(LW) = Last Week’s Rankings
1. (1) Patriots do what good teams are supposed to do, win tough games
The Patriots were supposed to walk all over the Green Bay Packers without Aaron Rodgers, but Matt Flynn made a bigger impact in his first career start than anyone expected. The Patriots fought back with defense and special teams to earn the win, and remain the best team in the NFL.
2. (2) Atlanta Falcons roll in Seattle to finish 6 – 2 on road
The Falcons hushed critics who said they couldn’t win on the road. With victories in Tampa Bay, Carolina and Seattle over the past three weeks, the 12 -2 Falcons improved their road record to 6 -2. With a victory next week at home against the New Orleans Saints, the Falcons wouldn’t see a road game until the Super Bowl. Matt Ryan has been better than expected this season, and showed it against the Seahawks with 3 touchdowns.
3. (6) DeSean Jackson finishes off comeback over New York Giants with improbable punt return
Michael Vick isn’t the same quarterback we saw earlier in the year, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Chasing 21 points in the fourth quarter, the Falcons version of Vick showed up. Rushing for 130 yards a touchdown with 242 more passing yards and 3 touchdowns, Vick kept the Eagles in first place in the NFC East. Jackson’s punt return was one of the best in the history of football. If you haven't seen it, look for it on youtube.
4. (7) Baltimore Ravens win back and forth battle with Saints
Ray Rice came through in a big way with 36 touches and two touchdowns Sunday afternoon in Baltimore. Totaling 233 yards on offense, Rice was the main reason why the Ravens pulled this game out to get into a first place tie in the AFC North. Baltimore has two tough games remaining to determine whether they make the playoffs or not. Next week, they will travel to Cleveland, and then host the Bengals to finish off the season.
5. (8) Chicago Bears face unlikely foe in Brett Favre leap to NFC North Title
The Bears went into Monday night’s game at TCF Bank Stadium expecting to face rookie Joe Webb. Instead, Favre started the game, and looked as though he had his old magic after leading the Vikings to a score. Not even an hour later, Favre was knocked out of the game, and the Bears never looked back. The NFC North Champions now control their own fate. If they win out (vs. Jets, @GB) they will claim the #2 seed in the playoffs.
6. (3) Saints lose without help of running game
The Saints top running back this season, Christopher Ivory, didn’t play Sunday due to a hamstring injury suffered a week ago. Had Ivory suited up, things might have been different for the Saints. The trio of Pierre Thomas, Reggie Bush & Julius Jones ran the ball a combined 14 times for only 27 yards. The Saints can’t afford to run the ball that poorly next Monday night in Atlanta.
7. (4) Pittsburgh Steelers lose at home, but remain tied for 1st in tough AFC North
The Steelers are a different team when Safety Troy Polamalu suits up. When he doesn’t, as was the case versus the Jets, the secondary misses that big play ability that has been seen often. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger played well throwing for 264 yards and a touchdown without throwing an interception, but the Jets just seemed to want it more. When these two teams meet in the playoffs, I expect the Steelers to win, which is why they get the nod over the Jets on these rankings.
8. (9) New York Jets win first game in history of team in state of Pennsylvania
Quarterback Mark Sanchez did a great job of taking care of the ball against the tough Pittsburgh defense. Brad Smith, the Jets version of Danny Woodhead, is showing the NFL that he deserves a chance to play in this year’s Pro Bowl. Coming into Sunday’s game, Smith was averaging 27.9 yards per kickoff return with one touchdown. Against the Steelers, he returned three kicks for an average of 46.7 yards, with a touchdown.
9. (5) New York Giants blow 21-point lead at home to Eagles
The loss against the Eagles wasn’t because Matt Dodge didn’t kick the ball out of bounds. The loss to the Eagles was because of poor coaching and even worse on-field discipline. With 8 minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Giants were cruising towards first place, a playoff spot, and Tom Coughlin had all the job security he could ask for. We all know what happened, and the Giants are still holding onto a playoff position, but that could change next week when they battle the 8 – 6 Packers. Tie-breaker rules will be in use should the Giants lose to the Packers and both teams win their week 17 games.
10. (NR) Kansas City Chiefs offense comes alive behind Matt Cassel
The 9 – 5 Chiefs bounced back from an abysmal offense showing against the Chargers in week 14. The offense looked lost without Cassel, putting up only 16 yards on 19 plays in the second half. Cassel threw for 184 yards a week and half after have an emergency appendectomy. The Chiefs will finish the season at home with Tennessee and Oakland, and should they win those games, will win their first AFC West title since 2003.
Who fell out: The Jacksonville Jaguars spent one week in the top ten before losing in heartbreak fashion to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. The Jaguars are on the outside looking in to the AFC playoff picture. Should the Colts win out, they will win the AFC South.
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