NFL Power Rankings, Week 16

With the top teams looking more vulnerable with each game, it’s looking like its anybody’s season. But the common factor in all good teams seems to be solid defense and ground control offense. If you want to win games against the good teams this late in the season, you better keep their defense off the field and work your way down it.

So here's my take:

TEAM
1. Tennessee Titans (12-2)	Had a chance to really cement their status as the top team in the league, but you can’t do that losing to teams that won’t even make the playoffs.
2. NY Giants (11-3)	It all starts with the offensive line. In the last two losses Eli has been sacked an average of four more times per game and the team has run for 60 YPG less than in the first 12 games.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3)	It’s December and Pittsburgh is ready to roll into the playoffs. Things don’t change that much over the years. They have a system and it works.
4. Carolina Panthers (11-3)	Man, they can run the football. With the defense that they are capable of playing and their ball control offense, they are going to be a tough team in the playoffs.
5. Indianapolis Colts (10-4)	That rough beginning to the season is an ancient memory. The Colts are back to the team of old where you never know which receiver is gonna go off for a huge game.
6. Dallas Cowboys (9-5)	A huge win for a team that could have very easily slipped into turmoil. Tashard Choice has been a great find for them, but they need Marion Barber is they are going to make any noise in the playoffs.
7. Baltimore Ravens (10-4)	Another team that gets by on defense and running the football. The only difference is that they don’t have one reliable tailback; they have three that they roll the dice with and take a chance.
8. Philadelphia Eagles (8-5-1)	They’ve just been a completely different team the last few weeks. McNabb has been efficient and accurate and Westbrook has looked as healthy as he has in ages.
9. Atlanta Falcons (9-5)	It wasn’t a complete performance, but these young Falcons continued to do what they’ve done all year: win close games any way they can.
10. Tampa Bay Bucs (9-5)	Antonio Bryant has finally found a groove, but they need to find out what’s going on and right this ship before they lose any more games.
11. Minnesota Vikings (9-5)	Maybe all Tavaris Jackson needed was a kick in the pants. He was given the job too easily and now that he’s needed to earn the job, he seems to have stepped his game up.
12. Arizona Cardinals (8-6)	Their playoff spot may be clinched, but they need to fix some of their problems or they are gonna be one and done come postseason time.
13. NY Jets (9-5)	Needed the help of a boneheaded call by the Bills to sneak out a victory and keep their chances of playoffs alive. But they desperately need to plug some holes.
14. New England Patriots (9-5)	Three way tie for first place in the AFC East and the Patriots are surprisingly looking like they could claim another division title.
15. Miami Dolphins (9-5)	No team has done more with less than the Dolphins. They only won one game last year and now they could be looking at a division title.
16. Chicago Bears (8-6)	A huge comeback win for them against the Saints, but it still showed some flaws. They really need to get Forte healthy and running effectively again, or their offense just doesn’t work.
17. Houston Texans (7-7)	Where were these Texans at the beginning of the season? We know they could put up points, but now they are winning defense struggles against tough teams as well.
18. Denver Broncos (8-6)	It’s a good thing for Denver that their division has played so poorly this year because they are in complete disarray. They have no runningback and a very inconsistent defense.
19. New Orleans Saints (7-7)	A late touchdown really put them in the drivers seat with the chance to come up with a huge win, but as usual, the defense let them down and may have kept them out of the playoffs.
20. Washington Redskins (7-7)	Man, what happened to the Redskins? A few weeks ago they seemed primed to coast into the playoffs and possibly even claim in the NFC East. Now, they are as good as done.
21. SD Chargers (6-8)	Barely squeaked by the Chiefs to keep their playoff hopes alive. They need to be more creative on the offensive end because running LT behind that OL just isn’t working.
22. Buffalo Bills (6-8)	Clearly they made the right choice going with Trent Edwards over JP Losman. He just doesn’t have it anymore. Not that he ever had it in the first place.
23. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-9)	Won the battle of the two teams that failed to live up to the pre-season expectations. They have some talent, but there is just no chemistry on this team.
24. GB Packers (5-9)	An embarrassing season for the defense hits a new low when they let up almost 130 yards through the air to Dennis Northcutt. It’s been a rough year.
25. SF 49ers (5-9)	They outgained the Dolphins, had more first downs and just flat outplayed them. Field position cost them the game, but it’s a step in the right direction.
26. Cleveland Browns (5-9)	You can’t win games with Ken Dorsey at Quarterback. It’s just that simple. They need to find a QB and stick with it if the team has any chance.
27. Seattle Seahawks (3-11)	Seneca Wallace has turned into a decent surprise at QB. He’s been efficient and his mobility is a huge asset for him.
28. KC Chiefs (3-11)	Another game where the Chiefs carried the lead in the fourth quarter just to blow it. They need to figure out how to close one out or they are never going to put something together.
29. Oakland Raiders (3-11)	A team with young talent who has a chance to someday turn into something special. But that day is far, far away from today.
30. Cincinnati Bengals (2-11-1)	Pulled one out against the slipping Redskins behind a surprise performance by Cedric Benson. He has talent if they can just get it out of him.
31. St. Louis Rams (2-12)	Couldn’t beat the Seahawks without their QB and with Maurice Morris as their RB. It’s just been a long, tough season for the Rams.
32. Detroit Lions (0-14)	Another game, another day to say that they at least have Calvin Johnson. With him and Kevin Smith, they might be able to put together some type of offense in the future.

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NFL Power Rankings, Week 16