We're down to the final week, and three playoff spots are still up for grabs, and there are 7 teams still in the running for those coveted postseason berths. Every team with a winning record has a chance to get in, although some (like Tennessee) need a lot of help and luck to get there, while others, like Dallas and the Giants, just have to win to get in. Remember, last season's champion, Green Bay, didn't get their playoff berth until the final week of the season, so we could be looking at a potential Super Bowl Champion grabbing their spot this week, although I think it's quite unlikely. Here are my rankings through 15 games, with gaps between groups of teams representing different levels of performance.
TW. Team (Record) Rating (LW)
1. New Orleans (12-3) -11.61 (4)
2. Green Bay (14-1) -10.67 (1)
3. San Francisco (12-3) -9.07 (2)
4. New England (12-3) -8.45 (3)
5. Philadelphia (7-8) -6.76 (9)
6. Detroit (10-5) -5.91 (14)
7. Pittsburgh (11-4) -4.92 (6)
8. Atlanta (9-6) -3.83 (8)
9. Baltimore (11-4) -3.56 (5)
10. Houston (10-5) -3.09 (10)
11. Seattle (7-8) -2.72 (11)
12. Dallas (8-7) -2.07 (12)
13. NY Giants (8-7) -1.31 (18)
14. Carolina (6-9) -1.03 (16)
15. Miami (5-10) -0.99 (15)
16. San Diego (7-8) -0.89 (7)
17. Cincinnati (9-6) -0.57 (17)
18. NY Jets (8-7) 0.03 (13)
19. Chicago (7-8) 0.37 (20)
20. Arizona (7-8) 1.66 (19)
21. Washington (5-10) 2.37 (21)
22. Tennessee (8-7) 2.54 (22)
23. Buffalo (6-9) 3.10 (24)
24. Oakland (8-7) 4.98 (25)
25. Minnesota (3-12) 5.04 (29)
26. Cleveland (4-11) 5.11 (26)
27. Jacksonville (4-11) 5.70 (27)
28. Denver (8-7) 6.36 (23)
29. Kansas City (6-9) 8.76 (28)
30. Indianapolis (2-13) 9.85 (30)
31. Saint Louis (2-13) 11.01 (31)
32. Tampa Bay (4-11) 12.44 (32)
Detroit clinched a playoff berth and eliminated San Diego from contention with a blowout victory on Saturday, a game that was out of hand before halftime. 4 of their losses have come against the top 8 teams, and all 4 are teams they could face again in the playoffs.
One of those losses was to New Orleans, which has not lost since October and is hoping to get a first-round bye, which would also require a loss by the 49ers. During their 7-game winning streak, 5 wins have come against potential playoff teams, so they are beating the teams they need to in order to reclaim their Super Bowl crown.
Philadelphia also entered the top 5 this week, even though they were eliminated from the playoffs during the 1st quarter, when the Giants finished off the Jets. The Eagles have really started coming together, but it was too little too late for Andy Reid's squad this year.
The Giants win over the Jets did a lot more than render the Eagles game meaningless. It also made it difficult for their stadium-mates to return to the playoffs, and put them in control of their own destiny to claim the NFC East's playoff spot. The winner of this week's game against Dallas will get the #4 seed and a home playoff game, so the Giants have to be happy they're at home again this weekend.
Predictions
Upset picks are in italics.
Sunday
Detroit at Green Bay - Packers by 9
San Francisco at Saint Louis - 49ers by 17
NY Jets at Miami - Dolphins by 4
Chicago at Minnesota - Bears by 1
Buffalo at New England - Patriots by 15
Carolina at New Orleans - Saints by 14
Washington at Philadelphia - Eagles by 12
Indianapolis at Jacksonville - Jaguars by 7
Tennessee at Houston - Texans by 9
Seattle at Arizona - Seahawks by 1
Tampa Bay at Atlanta - Falcons by 19
Baltimore at Cincinnati - Bengals by 1
Pittsburgh at Cleveland - Steelers by 7
Kansas City at Denver - Broncos by 6
San Diego at Oakland - Chargers by 3
Dallas at NY Giants - Giants by 2
Prediction Results
NFL: 11-5 (.688) 156-84 overall (.650)
Upsets: 1-1 (.500) 23-20 overall (.535)
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