Top 12 NFL Power Rankings, 1998

[74_75_78_79_]

Is anyone going to place the defending-Champ 14-2 (13-0 start) Broncos over Vikes? I guess many will place last year's NFCC-participants, GB & SF, over Falcons. Not knowing what would happen at Dallas wild card week (nor knowing that the score would only be 34-21 at one point in the 4th Q the following week at the Metrodome), the Cards I'm sure get boxed out to one of the, quite a few, respectable 8-8 teams. The Giants, for starters, who swept Zona and handed Denver their first loss. Bucs in Dungy's first year who were the only team in the regular season to beat Vikes. Titans beating still-above-500 Steelers twice in three weeks along with winning at Jags in December (propelling them to 8-6) hinting at what's to come the following year. Raiders with that 7-3 start - beating Giants, Dallas, Cards early - before crumbling down stretch. They also swept Erickson's Seahawks who were pretty respectable themselves in pounding Cards, beat Titans, and (like Raiders) were 8-7 going into finale. Correct me if wrong, but Pats at 9-6 already clinched playoffs due to win over Titans and better conference record than Raiders & Hawks.

EDIT - big mistake, of course! '98 was Dungy's THIRD year at TB helm!

[CSKreager]

1. Broncos
2. Vikings
3. Jets
4. Falcons
5. Packers
6. 49ers
7. Cowboys
8. Jaguars
9. Bills
10. Dolphins
11. Cardinals
12. Patriots

[ChrisBabcock]

1. Vikings
2. Broncos... a shame to put them 2nd after starting 13-0 but those Vikings were a juggernaut on offense.
3. Falcons
4. Jets
5. 49ers
6. Jaguars
7. Bills
8. Packers
9. Dolphins
10. Cowboys
11. Cardinals
12. Buccaneers

[74_75_78_79_]

1a) Vikings
1b) Broncos
3) - tie - Falcons & Jets
5) Packers
6) Niners
7) Bills
8) Jaguars
9) Dolphins
10) Patriots
11) Cowboys
12) - tie - Oilers & Buccaneers

Yes, I know, named them 'Titans' OP. They beat TB head-to-head but will tie them anyway; both equally the most respectable of the 8-8s. Tenn's 0-2 skid to end things forgivable enough (much more forgivable than Oak) considering who they played (GB & Minn - starters still in). Pats simply more quality wins than Dallas. Packers still the 'better' team than SF, had their # going into that wild card match. Remember, Falcons had backup QBs in their 28-3 loss at Jets, 44-year-old DeBerg one of them. Falcons 14-2 over 12-4 but Jets' body-of-work (6-0 vs Mia/Buf/Pats) keeps them tied. Bills 10-3 to Miami's 7-6 after first three games. Niners over Bills? SF beat themselves at Rich, were of course a long-time yearly contender up to that point, so they still get placed ahead.