NFL Week 16 Power Rankings

Five Quick Hits

* Sammy Baugh died on Wednesday. A strong argument can be made that Baugh was the best football player in the history of the game. He revolutionized NFL offenses and was one of the greatest punters ever. We'll miss you, Sammy.

* Cris Collinsworth seems to be under the impression that Bill Walsh called nothing but passes. For his head coaching career, Walsh passed just 52% of the time. In every one of his Super Bowl seasons, the 49ers ran more than they passed. The Niners had three top-three rushing offenses under Walsh. He ran a lot.

* Not much sense of urgency from some of the playoff contenders this weekend. The Buccaneers, Eagles, and Jets all laid down and watched their postseason chances shrink.

* Worst Pro Bowl selections: Brett Favre, Le'Ron McClain, Joe Thomas, Walter Jones, Chris Samuels, and Shane Lechler. Robert Mathis is a good pass rusher, but he's not even a starter.

* If you don't have NFL Network, switch from cable and get it. This channel is worth it just for the "big heads" segment.

***

Saturday night, the Dallas Cowboys played their last game at Texas Stadium, losing a wild, back-and-forth game to the Baltimore Ravens. Most fans expected a great defensive battle, and for three quarters, that was largely what we got. Entering the final period, Baltimore led 16-7. In the fourth quarter, the teams scored 17 points each. Baltimore's two fourth-quarter touchdowns came on 77-yard and 82-yard runs, both on first downs right after the Ravens got the ball. It was unbelievable. The closest I can remember to something like that was in 2005, when Santana Moss burned the Cowboys — in Texas Stadium — for two late touchdowns and an upset victory.

However, with all due respect to Baltimore's running backs and offensive line, the real stars of the show on Saturday night were Derrick Mason and the Ravens' special teams. Mason, who aggravated a dislocated shoulder in the first quarter and left the game three times, returned to recover a key fumble, catch a touchdown with one arm, and lead the Ravens in receiving. All in all, a very admirable performance.

While it was impossible to miss Mason's heroics, it would have been easier to overlook the impact of special teams. Baltimore executed a fake field goal in the fourth quarter, with holder Sam Koch running nine yards for a first down. The Ravens scored a touchdown two plays later. Koch and the Cowboys' Sam Paulescu each punted five times during the game, but Koch had an advantage of 68 net yards. After Koch's punts, the Cowboys' average starting field position was their own 18-yard line. The Ravens started at their own 37 when Paulescu punted. Getting that kind of advantage from your punting game is huge. The Ravens also kicked four field goals, and the Cowboys only one. Give some real credit to Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh, who led the special teams in Philadelphia.

Meanwhile, rookie RB Tashard Choice had another big game for Dallas. I don't see how the Cowboys can keep Marion Barber, Felix Jones, and Choice on their roster next season. All three of those guys have the talent to be starters, and the team should probably trade one of them. But which one? Barber is a proven commodity, a guy who brings an intimidating attitude to his runs and is reliable in short-yardage situations. Jones looked incredibly explosive in limited action early this season. And Choice has given the offense a late-season spark, with the bonus of a very salary cap-friendly contract. Something to keep an eye on. For now, we'll move ahead of the power rankings. Brackets show previous rank.

1. Tennessee Titans [8] — I remain concerned that they've lost two of the last five, but they're 13-2, they beat last week's top-ranked team, and they should be healthy for the playoffs. Great game on Sunday from rookie Jason Jones, who tallied 3.5 sacks in the victory. I didn't like LenDale White stepping on that yellow towel at the end, though. If you want respect, don't disrespect your opponents.

2. Baltimore Ravens [2] — I love flex scheduling, but it's disappointing that both Jets/Dolphins and Ravens/Jaguars are in the late slot in Week 17. It would be nice to see both games. Jason Brown, the Ravens' center, is a major Pro Bowl snub.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers [1] — So, in the last couple of weeks there's actually been a lot of talk that Ben Roethlisberger might deserve NFL MVP. That is crazy, and no one who believes it should be taken seriously as an NFL analyst. Big Ben probably isn't among the three most valuable players on his own team, much less the whole league. He ranks 14th in passing yards, but leads the NFL in sacks taken. He's not top-10 in touchdowns, but he's top-five in most interceptions. He ranks 21st in passer rating, behind Trent Edwards and David Garrard. He's a good quarterback having a bad season. This year, Ben is just an average QB on a great team, and he is not close to being an MVP candidate. Let's be serious.

4. Indianapolis Colts [3] — A lot of AFC teams are going to be rooting for the Broncos to upset San Diego next week, but no one more so than Indianapolis. The Colts have a 2-0 playoff record against Denver in the Peyton Manning era, winning both games by more than 20 points. They've lost three of their last four games against the Chargers, including last year's playoff defeat. The Colts would love to draw Denver, and they'd hate to get San Diego.

5. New York Giants [7] — What a game. What a Week 16, with several great games and playoff implications around every corner. Even with Justin Tuck sick, several other starters playing hurt, and I don't know how many dropped interceptions, the Giants avoided a three-game losing streak and earned homefield advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. Other teams can win at Giants Stadium, but I don't know if the Giants could have won in Carolina, where the Panthers went 8-0. Now the road to the Super Bowl runs through the Meadowlands.

6. Atlanta Falcons [9] — In the last month, they've beaten the Panthers, Chargers, Buccaneers, and Vikings. No one else has beaten four teams that good in the past five weeks. Many fans and analysts expected the Falcons to be the worst team in the NFL this year, but now they're in the playoffs, and they look like a real threat. Matt Ryan's success as a rookie has been incredible, and he probably should have been voted to the Pro Bowl instead of Eli Manning.

7. Dallas Cowboys [5] — Dallas might be the only place this could happen. I think the job of Wade Phillips, the current head coach, is safer because his team has played so badly at times this season. The failures of the offense have made Jerry Jones much less eager to install offensive coordinator Jason Garrett in Phillips' position.

8. Carolina Panthers [4] — Probably should be higher than this after their strong showing on Sunday night, but I don't know where to fit them in. The Giants shut down Steve Smith in the second half, and Carolina's offense couldn't put together first downs with any consistency. DeAngelo Williams had his sixth TD run of 30 yards or more, joining Jim Brown (7 in 1958 and 6 in 1963) as the only players with so many in one season. But Jim Brown only played 12 games in '58, and just 14 in '63. Still, elite company. Williams has been incredible down the stretch.

9. New England Patriots [12] — Has anyone had a more impressive performance this season than Matt Cassel in the snow on Sunday? I don't remember ever seeing a quarterback have that kind of game (345 yards, 3 TDs) in that kind of weather. If the Patriots, Dolphins, Ravens, and Chargers all win next week, the 11-5 Pats will miss the playoffs and the 8-8 Bolts will get in. Doesn't seem right, does it?

10. Minnesota Vikings [11] — Adrian Peterson has a fumbling problem. Two to four fumbles is normal for a featured runner. Less than that is good, and more than that is bad. Peterson has eight, which is really bad.

11. Philadelphia Eagles [6] — Yes, I know this is higher than anyone else has them ranked. What this team lacks in consistency, it makes up for in potential. The Eagles are an extremely dangerous team, and when they're hot I think they can beat anyone. Philadelphia is a scary opponent. Still, it would have been nice to see a little more focus and passion on Sunday. After playing with real fire for the last three weeks, I don't know if the Eagles took Washington for granted, or ran out of steam, or what.

12. Miami Dolphins [14] — Greatest single-season turnaround in NFL history. No NFL team has ever won 10 or more games one season after going 1-15. Chad Pennington is a Pro Bowl snub, but I guess it balances out with Ronnie Brown (859 yards, 4.2 average) going instead of Houston's Steve Slaton (1,190 yards, 4.8 average).

13. Chicago Bears [17] — It's a good thing Brian Urlacher wore his helmet to the overtime coin flip. I've never seen a player get bonked on the coin toss before. Even more important, though, than the coin deflected off Urlacher's helmet, were huge plays on special teams. It constantly amazes me how many coaches put up with sloppy special teams play. It's a huge facet of the game, frequently the difference in close games, and sometimes the difference in games — like the one on Monday night — that otherwise would not be particularly close.

14. San Diego Chargers [20] — It is an absolute travesty that Philip Rivers didn't make the Pro Bowl. Rivers owns an NFL-best +21 in TD/INT diffential. Compare that to the actual AFC Pro Bowl QBs: Peyton Manning (+14), Jay Cutler (+8), and Brett Favre (+2). Like Manning — but unlike Cutler and Favre, who have fallen apart down the stretch — Rivers is carrying his team towards the postseason. For the last three games, he's averaging 282 yards and 3 TDs with a 116.2 passer rating. Now, try to name a wide receiver for the Chargers. Rivers is doing this without a ton of help.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers [10] — Three losses in a row, including their first of the season at home, and the defense is falling apart. This abrupt slide coincides with the news that longtime defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin is leaving the team. During its 9-3 start, Tampa Bay allowed 280 yards and 17 points per game. Since then, the team is 0-3, allowing 400 yards and 31 points per game.

16. New Orleans Saints [18] — Ranked first in both yardage (410 per game) and scoring (28.8), but they have no Pro Bowl starters. Drew Brees is the only Saint going to Hawaii, and he's a backup. Where is the love for an offensive line that has allowed the fewest sacks in the conference?

17. Houston Texans [20] — Last week, they looked like one of the hottest teams in the NFL, riding a four-game winning streak and coming off a win over the Titans. Then they turn around and lose to the Raiders by double-digits. Any given Sunday. Andre Johnson had a season-low two catches for 19 yards.

18. New York Jets [13] — Couldn't protect Favre and couldn't get to Seneca Wallace. They've lost three of four since that big win in Tennessee, the only victory being that strange come-from-behind affair against Buffalo last week. I don't understand why little Leon Washington doesn't get more touches. He had three carries and no catches this week. He averages about seven offensive touches per game. This kid is a dynamic player, and he should have the ball in his hands more often than that.

19. Arizona Cardinals [16] — Scored a meaningless fourth quarter touchdown to make it 47-7. I feel bad for the bettors who had New England -41.

20. San Francisco 49ers [21] — Won three of the last four. Isaac Bruce has finally won me over. He's a future Hall of Famer, or should be. Bruce hasn't had a lot of outstanding seasons, and he peaked in 1995. But he's been incredibly productive over the years, catching 1,000 passes and moving into second place on the all-time list for receiving yards. He has an outside shot at 100 TD receptions. Receivers have a tough time getting into Canton, but Bruce will have my support.

21. Buffalo Bills [24] — Trent Edwards has missed most or all of four games with injuries. The Bills lost all four. They're 7-4 when Edwards plays the whole game.

22. Denver Broncos [19] — Blew what looked like an easy chance to clinch their division, surrendering a fourth-quarter lead and losing to the skidding Buffalo Bills. The Broncos have lost four of their last five home games, beating only the 2-13 Chiefs. Denver opened this season 3-0, and since then is 5-7. As a side note, the Broncos lost two more running backs this weekend. They have seven RBs on injured reserve. I'm not kidding.

23. Jacksonville Jaguars [22] — Since the NFL went to a 16-game schedule, has any running back put together a more impressive three-year stretch without a 1,000-yard season than Maurice Jones-Drew? He averages 850 yards, 4.8 per carry, with 500 receiving yards and 13 TDs, plus he's a good kick returner (26.0 average, 2 TD). We usually measure RBs by their rushing yardage, but Jones-Drew brings a lot more than that one statistic measures.

24. Washington Redskins [25] — They're lucky Walt Coleman wasn't reffing this week's game. I'm sure Mr. Coleman saw absolutely, 100%, indisputable evidence that Reggie Brown scored a touchdown at the end, and the game would have gone into overtime.

25. Seattle Seahawks [28] — I know Seattle fans will be glad to have Matt Hasselbeck healthy for next season, but if he struggles early, there could be a quarterback controversy here. Wallace is 3-4 as starter (compared to 1-7 when he doesn't start), with 9 passing TDs and just 1 interception. His passer rating is 90.9; Hasselbeck's is 57.8.

26. Green Bay Packers [23] — Before the game, I decided that my over/under on the number of times Tony Kornheiser would say "Favre" was seven. I counted at least 12, but I might have missed a couple, and that doesn't include at least three mentions before the game started. I heard him say [Aaron] "Rodgers" 11 times, and [Kyle] "Orton" zero, though I'm pretty sure I remember him briefly talking about the Bears QB, so I probably missed one.

27. Cincinnati Bengals [29] — Can you feel the momentum? The red-hot Bengals have two wins in a row. Ryan Fitzpatrick went 5-of-9 for 55 yards and a TD against Cleveland. I can't remember the last time a team went a whole game without throwing double-digit passes. The Bengals have gotten mysterious production out of Cedric Benson lately, including an average of 166 yards from scrimmage in the last two weeks. With another 39 rushing yards next week against Kansas City, Benson will surpass his previous single-season high.

28. Oakland Raiders [30] — Best game of the season for JaMarcus Russell (236 yards, 2 TDs, 128.1 rating). Johnnie Lee Higgins scored back-to-back touchdowns in the third quarter, on a 29-yard catch and an 80-yard punt return. Higgins leads the NFL in punt return yardage and set a team record with three punt return TDs in a season.

29. Kansas City Chiefs [27] — They're 2-13. More than half of those losses have come by seven points or less. They've lost by seven to the Patriots, Broncos, and Dolphins, by four to the Jets, by three to the Bucs, and by one to the Chargers (twice). Between all the close losses (to good teams) and all the young players here, you have to think Kansas City is a team that could improve dramatically next season.

30. Cleveland Browns [26] — Five losses in a row, tied with Green Bay for the longest losing streak this side of the Rams and Lions. In 2007, the Browns were a top-10 offense. Now they're bottom-five and getting worse, with no offensive TDs in a month, and their first shutout loss in more than two years. Let's not pretend this is all Ken Dorsey's fault, but he has 7 interceptions and no touchdowns this season, with a passer rating of 26.5.

31. St. Louis Rams [31] — They're lucky there are the Lions to distract people from their awfulness. St. Louis has lost nine in a row.

32. Detroit Lions [32] — Clearly, Rod Marinelli has not been successful as a head coach, but he is a professional and a gentleman. The wolves at his press conferences are neither, and they should be ashamed of themselves. That's not journalism, it's bullying.