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We are entering the stretch run for the playoffs in the NFL. It’s becoming clearer and clearer which teams have a realistic shot at reaching the postseason and which don’t. The Giants continue the annual up and down finish to the season. Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals are looking like they might not win another game this season.
Here are the updated The Fan AM 1060 NFL Power Rankings, which will be posted every week on thefan1060.com. Bob Kemp will react to these ranking the day after they are posted in the SportsZone.
1) Houston Texans (10-1) LW: 1
Houston remains in the top spot after surviving in overtime against Detroit. The defense is starting to give up yards and points by the bundle, which could be worrisome if that doesn’t get corrected soon.
2) Atlanta Falcons (10-1) LW: 2
The Falcons need to make a statement tonight against the Saints, the only team that has beaten them this season.
3) San Francisco 49ers (8-2-1) LW: 3
Another big win of Colin Kapernick and the Niners. Though San Francisco is tempting with fate by benching Alex Smith.
4) Baltimore Ravens (8-3) LW: 4
The Ravens keep find ways to win. Have to imagine the smoke & mirrors with fade come January.
5) New England Patriots (8-3) LW: 5
The Patriots have won 5 straight since starting 3-3, but I’m not buying into the hype. Look at the teams they have beaten over the past few weeks. The Colts are their best win, and that’s not saying much.
6) Denver Broncos (8-3) LW: 6
Peyton Manning is back in the MVP race and the Broncos defense is improving every week. Denver will be dangerous is the playoffs.
7) Chicago Bears (8-3) LW: 7
Boy, the Bears are glad to have Jay Culter back. Unfortunately, the injury bug as hit Matt Forte and Charles Tillman, both significant losses.
8) New York Giants (7-4) LW: 9
The Giants tried to fool us all once again. Their statement win over the Packers was just another remainder to not count out Eli Manning and Tom Coughlin.
9) Green Bay Packers (7-4) LW: 8
Green Bay fail to get the better of the Giants, much like San Francisco earlier in the year. The loss stung a little more with the Bears beating Minnesota.
10) Indianapolis Colts (7-4) LW: 11
The Colts crack the top 10 after picking up their 7th win of the year. Indianapolis will likely make the playoffs, an incredible turnaround, but don’t expect them to do much after that.
11) Cincinnati Bengals (6-5) LW: 16
Cinncinati is back in the playoff picture after 3 straight wins. With Pittsburgh’s loss to the Browns, the Bengals will be fighting off the Steelers for a Wild Card spot the rest of the way.
12) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-5) LW: 12
Tampa Bay is quietly chugging along towards a wild card spot. Losing to the Falcons wasn’t enough to move them down.
13) Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5) LW: 10
I know Big Ben is out, but how do you lose to the Browns? Start worrying in Pittsburgh.
14) Minnesota Vikings (6-5) LW: 13
The Vikings had a big opportunity to turn the season around, but once again Christian Ponder is proving he is not a NFL starting quarterback.
15) Seattle Seahawks (6-5) LW: 14
Seattle let another road win slip away. If the Seahawks could ever figure how to win away from CenturyLink Field, this team would be dangerous.
16) New Orleans Saints (5-6) LW: 15
I’m not buying the Saints playoff hype. Their hopes come to an end against the Falcons tonight.
17) Washington Redskins (5-6) LW: 18
So who would win the Rookie of the Year if both RG3 and Andrew Luck make the playoffs?
18) Miami Dolphins (5-6) LW: 26
Miami won, but their playoff changes seem a bit unrealistic.
19) St. Louis Rams (4-6-1) LW: 21
The Rams completed the sweep of the lowly Cardinals on Sunday. St. Louis looks vastly improved under Jeff Fisher.
20) Dallas Cowboys (5-6) LW: 17
The Cowboys continue to overrated every single week. All the talk leading up to the Thanksgiving game was on how Dallas could save the season. Instead, it was RG3 and the Redskins that kept their playoff hopes alive.
21) Detroit Lions (4-7) LW: 21
The Lions season was on the line on Thanksgiving and Detroit put up a good fight. Unfortunately, they let a big win slip away. And will Ndamukong Suh ever get his act together?
22) San Diego Chargers (4-7) LW: 19
It would be a Sunday in San Diego without the Chargers blowing away another game. That might have been the worst loss in the Norv Turner Era, which is saying a lot.
23) Buffalo Bills (4-7) LW: 22
Buffalo continues to put themselves in hole they simply cannot climb out of. The Colts should have been beaten on Sunday.
24) New York Jets (4-7) LW: 23
The Jets are a dysfunctional mess, yet refuse to turn to Tim Tebow. At least Fireman Ed will no longer annoy fans on a weekly basis.
25) Tennessee Titans (4-7) LW: 24
Losing to Jacksonville? Inexcusable. The offense is still struggling to find an identity under Jake Locker, a problem the occur before his injury.
26) Arizona Cardinals (4-7) LW: 25
Ken Whisenhunt is officially on notice. The Cardinals need to win a fewer games down the stretch to keep the pressure from reaching a boiling point.
27) Carolina Panthers (3-8) LW: 30
Cam Newton looked like his old self on Monday night. It helps that the Eagles defense is dreadful.
28) Cleveland Browns (3-8) LW: 29
The Browns benefited from 8 (EIGHT!) Pittsburgh turnovers to finally get the best of the Steelers. Only Big Ben wasn’t starting. Still, this will be the lone highlight of Cleveland’s season.
29) Oakland Raiders (3-8) LW: 28
You think the Raiders are wishing they never traded for Carson Palmer? This team is bad and not improving any time soon.
30) Philadelphia Eagles (3-8) LW: 27
The Eagles season continues to spiral out of control. I’ve never been a big Andy Reid fan, but it is kinda sad to see his tenure in Philadelphia end this way.
31) Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9) LW: 32
The Jags got another win against the AFC South, beating the Titans last week. Could this team win two in a row this week in Buffalo? Okay, you can stop laughing now.
32) Kansas City Chiefs (1-7) LW: 31
The Chiefs are one step closer to locking up the top pick in the draft.
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