What an epic beatdown last night against what was thought by many to be the best team in the league (Houston). Yikes. Justifies my rankings from last week.
1. New England (--) - Any questions? Far and away the best point differential in the league at +198. Next closest? SF at +132. Moreover, of all the 12 teams currently in playoff position, NE has the highest SOS number, at .524. Next closest is Chicago at .521. So they've played the toughest schedule among current playoff teams and absolutely blow the league away in point differential. There's really no argument to be made right now for any other team being in this spot, unless all you do is go by the W-L record, which power polls do not.
2. San Francisco (+1) - I just think they're better than Atlanta right now. Next week's matchup with the Pats should be fantastic. I don't see NE blowing them out like they did with the Texans.
3. Atlanta (-1) - Will they be the shakiest #1 seed in recent memory if they get there?
4. Denver (+1) - Might be the biggest hurdle in New England's way at this point.
5. Green Bay (+1) - Really looking strong.
6. Houston (-3) - Got embarrassed on Monday night. Not good. But they're a solid team and they would, I suspect, give NE a real tussle in Houston if they meet in the AFC title game.
7. NY Giants (+1) - Impressive, impressive win this week.
8. Indianapolis (+2) - Now they have a chance to win their division, incredibly.
9. Cincinnati (-1) - Still in the playoff hunt.
10. Seattle (+1) - Strange team, but you don't want to play them in their building.
11. Washington (+3) - Great win by the 'Skins, but RGIII's injury is obviously a huge concern.
12. Chicago (-3) - Really struggling after a fine start to the year.
13. Dallas (+3) - Huge, emotional win this week.
14. Baltimore (-2) - They need to get their mojo back, and quick.
15. Minnesota (N/A) - AP has to be strongly considered for MVP.
16. Pittsburgh (-3) - Boy, that was not good this week.
Moving up: SF, Den, GB, NYG, Ind, Sea, Was, Dal
Moving down: Atl, Hou, Cin, Chi, Bal, Pit
Moving in: Min
Moving out: TB
Playoff Picture As of Right Now:
AFC
1. Hou (11-2) - but with two against the surging Colts, this spot is there for NE or Den to take
2. NE (10-3) - if they run the table I think they pass Houston
3. Den (10-3) - I think they'll win out, but their loss to NE hurts
4. Bal (9-4) - thankfully for them Pit and Cin both lost this week
5. Ind (9-4) - with a shot at winning the division
6. Pit (7-6) - clinging to this spot for dear life
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7. Cin (7-6) - costly loss this week
8. NYJ (6-7) - amazingly, not out of it yet
NFC
1. Atl (11-2) - really needs that HFA
2. SF (9-3-1) - wonder if that tie will come back to bite them
3. GB (9-4) - looking like the best team in the conference perhaps
4. NYG (8-5) - gearing up for another super run?
5. Sea (8-5) - would be an interesting matchup vs. the Giants
6. Chi (8-5) - but in some trouble
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7. Was (7-6) - we'll see how they do without RGIII
8. Dal (7-6) - can they keep the emotional level high?
9. Min (7-6) - still hanging around
10. StL (6-6-1) - another team that has stuck around in the mix
11. TB (6-7) - not out of it yet, but no room for error at this point
1. New England (--) - Any questions? Far and away the best point differential in the league at +198. Next closest? SF at +132. Moreover, of all the 12 teams currently in playoff position, NE has the highest SOS number, at .524. Next closest is Chicago at .521. So they've played the toughest schedule among current playoff teams and absolutely blow the league away in point differential. There's really no argument to be made right now for any other team being in this spot, unless all you do is go by the W-L record, which power polls do not.
2. San Francisco (+1) - I just think they're better than Atlanta right now. Next week's matchup with the Pats should be fantastic. I don't see NE blowing them out like they did with the Texans.
3. Atlanta (-1) - Will they be the shakiest #1 seed in recent memory if they get there?
4. Denver (+1) - Might be the biggest hurdle in New England's way at this point.
5. Green Bay (+1) - Really looking strong.
6. Houston (-3) - Got embarrassed on Monday night. Not good. But they're a solid team and they would, I suspect, give NE a real tussle in Houston if they meet in the AFC title game.
7. NY Giants (+1) - Impressive, impressive win this week.
8. Indianapolis (+2) - Now they have a chance to win their division, incredibly.
9. Cincinnati (-1) - Still in the playoff hunt.
10. Seattle (+1) - Strange team, but you don't want to play them in their building.
11. Washington (+3) - Great win by the 'Skins, but RGIII's injury is obviously a huge concern.
12. Chicago (-3) - Really struggling after a fine start to the year.
13. Dallas (+3) - Huge, emotional win this week.
14. Baltimore (-2) - They need to get their mojo back, and quick.
15. Minnesota (N/A) - AP has to be strongly considered for MVP.
16. Pittsburgh (-3) - Boy, that was not good this week.
Moving up: SF, Den, GB, NYG, Ind, Sea, Was, Dal
Moving down: Atl, Hou, Cin, Chi, Bal, Pit
Moving in: Min
Moving out: TB
Playoff Picture As of Right Now:
AFC
1. Hou (11-2) - but with two against the surging Colts, this spot is there for NE or Den to take
2. NE (10-3) - if they run the table I think they pass Houston
3. Den (10-3) - I think they'll win out, but their loss to NE hurts
4. Bal (9-4) - thankfully for them Pit and Cin both lost this week
5. Ind (9-4) - with a shot at winning the division
6. Pit (7-6) - clinging to this spot for dear life
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7. Cin (7-6) - costly loss this week
8. NYJ (6-7) - amazingly, not out of it yet
NFC
1. Atl (11-2) - really needs that HFA
2. SF (9-3-1) - wonder if that tie will come back to bite them
3. GB (9-4) - looking like the best team in the conference perhaps
4. NYG (8-5) - gearing up for another super run?
5. Sea (8-5) - would be an interesting matchup vs. the Giants
6. Chi (8-5) - but in some trouble
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7. Was (7-6) - we'll see how they do without RGIII
8. Dal (7-6) - can they keep the emotional level high?
9. Min (7-6) - still hanging around
10. StL (6-6-1) - another team that has stuck around in the mix
11. TB (6-7) - not out of it yet, but no room for error at this point
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