New England Patriots linebacker Akeem Ayers (52) chases Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) in the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014, in Foxborough, Mass.Last week, when we talked about tired sports cliches -- and we were a little stunned how popular that segment was on "Press Row" on ESPN 105.1 -- someone mentioned the full pronunciation of the NATIONAL Football League.
We get it, too. It's over the top, and if we were going by old-school logic, using someone's full name means they are normally in trouble. (How many of us knew that when we heard our middle name, there was some punishment coming? Yep, thought so.)
If it's a matter of importance or emphasis, then we are going to sound out fully the name of NASA or the U.N. or even the SEC. In fact, if Hannibal Lector is going to say the acronym in the memorable, "All the way to the FBI," well, then, "the NFL" should be fine for the rest of us.
And yes, we have determined that Ron Jaworski can continue to say the NATIONAL Football League, since he was the one who jumpstarted the movement. So if he's grandfathered in, where does that leave the rest of us?
It leaves us looking for what we know and what we think the future trends can be.
Here's one: The three ways to quarterback success in this league are going to be (a) find a superstar signal caller and hitch your wagon to him; (b) find two or three guys who have had success or could fit your system -- especially if that system relies on the QB moving around and running -- and trust your depth; (c) find a young guy you can trust, and while you pay him rookie scale build a Corvette around him.
So let's apply that to the power poll.
Top five
• 1. New England (7-2). The Patriots are, well, the Patriots, and they find ways to mask problems and accentuate advantages. That's a great trait in everyday life and an exceptional one in the NATIONAL Football League. Oh, sorry. We forgot. Anyway, we all know the QB scenario the Pats have embraced. But did you know there's only one team in the NATIO ... in the NFL that has scored more than 280 points and allowed fewer than 200. You get three guesses who it is.
2. Arizona (8-1). The Cardinals have the best record in the NFL but just lost their starting quarterback to a season-ending knee injury and now need to trust Drew Stanton to continue the ride. Rushmore of Stantons? Giancarlo Stanton, Harry Dean Stanton (who was in "Red Dawn" -- Wolverines), Edwin Stanton and Mike Stanton.
3. Denver (7-2). The Broncos have hitched their wagon to the S.S. Manning and the results have been enjoyable. That said, Denver is 5-0 at home and the chase for home field goes through New England.
4. Philadelphia (7-2). Wow, that Chip Kelly offense is fun to watch. And yes, the Eagles pantsed the Panthers on Monday night despite running for less than 2.0 yards per carry on 22 rushes. And that was with quarterback Mark Sanchez prominently involved.
5. Detroit (7-2). Yes, the Packers and discount double checkmate Aaron Rodgers sure look shiny and fun right now, but lest we forget, the Lions are in first place in the NFC North. And they have won seven of nine games with the best non-QB offensive player in the league missing significant time. And now Calvin Johnson is back.
Bottom five
• 28. Chicago (3-6). Yes, there are teams with worse records, but the Bears have allowed 50-plus points in back-to-back games. You know the last team to do that? Of course you do. It's the Rochester Jeffersons back in the 1920s, even before the NATIONAL ... (Sorry) before the NFL was truly the NFL.
• 29. Tennessee Titans (2-7). We asked this earlier in the week and we're still not sure anyone has an answer. If you are a Titans fan, how do you finish this sentence: "We may be 2-7 but at least we have ...." Man, there's little to be jazzed about with this bunch.
• 30. Tampa Bay (1-8). And here's your first team among the dregs that could be seriously in the sweepstakes for Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariotta. Side note: A few years ago, the ranking rallying cry for Indianapolis was "Suck for Luck," and that worked. There have already been shirts sighted in Tampa that claim "Suck for the Duck."
• 31. Jacksonville (1-9). The Jaguars have the largest point differential in the NATIO ... in the NFL. Hard habits are hard to break, you know. Speaking of hard habits, the Jags are, on average, more than 12 points worse than their opponent.
• 32. Oakland (0-9). When opposing QBs such as Brock Osweiler are noticeably disappointed not to get a chance to throw against you, well, that's a telling sign.
Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com and follow him on Twitter at @jgreesontfp. Listen to Jay and David Paschall on Press Row every weekday from 3-6 on ESPN 105.1 FM and timesfreepress.com.