Brandon's Positively Pointless Power Rankings Week 16

[Brandon]

Brandon's Positively Pointless Power Rankings Week 16

1. Panthers

The Panthers took care of business against the Broncos, holding down yet another top ranked offense on the way to victory. This time they did it through the air, which many felt the Panthers couldn't do. While the other top teams around them struggle, the Panthers seem to get better each week. Now they face off with the Giants for what should be the biggest game of the year.

2. Steelers

Despite offensive struggles throughout the year, the Steelers have been able to rely heavily on what is one of the best defenses they've ever put on the field. The Steelers need to figure out a way to work around their below average offensive line if they want to play for a potential 6th Lombardi Trophy.

3. Titans

Against one of the worse defenses in the league, the Titans couldn't find any sort of offense in the red zone. Time and time again history has shown that the teams with the most momentum in December are usually the ones to find their way into the big show. Unfortunately for Tennessee, theirs seems to be running out.

4. Giants

In the past two weeks the Giants have one offensive touchdown and only two plays of 20 or more yards. With several offensive linemen also banged up, there has to be some concern amongst the Giants' locker room as the explosiveness they showed in the first half of the season hasn't been there for them as of late.

5. Colts

Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne are back to having years you would expect from these two, and the defense has improved since the start of the season. While they were in for a bit of a scare against the Lions, the Colts quickly recovered and put the game away. If the Colts find their running game, watch out.

6. Falcons

With the win over Tampa, the Falcons continued the trend of NFC South teams going unbeaten at home against division rivals. While it wasn't exactly pretty, Ryan threw for two picks and no scores, they managed to get it done on the ground with Turner. From here they head to face another playoff contender in Minnesota.

7. Cowboys

The Cowboys' future is firmly in their hands, and didn't drop the ball against the Giants. With the emergence of Tashard Choice on some big plays and the defense able to hold the Giants to only 263yds of offense and no td's while also sacking Manning eight times, the Cowboys have made a great case for a wild card spot.

8. Vikings

Travaris Jackson and Adrian Peterson had a huge day, with TJ throwing for 4 TD's and AP steamrolling the Cardinals' defense for 165yds. The Vikes are choosing a good time to heat up, and they will need it as they face two more playoff caliber teams to finish out the season but luckily will face both at home.

9. Patriots

The Patriots didn't have much sympathy for the struggling Raiders, putting up five touchdowns (seven total) against them in the first half. Despite losing his father Cassel put in a huge game with a heavy heart, throwing for four of those seven touchdowns. Combined with the 270+yds on the ground, the Pats are looking good late in the year.

10. Buccaneers

Minus their two starting defensive tackles, the Bucs lacked the ability to challenge Turner. Combined with Garcia being injured the Buccaneers didn't have much of a chance to break the NFC South home winning streak. The defense did step up and keep things close, but without Garcia the offense isn't the same.

11. Eagles

The Eagles are looking to play spoiler this year, and with three great performances in a row they easily have the chance to. McNabb has played at the top of his game since being benched against the Ravens. One thing is clear, Andy Reid's decision at this point was clearly wrong.

12. Ravens

Unfortunately for Baltimore, the Ravens don't seem to have an answer when faced with the league's top defenses. The lack of explosive plays on offense have been key in several losses this year, all of which came against physical teams. This defense deserves a better offense, especially if they want to win in the playoffs.

13. Cardinals

With a good chance to prove they needed to be respected, the Cardinals collapsed against the Vikings. The Cardinals almost seemed complacent, accomplishing nothing in the first half and only putting up two TD's after the game was for the most part out of reach. With New England coming up they have a chance for redemption.

14. Dolphins

The Dolphins have a lot to be proud of this year, especially the defense which has done a good job of keeping opponents from scoring. The offense, however, has only put up 16 or less points over the last 3 games against defenses which typically have allowed quite a bit more than that. They have a chance to change that against KC this Sunday.

15. Bears

The Bears were more than happy to crush the playoff hopes of the Saints because doing so also kept them in the hunt for the division title. The Bears' passing defense has greatly improved, only giving up 232 yards to Brees on Thursday. If Kyle Orton can play as he did to start the year, the Bears have a chance.

16. Broncos

17. Jets

18. Texans

19. Chargers

20. Saints

21. Jaguars

22. 49ers

23. Packers

24. Redskins

25. Bills

26. Seahawks

27. Browns

28. Bengals

29. Chiefs

30. Raiders

31. Rams

32. Lions

[Delhomeboy]

I still wouldn't put us over the steelers. I'd have us at #2

[X-Clown]

I still wouldn't put us over the steelers. I'd have us at #2

Agreed. I'd also put the Cardinals lower than they are, certainly below the Jets and Dolphins.

[Planiversal]

i'm not going to mention the top because we'll never get people to agree there - but i'm fairly certain that the ravens are better than tampa and that miami belongs ahead of the patriots.

[mountainpantherfan]

I still wouldn't put us over the steelers. I'd have us at #2

Right now the Panther have the more complete team. Head to head that defense might shut the Panthers offense down but I think the Panthers defense would be able to stop a very struggling offense. I think the nod goes to the more complete team in the rankings.

[Delhomeboy]

Right now the Panther have the more complete team. Head to head that defense might shut the Panthers offense down but I think the Panthers defense would be able to stop a very struggling offense. I think the nod goes to the more complete team in the rankings.

The steelers offense is not as good as the panthers, obviously, but it's no slouch. Their passing game is clicking and their running game is above adequate. So in total, with their defense, I think they just edge out the panthers head-to-head.

[Brandon]

The steelers offense is not as good as the panthers, obviously, but it's no slouch. Their passing game is clicking and their running game is above adequate. So in total, with their defense, I think they just edge out the panthers head-to-head.

I'm a Steelers fan on top of being a Panthers fan, and I'll tell you, that offense sucks for 90% of the game. Sure our passing game is good with Roethlisberger but the run game is nonexistent. It's not even adequate, or passable for that matter. The Steelers defense would be able to slow the Panthers down but in the end I'm not sure they could put up enough points on offense.

[Ncstatefan]

AMEN, Eagles are a little low in my opinion but overall good.

[hepcat]

Eh...I can't justify us being #1...I'd still put us behind Tennessee (who by all means should have beat Houston...just a dumb call by Fisher) and Pittsburgh. That D is reminicent of the Ravens '00 D. And they had little to no offense that year. I'd tie the Panthers and Giants until after Sunday's game at #3...

[APCegr]

Though i love the panthers i still do not justify us being #1, yeah we are good and definitely making some noise around the league, we still are not as consistent at the titans and steelers or giants... i am still saying we are in top five definitely over the cowgirls in ravens but i would say more at #2 or #3 slot...

[Brandon]

Though i love the panthers i still do not justify us being #1, yeah we are good and definitely making some noise around the league, we still are not as consistent at the titans and steelers or giants... i am still saying we are in top five definitely over the cowgirls in ravens but i would say more at #2 or #3 slot...

Consistent? The Titans and Giants have lost two of their last 3. The Steelers have put up 8 points less per game over the last 8 games. Come on guys, we have a good case for #1.

[SpartanPanther89]

Sorry but as long as they are alone with the top record, titans have to be number 1. Then Panthers, Steelers, then Giants.

[Brandon]

The Titans haven't played well enough lately to deserve #1, this isn't about records it's about how the team is playing.

[Fireball77]

Nice case for Carolina @ #1 though it still makes me a little uncomfortable. Add to the case that all of Carolina's losses have been to teams who are still in serious playoff contention while all of the Giants and Titans' haven't been.

If the Cats had their offense with the Steelers' defense, I would have NO QUALMS about making them #1 overall. It's actually much more fun for me to watch a dominant defense like theirs play than it is to watch a prolific passing offense.