NFL Rankings Week 16 (Christmas Edition)

[BigServer1]

Hopefully everyone had a good holiday with families and friends, I know there are a few NFL teams who had their christmas wishes come true, and a few who found coal in their respective stockings. Rankings ect...

#1: Chargers (13-2)- Even though Rivers struggled and LDT didn't find the end zone, the Chargers went into Seattle, a tough place to play and found a way to win. A tough win on the road keeps the homefield in the AFC going through San Deigo (which in German means a whale's vagina), but River's struggles of late might pose a problem against a tough physical defense (AKA Ravens).

#2: Ravens (12-3)- Having the#1 scoring Defense in the league and the #10 scoring offense in the league doesn't hurt, but Steve McNair is playing like a total stud, and the Ravens keep the lead for the first round bye in the playoffs. What could make this team more dangerous? Rest and Health. If they keep this up they should get both.

#3: Bears (13-2)- It kills me (again) to put the Bears this high, but they just won't lose, and Rex Grossman is playing much better than mid season. But needing OT at home against the Bucs last week, and two late field goals and a Defensive stand needed to beat the Lions this week? Those were ugly wins against really bad teams (4-11 and 2-13 respectively). The Bears have an opponent winning percentage of .413, and they have had some ugly wins against really bad teams (Minnesota, Arizona, Tampa Bay and Detroit). Call me a doubter, but I don't see the Bears doing well in the playoffs.

#4: Patriots (11-4)- With Maroney back, Brady playing well and a solid Defense, the Pats are again a force to be reckoned with in the AFC.

#5: Saints (10-5)- When LaDanian Tomlinson was asked who he would vote for MVP he said Drew Brees. It's hard to argue with that pick, as the Saints have clinched the NFC South, and are staring in the face of a first round bye in the playoffs. They have beat the Falcons twice, and killed former NFC favs the Cowboys and the Giants, not to mention a win against the surging Eagles. The Saints are for real, and i Think that all of America, short of Illinois would love to see them in the Super Bowl.

#6: Colts (11-4)- 2-4 in their last 6 games, and they can't stop the run. If the Colts can establish a lead and make their opponents throw the football, they're in great shape. If they have to play from behind and defend the run, they're toast. Looks to me like no first round bye, and if this play keeps up, another early exit from the playoffs.

#7: Eagles (9-6)- As delicious as my foot is, I think I'll take it out of my mouth. Every week this team kills me by winning, and winning big like last night. If they beat the Falcons they win the division. My only question is, how upset is Donovan McNabb right now?

#8: Broncos (9-6)- Jay Cutler is starting to come around, the Broncos have won two in a row and they finish the season with the 49ers in Denver. If they win, they're in, and they'll have some momentum and an unfamiliar QB to boot.

#9: Jets (9-6)- Same as above. If they beat the Raiders, they're in the playoffs. The Jets are as big of a suprise as any team, and Eric Mangini should tie with Sean Payton (Saints) for Coach of the Year. Add that to Pennington being the comeback player of the year and you've got one helluva feel good story (Not to mention a potentially dangerous team come playoff time).

#10: Cowboys (9-6)- This is where the league gets a bit ugly. The Cowboys are in the playoffs, but I'll be suprised if they win a single game. It seems to me that Tony Romo is getting figured out and teams are gameplanning for him now that there is some film on the kid, and T.O., though quiet for a while, is starting to work his devastating magic.

#11: Titans (8-7)- 6 wins in a row, 8 out of the last 10, and they find ways to win. If Vince Young is my pick for Rookie of the Year, and he is already blossoming into a star. 2,000 passing yards and 12 TDs, 520 rushing yards and 6 TDs and the ability to take over games. Other than 11 INTs (but only 3 in the last 6 games), what's not to like about this guy?

#12: Jaguars (8-7)- Up then down, up then down, the cycle doesn't stop. The Jags seem to be out of the playoffs and looking for answers after tough losses to the Titans and Pats.

#13: Bengals (8-7)- What happened? The Bengals were the hottest team in football, they could beat any team, revived the playoff hopes and then started losing. They still have an outside shot at the playoffs, but they need a ton of help. The broght side is that they are 8-7 after playing teams like San Deigo, Baltimore (twice), New England, Indy and New Orleans.

#14: Cheifs (8-7)- They won last week, but they beat the Raiders, so it doesn't mean much.

#15: Seahawks (8-7)- Seahawks clinched a terrible division with a heartbreaking loss that could have been a season saving win. Look for an early playoff exit from the defending NFC champs.

#16: Giants (7-8 )- If the G men make the playoffs (they currently hold the 6 spot) I am going to throw up. Good riddance to Tiki Barber, good luck to Tom Coughlin finding a new job and good luck to Eli Manning trying to live up to his big brother (which he never will).

#17: Steelers (7-8 )- Even if the Steelers belonged higher than 17 last week, they sure as hell don't belong higher this week (and if the NFC was any good, they would be lower than this. Sorry Phil, it's the truth). Small Ben has 17 TDs and a league worst 22 INTs. Twenty-Two! He's been sacked 45 times and is 6-8 as the starter this season. Oh! Almost forgot one more thing. One of the Oakland Raiders two wins this season was a 20-13 W against the Steelers. That's sad...

#18: Packers (7-8 )- Hell, I didn't think they would be 7-8 and statistically alive in the playoff hunt.

#19: Panthers (7-8 )- Still a huge disappointment in the scheme of the season, but they did beat the Ravens and the Saints this year.

#20: Falcons (7-8 )- Michael Vick rushes for 1,000 yards in a season. Too bad it couldn't help his team win.

To be frank, it was tough to come up with 20 teams worth taking about this week, so I will again leave you with my worst team in the league. Since the Lions played the Bears tough this week, it's none other than the...

#32: Raiders (2-13)- Let the dreams of Brady Quinn begin...

 

[TennisBatman]

It's a really tough call for #2 through #6, but #1 is definitely the Chargers.

The sentimental favorite is the Saints and Reggie Bush.

 

[travlerajm]

I noticed that you have the Seahawks figured for a 1st round exit. But you also say thast you'd be surprised if the Cowboys win a game. These two teams will likely be first round opponents, with Seattle at home.

what's your prediction?

 

[BigServer1]

I noticed that you have the Seahawks figured for a 1st round exit. But you also say thast you'd be surprised if the Cowboys win a game. These two teams will likely be first round opponents, with Seattle at home.

what's your prediction?

I think if Seattle plays Dallas then Dallas will win. I think if Seattle plays Philly, Philly will win. I am less impressed of late with the Seahawks than with almost any one else, and Seattle has proven to be very beatable at home this year. Nice catch though, that's for sure.

 

[BigServer1]

It's a really tough call for #2 through #6, but #1 is definitely the Chargers.

The sentimental favorite is the Saints and Reggie Bush.

I agree, although I think that the Ravens are a pretty clear #2. But how awesome would a Saints/Chargers Super Bowl be? That's my dream matchup for sure.

 

[Morpheus]

Which team will be able to beat Chicago at home in January? Dallas-NO, New Orleans-NOT, Philadelphia-BINGO. The only cold weather team with the toughness to take it to Chicago. Philly also has its momentum back at a time when Chicago is barely winning games. Look for the Packers to fold. They barely beat a sorry looking Vikings squad. Farve will return because they did just well enough that he will foolishly start to believe it is 1994 again.


(BTW, Cheifs is Chiefs).

 

[BigServer1]

Which team will be able to beat Chicago at home in January? Dallas-NO, New Orleans-NOT, Philadelphia-BINGO. The only cold weather team with the toughness to take it to Chicago. Philly also has its momentum back at a time when Chicago is barely winning games. Look for the Packers to fold. They barely beat a sorry looking Vikings squad. Farve will return because they did just well enough that he will foolishly start to believe it is 1994 again.


(BTW, Cheifs is Chiefs).

Dammit, I hate it when I miss an edit. Thanks for that.

I like Philly currently too. Garcia is managing the games, and the newfound emphasis on the run game with Westbrook gives the Eagles a whole new gameplan for that cold weather in Chicago. I agree about the Bears lack of momentum lately, and it seems like either the defense shows up or Grossman shows up, but never at the same time. It should be interesting come playoff time.

 

[Kevin T]

As always, great thread Bigserve. I would have to keep SD at #1, as well, but it's interesting how many of the talking heads think the Ravens are #1. I know they pulled out a squeaker against SD early on but the Chargers look good to me.

As for my Bears...aye aye aye! My theory is that the team is bored, especially the defense. That's my hope, anyway. I'm sorry but Garcia is about as threatening as a marshmallow peep. NO WAY Philly will beat the Bears. A passing offense is what beats the Bears. I was concerned with the Cowpokes but Carrie Underwood seems to have stolen Romo's MoJo. If any team beats the Bears, it's the Saints. If the Bears keep playing this way, the Saints will win the NFC. Doesn't make sense on paper, but the NFC is crazy this year.

 

[moist]

I don't think the Bears are bored, just injured. Hester is just not ready to be playing CB, and he's getting picked on. When Vasher and Tillman are starting together again, all should be OK, despite what sky is falling commentators say. Also, even the game commentators noted that the Bears were rarely playing their base defense, and that they were clearly experimenting with new looks for the playoffs.

What's so ridiculous about the Lions game is the fake QB controversy. Rex played well again, even though he overthrew a few(all QB's miss, duh). Since he wasn't perfect on every throw, suddenly they're saying he was benched for Griese, even though it was reported at half that Griese would play at least some.

The Bears beat the Lions in a meaningless game despite not having defensive starters(Tillman, Johnson), and pulling the first string offense. Remember these are the same Lions that everyone's darling Patriots needed a comeback to win against a few weeks ago.

I think it's fair that people are hopping on the Ravens bandwagon. Rivers has shown he's far from perfect, and I'll take that Ravens defense over a first year starter QB anytime. All it takes is one bad pick by Rivers, Marty gets scared and runs the ball every play, and another playoff game is ruined by MartyBall. The fact is SD struggled against a mediocre NFC team with homefield on the line, while the Ravens dominated a hot Steelers team.

Also, Philly, welcome to the flavor of the month club.

 

[mavsman149]

All of my favorite teams suck this season
1. Dolphins will win next year......like they were supposed to this year why didn't they sign BREES
2. Bengals STILL ALIVE!
3. Lions lets not even talk about them
4. Browns are awful
5. Colts STILL ALIVE but can't stop the sun at all

 

[bluegrasser]

Week 16 = Vikings still suck !

 

[BigServer1]

I don't think the Bears are bored, just injured. Hester is just not ready to be playing CB, and he's getting picked on. When Vasher and Tillman are starting together again, all should be OK, despite what sky is falling commentators say. Also, even the game commentators noted that the Bears were rarely playing their base defense, and that they were clearly experimenting with new looks for the playoffs.

What's so ridiculous about the Lions game is the fake QB controversy. Rex played well again, even though he overthrew a few(all QB's miss, duh). Since he wasn't perfect on every throw, suddenly they're saying he was benched for Griese, even though it was reported at half that Griese would play at least some.

The Bears beat the Lions in a meaningless game despite not having defensive starters(Tillman, Johnson), and pulling the first string offense. Remember these are the same Lions that everyone's darling Patriots needed a comeback to win against a few weeks ago.

I think it's fair that people are hopping on the Ravens bandwagon. Rivers has shown he's far from perfect, and I'll take that Ravens defense over a first year starter QB anytime. All it takes is one bad pick by Rivers, Marty gets scared and runs the ball every play, and another playoff game is ruined by MartyBall. The fact is SD struggled against a mediocre NFC team with homefield on the line, while the Ravens dominated a hot Steelers team.

Also, Philly, welcome to the flavor of the month club.

I think that pretty much sums it up about Chicago, and hopefully some of those injuries and the Tank Johnson problems go away by playoff time. I don't think at all that the sky is falling, and I agree about Rex playing better, but I wonder how he'll do against strong defenses. In their last three games they have played the Vikings (who have the worst rated pass defense in the NFL, when Grossman was 6/19 for 34 yards and three picks), Tampa Bay (#19 rated pass defense, though Rex played well) and the Lions (#21 pass defense, but again, rex played pretty well). Now the Saints have the #3 pass defense, two good running backs and the #1 passing offense in the league, so that could get ineresting.

Schottenheimer could indeed kill the Chargers with that 62 run plays 8 pass plays offense that he loves in the playoffs, but who better to overload the run with than LDT and Lorenzo Neal? Philly is indeed the flavor of the we(a)k, but who knows, with a solid run game, Garcia managing games and the Eagles being used to cold weather, maybe they could give them a run.

 

[sportsfan92]

here's to hoping the Titans make it in. as a life long houston oiler fan my loyalty seemed to stay with the franchise when they moved...even when they play houston oddly enough. i guess i just love jeff fisher and i loved steve mcnair. and am very excited about the new era of vince young. i was so sad when a yard separated them from the endzone in their last super bowl. i remember jumping up and down on the couch screaming that whole game - it was so exciting. i'm ready for them to finally kick in the door as bum phillips said a long long long long LONG time ago!

i would be happy with a new orleans vs. san diego super bowl. man, wouldn't the press have a field day with that? it would be quite the feel good story of the year wouldn't it...a possible coach of the year, a possible rookie of the year, the mvp....a feel good NOLA returns story.

 

[moist]

I think that pretty much sums it up about Chicago, and hopefully some of those injuries and the Tank Johnson problems go away by playoff time. I don't think at all that the sky is falling, and I agree about Rex playing better, but I wonder how he'll do against strong defenses. In their last three games they have played the Vikings (who have the worst rated pass defense in the NFL, when Grossman was 6/19 for 34 yards and three picks), Tampa Bay (#19 rated pass defense, though Rex played well) and the Lions (#21 pass defense, but again, rex played pretty well). Now the Saints have the #3 pass defense, two good running backs and the #1 passing offense in the league, so that could get ineresting.

Schottenheimer could indeed kill the Chargers with that 62 run plays 8 pass plays offense that he loves in the playoffs, but who better to overload the run with than LDT and Lorenzo Neal? Philly is indeed the flavor of the we(a)k, but who knows, with a solid run game, Garcia managing games and the Eagles being used to cold weather, maybe they could give them a run.

I definitely wasn't accusing you of saying the sky is falling, just a lot of the media. They really got to me this week with the stupid 4th quarter Griese situation. Even the Chicago media is unbelievably negative. I think in the first part of the year the media just put them on such a high pedestal ('85 bears and 16-0), that once they looked beatable everyone jumped off the bandwagon very hard. You seem nicely objective despite being an admitted Bear hater

I also agree on the other points. You're right, even if Marty goes conservative, they still have a very good shot with this team. I'm still picking the Ravens though. I also think Philly doing something is possible, since Garcia is made for that offense, and I like Andy Reid. I'm just not convinced after one very good win, since the other 5 Garcia games were much less convincing (team stats, not his, I know he's been very good).

 

[bluegrasser]

Which team will be able to beat Chicago at home in January? Dallas-NO, New Orleans-NOT, Philadelphia-BINGO. The only cold weather team with the toughness to take it to Chicago. Philly also has its momentum back at a time when Chicago is barely winning games. Look for the Packers to fold. They barely beat a sorry looking Vikings squad. Farve will return because they did just well enough that he will foolishly start to believe it is 1994 again.


(BTW, Cheifs is Chiefs).

I agree, Philly is my dark horse, I just wonder how Garcia will hold up come playoff time.