NFL Power Rankings - Week 16

Last rankings before the end of the year, and there are still plenty of exciting matchups to look forward to this year. Here are the games to watch and my predictions:

New England @ Buffalo - I think New England takes care of business, but they need a Jets win or a Baltimore loss to make the playoffs. Patriots 34-10

Chicago @ Houston - If this game was at Soldier Field, I'd say Chicago would dominate. But Houston's record at home is an impressive 5-2 including wins over Tennessee and Miami. Texans 20-17

Oakland @ Tampa Bay - I'm not positive about the tiebreaker with Dallas if both teams win, I'll look it up. Bucs 24-10

Carolina @ New Orleans - Carolina needs to either win, or have Atlanta lose, to win the second seed and a first round bye. Also, Drew Brees needs 402 passing yards to break Dan Marino's all-time single season passing record. I think if he does it he wins MVP, but I think he comes up 50 yards short or so as the Panthers control time of possession with their run game. Panthers 24-17

NY Giants @ Minnesota - Meaningless for one team, meaningful for the other. If David Carr enters the game against a hungry Viking defense, the Vikes should pull it out. If they win and Peterson rushes for over 100 yards, I think he wins MVP. Vikings 17-13

Jacksonville @ Baltimore - Baltimore needs to win, or if they lose needs New England to lose. Jacksonville has given up on their coach though and I just don't see them staying in this game. Ravens 27-10

Miami @ NY Jets - Second most exciting game of the week behind Denver/San Diego, the 'fins head to New Jersey to take on the Brett Favre's. He has been terrible lately in the cold weather, and this game should be cold. Pennington wants revenge, but I think it comes down to the better run game. Dolphins 16-13

Dallas @ Philadelphia - Okay, so Dallas is in if they win. Cowboys 34-17

Denver @ San Diego - Rematch of the Hocules game, winner take all. I think if San Diego had won the first game, this game would be meaningless, but I think they still have enough momentum and talent to pull out the win. Rivers v. Cutler is becoming a very interesting rivalry. Chargers 34-24

Therefore, my playoff predictions are as follows:
AFC
1. Tennessee
2. Pittsburgh
3. Miami
4. San Diego
5. Indianapolis
6. Baltimore

NFC
1. NY Giants
2. Carolina
3. Minnesota
4. Arizona
5. Atlanta
6. Dallas

I'll forego the complete rankings and just rank the playoff teams.

1. Indianapolis Colts - Tough matchup against San Diego on the road, should be an exciting game.

2. New York Giants - Big win over Carolina, looked like the team to beat in the NFC. All Manning superbowl? Looking very possible right now...

3. Tennessee Titans - Steelers handed them that game, but no doubt they are good. Might meet again in the playoffs.

4. Carolina Panthers - On par with the Giants and might see them again in the NFC Championship.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers - All the problems came to the surface in this game...they need to get it together fast or they could be one and done in the playoffs. Luckily they will play Miami if they beat the Ravens, at home. I think they take that game even if they play like crap...

6. Baltimore Ravens - Make it as the last wildcard over New England, which I'm sure we're all crossing our fingers for. I don't care how much the Steelers beat the Pats, no one wants to play Belicheck in the playoffs.

7. Dallas Cowboys - Last team to make it in in the NFC. Wild card teams have won 2 out of the last 3 superbowls...just saying.

8. Atlanta Falcons - Definitely peaking at the right time, and playing like a team with a huge chip on their shoulder. Could pull 1 upset(?) against the Cardinals, but can they compete with the Panthers in the second round?

9. Miami Dolphins - Who would have thought teams #8 and #9 would be in the playoffs??

10. Minnesota Vikings - A dangerous team...sometimes. Which will show up next week and in the playoffs?

11. Arizona Cardinals - Don't deserve to make it, but oh well.

12. San Diego Chargers - Come back team of the year, can they pull the upset over Indy in Round 1?

MVP Watch - Down to 7
1. Adrian Peterson
2. Drew Brees
3. Michael Turner
4. Kurt Warner
5. Peyton Manning
6. Philip Rivers
7. DeAngelo Williams

Next week we'll vote for MVP...

Happy holidays! And don't forget to vote in the polls to the right.