1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

NFL Power Rankings

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by KeyFin, Nov 3, 2020.

  1. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

    10,488
    12,821
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    Let me preface this by saying that the power rankings mean absolutely nothing in terms of football- they're popularity contests among journalists. Yet I still pay attention to them every year to see how much love/hate Miami is getting on the national stage.

    This week, we're all over the map between 10 and 20. NFL.com has us 16th, ESPN has us 17th, Sports Illustrated has us 11th, Yahoo has us 16th, and CBS has us 13th.

    I'm not sharing the comments since they all basically say, "Tua started his 1st game and a dominant defense carried him." The focus was almost 100% Tua though and what he didn't do, so they're still going negative instead of focusing on the things we're doing amazing. I'll update this weekly though just to help everyone get a pulse of opinions around the league, and in the future I'll share relevant commentary as well.

    Also, Football Outsiders has us at a 37.6% chance of making the playoffs, and that's up 19.8% from last week. It predicts our mean wins at 8.2 for the year.
     
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2020
  2. cbrad

    cbrad .

    10,659
    12,657
    113
    Dec 21, 2014
    That's fairly accurate IMO. We should be between 10 and 20, with 15-20 very realistic, given that we're right outside the last playoff spot. It's also accurate to say Tua started his 1st game and a dominant defense carried him. So no issues with this.
     
    Tin Indian and KeyFin like this.
  3. Dol-Fan Dupree

    Dol-Fan Dupree Tank? Who is Tank? I am Guy Incognito.

    40,533
    33,035
    113
    Dec 11, 2007
    They are so fun to read when your team is good.
     
    MrPhinn, Tin Indian and KeyFin like this.
  4. AGuyNamedAlex

    AGuyNamedAlex Well-Known Member

    3,582
    2,579
    113
    Sep 12, 2015
    One more dominant game defensively and I'll believe the unit truly is that good.

    Having a top defense should put you in the top 15 or so alone, so if the offense gets going with Tua we could be scary.
     
    KeyFin likes this.
  5. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

    10,488
    12,821
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    Yup, I completely agree on both counts.
     
  6. mlb1399

    mlb1399 Well-Known Member

    3,893
    3,087
    113
    Mar 6, 2010
    I was just gonna create a post on this. ESPN has us at 17 with SF and LAR ahead of this. How can you blow out both teams and say they are ahead of Miami!?!? Just goes to show how subjective and stupid some of these rankings are.
     
  7. Tin Indian

    Tin Indian Rockin' The Bottom End Club Member

    7,929
    4,404
    113
    Feb 10, 2010
    Palm Bay Florida
    They have their favorites and it shows, plus they don't want to appear wrong about their preseason assessments. It took a 4th straight loss for the Patriots to fall out of the top 20 which is par for the course even though there is a smoldering dumpster fire getting ready to ignite.

    I saw Cowherd had us at #10 in his whatever he calls his top 10 list, raving about our defense. Interestingly enough the Bills didn't even make his list. Peter King had us at 10 as well. Too me both of those are about 4 spots too high but when Tua starts putting it together, settles into a groove and the offense starts to click, I'd say they are just about right.
     
    mlb1399 likes this.
  8. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

    10,488
    12,821
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    Yes, in some of the individual polls and lesser followed sites, I saw us as high as #8...I almost listed Peter King since that's where I got the #10 from.
     
    Tin Indian likes this.
  9. mlb1399

    mlb1399 Well-Known Member

    3,893
    3,087
    113
    Mar 6, 2010
    completely agree. I just think it discredits anything they say when two teams rated ahead of us we beat 71-34. Either way, it’s like a popularity contest which doesn’t mean Jack s*** unless you go home with the prom queen. In this case, making the playoffs.
     
  10. AGuyNamedAlex

    AGuyNamedAlex Well-Known Member

    3,582
    2,579
    113
    Sep 12, 2015
    SF I can see because they were missing a lot of pieces and Jimmy obviously wasnt healthy at QB.

    The Rams though got destroyed.
     
  11. mlb1399

    mlb1399 Well-Known Member

    3,893
    3,087
    113
    Mar 6, 2010
    Normally I’d agree but they’re ranking them ahead of us with all those pieces missing. Not to mention we curb stomped them which means something in the NFL.

    Either way, let our play speak for itself and it will take care of everything.
     
    Tin Indian, AGuyNamedAlex and KeyFin like this.
  12. Hooligan

    Hooligan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    624
    790
    93
    Dec 31, 2018
    Costa Rica
    At the start of the season Peter King picked the Phins to win the division as did several others. I read an article in Yahoo sports that called Miami the best team in the AFC East. Josh Allen is faltering while we are on the upswing. It's all up to Tua and Chan Gailey.
     
    KeyFin and Tin Indian like this.
  13. Pauly

    Pauly Season Ticket Holder

    3,696
    3,743
    113
    Nov 29, 2007
    It’s been more fun to read about the Jets this year.
     
    KeyFin, Tin Indian and Dol-Fan Dupree like this.
  14. Dol-Fan Dupree

    Dol-Fan Dupree Tank? Who is Tank? I am Guy Incognito.

    40,533
    33,035
    113
    Dec 11, 2007
    I really hope the GM is telling the truth about Gase being the future of the franchise. Sheesh he is terrible.
     
    Pauly, resnor and AGuyNamedAlex like this.
  15. Hooligan

    Hooligan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    624
    790
    93
    Dec 31, 2018
    Costa Rica
    In a way Gase IS the future because the jest will have the #1 pick and a new QB. After that, Gase's future will be selling hot dogs in the stands.
     
    Pauly and AGuyNamedAlex like this.
  16. AGuyNamedAlex

    AGuyNamedAlex Well-Known Member

    3,582
    2,579
    113
    Sep 12, 2015
    Hes got enough money to retire without doing such a blue collar job, unfortunately lol
     
    Pauly likes this.
  17. The_Dark_Knight

    The_Dark_Knight Defender of the Truth

    11,817
    10,321
    113
    Nov 24, 2007
    Rockledge, FL
    Gase isn’t the future of the franchise. He’s the on-going saga of the franchise as a perennial loser
     
    Pauly likes this.
  18. Finatik

    Finatik Season Ticket Holder Staff Member Club Member

    4,323
    4,012
    113
    May 2, 2014
    SO Cal
    After getting fired he will join the Bills or Pats.

    We can only hope.
     
    Pauly, AGuyNamedAlex and Tin Indian like this.
  19. Dol-Fan Dupree

    Dol-Fan Dupree Tank? Who is Tank? I am Guy Incognito.

    40,533
    33,035
    113
    Dec 11, 2007
    That is what I am hoping for.
     
    Pauly likes this.
  20. AGuyNamedAlex

    AGuyNamedAlex Well-Known Member

    3,582
    2,579
    113
    Sep 12, 2015
    With our luck he would go to NE and lead a new dynasty somehow.
     
    resnor likes this.
  21. The_Dark_Knight

    The_Dark_Knight Defender of the Truth

    11,817
    10,321
    113
    Nov 24, 2007
    Rockledge, FL
    ESPN has us at 19, behind the New England Patriots at 18 who have lost 4 in a row.
    CBS and NBC has us at 17, behind the 49ers at 16 and the Rams at 10...both team got their asses handed to them by us
    SB Nation has us ranked at 17, again behind the 49ers at 13 and the Rams at 9 for the same reasons above.

    That's ok. I always like it when the Dolphins are disrespected. The more they're disrespected, the better the Dolphins play.
     
    xphinfanx, Ronnie Bass and KeyFin like this.
  22. Pauly

    Pauly Season Ticket Holder

    3,696
    3,743
    113
    Nov 29, 2007
    On some Jets forums I read to lick their salty tears of desperation there is an idea they are keeping Gase on to ensure the #1 pick
     
    xphinfanx and Dol-Fan Dupree like this.
  23. mlb1399

    mlb1399 Well-Known Member

    3,893
    3,087
    113
    Mar 6, 2010
    KeyFin, xphinfanx and resnor like this.
  24. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

    19,127
    11,058
    113
    Apr 22, 2014
    I've avoided this thread because I think rankings are an utter waste of time. That said, I saw this and thought I'd share it here, Cowherd has us at 9 this week:




    Also, this was the PRE-SEASON QB ranking from Chris Simms:

    upload_2020-11-12_10-58-20.png

    He'll be issuing a new version of this shortly.

    That image comes from this video where he discusses it here:
     
  25. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

    10,488
    12,821
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    I completely agree that they mean nothing, but it's also fun to watch the national media "turn" on us once they realize we have something pretty special in the works. I started this more for the pulse of thoughts around the league than anything.
     
    jdallen1222 and Dol-Fan Dupree like this.
  26. The_Dark_Knight

    The_Dark_Knight Defender of the Truth

    11,817
    10,321
    113
    Nov 24, 2007
    Rockledge, FL
    Cowherd? The same guy who last week got 1 of 5 picks right? And the 4 he got sooooo wrong, he was ADAMANT in his reasoning for picking them? Especially picking against us? His opinion means less than zero to me.
     
  27. The_Dark_Knight

    The_Dark_Knight Defender of the Truth

    11,817
    10,321
    113
    Nov 24, 2007
    Rockledge, FL
    Anyone just happen to see the NFL power rankings on NFL.COM?

    They have the Dolphins ranked at 11...behind the Rams at 10 and the Cardinals at 9.

    Is it me or didn't we BEAT both of those teams? :pity:
     
  28. Ronnie Bass

    Ronnie Bass Luxury Box Luxury Box

    16,376
    10,864
    113
    Dec 19, 2007
    This is the assclown who did the rankings:



    Jets fan......:favre:
     
    resnor likes this.
  29. cbrad

    cbrad .

    10,659
    12,657
    113
    Dec 21, 2014
    Look at it this way. If we win the Super Bowl that means we'll have played 11 more games. Throw in one loss to KC along the way and we can climb those power rankings one ranking at a time until we're #1 at the end.
     
    KeyFin and Puka-head like this.
  30. FphinFantastic

    FphinFantastic Member

    82
    75
    18
    Aug 25, 2019
    We are still trying to prove consistency. We are winning with a suspect receiving Corp and a suspect rb stable and a rookie qb coming off of a massive injury. I think they got it right. Even if we win the next 3 games does not prove we are a top 10 team. Beat the raiders patriots and bills yes we deserve a top ten bid. #11 may even be a little generous but they spend way more time analyzing this than I do.
     
  31. jdallen1222

    jdallen1222 Well-Known Member

    2,752
    1,373
    113
    May 31, 2013
    Plantation, Fl

    I LOVE reading positive Dolphins articles in the national media. Slowly climbing in the rankings but somehow it still feels underrated. Tua looks great but still slightly packaged, like there is more than meets the eye. I cannot wait to see him in the playoffs.
     
    KeyFin likes this.
  32. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

    19,127
    11,058
    113
    Apr 22, 2014
    PFT have us at....5!

    "
    1. Steelers (last week No. 1; 9-0): Many would say the Chiefs are “the better team.” Hopefully, the Chiefs will get a chance to try to prove it in January.

    2. Chiefs (No. 2; 8-1): The fact that the Chiefs already have lost to the Raiders once this year makes it far less likely it will happen again.

    3. Saints (No. 3; 7-2): It won’t be easy to hold this spot without Drew Brees.

    4. Packers (No. 8; 7-2): Imagine barely beating the Jaguars and still climbing into the top five.

    5. Dolphins (No. 9; 6-3): They may be the best team in the AFC East. They eventually could be the best team in the AFC.

    6. Cardinals (No. 11; 6-3): They may be the best team in the NFC West. They eventually could be the best team in the NFC.

    7. Ravens (No. 4; 6-3): Forget about matching 14-2; currently, they need to be concerned about possibly missing the playoffs.

    8. Bills (No. 6; 7-3): They need to set this one aside quickly, or one loss will become two.

    9. Buccaneers (No. 10; 7-3): We’ll soon find out whether they’re finally ready for prime time.

    10. Rams (No. 13; 6-3): The 2018 “it” team has been overlooked for most of the season. Not anymore.

    11. Colts (No. 12; 6-3): The up-and-down Colts picked the perfect time to flip the switch.

    12. Seahawks (No. 7; 6-3): Russ has burned a couple of perfectly good meals.

    13. Titans (No. 5; 6-3): They actually were better when they were distracted by COVID issues.

    14. Raiders (No. 14; 6-3): Ground and pound doesn’t really match the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas.

    15. Browns (No. 15; 6-3): They should finish 10-6, like 2007. Will that keep them out of the playoffs, like 2007?

    16. Vikings (No. 18; 4-5): With the running game not what it’s been, the defense and the passing game surprisingly stepped up.

    17. Patriots (No. 23; 4-5): The Terminator isn’t dead until it’s been dismantled, melted down, and turned into a line of wristwatches.

    18. Bears (No. 16, 5-5): Bill Walsh could be calling the plays for this offense and it wouldn’t matter.

    19. Bengals (No. 19; 2-6-1): It was baptism by blast furnace for Joe Burrow.

    20. Falcons (No. 20; 3-6): Suddenly, two of the next three games (against the Saints) aren’t as daunting.

    21. Broncos (No. 21; 3-6): At what point does the scrutiny move from coach and quarterback to General Manager?

    22. 49ers (No. 22; 4-6): Next year could be special. This year definitely won’t be.

    23. Panthers (No. 24; 3-7): Next year could be above average. This year definitely won’t be.

    24. Giants (No. 25; 3-6): This year could still be interesting.

    25. Eagles (No. 17; 3-5-1): They had two weeks to get ready for the Giants and they did that?

    26. Lions (No. 27; 4-5): Does winning the game make up for blowing the 24-point lead?

    27. Washington (No. 26; 2-7): At least they have nice uniforms.

    28. Texans (No. 28; 2-7): Be careful what you wish for, Jack Easterby.

    29. Chargers (No. 29; 2-7): They have the best quarterback in L.A., but it doesn’t matter.

    30. Cowboys (No. 30; 2-7): Andy Dalton returns. Will it matter?

    31. Jaguars (No. 31; 1-8): They’re good for 1-8. They’re still 1-8.

    32. Jets (No. 32; 0-9): Joe Flacco must really love football."
     
  33. Hooligan

    Hooligan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    624
    790
    93
    Dec 31, 2018
    Costa Rica
    Why is everybody assuming that we're going to roll over for the Chiefs? Sure they're good but, so are we.
    We already crushed the other SB team, on the road and, we'll be playing the Chiefs AT HOME, with an attitude.
    We're the Darlings of the NFL.
     
    The_Dark_Knight and KeyFin like this.
  34. Tin Indian

    Tin Indian Rockin' The Bottom End Club Member

    7,929
    4,404
    113
    Feb 10, 2010
    Palm Bay Florida
    Yeah that's just about the time you get smacked in the mouth.
     
    KeyFin likes this.
  35. Tin Indian

    Tin Indian Rockin' The Bottom End Club Member

    7,929
    4,404
    113
    Feb 10, 2010
    Palm Bay Florida

    Yeah I saw that. I think 5 is way too high at this point. But it is something to see someone put us that high. Of course ESPN has us at like 14 or something and that is absurdly low. Somewhere in the middle is about right. 9.
     
  36. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

    10,488
    12,821
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    ESPN- 13th. The Dolphins attempted a temporary fix at running back with Howard and Matt Breida instead of taking multiple chances to add a long-term running back in the 2020 draft. Taking Clyde Edwards-Helaire or D'Andre Swift late in Round 1 or Jonathan Taylor, J.K. Dobbins or Antonio Gibson in Round 2 with one of their five selections in those rounds seemed like a better move. Howard, inked to a two-year, $9.75 million deal in March and waived Monday, had 28 carries for 33 yards and was a healthy scratch for four games. The good news is Miami gets another crack at correcting this in the 2021 draft. -- Cameron Wolfe

    My comment- screw them for going 100% negative. Worst ranking placement I saw for the team this week of all major publications. Does the RB we cut in any way describe the team we are today? Does the criticism of the coach/front office not drafting a RB ring true for what this team is doing now? LOL, this is why I generally don't read the rankings from national "experts".

    NFL.com; Rank 11.
    We've reached the point where the Dolphins are getting a huge impact play on defense or special teams every week. Is that sustainable? Probably not! But hey, sports are weird sometimes, and the Dolphins -- along with a fanbase starving for relevancy -- should just enjoy this magic carpet ride as long as it lasts. Miami got a blocked punt to set up an early touchdown on Sunday, and Tua Tagovailoa delivered another efficient performance in a 29-21 win over the Chargers. The Dolphins have run their winning streak to five games -- 3-0 with Tua under center -- and are tied in the loss column with the Bills in the AFC East with seven games to play. Brian Flores is the leader in any Coach of the Year discussion, and I won't hear any other argument!

    My comment- Fair review, but slanted it as a mirage. I don't necessarily agree with that part but at least it's honest and on point. Good job NFL.com!

    SB Nation- #9, (no commentary)

    CBS- Ranked #9.
    This is a legitimate playoff team. They continue to improve and the defense is getting nasty. Brian Flores has this team playing hard.

    My comment- Unbiased and fair- I agree.

    NBC #11.
    Tua Tagovailoa looked across the sideline Sunday and had to be thanking his lucky stars he was drafted by Brian Flores and not Anthony Lynn. Tough break for Justin Herbert. T

    My comment- LMAO! Way to use our review to make things personal about another team, coach and victim quarterback!

    The Sporting News- #7.
    The Dolphins improved to 3-0 with Tua Tagovailoa but it's really about what they keep doing to improve defensively and with the running game at the same time their inspired rookie quarterback is out there leading. Put Brian Flores on the coach of the year short list.

    My comment- Fair review that doesn't blow too much smoke.

    Sports Illustrated- 12.
    Arrow’s point way up here—and Tua Tagovailoa’s growing before our eyes while showing all the instincts, feel and accuracy he did as an Alabama icon.

    My comment- Among the worst ranking of the week and this says nothing about why we've been winning....typical bad journalism.

    NY Post- #7.
    With Tagovailoa moving to 3-0 since seamlessly replacing veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Dolphins have won five straight games overall for their best record after nine games since 2001. Brian Flores’ team also already has exceeded last season’s win total (5-11), and Buffalo’s loss Sunday keeps Miami in play for its first AFC East title since 2008. Next: Sunday at Denver

    My comment- Another fluff statement that you can research in about 20 seconds; I'd bet the NY Post hasn't even seen one of our highlight reels. But they did show the love at #7.

    USA Today- #7.
    DE Emmanuel Ogbah has been quite the pick-up, posting a career-best eight sacks and first six-game sack streak for this franchise since Jason Taylor did it 17 years ago.

    My comment- Great stat, but doesn't speak much on the team.

    CBS Sports QB RANKING- Tua #17. The Dolphins have yet to need Tua to play hero for a full game, but boy has he looked comfortable. Miami has been rolling, and it's a good bet his pocket poise will be showcased even more as this club continues to pick up steam.

    My comment- Very fair analysis. They have Burrow at 16 and Herbert at 12. We'll see how that shakes out at the end of the year.

    Football Outsiders Playoff Odds-

    Predicted 9.9 mean wins
    29.5% chance of winning division
    36.9% chance of taking any wildcard slot
    66.4% overall chance of making playoffs (+10.2% change from last week)
     
    Last edited: Nov 19, 2020
  37. Tin Indian

    Tin Indian Rockin' The Bottom End Club Member

    7,929
    4,404
    113
    Feb 10, 2010
    Palm Bay Florida
    And I know we won't just get run over by the Chiefs. It will be a good game.
     
  38. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

    10,488
    12,821
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    In my opinion, the Chiefs are a hair better than the Cardinals....and so are we.

    I've predicted that we lose to KC when figuring out overall wins/losses for the year to have the most possible unbiased guess; I predicted a loss at the Cardinals as well. Of course I hoped we'd beat Arizona and I think we have a good chance against KC- we all do. But if we look at the schedule and say, "Well, these last 7 games all seem like wins to me!" then we're not being realistic....someone will very likely beat us at some point.

    I just love that in 2020 we're at the point where we can even dream about winning the last seven games....after winning the previous five (or the previous 6 of 7). It's simply insane how far we've come so darn fast and I'm loving the ride!

    One important trend this season though if we look past our first three games (which in essence were our preseason games to get this team ready to play together)-

    In games we're heavily favored, it SHOULD be a blowout from the very start.
    In tossup games (less than 4 point spreads), we SHOULD win convincingly.
    In games we're underdogs, we SHOULD compete all the way up to the final drive.
     
    Last edited: Nov 19, 2020
  39. AGuyNamedAlex

    AGuyNamedAlex Well-Known Member

    3,582
    2,579
    113
    Sep 12, 2015

    We did but

    A) Its just a random ranking by talking heads.

    B) If we played those games ten times it would most likely be a 50/50 split. If you're analyzing both teams you probably have more faith in Murray at QB than a rookie in the case of the Cards.

    We ate the Rams alive but also they played us tough with their defense. I have more issue with them than Arizona.
     
  40. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

    11,881
    4,834
    113
    Nov 26, 2007
    Detroit Metro Area MI
    I'm not really a Cowherd guy, but I like some of the things that he was pointing out - how we always play hard, how we have lots of different ways to score, how we really use special teams, etc. Those are hallmarks of good coaching and, although I hate the term, emblematic of the "Patriot Way". How many games did the Pats win because of big defensive plays? How often did they have a big special team advantage?

    I like where we are right now, but we need to take care of business against some of these inferior teams. We handled the Jags, Jests, Chargers and 49ers. Take care of business against the Broncos, Jests again and Bengals and that will have us in a very good spot. Would be great to take one each from NE and Buffalo.
     

Share This Page