Power Rankings Week 12

One more team bites the dust....after a win?

1. Patriots – Best defense ever, definitely not. Best offense ever, probably not. Best football team ever, probably.

2. Cowboys – T.O. is happy through week 11. I have to think that will carry him into the post-season. Romo is on fire and the defense has stepped up their game. Scary.

3. Colts – Due to the injury factor I am going to drop team MasterCard down for the first time all season.

4. Steelers – Choke-job. They had a chance to snatch the number 3 spot and missed it. Also, missed a slim shot at home-field advantage.

5. Packers – I thought we would have seen “pick-happy” Favre at some point this season, if only for one game. He is in there somewhere.

6. Jaguars – Great running game + great defense + getting QB back = Playoffs…this equation is still true.

7. Giants – There is probably a large drop-off in ability between 6 and 7. Especially with Kiwanuka done for the season, and every RB hurting. Lucky for them they get an Adrian Peterson-less Vikings team at home. The Lions are very good at home, that truly was a quality win for the G-Men.

8. Titans – Who would have thought that the first time VY showed up to play QB the Titans would lose? It looks like they will miss out on the playoffs now due to their schedule. They really need the Browns to choke.

9. Chargers – Tough loss, but Jax is a better team which is why they don’t get dropped too far. The NFC West is going to be a roller-coaster to the end. I am really looking forward to it. (Why am I giving the Chargers a 9 ranking?...I think I would take them over any of the following teams this week)

10. Browns –The cupcake schedule is still in tact. The Browns just need to go out and take of business and they will be in.

11. Buccaneers – They have the division locked up. They are now playing to position themselves for the WC round.

12. Seahawks – Seahawks are getting some sort of consistency going which could make them a lot more dangerous in the playoffs.

13. Lions – Due to weakness of the NFC they still have a full game lead in the race for the WC. They will need to take at least one from the Pack.

14. Redskins – One of their two games with Dallas down and one to go. My prediction would be a dog fight between the Skins and Lions for the final playoff spot. At Tampa this week is a must win.

15. Denver – A dishonorable mention team from last week, but they saved their season on MNF. They don’t have to get over .500 to make the playoffs but they will have to sweep the last three games with their division. (Yes, I have moved them out of the grave, but judging where I ranked the Chargers you can tell I don't expect them to be breathing for long, lets just call Monday night's game "Night of the Living Dead")
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dishonorable Mentions

Philly – The second dishonorable mention from last week moves into striking distance with a Redskins and Lions loss. Normally a surging team within 1 game of the WC spot would make the "living" cut. But logic would indicate they are still done…at NE and at Dal is too big a hill to climb. McNabb has gotten injured again in November (did he break the record for that?...instead of just his ankles).

Saints – The Saints are all but done in the chase for the playoffs. They have to win out. Which isn’t as impossible as it sounds, they have to beat Tampa at home in two weeks. Then it is smooth sailing until week 16 with the Eagles (who might be done at that point) at home.

Chiefs – The Chiefs are done.
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Predictions for Skanksgiving Day:

Green Bay (-3)
Dallas (-14)
Indy (-11.5)