Top 12 NFL Power Rankings, 2003

[74_75_78_79_]

And yet another interesting 'puzzle' to put together. Two winners, Dolphins (10-6) and Vikings (9-7), who didn't make the playoffs. 10-6 is the worst record any playoff team had this year (Ravens, Broncos, Cowboys, Packers, Seahawks). Four 12-4s in this mix: Colts (still haven't won a playoff-game yet with Peyton, could hurt them), Titans, Eagles, and Rams in what should be considered Greatest Show's "last breath" (Bulger, of course, now at QB). There's Vermeil/Trent Green's best year in KC (13-3, 2nd-seed) and NFC champ-to-be, Carolina. I know there are those who feel Pats (best-record at 14-2) weren't that great but I personally disagree. They, to me, a clear #1.

Okay, let's shuffle 'em up!

[ChrisBabcock]

1. Patriots
2. Eagles
3. Rams
4. Chiefs... 9-0 start but pulled down by a 4-3 finish.
5. Colts
6. Titans... swept by the Colts
7. Packers
8. Ravens
9. Broncos
10. Dolphins
11. Panthers... only win against a winning team was over the Colts. (until the playoffs of course)
12. Cowboys

[ChrisBabcock]

Speaking of the end of the Greatest Show, I thought the Panthers/Rams playoff game that year was an exciting one. The Rams only managed field goals most of the game against a very good Panthers D. Bulger threw 3 picks.

[CSKreager]

2003 Patriots were a strange 14-2 team. Other than the Eagles in week 2 and the Buffalo reg. season finale, it seemed like they were barely winning a lot of their games.

Their most lopsided win other than those two games- 27-13.

I'll say Belichick had NO business winning Coach of the Year in '03. That was one of the worst choices ever. Just because you win a lot of close games you could have lost?

That should have been Parcells/Marvin Lewis.

[7DnBrnc53]

2003 Patriots were a strange 14-2 team. Other than the Eagles in week 2 and the Buffalo reg. season finale, it seemed like they were barely winning a lot of their games.

Their most lopsided win other than those two games- 27-13.

I'll say Belichick had NO business winning Coach of the Year in '03. That was one of the worst choices ever. Just because you win a lot of close games you could have lost?

That should have been Parcells/Marvin Lewis.

I totally agree with you about the Pats. One of the worst SB winners ever.

And, on the topic of coach of the year, Mike Shanahan may also have been a good candidate, getting the Broncos to the playoffs despite injuries to several players during the year, like Jake Plummer, John Mobley, and Clinton Portis. That team was better than the 2005 version that went 13-3 and went to the AFC Title Game.

[rhickok1109]

2003 Patriots were a strange 14-2 team. Other than the Eagles in week 2 and the Buffalo reg. season finale, it seemed like they were barely winning a lot of their games.

Their most lopsided win other than those two games- 27-13.

I'll say Belichick had NO business winning Coach of the Year in '03. That was one of the worst choices ever. Just because you win a lot of close games you could have lost?

That should have been Parcells/Marvin Lewis.

Well, with some similar teams people would be saying the mark of a great team is that it wins the close games

[74_75_78_79_]

1) Patriots
2) Eagles
3) Chiefs
4) Colts
5) Rams
6) Titans
7) Packers
8) Vikings
9) Dolphins
10) Dallas
11) Panthers
12) Broncos

After 0-2/2-3 start (losses to NE and at Dal), Eagles' 10-1 finish gets them the 2nd-place nod. Quality road-wins at GB/Car/Mia and avenging Dallas big, 36-10! KC's brutal down-stretch losses at Den and at Minn (allowing 45 apiece) also is why I have Chiefs in 3rd as well as not in 1st. 9-0 and great body-of-work in that stretch, however - and #1 offense; recent SB-winner Vermiel at helm - is enough to not make them fall any further. Colts (though yet to win a playoff) sweeping Titans and Rams' four quality-wins (GB/Balt/Minn/Sea) to Tenn's two (@Car, Mia) is what makes the rest of my top-6 what it is.

Packers slotted next - brought KC to OT in midst of that hot start, blew-out 'Hawks, split with Vikes, 4-0 finish although 31-3 finale vs Broncos don't count. If Vikes don't take a dump in that desert-finale, they finish 10-6 and, power-wise, I have to put them above the rest. 6-0 start (wins at GB and vs Den), collapse down-stretch while giving up quite the points, but late convincers vs Sea & KC keep them from falling any further - they likely would have been dangerous in the playoffs. Dolphins in 9th. They bring Pats to OT in their first loss to them, beat Ravens (also in OT, 9-6), bury Big D on Turkey Day. Had to place Dallas over Panthers. They beat them head-to-head and - not knowing what would happen in playoffs (1st-round to be more specific) - I'm taking the Tuna over a team that came out of nowhere.

Toppling KC (2nd game vs them) and at Indy in down-the-stretch convincers is enough to give Broncos the 12-spot. I'll let Week #12's forgotten-classic 44-41 OT-comeback (Wright-vs-Hasselbeck) make up my mind for 'honorable-mention'. Neither of these two remaining above-500s much to offer power-wise. Other than the win just mentioned, Ravens beat Denver (early) but who else? An easy division the AFC North was in '03. 'Hawks splitting with Rams is their only quality-win, while getting walloped by Pack and Vikes.