Big Ben Shrugged of an ankle injury but it wasn't enough to beat the 49ers

What a crazy week of football.There are teams out there who just have no desire to make the playoffs. The Titans had a great opportunity to make a final push for the playoffs, but fell flat against the Colts. not to be outdone the New York Giants got steamrolled by the Washington Redskins at home. The New York Jets got their doors blown off by the Philadelphia Eagles. Who wants to make the playoffs? We’ll find out these next two weeks.

#32. Indianapolis Colts-
The Colts are terrible. Peyton Manning for M.V.P. Jim Caldwell might have saved his job by winning one game this season, which is just funny to me. If you win one game you had a better season than if you lose all 16 games? They’re both still terrible and I don’t think Caldwell is that great of a coach anyway.

#31 St. Louis Rams-

The Only thing the Rams are playing for is to be slightly better than the Minnesota Vikings, the problem is the Vikings look competitive most weeks, while the Rams look forever away. Sam Bradford has had a brutal second year mired by injuries. The Rams need to know if Bradford is the answer next year and the best way to do that is to get better up front and at the WR position. Give him a chance. Will it be with Spags seems less likely every week.

#30 Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings, surprisingly only have two wins. When you watch them play you think they are better than a two win team, but they make too many mistakes to win some of these tight games. What sucks for Jared Allen is that he is having a career year, a defensive N.F.L. Player of the year, kind of season, but isn’t even in that conversation.

Christian Ponder looks like he’s a guy you can rely on to win a few games for you and manage most, but that’s not a knock. The Vikings might actually be better off losing out and hoping the Rams win one to get Franchise LT Matt Kalil in the N.F.L. draft. Picking third is going to be a tough position for them without the kind of value you’re looking for at third overall if you don’t need a quarterback

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NFL Power Rankings Week 16: Pittsburgh Steelers Lose a Big Game, 49ers Pushing Towards a Playoff Bye - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Gambling is Illegal in most States in the United States *Wink*

This page will host my picks for week 16 of the N.F.L. season. Week 15 was a crazy, crazy week. With playoff bound teams trying their best to stay home in January, as the Jets, Giants, and Titans had absolutely brutal performances that could cost each team the playoffs. But I can’t say I didn’t see a lot of the results heading into Monday Night’s game I’m 7-4-2, including my lock of the week (the Seahawks to win outright over the Bears). I have the 49ers as three point favorites, but have to see whether or not Big Ben is playing before I lock that pick in.

Over the last four weeks I’ve had three winning weeks and I’m hoping for another. I’ll pick all the games vs the spread and this is my primer. I’ll let you know how high I’m willing to go who I think will be the favorites, and I’ll post the opening lines early Monday morning.

For some draft reading check out our scouting report page (approaching 200 scouting reports)

Lines updated Wednesday December 22nd
Date & Time Favorite Spread Underdog
12/22 8:25 ET Houston -6 At Indianapolis
12/24 1:00 ET At Kansas City -1.5 Oakland
12/24 1:00 ET Denver -2.5 At Buffalo
12/24 1:00 ET At Tennessee -7.5 Jacksonville
12/24 1:00 ET At Cincinnati -4 Arizona
12/24 1:00 ET At New England -9.5 Miami
12/24 1:00 ET At Baltimore -13 Cleveland
12/24 1:00 ET At NY Jets -3 NY Giants
12/24 1:00 ET At Washington -6.5 Minnesota
12/24 1:00 ET At Carolina -7.5 Tampa Bay
12/24 1:00 ET At Pittsburgh -15.5 St. Louis
12/24 4:05 ET At Detroit -2.5 San Diego
12/24 4:15 ET San Francisco -2.5 At Seattle
12/24 4:15 ET At Dallas -2 Philadelphia
12/25 8:30 ET At Green Bay -13 Chicago

Monday Night Football Point Spread

12/26 8:35 ET At New Orleans -6.5 Atlanta
Texans at Colts

The Colts finally got their first win and the Texans are coming off a terrible loss. Even when Manning is healthy and the Colts are good, the Texans tend to stay close and I think they’ll win this game big. I’d give 8-10 points without hesitation…one caveat if Wade Phillips isn’t around again this week I  might take the Colts if they have a lot of points.

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NFL Picks Week 16 vs The Spread - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

A week ago Tony Sparano was on the verge of Saving his Job, One Bad Loss Later, Bon Voyage

What a crazy week of football. Some teams took control of their own destiny for the playoffs even though they didn’t have pretty performances. The Denver Broncos, thanks in large part to some awful late game play by Marion Barber including a late game fumble in field goal range, have taken control of the A.F.C. West. In the N.F.C. East the Giants stood by and watched the Cowboys self-destruct in the final moments as Eli Manning and Jason Pierre Paul kept the Giants season alive.

A few other teams really benefited from this weekend. Miraculously, the Eagles can win out and still make the playoffs if the Giants and Cowboys collapse. As for the wrong side of things: Tennessee had a great opportunity to make a strong push for the playoffs, but faltered down the stretch, though their future looks bright with all of their talented and productive young players.

#32. Indianapolis Colts-
The Colts are terrible. Peyton Manning for M.V.P.

#31 St. Louis Rams

The Rams are inching close to grabbing Matt Kalil in the 2012 N.F.L. draft, though there are reports out there that Kalil is strongly considering returning to school for his senior season.

#30 Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings, surprisingly only have two wins. When you watch them play you think they are better than a two win team, but they make too many mistakes to win some of these tight games.  What sucks for Jared Allen is that he is having a career year, a defensive N.F.L. Player of the year, kind of season. 17.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and he’s single handily keeping Vikings in many games.

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NFL Power Rankings Week 15: Giants Save Their Season, Seahawks Make a Late Playoff Push - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Nick Fairley Left the Game with an injury and the Lions couldn't pressure Brees after that

The Detroit Lions are seeing their playoffs hopes slip, but are saved by the fact that the Falcons, Bears, Cowboys, and Giants all lost on Sunday. The Lions don’t have an easy schedule down the stretch and must play smarter football if they want to make the playoffs. The Colts showed some life late against the Patriots once the game was way out of control and I continue to petition Peyton Manning for M.V.P. The Colts are terrible.

The Dolphins and Eagles are both 4-8, but couldn’t be any different right now. The Giants have lost four straight games, but showed some life that was missing the last two weeks and the Titans are making a late push for the playoffs. The playoff race in the A.F.C. East is fun too as the Bengals, Titans, Raiders and Jets are duking it out for the last playoff spot.

Read onto see where I rank the teams as it stands now.

#32. Indianapolis Colts-
The Colts are so bad that I’m not even going to give them the time to finish a senten…

#31 St. Louis Rams

I wonder if Steve Spagolou will last through the season at their current pace. Spags is supposed to be a defensive wizard and while they don’t have great personnel their defense has gotten abused through the ground and through the air.

I really thought the Rams would put up a fight against the 49ers, but boy was I wrong.

#30 Jacksonville Jaguars

I’m assuming the Jaguars lose to the Chargers, which might not be fair, but I think likely. I also think that without ahead coach I’m not sure what kind of effort to expect. Interim head coaches never seem to work out.

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NFL Power Rankings Week 14: Saints Streaking, Lions Playoff Hopes Dimming - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Don't Let the Eco Citizen Watch Fool You, in the 2nd Half of the Season, the Giants are Far From Unstoppable

The New York Giants look like they are on their way to a fourth straight late season collapse. Is it possible that Tom Coughlin survives this? Meanwhile the Saints are clicking and have had some good games since their terrible loss to the St. Louis Rams (how in the world did that happen). The New England Patriots put an end to the misery that is the Eagles season and the Jets are clinging on for dear life to make the playoffs squeaking out a win vs the Bills.

Read on to find out where all the teams rank.

#32. Indianapolis Colts-
The Colts are so bad that I’m not even going to give them the time to finish a senten…

#31 St. Louis Rams

I wonder if Steve Spagolou will last through the season at their current pace. Spags is supposed to be a defensive wizard and while they don’t have great personnel their defense has gotten abused through the ground and through the air.

#30 Minnesota Vikings

I think the Vikings probably have more talent than the Carolina Panthers, but they have lost to a weak strength of schedule and would be picking third overall if the draft were to happen today. Christian Ponder has shown some flashes, but he was considered the most pro-ready quarterback of the bunch and I think his upside is much less than the other quarterbacks in his class.

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NFL Power Rankings Week 13: Giants Plummeting, Saints Rising - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Don't Let the Eco Citizen Watch Fool You, in the 2nd Half of the Season, the Giants are Far From Unstoppable

It’s time for my weekly power rankings. I wrote these after he Giants and Eagles game but before the New England Patriots and Chiefs played. I’m assuming the Patriots will win and I can’t really imagine a scenario where they don’t, except for an injury to Tom Brady. There was a lot of movement in the  middle of the pack this week with the Giants terrible performance, Tebow-mania, and the sneaky good Seahawks.

Looking for more to read? We have now updated our scouting report page to include more than 120 scouting reports. Check it out.

32.  Indianapolis Colts (Previously Colts)

The biggest question now should be, does Jim Caldwell get to keep his job when the Colts draft Andrew Luck first overall next year?  Anyone who ever questioned anything about Peyton Manning looks just silly. This team is just awful, Curtis Painter is no good. The defense is only good when they are able to rush the passer and I think it’s more than fair to question whether or not Bill Polian is the mastermind everyone has made him out to be. This team just looks devoid of talent.

31.  Washington Redskins (previously Rams)

I,  think it’s fair to put the Redskins here. In a league that is all about what have you done for me lately the Redskins have lost six straight games each one in worse fashion than the one before it. This team stinks.

That’s what I wrote last week (we’ll I changed five to six). I think the team coming out on fire against the Cowboys is an anomaly that has more to do with their division rivalry than anything so I’m not putting any stock into it.

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NFL Power Rankings Week 12: The Giants Annual Second Half Swoon Has Begun, Patriots Surge Could be Coming - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Congratulations are in order to the Colts who have essentially secured the first round pick in the N.F.L. Draft

Looking for more to read? We have now upated our scouting report page to include more than 100 scouting reports. Check it out.

32.  Indianapolis Colts (Previously Colts)

The biggest question now should be, does Jim Caldwell get to keep his job when the Colts draft Andrew Luck first overall next year?  Anyone who ever questioned anything about Peyton Manning looks just silly. This team is just awful Curtis Painter is no good. The defense is only good when they are able to rush the passer and I think it’s more than fair to question whether or not Bill Polian is the mastermind

31.  Washington Redskins (previously Rams)

I,  think it’s fair to put the Redskins here. In a league that is all about what have you done for me lately the Redskins have lost five straight games each one in worse fashion than the one before it. This team stinks.

30. Carolina Panthers (Previously Dolphins)

The Panthers have a bright future, but the future isn’t now. The Panthers have lost two games in a row and are coming off a really terrible loss vs the Titans who have been as up and down as any team in the league.

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NFL Power Rankings Week 10: Colts Suck For Luck, Eagles Relegated to Spoiler, Packers are Tops - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Run Vick Run...for your life

Time  for the weekly power rankings. Some shocking (to me wins) have changed up the power rankings. The Miami Dolphins finally get on the board, does it move them up any?

Looking for more to read? We have now updated our scouting report page to include more than 75 scouting reports. Check it out.

32.  Indianapolis Colts (Previously Colts)

The biggest question now should be, does Jim Caldwell get to keep his job when the Colts draft Andrew Luck first overall next year. We’ll actually they might win a few late season games if the Colts let Peyton Manning back onto the field. Anyone who ever questioned anything about Peyton Manning looks just silly.

31.  St. Louis Rams (previously Dolphins)

The  lost to the Cardinals with John Skeleton. The Rams are not very good. Their schedule in the second half of the season is pretty ”easy” so they should be able to pull out a few victories

30. Miami Dolphins (Previously Cardinals)

I’m beginning to think that Matt Moore isn’t a bad option as a backup quarterback, really good game vs the Chiefs up in Kansas City, which is not an easy place to win. The Dolphins have played a few good games in a row and I’m going to move them up one spot because of their victory and the Rams bad loss to the Cardinals.

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NFL Power Rankings Week 9: Lions, Bengals, and Eagles, (and Bears) Oh My - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

32.  Indianapolis Colts (Previously Colts)

I thought the Colts had enough pride to put together a few good showings this season amd maybe squeak out a few wins. I could not have been more wrong. They are absolutely terrible.

Peyton Manning, if he is their quarterback moving forward should win M.V.P every year until he retires. In fact, Peyton Manning should win some M.V.P votes THIS year with how bad this Colts team is.

He’s also not paid enough.

They are playing absolutely awful.

31.  Miami Dolphins (previously Dolphins)

I’m beginning to think that Matt Moore isn’t a bad option as a backup quarterback, and he’s had the Dolphins close to two wins, but close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.  Had the Rams come out and played poorly again I might have been able to move the Dolphins up a spot in their good battle vs the Giants, but the Rams walloped the Saints, so no luck for the Dolphins.

30. Arizona Cardinals (Previously Rams)

The Cardinals had a huge lead vs the Ravens and a chance to pull of a major upset like the Rams did, but lost it at the end. It would have been the second embarrassing loss in a row for the Ravens. The Cardinals now have a lot of division games left, but also games vs the Eagles, Cowboys, and Browns. The Cardinals have an outside chance to suck for Luck. This upcoming game vs the Rams is a big one for the Cardinals as they will be playing vs the Rams.

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NFL Power Rankings Week 8: AFC West Movers and Shakers (Chiefs Up, Chargers Fumble Game Away, Broncos Just Bad) - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

This week wasn’t a great week for N.F.L. fans as there were a lot of bad games out there, but some of the games really spoke volumes about different teams. First of all, the Chiefs Clearly do not understand the concept of “suck for Luck”. So they have lost out. The Ravens whooped down the Jaguars, and the Jaguars are just plain ol’ bad. That’s one of the worst situations in the league right there and one of the teams most likely to be hiring a new coach after the season.

33. Me, as a handicapper

My third straight rough week in a row picking N.F.L games vs the spread.  I was dominating early in the season, but now I might be slightly lower than .500.  I absolutely embarrassed myself on two picks this week. The first really bad pick was thinking the Colts could keep it close vs the Saints. I also thought that the Raiders would cover the spread (4). Speaking of the Raiders…well what can you say. Yikes.

32.  Indianapolis Colts (Previously Dolphins)

Obviously they weren’t going to go up in the power rankings. The only question is would they go down. I picked the Colts to cover the hefty spread vs the Saints because I thought this is a veteran team that is going to really play hard on prime-time and until they win a game. Oh well, guess I was wrong. The Colts will probably still win one or two games, but how many votes will Peyton Manning get as M.V.P this year while not even playing a game? He should win M.V.P. every year he plays until he retires if the Colts win 5 games or more. Anyone questioning his greatness now? All I’m saying is Brady out, Patriots go 11-5. Manning misses a season the Colts can’t even score 11 points.

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NFL Power Rankings: Ravens Are Not AFC’s Best, Chiefs Surging, Colts Suck for Luck - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football