Top 10 isn’t always ideal place to be

Know what a coveted spot in the Pilot’s Top 10 NFL Power Rankings last week was worth on the field? A big, fat “L,” that’s what. Everybody who played, lost. Seven up, seven down. Only Tennessee, Pittsburgh and Buffalo, who were on vacation, escaped the cleaver.

Obviously, too much pressure, these rankings.

I joke. But the No. 3 Redskins prat-falling at home to the winless Rams? The No. 9 Bears frittering a one-point lead in Atlanta with 11 seconds left? Unranked foes thrashing the No. 1 Giants, No. 6 Panthers and No. 10 Patriots by an average of 22 points? No joke.

Still, as we rank anew, I can’t penalize the Giants much for their Monday night stumble in Cleveland. It’s pro ball, people. Three turnovers happen. Ditto the Redskins, though we can agree that booting a one-hopper at home against St. Louis is worse than stumbling in Cleveland.

In any event, things are starting to really percolate. There are 10 four-win teams; six are in the NFC East or NFC South. And the undefeateds are down to one – your new No. 1 Tennessee Titans (5-0).

But there … hear that? It’s the rustling of some big boys who have struggled to get straight. Indianapolis has won two in a row. Tampa Bay, Jacksonville and San Diego are hinting at consistency.

A side note here to praise the who’da-thunk-it Falcons (4-2). All I can say is rookie quarterback Matt Ryan has converted another skeptic.

No, can’t quite give Atlanta Top 10 cred yet. But check Ryan’s past two weeks: 38 for 56 (68 percent), 495 yards, three TDs against one interception, plus that icy-cool 26-yard strike to Michael Jenkins to set up Sunday’s winning field goal.

That’s high-ranking stuff all by itself.

1. Tennessee Titans (last week: No. 2; record 5-0)

Not bad for a team many – and we know who we are – pegged for break-even. Say Titans-Giants played today on a neutral field, who wins? Titans, because their defense hasn’t allowed more than 17 points in nine games dating to December. With the Chiefs up, Titans should be 6-0 for big AFC South match with surging Indianapolis next week.

This week: At Kansas City.

2. New York Giants (last week: No. 1; 4-1)

For once, lack of pass rush hurts Giants; no sacks in 35-14 defeat at Cleveland, which totaled 454 yards. First road loss in 12 games, second-longest streak ever. Notable stat: John Carney’s 12 for 12 on field goals, most in NFL without a miss. Giants will welcome return to efficiency with Steelers, Cowboys, Eagles in next month.

This week: Home vs. San Francisco.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (last week: No. 5; 4-1)

Off-week much appreciated after brawls with Philly, Baltimore and Jacksonville. Others talk about resilience, banged-up Steelers walk it. Have won four of five despite 120 yards lost in sacks, third-most in league, and just three rushing TDs by offense that’s ranked No. 26.

This week: At Cincinnati.

4. Washington Redskins (last week: No. 3; 4-2)

Slap on wrist for Rams’ loss. Even with three fumbles, they still would have won but for long, late completion. Eye test says they’re closer to team that won four straight, not team that has lost ugly twice. Worrisome note: Teams are taking away WR Santana Moss, who has two catches in two weeks.

This week: Home vs. Cleveland.

5. Buffalo Bills (last week: No. 8; 4-1)

Well-timed bye week helped erase taste of 41-17 shellacking at Arizona. QB Trent Edwards, who suffered a concussion in that game, should return, but ground attack remains a concern. Bills are still waiting for first running back to break 100 yards this season.

This week: Home vs. San Diego.

6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (last week: not ranked; 4-2)

Jump back on while there’s room on Bucs’ bandwagon. Home mashing of Carolina 27-3 makes me believe again. Should probably keep the faith: Only losses are by four at New Orleans and three at Denver. Bucs yield 16.2 points per game, fourth-stingiest in league.

This week: Home vs. Seattle.

7. Indianapolis Colts (last week: NR; 3-2)

Collected five turnovers and crushed Baltimore 31-3. Peyton Manning is back to superb – 44 for 62, 518 yards, five TDs, one INT in past two games. Big-play WR Reggie Wayne is tied for second with eight catches over 20 yards. Important he stays dangerous with RB Joseph Addai nursing injury.

This week: At Green Bay.

8. Dallas Cowboys (last week: No. 4; 4-2)

Wheels are flying off of discombobulated ’Boys: Sloppy effort at Arizona, two losses in three weeks, QB Tony Romo hurt (broken pinkie), RB Felix Jones hurt (hamstring) and CB Pacman Jones suspended (misbehavior, naturally). Eyes turn to Brad Johnson, who at 40 is NFL’s oldest active QB. Yikes.

This week: At St. Louis.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars (last week: NR; 3-3)

Season-best effort – 24-17 win at Denver – could be momentum-turner for team that was 0-2 and suffered a teammate’s shooting. Week of rest, then Jags face three teams with combined 2-14 record. They’re going to come after Tennessee and Indy after all.

This week: Bye.

10. San Diego Chargers (last week: NR; 3-3)

All right, one last dose of love to Chargers for crushing Patriots 30-10. But they might have dawdled too long to crank up. Next two weeks are hard and critical – at Buffalo and then high-powered Saints in London. Good news: They’ve yielded 18, 17 and 10 points in past three games.

This week: At Buffalo.

Dropping out: No. 6 Carolina Panthers (4-2): Can’t figure them out. One TD in past two road games. No. 9 Chicago Bears (3-3): Score on Falcons with 11 seconds left, lose at gun. D’oh! No. 10 New England Patriots (3-2): Can’t score. Bound for mediocrity.

Tom Robinson, (757) 446-2518,tom.robinson@pilotonline.com