AFC Outlook - Week 15

Power Rankings

1. New England - Perfect
2. Indianapolis - Great
   
3. Jacksonville - Smart
   
4. San Diego - Surging
   
5. Cleveland - Determined
   
6. Pittsburgh - Overrated
7. Tennessee - Close
   
8. Houston - Surprising
   
9. Buffalo - Tough
   
10. Denver - Inconsistent
    
11. Cincinnati - Disappointment
    
12. Oakland - Improving
13. Kansas City - Disappearing
    
14. New York Jets - Losers
    
15. Baltimore - Embarrassment
    
16. Miami - Relieved

Playoff Projection

This is what has already been determined.

• The Patriots have clinched the AFC East, a first round bye, and home field advantage throughout, as the number one seed.
• The Colts have clinched the AFC South, and a first round bye, as the number two seed.
• The Chargers have clinched a playoff berth as winners of the AFC West.

Here's how I think it will finish.

1. New England - Clinched
   
2. Indianapolis - Clinched
   
3. San Diego - Clicking on all cylinders
   
4. Cleveland - Surprise of the year
   
5. Jacksonville - Tough out in the playoffs
   
6. Pittsburgh - They won the Super Bowl before as a six seed

NFC Outlook - Week 12

Ten games have been played. There are six games to go. Here is how I see the NFC playing out (conference power ranking in parentheses).

EAST

• (1) Dallas - They are the second best team in football but is imperative that they keep winning, especially against the Packers in a couple weeks. They don't want to have to make a return trip to Green Bay in January
• (3) New York Giants- That was a big win to establish themselves as clearly the best non-division leader. They would have to really let down to miss the playoffs.
• (8) Washington - That could have been a huge win in Dallas had they been able to contain T.O. They are capable of making a late season surge to the playoffs.
• (9) Philadelphia - Their win over Miami shouldn't get people too excited. It looked like they lack the explosiveness or edge that could launch them into a late season push.

NORTH

• (2) Green Bay - I bet they don't mind the Cowboys being the flashy team that gets all of the attention. The Packers flat out get it done and have a favorable schedule trying to lock up home field advantage.
• (6) Detroit - My advice to them would be to stop talking smack and just lay low trying to get some wins. The rest of season schedule is difficult and they could be poised for a second half swoon.
  
• (10) Minnesota - I can't figure this team out. They can look real good but they lack the consistency. A good offseason could make them a contender next year.
• (13) Chicago - Oh how the mighty have fallen, it must be the "Super Bowl Loser" curse. They just have not been able to find ways to win. The offseason is going to be huge for this team as well.

SOUTH

• (4) Tampa Bay - Say what you want about Jeff Garcia, he wins football games. The Bucs are having no trouble taking care of a weak division.
• (11) Carolina - I love Vinny Testaverde, but when he is starting games for you this late in the season, you have a problem. Focus on the offseason.
• (12) New Orleans - I guess they had a lot of hidden weaknesses last year. The defense came back down to earth and now we are noticing how important Deuce McAllister and Joe Horn were.
• (13) Atlanta - Why on earth would you change your starting quarterback after winning two games in a row? They probably wouldn't have beaten Tampa Bay anyway, but what message are you sending to your team?

WEST

• (5) Seattle - Matt Hasselback is one of the underrated quarterbacks in the league. He leads his team and doesn't have any big name receivers or much of a running game this year.
• (7) Arizona - The Seahawks better not falter. The Cardinals are young and hungry and I love the way their defense attacks teams. They can get hot.
• (14) St. Louis - Nice winning streak! If it had started a few weeks earlier they might still be in the division race.
• (16) San Francisco - Not much more to be said for the 49ers. Their offense is inept and they have lost 8 games in a row. It's a shame they aren't on the Dolphins schedule this year.

PLAYOFF SEEDING PREDICTION

1. Dallas
2. Green Bay
3. Tampa Bay
4. Seattle
5. New York Giants
6. Arizona
   

AFC Outlook - Week 11

Power Rankings

1. New England - They basically clinched home field advantage on Sunday without even playing
   
2. Indianapolis - I'm giving them a small pass because they should've won and they were on the road facing a desperate team
   
3. Pittsburgh - They passed a big test and basically clinched their division
   
4. Jacksonville - Got a much needed win, their schedule is tough over the next five weeks
   
5. Tennessee - Missed a good opportunity to bury the Jaguars in the standings
   
6. San Diego - Adam Vinatieri saved the Bolts from another rough week
   
7. Cleveland - With their schedule, it'll be a disappointment if they don't make the playoffs
   
8. Buffalo - They are lucky that the Dolphins ineptitude saved them from embarrassment
   
9. Denver - Big win to stay alive in the sub par AFC West
   
10. Kansas City - Will somehow remain in the race until the end
    
11. Houston - They are looking like the Texans of old
    
12. Cincinnati - Still no good, their wins were against my numbers 13 (twice) and 15
    
13. Baltimore - As my good friend Alex would say, "They are an embarrassment to professional football."
    
14. Oakland - And why isn't Jamarcus Russell playing?
    
15. New York Jets - Hope they enjoyed the bye week, the Steelers are coming to town
    
16. Miami - A cursed team, they held the Bills to 214 total yards and didn't turn the ball over but lost by three anyway.

Projected Playoff Seedings

1. Patriots - Obviously
2. Colts - Barely, over Pittsburgh
   
3. Steelers - A win over the Pats would drastically improve their chances
4. Chargers - Someone must win the West
5. Browns - Favorable schedule
6. Jaguars - Victim of a tough division
   

Power Rankings - Week 9

I split up the two conferences because I'm too mentally challenged for a 32 team single table format.

AFC

1. New England - Anything less than 16-0 would be an upset
   
2. Indianapolis - They gave it away, but should feel good about a rematch
   
3. Pittsburgh - I'm still not sold they can beat the Patriots or Colts
   
4. Tennessee - They need to develop a passing game to be a real threat
   
5. Jacksonville - Their reliable defense was obliterated in New Orleans
   
6. Cleveland - They keep winning, but they need a reliable defense
   
7. Buffalo - Statistically bad, but they are 4-4 and should be 6-2
   
8. San Diego - Their offense didn't show up, that's a concern
   
9. Kansas City - Tough game against this season's team of destiny
   
10. Houston - Still not very good
    
11. Baltimore - They are falling off the deep end
    
12. Denver - 31st in point differential per game
    
13. Cincinnati - Rough, rough year, reminiscent of 90's
    
14. Oakland - They are not a good football team
    
15. New York Jets - As many losses as the Rams and Dolphins
    
16. Miami - Bye week stopped the bleeding

NFC

1. Dallas - Only lost to the Patriots
   
2. Green Bay - This years team of destiny
   
3. New York Giants - Bye week reduced some of their hype
   
4. Detroit - No comment
   
5. New Orleans - One of the best in last four weeks
   
6. Washington - They beat the Jets and Dolphins by a combined six points
   
7. Tampa Bay - Up and down goes the roller coaster
   
8. Minnesota - Adrian Peterson
   
9. Seattle - They will win the West by default
   
10. Carolina - They are going to the Super Bowl, right?
    
11. Chicago - They are not our of it in the NFC
    
12. Philadelphia - They needed that one bad, too bad it was against Dallas
    
13. Arizona - Same old Cardinals
    
14. Atlanta - Enjoy the win while you can
    
15. San Francisco - This was my pick to win the NFC West
    
16. St. Louis - They are still trying to score their 100th point of the season
    

AFC Power Rankings - Week 6

The Elite

• (1a) New England - Let's see how they handle their first tough opponent, an emotionally charged 5-0 Dallas side.
• (1b) Indianapolis - Will have the opportunity to gain sole possession of the top spot week nine against the Patriots
• (3) Pittsburgh - They are inching closer towards the top, you have to believe they would be able to beat New England or Indianapolis on a good day.

The Good

• (4) Tennessee - When you have a good defense and can run the ball well you are in good shape
• (5) Jacksonville - A couple nice wins on the road, A couple big division games coming up
• (6) Baltimore - Should be playing better, dropping those division games might cost them down the road
• (7) San Diego - A 41-3 drubbing of the Broncos in Denver shows they are ready to begin the 2007 season, finally.

The Bad

• (8) Houston - They needed a magical performance from their kicker (5 fg's, including a 57 yard game winner) to beat the worst team in the AFC at home
• (9) Oakland - They have already matched last seasons win total. Don't be surprised if they can triple that total before this campaign is over.
• (10) Cleveland - They get Miami, a bye week and then St Louis. They should end up 4-3.
• (11) Kansas City - No consistency, they beat the Chargers and follow it up with a stinker at home to Jacksonville
• (12) Denver - They've lost three in a row and were lucky to win their first two. They need to turn things around quickly
• (13) Cincinnati - Yeah they've played good teams, but your record is what it is, and it's not good enough

The Ugly

• (14) Buffalo - How in the world did they lose that game? Well, if you only score three points on offense, you won't win many games.
• (15) New York - Their only win came against the team right below them, it'll be a long season for a team that foolishly had playoff aspirations.
• (16) Miami - The effort and improvement are there, but the win column is still empty.