My NFL Week 14 Power Rankings

My NFL Week 14 Power Rankings
M.D. Wright
12.2.08

Not much has changed since last week. A couple of the middle of the road teams moved up, a few teams that were ranked high are moving down. The bottom 12 still suck and there's no real movement there.

1. New York Football Giants. This is not going to change anymore this year unless all the overkill in the media about P. Burress somehow screws with their chemistry. I don't see that happening.

2. Tennessee Titans. I will respect them 100% if they finish this season with one loss. I honestly see them losing their last two games. But for now, this is where they belong.

3. Indianapolis Colts. I know the Steelers ran through the Patriots, but I still see question marks with the play of B. Roethlisberger. I DON'T with P. Manning. Plus the Colts' defense is playing better.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers. I put them here for now, but if they finish up without a loss, they will jump to #2.

5. Baltimore Ravens. People are sleeping on them. Maybe it was the blowout losses to the Colts and Giants, but aside from those and the ref-aided loss to TEN and the heartbreaker to MIA, where else have they looked iffy? The only real headscratcher was the Colts game, because the Colts weren't playing particularly well up until that point. However, the Colts HAVE played better and more consistently since then, so even that loss does not look bad.

6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I still do not like this team and I wonder how they're even getting it done.

7. Carolina Panthers. They're like the stock market -- especially J. Delhomme in the past 4-5 weeks. However, unlike the Market, they are WINNING.

8. Atlanta Falcons. I don't care what anyone says. "Matty Ice" is getting it done, M. Turner and R. White are having career years -- so is M. Jenkins. Oh, and their defense isn't half bad, either.

9. New York Football Jets. Having watched the Jets up close for so long, I can't say I'm TOTALLY surprised by their loss Sunday, but it did still kind of catch me off guard with the way they had played in the weeks prior. Besides, Denver's offense is still potent -- it's their defense that isn't.

10. Arizona Cardinals. They can't win on the road, but I'm not putting Dallas ahead of them yet.

11. Dallas Cowboys. They won two games that they desperately needed to win (they're not in the playoffs if they began today), but they have PIT and NYG remaining on the docket. That would put them at (at least) 6 losses. You cannot afford that in the NFC this year. We will know what they are made of after playing the Giants at home.

12. Washington Redskins. They're reeling. BADLY.

13. Miami Dolphins. Hard to count them out or take them seriously as contenders right now.

14. Denver Broncos. Great offense. Terrible defense. They're only winning the AFC West this year because the Chargers were dead after Week 2.

15. New England Patriots. EXPOSED.

16. Philadelphia Eagles. The Iggles are like roaches. Have to hand it to them for being resilient.

17. Chicago Bears. Don't know what to make of their defense getting shredded the past few games, but you can't expect Orton to dig you out of the hole when you're spotting your opponent 10 points before your offense gets on the field good.

18. Minnesota Vikings. I would put them even lower, but they are 7-5 right now. They are losing their two starting defensive tackles for the remainder of the regular season. I am not big on Gloom and Doom, but the way it appears, they're going to need to at least split their remaining four games to win the NFC North. Without the Williamses, they won't be able to stop the Giants for the three quarters that the Giants starters will be in the game Week 17. That might be the killer for their season -- and sadly (unless you're a vapid Vikings fan) Brad Childress' job.

19. New Orleans Saints. So much for people who predict games on the premise of "they NEED to win this game, so I think they will". If the Saints EVER needed a win, it was Sunday, against a common opponent that they share with Dallas and Atlanta. They're done.

20. Green Bay Packers. Have teams caught onto what they do with Grant? Is their offensive line, with the shuffling that has been taking place of late, the culprit? Is it Rodgers, even though he's mostly played well, the INTs that he's thrown in their last three losses have directly contributed to their losses. Especially the New Orleans game last week. Good lord.

21. Buffalo Bills. Losing to SF = DONE. Wasted a 134 yard performance from M. Lynch.

22. Houston Texans. Their current motivation: 1) Stay out of the division basement. CHECK. 2) Finish strong and be the Colts' or Titans' doormat for another primetime game next season. PENDING. They have four weeks to "show and prove" as we used to say.

23. San Francisco 49ers. I think they will be a .500 team next year. They've played impressively at times under #50.

24. Cleveland Browns. This team is a disgrace. So much wasted talent and a clueless/puppet coach. I like Romeo Crennel. I just hate to see a team basically quit on their coach. And the injuries? Yikes.

25. San Diego Chargers. I don't think ANYONE saw a 4-8 start (and possibly 5-11/6-10 finish) coming from them -- nor Tomlinson going Shaun Alexander on us BEFORE he turned 30. Toe injury or not. I was one of the first on his bandwagon after that 406 yard rushing game that I watched live on ESPN back in the day -- now the media and fantasy football players are too late jumping off it. He's still my boy, though.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars. Same with them, although not to the same extent. I knew they'd miss Stroud more than they thought. Their free agents and draft picks aren't producing (yet) and their offensive line has been a M*A*S*H* unit all year; including the shooting of Richard Collier.

27. Oakland Raiders. They're feisty!

28. Kansas City Chiefs. So are they!

29. Seattle Seahawks. God bless Mike Holmgren.

30. St. Louis Rams. They keep saying how Haslett should keep his job. Wasn't his tenure in New Orleans just like this?

31. Cincinnati Bengals. I hope ol' Marv and OCHENTA Cinco have their bags packed...

32. Detroit Lions. Good Lord take the shoestrings out of Rod Marinelli's shoes and put him on 24-hr watch.

ESPN's Week 14 Power Rankings

ESPN's Week 14 Power Rankings

1 (1) Giants 11-1-0 This team seems to welcome adversity. The Giants set aside the Plaxico controversy and easily defeated the Redskins on the road. (MM)

2 (2) Titans 11-1-0 They got the Bears without Kyle Orton; now they get the Browns without Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson. (PK)

3 (4) Steelers 9-3-0 Pittsburgh's defense is definitely Super Bowl-caliber. But is it enough to carry the rest of the team to Tampa? (JW)

4 (5) Buccaneers 9-3-0 The defense was able to shut down Drew Brees. QB Jeff Garcia has played well of late, and that needs to continue in Monday night's showdown at Carolina. (PY)

5 (7) Panthers 9-3-0 The Panthers are coming off an impressive win in Lambeau Field. But the defense will have to play better in a Monday-night showdown with Tampa Bay. (PY)

6 (6) Colts 8-4-0 The Colts found a way to win on an ugly day for the offense. The Colts are going to win at least 11 games. (PK)

7 (3) Jets 8-4-0 The Jets' tumble from prominence happened by 17 points on their own field. (TG)

8 (9) Cowboys 8-4-0 The Cowboys are gaining some momentum, but they're known for December swoons. And a road game in Pittsburgh looms. (MM)

9 (10) Falcons 8-4-0 A huge road win in San Diego keeps the Falcons very much in the playoff hunt. They can clinch a winning season with a victory over New Orleans. (PY)

10 (13) Ravens 8-4-0 If the Ravens get into the postseason, this is the type of physical team no one wants to face in January. (JW)

11 (8) Patriots 7-5-0 This still is a good team, with four games left to prove it belongs in the playoffs. (TG)

12 (11) Cardinals 7-5-0 The schedule eases for the Cardinals as they hit the home stretch. (MS)

13 (12) Redskins 7-5-0 They're giving back all the cushion they earned during a brutal first half of the season. Sunday against Baltimore is a must-win. (MM)

14 (19) Broncos 7-5-0 Can anyone figure out the Broncos? A week after they looked silly against the Raiders, the Broncos shut down the mighty Jets. (BW)

15 (17) Vikings 7-5-0 Will the Vikings lose the Williams Wall just as they take over first place in the NFC North? (KS)

16 (14) Dolphins 7-5-0 Their lackluster victory over the Rams was the only Week 13 triumph among AFC East clubs, putting them one game out of first place. (TG)

17 (21) Eagles 6-5-1 They're back in the picture if they can beat the Giants on the road. Their strong showing against the Cardinals shows that Donovan McNabb still has something left. (MM)

18 (16) Saints 6-6-0 Their playoff hopes are pretty much shot. But the Saints have a chance to play spoiler for the Falcons on Sunday. (PY)

19 (15) Bears 6-6-0 The Bears didn't look too smooth Sunday night, but they need to realize they're only one game out in the division. A lot can still happen. (KS)

20 (20) Packers 5-7-0 If they suffer one more loss, then you can pretty much rule out a second consecutive division title -- if you haven't already. (KS)

21 (18) Bills 6-6-0 If the Bills ever announce a Dick Jauron contract extension, fans might load the Mayflower trucks and wave as they drive across the Peace Bridge. (TG)

22 (23) Texans 5-7-0 Two good defensive efforts in a row are a good sign. Will it translate in Green Bay? (PK)

23 (22) Chargers 4-8-0 If it isn't over in San Diego, the end is very near. (BW)

24 (24) Jaguars 4-8-0 Objective for Chicago game: Have David Garrard drop back without a lineman tripping him up. (PK)

25 (27) 49ers 4-8-0 Against all odds, the Niners are not yet mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. (MS)

26 (25) Browns 4-8-0 The Browns lost QBs Derek Anderson (knee) and Brady Quinn (finger) in one week. Can it get any worse? (JW)

27 (31) Chiefs 2-10-0 There?s nothing like a win in Oakland to cheer up a dreary season for the Chiefs. (BW)

28 (26) Raiders 3-9-0 Memo to Tom Cable: Don't use Sebastian Janikowski as a running back ever again. (BW)

29 (28) Seahawks 2-10-0 Week 15 game at Rams could be difference between 2-14 or 3-13. (MS)

30 (29) Rams 2-10-0 The Rams are giving young players a look after watching veterans flounder long enough. (MS)

31 (30) Bengals 1-10-1 At this point, the Bengals would settle for a tie every week if possible. (JW)

32 (32) Lions 0-12-0 There's always hope: An 0-12 Lions team beat the Vikings at home in 2001. Guess who this week's opponent is? (KS)

Obedience To God

Obedience to God

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer." Psalm 19:14

Not only what we talk about, but what we think about is screened by the Lord. Is it acceptable to the Lord?

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"It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the Lord all night." I Samuel 15:11

Saul's problem is a common one. He thought his "overall performance" was good enough to see him through. All the while, God was placing the emphasis on obedience to specific directives. God has not changed. "to obey is better than sacrifice." (I Samuel 15:22)


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"I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred. Genesis 31:13

God has a running account of our kept and forgotten vows, and so often as the occasion arises, He calls for their fulfillment.


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"And the Lord said unto me, Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt have corrupted themselves; they are quickly turned aside out of the way which I commanded them; they have made them a molten image." Deuteronomy 9:12

Humanity has not changed. When we lose touch with the true and living God, we start making our own. "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." (Luke 4:8)


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"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." St. John 16:13

One of our great problems is that we ask God for answers and guidance and then debate Him over His response. "Whatsoever he saith to you, do it." "We ought to obey God."


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"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." I Corinthians 10:31

Here is the argument settler. If you can't do a thing in accordance with His Word and will, don't do it. "Not my will, but thine, be done."


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"...And that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient." Exodus 24:7

God's paths are clear. It is our dull hearing that gets us into trouble. "Obedience is better than sacrifice." "We ought to obey God rather than man."


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"But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you." Jeremiah 7:23

Here is a condition and a promise that we cannot afford to ignore if we are to live happy and fruitful lives.


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"And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men." St. Mark 1:17

Jesus beckons us to the world's greatest business. Only in eternity will we see just how great. Stop what you are doing and follow Jesus in this, the most rewarding work of all! "He that winneth souls is wise."


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"His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." St. Matthew 25:21

Contrary to what we sometimes think, we will be rewarded not for our success but on the basis of our faithfulness. "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."



Copyright © Saint Matthew's Churches.

December 2, 2008 - A Passion For People

December 2, 2008
A Passion For People

READ: 2 Corinthians 5:9-21

He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. —2 Corinthians 5:15

Mark Twain said, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

This quote appears on a Web site intended to help people discover what they are passionate about so they can live with greater significance.

The apostle Paul’s passion in life was largely driven by concern for the eternal destiny of others. In 2 Corinthians 5, he names three things that fueled his passion. First, he recognized that he was accountable to Christ for his service and wanted to give a good accounting at the judgment seat of Christ (vv.9-10). Second, Paul was driven by Christ’s love and a desire that others would know the love that he had experienced. In verse 14 he wrote, “For the love of Christ compels us.” Finally, he understood that a lost and dying world needs the Savior (v.20).

What are you passionate about? Paul’s passion for people was fueled by the love of Christ—and ours should be as well. Let’s apply Twain’s words of challenge to our efforts in outreach: “Sail away from the safe harbor.” Share the love of Christ with someone today. — Bill Crowder

Set us afire, Lord, stir us we pray!
While the world perishes, we go our way
Purposeless, passionless, day after day;
Set us afire, Lord, stir us we pray! —Cushman

Talking to Christ about others helps us to talk to others about Christ.