RAMS (-4.5) over Buccaneers (CORRECT = 1-0)
JETS (-2) over Browns (CORRECT = 2-0)
JAGUARS (+4.5) over Titans (CORRECT = 3-0)
TEXANS (+10.5) over Broncos (WRONG = 3-1)
Dolphins (-3) over BILLS (WRONG = 3-2)
Cowboys (-3) over REDSKINS (WRONG = 3-3)
Vikings (+8) over BENGALS (WRONG = 3-4)
Colts (+7) over CHIEFS (CORRECT = 4-4)
PANTHERS (-3) over Saints (CORRECT = 5-4)
Raiders (+10) over CHARGERS (WRONG = 5-5)
LIONS (-9.5) over Giants (WRONG = 5-6)
Cardinals (+10.5) over SEAHAWKS (CORRECT = 6-6)
Steelers (+2) over PACKERS (CORRECT = 7-6)
Patriots (+2) over RAVENS (CORRECT = 8-6)
Bears (+3) over EAGLES (WRONG = 8-7)
49ERS (-14) over Falcons (WRONG = 8-8)
Week 16: 8-8
Year-to-Date: 117-88-3
Power Rankings
AFC
16.) Houston Texans (2-13 = 266-412)
15.) Oakland Raiders (4-11 = 308-419)
14.) Jacksonville Jaguars (4-11 = 237-419)
13.) Cleveland Browns (4-11 = 301-386)
12.) Tennessee Titans (6-9 = 346-371)
11.) Buffalo Bills (6-9 = 319-354)
10.) New York Jets (7-8 = 270-380)
9.) Pittsburgh Steelers (7-8 = 359-363)
8.) Miami Dolphins (8-7 = 310-315)
7.) Baltimore Ravens (8-7 = 303-318)
6.) San Diego Chargers (8-7 = 369-324)
5.) Indianapolis Colts (10-5 = 361-326)
4.) Kansas City Chiefs (11-4 = 406-278)
3.) New England Patriots (11-4 = 410-318)
2.) Cincinnati Bengals (10-5 = 396-288)
1.) Denver Broncos (12-3 = 572-385)
NFC
16.) Washington Redskins (3-12 = 328-458)
15.) Minnesota Vikings (4-10-1 = 377-467)
14.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11 = 271-347)
13.) Atlanta Falcons (4-11 = 333-422)
12.) New York Giants (6-9 = 274-377)
11.) Dallas Cowboys (8-7 = 417-408)
10.) Detroit Lions (7-8 = 382-362)
9.) St. Louis Rams (7-8 = 339-337)
8.) Chicago Bears (8-7 = 417-445)
7.) Green Bay Packers (7-7-1 = 384-400)
6.) Philadelphia Eagles (9-6 = 418-360)
5.) Arizona Cardinals (10-5 = 359-301)
4.) New Orleans Saints (10-5 = 372-287)
3.) San Francisco 49ers (11-4 = 383-252)
2.) Carolina Panthers (11-4 = 345-221)
1.) Seattle Seahawks (12-3 = 390-222)
Playoff Projections
AFC
1.) Denver Broncos = 13-3 (W @OAK)
2.) New England Patriots = 12-4 (W vs.BUF)
3.) Cincinnati Bengals = 11-5 (W vs.BAL)
4.) Indianapolis Colts = 11-5 (W vs.JAX)
5.) Kansas City Chiefs = 11-5 (L @SD)
6.) Miami Dolphins = 9-7 (W @NYJ)
NFC
1.) Seattle Seahawks = 13-3 (W vs.STL)
2.) Carolina Panthers = 12-4 (W @ATL)
3.) Philadelphia Eagles = 10-6 (W @DAL)
4.) Chicago Bears = 9-7 (W* vs.GB)
5.) New Orleans Saints = 11-5 (W vs.TB)
6.) San Francisco 49ers = 11-5 (L @ARZ)
* - I'm assuming Aaron Rodgers does not play
Award Watch
Coach of the Year
1.) Andy Reid (KC)
2.) Ron Rivera (CAR)3.) Chip Kelly (PHI)
4.) Bruce Arians (ARZ)
5.) Sean Payton (NO)
There's a lot of good candidates this year. Andy Reid basically had this locked up when his Chiefs were 9-0. Well, they've been 2-4 since, and his candidacy has lost its luster. Still, he took over the worst team in the league, constructed an offense around Alex Smith and few outside weapons, and made it work well enough. The bottom two on my list are good candidates, but both are offensive-minded coaches on teams that have risen because of their defense. The Cardinals offense is middling at best, and the Saints offense is arguably worse this year than last. If anyone should win over Reid, it really should be Rivera - a defensive coach who coaches the best defense in the NFL, and who openly changed his strategy midseason to great results.
Offensive Player of the Year
1.) Peyton Manning (QB-DEN)
2.) Jamaal Charles (RB-KC)
3.) LeSean McCoy (RB-PHI)
I've heard many people put up someone other than Peyton Manning, claiming that the award should go to a non-QB. Well, that's bullshit. QBs have won the award, especially during these record setting years. Manning himself won it in 2004. If Peyton breaks the yardage record as well, he should win this award. Charles adn McCoy have each had great years as multi-purpose RBs for teams that center around the run.
Defensive Player of the Year
1.) Luke Kuechly (MLB-CAR)
2.) Robert Quinn (DE-STL)
3.) Robert Mathis (OLB-IND)
So often we look for big numbers when deciding this award. Sacks, interceptions, touchdowns. Well, that really makes it hard for guys like normal run-tackling and pass-coverage linebackers to win the award. The last one that fit that bill was Brian Urlacher in 2005. Of course, he was the 4th winner in 6 years that was that type of player (Ray Lewis in 2000 & 2003, and Derrick Brooks in 2002). Well, Luke Kuechly fits those credentials. He's the best player on the best defense in the NFL, something that those three guys were as well. He was amazing against New Orleans on Sunday, doing everything he can so well. Quinn is having an amazing year and will probably win the award, but I really think Kuechly deserves it as much.
MVP
1.) Peyton Manning (QB-DEN)
2.) Philip Rivers (QB-SD)
3.) Jamaal Charles (RB-KC)
4.) Drew Brees (QB-NO)
5.) Nick Foles (QB-PHI)
Manning locked up the award with that win and setting the record. He probably should have locked it up weeks ago. Rivers kept the Chargers competitive all season long despite missing his #1 and #2 receiver, and he's had the 2nd best season of any QB in the NFL. Charles is the centerpiece of his offense, the most valuable RB in the NFL. In the end, Manning should win. He will win, and he should win. The question will be if he wins unanimously. He should, but I'm sure some ridiculous guy will vote for a Brady or Brees for no reason.
Looking Ahead to Next Week's Games
16.) Houston Texans (2-13) @ Tennessee Titans (6-9) (1:00 - CBS)
15.) Detroit Lions (7-8) @ Minnesota Vikings (4-10-1) (1:00 - FOX)
14.) Washington Redskins (3-12) @ New York Giants (6-9) (1:00 - FOX)
13.) Carolina Panthers (11-4) @ Atlanta Falcons (4-11) (1:00 - FOX)
12.) Denver Broncos (12-3) @ Oakland Raiders (4-11) (4:25 - CBS)
11.) Buffalo Bills (6-9) @ New England Patriots (11-4) (4:25 - CBS)
10.) Kansas City Chiefs (11-4) @ San Diego Chargers (8-7) (4:25 - CBS)
9.) Jacksonville Jaguars (4-11) @ Indianapolis Colts (10-5) (1:00 - CBS)
8.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11) @ New Orleans Saints (10-5) (1:00 - FOX)
7.) St. Louis Rams (7-8) @ Seattle Seahawks (12-3) (4:25 - CBS)
6.) Cleveland Browns (4-11) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (7-8) (1:00 - CBS)
5.) San Francisco 49ers (11-4) @ Arizona Cardinals (10-5) (4:25 - FOX)
4.) Miami Dolphins (8-7) @ New York Jets (7-8) (1:00 - CBS)
3.) Baltimore Ravens (8-7) @ Cincinnati Bengals (10-5) (1:00 - CBS)
2.) Philadelphia Eagles (9-6) @ Dallas Cowboys (8-7) (SNF - NBC)
1.) Green Bay Packers (7-7-1) @ Chicago Bears (8-7) (4:25 - FOX)
JETS (-2) over Browns (CORRECT = 2-0)
JAGUARS (+4.5) over Titans (CORRECT = 3-0)
TEXANS (+10.5) over Broncos (WRONG = 3-1)
Dolphins (-3) over BILLS (WRONG = 3-2)
Cowboys (-3) over REDSKINS (WRONG = 3-3)
Vikings (+8) over BENGALS (WRONG = 3-4)
Colts (+7) over CHIEFS (CORRECT = 4-4)
PANTHERS (-3) over Saints (CORRECT = 5-4)
Raiders (+10) over CHARGERS (WRONG = 5-5)
LIONS (-9.5) over Giants (WRONG = 5-6)
Cardinals (+10.5) over SEAHAWKS (CORRECT = 6-6)
Steelers (+2) over PACKERS (CORRECT = 7-6)
Patriots (+2) over RAVENS (CORRECT = 8-6)
Bears (+3) over EAGLES (WRONG = 8-7)
49ERS (-14) over Falcons (WRONG = 8-8)
Week 16: 8-8
Year-to-Date: 117-88-3
Power Rankings
AFC
16.) Houston Texans (2-13 = 266-412)
15.) Oakland Raiders (4-11 = 308-419)
14.) Jacksonville Jaguars (4-11 = 237-419)
13.) Cleveland Browns (4-11 = 301-386)
12.) Tennessee Titans (6-9 = 346-371)
11.) Buffalo Bills (6-9 = 319-354)
10.) New York Jets (7-8 = 270-380)
9.) Pittsburgh Steelers (7-8 = 359-363)
8.) Miami Dolphins (8-7 = 310-315)
7.) Baltimore Ravens (8-7 = 303-318)
6.) San Diego Chargers (8-7 = 369-324)
5.) Indianapolis Colts (10-5 = 361-326)
4.) Kansas City Chiefs (11-4 = 406-278)
3.) New England Patriots (11-4 = 410-318)
2.) Cincinnati Bengals (10-5 = 396-288)
1.) Denver Broncos (12-3 = 572-385)
NFC
16.) Washington Redskins (3-12 = 328-458)
15.) Minnesota Vikings (4-10-1 = 377-467)
14.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11 = 271-347)
13.) Atlanta Falcons (4-11 = 333-422)
12.) New York Giants (6-9 = 274-377)
11.) Dallas Cowboys (8-7 = 417-408)
10.) Detroit Lions (7-8 = 382-362)
9.) St. Louis Rams (7-8 = 339-337)
8.) Chicago Bears (8-7 = 417-445)
7.) Green Bay Packers (7-7-1 = 384-400)
6.) Philadelphia Eagles (9-6 = 418-360)
5.) Arizona Cardinals (10-5 = 359-301)
4.) New Orleans Saints (10-5 = 372-287)
3.) San Francisco 49ers (11-4 = 383-252)
2.) Carolina Panthers (11-4 = 345-221)
1.) Seattle Seahawks (12-3 = 390-222)
Playoff Projections
AFC
1.) Denver Broncos = 13-3 (W @OAK)
2.) New England Patriots = 12-4 (W vs.BUF)
3.) Cincinnati Bengals = 11-5 (W vs.BAL)
4.) Indianapolis Colts = 11-5 (W vs.JAX)
5.) Kansas City Chiefs = 11-5 (L @SD)
6.) Miami Dolphins = 9-7 (W @NYJ)
NFC
1.) Seattle Seahawks = 13-3 (W vs.STL)
2.) Carolina Panthers = 12-4 (W @ATL)
3.) Philadelphia Eagles = 10-6 (W @DAL)
4.) Chicago Bears = 9-7 (W* vs.GB)
5.) New Orleans Saints = 11-5 (W vs.TB)
6.) San Francisco 49ers = 11-5 (L @ARZ)
* - I'm assuming Aaron Rodgers does not play
Award Watch
Coach of the Year
1.) Andy Reid (KC)
2.) Ron Rivera (CAR)3.) Chip Kelly (PHI)
4.) Bruce Arians (ARZ)
5.) Sean Payton (NO)
There's a lot of good candidates this year. Andy Reid basically had this locked up when his Chiefs were 9-0. Well, they've been 2-4 since, and his candidacy has lost its luster. Still, he took over the worst team in the league, constructed an offense around Alex Smith and few outside weapons, and made it work well enough. The bottom two on my list are good candidates, but both are offensive-minded coaches on teams that have risen because of their defense. The Cardinals offense is middling at best, and the Saints offense is arguably worse this year than last. If anyone should win over Reid, it really should be Rivera - a defensive coach who coaches the best defense in the NFL, and who openly changed his strategy midseason to great results.
Offensive Player of the Year
1.) Peyton Manning (QB-DEN)
2.) Jamaal Charles (RB-KC)
3.) LeSean McCoy (RB-PHI)
I've heard many people put up someone other than Peyton Manning, claiming that the award should go to a non-QB. Well, that's bullshit. QBs have won the award, especially during these record setting years. Manning himself won it in 2004. If Peyton breaks the yardage record as well, he should win this award. Charles adn McCoy have each had great years as multi-purpose RBs for teams that center around the run.
Defensive Player of the Year
1.) Luke Kuechly (MLB-CAR)
2.) Robert Quinn (DE-STL)
3.) Robert Mathis (OLB-IND)
So often we look for big numbers when deciding this award. Sacks, interceptions, touchdowns. Well, that really makes it hard for guys like normal run-tackling and pass-coverage linebackers to win the award. The last one that fit that bill was Brian Urlacher in 2005. Of course, he was the 4th winner in 6 years that was that type of player (Ray Lewis in 2000 & 2003, and Derrick Brooks in 2002). Well, Luke Kuechly fits those credentials. He's the best player on the best defense in the NFL, something that those three guys were as well. He was amazing against New Orleans on Sunday, doing everything he can so well. Quinn is having an amazing year and will probably win the award, but I really think Kuechly deserves it as much.
MVP
1.) Peyton Manning (QB-DEN)
2.) Philip Rivers (QB-SD)
3.) Jamaal Charles (RB-KC)
4.) Drew Brees (QB-NO)
5.) Nick Foles (QB-PHI)
Manning locked up the award with that win and setting the record. He probably should have locked it up weeks ago. Rivers kept the Chargers competitive all season long despite missing his #1 and #2 receiver, and he's had the 2nd best season of any QB in the NFL. Charles is the centerpiece of his offense, the most valuable RB in the NFL. In the end, Manning should win. He will win, and he should win. The question will be if he wins unanimously. He should, but I'm sure some ridiculous guy will vote for a Brady or Brees for no reason.
Looking Ahead to Next Week's Games
16.) Houston Texans (2-13) @ Tennessee Titans (6-9) (1:00 - CBS)
15.) Detroit Lions (7-8) @ Minnesota Vikings (4-10-1) (1:00 - FOX)
14.) Washington Redskins (3-12) @ New York Giants (6-9) (1:00 - FOX)
13.) Carolina Panthers (11-4) @ Atlanta Falcons (4-11) (1:00 - FOX)
12.) Denver Broncos (12-3) @ Oakland Raiders (4-11) (4:25 - CBS)
11.) Buffalo Bills (6-9) @ New England Patriots (11-4) (4:25 - CBS)
10.) Kansas City Chiefs (11-4) @ San Diego Chargers (8-7) (4:25 - CBS)
9.) Jacksonville Jaguars (4-11) @ Indianapolis Colts (10-5) (1:00 - CBS)
8.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11) @ New Orleans Saints (10-5) (1:00 - FOX)
7.) St. Louis Rams (7-8) @ Seattle Seahawks (12-3) (4:25 - CBS)
6.) Cleveland Browns (4-11) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (7-8) (1:00 - CBS)
5.) San Francisco 49ers (11-4) @ Arizona Cardinals (10-5) (4:25 - FOX)
4.) Miami Dolphins (8-7) @ New York Jets (7-8) (1:00 - CBS)
3.) Baltimore Ravens (8-7) @ Cincinnati Bengals (10-5) (1:00 - CBS)
2.) Philadelphia Eagles (9-6) @ Dallas Cowboys (8-7) (SNF - NBC)
1.) Green Bay Packers (7-7-1) @ Chicago Bears (8-7) (4:25 - FOX)
