Given that tonight's matchup is between two teams nowhere near the upper half of the NFL, I'll post my Sweet 16 a day earlier than normal. After this week's action, I'm going to shake things up a little bit.
1. San Francisco (+2) - Impressive win against New Orleans. When that defense is going, and they make some offensive plays, they're extremely tough.
2. New England (+3) - I'm moving them up because they are just destroying people these days. They don't have the best record in either the league or their conference, but nobody is playing better football right now. Last four games, wins by 38, 6, 35, and 30. Best point differential in the league by a mile. They're absolutely rolling. We always wonder what teams might be the "team nobody wants to face", but right now, it has to be New England. Who wants to play them (ugh...except maybe the friggin' Giants)?
3. Atlanta (+1) - Shaky win, but a win.
4. Houston (-3) - Wins, but drops three spots? Yes, because they won thanks to a horrible call/challenge rule. They have really struggled lately.
5. NY Giants (+3) - What a wipeout of the Packers. Here they come, folks.
6. Denver (--) - Winning six straight gets my attention, but they really struggled beating the Chiefs.
7. Green Bay (-5) - Got blown out by the Giants, and they're really banged up.
8. Chicago (+1) - When Cutler plays well, they're a handful.
9. Baltimore (-2) - Wins, but drops two spots? Yes, because they won thanks to a horrible spot/call. That's two wins they have this year that are the direct result of terrible officiating.
10. Cincinnati (N/A) - Big move up...they've won 3 straight in impressive fashion.
11. Indianapolis (+4) - In control of that first Wild Card spot in the AFC. Who'd have imagined that?
12. Tampa Bay (--) - At 6-5, still a tough opponent to play.
13. Seattle (--) - Who knows with this team?
14. Pittsburgh (-3) - Losers of two in a row, really need Roethlisberger back.
15. Minnesota (-1) - In trouble.
16. New Orleans (-6) - Still has a shot at the playoffs.
Moving up: SF, NE, Atl, NYG, Chi, Ind
Moving down: Hou, GB, Bal, Pit, NO
Moving in: Cin
Moving out: Dal
1. San Francisco (+2) - Impressive win against New Orleans. When that defense is going, and they make some offensive plays, they're extremely tough.
2. New England (+3) - I'm moving them up because they are just destroying people these days. They don't have the best record in either the league or their conference, but nobody is playing better football right now. Last four games, wins by 38, 6, 35, and 30. Best point differential in the league by a mile. They're absolutely rolling. We always wonder what teams might be the "team nobody wants to face", but right now, it has to be New England. Who wants to play them (ugh...except maybe the friggin' Giants)?
3. Atlanta (+1) - Shaky win, but a win.
4. Houston (-3) - Wins, but drops three spots? Yes, because they won thanks to a horrible call/challenge rule. They have really struggled lately.
5. NY Giants (+3) - What a wipeout of the Packers. Here they come, folks.
6. Denver (--) - Winning six straight gets my attention, but they really struggled beating the Chiefs.
7. Green Bay (-5) - Got blown out by the Giants, and they're really banged up.
8. Chicago (+1) - When Cutler plays well, they're a handful.
9. Baltimore (-2) - Wins, but drops two spots? Yes, because they won thanks to a horrible spot/call. That's two wins they have this year that are the direct result of terrible officiating.
10. Cincinnati (N/A) - Big move up...they've won 3 straight in impressive fashion.
11. Indianapolis (+4) - In control of that first Wild Card spot in the AFC. Who'd have imagined that?
12. Tampa Bay (--) - At 6-5, still a tough opponent to play.
13. Seattle (--) - Who knows with this team?
14. Pittsburgh (-3) - Losers of two in a row, really need Roethlisberger back.
15. Minnesota (-1) - In trouble.
16. New Orleans (-6) - Still has a shot at the playoffs.
Moving up: SF, NE, Atl, NYG, Chi, Ind
Moving down: Hou, GB, Bal, Pit, NO
Moving in: Cin
Moving out: Dal