Week 16 Predictions

Vikings at Packers
As Brett Favre starts perhaps his final home game, Tarvarias Jackson starts his first game ever. The crowd will be doubly into the game. Packers 30, Vikings 14

Chiefs at Raiders
The Chiefs want to go to the playoffs. The Raiders want to go home. Chiefs 23, Raiders 7

Ravens at Steelers
Games between these two teams are always tough to predict, but Baltimore did beat Pittsburgh this year, at home, 27-0. However, now Pittsburgh is at home, and they are also riding a 3 game win streak. Steelers 17, Ravens 14

Panthers at Falcons
The season began with high expectations for the Panthers and now their schedule puts them in a situation where they could lose 10 games. Falcons 20, Panthers 10

Bears at Lions
The Bears didn't exactly dominate a bad team last week, but Detroit has given up on this season. Bears 24, Lions 6

Colts at Texans
Against the Bengals, the defense gelled and somehow played well after their embarrassment against the Jaguars. Colts 35, Texans 10

Patriots at Jaguars
I give up on reasonably predicting any game in which the Jaguars participate. Patriots 24, Jaguars 17

Saints at Giants
A big game here. The Giants desperately need a win for playoffs, the Saints really want one to step towards a first round bye. One team is more desperate, but the Saints might come out with a little extra after their loss to Washington. Saints 31, Giants 27

Buccaneers at Browns
I wonder if anybody will watch this game. Buccaneers 17, Browns 13

Bills at Titans
This should be a good game, between two very hot teams. The Titans have been winning close and one wonders when their luck will run out. Bills 21, Titans 16

Redskins at Rams
The Redskins defense finally woke up, against one of the league's best offenses, about 14 games too late. The Rams weren't too shabby last week on defense but that was the Raiders. Redskins 24, Rams 21

Cardinals at 49ers
How San Francisco is playing for their playoff lives in week 16 is unknowable. 49ers 27, Cardinals 20

Bengals at Broncos
Both teams find themselves in tough situations, at 8-6. The loser of this game is probably done. It's a tough one to predict. Bengals 30, Broncos 20

Chargers at Seahawks
A win here for the Chargers puts them at home through the playoffs. They won't blow their 8-game win streak against a team that has not yet won the NFC West. Chargers 33, Seahawks 21

Eagles at Cowboys
Three weeks ago it looked like by now Dallas would be cruising and Philly would be done. Instead, it's a huge, huge game. Dallas probably wins if only because they are at home. If Philly wins it will be because of Garcia's experience and Romo's inexperience. Cowboys 20, Eagles 17

Jets at Dolphins
Miami has had a very topsy-turvy string of weeks now, and the Jets also to a lesser extent. New York is the better team. Jets 20, Dolphins 10

NFL Power Rankings Post Week 15

1. Chargers 12-2 (E) They continue to make it look easy. Or, rather, Tomlinson continues to make it look easy for them.
2. Bears 12-2 (E) It might have been ugly, and that defense has got to be worrysome, but they did win.
3. Ravens 11-3 (E) Boller had his second great relief performance of the season. He's played well in limited opportunities but the Ravens would be foolish to start him.
4. Colts 11-3 (+2) Surprisingly easy win for the Colts. Rudi Johnson did nearly no damage, which was a surprise after Taylor and Jones-Drew last week.
   
5. Patriots 10-4 (+2) The Texans are pushovers nowadays but the win was dominating.
6. Saints 9-5 (-2) The topsy-turvy nature of today's NFL is getting way out of control. Can't put the Cowboys above them because of the drubbing of two weeks ago.
7. Cowboys 9-5 (+1) After two poor games, Romo returned. The race for the other first round bye is going to be close.
8. Eagles 8-6 (+3) How the heck did they get this high? I had them 22nd just a few weeks ago.
9. Broncos 8-6 (+7) Yeah, it was just the Cardinals. But a bunch of teams that were above them last week lost.
10. Jaguars 8-6 (-1) What a flukey loss. Just when you think they have it together, that inconsistency jumps out. Garrard was looking great in weeks before but was disappointing Sunday.
11. Jets 8-6 (+6) Here's another inconsistent team. Pennington played well.
12. Bengals 8-6 (-7) Just when they were looking hot at the perfect time, they fall embarrassingly flat against the Colts.
    
13. Seahawks 8-6 (-3) Another bad loss and they still have to put the division away. That might not happen this week, but they had better beat the Bucs.
14. Titans 7-7 (+1) Deja vu, two thousand and two. Last week was Vikes-Falcons of 2002 all over again. This week was Steelers-Texans of 2002 all over again.
15. Steelers 7-7 (+3) The Super Bowl champs are getting hot, but it is too little, too late.
    
16. Chiefs 7-7 (-2) Can't penalize a team too much for losing to the Chargers these days.
17. Giants 7-7 (-5) Manning was not horrific in the game but definitely could have played better. Against Dallas and Philly, red zone field goals have been killing them.
18. Bills 7-7 (+2) J.P. Losman is quietly having a magnificent breakout season. The AFC East seemed week coming into the season, but it has not been bad this year.
19. Falcons 7-7 (-6) How many 7-7 teams are there? Mediocrity indeed reigns.
20. Packers 6-8 (+3) An amazing performance by the defense, overcoming three Favre interceptions.
21. 49ers 6-8 (+7) You didn't think they could beat the Seahawks at Qwest, especially in crappy weather. But they did, and Alex Smith looked like Joe Montana for just one night.
22. Rams 6-8 (+3) It was the Raiders, but shutouts are always impressive.
    
23. Dolphins 6-8 (-2) Shut out. Bad. They looked like they were on a roll just two weeks ago, but now Nick Saban's second season is a regression.
24. Vikings 6-8 (-2) Word is Tarvarias Jackson will now start. It's just as well, with Brad Johnson playing poorly and doing nothing for the future. Might as well see what the new guy can do.
25. Redskins 5-9 (+2) Jason Campbell can play. He just needs to keep his accuracy consistent from play to play. Some beautiful throws, some horrendous ones.
26. Panthers 6-8 (-7) Freefall. And they were my Super Bowl pick. Thirty-four points is horrible.
    
27. Browns 4-10 (-1) Giving the Ravens a close game is nothing bad, although the Browns are still terrible against the AFC North.
    
28. Cardinals 4-10 (-4) Leinart lost the battle of the rookie QBs despite having the earlier start. We're still far, far from success in the desert.
29. Buccaneers 3-11 (+1) Yeah, put them higher for giving the Bears a big run for their money.
30. Texans 4-10 (-1) Horrible. Include the Texans now in those list of teams who are ranked by how bad they are rather than how good they are.
31. Lions 2-12 (E) The defense held up its end, but that was bad on offense. But it can always get worse:
32. Raiders 2-12 (E) Like this. This is worse.