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Upsets. Close games. Clinches. Hopes crushed. Playing for a draft pick. Week 16 of the NFL season has come and go. The NFL could not be any more exciting as the playoff picture is clear and so uncertain at the same time. Nothing can compare to the week 17 AFC playoff picture of 2013, but the fight for home field advantage and first round bye weeks is hotter than ever. Revenge of the Birds presents you with the Power Rankings as we head into the final week of the regular season.
With the best record in the NFL and officially the number 1 seed in the AFC, there is no question why the Pats belong at the top of this list. Tom Brady and Belichick are playing behind a healthy team with a great pass defense. Watch out. The Pats are coming for you.
For the NFC, I see this team as the greatest contenders. The Detroit Lions stand in the way of their division title. However, the Lions have not defeated the Packers at Lambeau Field since 1994. With a bye, there will be some time to prepare for the division playoff game and come out roaring.
Unstoppable. That's the word to describe how the Cowboys looked against the Colts on Sunday afternoon. They clinched their division and secured a home playoff game. Approaching the final game of the season, instead of fighting for the number one seed, staying healthy should be the number one priority. Without the stars Romo and Murray, this team loses quite a bit of credit.
The Seahawks seemed to have lost all hope. They've jumped up and down this list too many times to count. Now they are steam rolling with hopes of grabbing their franchises first two Super Bowls back to back. Beat the Rams and they make a good case to get back.
Peyton has now thrown 2 more interceptions than his brother Eli, yet, the Broncos refuse to give up. Sure, their leader has struggled these past few weeks because he is not as well protected, as he was to start the season. With names like Ware, Sanders, Manning, and both Thomas' on your team - that O line has got to do their part to help this team make their way back to the Super Bowl. This time they're going back for the ring.
Here are the rest of the rankings:
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
7. Detroit Lions
8. Indianapolis Colts
13. Houston Texans
14. Baltimore Ravens
15. Buffalo Bills
16. Atlanta Falcons
19. Miami Dolphins
20. New York Giants
24. St. Louis Rams
25. Cleveland Browns
26. Oakland Raiders
27. Chicago Bears
28. New York Jets
32. Tennessee Titans
What do you think? Do you think the Cardinals deserve to be higher? The Broncos lower? Comment below!