|
Page 2's Power Poll dares to rate the teams that are currently wielding the most power in the entire sports universe.
Each week, our poll will rank the 10 teams at the top of the power heap -- and the five teams that have lost the most power in the past week. And, by the way, Page 2 uses its own definition for a "team" -- any group of two or more bonded together for the common purpose.
Our Momentum Meter also predicts the direction these teams will be heading in future weeks (see the bottom of the page for a full explanation).
If you've got anything to say about our Top 10 or our Bottom 5, click here to comment -- or forever hold your peace.
TEAM
|
|
PAGE 2 SAYS
|
MO' METER
|
|
|
| 1. Pittsburgh Steelers |
 |
With a suffocating defense and Kordell Stewart back in his 1997 form (finally), Pittsburgh might be the most-balanced team in the
NFL ... |
 |
|
| 2. St. Louis Rams |
 |
... though maybe not. |
 |
|
| 3. L.A. Lakers |
 |
They'll be No. 1 again soon enough, but not after a week in which they suffered their worst losing streak (two straight) since late in the 2000-01 season. |
|
|
| 4. Wheelin' and Dealin' Mets GM |
 |
Without adding payroll, the much-reviled Steve Phillips unloaded washed-up Robin Ventura and added future Hall of Famer Robby Alomar to take headlines away from the if-you've-got-it-why-not-spend-it Yankees. A Christmas baseball miracle! |
|
|
| 5. The NFC's second-tier Super Bowl contenders |
 |
The Bears and 49ers are back ... and for real, though not as "for real" as the Rams.
|
|
|
| 6. No. 1 teams in college hoops |
 |
So far, the Duke men and UConn women both look unbeatable. |
|
|
| 7. New Jersey Nets |
 |
Amazingly, NBA's perennial bad jokes are No. 1 in the East at 15-7. We Kidd you not. |
|
|
| 8. The legend that is Tiger |
 |
Came from four back at the turn to beat Vijay Singh by three strokes at the Williams World Challenge, and then donated his
$1 million winning check to charity. |
|
|
| 9. The legend that is the Captain |
 |
Mark Messier became the third player in hockey history to collect 1,800 points, along with a couple of guys named
Gretzky and Howe. |
|
|
| 10. Binghamton (N.Y.) hoopsters |
 |
In their first season in Division I, the 245th-ranked Bearcats went into Chapel Hill and almost upset the storied
North Carolina Tar Heels, losing 61-60 when a last-second shot fell short. Never heard of 'em? Well, Matt Doherty wishes he could say the same. |
|
|
| ALSO RECEIVING VOTES: Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, groundswell for Bill Belichick as Coach of the Year, San Antonio Spurs, Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards, Detroit Red Wings, New York Yankees, Tennessee Vols women hoopsters, North Carolina men's soccer team, Irina Slutskaya, "Vanilla Sky," virtual pets |
TEAM
|
|
PAGE 2 SAYS
|
MO' METER
|
|
| 5. Minnesota Vikings |
 |
Preseason Super Bowl contender hits rock bottom -- first team to lose to the Detroit Lions this season. Look out below! |
 |
|
| 4. The "good" Bobby Knight |
 |
That didn't take long, did it? |
|
|
| 3. Cleveland Indians |
 |
The bottle-throwing sports fans of Cleveland will likely have a new target when they see what's left of last year's
division-winning Indians this spring. Gone are Alomar, Juan Gonzalez, Marty Cordova and Kenny Lofton. Will the last starter left from last year's team please
turn out the lights? |
|
|
| 2. Boxing's reputation |
 |
The "draw" between Evander Holyfield and John Ruiz
-- a fight most every observer thought Holyfield easily won -- is the latest
in a long series of black eyes for the world's most corrupt sport. |
|
|
| 1. Notre Dame's reputation |
 |
As it is said, "Haste makes waste." And, "Look before you leap." And, "It is always darkest before the dawn. And ... well,
you get the idea. |
 |
|
| ALSO RECEIVING VOTES: Carolina Panthers, Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills,
Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Steve Francis and Albert Connell, Instant Replay |
|
| Mo' Meter explained: |
No mo'; holding |
Climbing the charts |
Peaked; all downhill |
|
|
|
|
