NFL Power Rankings For Week 16: Christmas Holidays Team Comparison

NFL Power Rankings Week 16: After the exciting week 15 of NFL, here I’m ready with NFL Power Rankings Week 16.

We have been digesting the well known fact about Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints, which still remains on top in NFL power rankings since long time. Enjoy the last two weeks of the NFL regular season along with football betting and happy holidays.

This time, Vikings did good job on comparison with previous rankings. Expectations were really high on Green Bay Packers to be in top 5, but they could not stand upon. The unfortunate news about Dallas cowboys is about their shut down step towardsNFL Playoff. I feel, it is tough for them to give important mark for this NFL regular season.

Jacksonville Jaguars are in 15 as of now which may fluctuate soon. How ever, they are not going to be competitors to Titans. Finally, the worst team in the NFL is St. Louis Rams.

Well, let us have a look over NFL Power Rankings for week 16:

(1) Indianapolis Colts (14-0)

The Colts worked the Jaguars of Jacksonville, kicking the sleek cats with those powerful young hooves, and stomping them into the turf.

(2) New Orleans Saints (13-1)

New Orleans lost a game to Dallas, who the game meant much more to, and dropped a spot to No 2. They will finish the season at 15-1 and stay at this position into the playoffs.

(3) Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings rebounded from their Arizona defeat by chopping up the Bengals, piece by piece. Minnesota should also win out to finish at 14-2 and keep the No. 3 ranking into the playoffs. They are a dangerous team to face on the road.

(4) San Diego Chargers

The San Diego Chargers may be finally at the dream season they have been waiting for. Beat Cincinnati at home and wrap this division up in Tennessee next week.

(5) Arizona Cardinals

Arizona is hot more than they are cold, are in control of that division, and headed for the playoffs. Many teams can’t say that, in Week 16. 11-5 or 10-6 will be the final record and the NFC West title will be theirs again.

(6) Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers have come charging out of the woods, surprising teams, and slaughtering them, storing their seasons in a deep freeze until next year. The Packers could be at a wild card pace of 10-5 when this Week 16 ends.

(7) Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals are having a tragedy type season, with two very emotional situations interfering with the concentration needed to win championships.

Read full entry – NFL Power Rankings Week 16

Thursday Night NFL Preseason Games, NFL Preseason Games & Picks

Thursday Night NFL Preseason Games: Week three on the preseason schedule kicks off Thursday night with three games. This is the big week in preseason football, as the starters playing for a full half with some players going deep into the third quarter.

BetRepublic looks at the games in their Thursday Night sports betting TV show, as well TV hosts Sonny Palermo and Greg Dempson talked college football and NFL picks in the Wednesday night Betting Show.

The feature game of the night is the Jacksonville Jaguars facing the Eagles in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia: - 7 ½
Over/Under: 37

Michael Vick is the story. He will be seeing action and word is it will be with the first team offense. There is a lot of speculation on just how Head Coach Andy Reid will use Vick throughout the season, as Donovan McNabb is a lock as the starting quarterback. Vick could be either the number two or three quarterback on the roster but is too much of a unique athlete to hold a clipboard all season.

The three-time Pro Bowl quarterback hasn't played in an NFL game since December 31, 2006. Against the Jaguars he will be relieve McNabb who is slated to play deep into the third quarter. Vick will get a few reps with the first team according to Reid but won’t be asked to do much.

The Eagles have yet to win a preseason game losing to both New England and Indianapolis. Running back Brian Westbrook returned to practice this past week from ankle surgery and will not play against the Jags.

The offensive line has been hit hard by injuries. LT Jason Peters has been bothered by a quadriceps injury most of training camp and Left guard Todd Herremans will miss the beginning of the season with a stress reaction in his foot.

Stacy Andrews is recovering from ACL surgery in January hasn't played in either of the first two preseason games. His brother Shawn Andrews reinjured his back on the first day of camp and hasn’t been in practice since.

The loss of defensive standout middle linebacker, Stewart Bradley for the season will hurt the Eagles. It will be difficult to replace his leadership and 151 tackles but look for Joe Mays to make a statement against the Jags.

The Jaguars are also winless in preseason but QB David Garrard has looked very good. He has a new favorite target in former Viking Troy Williamson who has had two very good games. The Jaguars are looking to rebound from last year and this will be a good test to see how competitive they will be. Maurice Jones-Drew will play the entire first half and should be effective against the Eagles.

Linebacker Clint Ingram sustained a blow to the head in the last game and is listed as doubtful as is linebacker Lamar Myles who sustained a hand injury.

St. Louis at Cincinnati

Bengals: - 2 ½
Over/Under: 35

The Rams haven’t looked very good in preseason even though they did get a win in game one against the Jets. The Bengals on the other hand have played well particularly on the defensive side of the ball.

The big news in this game is that Carson Palmer won’t play as he is still recovering from an ankle injury. J.T. O’Sullivan will get the start but no one will confuse him for Palmer. Third string QB Jordan Palmer, brother of Carson, will get a good look against the Rams.

Cedric Benson is looking to have a big game but the loss of tight end Reggie Kelly for the season with an ACL injury will hurt the running and passing game of the Bengals. The defense has been playing well to date and held the Patriots to six points in the second preseason game.

The Rams have been inconsistent and now will probably face the Bengals without starting QB Marc Bulger who is out after injuring his pinkie finger on his throwing hand. Former Raven Kyle Boller will get most of the snaps. Left tackle Alex Barron has a swollen knee and will be replaced in the lineup by rookie first round pick Jason Smith. WR Donnie Avery is still nursing an injury and won’t play.

Check out betrepublic.com for more analysis on these games.

Miami at Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay: - 2 ½
Over/Under: 35

Miami heads to Tampa with a ton of gadget plays and two pretty consistent preseason games under their belt. Chad Pennington looks very good after getting a chance to be in the Dolphin camp for a full off-season. The running game featuring Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams has looked sharp.

Defensive backs Sean Smith and Jason Allen should be back in the lineup after missing the last game with swine flu like symptoms. Jason Taylor has looked good in his return so far.

Tampa Bay is still trying to sort out who will be the starting quarterback. Byron Leftwich should get the bulk of the first half snaps but look for Luke McCown to play with many of the first string in the second half. Both quarterbacks will get lots of support from a very good running game featuring former Giant Derrick Ward, Cadillac Williams and Earnest Graham.

The Bucs took a big hit on the defense this week when they lost linebacker Angelo Crowell for the season to a torn biceps injury. Cornerback Elbert Mack will miss the Dolphins game with an ankle sprain. Safety Will Allen is back practicing and could play against the Fins.

Enjoy all the preseason action and good luck with your picks.

NFL Preseason Betting, Sports Betting TV at Bet Republic

NFL Preseason Betting: Football fans in Chicago are feeling good again about their starting QB Jay Cutler. One week removed from a disappointing performance, Cutler looked very good against the Giants starting defensive unit, going 8-of-13 for 121 yards, a touchdown and a 117.8 passer rating.

In their sports betting TV program, Bet Republic Television host Sonny Palermo and co-host Jarvis Simes discussed this game and gave out several other NFL picks in their weekly Thursday night betting show.

Chicago has been quarterback starved forever and it’s really remarkable that they have been as competitive as they have been over the years without a top pivot. The Bears finally have a legitimate top-tier QB and after week two of the preseason, it looks like Cutler is ready to deliver the goods.

Next week’s game in Denver between the Bears and Broncos has to be one of the most highly anticipated exhibition games in recent memory. We can only guess that Cutler is going to want to make rookie Denver Head Coach Josh McDaniels wish that he could have a do-over. Look for him to slice and dice a weak Denver team.

The NFL betting during their live streaming TV shows.

Running back Matt Forte made his preseason debut against the Giants and picked up where he left off last year rushing for 58 yards on nine carries and racing untouched on a 32-yard scoring run.

Staying in the NFC North, Aaron Rodgers of the Packers has looked very sharp in his first two games after he torched Buffalo going 8 of 9 for 98 yards and two TDs. In two games Rodgers has produced five touchdowns in six drives.

Up the road in Minnesota where Brett Favre stunk the joint up in his debut for the Vikings, embattled quarterback Tarvaris Jackson threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns while completing 12 of 15 passes. Too bad he won’t see the field unless Favre struggles mightily.

Over in the NFC East the Cowboys were led by Tony Romo who went 18 of 24 for 192 yards in a 30-10 victory over the Tennessee Titans. Romo guided the Cowboys to 249 yards and 17 first downs in the first half. It’s a big year for Romo and he looks ready to take up the challenge.

Michael Turner is off to a hot start in both of his preseason games and had 65 yards on seven carries plus a touchdown against the Rams. Turner is going to have a tremendous year and is worthy of the first pick in anyone’s fantasy pool. Matt Ryan continues his steady play and finished two series going 7 for 8 for 81 yards with a touchdown pass to Tony Gonzalez. Look for that combination to light it up all year long.

Over in the AFC, Chad Ochocinco was a one-man wrecking crew in a very low scoring affair with the New England Patriots. A week after the Pats torched the Eagles, New England and Tom Brady didn’t look like the world-beaters everyone anticipates in 2009. Brady was ineffective going 4 for 8 for 57 yards and no scores. He was also knocked down twice.

Ochocinco caught three balls for 69 yards including a 35-yard catch and also stepped in as the place kicker and made the game winning extra point to beat the Pats 7-6. Carson Palmer didn’t play but should be back for the regular season.

The Bengals defense is showing signs of a good young aggressive defense that Marvin Lewis has quietly assembled by limiting the Patriots to two field goals. The Bengals will surprise a few folks if Palmer can stay healthy.

Peyton Manning righted his game after a disappointing first game going 10-14 and 167 yards and two touchdowns in three series of work against Philadelphia. Defensive End Dwight Freeney was everywhere applying lots of pressure up-field and looks great in the early going.

Sticking to the AFC South, David Garrard of the Jacksonville Jaguars had a strong game against the Bucs going 10-16 for 216 yards and one touchdown. Former Viking bust Troy Williamson looked unstoppable catching three balls for 147 yards and a touchdown. Williamson caught four balls for 74 yards in their first game and looks to finally be worthy of the 7th overall pick by the Vikings in the 2005 draft.

It’s still early and the next game is usually when the starters will play the longest, but the cream is starting to rise to the top.

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