NFL Week 15 Picks

New Orleans at Chicago 37-28

Chicago has a decent defense overall, but their cornerbacks can be easily exploited if the opposing quarterback gets time in the pocket. The Saints, on the other hand, with Drew Brees, easily exploit poor secondaries if they get enough. With one of a mediocre pass rush, Chicago, going against the Saints’ great pass blocking, the Saints should have enough time to exploit the Bears secondary, especially since their quarterback is Drew Brees, one of the best in the game at exploiting poor pass defenses.

Fantasy MVP: Drew Brees 330 passing yards 3 touchdowns 1 INT

Tampa Bay at Atlanta 27-31

There isn’t a whole lot of logic in this pick, expect for the fact that the NFC South is 24-2 at home this season and no team has lost a divisional home game. Since this game is an NFC South division game, I’m going to go with the trend take Matt Ryan and the home team Falcons, who are longer for revenge after losing on the road last week.

Fantasy MVP: Matt Ryan 230 passing yards 3 touchdowns 2 INTs

Washington at Cincinnati 31-13

Plain and simple, the Redskins need a win here and a playing one of the worst teams in the league. Expect a blowout here. Clinton Portis will run all over the Bengals to redeem himself after his issue with Coach Jim Zorn last week.

Fantasy MVP: Clinton Portis 140 rushing yards 30 receiving yards 2 touchdowns

Detroit at Indianapolis 7-34 lock pick

The Colts are one of the best teams in the league this year. The Lions are the worst. You do the math. Peyton Manning should have a great game here, as he looks to fluff his stats up for the wide open MVP race.

Fantasy MVP: Peyton Manning 280 passing yards 3 touchdowns O INTs

San Diego at Kansas City 27-20

The Chargers have been inconsistent this year and almost lost to the Chiefs earlier this year. However, the Chargers are in a must win game and the Chiefs aren’t very good so the Chargers are my pick here. It could wind up being closer than the standings or talent disparities behind these teams might predict.

Fantasy MVP: Phillip Rivers 240 passing yards 3 touchdowns 0 INTs

Green Bay at Jacksonville 28-31 upset pick

Both teams under achieved this game and as a result, this match up, which should have had playoff implications, will be two teams playing for bragging rights. The Jags are at home in front of their fans who probably hate them right now, so they’ll come together to beat the Packers, who are really reeling right now.

Fantasy MVP: Maurice Jones Drew 95 rushing yards 60 receiving yards 2 touchdowns

Seattle at St. Louis 24-13

Both teams are very bad, but the Seahawks, with a decent quarterback like Seneca Wallace, should win this game. The ‘Hawks have been close to winning games several times this year, while the Rams get continually blown out and appear to no longer be trying.

Fantasy MVP: Seneca Wallace 230 passing yards 2 touchdowns 2 INTs

San Francisco at Miami 10-28

The 49ers have been on a roll of late and have won several games at home against East coast teams, because they have a major home field advantage in that situation. However, they are going to be at a home field disadvantage this time, traveling to Miami. The Dolphins smell the playoffs and have the talent and the home field necessary to make this a fairly easily win.

Fantasy MVP: Ronnie Brown 105 yards rushing 35 yards receiving 2 touchdowns

Buffalo at NY Jets 13-34

The Jets have been reeling since beating the Titans, but the Bills have been absolutely awful over the past few weeks. The Jets need a win to get right and they should get one here at home against the lowly Bills.

Fantasy MVP: Brett Favre 310 yards passing 3 touchdowns 1 INT

Tennessee at Houston 31-21

The Texans have been doing well lately and should put a bigger fight than expected. However, these are the 12-1 Titans. They won’t lose easily. Their running backs should trample the Texans’ weak run defense.

Fantasy MVP: Chris Johnson 150 yards rushing 30 yards receiving 3 touchdowns

Minnesota at Arizona 24-21 upset pick

Minnesota has their “Wall” back after their suspensions were overruled. They should stop power back Tim Hightower in his tracks and make this a one dimensional team. Their passing game won’t be able to do it alone. Meanwhile, Adrian Peterson and the Vikings’ offense will grind out a tough win.

Fantasy MVP: Adrian Peterson 105 yards rushing 40 yards receiving 2 touchdowns

Denver at Carolina 20-31

After seeing what the Panthers did to the Buccaneers’ great defense last week, imagine what they can do to the Broncos’ horrible run defense. Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams should run wild this week and that will propel the Panthers to a fairly easy victory.

Fantasy MVP: DeAngelo Williams 120 yards rushing 45 yards receiving 3 touchdowns

Pittsburgh at Baltimore 23-17 upset pick, game of the week

Pittsburgh showed last week that they can win the messy game and come from behind. Playing the Ravens, they game should be pretty messy. The Steelers have the advantage on both sides of the ball and their defense should destroy the Ravens’ young offense. Expect the Steelers to force many turnovers and score either directly off of team or indirectly off of them with good field position.

Fantasy MVP: Pittsburgh DEF 3 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 1 Def TD, 4 sacks, 17 points allowed

New England at Oakland 24-21

The Pats are banged up at almost every position you can imagine and now it seems as if Matt Cassel might not play due to the death of his father. However, they are still better than the Raiders. The Pats have been on the West Coast since last week’s close call in Seattle, so they won’t be affected by the time difference at all. Expect some obscure player you’ve never heard of lead the Pats to a close victory with a huge play late.

Fantasy MVP: Wes Welker 110 yards receiving 1 touchdown

NY Giants at Dallas 31-28

Both teams didn’t look good last week, however, the Giants have looked better all year. The Giants running game is very good and should be able to lead them to a close, come from behind, road victory against Dallas. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if this went either way.

Fantasy MVP: Tony Romo 280 yards passing 3 touchdowns 2 INTs

Cleveland at Philadelphia 10-31

The Eagles have heated up lately. The Browns are going the other way. It seems like a simple choice between Donovan McNabb and Ken Dorsey, especially when you add in the Eagles’ Brian Westbrook and that great, and greatly under rated, defense.

Fantasy MVP: Philadelphia DEF 3 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, 4 sacks, 10 points allowed

NFL Week 15 Mock Draft

Draft order reverse of my Week 15 NFL Power Rankings
http://nflweeklyreport.blogspot.com/2008/12/nfl-week-15-power-rankings.html

1. Detroit Lions 0-13

If Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford comes out, the Lions need to take him. The Falcons proved this season, with Matt Ryan, that when you have a good quarterback, you can mask up a bunch of other holes, which the Lions, at 0-13, certainly have. If Bradford can do what Ryan did this year for the Falcons, and management can bring in some small name, but helpful free agents, like Atlanta did with Michael Turner, and the Lions can be smart with their 2nd first round pick, from Dallas, as Atlanta did when they took Sam Baker, the Lions could once again be a respectable team very quickly.

2. Cincinnati Bengals 1-11-1

When healthy, the Bengals’ passing game alone can win them games. Unfortunately, Carson Palmer has been injured so that hasn’t happened. Ryan Fitzpatrick stepped in and has met turf 36 times in 10 starts. It has gotten to the point where every week he plays in another year off his life expectancy. The running game is picking up a measly 3.3 yards per carry. All of this could be helped, if not fixed, by taking an offensive lineman. Mississippi OT Michael Oher sits here waiting to be drafted. He can keep Palmer healthy next season by stopping the opposing pass rush, bringing back that once formidable passing game. Along with a new running back, which they should use a 2nd or 3rd round pick on, or take either Chris Wells or Knowshon Moreno with a pick they get in return for Chad Ocho Cinco, if they choose to move him, this offense can bring this team back into the playoff race.

3. St. Louis Rams 2-11

The Rams have the same problem as Cincinnati. Marc Bulger is a frail injury prone quarterback, who takes a long time to get rid of the ball. On the left side of the line is frail injury prone Orlando Pace and on the right side of the line is a rotating door of frail injury prone right tackles. 350 pound Alabama OT Andre Smith should be able to help. He can play both right tackle and left and help to keep Bulger healthy so he can have a season like he did in 2006, the last time Pace, and therefore Bulger, was fully healthy.

4. Seattle Seahawks 2-11

Matt Hasselbeck is back, I don’t know why though. Every time he looks up to pass, there’s no one there. It is no longer at the point where they are taking random wide receivers and lining them up like it was earlier in the season, however, his top 2 options are Bobby Engram, 35 years old and counting, and Deion Branch, who hasn’t been healthy since 2005. After them, it gets even worse as Koren Robinson, Jordan Dent, and Courtney Taylor prove week after week that they just can’t catch the football. With Texas Tech WR Michael Crabtree still in the board, they need to take him. He might be the most athletically gifted wide receiver prospect since Calvin Johnson, and that’s saying something.

5. Kansas City Chiefs 2-11

Imagine what it must be like to play quarterback against the Kansas City Chiefs. Drop back to pass, wait 20 seconds for the play to develop, oh there’s a little bit of pressure, finally, too bad I released the ball 15 seconds ago. The Chiefs have 6 sacks this season in 13 games. Jared Allen is gone and they need someone to lineup alongside Tamba Hali. Texas DE Brian Orakpo, one of college football’s most feared pass rushers, should help. He’ll take the pressure off of Hali, who had 7.5 sacks last season alongside Jared Allen, and solidify the pass rush from the other side.

6. Oakland Raiders 3-10

Allow me to step into the shoes of Al Davis for this selection. Hmm, I like fast and I like USC. That 6-3 230 kid just ran a 4.4 40, and he goes to USC, draft him now. That kid is USC FS Taylor Mays, who is an athletic free of nature. With Michael Huff now officially a bust, Mays could be his replacement and hopefully be a little bit less of a bust. He doesn’t fit a need necessarily for the Raiders, but Al Davis is going to fall head over heels in love with him after the combine, so Mays is the pick. If a sane owner were running the show, this pick would have to be Eugene Monroe. This offensive line is awful. Unfortunately for Raider Nation, one is not.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars 4-9

The Jaguars, as any 4-9 team, have a lot of needs. Interior linemen are much needed, but unless they want to draft Eugene Monroe and try to convert him into a guard, this is way too early to draft a guard or center. On the defense, interior linebackers are needed, with Mike Peterson on bad terms and a free agent this off season. However, the pass defense is still awful, ranking 27th in terms of yards per attempt. They tried to fix their pass defense with better pass rushers last off season, but that didn’t work. It’s gotten so bad that Drayton Florence has had to step in alongside Rashean Mathis. They need a long term cornerback to play alongside Mathis and who better that Ohio State CB Malcolm Jenkins. He’s the only cornerback worth taking here and he makes more sense for the Jags than Monroe or a linebacker like Rey Maualuga or James Laurinaitis.

8. Cleveland Browns 4-9

Their pass defense hasn’t been good either, 29th in terms of yards per attempt. There are three ways that can be fixed. Defensive end, attack the source of the pass, cornerback, defend the pass, or safety, and try to do a little of both. However, with Taylor Mays and Malcolm Jenkins gone, no defensive back merits selection here. With Brian Orakpo gone, it’s hard to see them taking a defensive end here either, though one could make a case for Michael Johnson. The other area they have struggled in is run offense. Jamal Lewis is 29 and averaging just 3.6 yards per carry. Jerome Harrison is a good change of pace back, but nothing more. They need to release Lewis and start fresh with a new back. Ohio State RB Chris Wells can take Jamal Lewis’ place as the primary back. Together, assuming Brady Quinn lives up to potential and they can improve their defense with what they get for Derek Anderson.

9. Green Bay Packers 5-8

What the Packers like to do is take best available. While defensive line is their biggest need, I doubt they’ll reach here for an end like Michael Johnson, though that might not be a huge reach, or a defensive tackle like Terence Cody. Virginia OT Eugene Monroe is the best player available here and he can really be a help to the Packers. He can play both tackle and guard. Their tackles combine to be 63 years old and while their guards combine to only weigh 605 pounds. The 21-year-old 325 pound Monroe can help with both. Their offensive line is in the bottom half of the league in terms of sacks allowed, despite having the swift Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, and the bottom third in terms of rushing yards per carry, despite having both Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson at running back.

10. San Francisco 49ers 5-8

I originally liked the idea of the Niners drafting a quarterback, like Matt Stafford, and having him sit a year behind Shaun Hill and become the future of the team in 2010. They could still do that, but Hill has played very well of late, so they can address one of their many other areas of need. Wide receiver is one of those, but with other needs and a conservative coach, they aren’t likely to reach for Darrius Heyward-Bey or Jeremy Maclin. They need a corner, but it might be too early for Vontae Davis, though having both Davis brothers, Vernon and Vontae, might be a nice story. However, something tells me Mike Singletary wouldn’t like Vernon’s brother either. Defensive line is a major need. Justin Smith got big bucks and hasn’t lived up to it. If they were to draft a defensive end, like Georgia Tech DE Michael Johnson, some of the pressure would be taken off of Smith. Last year’s first round pick Kentawn Balmer could also move back to defensive tackle where he belongs, rather than play left end. That makes the most sense.

11. San Diego Chargers 5-8

The Chargers, despite their 5-8 record, do not have a lot of glaring needs, except for maybe offensive line. Eugene Monroe, as well as Andre Smith and Michael Oher, is off the board, so they probably should go that route and reach for someone like Jason Smith or Ciron Black. Because of that they can go the route of best available player that’s not a quarterback. That player would be USC MLB Rey Maualuga. Their middle linebackers could stand to be upgraded. Maualuga would be an upgrade both Tim Robbins and Stephen Cooper. He would fit well into San Diego’s 3-4 defense because he wouldn’t be the only middle linebacker out there. This way he wouldn’t be overwhelmed as a rookie and could ease into the system.

12. Buffalo Bills 6-7

The Bills decline this season is a head scratching one but I think it can be credited to their decline in pass defense. Their corners are fine, in fact they used a first rounder on Leodis McKlevin last year and he has done fine. However, with Aaron Schobel, injury and age, possibly done as an elite pass rusher for his career, they need to get a #1 pass rusher quick. Quarterbacks are getting too much time in the pocket against them. Mississippi DE Greg Hardy is the best pass rusher left on the board.

13. Houston Texans 6-7

The Texans need help everywhere on defense, except for right end, where Mario Williams has been a stud. However, they need to improve their defense fast, because their talented offense will just waste away if they do not. They can take best player overall, which in this case is Wake Forest OLB Aaron Curry. He’d certainly be an upgrade over both Morlon Greenwood and Zac Diles, who have 3 combined what I like to call skill stats for linebackers, interceptions, forced fumbles, and sacks. It’s no wonder Houston gives up 4.6 yards per carry, 26th best in the league. Curry and young up and coming Xavier Adibi, 4th round pick in 2008, could combine to make a great young outside linebacker duo.

14. New Orleans Saints 7-6

The Saints defense needs helps everywhere, most notably at outside linebacker, defensive end, and safety. Outside linebacker is out of the question, unfortunately, with Curry just going to Houston. Curry could have definitely helped them out a lot more. As for defensive end, Everette Brown is a possibility. However, Kevin Kaesviharn was starting at safety before he got injured. His replacement is going to be worse. That free safety position is a mess, and one that needs to be cleaned up quick otherwise teams will continue to beat them deep next season. They ranked 26th against the pass in terms of yards per game and with mega talent Missouri FS William Moore on the board, they need to take him. He helps them more that Brown would.

15. Washington Redskins 7-6

The Redskins are decent against the pass this year, but with DeAngelo Hall a free agent this off season and Shawn Springs being 34, they need to take a cornerback of the future. They really don’t have any other glaring needs, except possibly defensive end. However, that will have to wait, because Illinois CB Vontae Davis is still on the board. Davis has as much potential as any cornerback in the draft class. They need a future #1 to pair with Carlos Rogers. Rogers and Davis would be a scary duo.

16. Philadelphia Eagles 7-5-1

The Eagles line has been subpar this season, for an Andy Reid team, and it could get a lot worse with the possible free agent departures of both starting tackles, Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan. Even if neither leaves, they could use an offensive tackle of the future with Thomas and Runyan combining at be 69 years old. Baylor OT Jason Smith is a very raw offensive tackle with a lot of potential. He would make a lot of sense for them at this point. If it looks for sure like Runyan and Thomas will leave, this pick could be Ciron Black, a more polished offensive lineman who could step in right away. However, I’m making the assumption that they will be making this pick with the assumption of both returning and needing a future offensive tackle, who could step in if needed in 2009, if one were to leave.

17. Miami Dolphins 8-5

There’s no doubt in my mind their biggest weakness is defending the pass. However, unless Vontae Davis is still available, don’t expect them to reach for a corner. Especially if a middle linebacker like Ohio State MLB James Laurinaitis is available. Bill Parcells love his linebackers and they need a long term middle linebacker to replace Zach Thomas, now in Dallas, alongside Channing Crowder. This could also give them to option to move Crowder outside and trade Joey Porter while his value is at its peak, which would definitely be a classic Bill Parcells move.

18. Atlanta Falcons 8-5

It’s amazing what good quarterbacks can do. Matt Ryan single handedly masked all of the Falcons other weaknesses that were so glaring last off season. However, just because he masked them, doesn’t mean they are gone, and they still have a huge hole right in the middle of their defense line at defensive tackle. Plugging that hole with 355 pound Alabama DT Terence Cody makes a lot of sense, especially since the Falcons are still giving up 4.9 yards per carry, good for 3rd worst in the NFL.

19. Chicago Bears 7-6

It’s weird to think of the Bears as not have a good pass rush or defensive ends, because that’s been their signature for years, but that is the case this season. No end has more than 5 sacks this season. Florida State DE Everette Brown, who has 12.5 sacks this season, should help them regain their once great pass rush in this era of speed rushers. Brown runs a 40 in the 4.5s.

20. New England Patriots 8-5

Deltha O'Neal, Lewis Sanders, Jonathan Wilhite, that is the group of cornerbacks that the Patriots have on their roster to play alongside Ellis Hobbs. That needs to be fixed now. Safety and linebacker can wait, the Pats are 28th in the league in yards per passing attempt allowed. Vanderbilt CB DJ Moore might be a bit of a stretch, but they need a cornerback here and he's the best available. He's not a huge stretch and he's better than anyone other than Hobbs.

21. Minnesota Vikings 8-5

The Vikings need a right tackle, but that will have to wait, even with Ciron Black still on the board. Georgia QB Matt Stafford is still on the board. Due to a lack of need at the quarterback position, Stafford has fallen right to the Vikings who need a quarterback. Tavaris Jackson is not the answer; Gus Frerotte is merely a stopgap, a 37-year-old stopgap. Stafford can spend a year as Frerotte’s backup, mature on the bench, and then take over the team in 2010. He won’t be counted on doing too much, with Adrian Peterson to hand the ball to, but he should have the ability to lead his team with his arm if it’s needed. Just imagine how deadly AP will be if opposing teams can’t stack the box anymore. There’s always some potential for bust with a quarterback, but with Stafford, the reward definitely outweighs the risk for the Vikings.

22. New York Jets 8-5

Brett Favre won’t last forever; he could retire any day. They don’t have a successor for him now that Chad Pennington is in Miami. They need one quickly, otherwise they would have to sign one from the always less than stellar free agent class or hand the keys to the team over to Kellen Clemens and his career 59.3 passer rating. They could take one in the 2nd round, but with Florida QB Tim Tebow available they shouldn’t hesitate to draft him. Tebow needs time to mature and a quarterback to learn the game from. There won’t be a team that gives him more time to mature than the Jets will and there isn’t a quarterback active that you will learn more from than Brett Favre, as a young quarterback. Just look at Aaron Rodgers.

23. Denver Broncos 8-5

Andre Hall, Michael Pittman, Selvin Young, Ryan Torain, and now Peyton Hillis, those are all running backs that the Broncos have put in IR this year. They need a steady, stable back for the future. With Georgia RB Knowshon Moreno available, and their lack of a steady running back, the Broncos should take him here. He and Cutler will make a nice quarterback, running back duo.

24. Arizona Cardinals 8-5

Running back is a need for them in the first round, but unless Wells or Moreno fall to them, not likely, they are going to have to pursue other options in the first round. With Tim Hightower’s emergence, they can wait until the 2nd or 3rd round to get a speed back to play off of Hightower’s power running. Ignoring their running back need for now, their biggest needs are interior offensive lineman and defensive end. No interior offensive lineman merits selection here, so they should focus on a defensive end, seeing as their starters have combined for 5.5 sacks. South Florida DE George Selvie is the best player available at this point and fills a need for the Cards. He also could move to outside linebacker if they want him to.

25. Detroit Lions (via DAL) 0-13

The Lions have defensive issues, but they should postpone those until the 2nd round. They should really look to follow Atlanta’s model from last off season. I already have them taking their franchise quarterback in Sam Bradford, now they need a franchise left tackle. LSU OT Ciron Black is long overdue to be drafted. He is not a natural left tackle, but can certainly play there. This would allow them to move Jeff Backus inside to guard where he belongs and successfully upgrade two positions at once.

26. Baltimore Ravens 8-5

What happened to Mark Clayton? Suddenly Joe Flacco's only option is 34-year-old Derrick Mason. They need a wide receiver to breathe some live into that receiving core and who better than Maryland native Maryland WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, who is 6-2 and runs a 40 in the 4.3s. He has slipped way too far and Baltimore should take him to help out Joe Flacco.

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-4

Joey Galloway and Ike Hillard were the starting wide receivers to start the year. They were a combined 69 years old and both lost their starting jobs. Antonio Bryant and Michael Clayton will prove that this year is a fluke for both of them with a year, Bryant possibly even with another team seeing as he’s a free agent this off season. Percy Harvin is the best wide receiver available in terms of talent, but he’s small, injury prone, and inconsistent, which the Bucs are not looking for right now. Missouri WR Jeremy Maclin might be a bit of a reach, but he is the best fit. If Colt McCoy comes out, don’t be surprise if Jon Gruden drafts him on his magical search to find a flawless quarterback. However, I believe McCoy when he says he’s staying for his senior year.

28. Indianapolis Colts 8-5

They used to be able to stop the run. What happened? Even with Bob Sanders back they are still one of the worst run defenses in the league. They definitely need a defensive tackle. They were so desperate to get one at the trade deadline, they traded for Bills cast off John McCargo, before he failed his physical and the trade didn't go through. They are going to make a run at Albert Haynesworth this offseason, but that's no guarantee. The best defensive tackle available is questionable. Fili Moala, Sen'Derrick Marks, and Peria Terry are all possibilities, but Auburn DT Sen'Derrick Marks fits the Colts system better and I think is the best of the three against the run.

29. Pittsburgh Steelers 10-3

Their line was bad last year. Then they lose Alan Faneca and did not replace him. Now, Ben Roethlisberger gets sacked every time looks up seemingly and Willie Parker is struggling without that dominant run blocker to set up his cuts. They need to fix that; the fact that Oklahoma OG Duke Robinson is still available here only adds to that argument. Add in the fact that they have no other real needs and you have a team that needs to draft Duke Robinson.

30. Philadelphia Eagles (via CAR) 7-5-1

This pick might not stay Philly's as they have two picks this year in the first round, and one could possibly be traded to Arizona for Anquan Boldin. However, this they keep it, there's a good chance that they use it on a tight end. There were some rumors, last draft, that Philly might trade their pick to Cleveland for Kellen Winslow Jr. That never happened and they traded the pick for a first rounder this year and some lesser picks last year. Still, LJ Smith might be one of the worst starting tight ends in the league and now it appears he is on bad terms with Andy Reid and might not be brought back this off season. There are plenty of tight ends that have late first to early second round potential, but the one I think is best is Oklahoma State TE Brandon Pettigrew. He is a good receiving tight end, with the potential to be like Kellen Winslow or any other good receiving tight end. If Dustin Keller can go first round in 2008, Pettigrew can go first round in 2009.

31. New York Giants 11-2

Their defensive ends are amazing. They lost Michael Strahan to retirement and Osi Umenyiora to injury and they still rank 2nd in sacks. Justin Tuck is a pro bowler for sure, Mathias Kiwanuka might be too. However, with Kiwanuka moving up to defensive end, they lost a lot of the strength of their outside linebackers, forcing them to start Danny Clark, and since it looks like Kiwanuka is a defensive end to stay, they need to address that issue. Their outside linebackers have combined for two, count it two, interceptions, sacks, or forced fumbles this season. USC OLB Brian Cushing is the only outside linebacker, and therefore one player, who merits selection here. He could really breathe some life into their linebackers, and move Danny Clark, who in his career, 130 games, has 10 combined sacks, INTs, and forced fumbles, and has been cut by the Raiders because Al Davis didn't even think he could play defense, back where he belongs.

32. Tennessee Titans 12-1

The Titans could use a defensive tackle in case Albert Haynesworth bolts, but both cody and Marks have been drafted already. I see no point in them drafting one when they have other needs. Nick Harper is 34, so they should look at potential replacement options for him at cornerback. They don’t have a true one within the organization so they should use this pick to take Virginia Tech CB Victor Harris. He has the potential to be groomed into that future #2 cornerback alongside Cortland Finnegan.

NFL Week 15 Power Rankings

NFL Week 15 Power Rankings

Awful

32. Detroit Lions 0-13: Absolutely the worst overall team in the NFL. Their strongest area of the game has been the passing game, and their quarterback is Daunte Culpepper. That’s saying something if the best part of your team is led by a Raiders castoff.

31. Cincinnati Bengals 1-11: Their once great offense has been diminished to a running game full of unsuccessful castoffs and Ryan Fitzpatrick getting knocked to the ground every time he takes a snap. It’s no wonder Chad Johnson wants out.

30. St. Louis Rams 2-11: They look like they mailed the season in weeks ago. Right now they look like they are playing for the #1 draft pick, and they likely are. The only problem is that they already won 2 games, and the Bengals and Lions might not combine to win that many.

Better luck next year

29. Seattle Seahawks 2-11: I don’t know why Matt Hasselbeck came back this season. He has no good receivers and the team is going nowhere, but down. He should have just stayed injured, to prevent further injury. It’s a shame that Mike Holmgren’s final season has come to this.

28. Kansas City Chiefs 2-11: At least they’re trying. They don’t have the most talent, but they could easily have 4 or 5 wins, if it wasn’t for some bad luck, and they have a good young quarterback in Tyler Thigpen, a real diamond in the rough. If they can keep motivated during a tough season like this, they’ve got great hope for the future. I hate to say it, but Herm Edwards has done a good coaching job, even if he’ll likely lose his job after the season.

27. Oakland Raiders 3-10: Allow me to crown the Raiders the league’s most inconsistent team. One week they beat the Broncos, then they lose to the Chiefs, and get destroyed by the Chargers. Hey, at least it’s better that what they were 2 years ago, most consistently awful. It’s progress.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars 4-9: Allow me to take a quote from Bill Simmons, “If this blog were Jack Del Rio, the Jags would have already stopped listening.” That is so true. This team has talent, they just have no chemistry or respect for their young coach. Even Fred Taylor, who is supposed to be their veteran leader, thinks they suck.

Looking forward to a top ten draft pick

25. Cleveland Browns 4-9: Remember when quarterback issues meant that they had too many quarterbacks and couldn’t choose one. It’s funny how things change. Now they have no quarterback, due to injuries. Ken Dorsey is the starter and had a 49.6 rating last week. They need to trade either Derek Anderson or Brady Quinn, preferably Anderson because Quinn is the younger one, and put all of their faith in Quinn, rather than flip flopping. They’d have a new quarterback, new running back, with Jamal Lewis on his way out, and likely new coach. Use a mid round draft pick on a backup for Quinn and keep Dorsey as the 3rd guy.

24. Green Bay Packers 5-8: I honestly am stumped at what happened to this team. Aaron Rodgers has a great line in front of him, a decent duo of backs, and a solid defense, and Rodgers himself hasn’t played so bad, though he’s no Brett Favre, and yet they are 5-8. I would guess it’s a combination of bad luck, high expectations, and last year being a fluke, but that’s just a guess.

23. San Francisco 49ers 5-8: If it wasn’t for that whole pants dropping incident, Mike Singletary is a great coach. His discipline and offensive coordinator Mike Martz’s creativity combine very well. Just think, if it wasn’t for a last second loss to Arizona, this team would be 6-7, 1 game back of the Arizona Cardinals for first, holding a 2-0 tiebreaker over the Cards.

Probably not a playoff team

22. San Diego Chargers 5-8: The Chargers are probably the most disappointing team in terms of talent turning into wins. They’ve had a lot of tough close losses. A lot of that has to do with Coach Norv Turner, who will unfortunately be back next year. However, I think this team still has good players and a solid future. Although, despite not yet being officially eliminated, this team isn’t going anywhere this year

21. Buffalo Bills 6-7: This team will join the short list of 4-0 teams that did not go on to make the playoffs. It really has been a tale of two seasons for them. They’ve had their Super Bowl dark horse caliber season and their awful caliber season.

Making some noise

20. Houston Texans 6-7: They’ve been highly inconsistent this year, but when Matt Schaub plays they are very good. They aren’t as good as many thought they were before the season, but if Schaub can stay healthy and this team improves on defense via the draft or free agency, they could be an 8 win or better team.

19. New Orleans Saints 7-6: Drew Brees should win MVP this season. He is on pace to have the best season of any quarterback ever in terms of stats. Its not his fault the defense can’t stop anyone.

Close, but no cigar

18. Washington Redskins 7-6: The Redskins have had a good season, but it looks like that Baltimore loss was the nail in the coffin. They just aren’t as good as Dallas, Atlanta, and Philly, all of whom they’d have to beat out to win the 2nd and final wild card.

17. Philadelphia Eagles 7-5: The Eagles got a big win over the Giants and are 2-0 in two big games since the Donovan McNabb/Andy Reid mini quarrel in the Baltimore game. The Eagles have a way of finishing strong, so I wouldn’t count them out quite yet, even though they don’t appear to be in a strong position to make the playoffs.

16. Miami Dolphins 8-5: They have surprised the world and now sit in the middle of a tight AFC East race. They could very well win the division, but I see them, as well as New England and the Jets, winning 10 games. However, their loss will be to the Jets, which will lose them the tiebreaker, and force them into the Wild Card race, which I also see them losing. They’ve had a hell of a run though.

15. Atlanta Falcons 8-5: Speaking of hell of a run, the other team that finished in the bottom 3 last year and now is in the middle of a playoff race is 8-5 Atlanta (sorry St. Louis). However, like the Dolphins, I see the Falcons falling up just short, losing the Wild Card tie breaker to Dallas, by way of worse conference record.

On the playoff bubble

14. Chicago Bears 7-6: The Bears are in good position. They don’t have to deal with the Wild Card, they could still easily win their division, despite being 7-6, with Minnesota only 1 game away and without their wall for the rest of the season due to suspension. However, Chicago should come up short as the Vikings make due without both Williamses.

13. New England Patriots 8-5: With the Dolphins losing the division by way of tiebreaker, it would just be up to New England and the New York Jets. However, the Pats are not in a favorable position, with the Jets just needing a win over the Bills to at least nullify the 2nd tiebreaker. With the first one already nullified by the season series split, it would go to the 3rd tiebreaker, which the Jets currently own.

12. Minnesota Vikings 8-5: They might have some trouble stopping the run in the coming weeks, but with a one game division lead and the best running back alive, the Vikings are in very favorable position.

11. New York Jets 8-5: As I said before, the Jets are in the driver’s seat in the AFC East, especially since, sticking with car metaphor, the man steering their team is Brett Favre. He’ll turn it on at the end of the season to help them avenge 2 straight losses and win two of three, if not sweep, a fairly easy 3 game stretch. The real Jets are the ones that won in Tennessee, not the ones that lost in Oakland and San Francisco.

Playoffs and maybe more

10. Denver Broncos 8-5: With a fairly easy schedule the rest of the way, the Broncos, needing only one win to clinch the division, look to be in position to get back to the playoffs. However, once there, they may have some issues defending the run, which is could seriously hurt them come playoff time.

9. Arizona Cardinals 8-5: The Cardinals have clinched their first playoff berth in over a decade. They have a good shot to show, in the playoffs, that they deserve to be there and didn’t just get in because of a weak schedule and no interdivision competition. However, losses against the Giants and Eagles could be signs that this team will struggle come playoff time.

8. Dallas Cowboys 8-5: The Cowboys look to be in good position to make the playoffs and with one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Tony Romo, they are definitely the team no one wants to face in the playoffs. However, as the Pittsburgh game showed, they still have a way of choking under pressure. Plus, if Marion Barber’s injury is serious, they risk becoming one dimensional which could be the death of them.

Dark horses

7. Baltimore Ravens 8-5: I’m not going to say they are as good as they were when they won in 2000. However, their grind it out NFC style of play is going to be an advantage come playoff time in the relatively pass happy AFC. The biggest question with them is, can Joe Flacco lead this team from behind, in the clutch, in the playoffs. So far, he hasn’t proven that that will be something he can do.

6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-4: For the first time in a while, Tampa’s defense looked vulnerable last week against the Panthers. However, that is what the Panthers’ running game will do to you. They shouldn’t worry about making the playoffs, they will make them. However, they need to prove they can stop running games like the Giants’ and the Panthers’ in the playoffs. They might not be a true contender like two those teams mentioned, but they are still a very solid football team that can surprise some.

5. Indianapolis Colts: 9-4: They got hot at the right time. They have 5 straight wins and could make it 8 by the end of the season, seeing as they have a fairly weak schedule. No one is going to want to face Peyton and the Colts when they are on a roll like that come playoff time. This has to be a scary team.
Elite runner ups

4. Pittsburgh Steelers 10-3: They proved in the Dallas game, once again, that they can win even it isn’t pretty. They aren’t a true grind it out them, because their offense revolves around their quarterback making a lot of throws, but the fact that they can win in so many different ways has to scare some teams.

3. Carolina Panthers 10-3: They got a huge win this week and are knocking on the door of becoming the favorite in the NFC. Their upcoming game against the Giants, week 16, will be huge for both sides, especially Carolina. That is a very winnable game for the Panthers seeing as the Giants are missing a certain 6-5 wide receiver with a hole in his leg.

2. New York Giants 11-2: They didn’t look good this week. They are missing Plaxico and their receiving crew looks subpar at best. They looked slightly distracted as well. However, this team is a machine. They will get through it and get back to winning football games. Philly will be a huge wake up call for them and I expect them to beat Carolina week 16 and reassert their dominance. This is the NFC favorite, if not the NFL favorite.

1. Tennessee Titans 12-1: The Giants are good, but you can’t deny that fact that this team wins games. They play playoff style football every week, with their strong defense and grind it out backs. They should be able to beat any team they face. Now it’s just a matter of going out and doing it.