The Power 12
updated 12/16/09
You always see power rankings floating around the Internet and most of them are just gibberish. I personally don’t like them because well really….
- they compare teams from both conferences even though they mainly only play within the conference
- they don’t depict anything on how the teams will finish or end up
So I don’t do a traditional power ranking. What I give you is a run down of what teams I think will make the playoffs (and their seed) each week of the season. For the first few weeks of the season the lists will mainly remain the same but after that they might change every week.
So with that explained here you go…..
AFC
1. Indianapolis Colts – Home field advantage throughout…done deal.
2. San Diego Chargers – Can actually lock up the #2 seed with a win (against Cincy) and a Denver AND New England loss. Probably won’t happen this week (Denver gets Oakland) but it will soon.
3. Cincinnati Bengals – If they want to get the #2 seed they HAVE to win this weekend against the Chargers…they won’t but they will win the division next week against the Chiefs.
4. New York Jets – I looked a little closer this week and am more concerned then I was before. Their divisional record is poor and a tie with either New England or Miami would be disastrous. BUT they should win out and I think New England stumbles.
5. Denver Broncos – At 8-5 they control their fate. Luckily for them they get Oakland and Kansas City in 2 of their last 3 (Philly mixed in too). They will get to 10-6 and will head to New York in January.
6. New England Patriots – Are currently at 8-5 and are as likely as anyone to make the playoffs. The tiebreaker scenarios are confusing as hell with this many teams alive. I do think you could see the #6 spot at 9-7 with multiple teams alive but the safe pick right now is New England.
NFC
1. New Orleans Saints – Sure the Vikings have Brett Favre, every announcers darling, but the Saints only play one team with a winning record the rest of the season (the lowly Cowboys at home) and have a legitimate shot at going undefeated.
2. Minnesota Vikings – I don’t think they are as good as their record indicates and I definitely don’t think Favre can win the Super Bowl for them but Peterson and the defense are still good enough to get the 2 seed.
3. Arizona Cardinals – Anything less then 11-5 would be a disappointment. The 49ers loss hurt but not that much. A win is probably all they need.
4. Philadelphia Eagles – After beating the Giants they are in the drivers seat. Games against San Fran (W), Denver (W), and @ Dallas (L) remaining they will finish 11-5 and will win the division.
5. Green Bay Packers – With the win over Chicago (was there ever a doubt…okay maybe so) they are in great position. 9-4 with 2 games left and only a couple true threats in the wild card race. They lock up a berth with a win and a loss by either New York or Dallas.
6. New York Giants – Sure the Eagles loss hurts but they are still okay. But they need to win out to guarantee their spot. Games against Washington, Carolina, and Minnesota (surely without Favre) should allow that to happen. 2 wins might be enough too.
