DTTWSB Week 16 NFL Power Rankings

With playoff spots being clinched every week, it's starting to come down to gut check time for some teams. There's a decent amount of shake up in my power rankings this week due to the upsets we saw throughout the league. This is one of the reasons why America loves the NFL; anybody can beat anybody on any given Sunday. I just cannot wait until the playoffs start because I think we're in for an interesting post season. Let me not waste anymore time, here are my power rankings for this week.

1. Green Bay Packers (13-1): So it turns out the defending Super Bowl champs are human. Finally losing isn't the big story here; the big story is that this team has a banged up offensive line. If the Packers want to repeat they're going to need Aaron Rodgers' "A" game.

2. San Francisco 49ers (11-3): After another big home win, the 49ers are feeling real confident heading into the playoffs. If they can continue to run the ball and play defense the way they have been, nobody will be able to win at Candlestick in January.

3. New England Patriots (11-3): The Patriots finally stopped the Tebow Train last Sunday. Brady is playing at an MVP level just when his team needs him to. Unfortunately for New England, I'm not so sure they have the pieces outwide to beat the elite teams in the playoffs.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4): The health of Big Ben is the big story down the stretch for this team. If everything goes as planned they'll probably be facing the AFC West winner in the wildcard round. With that said, I still have confidence that this team will be in Indianapolis come February.

5. New Orleans Saints (11-3): Drew Brees and this offense is too damn explosive indoors. With the 49ers holding serve, they may have to go outdoors after the wildcard round. If that's the case I'm not sure this team can make much noise in the playoffs.

6. Baltimore Ravens (10-4): Everyone in Baltimore can thank the 49ers for the early Christmas gift they gave them Monday night. All Baltimore needs to do is win out and they'll for sure have a bye in the playoffs, maybe even home-field advantage.

7. Atlanta Falcons (9-5): Atlanta has quietly put themselves in position to secure a playoff spot with just one win. This team needs to go back to the basics and just run the football because that's what they do best. Even with all that said, I don't give them much of a chance in the playoffs.

8. Dallas Cowboys (8-6): You never know which Cowboys team you're going to see on any given Sunday. If they get some help from the Jets and beat the rival Eagles on Christmas Eve, they'll be the NFC East champs. Tony Romo is on fire right now and is poised to try and make a playoff run.

9. Houston Texans (10-4): The loss last Sunday to the Panthers is definitely eye-opening. TJ Yates looked like we all expected when he first took over for the injured Matts. The Texans have been a great story this season, but I don't expect much from them in January.

10. Denver Broncos (8-6): Now that Tebowmania has calmed for at least a week, the Broncos need to get back to what makes them good, protecting the football. When this team wins the turnover battle they're in every game. With a chance to win the AFC West this Sunday I expect this team to play hard in Buffalo.