NFL power rankings by Dr. Z

Interesting tidbit about the New Orleans Saints, whom he ranks 6th.

Here's what I like about them. Paul Tagliabue wanted to address them Saturday night. They said no thanks and chose, instead, C. Ray Nagin, the mayor of New Orleans, who spoke so powerfully about his city and the failure of the administration and the relief efforts and FEMA ... straight from the shoulder, pow!

Nagin can talk the talk. Hence his election as a "reform" mayor. He doesn't know how to be a city administrator. That's when "strong mayor" city governments get into trouble.

(By the way, Saints Head Coach Jim Haslett told the team he was going to award a game ball to Nagin, as seen on the NFL Network tonight.)

Oh, and how 'bout those Houston Texans? Dr. Z ranks 'em dead last -- behind Uncle Bud's Tennessee Titans.

Five turnovers, five sacks, 120 yards of offense, the low number in the NFL on Sunday. Waddya think, does that swing it for the cellar spot?

He's got the Cowboys at 9th, behind Carolina, which lost. Go figure. I'm thinking the Cowboys will be better than I anticipated. I should have included them in Banjo's Mini Poll on who'll win the Super Bowl. But Bledsoe can't move. That's what bothers me about the Pokes.[si.com]