White Sox and NFL Power Poll

The White Sox won the World Series in record fashion. Winning 8 playoff games in a row to seal the deal. They played hard. Their pitching was amazing (or maybe the Astros offense is just that bad) and their hitting was very solid. They differentiate themselves from the Astros because they are able to put up runs when it matters. The Astros manage to chase sliders and strike out when the game is on the line.

I’m not going to get into the bad umpire calls, conspiracy theories about MLB wanting all teams who haven’t won in 80s to win a title, or how the Astros fan needed to interfere with that foul ball Uribe dove into the stands for. The White Sox simply just outplayed them in all aspects of the game. Every hitter in their lineup has the potential to hit the ball and drive in runs. The Astros can’t say that. Only Taveras and Berkman can hit the ball on a constant basis.

What does the future hold for the White Sox? A repeat in 2006? Perhaps, but not likely. I don’t see their pitching holding up again like it did this year. Guys like Freddy Garcia and John Garland are just not that good. They all had career years at the same time. They all came together to win a championship. That’s what it takes. What will happen to the Astros next year? If Clemens retires (for good this time), the Astros will be hurting at starting pitching. They will still have a solid 3 with Oswalt, Pettitte, and Backe. They will need to acquire someone in the off-season. In my opinion Bagwell is done. As much as I love him and would hate to see him retire like this, I feel his time is done. He just can’t hit anymore. He will be back next year because he is due like 17 million. No way does he retire with that on the table. He can’t throw, can’t hit, and isn’t the leader he once was.


The Power Rankings after Week 7: From NFL.com
POWER RANKINGS
Current
Team

1
Indianapolis Colts
The offense is starting to show signs of really coming to life, which isn't a good thing for the rest of the league. You know they're eyeing the Patriots in two weeks.

2
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Chris Simms era begins Sunday for the Bucs. Is it here to stay if he plays well? We think it is.

3
Philadelphia Eagles
They can't run the ball, but with that defense and the short passing game they are still one of the better teams. At some point, though, they have to try and run it. Don't they?

4
Atlanta Falcons
They're winning games, but doesn't the passing game need to get better if they are to get to the Super Bowl? It sure feels that way.

5
Pittsburgh Steelers
They are a much different team with Ben Roethlisberger. That much we know. Winning the way they did at Cincinnati says a lot about this team.

6
New York Giants
The offense is impressive, but that defense has to play better in the next 10 games if they are to be a playoff team. Eli Manning is the real deal.

7
Denver Broncos
Blowing a 13-point, fourth-quarter lead to the Giants will sting for a while. Now they get the tough Eagles this week at home. That won't be easy.

8
Jacksonville Jaguars
They close out the year with a tissue-soft 10-game schedule. If they don't get to 11-5, it will be a major failure.

9
Seattle Seahawks
It wasn't pretty, but give them credit for finding a way to beat the Cowboys late Sunday. At 5-2, why do you get the feeling that this team still isn't clicking?

10
Washington Redskins
Mark Brunell has 12 touchdown passes against two interceptions. Who was it that said he was done last year?

11
Cincinnati Bengals
The Steelers taught them a valuable lesson Sunday, which was come back and see us when you're ready to play a physical game. They looked overmatched.

12
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys flat out blew a game they should have won Sunday. Drew Bledsoe should know better than to make that throw he made late in the game.

13
Kansas City Chiefs
Doing what they did in Miami considering the circumstances was impressive. They will face a testy San Diego team on the road this week. A victory would tell a lot about the Chiefs.

14
New England Patriots
The bye week was probably a good thing for the Patriots as they prepare to face Buffalo this week. Look for the Pats to make a big push the next month and take over the AFC East.

15
Carolina Panthers
Coming off the bye week, the Panthers should start to make a real push in the division. They do have to play better on defense.

16
San Diego Chargers
This might be the best 3-4 team we've seen in a long time. The Chargers got no favors from the schedule-maker and it might cost them a playoff chance.

17
Chicago Bears
Don't look now but the Bears are tied for first in the division. The defense was dominant against the Ravens.

18
St. Louis Rams
Mike Martz will miss the rest of the season, and that has to impact this team. Jamie Martin rallied the Rams against the Saints, but now he faces a good Jaguars defense.

19
Detroit Lions
Jeff Garcia is 1-0 as a starter, even if he didn't do a lot. The coaching staff got its way in benching Joey Harrington.

20
Oakland Raiders
They gave LaMont Jordan the ball and he responded with a big game. That needs to happen more if they want to get back in the playoff hunt.

21
Buffalo Bills
That was an ugly performance at Oakland. This is another team that does not give its feature back the ball enough. Willis McGahee should get more carries.

22
Miami Dolphins
That early-season success looks like a long time ago now. But this is what we expected from the Dolphins in the first place. The talent isn't there yet.

23
Baltimore Ravens
Anthony Wright can't make the plays to win for this team. And the opposing defenses know it, which is why they load up against the run. Did you ever think they'd be yearning for Kyle Boller to come back?

24
Arizona Cardinals
This is a team to watch in the next 10 games. They're not out of the playoff race either.

25
Minnesota Vikings
They may have saved their season with that long Paul Edinger field goal. Now if they can stay away from those boat cruises they might have a chance to win the bad NFC North.

26
New York Jets
So much for Vinny Testaverde getting the passing game going. This team is headed for a long, long season.

27
Cleveland Browns
It might be time to go to Charlie Frye at quarterback. All of sudden, Trent Dilfer can't make any plays.

28
New Orleans Saints
How much more can go wrong in a season? Now the officials get them two games in a row? They'll soon be counting the days until the end of this season.

29
Tennessee Titans
Steve McNair is hurt again, which sucks the life out of this young team. Nothing against Billy Volek, but McNair is the heart of the Titans.

30
Green Bay Packers
They've had so many injuries on top of their bad start that it's going to be tough to recover. It's not who's hurt, but who's healthy?

31
San Francisco 49ers
There are going to be a lot of days like they had against the Redskins for this team. The key will be how well Mike Nolan holds them together.

32
Houston Texans
They don't even try to pass anymore because of their bad offensive line. Maybe it's the only way to keep David Carr alive.