A crowded cat box
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By Joe Lago
FOX's cameras can't wait to show it now. You probably saw it on Thanksgiving Day.
"It" is the obligatory shot of Lions boss Matt Millen sitting in his private box. It comes across the television screen right after the Lions fall short in their latest failed, last-gasp comeback -- or latest blown lead as in last Sunday's loss to the Buccaneers -- and you see Millen, in utter disbelief, putting his head in his hands.
Well Matt, things are looking up, big guy. Your toothless Lions are no longer the worst team in the NFL -- at least in ESPN.com's Power Rankings.
The Lions, who have languished in dead last since Week 6, have company in the basement now thanks to George Seifert's pathetic Panthers. Both clubs received the same number of points in this week's poll to share the No. 30 ranking, enabling Detroit to "move up" from the 31st spot.
To those who wonder how an 0-12 Lions club be considered the equal of a 1-12 Panthers team, we point toward Detroit's competitiveness over its last nine games. Yes, the Lions lost every contest, but they did so by an average of five points -- none by more than eight points. Meanwhile, Carolina spent the last two months constructing the league's worst offense and defense (statistically anyway).
But why argue? Trying to differentiate the Lions and Panthers is like trying to discern the smell between the Colts' defense and a used diaper. They both stink.
With that pleasant thought, let's turn to this week's rankings.
Team (record) Prv. ESPN.com says
1 St. Louis Rams (10-2)
The Rams silenced Lance Schulters and the 49ers last Sunday. Next up: Their nemesis -- the Saints, who've gotten into the Rams' heads in winning three of the last four meetings, including a 34-31 defeat in Week 7 that saw St. Louis committ eight turnovers.
2. Steelers (10-2) 2 Kept cruising toward homefield without taking The Bus.
3. Packers (9-3) 6 Favre-Green combination looks Super Bowl caliber.
4. Raiders (9-3) 3 Defense better served for bull ring with matador-like play.
5. Dolphins (9-3) 7 Marino who? Fiedler's thrown for 7 TDs last three games.
6. 49ers (9-3) 4 Garcia, Owens, young D will learn from Rams rout.
7. Bears (9-3) 5 Defense had every right to get in O-coordinator's face.
8. Ravens (8-4) 8 Welcome Steelers to Baltimore in Game of the Week.
9. Patriots (8-5) 9 A healthy and motivated Glenn makes Pats dangerous.
10. Eagles (8-4) 10t Win over Skins will give them three-game division lead.
11. Saints (7-5) 13 Ride into Rams rematch with two-game win streak.
12. Bucs (7-5) 12 Picked perfect time to get Keyshawn the damn ball.
13. Jets (7-5) 10t Latest loss gives N.Y tabloids more Dec. swoon fodder.
14. Redskins (6-6) 18 Must hand Eagles first road loss to stay in playoff hunt.
15. Broncos (7-6) 19 Is Terrell Davis healthy enough to carry playoff burden?
16. Browns (6-6) 14 Have problems on the field, too, after losing to Patriots.
17. Seahawks (6-6) 17 Kitna may have been bad but not Hasselbeck-bad.
18. Falcons (6-6) 15 Reeves wants to coach long enough to groom Vick.
19. Vikings (5-7) 22 Should restructure Moss' deal and pay him per play.
20. Titans (5-7) 16 Time for a Kevin Carter sack update: One, two ... Two?
21. Giants (5-7) 20 Will win NFC East if they finish tied with Eagles at 9-7.
22. Cardinals (5-7) 21 Playoff talk in desert was nice. OK, back to the links.
23. Chargers (5-8) 23t Sentiment to play Brees now blowing in the wind.
24. Cowboys (4-8) 27 MNF halftime highlight: Jimmy Johnson ripping Jerry.
25. Jaguars (4-8) 25 That ticking sound is Jags' salary cap ready to explode.
26. Colts (4-8) 23t Explain to me why they took a WR with first pick again?
27. Chiefs (3-9) 28 Ex-Bronco Kennison faces angry ex-mates in K.C.
28. Bengals (4-8) 26 Rookie Smith will get $2.5M bonus with next sack.
29. Bills (2-10) 29 Rallied to beat Carolina in NFL's Toilet Bowl on Sunday.
30t. Lions (0-12) 31 Current claim to fame: Best 0-12 team in NFL history.
30t. Panthers (1-12) 30 How fitting that the team colors are black and blue.
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By Joe Lago
FOX's cameras can't wait to show it now. You probably saw it on Thanksgiving Day.
"It" is the obligatory shot of Lions boss Matt Millen sitting in his private box. It comes across the television screen right after the Lions fall short in their latest failed, last-gasp comeback -- or latest blown lead as in last Sunday's loss to the Buccaneers -- and you see Millen, in utter disbelief, putting his head in his hands.
Well Matt, things are looking up, big guy. Your toothless Lions are no longer the worst team in the NFL -- at least in ESPN.com's Power Rankings.
The Lions, who have languished in dead last since Week 6, have company in the basement now thanks to George Seifert's pathetic Panthers. Both clubs received the same number of points in this week's poll to share the No. 30 ranking, enabling Detroit to "move up" from the 31st spot.
To those who wonder how an 0-12 Lions club be considered the equal of a 1-12 Panthers team, we point toward Detroit's competitiveness over its last nine games. Yes, the Lions lost every contest, but they did so by an average of five points -- none by more than eight points. Meanwhile, Carolina spent the last two months constructing the league's worst offense and defense (statistically anyway).
But why argue? Trying to differentiate the Lions and Panthers is like trying to discern the smell between the Colts' defense and a used diaper. They both stink.
With that pleasant thought, let's turn to this week's rankings.
Team (record) Prv. ESPN.com says
1 St. Louis Rams (10-2)
The Rams silenced Lance Schulters and the 49ers last Sunday. Next up: Their nemesis -- the Saints, who've gotten into the Rams' heads in winning three of the last four meetings, including a 34-31 defeat in Week 7 that saw St. Louis committ eight turnovers.
2. Steelers (10-2) 2 Kept cruising toward homefield without taking The Bus.
3. Packers (9-3) 6 Favre-Green combination looks Super Bowl caliber.
4. Raiders (9-3) 3 Defense better served for bull ring with matador-like play.
5. Dolphins (9-3) 7 Marino who? Fiedler's thrown for 7 TDs last three games.
6. 49ers (9-3) 4 Garcia, Owens, young D will learn from Rams rout.
7. Bears (9-3) 5 Defense had every right to get in O-coordinator's face.
8. Ravens (8-4) 8 Welcome Steelers to Baltimore in Game of the Week.
9. Patriots (8-5) 9 A healthy and motivated Glenn makes Pats dangerous.
10. Eagles (8-4) 10t Win over Skins will give them three-game division lead.
11. Saints (7-5) 13 Ride into Rams rematch with two-game win streak.
12. Bucs (7-5) 12 Picked perfect time to get Keyshawn the damn ball.
13. Jets (7-5) 10t Latest loss gives N.Y tabloids more Dec. swoon fodder.
14. Redskins (6-6) 18 Must hand Eagles first road loss to stay in playoff hunt.
15. Broncos (7-6) 19 Is Terrell Davis healthy enough to carry playoff burden?
16. Browns (6-6) 14 Have problems on the field, too, after losing to Patriots.
17. Seahawks (6-6) 17 Kitna may have been bad but not Hasselbeck-bad.
18. Falcons (6-6) 15 Reeves wants to coach long enough to groom Vick.
19. Vikings (5-7) 22 Should restructure Moss' deal and pay him per play.
20. Titans (5-7) 16 Time for a Kevin Carter sack update: One, two ... Two?
21. Giants (5-7) 20 Will win NFC East if they finish tied with Eagles at 9-7.
22. Cardinals (5-7) 21 Playoff talk in desert was nice. OK, back to the links.
23. Chargers (5-8) 23t Sentiment to play Brees now blowing in the wind.
24. Cowboys (4-8) 27 MNF halftime highlight: Jimmy Johnson ripping Jerry.
25. Jaguars (4-8) 25 That ticking sound is Jags' salary cap ready to explode.
26. Colts (4-8) 23t Explain to me why they took a WR with first pick again?
27. Chiefs (3-9) 28 Ex-Bronco Kennison faces angry ex-mates in K.C.
28. Bengals (4-8) 26 Rookie Smith will get $2.5M bonus with next sack.
29. Bills (2-10) 29 Rallied to beat Carolina in NFL's Toilet Bowl on Sunday.
30t. Lions (0-12) 31 Current claim to fame: Best 0-12 team in NFL history.
30t. Panthers (1-12) 30 How fitting that the team colors are black and blue.
