| | | 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
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PAGE 2 SAYS
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MO' METER
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| 1. Arizona Diamondbacks |
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With Curt Schilling (on best postseason pitching
run since Orel Hershiser in 1988) and Big Unit set up to pitch five of seven
World Series games, D-backs could end Yankees incredible streak. |
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| 2. New York Yankees |
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On the other hand, Yankees have won 11 straight
postseason series, including last two against teams generally considered best one-two punch in baseball this year, so probably wouldn't be wise to write them off until someone puts a stake through their hearts. |
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| 3. St. Louis Rams |
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After disposing of second New York team in two weeks, Rams remain only NFL unbeaten.
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| 4. University of Oklahoma football |
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Nation's longest winning streak (20), plus toughest
defensive unit around, plus BCS computer love ... equals No. 1, despite
what wire service polls have to say about Miami. |
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| 5. NFL Central Surprises |
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In AFC, Steelers are 4-1 and expansion Browns are 4-2 after total crunch job on defending Super Bowl champion Ravens; in NFC, longtime doormat Bears are also 4-1. What in the name of George Halas,
Paul Brown and Art Rooney is going on? |
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| 6. New York Islanders |
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One of only two teams without a regulation loss feeding off good vibes from retirement of Bryan Trottier's No. 19 last weekend. |
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| 7. Washington Wizards |
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MJ goes for 41. Something good will happen when the Wiz show up in your town. Can you spell S-E-L-L-O-U-T? |
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| 8. San Jose Earthquakes |
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From worst to their first Major League Soccer title in one season. |
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| 9. UCLA Bruins football |
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Despite tough schedule, still unbeaten, thanks to tough D. Whisper pick to play for NCAA title in Pasadena in January. |
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| 10. Oakland Raiders |
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Tied with Steelers (4-1) for best record in
evenly balanced AFC. |
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| ALSO RECEIVING VOTES: San Francisco 49ers, San Diego Chargers, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Red Wings, Calgary Flames, Minnesota Wild, Miami Hurricanes, Nebraska
Cornhuskers, Virginia Tech Hokies, superstar tennis marriages, Fox baseball ratings, Paul McCartney (baseball and fireman fan), "From Hell"
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TEAM
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PAGE 2 SAYS
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MO' METER
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| 5. Fresno State football |
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Blew $12 million date with BCS bowl game with 35-30 loss to Boise State. Cinderella, we hardly knew ye. |
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| 4. Carolina Panthers |
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Lost to truly woeful Redskins in OT, which is not easy to do. Or promising. |
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| 3. Atlanta Braves |
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Aging 10-time NL Eastern Division defending champs chopped down to size by Diamondacks, signalling major changing of old guard.
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| 2. Preseason Super Bowl Favorites |
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Ravens (3-3), Broncos (3-3), Titans
(2-3), Colts (2-3), Bucs (2-3) all wallowing in mediocrity or worse -- with Jim Mora and Tony Dungy feeling the hot wind of unemployment on backs of their necks. |
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| 1. Detroit Lions |
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Only winless team left in NFL has uber-perkmeister Matt Millen contemplating return to serenity of broadcast booth. |
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| ALSO RECEIVING VOTES: Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Redskins, Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners, Florida Panthers, Vancouver Canucks, Ottawa Senators, Pete Sampras, "The Runner," economic indicators
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| Mo' Meter explained: |
No mo'; holding
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Climbing the charts |
Peaked; all downhill
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