Author: DrafttekStaff_McGlothlin | Filed under: Uncategorized

Rick McGlothlin / Drafttek.com Senior Writer

How aprapo that the Vikings go down on Monday Night Football the same weekend that the Colts get their first loss and the Saints stumble against the Bucs. The NFC playoff picture is pretty clear now as far as which teams will be playing - it’s only a question of seeding.  The AFC, however, is still a knock-down, drag ‘em-out affair that will go down to the wire. Meantime, the Colts “surrender” is getting ripped locally, as well as nationally while the Saints are teetering on the brink of a total implosion after the remarkably stunning collapse at home against the Bucs. So here are the next to last week of NFL Power Rankings, complete with a couple of changes that shouldn’t be too surprising but still makes for a shift that is felt through most.

 

1.(1) Indianapolis (14-1) – Most sports fans and those who travel around the country have probably heard of the phrase “Hoosier hospitality”, which underscores one of the best traits of the folks from this state and of the midwest in general. Nice people, easy going and friendly. Except when you decide to pull the rug out from under their feet and make one of the most clueless coaching / management decisions in NFL history. Up just 5 points with a little over 5 and a half minutes to go in the game (and having been just been pinned at their own 9 yard line following a punt by the Jets) Indianapolis coach Caldwell (most likely at the direction of GM Bill Polian) pulls Peyton Manning out of the game and inserts rookie QB Curtis Painter against the #1 defense in the NFL.

 

The collapse was on and so was the very uncommon response from the Colt faithful – which really can’t be reprinted here. Suffice it to say that the partisan crowd was extremely livid, boisterous and sometimes ……fanantical in their response. And it wasn’t directed at Curtis Painter per se, but rather the decision itself. No one wants to see a win turned into a loss – especially when you are pretty much driving up and down the field. But that’s basically what happened in Indianapolis in their game with the Jets and it will now remain to be seen if the players can just move on and put it out of their minds.
The only thing it shows for certain is just how valuable Manning is to this franchise, and should seal the MVP voting if wasn’t already. No other team in the league would self-destruct as much or as quickly as the Colts did post-Manning removal. It also just created havoc for some other teams with playoff aspirations.

 

 

2.(3) San Diego (11-3) – I’m moving the Chargers to #2 even though they have one more loss than New Orleans. But also because they don’t screw up play-calling like the Saints tend to do. They had a road game with the #2 seed in the balance, and just went out and blasted a Titan team that had been on fire in 7 of their last 8 games. And San Diego didn’t let up when they took a 17 point lead, unlike New Orleans. Nor did they try to get cute with some of the play calling that trended away from what they are good at doing, unlike New Orleans. Bottom line is the Chargers are peaking and the Saints are now scratching their heads two weeks in a row.

 

3. (2) New Orleans (13-2) – The Saints back into the homefield advantage thanks to the Vikings loss at Chicago. But they have issues in New Orleans, especially with playing a full four quarters. How you can be up 17-0 on one of the more beatable teams in the NFL, the just shut down and lose is beyond me. If it weren’t for the Colts pulling Manning and basically surrendering a game to the Jets, this would be the biggest story in the NFL today. Not sure what the idea was with the playcalling after going up 17-0, and I know Pierre Thomas went out with an injury, but allowing your players to become complacent or start straying away from finishing what you started is not a good sign that you’re ready to make a Super Bowl run. Much will be made of the special team play for the Saints – and it too should be criticized – but there is absolutely no reason for the NFL’s #1 offense to be forced to punt against a last place divisional opponent that has but two wins on the year coming into this game. Additionally, the defense couldn’t stop the potent (?) Bucs offense down the stretch. At home in the dome. And I won’t even mention the abhorrent performance from the placekicker. Oops – I just did, but I won’t elaborate.

 

4.(7) Philadelphia (11-4) – Clinched the NFC East with a close shave over the inspired Denver Broncos. When Denver reeled off 17 unanswered points, many in the Philly crowd were growing noticeably nervous and upset. However, the Eagles prevailed and have won six in a row. Now having clinched the division, the Eagles look to their final game with the Cowboys with a little less pressure on them. In fact, it could be a game where Michael Vick and others play if they so desire.

 

5.(7) Dallas (10-5) – The Cowboys forced 8 punts in the final nine possessions for the Redskins…and shut out a ballclub that have not scored a TD in both games against Dallas this year. What’s more, the Cowboys have erased the horrid memory of December’s past with Romo firing for 286 yards and a TD, while Marion Barber and Felix Jones combined for 120 yards and a TD on the ground.

 

6.(4) Cincinnati (10-5) – Any other week I’d be concerned about struggling to beat the Chiefs as much as the Bengal did at home. However, we must take into consideration everything this team has gone through in the past 10 days: The news of Chris Henry’s accident, followed by news of his death the next day. The inspired game they played against San Diego only to fall a last second FG away. Then going to New Orleans for the funeral of Chris Henry. Christmas with family. Gametime. Not exactly a norm in the path of a playoff bound ballclub, so give the Bengals organization a tip of the cap getting through a horrendously difficult week and getting the job done against an opponent they were supposed to beat.

 

7.(8) Arizona (10-5) – Made it look easy and this is why so many people have absolutely no clue what to expect from this team from week to week. In this game against the over-matched Rams, the Cards scored on four of their five visits to the redzone and had good production from RB’s Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower, who collectively rushed for 100 yards and two TD’s.

 

8.(4) Minnesota (11-4) – Great comeback and great drama, but never should’ve been in that situation. The Vikings fall down 16-0 at the half and then 23-6 before deciding there might be a reason they should win this game. Favre was his usual legendary self down the stretch, but Adrian Peterson is quickly establishing himself as the greatest runner that can be counted on to fumble at the most inopportune times in a ballgame. And the missed FG earlier in the game came back to haunt Minnesota as well.

 

9.(10) New England (10-5) – Up 28-0 in the 3rd quarter and the Pats go for it on 4th down? Oh yes, I remember….they sit Brady in the 3rd quarter when they give up, not when the other team can’t come back. That would be my main focus if it weren’t for the fact that Jacksonville isn’t a cupcake ballclub.

 

 10. (9) Green Bay – (10-5)  Just crushed the Seattle, who played more like Seachickens than Seahawks. The running game was especially impressive in this game as they gashed Seattle for over 125 yards and 3 rushing TD’s. Ryan Grant was just a monster, while Aaron Rodgers fired it all over the field against the Seahawks as well as the Pack led 38-3 going into the 4th quarter.

 

11.(11) Baltimore (8-7) – Had a huge opportunity to gain solid footing for a playoff run, but couldn’t quite grasp it because of the same achilles heel that has been bothering them all year: Self-destructive mistakes that lead to penalties.

 

12.14) Denver (8-7) – Could not capitalize on a few critical plays and allowed Philly to pull out a close one, ruining what could’ve been a huge day for the Broncos. Now for Denver to make the playoffs, the Jets must beat Cincy, Ravens must lose to Oakland and Pittsburgh must lose to the Dolphins. ]

 

13.(18) Pittsburgh (8-7) – The Steelers get a post-Christmas Day gift with a football that bounces off the back of Ravens helmet, then watch as the Ravens self-destruct and give Pittsburgh a stronger pulse for a possible post-season run.

 

14.(16) N.Y. Jets (8-7) – The Jets were the beneficiaries of the football gods on this weekend. The Ravens, Dolphins and Jags all lost while the Colts pull Peyton Manning off the field late in the 3rd quarter with a 5 point lead. This didn’t look like a #1 defense until the JV unit came on the field for Indy.

 

15.(20) Houston (8-7) – Up 27-3 at the half, the Texans probably had flashbacks of the Indy comeback as Miami scored 17 points in the 2nd half while shutting out Houston, to cut the lead to 27-20. However, an failed onside kick ended the comeback and now the Texans need help to get to the playoffs. They can still sneak in if they beat New England and then get Miami, Oakland and Cincy to post wins. What a game for QB Matt Schaub, who led the Texans to five scores on their first five drives. No doubt next week will be Houston’s Super Bowl. Like it was against Tennessee and Indianapolis in recent weeks.

 

16.(15) Atlanta (8-7) – The Falcons keep at it, even though they are out of playoff contention, this time stomping Buffalo. Roddy White with a big game, scoring twice on passes from Matt Ryan, who also did well with 250 yards and 3 touchdown passes.

 

17.(12) New York Giants (8-7) – That was simply the most atrocious job by any NFL team since …..well, ……ever. 41-9? At home ? Fighting for the playoffs?

 

18.(13) Tennessee (7-8) -  KA-BOOM! Or is it: ” And BOOM goes the dynamite?” Either way, that was a pretty sad showing at home. Chris Johnson was pretty much the lone bright spot of this effort, ringing up 142 yards and a TD and is just 74 yards shy of the record for most rushing yards in a single-season ( Marshall Faulk, 1999). Is he out of the MVP picture now? Not sure, but the loss may have helped to elevate Philip Rivers past Johnson and Brees, and a little more closer to Peyton Manning.

 

19.(17) Miami (7-8) – This team seems to have fallen right off the cliff for no seemingly no solid reason whatsoever.

20.(18) Jacksonville (7-8) – Well that was an inspiring performance on behalf of the Jags. Note that this is dripping with sarcasm. Unbelievably, the Jags could still make the playoffs if they beat Cleveland and Baltimore, Cincy, Miami and New England all win. The irony there is that if it came true, they’d face the Patriots once again.

21.(21) San Francisco (6-9) – A big third quarter by Frank Gore ensured the Niners wouldn’t relinquish the lead to the Lions and notched their 6th win of the year.

22.(23) Chicago (6-9) – Jay Cutler and the Bear defense showed up in the first half and in overtime, as the Bears stun the Vikings and temporarily muzzle the raging fans and media of Chicago. Temporarily, I said.

23.(25) Buffalo (5-10) – Well, at least TO got his 1,000th catch even though his ballclub was drubbed. This team has too much talent to be pounded that badly.

24.(22) Carolina (7-8) – Where the hell did that team come from? And how about Mike Moore everyone? Wow. 41-9 in the Meadowlands? And kudos to Steve Smith for a great game.

25.(26) Washington (4-11) – MNF vs New York Giants

26.(24) Oakland (5-10) – Blasted by the Browns as this team just continues to baffle everyone.

27.(27) Seattle (5-10) – Sad, inept performance.

28.(29) Cleveland (4-11) – Kept the “W’s” coming in with a thorough butt-kicking of the Raiders. Looked like a few players are interested in sticking around to play for Mike Holmgren & Co.

29.(30) Kansas City (3-12) – Gave the Bengals all they wanted but still not enough to win the game.

30.(28) Detroit (2-13) – Great effort, but too many mistakes to overcome
.
31.(31) Tampa Bay (3-12) – Offensively this team is very, very close to being a unit that can do some damage – and their young. Defensively, they stepped it up more than many expected and pulled out a surprising win on the road against a powerful Saints ballclub.

32.(32) St. Louis ( 1-14) – Continue to show why they are very deserving of the #1 pick in the 2010 draft. Now the question is: do they trade it away or use it? And on whom?