The New England Patriots hung onto the number one slot in Week 16 of JAMcLynne’s NFL Power Rankings. The Atlanta Falcons made a surge into the number two slot. The Giants gave up in the fourth quarter against Michael Vick and the Eagles. They had a chance to really make a move into the upper echelon of the NFL Power Rankings, but the loss to the Eagles hurt their chances, and will make the playoff run the the Giants more difficult.
One team that has been hanging around the upper portions of the NFL Power Rankings have been the San Diego Chargers. This is because they have had some wide point spreads in their wins, have a high QB rating, and are able to score touchdowns. They may be a little over-rated.
A team that I think was a little under-rated were they Chicago Bears. With the win against Minnesota in the outdoors , in frigid conditions, the Bears have shown that they can overcome adversity. Jay Cutler gave an almost “Tom Brady-like” performance in the cold driving snow on Monday Night Football against the Vikings. The Bears will make the playoffs and if cold weather conditions prevail, they may have a shot at beating other teams in the snow as there looks to be a wintry playoff picture.
NFL Schedule for Week 16 with predictions by JAMcLynne’s NFL Power Ranking Software
Winners in Bold
Thu, Dec 23 Stadium Time (ET)
Carolina Panthers (2-12) 36.15 at Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4) 79.14
Heinz Field 8:20 PM
Simply put, the Pittsburgh Steelers are a much better team than the Carolina Panthers. However, the Panthers picked up a rare win in their last game, and may be hungry for another victory. Even if the Steelers sleep walk into Heinz Field, they should be able to pull out a win.
Sat, Dec 25 Stadium Time (ET)
Dallas Cowboys (5-9) 63.06 at Arizona Cardinals (4-10) 37.05
University of Phoenix Stadium 7:30 PM
The Arizona Cardinals have sat at the bottom end of the NFL Power Rankings for most of the season. The Dallas Cowboys have shown a little bit of improvement, now that the pressure is of them of having to play a Superbowl in their brand new stadium. The Cowboys should remain loose as they head to sunny and warm Phoenix.
Sun, Dec 26 Stadium Time (ET)
Detroit Lions (4-10) 53.06 at Miami Dolphins (7-7) 54.64
Sun Life Stadium 1:00 PM
The Dolphins are out of the playoff picture and have seen a steady fall in the NFL Power Rankings as the losses piled up. The Lions have shown themselves to be an improved team this year, despite the 4-10 record. This game is a close call, with a slight nod to the Dolphins.
New England Patriots (12-2) 103.22 at Buffalo Bills (4-10) 50.31
Ralph Wilson Stadium 1:00 PM
The Patriots are firing on all cylinders as they head into the playoffs, even if the Packers gave them a scare last week. This should be a tune-up game for the Patriots, but you can count on the Bills to come out fighting on their home turf.
Washington Redskins (5-9) 53.74 at Jacksonville Jaguars (8-6) 59.0
EverBank Field 1:00 PM
The Jacksonville Jaguars are fighting for a playoff spot and will have to win some games. The Redskins are a faltering team, with question marks at the quarterback position, since McNaab did not have the year that everyone expected.
New York Jets (10-4) 82.34 at Chicago Bears (10-4) 81.67
Soldier Field 1:00 PM
The Jets picked up a tough win in Pittsburgh, and now face another tough opponent. The Bears are a team to be reckoned with, despite their slightly lower NFL power ranking. This game could go either way according to the NFL power rankings, but the Bears could come out with the victory at home.
San Francisco 49ers (5-9) 41.05 at St Louis Rams (6-8) 43.95
Edward Jones Dome 1:00 PM
It is hard to believe that this game has important playoff implications. A team with a 5-9 record, and another with a 6-8 record, both fighting for a playoff slot. The Niners and the Rams will also be playing for a division championship with these shining records. Slight home field advantage goes to the Rams, but you never know what is going to happen when teams in the NFC West play against each other.
Tennessee Titans (6-8) 63.24 at Kansas City Chiefs (9-5) 83.9
Arrowhead Stadium 1:00 PM
The Kansas City Chiefs have been surging, going 4-1 in their last 5 games. They also are in control of the AFC West with just the Chargers at one game behind. The Titans will be fighting for more respect as they head into Arrowhead Stadium.
Baltimore Ravens (10-4) 86.22 at Cleveland Browns (5-9) 45.12
Cleveland Browns Stadium 1:00 PM
The Browns gave up a loss to the Bengals in the Battle of Ohio. The Ravens defense should have not problems keeping the Browns at bay.
Indianapolis Colts (8-6) 78.32 at Oakland Raiders (7-7) 66.81
Oakland Coliseum 4:05 PM
After floundering mid season, the Colts are starting to come around. Peyton Manning is throwing the ball a little better, and Manning’s quarterback rating is starting to climb back to where it should be. The Raiders have been an up and down team all season and their record shows it. However, even with a .500 record, the Raiders still have an outside shot at making the players, so expect the Colts and Raiders game to be a close one.
Houston Texans (5-9) 57.24 at Denver Broncos (3-11) 46.08
Invesco Field at Mile High 4:05 PM
The Broncos are still in a free fall, the Texans are not far behind.
San Diego Chargers (8-6) 93.51 at Cincinnati Bengals (3-11) 50.86
Paul Brown Stadium 4:05 PM
High quarterback ratings and lots of touchdowns in the games that they have won have kept the San Diego Charger near the top of the NFL Power Rankings all season long. The Chargers still need to keep winning if they want to get a NFL playoff slot. Look for the Bengals to play spoiler after beating a stinging losing streak with their recent victory over the Browns.
New York Giants (9-5) 76.59 at Green Bay Packers (8-6) 77.1
Lambeau Field 4:15 PM
The Giants went through an embarrassment for the ages against the Eagles in their last game. With the playoffs so close, it is not a good sign for the Giants. Just another typical season for a Tom Coughlin coached team. Although the NFL Power Rankings calls this a close game, I think the Packers should pull out the victory in easy fashion, especially with the return of Aaron Rodgers. If Matt Flynn is the starter, then the Pack should still win, as this kid showed some promise as he hung in with the Patriots.
Seattle Seahawks (6-8) 48.66 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6) 59.05
Raymond James Stadium 4:15 PM
It is mind boggling that the Seahawks have a shot at making the playoffs if stars align. However, they will have to overcome the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. There is a chance…
Minnesota Vikings (5-9) 45.57 at Philadelphia Eagles (10-4) 93.55
Lincoln Financial Field 8:20 PM
Hmm…will Brett Favre play? That is the question everyone is asking. Common sense would dictate the Vikings sit Favre and let him retire. There is a real risk of Favre getting seriously injured. However, the Vikings have real quarterback problems, as there is virtually nobody to fulfill the role. With the problems the Viking have at offensive line, anybody they put out there is at risk at getting themselves placed in traction. Michael Vick on the other hand, will have another fun day.
Mon, Dec 27 Stadium Time (ET)
New Orleans Saints (10-4) 91.18 at Atlanta Falcons (12-2) 94.57
Georgia Dome 8:30 PM
The Monday Night Football match up is out game of the week. The Falcons have beat nearly every team they faced, including the Saints earlier in the season. A win here puts the Falcons in closer to home field advantage in the playoffs and in the driver’s seat on the road to the Superbowl.
NFL Byes for Week 16: None
JAMcLynne’s NFL Power Rankings for Week 16 of the 2010 NFL Season
1. New England Patriots (12-2) 103.22
2. Atlanta Falcons (12-2) 94.57
3. Philadelphia Eagles (10-4) 93.55
4. San Diego Chargers (8-6) 93.51
5. New Orleans Saints (10-4) 91.18
6. Baltimore Ravens (10-4) 86.22
7. Kansas City Chiefs (9-5) 83.9
8. New York Jets (10-4) 82.34
9. Chicago Bears (10-4) 81.67
10. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4) 79.14
11. Indianapolis Colts (8-6) 78.32
12. Green Bay Packers (8-6) 77.1
13. New York Giants (9-5) 76.59
14. Oakland Raiders (7-7) 66.81
15. Tennessee Titans (6-8) 63.24
16. Dallas Cowboys (5-9) 63.06
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6) 59.05
18. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-6) 59.0
19. Houston Texans (5-9) 57.24
20. Miami Dolphins (7-7) 54.64
21. Washington Redskins (5-9) 53.74
22. Detroit Lions (4-10) 53.06
23. Cincinnati Bengals (3-11) 50.86
24. Buffalo Bills (4-10) 50.31
25. Seattle Seahawks (6-8) 48.66
26. Denver Broncos (3-11) 46.08
27. Minnesota Vikings (5-9) 45.57
28. Cleveland Browns (5-9) 45.12
29. St Louis Rams (6-8) 43.95
30. San Francisco 49ers (5-9) 41.05
31. Arizona Cardinals (4-10) 37.05
32. Carolina Panthers (2-12) 36.15
