Author: DrafttekStaff_McGlothlin | Filed under: Uncategorized

Rick McGlothlin, Senior Writer, Drafttek.com

 
So the regular season has been completed and the second season begins next Saturday with some new faces mixing it up in the post-season. There are some intriguing matchups to look at in the four wildcard playoff games set for next weekend, including three rematches of “yawners” on the final weekend. They should be anything but yawners this time ’round.

 

In the end, the St. Louis Rams managed to reap the reward of the first overall pick in next April’s draft, while the two #1 seeds in the playoffs finish the season with back to back losses. In the case of the New Orleans Saints, it’s been three consecutive losses. Not the sort of momentum a team wants heading into the playoff run, but at least they have homefield advantage throughout.

 

Here’s a look at the final results for Mac’s NFL Power Rankings in 2009:

　

1. Indianapolis (14-2) – Though losing their last two “meaningless” games, the Colts are still a powerhouse when Peyton Manning is on the field.

 

2. San Diego (13-3) – Whipped the Redskins with mostly reserves in the 2nd half and now look to make some noise in the playoffs.

 

 

 

3. New Orleans (13-3) – No team that has lost their final 3 games of the season has ever gone on to play in the Super Bowl. The Saints hope to buck that trend.

 

4. Dallas (11-5) – Clinch the NFC East in convincing fashion, but the pressure is now all on the Cowboys, who will be at home trying to fend off receent playoff demons of the past few years.

 

5. Philadelphia (11-5) – Not sure how to figure out the Eagles in this game, but perhaps they figure they’d save their best for the playoff contest – wherever it was to be played.

 

6. Minnesota (12-4) – Favre and the Vikes put on the cruise control against a lifeless Giants ballclub. With the Philly loss, they also get the other first round bye.

 

7. Green Bay – (11-5) Why they went so long with their starters is beyond me – they play the Cardinals again next week. At Arizona. What was the purpose?

 

8. New England (10-6) – One has to feel bad for Wes Welker who really helped the Pats achieve much of their success offensively. The Pats now must face the Ravens in the playoffs.

 

9. Cincinnati (10-6) – Looks like Chad Ochocinco will end up being Chad Johnson next week as he loses his own personal bet with DB Revis. Hope he has lots of money, as Reebok isn’t amused.

 

10. Arizona (10-6) – Left their starters in the game longer than expected considering they knew a rematch was possible. Calais Campbell has a fractured thumb.

 

11. Baltimore (9-7) – So the Ravens make the playoffs and get to travel up to New England and take on the Patriots. This time Baltimore has an offense to go with their defense.

 

12. N.Y. Jets (9-7) – Thumped the Bengals to make the playoffs, now have to go do it again at their ballpark.

 

13. Atlanta (9-7) – The Falcons complete their first-ever back to back winning campaigns in team history. They’ll be a team to be reckoned with for years to come.

 

14. Pittsburgh (9-7) – Pulled out their final win of the regular season, but that 5-game losing skid really cost them a shot at a playoff run.

 

15. Houston (9-7) – First winning season in the history of the franchise, but the sting of missing the playoffs (again) will surely hurt all off-season long.

 

16. Tennessee (8-8) – Happy that Chris Johnson made it over the 2,000 yard mark as he was very deserving, while VY is looking very comfortable in the Titan pocket.

 

17. Carolina (8-8) – Great finish for a team that seemed thoroughly lost at several times this season.

 

18. Denver (8-8) – Only the 3rd team in NFL history to start out 6-0 and then fail to make the playoffs.

 

19. N.Y. Giants (8-8) – Miserable finish to a once promising season will possibly lead to some off-season restructuring – not just draft related moves.

 

20. Miami (8-8) – Tyler Thigpen almost leads the comeback win for the Dolphins, but falls short.

 

21. Jacksonville (8-8) – Didn’t seem to want to have anything to do with the cold, inclement weather in Cleveland until it was too late.

 

22. San Francisco (8-8) – Mike Singletary made great strides with his young ballclub this season, and now just has to move up to the next level and make the playoffs.

 

23. Chicago (7-9) – Finish off the season wtih a win over division foe Detroit but still have quite a few unanswered questions.

 

24. Buffalo (6-10) – The win against the Colts in the snow didn’t really prove much except that they can beat a team utilizing a completely inexperienced rookie QB and reserves.

 

25. Oakland (5-11) – The main thing you come away with watching the Raiders is that they’re not to far away from being relevant. They need to start with that offensive line though.

 

26. Cleveland (5-11) – The Browns win four in a row to close out the season and ushered in the Holmgren era. Wonder if it includes Mangini?

 

27. Washington (4-12) – During the game it was leaked that Jim Zorn would be fired Monday as the Skins headcoach. That was false. They did it before the plane returned to D.C. 6th coach to be fired since Dan Snyder took over as owner back in 1999.

 

28. Kansas City (4-12) – Played inspired in the season finale against division rival Denver and should continue to improve in the coming years.

 

29. Seattle (5-11) – The fall of the Seahawks this season has been incredible. I don’t look for Jim Mora to be able to hold onto his job, but you never know.

 

30. Tampa Bay (3-13) – The Bucs were a tough team to whip all season long. I’d give Raheem Morris some more time as the headcoach, but doubt the Glazers will do so.

 

31. Detroit (2-14) – The Lions limp to the finish of a long, hard season that gave them the distinction of breaking out of the funk of winning zero games the year before.

 

32. St. Louis ( 1-15) – Congrats to the Rams – they get the first selection of the 2010 draft. Now, what will they do with it?