NFL Power Rankings - Week 13

1. Green Bay - (12-0) LW: 1 - At 12-0, the Packers clinched the NFC North division title with losses by Chicago and Detroit. Oakland, Kansas City, Chicago, and Detroit stand in the way of a potential undefeated Packers season, and only Kansas City is on the road.
2. New Orleans - (9-3) LW: 2 - Throw out the records, over the past two weeks, New Orleans certainly made a case for consideration as the best team in football. The Saints offense is clicking, and we can only hope for a Green Bay - New Orleans playoff matchup while both offenses are playing as hot as they are now. The Saints now travel to TEN this week, basically needing to win out to clinch a 1st round bye.
3. Baltimore (9-3) LW: 3 - The Ravens continue to play well, with Ray Rice rushing for 204 this past weekend against the Browns. They avoided the let down that led to losses against Tennessee, Jacksonville, and Seattle. Now the Ravens, with designs on a first round bye, host the Colts to kickoff the final quarter of the season.
4. Pittsburgh (9-3) LW: 4 - The Steelers rolled this weekend, with a 35-7 victory against the 7-5 Bengals. Now Pittsburgh has a short week of preparation before playing division for Cleveland on Thursday Night football.
5. San Francisco (10-2) LW: 5 - Following their 26-0 victory over the hapless St. Louis Rams, the 49ers clinched the NFC West. Maintaining a 1st round bye is the next priority, as the 49ers have a 1 game lead over the Saints and have each of their 3 division opponents and Pittsburgh on their remaining schedule.
6. New England (9-3) LW: 6 - The Patriots withstood three 4th quarter TDs by Indianapolis to beat the Colts, 31-24. With 4 teams at 9-3 in the AFC, the race for homefield advantage is sure to keep teams sharp heading into the playoffs.
7. Houston (9-3) LW: 7 - The Texans emerged victorious in Rookie QB T.J. Yates first career start. Sure, he was only 12 for 25 and 188 yards, but most importantly, Yates did not turn the ball over, allowing the Texans running game and defense to carry the day. Up next are two other teams with rookie QBs, a trip to Cincinnati and a home game against Carolina.
8. Denver (7-5) LW: 14 - 5 wins in a row, and 6 wins in their last 7 games has led the Broncos from 1-4 to 7-5 and first in the AFC West. Up next is a banged up Chicago team that will be playing without both Jay Cutler and Matt Forte.
9. New York Jets (7-5) LW: 15 - Except for the Broncos - Vikings game, Sunday couldn't have worked out any better for the Jets. New York is now tied with Tennessee, Cincinnati, and Oakland for the final wildcard position. The Jets remaining schedule isn't overly difficult, as they play KC, PHI, NYG, and MIA.
10. Dallas (7-5) LW: 8 - The big story in Dallas this week centers around the clock management fiasco the ended with Jason Garrett icing his own kicker and losing in OT. The Cowboys are going to have to put this behind them quickly, as they face division rival New York twice in the next four weeks with the fate of the NFC East on the line.
11. Tennessee (7-5) LW: 16 - The Titans have fought back from 5-5 to remain a viable contender not only in the wildcard race, but the AFC South as well. This week's game against the Saints will test them, and they will need a strong performance from the running game to keep the Saints high-powered offense on the sidelines.
12. Oakland (7-5) LW: 9 - The Raiders 34-14 loss in Miami dropped Oakland to 1-9 in their last 10 games in the eastern time zone. Carson Palmer's two 4th quarter TD throws kept the Raiders from getting shut out, but this loss was ugly. Up next, the Raiders, now tied with Denver in the AFC West, travel to Green Bay to play the undefeated Packers.
13. Atlanta (7-5) LW: 11 - The Falcons fell to the Texans, 17-10, despite the fact that Houston's QB was drafted in the 5th round this past April. Even so, the Falcons hold on to the 6th and final wildcard spot this week, holding a head to head victory against the Lions. The Falcons play the always dangerous Panthers this week.
14. Detroit (7-5) LW: 12 - After starting 5-0, the Lions are just 2-5 in their last 7 games and in danger of slipping out of the playoff race. Detroit has a chance to stem the tide this week while hosting Minnesota.
15. Chicago (7-5) LW: 10 - The Bears are still the 5th seed based on the current standings, but the 3 points they mustered against Kansas City was an eyesore. Now Matt Forte is looking at missing a couple weeks with a MCL sprain and the Bears travel to Denver to face the red hot Broncos.
16. Cincinnati (7-5) LW: 13 - The Bengals took another hit this week as the Bengals lost, 35-7 to Pittsburgh. That makes them 1-3 in their last 4 games, all against division opponents. Up next is AFC South leading Houston and the NFL's #1 ranked defense.
17. New York Giants (6-6) LW: 17 - The Giants are looking to turn around their recent 4 game skid that has featured the top 3 teams in the NFC. At 6-6, the Giants still have a great chance at the NFC East with 2 of their remaining 4 games against division leading Dallas.
18. Arizona (5-7) LW: 19 - Don't look now, but the Cardinals have won 4 of their last 5. Time will tell if Sunday's OT win against Dallas was this team turning the corner. This week, the Cards host division champion San Francisco.
19. Seattle (5-7) LW: 23 - The Seahawks rode Mr. Marshawn Lynch to a convincing Thursday Night victory against Philadephia, 31-14. If not for a blown 4th quarter lead at home to Washington, the Seahawks would be 6-6 and in the thick of the playoff hunt. As it is, they need a lot of help to climb into the playoff picture. Seattle host St. Louis on Monday Night football this week.
20. Miami (4-8) LW: 24 - Miami is another team peaking late, as they have quietly rattled off 4 wins in their last 5 games. After Philadelphia this week, the Dolphins end the season with 3 straight division games.
21. Buffalo (5-7) LW: 18 - Like the Lions, the Bills 4-1 start is nothing more than a distant memory. The Bills have lost 5 straight to fall 2 games behind in the WC race and now have to travel to San Diego to face a suddenly clicking Chargers offense.
22. Kansas City (5-7) LW: 27 - The Chiefs upended the Bears this week, 10-3, as Kansas City was able to capitalize on Caleb Hanie's three INTs. The Chiefs lone TD came on a 1st half hail mary as time expired. Given the streak the Chiefs have been on this year (lose 3, win 4, lose 4) don't be surprised it the Chiefs run off a couple victories.
23. San Diego (5-7) LW: 25 - The Chargers offense came to life Monday Night as Philip Rivers had his best game of the year so far and ended San Diego's 6 game losing streak. At 5-7, the Chargers are just 2 games out of the playoff race, both divisional and wildcard. While its an uphill climb, the Chargers have the talent to make a late push for the playoffs, starting this week with Buffalo.
24. Philadelphia (4-8) LW: 20 - Following Vince Young's 4 INT performance, the Eagles dropped to 4-8. The Eagles will have their hands full this week, with an upcoming trip to suddenly hot Miami.
25. Carolina (4-8) LW: 29 - The Panthers went into Raymond James Stadium and put the game on ice early. Holding a 24-12 halftime lead, the Panthers added two more TDs to win 38-19.
26. Tampa Bay (4-8) LW: 21 - The Bucs freefall continues, this time to the Panthers for their 6th consecutive loss. Josh Freeman is expected to return after missing last week in what could be the Buccaneers last chance at a victory, against 3-9 Jacksonville.
27. Washington (4-8) LW: 22 - The Redskins dropped to 4-8 following a 34-19 loss to the New York Jets. Washington still has the chance to play spoiler, with New England visiting this week, and a trip to division rival Giants the following week.
28. Cleveland (4-8) LW: 26 - The Browns, at 4-7, had the pleasure of facing the Ravens and Steelers 4 times over the course of the final 5 games. 4-12 is a distinct possibility.
29. Minnesota (2-10) LW: 28 - The Vikings lost another close game to the Broncos this week, making for the 8th game this season that ended in a one score game. The Vikings are 1-7 in those games this season, but are competitive and should improve with another year of Leslie Frazier and Christian Ponder next year.
30. Jacksonville (3-9) LW: 30 - In their first game in nearly 9 years without former Head Coach Jack Del Rio, the Jaguars allowed a season high 38 points and the second highest yardage total of the season to a San Diego team on a 6 game losing streak.
31. St. Louis (2-10) LW: 31 - Holds the tiebreaker over Minnesota for the #2 pick in the draft, as they only have 1 conference win thus far. With a trip to Seattle on Monday night and a season ending game against SF, there's little reason to believe that will change.
32. Indianapolis (0-12) LW: 32 - The Colts march towards infamy continues, as this weekend's 31-24 loss to the Patriots inches them that much closer. With Baltimore, Tennessee, and Houston coming up, the Colts last best chance will be Week 17, against Jacksonville.

My Big Fat BCS Rant

Ever since the Badgers' October 22 loss to Michigan State on a hail mary, I've been rooting for chaos.

Not just because the Badgers lost and I was bitter, but because 1 single play completely eliminated the possibility that the Badgers most talented team since 1999, maybe ever, would have a chance to compete for the National Championship. The loss dropped UW from #6 to #15 in the BCS Standings.

Fast forward to November 5. #1 LSU versus #2 Alabama. The "Game of the Century." While I'm not interested in providing a game recap, we all know it was a competitive defensive game that LSU won in OT, 9-6. Whispers of a rematch began that night.

The following night on the BCS Rankings show on ESPN, the possibility of a rematch intensified, as the Alabama Crimson Tide, despite losing an overtime game at home, only dropped to #3 in the BCS standings.

As soon as those rankings were revealed, I found my cause. I threw my full fledged support behind a BCS title game rematch. I cheered as Oregon knocked Stanford from the ranks of the undefeated. I cheered the upset in Ames, as the Cyclones crippled the Cowboys title game hopes. To a lesser extent, I even reveled in the knowledge that Boise State's kicker had once again ruined the Broncos chance at an undefeated season.

Why?

Because for all the arguing, for all the disappointment, for all the disagreements, I had faith that a Lousiana State versus Alabama BCS title rematch was needed. It was the only possible matchup that would create the type of firestorm needed to kickstart change.

There is no question, this is the most controversial title game match up in the short history of the BCS. How can a team that didn't even win its division, let alone conference, be selected to play in the National Championship, in a rematch no less!

The decision defies logic, but is, in my opinion, absolutely necessary to elicit the change we college football fans demand. Give us a playoff!

Let's be honest, if Oklahoma State was able to make up the .009 difference in the BCS standings, most people would agree that the BCS, somehow, had gotten it right once again. The last thing college football needs is the status quo!

As it is, this is what we have, two SEC West teams facing each other for the BCS National Championship.

Now, what do we do to voice our displeasure? There's only one way for college presidents to wake up and realize a playoff system is needed in college football, and that's hitting them in the only place they will feel it, their pocketbooks.

I say now is the time to Boycott the BS of the BCS!

This is, however unlikely, the only way for the will of the fans to be heard. Let us begin the movement to end the reign of the BCS.

That is all. Let us begin the #BCSBoycott