NFL Week 13 Power Poll: BCS Style

My stubbornness as an avid NFL fan would not allow logic to set in as I watched Week 12 play out in the NFL. With the passing of each week I lend more credibility to the saying “I’d rather be lucky than good”.

I simply refuse to believe the Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears are as good as their records indicate.

Statistically, Atlanta is best team at home in the NFL. Having home “track” advantage in the playoffs could mean a Super Bowl appearance for Mattie Ice and the Falcons.

The Bears are fighting off the Green Bay Packers and although I believe the Packers will still win the NFC North, the Bears victory over the Eagles on Sunday opened a few more eyes.

The Chargers emergence into this BCS style poll means they have finally topped the .500 mark and that’s not good news for the contenders in the AFC. Their thrashing of Peyton Manning and the Colts in Indy showed that they are indeed in the midst of their usual late November-December rise.

While the Chargers still sit in second place in the AFC West behind the 7-4 Chiefs, Kansas City must feel like the kid on the raft in the movie Jaws. The Chargers are clearly circling the Chiefs and it is just a matter of time before they swallow them up and take over the division lead.

The potential wild card picture may begin to come into focus a little more next Tuesday morning.

The improving Chargers make Sunday and Monday night’s colossal AFC divisional match-ups for first place more important. The loser in both of these games, barring any unforeseen collapses will probably end up wild cards in the conference.

Living in Baltimore, Pittsburgh, New England or New York and visiting San Diego in January is a much welcome get away. However if you’re the Ravens, Steelers, Patriots or Jets that’s a trip you would rather not make.

Winning the division is very important to these teams, but a promising season filled with Super Bowl dreams could come to a crashing halt if any of them have to visit a Charger team many picked to be in Dallas come February. 

When Thanksgiving weekend concluded on Sunday night the Saints and Steelers had much to be thankful for.

With a Roy Williams fumble and a Steve Johnson drop of a touchdown in overtime, both the Saints and Steelers capitalized to win games they shouldn't have. It's important to note that both wins were on the road and a win on the road in the NFL is a good win, no matter how you get it.

I don’t remember a year in which a lot of good teams were both very lucky and very good, although none of them have been very good consistently, most have been very lucky constantly.

Even with the Falcons, Jets and Patriots at 9-2, you still get the feeling that all three of them could be one and done come playoff time.

Here are this week’s NFL POWER RANKINGS, BCS STYLE:

1.) Jets, 300 Pts- MNF is a big test. A sweep of Brady and Pats could propel team to Dallas.

2.) Steelers, 295 Pts- Strength of schedule has Pittsburgh ranked here, their opponents combined record so far this season, 65-56.

3.) Falcons, 285 Pts- A big win in Tampa on Sunday would leave no doubt.

4.) Ravens, 275 Pts- The Ravens remind me of the smart kid in school that doesn't study but still gets good grades. Those kids eventually fail a test. 

5.) Packers, 270 Pts- Poor play calling decisions against Atlanta may have big ramifications in January.

6.) Patriots, 255 Pts- Offensive (13th) and defensive (31th) rankings hurt Pats in this poll. 2003 team ranked similarly, all they did was win the Super Bowl.

7.)Chargers, 255 Pts- They aren't there yet, big division games with the Raiders and Chiefs are looming.

8.) Saints, 250 Pts- If the Saints get back to the Super Bowl they will have earned it. They still have to visit Atlanta and Baltimore, both are undefeated at home.

9.) Eagles, 250 Pts- I still believe Vick comes full circle after beating his old team in their place for the NFC Championship.

10.) Bears, 175 Pts- Big win against Eagles and an 8-3 record have people "Lovie" in the windy city once again.

11.) Giants, 170 Pts- G-Men hit a bump in the road in their usual second half swoon, they had a good second half against the Jags on Sunday.

12.) Chiefs, 165 Pts- Hang a lantern on the light polls in Kansas City, the Chargers are coming.

13.) Dolphins, 160 Pts- With losses to the Ravens, Jets, Patriots, Steelers and Titans it will be hard for them to make up any ground. They could be big time spoilers in their division.

14.) Colts, 160 Pts- Their streak of winning 12 games per season has ended, if Manning doesn't stop forcing balls their playoff appearance streak will too.

15.) Buccaneers, 115 Pts- Sunday is throwback day in Tampa, honoring John McKay and wearing the cream sickle orange jerseys may provide the spark to beat Atlanta.

16.) Jaguars, 65 Pts- Their season may come down to one game, beating the Colts in Indy. If they win there they probably win the division.