Foxboro Blog Top 12: Week 16

Week 17 in the NFL is always a difficult thing to figure out.  Which teams will play hard and which will rest?  With that in mind, this Week 16 version of the rankings could very well be the most accurate we’ll have heading into the playoffs.  For the first time in a long time we have some turmoil at the top, with some shifting of the first four places.  Some teams appear to be peaking at just the right time, while others are in turmoil. 

The big riser this week is the Kansas City Chiefs, who swoop up three spots after putting together some dominating high-pressure wins.  The playoffs essentially started two weeks ago for KC and they’ve handled the situation admirably.  The big faller is also from the AFC West.  The San Diego Chargers’ roller coaster through the Top 12 continues as one week they look like contenders and complete failures the next.  They drop six spots following their big loss to drop them out of the playoffs.

Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
1		2	1	13-2	vs. Dolphins
		With the AFC’s top seed wrapped up, the only question remaining is which Patriots players will play on Sunday.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
2		4	2	11-4	vs. Buccaneers
		BIG win for the Saints on Monday Night.  Not only did they avoid a potential do-or-die situation against the Buccs this week, but their victory had to rattle Atlanta’s confidence heading into the playoffs.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
3		1	2	12-3	vs. Panthers
		When all that stands between you and home field throughout the playoffs is the worst team in the league…   Well, if you don’t win, then you deserve what you get.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
4		4	1	11-4	vs. Bengals
		Their fall this week has nothing to do with themselves, and everything to do with the Saints deserving a bump up after a gutsy win on the road.  And yes, Baltimore did beat New Orleans two weeks ago, but I’m not sure that happens on a neutral field.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
5		5	N/A	9-6	vs. Bears
		I put the Packers above the Bears because I believe their the better team. This upcoming game is their chance to prove me right, assuming Chicago doesn’t rest everyone.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
6		7	1	11-4	@ Packers
		The Bears have been on a tear since getting embarrassed by the Pats.  It would not shock me to see them in Dallas.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
7		8	1	10-4	@ Browns
		Beating Carolina won’t get you very far with me.  The Steelers rose because the Chargers fell.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
8		10	2	9-6	vs. Titans
		Peyton Manning just won’t die.  The Colts seemed destined for a tough Wild Card home game against one of the AFC North’s big boys.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
9		12	3	10-5	vs. Raiders
		The Chiefs are streaking and could wrap up an improbable #3 seed by knocking off the Raiders.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
10		9	1	10-5	vs. Bills
		I won’t kill the Jets too much for losing a close game on the road to a Top 6 team.  Still, their resume of late is less than reassuring as the playoffs approach.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
11		11	N/A	10-5	vs. Cowboys
		If there was anybody to legitimately drop the Eagles below, I would have done it.  Looks like they’ll get a free pass this week.
Ranking	Team	Last Week	Change	Record	Next Game
12		6	6	8-7	@ Broncos
		Some weeks I wonder if the Top 12 should be the Top 11…   The Chargers had the chance to be real playoff assassins.  However, the only team they really killed this season was themselves.