DTTWSB Week 16 NFL Power Rankings

Only two weeks left in the NFL regular season. This is the time of year when those "meaningless" September games come back and bite teams in the butt. Playoff spots are on the line in multiple matchups this week. Super-Bowl contenders are emerging from the pack while pretenders are fading away. You can't help but love this time of the year. With that said, here are the Week 16 power rankings.

1. New England Patriots (12-2): Even when the Patriots don't play their best game, they still find ways to win. This team is poised to do something special. Their offense is explosive and they have the best quarterback in football. New England still needs to look over their shoulders though.

2. Atlanta Falcons (12-2): The Falcons have to be one of the most well-coached teams in the league. Countless times this season they've played "playoff-caliber" teams and came away with convincing victories. One thing that I know is that they will not beat themselves. That doesn't make them unbeatable but it does make them difficult to beat.

3. New York Jets (10-4): What a win last Sunday for the Jets. To go on the road in December to Pittsburgh and come out with a win is probably the hardest thing to do in the NFL. Offensive coordiantor Brian Schottenheimer called a fabulous game. He kept the Steelers defense off balance. If the Jets can play this way every week they will have a great shot of playing in Dallas in February.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4): Not having safety Troy Polamalu last week hurt the Steelers defense. When he's on the field he gives the opposing quarterback fits, without him their defense just isn't as good. I'm still sticking with them as my pick to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.

5. Philadelphia Eagles (10-4): If ever there was a win that could propel a team to glory their win against the Giants last Sunday would probably be it. Coming back down 21 in the 4th quarter to win and in the fashion they did was phenomenal. There's a belief with this team that they never feel like they're out of games because of quarterback Michael Vick and that offense. They could be Atlanta's kryptonite.

6. Baltimore Ravens (10-4): Beating the defending Super Bowl champs showed that the Ravens are one of the best teams in the league. It's unfortunate for them that there are three other AFC teams that are better. With the way quarterback Joe Flacco is playing right now, this team cannot win a championship. Maybe in a couple years, but not right now.

7. Chicago Bears (10-4): In the offseason I don't think anybody had the Chicago Bears winning the NFC North. Their defense is playing in championship form. The addition of defensive end Julius Peppers was the best move in the league this past offseason. If quarterback Jay Cutler can minimize turnovers this team will be deadly in January.

8. New York Giants (9-5): The question of the week in the NFL is will the Giants be able to bounce back from the collapse they had against the Eagles? I actually think they will. Historically, these Giants play their best football when their backs are against the wall. In my opinion, this is the second best team in the NFC, they just have to show it.

9. New Orleans Saints (10-4): This year the Saints are going to be punished for not having a good defense. Most likely they will have to travel on the road in the playoffs and it's tough to win playoff games on the road if you aren't packing a defense with you. There's no question that their offense is elite but their defense just isn't cutting it.

10. San Diego Chargers (8-6): One of the better teams in the league right now is in danger of missing playoffs, can you guess who? If you guessed the Chargers you're correct. Because they started the season off slow, they might not make the postseason. I actually think they're the best team in the AFC West. They better hope Kansas City loses one of their final two games otherwise it's going to be an early vacation for the Chargers.