I guess it's now a given that unforeseen crap will occur in any given week. This week it was the supposed favorite losing at home for the first time in what seems like a millennium. That's right, Seattle went down and it was one of the ugliest games I've seen this year. Actually, I didn't even see that much of it because the Red Zone channel was covering other games. At any rate, it's not like the Rankings are totally screwed up, but there was a lot more movement than there should have been.
Probably.
The playoff picture has just about shaken out, but there are a couple of teams that can clinch in the final week. Obviously, the ones people will be looking at the most are Philly and Dallas, as they play each other Sunday night with the division on the line. It's been crap for most of the year, but both teams appear to have rounded into form somewhat. That said, even though my team won (barely), I think Philly looks better. It doesn't hurt to put up 50, that's for sure.
I'm undecided as to what I'll do as far as the playoffs are concerned. Power Rankings are pretty useless once the regular season is over, but I should probably write something about the games either as they occur or after they're all finished. We'll see how it goes; the playoffs are a different animal and one that usually annoys me more than any given week of the regular season.
My picks are usually worse. That said, I did get 10 right in Week 16. So I'm finally not being total shit. Yippie.
Here are the Rankings for Week 16:
Probably.
The playoff picture has just about shaken out, but there are a couple of teams that can clinch in the final week. Obviously, the ones people will be looking at the most are Philly and Dallas, as they play each other Sunday night with the division on the line. It's been crap for most of the year, but both teams appear to have rounded into form somewhat. That said, even though my team won (barely), I think Philly looks better. It doesn't hurt to put up 50, that's for sure.
I'm undecided as to what I'll do as far as the playoffs are concerned. Power Rankings are pretty useless once the regular season is over, but I should probably write something about the games either as they occur or after they're all finished. We'll see how it goes; the playoffs are a different animal and one that usually annoys me more than any given week of the regular season.
My picks are usually worse. That said, I did get 10 right in Week 16. So I'm finally not being total shit. Yippie.
Here are the Rankings for Week 16:
1.) Denver (12-3) [+1]
Peyton & co. regain the top spot with a record-breaking performance and a galling loss by Seattle. Losing Von Miller to a knee injury hurts an already compromised defense. We'll see how that affects them in the playoffs.
Peyton & co. regain the top spot with a record-breaking performance and a galling loss by Seattle. Losing Von Miller to a knee injury hurts an already compromised defense. We'll see how that affects them in the playoffs.
2.) Seattle (12-3) [-1]
Really, an inexcusable loss, even considering that Arizona is a division rival. The Seahawks intercepted Palmer FOUR times and still couldn't get points on the board. I find Seattle's offense to be incredibly boring, much like San Francisco's. I don't know why they insist on running the ball as much as they do (or how it's so successful in a time when passing is supposedly the better option), but it's really galling to see them pile up so many wins only to disappoint here at the end.
Really, an inexcusable loss, even considering that Arizona is a division rival. The Seahawks intercepted Palmer FOUR times and still couldn't get points on the board. I find Seattle's offense to be incredibly boring, much like San Francisco's. I don't know why they insist on running the ball as much as they do (or how it's so successful in a time when passing is supposedly the better option), but it's really galling to see them pile up so many wins only to disappoint here at the end.
3.) Carolina (11-4) [+1]
Is Cam Newton clutch? Not really. He got a lucky break, again. Still, it looks like they're a serious contender since they can play defense (despite it being legislated out of the league) and Newton can kinda throw, sometimes.
Is Cam Newton clutch? Not really. He got a lucky break, again. Still, it looks like they're a serious contender since they can play defense (despite it being legislated out of the league) and Newton can kinda throw, sometimes.
4.) San Francisco (11-4) [+1]
NaVorro Bowman was the hero last night. Somehow, when SF lined up on defense for that play, I felt that something good was going to happen for them. What do you know, they get the right bounce and Bowman takes an INT 89 yards to the end zone. That seals up the game and San Francisco is looking a lot better today.
NaVorro Bowman was the hero last night. Somehow, when SF lined up on defense for that play, I felt that something good was going to happen for them. What do you know, they get the right bounce and Bowman takes an INT 89 yards to the end zone. That seals up the game and San Francisco is looking a lot better today.
5.) New England (11-4) [+1]
Just when you think they're due to stumble (again), Brady and Belichick say "not so fast". A pretty incredible win.
Just when you think they're due to stumble (again), Brady and Belichick say "not so fast". A pretty incredible win.
6.) Kansas City (11-4) [-3]
I haven't lost faith in KC. Then again, I didn't have that much to begin with.
I haven't lost faith in KC. Then again, I didn't have that much to begin with.
7.) Arizona (10-5) [+1]
I still don't think Arizona is a contender.
I still don't think Arizona is a contender.
8.) Indianapolis (10-5) [+1]
A surprising win for the Colts. I hardly expected them to beat KC (though I did pick it, so there's that).
A surprising win for the Colts. I hardly expected them to beat KC (though I did pick it, so there's that).
9.) New Orleans (10-5) [-2]
Another disappointing performance on the road leads to another loss. The Saints were looking like one of the great teams, and then they went to Seattle, St. Louis, and Carolina...and went 0-3. Utterly ridiculous. I think they'll win against Tampa in the final week, if only because they're at home. Then again, Tampa played them tough....
Another disappointing performance on the road leads to another loss. The Saints were looking like one of the great teams, and then they went to Seattle, St. Louis, and Carolina...and went 0-3. Utterly ridiculous. I think they'll win against Tampa in the final week, if only because they're at home. Then again, Tampa played them tough....
10.) Philadelphia (9-6) [no change]
Six losses ensure that Philly stays where it is, despite the very impressive 50+ point performance. Let's face it, it's their matchup with Dallas that everyone cares about. The rest was merely a lead-in. Funny how things turn out, especially in a league where every game supposedly matters more than any individual game in any other league.
Six losses ensure that Philly stays where it is, despite the very impressive 50+ point performance. Let's face it, it's their matchup with Dallas that everyone cares about. The rest was merely a lead-in. Funny how things turn out, especially in a league where every game supposedly matters more than any individual game in any other league.
Three Games to Watch (Week 17):
Green Bay @ Chicago (FOX)
San Francisco @ Arizona (FOX)
Philadelphia @ Dallas (NBC)
Green Bay @ Chicago (FOX)
San Francisco @ Arizona (FOX)
Philadelphia @ Dallas (NBC)
That's all for this week. See you next week.
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