Monday, December 12, 2011

NFL Power Rankings Week 15

1. Green Bay Packers: 558 (499)
Previous Week: 1
Notes: They have been called a "one sided" team with a second to last ranked defense, but proved how dangerous they can be on D against the Raiders. This team might do what the Patriots couldn't in 2007, go 19-0.

2. Houston Texans: 421 (385)
Previous Week: 3
Notes: This team has earned the #2 spot. Injury-ridden and still winning big (and tough games). A first seed is a very possible thing for this team.

3. Baltimore Ravens: 400 (371)
Previous Week: 4
Notes: A close 2nd in terms of the best team in the AFC. With how things are shaking up in the AFC, this team can be anywhere from a 1st to 5th seed come playoff time.

4. New Orleans Saints: 388 (354)
Previous Week: 5
Notes: A big win against the Titans that helps move this team closer to a first round bye come playoff time. This team is the better team right now than the 49ers and deserve that #2 seed.

5. San Francisco 49ers: 387 (408)
Previous Week: 2
Notes: A tough divisional loss. Things don't get easier with a game against the Steelers this weekend.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers: 387 (345)
Previous Week: 6
Notes: Am I excited to see how this team matches up against the 49ers. This is the game to watch for next week.

7. New England Patriots: 367 (335)
Previous Week: 7
Notes: The Patriots and Tom Brady will be the team to end Tim Tebow's streak.

8. Detroit Lions: 259 (231)
Previous Week: 8
Notes: To me, this team has the best shot at a NFC wildcard. Games against the Raiders and Chargers should result in wins before a very tough game against the Packers to close out the season. They better hope the Packers loser 1 game between now and then so that they rest up their players.

9. New York Jets: 235 (179)
Previous Week: 13
Notes: With the Jets winning and Titans, Bengals, and Raiders losing, they are now in the driver seat for that #6 seed. They're the best team out of the 4 and will likely hold on to this spot.

10. Atlanta Falcons: 215 (190)
Previous Week: 10
Notes: The other probably wildcard spot in the NFC. They face two easy games against the Jags and Buccs and a tough one against the Saints. 10-6 will be a sure thing for the wildcard so count them in unless there's a big upset.

11. Dallas Cowboys: 170 (217)
Previous Week: 9
Notes: Another very tough loss for the Cowboys. While Romo didn't play badly, he did little to show that he's not a winning QB in November and a loser in December. The game against the Buccs is a trap game that I'm predicting will result in a loss for the Boys.

12. Chicago Bears: 165 (181)
Previous Week: 11
Notes: The Bears season is slowly slipping away after losing 3 in a row.

13. Cincinnati Bengals: 161 (180 )
Previous Week: 12
Notes: Once looking like an elite in the AFC, the Bengals are now on the outside looking in. They most likely have to win their last 3 (including a tough season ending game against the Ravens) to make the playoffs.

14. Tennessee Titans: 125 (138)
Previous Week: 14
Notes: A competitive game against the Saints, but a loss is tough given the wildcard race in the AFC. They get two easy divisional games against the Colts and Jags which can keep them in the playoff race.

15. New York Giants: 112 (82)
Previous Week: 16
Notes: A season saving win for the Giants that also puts them in the driver seat for the NFC East. If they win out (which is possible with their remaining schedule) they're in. The last game against the Cowboys at the end of the season will likely decide the division winner. Eli has been outstanding this year and, in my opinion, will carry this team to the playoffs.

16. Denver Broncos: 107 (79)
Previous Week: 17
Notes: I'm a Jew turned atheist, but I"m starting to reconsider my religious beliefs after seeing Tim Tebow and his winning streak. He has been coming back from the impossible and pulling off huge wins. They're luck will eventually run out (most likely against the Pats), but with the Raiders struggling and the Chargers are their last leg, they look like they'll take the AFC West.

17. San Diego Chargers: 94 (78 )
Previous Week: 18
Notes: A win that keeps them in it, but it's only a matter of time before this team is out of the playoff race. Norv Turner will also be out of a job.

18. Philadelphia Eagles: 66 (28)
Previous Week: 20
Notes: They're still hanging on to that miracle that gets them into the playoffs. They won't make it, but they'll be looking to finish at .500.

19. Oakland Raiders: 59 (98)
Previous Week: 15
Notes: The Raiders last two games are against the Chiefs and Chargers, both division games that they need to win in order to potentially beat out the Broncos for the AFC West.

20. Seattle Seahawks: 45 (14)
Previous Week: 22
Notes: If the Seahawks could play the Rams every week they'd look like an elite team. 6-7 is still better than expected from this team.

21. Arizona Cardinals: 6 (-23)
Previous Week: 24
Notes: That's 3 wins in a row now for the Cards including two in a row against good teams (Cowboys and 49ers). Games against the Bengals, Browns, and Seahawks could make this team end their season at a surprising 9-7.

22. Miami Dolphins: -2 (34 )
Previous Week: 19
Notes: No Tony Sparano. Bad time to fire a coach considering how well this team was rebounding from an awful start.

23. Buffalo Bills: -24 (23)
Previous Week: 21
Notes: The Bills continue to sink lower and lower each week. They don't even look competitive anymore.

24. Carolina Panthers: -45 (-21)
Previous Week: 23
Notes: Cam and co will look to end the season in 3rd place which is somewhat an accomplishment for a team that's used to ending their season in last in the NFC South.

25. Washington Redskins: -64 (-41 )
Previous Week: 25
Notes: A mess, but what can you expect when Ross Grossman is your leader.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars: -74 (121)
Previous Week: 29
Notes: Big week for MJD. Doesn't really matter much for this team though.

27. Cleveland Browns: -110 (-75)
Previous Week: 26
Notes: The Browns keep going down.

28. Kansas City Chiefs: -135 (-86 )
Previous Week: 27
Notes: The improvements of the Chiefs D can't mask their horrific offense.

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: -169 (-120)
Previous Week: 28
Notes: The Buccs look to upset the Cowboys this Saturday night.

30. Minnesota Vikings: -174 (-152 )
Previous Week: 30
Notes: Even for a team like the Vikings, 2-11 is still worse than expected at this point.

31. St. Louis Rams: -296 (-251)
Previous Week: 31
Notes: Expect big changes for this team in the offseason.

32. Indianapolis Colts: -420 ( -398)
Previous Week: 32
Notes: I'm still in my survivor league and will be picking the team that plays them for the remainder of the season. It's a sure thing.

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