Can't criticize ESPN on this one because they specifically tried to find the worst possible stat for every team on that list. This is what they say they're trying to find for every team:
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/24785984/nfl-power-rankings-fatal-flaws-all-32-teams-2018-week-4

 

I think it’s hard to rank a team that wins like we do. We are resilient and don’t give up, but it’s not like we impose our will. I would chauk up our success to something intangible, which in my mind can be more impactful, rather than the regular stats used to evaluate. We're winning. To me, that's the most important thing.

 

PFT actually has us up at #5! Theirs are extremely fluid early in the season, and will always give love to teams who go out and win games.

By contrast, bleacher report still has us at #20, and they crap all over us in their write up. Despite their claims otherwise, I'm going to believe they won't even move us up if we win this week in New England. They just want to continue to justify their own preconceptions.

 

Until I see more I think any Top 10 ranking is premature. I put us in the 12-14 range honestly. If we take care of business on the road in Foxborough this week I would say that Top 10 is warranted. Then if we take care of business in Cincinnati the week after there is no question we should be top 5 by anyone's measuring stick.

 

I bet if we beat NE and go 4-0, there will be a huge change in media perception and no major media outlet will put us outside the top 5. I mean.. this team has been mediocre for so long that it will take something really impressive to jolt most NFL fans out of that conditioned response of "Dolphins suck" which btw was often justified.

But beating NE in Foxborough to go 4-0 IMO will do that and I bet we'll get a lot of love. We'll see.

 

I am a fly under the radar type and sort of like it when we don't get a lot of praise from the media. I worry that we will stop to read our press clippings and lose focus.

 

I think the media will expect miami to go 4-12 and the Patriots to go 13-3

 

If we're a well coached team what the media says shouldn't matter. That's another thing to look for.. how does this team perform when things are going real well and everyone's getting love? Do we get too complacent? Almost as important as how to deal with adversity.

 

Nicely said!

 

I don't know.. I think you'll start seeing more stories of how age might finally be getting to Brady etc.. Only once in Brady's career did he finish outside of the top 10 in passer rating, in the year 2013. He's ranked #15 right now and if we win it's probably because he didn't play like a top 10 QB (hopefully due to our defense!).

The media isn't wedded to anything except getting as many viewers as possible. I think they'd love the opportunity to talk about a potential demise of Brady. Well, all this is premature of course but hopefully we find out who's right in a week!

 

I think these ranking are pretty accurate if not a little generous in the top 10. Haven’t exactly looked fantastic in our wins. Like some have said, we will know a lot more about this team after this weekend in New England.

 

We could go 16-0 in the regular season and all the talking heads would still say we suck.

 

Yeah, they'll say we sucked the life out of the dynasty that USED to be the Patriots.

 

Pete Prisco ranked the Dolphins at #4:

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...ake-top-spots-thanks-to-high-octane-offenses/

 

Power rankings are not that important. The only numbers that are, are in fact wins and losses. The rankings are basically inconsequential.