Here is my newly updated NFL ranking list through 12 games. Team name is followed by record, rating, and previous ranking.
1. New England (10-2) -13.84 (2)
2. Green Bay (8-4) -10.99 (1)
3. Pittsburgh (9-3) -9.54 (4)
4. Philadelphia (8-4) -6.75 (8)
5. Atlanta (10-2) -6.38 (6)
6. Baltimore (8-4) -6.16 (7)
7. NY Giants (8-4) -5.05 (15)
8. Chicago (9-3) -4.66 (9)
9. San Diego (6-6) -3.71 (5)
10. NY Jets (9-3) -3.49 (3)
11. Indianapolis (6-6) -2.82 (13)
12. New Orleans (9-3) -2.78 (14)
13. Tennessee (5-7) -2.26 (12)
14. Oakland (6-6) -1.73 (22)
15. Cleveland (5-7) -1.70 (18)
16. Kansas City (8-4) -1.67 (11)
17. Miami (6-6) -1.60 (10)
18. Minnesota (5-7) -1.42 (19)
19. Detroit (2-10) -1.17 (17)
20. Dallas (4-8) 0.29 (25)
21. Houston (5-7) 0.71 (16)
22. Jacksonville (7-5) 0.98 (26)
23. Tampa Bay (7-5) 2.13 (21)
24. Cincinnati (2-10) 3.29 (24)
25. Saint Louis (6-6) 3.55 (27)
26. Washington (5-7) 3.91 (23)
27. Buffalo (2-10) 4.65 (20)
28. Denver (3-9) 5.43 (29)
29. San Francisco (4-8) 5.74 (28)
30. Seattle (6-6) 6.34 (30)
31. Arizona (3-9) 12.86 (32)
32. Carolina (1-11) 13.43 (31)
Playoff Predictions
AFC East
The New England Patriots established themselves as the favorites to win the division with their absolute dominance of the New York Jets on Monday Night Football. I don't see the Patriots losing another game, which would earn them home field throughout the AFC playoffs, where Tom Brady has won 26 straight regular season games. Looks like a ticket to the Super Bowl is coming.
AFC West
San Diego hit a little bump in the road with their loss to Oakland on Sunday, but I believe they will continue their habit of coming on strong in December and win their division with a tiebreaker over the Kansas City Chiefs. Any slip up between now and the end of the season, and San Diego will be watching the playoffs from home this year.
AFC North
Pittsburgh also put themselves into position to win their division with their comeback win over rival Baltimore on Sunday Night Football. They haven't wrapped it up yet, but who thought they'd be here at this point in the season after the Roethlisberger suspension earlier this season?
AFC South
This is the only division in the league where every team still has a realistic chance to win the division, but I give the nod here to the Colts, even though they have struggled lately, because Jacksonville has far outplayed their talent level and is likely to come back down to earth this month. Don't be surprised if an 8-8 record wins this division.
AFC Wild Cards
The Baltimore Ravens, who would win most any other division in the league, get in as the first wild card after winning the rest of their games to finish the season. The Jets, despite their blowout humiliation at New England, will still narrowly edge out Kansas City for the final playoff spot.
NFC East
This is another division that I believe will come down to a tiebreaker when all is said and done. At this point I give the edge to the New York Giants, who have been stronger in recent weeks, but the matchup between the two teams on Dec. 19 should decide the winner.
NFC West
Rookie Sam Bradford will lead his team to an 8-8 record and the division title and a playoff berth, making this the first time two 8-8 teams make the playoffs (Indianapolis will be the other). The rest of the division is too weak to catch the Rams, who have an easier December schedule than the rest.
NFC North
This division should come down to the final week, when the Bears and Packers play in Green Bay. I think that Green Bay comes out on top in this one, while the Bears are left to hope for a Wild Card berth.
NFC South
Atlanta has only lost this year in the state of Pennsylvania, and they only have one challenge remaining, their week 16 matchup with division rival New Orleans on Monday Night. I expect Atlanta to secure home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs, which will likely give them the opportunity to play New England in the Super Bowl.
NFC Wild Cards
I believe the 2 wild card spots will come down to a tiebreaker between 3 teams, the Eagles, Bears, and Saints. In this case, the Saints would get in based on their superior conference record over the other 2, then the Bears would get in based on their win over the Eagles in November.
Super Bowl
The Patriots win their 4th Super Bowl in 5 tries during this decade, after a game that is not nearly as close as many people expect. Tom Brady wins the Super Bowl MVP award, tying him with Joe Montana for the most ever.
Predictions - 7 Dec
Upset picks are in italics.
NBA
Nets at Hawks - Hawks by 10
Cavaliers at 76ers - 76ers by 10
Nuggets at Bobcats - Nuggets by 3
Warriors at Mavericks - Mavericks by 12
Pistons at Rockets - Rockets by 8
Suns at Blazers - Blazers by 1
Wizards at Lakers - Lakers by 17
College Basketball
(14) Memphis at (4) Kansas - Kansas by 12
(8) Michigan State at (7) Syracuse - Michigan State by 8
(18) Purdue at Valparaiso - Purdue by 4
Middle Tennessee State at Belmont - Belmont by 27
Prediction Results - 6 Dec
NFL: 1/1 (1.000) 29/48 overall (.604)
NBA: 6/7 (.857) 89/125 overall (.712)
College Basketball: 2/2 (1.000) 40/45 overall (.889)
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