Are we a top 10 team?
 

I've been reading [URL="http://walterfootball.com/nflpowerrankings.php"]power rankings[/URL] and the like this week, and I'm surprised how high people are on us. I'm excited about our progress, but I'm not sure we are a top 10 team like the rankings I linked have us as. What do you guys think? Do we have an argument to being the 8th best team in league? Or even top 10? I'm not sure our offense is dynamic enough to justify that, but maybe I'm alone.

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

Well... its as much of a week to week what have you done for me lately league its hard to say but my initial reaction is no.

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

I'm not really sure.

But you could argue that we almost beat the team many refer to as the top dog in the NFC (the Cowboys).

We have the 4th Offense in yards per game and beat 2 of the best defenses in the league (in y/game) in the Ravens (1st) and the Vikings (3rd).

I know we have a hard time considering our team a top team, but look at the standings, look at the stats, I say there is no team we have absolutely no chance to beat. We have holes but so does pretty much every team in the NFL.

Are we top 10? I don't know... But try to name 10 teams you are 100% sure are better than us? The pats, the cowboys (who we almost beat), no arguing on these two... but after that for me it's up for debate.
(And I'm defenitely not saying we're the 3rd best team in the league, we're far from that).

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

But I would say we're not, top 10 teams find ways to win winnable games, we haven't done that consistently

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

Are we ballers?

The answers lies there...

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

[quote=Orakpwned;1155616]I've been reading [URL="http://walterfootball.com/nflpowerrankings.php"]power rankings[/URL] and the like this week, and I'm surprised how high people are on us. I'm excited about our progress, but I'm not sure we are a top 10 team like the rankings I linked have us as. What do you guys think? Do we have an argument to being the 8th best team in league? Or even top 10? I'm not sure our offense is dynamic enough to justify that, but maybe I'm alone.[/quote]


Never heard of that guy.


I'll take this one.

[url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18044652/nfl-2016-week-11-power-rankings-dallas-cowboys-seattle-seahawks-new-england-patriots]NFL 2016 Week 11 Power Rankings - Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots[/url]

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

[quote=Giantone;1155621]Never heard of that guy.


I'll take this one.

[url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18044652/nfl-2016-week-11-power-rankings-dallas-cowboys-seattle-seahawks-new-england-patriots]NFL 2016 Week 11 Power Rankings - Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots[/url][/quote]

How do they have the Eagles over us... :bs:

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

Definitely top 10, why is that so hard to believe?

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

[QUOTE=FrenchSkin;1155619]But I would say we're not, top 10 teams find ways to win winnable games, we haven't done that consistently[/QUOTE]


4-0 against teams with winning records this year, just saying.

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

We're easily in the top half of the league and we're steadily getting better. I think we may continue to flirt with a Top 10 ranking. If we can upgrade our defense in the offseason, I think we'll be firmly established as a Top 10 team.

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

[quote=FrenchSkin;1155622]How do they have the Eagles over us... :bs:[/quote]

Cause it's ESPN

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

[quote=FrenchSkin;1155622]How do they have the Eagles over us... :bs:[/quote]

Trap ranking...

Are we a top 10 team?
 

We are absolutely a "borderline" top ten team. If we are not 8-10 right now than who is? Baltimore, Arizona, Detroit, Minnesota, Giants, Bengals, or Miami? After that it is very obvious there is nobody that should be even considered as top ten. Too answer your question you only need to look at the aforementioned teams. We beat Baltimore, Minnesota, and the Giants so to say we are better than them is no stretch at all. We tied the Bengals.
So it boils down to are we better than Detroit, Arizona, or Miami. Detroit beat us last second in their house?
It is certainly no stretch to say we are 8-10 right now.
Philly is ranked ahead of us too and we beat them pretty handily. Atlanta is trending down. I say right now we are the seventh best team behind Pats, Dallas, Seattle, Oakland, Denver, and KC.
Sorry number 8 throw Pitt ahead of us too.
If you just go NFC we are clearly number three.

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

Since starting 0-2, we're 5-1-1.

Would you want to play us right now?

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

[QUOTE=Schneed10;1155634]Since starting 0-2, we're 5-1-1.



Would you want to play us right now?[/QUOTE]



Can easily think of about 25 teams who would not.

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

Are we a Top 10 team this week? Yup.

Could we NOT be a Top 10 team next week? Yup (Hopefully not).

We are not a team that consistently plays well enough to be considered a Top 10 team on a week to week basis. The Patriots, Cowboys, Seahawks could all lose this week. If they do, no one would say they are no longer a Top 10 team. However, if we lose, and depending on who else wins, it would be very easy to objectively argue that we shouldn't be in the Top 10.

Right now, we are a team that could potentially beat anyone - even if we don't hit on all cylinders. Further, if we are playing a complete game, there are teams - Cleveland, Frisco, T-Bay - that could not beat us with their best game. However, we have not consistently played a complete game yet and, when we don't, any team in the league could beat us. So, we are pretty much a second tier team that, depending on how everyone is playing this week, has the potential to rise to the top of that grouping or sink into the general middle of the league.

If we beat GB, Dallas and then come out of the mini-by with a win in Arizona, I would put us solidly in the perennial 5-10 grouping. Right now, I see us more in the 8-16 grouping.

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

If we win our next three we are a top 5 team no doubt.

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

[quote=FrenchSkin;1155619]But I would say we're not, top 10 teams find ways to win winnable games, we haven't done that consistently[/quote]

I definitely disagree with the last part, I would argue that the biggest reason this team is on track for the playoffs is because they have dug down and found ways to win the close ones. In our last 7 games we're 5-1-1, 4 of those wins were by a touchdown or less

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

Bottom line. If you name ten teams you think are better than us I guarantee we beat one of them. Only caveat would be if you think either Detroit or Houston is better than we are. Than you could have ten teams ahead of us of whom we have beat none of them. That said you are completely splitting hairs between us , Detroit, and Houston. So to say we are not top ten right now...again...is a very very tight squeeze.

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

Seems that some fans are still suffering from the loser mentality cultivated over much of the last 25 years.

It's a new team, we're trending up and only getting better. Get used to it.

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

[quote=punch it in;1155638]If we win our next three we are a top 5 team no doubt.[/quote]

I was going to say ask me after Thanksgiving. I don't think we have to win both games to be top 10, but we need to beat 1 team and be competitive in the other (my preference is to beat the cr*p out of dallas).

These next two games will show us who the Skins really are this season.

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

Dallas is really going to be tough. Short week for both of us, but we are traveling and playing night game on Sunday. That is bullshit. We should be 1 oclock game to be fair.

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

[quote=MTK;1155645]Seems that some fans are still suffering from the loser mentality cultivated over much of the last 25 years.

It's a new team, we're trending up and only getting better. Get used to it.[/quote]

I definitely expect to win more than we lose going forward, because the organization now understand the importance of investment in the trenches. Vinny never did. We had a brief period where Gibbs got us going on the right track, with Randy Thomas and Cornelius Griffin and some others.

But McCloughan so clearly understands the need for talent in the trenches and as long as he keeps doing that, I expect us to win. Teams that control the line of scrimmage are playoff teams. If we can start to dominate it on the defensive side next year we'll be a Super Bowl contender.

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

[quote=MTK;1155645]Seems that some fans are still suffering from the loser mentality cultivated over much of the last 25 years.

[B]It's a new team, we're trending up and only getting better. [/B]Get used to it.[/quote]

Yup. Absolutely.

GBay and the Skins represent two teams that are generically about the same - 2nd Tier teams that should beat most teams in the league and have a shot against the good teams even when they are playing well.

GBay, however, is trending down and we are trending up. Time to stomp on their heads, kick them down the stairs, and climb over their cold dead bodies as we move on up.

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

My reaction is -- who cares about rankings? Just win. Beat the Packers. Focus on nothing else. Beat a team that seems on the ropes at home like you can and should. Take care of business immediately in front of you. Repeat through early February.

Are we a top 10 team?
 

[QUOTE=calia;1155653]My reaction is -- who cares about rankings? Just win. Beat the Packers. Focus on nothing else. Beat a team that seems on the ropes at home like you can and should. Take care of business immediately in front of you. Repeat through early February.[/QUOTE]



Very true, but also very detrimental to the health of our discussion board. [emoji22]
So just amuse us and answer the question. [emoji851]

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

The next couple of weeks will determine that, one home game before going on the road for 3 straight ones (not an easy task).

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

[QUOTE=SFREDSKIN;1155655]The next couple of weeks will determine that, one home game before going on the road for 3 straight ones (not an easy task).[/QUOTE]



As it stands right now are we top ten?

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

[quote=punch it in;1155656]As it stands right now are we top ten?[/quote]

Yep and will have to play like that to beat GB, Dallas, AZ and Philly.

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

[QUOTE=SFREDSKIN;1155657]Yep and will have to play like that to beat GB, Dallas, AZ and Philly.[/QUOTE]



[emoji106][emoji106][emoji106]

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

Yeah, probably.

I also think 9 wins gets us in the wild card. That means we need to go 4-3 down the stretch. Some very winnable games coming up as well.

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

[quote=punch it in;1155654]Very true, but also very detrimental to the health of our discussion board. [emoji22]
So just amuse us and answer the question. [emoji851][/quote]

I know, I know -- I just find the rankings so arbitrary and on one of them (ESPN, I think), we bounce up and down 10+ slots every week . . . like everyone else that isn't at the top (Patriots, Seattle) or at the very bottom (Cleveland, Jax).

But to answer your question: I think we can absolutely be a top 10 team ... if we can be more consistent defensively (our offense is definitely top 10). Our D had great second halves (Baltimore, Minn.), but we've also had second half swoons (Steelers, Lions). I cannot figure it out; the D hasn't really had a solid 60 minutes of football yet, and until they do, we can be beat by virtually any team outside of Cleveland, Jax, and perhaps SF.

So in recognition that I didn't really answer the question, I will say this: I think we are a top 10 team because I think our D is making strides and will play better going forward. I think Whitner has quietly been a good addition, Blackmon is playing better than I would have expected in a new position too. Our LBs seem to be picking up their play (talking to you, Preston Smith and Ryan Kerrigan the week before), and Lanier on the DL has give us a little spark there too. Breeland has been a disappointment, and while Norman has been very good, not hanging on to several picks has left me wanting much more from him.

One other reason I will put the team in the top 10 -- character. I think they have shown some mettle this season (lots of close games), and they seem to genuinely like each other and want to fight for each other (and the coaches) -- even our flashy offseason acquisition, Norman, stays late after practice and keeps working (really like his attitude and work ethic, and the enthusiasm for the game). And NO DRAMA THIS YEAR. It's like another team entirely. I cannot get over how different it feels. Friends of mine who follow other teams keep saying things like, "Your Redskins seem like a real franchise this year" and "Everything seems quiet and businesslike in DC this season." It definitely has the feel of slowly waking from a two decade slumber. Let's hope Scot can continue to work his magic and really build something durable.

:woot:

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

I admit I am gun shy about making any bold statements/predictions about this Skins b/c for 20 or so years I have had my hopes raised only to have them dashed, broken and otherwise ruined leaving me a crushed and despondent fan. Seriously, I am still recovering from the debacle that was the 2013 season.

With that said, and echoing calia's post and the general sentiment throughout the thread. This time around it just feels a little different. No drama, just work. Yeah, they haven't put it all together but they seem to know that and also seem to get closer to doing so each week.

So ... sure, we are a Top 10 team and I think we stay one for the rest of the season and into the play-offs.

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

I am not sure saying we are in the top 10 is a big deal anymore.
There are so many bad or mediocre teams in the NFL today. I look at the power ratings and even at the top there is nobody that is a powerhouse. Every team has weakness'. Dallas has a less than defense. Seattle is inconstant offense. New England is more of a finesse offense. Not to mention the rest of the ranking list is kind of weak.
Seattle used to approach power house team status IMO, but that Super Bowl team lost good players due to salary cap limitations. Denver's Super Bowl team also lost two or three players as well.
I miss the old days where you had 5 or 6 amazing teams that had very little or no weakness.

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

[quote=Defensewins;1155672]I am not sure saying we are in the top 10 is a big deal anymore.
There are so many bad or mediocre teams in the NFL today. I look at the power ratings and even at the top there is nobody that is a powerhouse. Every team has weakness'. Dallas has a less than defense. Seattle is inconstant offense. New England is more of a finesse offense. Not to mention the rest of the ranking list is kind of weak.
Seattle used to approach power house team status IMO, but that Super Bowl team lost good players due to salary cap limitations. Denver's Super Bowl team also lost two or three players as well.
[B]I miss the old days where you had 5 or 6 amazing teams that had very little or no weakness.[/B][/quote]


I miss those days, too. I miss the days of franchises, when you new who was good and who sucked. Yeah, nowadays more teams have a shot and it's all about who gets hot in the playoffs, but I still miss it.

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

[quote=J. Falcon;1155673]I miss those days, too. I miss the days of franchises, when you new who was good and who sucked. Yeah, nowadays [B]more teams have a shot[/B] and it's all about who gets hot in the playoffs, but I still miss it.[/quote]

More teams have a shot because most teams suck or are average.
There are no super teams.

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

I don't think we are a top ten team. I think our red zone offense, as bad as it has been is why we cannot be top ten. If we could fix the problems in the red zone, i think we crack the top ten.

But the defense has stepped up and it seems like now we have a fair running game with Robert Kelly. Cousins seems to have the INT's under control if not at least manageable, so i think the next few games are winnable. Winning 4 out of 7 will be a fair challenge, but we might get hot at the right time and the other teams might slump. We could get surprised and find out that 8-7-1 gets us the wildcard spot...

Are we a top 10 team?
 

[QUOTE=calia;1155663]I know, I know -- I just find the rankings so arbitrary and on one of them (ESPN, I think), we bounce up and down 10+ slots every week . . . like everyone else that isn't at the top (Patriots, Seattle) or at the very bottom (Cleveland, Jax).



But to answer your question: I think we can absolutely be a top 10 team ... if we can be more consistent defensively (our offense is definitely top 10). Our D had great second halves (Baltimore, Minn.), but we've also had second half swoons (Steelers, Lions). I cannot figure it out; the D hasn't really had a solid 60 minutes of football yet, and until they do, we can be beat by virtually any team outside of Cleveland, Jax, and perhaps SF.



So in recognition that I didn't really answer the question, I will say this: I think we are a top 10 team because I think our D is making strides and will play better going forward. I think Whitner has quietly been a good addition, Blackmon is playing better than I would have expected in a new position too. Our LBs seem to be picking up their play (talking to you, Preston Smith and Ryan Kerrigan the week before), and Lanier on the DL has give us a little spark there too. Breeland has been a disappointment, and while Norman has been very good, not hanging on to several picks has left me wanting much more from him.



One other reason I will put the team in the top 10 -- character. I think they have shown some mettle this season (lots of close games), and they seem to genuinely like each other and want to fight for each other (and the coaches) -- even our flashy offseason acquisition, Norman, stays late after practice and keeps working (really like his attitude and work ethic, and the enthusiasm for the game). And NO DRAMA THIS YEAR. It's like another team entirely. I cannot get over how different it feels. Friends of mine who follow other teams keep saying things like, "Your Redskins seem like a real franchise this year" and "Everything seems quiet and businesslike in DC this season." It definitely has the feel of slowly waking from a two decade slumber. Let's hope Scot can continue to work his magic and really build something durable.



:woot:[/QUOTE]



Sweet. Good shit. I tend to agree about second half swoons. We are a top ten team with the propensity to suddenly look like dumpster fires. However we have been very consistent of late, and really pretty consistent dating back to "you like that "! Overall.
Also eff espn rankings. I think this post is about "do YOU think we are a top ten team"?

Are we a top 10 team?
 

If the season ended today we would be a wild card, so yes we are absolutely top 10 right now, it's not even debatable really when you look at it from that view.

For anyone who disagrees please list at least ten teams that are better.

Re: Are we a top 10 team?
 

[quote=MTK;1155679]If the season ended today we would be a wild card, so yes we are absolutely top 10 right now, it's not even debatable really when you look at it from that view.

For anyone who disagrees please list at least ten teams that are better.[/quote]

[whispers] [SIZE="1"]psst, Matty, 12 teams make the playoffs, not 10.[/SIZE]