nd dished out seven assists, while Durant went | Forum
123
Apr 17 '19
Being the only team to go unbeaten through five weeks gets the Vikings some league-wide distinction, as well as a perch atop this weeks ESPN NFL Power Rankings. Cheap Tennessee Titans Jerseys . The Patriots Week 5 win and 4-1 record convinced ESPNs power panel (a group of more than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities) to move New England up to No. 2.Methodology note: These rankings reflect who voters think would win in head-to-head matchups. Higher-ranked teams would more often be favored against lower-ranked teams. Coming off a win doesnt guarantee a jump, and coming off a loss doesnt guarantee a fall.Check out the rest of the league and where each team ranks.Previous rankings: Week 5 | Week 4 | Week 3 | Week 2 | Week 1 | PreseasonESPN Stats & Information contributed the following information, which this week focuses on the head coaches for each team.1. Minnesota Vikings2016 record: 5-0 Week 5 ranking: 5Is there any doubt Mike Zimmer is the leagues front-runner for Coach of the Year right now? He lost his starting quarterback before the season started, yet has the Vikings unbeaten heading into a bye thanks to a defense that is allowing the fewest points per game. The Vikings ranked last in PPG allowed in 2013, the season before Zimmer arrived in Minneapolis.2. New England Patriots2016 record: 4-1 Week 5 ranking: 4Coach Bill Belichick went 3-1 without Tom Brady this season, so now that the duo is reunited, the rest of the NFL should watch out. Belichick and Brady are 173-51 overall (.772) since joining forces, and 5-1 against the Bengals, their Week 6 opponent.3. Pittsburgh Steelers2016 record: 4-1 Week 5 ranking: 3At 4-1, Mike Tomlins Steelers seem poised for another 10-win season, and a game against the struggling Dolphins could net them win No. 5. If the Steelers do get to 10 wins, it will be the first time they have won 10 in three straight seasons since 1994-97.4. Denver Broncos2016 record: 4-1 Week 5 ranking: 1We wish Gary Kubiak the best in his recovery after being hospitalized with a complex migraine condition. Though hell be watching Thursday nights game from home, he should rest easy: The Broncos have won eight of their past nine against the Chargers.5. Seattle Seahawks2016 record: 3-1 Week 5 ranking: 2The Seahawks are 3-1 and have allowed the third-fewest points per game, so Pete Carrolls team is sitting pretty. However, Falcons QB Matt Ryan has given Carrolls defenses trouble in the past. The Seahawks are 1-3 (including playoffs) against Atlanta under Carroll, allowing 26.0 points per game.6. Atlanta Falcons2016 record: 4-1 Week 5 ranking: 8The Falcons fell apart after a 5-0 start last season, but Dan Quinns 2016 squad seems poised for bigger and better things after defeating the defending champs in Denver in Week 5. A win in Seattle against Quinns former team this week would further solidify the Falcons claim as a top team.7. Dallas Cowboys2016 record: 4-1 Week 5 ranking: 11Owner and general manager Jerry Jones says Tony Romo is still the Cowboys No. 1 quarterback. We wonder whether coach Jason Garrett feels the same way. Dak Prescott trails only Tom Brady for most attempts to start a career without an interception, according to Elias Sports Bureau research.8. Cincinnati Bengals2016 record: 2-3 Week 5 ranking: 10Marvin Lewis Bengals are off to their worst five-game start since 2010, the season before QB Andy Dalton joined the team and the last time the Bengals missed the playoffs. The good news is if it continues, Lewis cant lose another playoff game (hes 0-7 in his career).9. Green Bay Packers2016 record: 3-1 Week 5 ranking: 6The Packers and Mike McCarthy have stuck with defensive coordinator Dom Capers through thick and thin, and the decision is paying off this season. The Packers have allowed only 171 rushing yards all season, but they face their toughest test this week against the NFLs leading rushing team: the Cowboys.10. Arizona Cardinals2016 record: 2-3 Week 5 ranking: 17One more loss and Bruce Arians Cardinals would surpass their loss total from 2015. Arians likely doesnt want that loss to come against his former defensive coordinator (Todd Bowles) when the Cardinals host the Jets on Monday night.11. Philadelphia Eagles2016 record: 3-1 Week 5 ranking: 7Both Doug Pederson and QB Carson Wentz took their first career losses this past week, but a one-point road loss is nothing to stress over. A loss this week at the Redskins, however, wont help in their pursuit of the Cowboys in the NFC East.12. Oakland Raiders2016 record: 4-1 Week 5 ranking: 9Jack Del Rios Raiders are kind of defying logic right now. Theyve allowed the most yards and the sixth-most points this season, yet they sit at 4-1 overall. The Raiders are 10-6 in games decided by eight or fewer points the past two seasons. Are they bound to regress with those defensive numbers?13. Carolina Panthers2016 record: 1-4 Week 5 ranking: 15Why so high at 1-4? Because voters think with a healthy Cam theyd still beat many below them, and Cam could be back soon. But its been a rough start. According to Elias Sports, they are the first team to start 1-4 or worse after appearing in the Super Bowl since ... the 2004 Panthers (who started 1-4).14. Baltimore Ravens2016 record: 3-2 Week 5 ranking: 14The Ravens have fired offensive coordinator Marc Trestman. The last time John Harbaugh fired an O-coordinator midseason, things worked out well. Harbaugh made a switch at offensive coordinator in 2012 and the Ravens went on to win the Super Bowl. Baltimore tests out its new offense at the Giants on Sunday.15. Kansas City Chiefs2016 record: 2-2 Week 5 ranking: 18Andy Reids playcalling has always been a topic of discussion, and it should remain so this season. The Chiefs and Jaguars have dropped back to pass at the highest rate (both 70.9 percent)?this season. Does Reid really want QB Alex Smith to get into a shootout with Derek Carr this week?16. Buffalo Bills2016 record: 3-2 Week 5 ranking: 20Since coach Rex Ryan and the Bills made the switch at offensive coordinator, the team is 3-0 and averaging a whopping 178 rushing yards per game on 5.9 yards per rush. The move seemed unnecessary, but give Rexs crew credit: It has worked so far.17. New York Giants2016 record: 2-3 Week 5 ranking: 12The Ben McAdoo era got off to a roaring start after the Giants won their first two games. But a three-game skid during which QB Eli Manning has thrown two touchdowns to three interceptions has the G-Men sitting last in the NFC East. Can they climb out of the hole against the visiting Ravens on Sunday?18. Houston Texans2016 record: 3-2 Week 5 ranking: 13Do the offensive struggles fall on the offensive-minded Bill OBrien or quarterback Brock Osweiler? Well know soon enough as Houston hosts Indianapolis in Week 6, and the Texans arent going to win if they cant get more than 15 combined touches for Lamar Miller, DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller V.19. Los Angeles Rams2016 record: 3-2 Week 5 ranking: 16Dont blow this, Jeff! At 3-2, the Rams can give themselves a little cushion from Jeff Fishers dreaded .500 mark. A trip to Detroit stands in the way of a 4-2 start (best for a Fisher team since the 2010 Titans) or another 3-3 start (Fisher started 3-3 in four of his past five seasons).20. Detroit Lions2016 record: 2-3 Week 5 ranking: 25All five Lions games this season have been decided by a touchdown or less, but the team sits at 2-3. The Lions were 6-1 in such games in Jim Caldwells first season, and 4-4 last season. The Lions face the 3-2 Rams in Detroit this week.21. Indianapolis Colts2016 record: 2-3 Week 5 ranking: 26As a former defensive coordinator, Chuck Pagano cant be thrilled with the performance of his teams defense. According to ESPNs Football Power Index, the Colts defensive efficiency is second worst in the NFL this season. If they cant slow a struggling Texans offense on Sunday night, theyll notch loss No. 4.22. Washington Redskins2016 record: 3-2 Week 5 ranking: 19Jay Gruden has rallied the Redskins to three straight wins following an 0-2 start. Can Washington push it to four straight in a home game against Philadelphia? Grudens teams have won three straight against the Eagles.23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers2016 record: 2-3 Week 5 ranking: 29Dirk Koetter probably breathed a sigh of relief after Roberto Aguayo drilled the winning field goal Monday night against the Panthers. Had Aguayo missed (he failed on two field goal attempts earlier in the game), it would have made the 2016 second-round draft pick look bad for Koetter and the franchise.24. San Diego Chargers2016 record: 1-4 Week 5 ranking: 22The Chargers keep finding ways to lose under Mike McCoy, dropping 11 of their past 12 games, all of which were decided by a touchdown or less. McCoys Chargers have allowed an NFL-worst 103 points in the second half/overtime this season (39 points in the first half).25. New Orleans Saints2016 record: 1-3 Week 5 ranking: 24The Saints are coming off their first victory of the season, but theres no guarantee theyll win at home this week. Sean Payton has gone 4-11 in his past 15 home games as head coach, and 1-5 in his past six division home games.26. Tennessee Titans2016 record: 2-3 Week 5 ranking: 27Mike Mularkey is 20-42 (.323) in his career as a head coach, but hes 2-3 this season. Why is this significant? He hasnt won more than two games in a season as a head coach since 2005, when his Bills went 5-11. A home game against the Browns is as good a chance as any to get that magical third win.27. New York Jets2016 record: 1-4 Week 5 ranking: 21Former defensive back Todd Bowles must hate whats happening to the Jets secondary. The average passing touchdown against the Jets has gone for 31.5 yards this season, which includes five scores of 40 or more yards. Bowles is hoping they can fix those problems before playing at Arizona (his former team as a defensive coordinator) on Monday Night Football.28. Chicago Bears2016 record: 1-4 Week 5 ranking: 28John Fox has a decision to make between Jay Cutler and Brian Hoyer, but at this point, is it that much of a decision? Hoyer has the Bears only win this season, and he has thrown 140 attempts without an interception.29. Miami Dolphins2016 record: 1-4 Week 5 ranking: 30Adam Gase was supposed to be the quarterback whisperer, but Ryan Tannehills Total QBR (37.1) is the worst it has ever been. If it doesnt improve against the mighty Steelers, Gase might be whispering to Matt Moore, who last started a game in 2011.30. Jacksonville Jaguars2016 record: 1-3 Week 5 ranking: 23Gus Bradley survived the trip to London, but with a 13-39 career record in Jacksonville, his days always seem to be numbered. The Jags head to Chicago in Week 6, and a loss to the reeling Bears would keep the Jags in the AFC cellar.31. San Francisco 49ers2016 record: 1-4 Week 5 ranking: 31Is it time for Chip Kelly to make a quarterback change? Kelly has the 49ers moving at the fastest pace in the NFL, which might make the more mobile?Colin Kaepernick?a better fit than Blaine Gabbert, who currently leads all quarterbacks in rush attempts (39).32. Cleveland Browns2016 record: 0-5 Week 5 ranking: 32Believe it or not, Hue Jackson is the first head coach to start his Browns career 0-5 since Chris Palmer during the Browns return to the NFL in 1999. The Titans provide a chance to snap that losing streak Sunday. Cheap Titans Jerseys China . On Mar. 16, coming off a "fight of the year" performance at UFC 154 the previous November, St-Pierre faced Nick Diaz at UFC 158 in what would be his eighth defence of the welterweight title. Using his superior athleticism, St-Pierre cruised to a five round, unanimous decision victory setting up a much-anticipated title defence against number one contender Johny Hendricks. Cheap Titans Jerseys . -- Aldon Smith believes he is on the path to being sober for good. http://www.cheaptitansjerseyselite.com/ .ca NFL Power Rankings, overtaking the Denver Broncos and remaining ahead of NFC competition San Francisco, Carolina and New Orleans. BOSTON -- If Celtics fans had their way, and if their dreams had come true, Kevin Durant would be playing for Boston instead of the Golden State Warriors when the teams meet Friday night.Last summer, when Durant was deciding where to spend the next years of his career, the Celtics put on a big push, bringing their players and Tom Brady to a meeting with Durant on Long Island, N.Y.However, Durant spurned the Celtics and also spurned his former team, leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Bay Area.It could make for an interesting reception by the TD Garden folks.What can they be mad about? Durant said Wednesday. I never played there, I never said I was going there. Theyre going to support their team.Its one of the best fan bases in the league. Top five, easily. So no matter who goes in there, theyre going to boo them. But I have no attachment to Boston at all.Buttering them up -- sort of -- may not keep the boos from raining down on Durant, but it will make for an interesting night.The Warriors lost just nine games in their record-setting regular season last year. One of those defeats was to the Celtics, in Oakland on April 1 -- and Boston was this close to being the only team in the NBA to beat Golden State twice.On Dec. 11, with TD Garden rocking, the Warriors rallied for a 124-119 double-overtime win against the Celtics, which gave Golden State a 24-0 record at the time. The Warriors record opening streak ended at Milwaukee in the next game, at the end of a seven-game road trip.The Warriors, who actually won their 28th straight regular-season game in Boston, trailed by five with 2:07 left in regulation, then played through a sloppy first overtime and then won the 58-minute game.We continue to fight. We believe in ourselves, Golden State forward Draymond Green said that night. We believe in each other and we trust each other. So, nothing new. The same old same old, which has made us who we are.They look a little different this season after failing to hold a 3-1 lead and losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers in last yearrs NBA Finals. Cheap Titans Jerseys Authentic. Durant arrived, and some key parts, such as Harrison Barnes and Andrew Bogut, left. However, coach Steve Kerrs team is 9-2 and hits Boston for the second game of a four-game road trip having already done something special.The Warriors have won five straight after a 127-121 victory at Toronto on Wednesday. They recorded at least 30 assists and shot 50 percent or better in all five games of their streak -- the first team since the 1990 Chicago Bulls to pull that off.And they meet a Celtics team that has been battling through the injuries suffered by Al Horford -- the big name brought in instead of Durant -- and Jae Crowder. The latter returned to practice Thursday, and both appear close. But having either of them for this game appears doubtful at best.After Durant went west, Crowder, in an interview with MassLive, said, That team is for sure the villain of the league. Every other NBA guy, friends of mine, are really disgusted from how the league is turning on that standpoint. Everybody is joining together. Everybody wants to go to Golden State or Cleveland.On Wednesday night, Isaiah Thomas and Avery Bradley, the guards who have to deal with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson on Friday, combined for 48 points, 17 rebounds and seven assists in Bostons win over the undermanned Dallas Mavericks -- Thomas putting on a one-man show down the stretch.The little big man, who has yet to score fewer than 23 points in a game this season, scored 22 in the fourth quarter, 20 in the final 6:01. Bradley had the other two Boston baskets in the run and also grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds in the win that lifted the Celtics to 6-5 on the season.The same night against the Raptors, Curry scored 35 points and dished out seven assists, while Durant went for 30 points, nine rebounds and six assists.Curry is averaging 33.6 points per game and Durant 25.4 during the five-game winning streak. ' ' '
Share:
