-1 (LW: 1)

Let’s all hope Patrick Mahomes’ ankle injury is nothing serious. 

 

3. New Orleans Saints 4-1 (LW: 3)

Could this 3-0 stretch pave the way for Teddy Bridgewater to remain in the Bayou?

 

4. San Francisco 49ers 4-0 (LW: 5)

12 MORE GAMES JIMMY GAROPPOLO, YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!

5. Green Bay Packers 4-1 (LW: 10)

When Aaron Rodgers plays within the system and offensive philosophy this team has not lost a game. 

 

6. Buffalo Bills 4-1 (LW: 7)

A huge win for Buffalo as they remain right behind the New England Patriots in the AFC East. 

 

7. Detroit Lions 2-1-1 (LW: 9)

If Detroit can take down Aaron Rodgers on Monday Night Football they’ll finally get the recognition they deserve. 

 

8. Seattle Seahawks 4-1 (LW: 13)

Although a missed field goal for them this group embodies everything Pete Carroll believes in. 

 

9. Philadelphia Eagles 3-2 (LW: 12)

The Eagles are right back in the thick of things in the NFC East. 

 

10. Dallas Cowboys 3-2 (LW: 6)

This team could really use a bounce-back game and thankfully they travel East to face the Jets. 

 

11. Indianapolis Colts 3-2 (LW: 20)

Nobody outside of Indiana could’ve predicted what the Colts pulled off on Sunday night last week.

 

12. Los Angeles Rams 3-2 (LW: 8)

Back-to-back losses have the Rams currently sitting in THIRD PLACE in their division.

 

13. Minnesota Vikings 3-2 (LW: 16)

For one week, the passing game came to life for Kirk Cousins and Minnesota.

 

14. Baltimore Ravens 3-2 (LW: 14)

Lamar Jackson is no longer an MVP lock and the defense has disappeared.

 

15. Oakland Raiders 3-2 (LW: 24)

Jon Gruden got the last laugh in London. 

 

16. Houston Texans 3-2 (LW: 18)

Deshaun Watson post-game press conferences are becoming a “thing” aren’t they?

 

17. Chicago Bears 3-2 (LW: 4)

Their overseas trip looked more like a vacation as the Raiders pounced on them early before holding on to a win. 

 

18. Cleveland Browns 2-3  (LW: 11)

During primetime games the Browns are 0-2, maybe they should petition the league to take them off the TV more often.

 

19. Los Angeles Chargers 2-3 (LW: 21)

Seven starters are out due to injury, the fact that they’re only a game out of first in the AFC West is shocking.

 

20. Carolina Panthers 3-2 (LW: 17)

As long as Christian McCaffrey is on the field this team has a chance to something. 

 

21. Jacksonville Jaguars 2-3 (LW: 19)

#MinshewMagic wasn’t enough to steal a victory in Carolina.

 

22. New York Giants 2-3 (LW: 22)

The Daniel Jones hype train has certainly slowed down over the last few weeks. 

 

23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2-3 (LW: 22)

Chris Godwin is a M O N S T E R. 

 

24. Tennessee Titans 2-3 (LW: 23)

This team is STILL confusing.

 

25. Arizona Cardinals 1-3-1 (LW: 27)

Kyler and Kliff finally got their first win. 

 

26. Denver Broncos 1-4 (LW: 28)

VIC FANGIO FINALLY DID IT!!!! 

 

27. Pittsburgh Steelers 1-4 (LW: 25)

Devlin Hodges, COME ON DOWN!

 

28. Atlanta Falcons 1-4 (LW: 26)

This team needs to get its act together and FAST. 

 

29. New York Jets 0-4 (LW: 29)

Sam. Darnold. Is. Back. 

 

30. Washington Redskins 0-5 (LW: 30)

Jay Gruden is gone (YAY!) but Daniel Snyder and Bruce Allen remain (NAY!).

 

31. Cincinnati Bengals 0-5 (LW: 31)

SALE: EVERYTHING MUST GO! (except A.J. Green I guess).

 

32. Miami Dolphins 0-4 (LW: 32)

On Sunday we’ll see: TANK BOWL I – Miami versus Washington.

 

Oct 10, 2019 No Comments
Rob Gronkowski is Back in the NFL

Rob Gronkowski is Back in the NFL

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by | Oct 8, 2019 | Featured, NFL

Three-time Super Bowl champion and future Hall of Fame tight end, Rob Gronkowski is back in the NFL…as an analyst.

There have been rumors swirling ever since he retired in the offseason that Gronk would be unable to stay away from the game and they were partially correct it turns out.

Fox announced today that it would be adding the former New England Patriot to their NFL coverage just in time for the airing of Thursday Night Football featuring his former team facing off against the New York Giants on October 10.

He will be part of the pregame show alongside Terry Bradshaw, Michael Strahan, Tony Gonzalez, and Peter Schrager.

Gronkowski had the following to say about his new job, “I’m extremely excited to be joining FOX Sports. For the past 25 years, they’ve offered viewers top-notch NFL programming from the field to the booth to the studio. Their deep talent roster is unmatched, which was important for me as I embark on this new chapter in my life because I’ll be able to learn from the best in the business.”

Brad Zager, Executive Producer and Executive Vice President, Head of Production and Operations, FOX Sports added, “We’re thrilled Rob chose FOX Sports for the next phase of his football life. “He is one of the most popular players to ever play the game and also one of the best tight ends in NFL history. His passion for the game and larger-than-life personality make him a perfect fit for FOX Sports.”

With the injuries piling up for the Giants, the game might be a dud but it’ll definitely be worth the watch to see the hi jinx that Gronk has in store.

Oct 8, 2019 No Comments
BREAKING NEWS: Sam Darnold Will Start for the New York Jets in Week 6

BREAKING NEWS: Sam Darnold Will Start for the New York Jets in Week 6

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by | Oct 8, 2019 | Featured, NFL

The New York Jets were 0-1 when it was announced that starting quarterback Sam Darnold would be forced to miss a few weeks after contracting mononucleosis.

Darnold had to be quarantined from the rest of the team as he ran the risk of infecting other members of the franchise if he remained at the facility.

At first, the earliest return date projected him to come back after the team’s bye in Week 4.

In the weeks that have followed, he has made his way back and even took first-team repetitions during practice last week but was unable to get clearance to play in Week 5 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The team announced today that he would had received that clearance and that he would be their starter for Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys.

New York remains winless and the Cowboys are no slouches but having their franchise leader back should vastly change the way this team looks and performs on the field.

Oct 8, 2019 No Comments
Primetime Preview: Cleveland Browns at San Francisco 49ers (MNF Week 5)

Primetime Preview: Cleveland Browns at San Francisco 49ers (MNF Week 5)

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by | Oct 7, 2019 | Featured, NFL

To close out Week 5 we get an enticing matchup between two young and improving teams. The 49ers have shocked the NFL so far winning their first three games, putting them on top of the NFC West for now. The 49ers had an early bye in week 4, and look to remain as the only undefeated team in the NFC. The Browns have struggled so far in 2019, as Baker Mayfield has yet to take the jump into the elite category. Not all of their performance should fall on Mayfield though as the offensive line has really struggled to protect their franchise Quarterback. The Browns may have found gold in 2nd year running back Nick Chubb, as he went off in their week 4 victory over the Ravens. 

Tonight’s matchup should be a close contest, as the visiting Browns don’t want to risk falling to 2-3. Vegas has the 49ers as home favorites (-5), and how could they not? Their defense has been exceptional so far, allowing only 18 points/game in their first three games. Just one offseason can make a world of difference, as the 49ers have turned into a legitimate top 10 defense in 2019 after a season last year which found them at the bottom of the pack in almost every statistical category. 

Jimmy G and Kyle Shanahan have their offense working at great efficiency as well, as their run game has completely controlled the pace of their games. The only negative so far for San Francisco has been turnovers, as they notched 5 in their week 3 win over the Steelers. With a talented young defense in Cleveland who has already created seven turnovers, Cleveland will have its opportunities to force mistakes. San Francisco is historically good against the spread, especially on Monday Nights when they have gone 26-7 ATS in their last 33 appearances. 

 

Oct 7, 2019 No Comments
BREAKING NEWS: Washington Redskins Fire Jay Gruden

BREAKING NEWS: Washington Redskins Fire Jay Gruden

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by | Oct 7, 2019 | Featured, NFL

Following a 33-7 loss at home to the New England Patriots, the Washington Redskins have fired head coach Jay Gruden. The team will hold an official press conference at 1 PM EST today.

Over his six years with the franchise he amassed a record of 35-49-1. The team made it to the postseason once (2015). Gruden had one year left on a contract extension that he signed with the team in 2017.

Washington will name offensive line coach Bill Callahan—who oddly enough replaces Jay’s brother Jon in Oakland—as the team’s interim head coach.

This was a move that should shock few. The time was ripe for a change and ESPN’s Josina Anderson reports that players had grown tired of Gruden too:

The Redskins have seen former assistants Sean McVay (Los Angeles Rams) and Matt LaFleur (Green Bay Packers) leave the organization and prosper elsewhere as head coaches. The early reports are that offensive assistant Kevin O’Connell will be one of the internal options for Washington according to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora:

Oct 7, 2019 No Comments
Primetime Preview: Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs (SNF Week 5)

Primetime Preview: Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs (SNF Week 5)

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by | Oct 6, 2019 | Featured, NFL

Tonight’s Sunday Night showdown at Arrowhead Stadium is a battle between rivals with plenty of history. Although this seasons Colts squad does not feature Andrew Luck at the helm, this are still a formidable foe for the home Chiefs team. Patrick Mahomes and company have been just as excellent as last year. Their offense is working at historic efficiency, as they rank 1st in Passing yards/game and 2nd in both Points/game and Yards/game. The Colts defense has been sub par so far, allowing the 25th most Points/game in their first four. If the Chiefs come out firing like everyone expects, this game could get ugly.

Mahomes has been almost perfect so far in 2019, accounting for over 1500 yards and 10 TDs through his first four games. His production has earned him a QB RTG of 120.4, 2nd highest in the league so far. Mahomes has already proven that last year was no fluke. The generational talent is here to stay, and barring injury could go down as one of the all time greats. 

 

The bright spot of the Colts season has been their ability to run the football and control the flow of the game. They rank 7th in the league in Rush yards/game with their monstrous offensive line featuring star 2nd year LG Quentin Nelson. Offensive line play is not discussed enough, and the only way they can keep up with the Chiefs is if they play keep away, relying on the run game to control time of possession. The Chiefs rank 31st in Rush defense, so the Colts have an opportunity to expose their greatest weakness. 

The Chiefs have won the last two matchups between the two, handley defeating the Colts by scores of 31-13 & 30-14 respectively. There are no signs that the Colts will be able to slow down Mahomes and the offense, so expect another 30+ point performance from the Chiefs. Leaving Arrowhead with a win as the road team is an extremely difficult task, especially when the challenge is a primetime Sunday Night game. 

PREDICTION: Chiefs 35, Colts 20

Oct 6, 2019 No Comments