NFL Power Rankings for Week 16 by Alex Smart

NFL Power Rankings for Week 16 are courtesy of Alex Smart, An award winning professional football handicapper featured on Touthouse.com. If you are betting NFL football this season be sure to buy Alex Smart’s expert NFL betting Picks

1: Tennessee Titans (11-3 ATS, 12-2 SU) (LW: 1)

Tennessee ran into some troubles this week, losing 13-12 to the Texans in Houston, but it still has the best ATS record in the NFL. The #1 seed in the AFC will be on the line this week at home against Pittsburgh, where the Titans are home dogs for the first time since beating Jacksonville at home in the first week of the season.
Next Up: Home vs. Steelers (+1)

2: New York Giants (10-4 ATS, 11-3 SU) (LW: 2)

Maybe the odds-makers knew what they were talking about when they made the Giants underdogs to the Cowboys last weekend? The now apparently mortal G-Men have dropped two straight both SU and ATS, and have all the marbles on the line in the NFC this weekend at home against Carolina.
Next Up: Home vs. Panthers (-3)

3: Baltimore Ravens (10-4 ATS, 9-5 SU) (LW: 3)

Baltimore now knows that it’s got a long road to the Super Bowl after losing 13-9 to the Steelers last weekend. That’s not a guarantee though, and a loss to the Cowboys this weekend could be crippling to the Ravens’ chances of playing into January.              Next Up: Away @ Cowboys (+4)

4: Philadelphia Eagles (9-5 ATS, 8-5-1 SU) (LW: 5)

The Eagles still have a shot after whooping up on Cleveland 30-10 on MNF. It’s the third straight SU and ATS victory for Philly, who will put that streak on the line in another virtual do-or-die game against Washington this weekend.
Next Up: Away @ Redskins (-4.5)

5: New Orleans Saints (9-4-1 ATS, 7-7 SU) (LW: 4)

Turn out the lights in New Orleans. The Saints have been mathematically eliminated from the postseason following their 27-24 loss in Chicago. Don’t look now, but the season can get a lot more embarrassing if the club also known as the “Aints” becomes the team to break up the imperfect season of the Lions.
Next Up: Away @ Lions (-7)

6: Carolina Panthers (8-5-1 ATS, 11-3 SU) (LW: 6)

Who could’ve dreamt that anyone would run down the Giants for the top spot in the NFC? The task isn’t finished yet, but Carolina knows a win in the Meadowlands this week means the road to the Super Bowl goes through Tobacco Road. The Panthers have averaged a whopping 32.4 points per game in their L/5.
Next Up: Away @ Giants (+3)

7: Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6 ATS, 11-3 SU) (LW: 10)

Pittsburgh became AFC North champs by beating the Ravens 13-9 on the road last week. The miserably difficult schedule for the black and gold continues on Sunday in Tennessee, with the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs on the line. Pittsburgh has covered four straight.
Next Up: Away @ Titans (-1)

8: Arizona Cardinals (8-6 ATS, 8-6 SU) (LW: 7)

The Cards will have to be granted forgiveness for laying an egg in Sunday’s 35-14 loss to the Vikes. It’s all but said and done that they’ll be the No. 4 seed in the NFC playoffs now, but expect HC Whisenhunt to have his men extremely motivated in Foxborough this weekend.
Next Up: Away @ Patriots (+9)

9: Kansas City Chiefs (7-6 ATS, 2-11 SU) (LW: 11)

Frisky, frisky… The Chiefs covered their third straight and sixth out of eight games on Sunday by losing to San Diego 22-21 as six-point dogs. It was the 5th loss since October 26th of a touchdown or less for KC, which will wrap up a disappointing 1-6 SU home schedule this weekend.
Next Up: Home vs. Dolphins (+4)

10: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6 ATS, 9-5 SU) (LW: 14)

Two weeks ago, the Bucs were primed to take sole possession of first place in the AFC South. After Sunday’s 13-10 OT loss in Atlanta, they’re now fighting for their playoffs lives. Tampa Bay is 1-1 SU and ATS this year against the AFC West, and plays the other two opponents from that division to close out the regular season.
Next Up: Home vs. Chargers (-3)

11: Atlanta Falcons (8-6 ATS, 9-5 SU) (LW: 8 )

Give the Falcons a lot of credit. With their season on the line, they came up big against the Bucs to win a 13-10 overtime duel. After being picked to win just 4.5 games this season by the odds-makers, Atlanta is two wins away from dancing its way into the postseason. This week’s fight in Minnesota could be a 1st round playoff preview.
Next Up: Away @ Vikings (+3.5)

12: New York Jets (7-7 ATS, 9-5 SU) (LW: 9)

Jets bettors are reeling, as they are losers of three straight games after only beating Buffalo 31-27 as nine-point selections. At least the SU ‘W’ kept playoff hopes alive, but a slip in Seattle this week would be nearly fatal.
Next Up: Away @ Seahawks (-5)

13: Houston Texans (7-7 ATS, 7-7 SU) (LW: 19)

If sports betting gurus weren’t paying attention to the Texans before Week 15, they are now. Houston notched its fourth straight SU victory and its fifth straight cover by upsetting Tennessee 13-12 last weekend. They aren’t making the playoffs this year, but the Texans look like a team on the rise...
Next Up: Away @ Raiders (-7)

14: Chicago Bears (6-6-2 ATS, 8-6 SU) (LW: 15)

Though Chicago isn’t gaining any ground on the Vikings; it’s keeping its name alive in the hunt for a Wild Card birth. The Bears booted the Saints from the playoff party with a 27-24 win in OT last Thursday.

It was a push for Chicago bettors, who will be hoping for better this week against a slumping Green Bay squad.
Next Up: Home vs. Packers (-4)

15: Green Bay Packers (7-7 ATS, 5-9 SU) (LW: 13)

Someone’s got some explaining to do in Green Bay. The Pack let Brett Favre go after they hosted the NFC Championship game a year ago, and now the Jets are working towards the playoffs, while the only question in Green Bay is where it’ll be drafting. It can still play a huge spoiler role this week against its divisional rivals from the “Windy City.”
Next Up: Away @ Bears (+4)

16: San Francisco 49ers (7-7 ATS, 5-9 SU) (LW: 18)

The 'Niners are giving every team in the NFL their best shot right now, and it’s paying off for football bettors. San Fran hung within the 5.5 points, losing to Miami 14-9 last week. It is now 5-1 ATS since the bye week, which should be good enough to remove the “interim” tag from HC Mike Singletary for next season.
Next Up: Away @ Rams (-5.5)

17: Indianapolis Colts (6-7-1 ATS, 10-4 SU) (LW: 12)

For shame, Indianapolis! The Colts struggled the entire game with the hapless Lions, only winning 31-21, and never threatening to cover the lofty 16.5-point spread. A game in Jacksonville looks to be another cakewalk, but this is the Super Bowl for the Jags this weekend.
Next Up: Away @ Jaguars (-6)

18: Dallas Cowboys (7-7 ATS, 9-5 SU) (LW: 20)

At least for this week, the Boys are back in town. Dallas crushed the Giants 20-8 this week, setting up a huge showdown with Baltimore this weekend with playoffs implications riding high for both teams. It will be the last regular-season game ever played in Irving Stadium.
Next Up: Home vs. Ravens (-4)

19: New England Patriots (7-7 ATS, 9-5 SU) (LW: 21)

If this was a boxing match, the Pats/Raiders brawl would’ve been stopped in the first quarter. New England jumped out to a 21-0 lead and never looked back, beating the hapless Raiders 49-26 at the final gun. Discounting the dud against Pittsburgh, the Pats have averaged 38.0 points per game in their L/4.
Next Up: Home vs. Cardinals (-9)

20: Miami Dolphins (6-8 ATS, 9-5 SU) (LW: 16)

Miami couldn’t quite hop the 5.5-point spread in its 14-9 victory over the 'Niners on Sunday. The Fish are now 6-1 SU against teams from the AFC West and NFC West this year, and hope that trend continues when it travels to Kansas City this weekend.
Next Up: Away @ Chiefs (-4)

21: Cleveland Browns (6-7-1 ATS, 4-10 SU) (LW: 17)

Will the Grim Reaper just come and put HC Romeo Crennel out of his misery yet? The Browns were pummeled 30-10 on MNF against the Eagles, and now have to take on the Bengals in a game that was clearly only put on this earth for the purposes of sports betting.
Next Up: Home vs. Bengals (-3.5)

22: Minnesota Vikings (6-8 ATS, 9-5 SU) (LW: 24)

It hasn’t always been pretty, but the Vikes have now rolled off six wins in their L/7 games after beating down Arizona 35-14 in the desert. This will only be Minnesota’s second game at the Metrodome since Nov. 9.
Next Up: Home vs. Falcons (-3.5)

23: Seattle Seahawks (6-7-1 ATS, 3-11 SU) (LW: 26)

Do you think that coach in waiting Jim Mora Jr. wanted to punch out current HC Mike Holmgren for accidentally beating the Rams by a field goal last weekend? “Dude, there goes my draft stock!”
Next Up: Home vs. Jets (+5)

24: Detroit Lions (6-8 ATS, 0-14 SU) (LW: 27)

Tick tock, Detroit. Time is running out for that elusive first win of the season! In spite of the fact that they faced the longest odds of the season for an upset, the Lions held their own against a red hot Indianapolis team by losing 31-21.

Is New Orleans ripe for an upset? They are just 1-6 SU on the road this season…
Next Up: Home vs. Saints (+7)

25: Buffalo Bills (6-8 ATS, 6-8 SU) (LW: 25)

This week we’ll stress the “Boo” in Boooooofalo, as that is inevitably the cry from Bills fans who are wondering why a 31-27 loss to the Jets that knocked the team out of the playoffs after starting 4-0 warrants a contract extension for HC Dick Jauron.
Next Up: Away @ Broncos (+7)

26: San Diego Chargers (5-8-1 ATS, 6-8 SU) (LW: 22)

Things are starting to get a wee bit interesting for the 6-8 Chargers, who are just two games behind Denver with two to play after they pulled off an amazing comeback against Kansas City to win 22-21.

Traveling across the country to Tampa Bay won’t be easy, but a win could set up a showdown next week at home against the Broncos for the No. 4 seed in the AFC.
Next Up: Away @ Buccaneers (-3.5)

27: Cincinnati Bengals (5-9 ATS, 2-11-1 SU) (LW: 31)

Fitzpatrick! Dorsey! It’s the NFL on CBS!
Next Up: Away @ Browns (+3)

28: Washington Redskins (5-8-1 ATS, 7-7 SU) (LW: 23)

HC Jim Zorn said that he felt like he was the worst coach in the NFL this week. Well, Coach, you may not be the worst in the NFL, but you sure did just lose to the worst in the NFL!

The 'Skins are sleepwalking through the season and probably won’t provide much resistance against the Eagles in the home finale this weekend.

Next Up: Home vs. Eagles (-6.5)

29: Oakland Raiders (5-9 ATS, 3-11 SU) (LW: 28)

Is it not good news when the only thing that Raider Nation cares about right now is the fact that Seattle and Cincinnati both won this weekend? The silver and black shouldn’t lose any ground for the battle for the top slots in the draft this week, as a red hot Houston team travels West.  

Next Up: Home vs. Texans (+7)

30: Denver Broncos (4-9-1 ATS, 8-6 SU) (LW: 29)

That choking sound you’re hearing to your West is the sound of the Broncos trying to cough up a three-game lead with three games to play in the AFC Worst… err… West. A win against Buffalo will make Week 17 meaningless, but a loss and a San Diego victory means that next weeks game in San Diego will be of the elimination variety.

Next Up: Home vs. Bills (-7)

31: Jacksonville Jaguars (4-10 ATS, 5-9 SU) (LW: 32)

Jacksonville won the “Disappointment Bowl” between themselves and Green Bay last week, ending a four-game skid both SU and ATS. As far as the Jags are concerned, this weekend is the Super Bowl, as they host Indy with a chance to put a damper on the Colts’ playoff chances. Next Up: Home vs. Colts (+6)

32: St. Louis Rams (4-10 ATS, 2-12 SU) (LW: 30)

The good news for St. Louis is that it scored 20 points for the first time in a game since Oct. 19 last week. The bad news is that the Seahawks became the seventh team in eight games to score 23 or more.
Next Up: Home vs. 49ers (+5.5)