NFL Power Rankings-Week 16

2 more weeks to go


1. New England Patriots
Move from Week 15: 0
Why?: Well it wasn't the blowout we all expected, but Belichick was still all smiles after beating Mangini's team.


2. Dallas Cowboys
Move from Week 15: 0
Why?: Can't move them down still after their loss against the Eagles, although these last two games they looked anything but dominating. They'll need to finish the season strong to have some confidence going into the playoffs especially with an inexperienced QB.


3. Indianapolis Colts
Move from Week 15: 0
Why?: They clinched a first round bye with their win over the Raiders. That didn't mean they played well. They couldn't score a touchdown against the Raiders until midway through the 4th quarter.


4. Green Bay Packers
Move from Week 15: 0
Why?: An easy game for this team against the Rams. Even though they got their asses handed to them against the Cowboys, don't count this team out for the Super Bowl especially with the way the Cowboys have been playing.


5. Jacksonville Jaguars
Move from Week 15: 0
Why?: I really like this team, especially after their win against the Steelers. Easily the best wildcard team in the NFL. They could be an upset for the Super Bowl.


6. Cleveland Browns
Move from Week 15: +3
Why?: They pulled off the biggest win of their season against the Bills and are now all but clinched for the playoffs. Did you ever the Browns making it to 6 in the power rankings?!?!


7. San Diego Chargers
Move from Week 15: +3
Why?: 51 points against the Lions. After not looking so great in the beginning of the season, this team is probably a 3 seed for the playoffs.


8. Seattle Seahawks
Move from Week 15: -2
Why?: They seemed to be playing with a "I don't care" attitude now that they have nothing to shoot for really. After dominating with the passing game this team could only come up with 10 points against the Panthers.


9. New York Giants
Move from Week 15: -2
Why?: Ugly loss against the Redskins. They needed that game so they could play the rest of the season without worrying too much. Now they need to beat Buffalo otherwise the playoffs, which once looked like a sure thing, might not happen.


10. Pittsburgh Steelers
Move from Week 15: -2
Why?: Go ahead and yell at me. Say "how can the Steelers be 4 spots behind the Browns when they beat them twice?!?!" Well, your Steelers aren't looking like they did when they faced off against the Browns. They've lost two in a row including their first game at home and are now fighting for the division title against the Browns.


11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Move from Week 15: 0
Why?: I couldn't move them up due to the other teams ahead of them, but the looked great against the Falcons. Then again, it was against the Falcons.


12. Minnesota Vikings
Move from Week 15: 0
Why?: It wasn't the blowout the other games have been, but the Vikings beat the Bears and are now sitting at a cushy 8-6. Don't be surprised if they grab that 5th seed over the Giants.


13. Tennessee Titans
Move from Week 15: +1
Why?: The Titans keep their playoff hopes alive with a win over the Chiefs. They still will have a tough time with being a game back from the Browns.


14. New Orleans Saints
Move from Week 15: +1
Why?: Another team keeping their playoffs hopes alive with a huge win over the Cardinals. They'll need to avoid making any errors in order for it to happen though.


15. Buffalo Bills
Move from Week 15: -2
Why?: It wans't far for either team to play in this kind of weather, but the Bills needed that win (even more so than the Browns). This team could be a threat again next year though if they start Trent Edwards.


16. Washington Redskins
Move from Week 15: +1
Why?: They dominated the Giants and are now all of a sudden they're back in the playoff picture. It won't be easy, but they'll be making that extra effort for Shaun Taylor.


17. Houston Texans
Move from Week 15: +3
Why?: I feel bad that this team has to play in the AFC South (the toughest division in football). They'd be making a run for the playoffs in any other division. They still are doing the best they ever have in franchise history.


18. Detroit Lions
Move from Week 15: -2
Why?: After stating the season at 6-2, they might end up 6-10. They couldn't even keep it close against the Chargers, losing 51-14. Time to think about what to improve for next yaer.


19. Philadelphia Eagles
Move from Week 15: +2
Why?: Big upset against the Cowboys. Although it really just plays the role of being a spoiler than anything else, it does manage to have the Eagles hang onto their last thread of playoff life.


20. Arizona Cardinals
Move from Week 15: -2
Why?: This team looked like they could be a playoff team all year, but now are showing their true colors. They've been inconsistent all year and now are just consistently bad.


21. Denver Broncos
Move from Week 15: -2
Why?: The loss to the Texans wasn't really an upset. The Texans to me are on the same level as the Broncos, maybe slightly better. It doesn't save them from the fact that they won't be making the playoffs for two straight seasons.


22. Chicago Bears
Move from Week 15: 0
Why?: They couldn't hold onto the lead and now they're offiically done for the season. They could have the worst 3 QBs in all of football.


23. Carolina Panthers
Move from Week 15: +4
Why?: Trust me, they didn't move up 4 spots because they played exceptionally well. It is just because of the way the other games played out. A big upset against the Seahawks.


24. Oakland Raiders
Move from Week 15: +2
Why?: Again, it was that kind of week. The Raiders managed to only lose by 7 to the dominating Colts team, but that was after leading by 1.


25. Cincinnati Bengals
Move from Week 15: -1
Why?: They lost to the 49ers. Wow. Just when you think this can't get any worse they pull some tricks out.


26. Kansas City Chiefs
Move from Week 15: -1
Why?: Looks like they'll take on the Raiders role of being the bottom of the AFC West teams this year.


27. New York Jets
Move from Week 15: +1
Why?: People expected the Pats to win by 50 because of spygate, but don't you think the Jets wanted to keep it close because of the same exact thing? They put on a better showing then must people expected with a 10 point loss to the Pats.


28. San Fransisco 49ers
Move from Week 15: +3
Why?: Maybe they'll manage to stay out of the bottom 3 now that they upset the Bengals. Shaun Hill was great and gives them some hope going into next year.


29. Baltimore Ravens
Move from Week 15: -6
Why?: Somebody had to do it (well not really), but the Ravens were the team that the Dolphins scored their first win against. Now they have lost 8 straight and with the way they've been playing they can go 4-12.


30. St. Louis Rams
Move from Week 15: -1
Why?: This looks like the first half of the season all over again with the Rams dropping back down to the 30s. After their loss to the Packers they are now 1-6 at home.


31. Atlanta Falcons
Move from Week 15: -1
Why?: What a horrible team. They got absolutely dominated by the Buccs. Even with the way they've been playing I can't put them behind the Dolphins yet.


32. Miami Dolphins
Move from Week 15: 0
Why?: And they did it! Finally a win for this team. I can't move them up yet because they still only have 1 win and everyone else has at least 3. They'll need to win 1 more game OR come within 10 of the Pats for me to move them up.