NFL Week 15 Power Rankings

I just wanted to take a second to wish all of you a6) Chicago (10-4) - I'm very happy that Mike Brown
happy, fun, safe, bizarre, victory-laden holiday seasongot the Pro Bowl nod. He's been one of the best and
over the next 10 days. And with that, here's amost underrated safeties in the league for several
thumbnail sketch of some intriguing games takingyears.
place in Week 16:New York at Washington (-3), 17) New England (9-5) - New England has won its last
p.m. on Saturday20 games when the temperature was less than 40
For the second straight week, Washington findsdegrees. Also, they're 20-1 since 1993 when the
itself locked in a classic NFC East rivalry game withkickoff temperature is 34 degrees or below.
huge playoff implications. The Redskins are clinging to8) Carolina (10-4) - The Panthers have scored 111
the final NFC slot while New York is trying to lock uppoints in the fourth quarter this season, the third
the division title and secure a pair of January homemost in the league.
games.The Giants hammered the Redskins 36-0 back9) New York Giants (10-4) - The Giants, along with
in Week 8 in the Meadowlands, but were crushedthe Colts and Panthers, are the only teams with 10
31-7 last December in the nation's capital. New York'swins against the spread this season.
struggles on the road (9-13 since 2003) have been10) Jacksonville (10-4) - In the four games before
well documented, and I think they still have a lot toByron Leftwich was injured the Jags were averaging
prove. Their patchwork offensive line was26 points per game. In the four since he's been gone
outstanding last week, but I believe they'll beit's dipped to 18 per game.
overwhelmed by a rabid Redskins11) San Diego (9-5) - The Chargers have the league's
defense.Washington is currently in control of theirfourth-toughest schedule (opp. win percentage of
playoff destiny. They've won three of their last four.531). They haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher in 16
and can earn their first winning season since 1999games - the league's longest active streak - but face
with a victory. The Redskins have only allowed threeLarry Johnson and his string of seven straight 100+
touchdowns in their last three games, and are 8-2games.
ATS in their last 10 games before facing the Eagles12) Tampa Bay (9-5) - How huge is that Week 10
(they go to Philly in Week 17).Atlanta at Tampa Baytwo-point conversion to beat Washington right now?
(-3), 1 p.m. on SaturdayJon Gruden had Joey Galloway simulating Mike Vick
Since their Sunday night thrashing at the hands ofthis week in practice.
Chicago, the mood around Atlanta has been13) Washington (8-6) - Not good times when you're
melancholy and shell-shocked. Falcons owner Arthurrunning a story about starting the Oldest Lineman in
Blank issued a statement in the AtlantaNFL History (43-year-old Ray Brown), while your
Journal-Constitution on Tuesday saying that he willopponent is running a story about sending two
consider this season a success even if the teamdefensive linemen to the Pro Bowl.
doesn't make the playoffs. That seemed like waving14) Dallas (8-6) - Early reports are that Marco Rivera
the white flag to me, and is something that could'vewill not play this weekend against Carolina. Also,
waited until after the season. Instead it's almost likemiddle linebacker Michael Barrow - signed to replace
Blank has given the team the OK to pack it in.TampaDat Nguyen - was placed on IR with a torn quad.
Bay is coming off an equally embarrassing loss in New15) Kansas City (8-6) - Over the last decade, Kansas
England last weekend. However, they still have theCity has outscored San Diego by an average of
inside track to a playoff slot and will have a rowdy29-14 at Arrowhead. However, nine of the last 10
home crowd backing them. The key match up hereoverall meetings between these two teams have
is the Bucs' third-ranked rushing defense (3.4-yardbeen decided by 10 points or less.
average) versus Atlanta's top-ranked rushing offense.16) Atlanta (8-6) - The loss of defensive end Brady
Tampa Bay is 12-2-1 ATS recently when they winSmith has crippled this team's front seven. Smith's
straight up against a divisional opponent.Dallas atplaymaking ability kept the double teams of Patrick
Carolina (-5), 1 p.m. on SaturdayKearney, who's been a no-show for about four
If the desperate team usually wins in the NFL, theweeks.
Cowboys could take this one in a cakewalk. Dallas17) Minnesota (8-6) - The Vikings began this week
has dropped three of its last four games and itsas 1.5-point favorites, but by Wednesday the line had
playoff hopes are on life support. Unfortunately foralready swung to them as 2.5-point dogs. If they win
the Boys, Carolina still has a shot at the NFC's No. 2out, they could still win the NFC North title.
seed and is looking to salt away the South title.I18) Miami (7-7) - The Dolphins are looking for five
expect a huge day out of the Carolina defense onwins in a row for the first time since 1999. The team
Saturday. The Panthers possess the league'sthey beat in '99 for their fifth win? The Titans.
third-rated unit; yet saw only one member (JuliusExpect to see Sage Rosenfels. Gus Frerotte hasn't
Peppers) selected to the Pro Bowl. Watch for theirpracticed because of a sore finger.
overlooked front seven to ravage a very vulnerable19) Cleveland (5-9) - Five of the Browns' losses have
Dallas offensive line. Carolina is a sultry 16-5-1 ATS inbeen by seven points or less. Cleveland is No. 1 in the
its last 22 contests.Drew Bledsoe was also snubbedAFC in red zone defense (45.2 percent end in TD's).
when it came to a Pro Bowl bid. His play has tailed as20) Philadelphia (6-8) - The Eagles have the
of late (5.8 yards per attempt over the last fivefourth-lowest payroll in the NFL. Don't feel too bad
games) but his numbers still blow away those of Ronfor how this season has gone because they're going
Mexico. In the Cowboys' eight wins Bledsoe has ato come back even stronger next year.
quarterback rating of 107. In their six losses his rating21) St. Louis (5-9) - Interim coach Joe Vitt called his
is just 61. Dallas has won the last four regular seasonoffensive line "soft" earlier this week during a
meetings between these two clubs by seven pointstantrum to the press. I expect the line to respond, if
or less.Indianapolis at Seattle (-10), 4:15 on Saturdayonly because they're facing a far inferior opponent.
On the surface this looks like a thrilling match up of22) Oakland (4-10) - I'm sure that LaMont Jordan is
the NFL's top two teams. However, with the specterreal upset that he isn't playing this week. The Raiders
of Jim Sorgi and Dominic Rhodes leading the way forare 27th in the league in time of possession (28:35).
Indianapolis, this one could be the equivalent of a24) Baltimore (5-9) - The Ravens have won five of
preseason dud.Seattle is a double-digit favorite merelysix at home. In his last three starts against the NFC,
because it still has something to play for. A victoryKyle Boller has posted a quarterback rating of 117.2.
will seal home-field advantage in the NFC, and would26) Tennessee (4-10) - The Titans are just 2-7
mark a new franchise record for wins in a season.against the spread in their last nine games on the
But don't expect a total gimme game. I think Indy willroad.
come out firing in the first half, but if Seattle can23) Buffalo (4-10) - Last week I said that the fans
withstand the initial burst they should be able towould be storming the field at Saturday's game. Well,
pacify Indy as the game wears on.Tony Dungy ispolice made 22 arrests, and the stadium security
24-7 on the road with the Colts. He has stated thatmanager said that he saw more fans "falling, fighting,
he won't limit his playbook and that the starters willand puking" than he ever had.
play "as long as they need to." I don't imagine that25) Green Bay (3-11) - This rivalry game against
will be longer than the first half for Manning, Edge,Chicago is the Packers' Super Bowl, so I expect an
and Harrison. However, don't be surprised if they doall-out assault. They've won 13 of 14 December
bring their A-game for that first half.Without furtherdivisional games, including nine in a row at home.
ado, here is my Week 16 Power Rankings:1)27) Arizona (4-10) - It had to be tough for Pro Bowl
Indianapolis (13-1) - Peyton Manning is quicklyvoters to select Larry Fitzgerald over Anquan Boldin,
becoming the NFL equivalent of A-Rod. When hisseeing that both are in the top five in the league in
team is up, he's superhuman. When they need him inboth receptions and yards.
the clutch, he's subhuman.28) New Orleans (3-11) - New Orleans is 29-5 under
2) Denver (11-3) - The Broncos have won four ofJim Haslett when they enter halftime with the lead.
their last five against Oakland, and Mike Shanahan isDo you think he broke out that stat when he went
16-5 against his former team. Yet, the Raiders haveto the owner and demanded a five-year extension?
been victorious in two of their last three trips to Mile29) Detroit (4-10) - I bet the guy printing the "Fire
High.Millen!" T-shirts is having a merry Christmas.
3) Seattle (12-2) - As of right now, Seattle has the30) New York Jets (3-11) - No beer at the stadium?
lowest strength of schedule in the league with anI know the Jets play like a college team, but do they
opponents winning percentage of just .398.have to start adopting their rules as well?
4) Cincinnati (11-3) - Buffalo has beaten Cincy seven31) San Francisco (2-12) - Alex Smith versus Ryan
straight times dating back to 1988. The Bengals haveFitzpatrick. And they're charging money to see it.
yet to turn the ball over more times in a game than32) Houston (2-12) - It's amazing how players can
their opponent.execute when they know that their job, and their
5) Pittsburgh (9-5) - The word is that Ben can'tfamily's livelihood, is on the line. Houston actually
throw the ball with any control over 20 yards, not 40swept Jacksonville last year and with an upset could
yards as was reported in the mainstream media. Benactually play a key role in the 2005 season.Questions
was 3-0 against Charlie Frye when the two squaredor comments for Robert?
off in college.