NFL Week 8 is in the Books | Nasser Erakat

As I started last week, I will again start with the Oakland Raiders who destroyed the Jets on Sunday. I did not think the Raiders would have beat the number two defense of the New York  Jets. The Raiders showed no fear and went right at the Jets. They gained 

over 100 yards rushing and Crabtree had his way the Jets defense. The Raiders are on the up, this is a different team then before. The San Francisco 49ers thought that they could ship out Jim Harbaugh and not miss a beat. Why do owners think that they know football. This last offseason for the 49ers reminded me of when AL Davis traded John Gruden because he was becoming the face of the Raiders. We all know what happened, The Raiders made it to the Super and got destroyed by John Gruden and the Bucs and I don't care what anyone says, that destroyed AL Davis. Now the 49ers will bench Colin Kaepernick, bad idea.

NFL Week 8 is in the Books | Nasser Erakat

NFL Power Rankings, Week 9: Broncos make move at midseason

RANK 1

7-0 PATRIOTS

 

Hard to figure these guys rolling the way they are. Two quick theories (among 165) on the Patriots' dominance:

1) There's been continuity at the top, from ownership to Bill Belichick to the staff down to the quarterback. Too often, organizations move on from head coaches too soon, which means successful coordinators don't stay in place, either.

2) Rob Gronkowski's unique career. For all the talk of the 2007 Patriots having Randy Moss while this team's best wideout is Julian Edelman, bear in mind that Gronk is more unique than Moss was. Gronk doesn't take plays off, he can block, and he plays outside or inside. He's the big, goofy, focused queen on the chessboard.

RANK 2

7-0 BRONCOS

Love Vernon Davis. His addition via trade Monday was the sole reason for Denver's leap in the Power Rankings. Or not. Rather, the dominant showing from Wade Phillips' defense vaults this team into the top two. The Broncos authored what many would call a statement win Sunday night. And the statement was this: Our defense isn't merely good, it's the best in the league, while our offense and its quarterback can move the ball on anyone. Perhaps Peyton Manning and Gary Kubiak were simply working out the kinks in September and October. Large kinks, but still. Doesn't really matter if Denver is 7-0, huh? Everyone is circling Nov. 29 -- Patriots at Broncos on Sunday night -- on the schedule. Wonder if the thin Mile High air affects the inflation level of footballs.

RANK 3

7-0 BENGALS

 

The Bengals are 7-0 and seen as different in the eyes of the masses right now. This organization boasts the most talented roster in the NFL and certainly deserves to be atop the AFC North. But to be clear, Cincinnati didn't look too hot Sunday. The Steelers lost Le'Veon Bell to his season-ending injury early, while Ben Roethlisberger was playing his first game after missing well over a month with a knee injury of his own. The key is that the Bengals' defense was able to hold down the fort late in a game that saw the offense largely stink up the joint (especially on third down). On another note, Andy Dalton's shaved-side updo deserves way more respect. Is that Clipper 1?

RANK 4

7-0 PANTHERS

 

Well that got interesting, huh? The Colts' furious comeback should take nothing away from Carolina's 11 straight regular-season wins. Sure, the lack of a pass rush is a concern, and Ted Ginn Jr.'s hands aren't too comforting, either ... but at least one can be corrected.

The D came up big in the extra period, with Luke Kuechly catching Roman Harper's rebound and essentially sending us all to bed peacefully.

NFL Week 8 is in the Books | Nasser Erakat

It is nice to see the Oakland Raiders in the top 10 in the NFL Rankings. I predicted that the Raiders would win six games this year, they will win six and maybe more. It's fun to see the Oakland Raiders do good. As a Raiders fan the last 13 years have been bad. The Raiders are leading the wild card for playoffs, "Playoffs!". Can we really talk about playoffs? Only time will tell. They have a big test on Sunday against the Steelers. If the Raiders can get a win over there and go 5-3, that will be big for this Raiders team. Good luck Raiders. Thank you for taking the time to Read this article.