A bit of a weird week, especially early on Sunday. To be honest, I didn't care for it much. Still, the playoff picture is starting to shake out a bit, especially since six teams have already been eliminated in the NFC. That makes it a lot easier to determine who has a shot, obviously. The AFC remains a mess of mediocrity with a scant few good teams at the top.
But it's not like anyone is perfect. Everybody has flaws and the weather will surely expose them now that it's getting colder across the country.
The interesting results meant that my picks were pretty disastrous. I ended up 8-8 straight up after the Cowboys' Monday night debacle. It's pathetic, really.
Here are the Rankings for Week 14:
But it's not like anyone is perfect. Everybody has flaws and the weather will surely expose them now that it's getting colder across the country.
The interesting results meant that my picks were pretty disastrous. I ended up 8-8 straight up after the Cowboys' Monday night debacle. It's pathetic, really.
Here are the Rankings for Week 14:
1.) Denver (11-2) [+1]
Back at #1, but for how long? I'm hoping the next three weeks, at least. Then when the playoffs start, everyone is back to square one. Well, everyone who makes the playoffs, that is. Peyton Manning slightly allayed concern about his cold weather performance. Of course, it doesn't really matter now as much as it will next month.
Back at #1, but for how long? I'm hoping the next three weeks, at least. Then when the playoffs start, everyone is back to square one. Well, everyone who makes the playoffs, that is. Peyton Manning slightly allayed concern about his cold weather performance. Of course, it doesn't really matter now as much as it will next month.
2.) Seattle (11-2) [-1]
The darlings of the NFC were bound to slip up on the road again, apparently. I wish someone would have told me in advance. Seriously, it's a really good thing for them to have all but sealed up home-field advantage. If they can't beat a team with no offense just because they're playing on the road, that is troublesome.
The darlings of the NFC were bound to slip up on the road again, apparently. I wish someone would have told me in advance. Seriously, it's a really good thing for them to have all but sealed up home-field advantage. If they can't beat a team with no offense just because they're playing on the road, that is troublesome.
3.) New England (10-3) [+1]
Speaking of troublesome, the Pats now have to regroup without Gronkowski, again. I can't say I'm terribly confident about their chances. Sure, they'll win their division and likely get a first-round bye, but what happens after that? Most likely a tough loss. If anyone can prevent them from getting into a funk, it's Tom Brady. That said, his weapons seem far less imposing, especially without Gronk.
Speaking of troublesome, the Pats now have to regroup without Gronkowski, again. I can't say I'm terribly confident about their chances. Sure, they'll win their division and likely get a first-round bye, but what happens after that? Most likely a tough loss. If anyone can prevent them from getting into a funk, it's Tom Brady. That said, his weapons seem far less imposing, especially without Gronk.
4.) New Orleans (10-3) [+1]
What better way to rebound from a terrible loss than to put it to a division rival? New Orleans fairly well dominated Carolina and look like they'll take the NFC South and if they're lucky, a first-round bye. I wouldn't want to play them in New Orleans, though they seem to be fair game anywhere else.
What better way to rebound from a terrible loss than to put it to a division rival? New Orleans fairly well dominated Carolina and look like they'll take the NFC South and if they're lucky, a first-round bye. I wouldn't want to play them in New Orleans, though they seem to be fair game anywhere else.
5.) Kansas City (10-3) [+1]
They put a drubbing on Washington. Still, it looks like the fifth seed or bust.
They put a drubbing on Washington. Still, it looks like the fifth seed or bust.
6.) Carolina (9-4) [-3]
I wonder if that ball control stuff will work in the playoffs. Maybe if they're not playing Seattle or New Orleans. Otherwise, I don't particularly like the Panthers' chances.
I wonder if that ball control stuff will work in the playoffs. Maybe if they're not playing Seattle or New Orleans. Otherwise, I don't particularly like the Panthers' chances.
7.) San Francisco (9-4) [no change]
The offense is sickening, even with the overhyped return of Crabtree. But at least they showed up this time.
The offense is sickening, even with the overhyped return of Crabtree. But at least they showed up this time.
8.) Philadelphia (8-5) [-]
Trading out one NFC East team for another. But let's be honest here: that race won't be well and truly finalized until the last week of the season. Unless Dallas continues to bumble their way to bad losses, Philly will still have to beat them in Dallas to secure the division. Who'd have thought that the winner would have a >.500 record? It's gonna happen.
Trading out one NFC East team for another. But let's be honest here: that race won't be well and truly finalized until the last week of the season. Unless Dallas continues to bumble their way to bad losses, Philly will still have to beat them in Dallas to secure the division. Who'd have thought that the winner would have a >.500 record? It's gonna happen.
9.) Arizona (8-5) [+1]
I thought the Rams would give them more of a fight. Oops. So now the Rams are eliminated and the Cardinals still have a shot, amazingly. I don't think anyone expected them to be the dark horse in the NFC West.
I thought the Rams would give them more of a fight. Oops. So now the Rams are eliminated and the Cardinals still have a shot, amazingly. I don't think anyone expected them to be the dark horse in the NFC West.
10.) Indianapolis (8-5) [-2]
Despite winning the AFC South, the Colts hardly look like a threat to anyone. I didn't think they'd miss Reggie Wayne quite so much. I mean, it's one thing to not perform as well when missing a star player (which Wayne clearly is), but it's quite another to look as badly as the Colts have looked over the last few weeks. I hope they can right the ship, but I wouldn't put money on it.
Despite winning the AFC South, the Colts hardly look like a threat to anyone. I didn't think they'd miss Reggie Wayne quite so much. I mean, it's one thing to not perform as well when missing a star player (which Wayne clearly is), but it's quite another to look as badly as the Colts have looked over the last few weeks. I hope they can right the ship, but I wouldn't put money on it.
Three Games to Watch (Week 15):
New Orleans @ St. Louis (FOX)
Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh (NBC)
Baltimore @ Detroit (ESPN)
New Orleans @ St. Louis (FOX)
Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh (NBC)
Baltimore @ Detroit (ESPN)
That's all for this week. See you next week.
