1. San Diego Chargers (13-3) – The San Diego Chargers moved into the top spot in the power rankings, after winning their 10th straight game to finish the season. San Diego got 140 receiving yards from Malcolm Floyd in the win. The Chargers finished the season out scoring opponents 454 - 320. San Diego will now take a week off, before playing at home in the second round of the postseason. Their opponent for the playoffs will be the winner of the game.
2. Indianapolis Colts (14-2) – The Colts dropped from the top spot; losing their second straight game, this time to the Buffalo Bills. Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning only played the first quarter and half, completing 14 passes. The Colts defense was unable to slow down Fred Jackson, who rushed for 212 yards, but was unable to get into the end zone. Indianapolis turned the ball over three times in the loss. The Colts will now take a week off, before playing in the second round of the postseason. Indianapolis will have home field advantage through the entire AFC portion of the postseason.
3. Dallas Cowboys (11-5) – Dallas moved up to # 3, from # 6 last week after their second straight shut-out win. The Cowboys kept divisional rival Philadelphia out of the end-zone, to win the NFC East title. In the win, Tony Romo tossed for 311 yards, and Marion Barber rushed for 91. The Cowboys with the win locked up the # 3 seed in the postseason. Dallas will host the Eagles once again this weekend, in the third match between the two teams.
4. New Orleans Saints (13-3) – The Saints fell from the # 3 position, down one more to the # 4 spot. New Orleans finished the regular season losing their final three regular season games of the season. On Sunday, the Saints sat numerous starters in the loss to divisional rival Carolina; including quarterback Drew Brees. Despite the struggles at the end of the season, the Saints scored 510 points, which led the entire NFL. New Orleans will have home field advantage throughout the entire NFC postseason. Lost to Carolina. Down from # 3
5. Minnesota Vikings (12-4) – The Vikings wrapped up the number two seed in the NFC with a blow-out win over the New York Giants. Minnesota poured in 44 points in the win. On the season, Minnesota scored 470 points, which ranked second in all of football, only behind New Orleans. In the win, Brett Favre threw for 316 yards, with 112 of them to Sydney Rice. Favre ended the regular season with 3886 passing yards. Rice tied Percy Harvin, with six touchdown receptions. The Vikings will now take a week off, before hosting the winner of the Cowboys/Eagles game in round two. The Vikings moved up two spots from # 7 to # 5.
6. Green Bay Packers (11-5) – The Packers wrapped up their 11th win of the season on Sunday; 33-7 over the Arizona Cardinals. The Packers used 235 passing yards from Aaron Rodgers, and 51 rushing yards from Ryan Grant in the win. Green Bay with the win, sealed up the number five position in the NFC playoffs. The Packers will head right back to Arizona this weekend to take on the Cardinals in a re-match. Green Bay, with the win moved up from # 8 to # 6.
7. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) – The Eagles were shut-out at the hands of divisional rival Dallas on Sunday. The loss kept the Eagles from winning the NFC East title, and also dropped them to the # 6 seed in the NFC playoffs. The Eagles despite the shut-out scored 429 points in 16 games this season, the most in the division. Philadelphia will look to get revenge this weekend in the first round of the playoffs, back in Dallas, against the Cowboys. The Eagles fell from # 4 to # 7.
8. New England Patriots (10-6) – The Patriots not only lost their regular season finale, but also lost top receiver Wes Welker to a knee injury. New England played some of their starters, but not for the entire game, in the loss to Houston. The Patriots led by two touchdowns, but saw Houston come back and score the final 21 points to win the game. New England could not slow down Houston quarterback Matt Schaub, who threw for 303 yards. The Patriots, with the loss, fell from # 5 to # 8. New England will now host the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the postseason.
9. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6) – The Cincinnati Bengals did not finish the regular season well; getting shut-out at the hands of the New York Jets on Sunday Night. Despite that loss, the Bengals will still host a first round playoff game, ironically, against the New York Jets. Cincinnati may be without top receiver Chad Ochocinco as he hurt his knee in the third quarter and was removed from action. Ochocinco leads the team with 9 touchdown catches. Cedric Benson has had a break-out season for Cincinnati, carrying the ball 301 times for 1251 yards and 6 touchdowns. The Bengals, despite the loss, continue to sit at # 9.
10. Arizona Cardinals (10-6) – The Arizona Cardinals were another team that did not fare well in the final week of the season. The Cardinals sat quarterback Kurt Warner, and back-up Matt Leinart could not get the offense moving. Arizona, in the blow-out loss to Green Bay may have lost stud wide receiver Anquan Boldin to injury. The Cardinals finished the regular season with a 10-6 record, the fourth seed in the NFC. The Cardinals will host a re-match with Green Bay in the first round of the playoffs this weekend. The Cardinals are looking for back-to-back NFC titles.
11. New York Jets (9-7) – The New York Jets were big winners Sunday night, to not only wrap up a 9-7 season, but also a trip to the postseason. Their first round match-up will be a re-match of week 17, against the Cincinnati Bengals. In the win Sunday night, the Jets scored 27 first half points en route to a 37-0 blowout win. Rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez was only needed for 63 passing yards, in the win. The victory for the Jets moved them from # 14 to # 11. New York is coached by first year head coach Rex Ryan, son of former head coach Buddy Ryan.
12. Baltimore Ravens (9-7) – The Baltimore Ravens clinched a trip the postseason, knocking off the Oakland Raiders Sunday afternoon. The Ravens used 167 rushing yards from Willis McGahee to aid in the 21-13 win. McGahee finished the regular season with 12 touchdowns, on just 109 carries. Baltimore finished the season with 391 points scored, and 261 points given up. The Ravens will travel to Foxboro this weekend to take on the Patriots in the first round of the playoffs. Baltimore remained # 12 with the win.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) – Despite coming away with a road win in Miami, the defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers were eliminated from postseason contention. The Steelers finished with the same record as both the Jets and Ravens, but due to NFL tiebreaker rules, they were left out. Coach Tomlin’s team can point to the five game losing streak in the middle of the season for their demise. Pittsburgh won their last three games of the season. The win over the Dolphins was aided by Rashard Mendenhall’s 94 rushing yards, and Ben Roethlisberger’s 220 passing yards. The Steelers dropped two positions from # 11 to # 13 with the loss. Beat Miami. Down from # 11
14. Atlanta Falcons (9-7) – For the second straight year, under head coach Mike Smith, the Atlanta Falcons finished the season above .500. The Falcons finished with a 9-7 record, but was not good enough for a postseason spot in the NFC. Atlanta finished in second place in the NFC South, just one game ahead of surging Carolina. In the season finale, quarterback Matt Ryan threw for 223 yards, to finish just 80 short of 3000 on the season. Back-up running back Jason Snelling once again took the place for Michael Turner. Snelling ran for 147 yards in the win. Turner finished the season with just 871 rushing yards. The Falcons, despite the win, took a one team dip from # 13 to # 14.
15. Houston Texans (9-7) – The Houston Texans did what they needed to do on the field; downing the New England Patriots 34-27. Matt Schaub tossed for 303 yards in the win, finishing with 4770 on the season. The Texans finished above .500 for the first time in team history. Head coach Gary Kubiak was told after the game he would be returning for the final year of his five year contract with Houston. The Texans made a one team improvement from # 16 to # 15 with the win.
16. Carolina Panthers (8-8) – The Carolina Panthers ended the season as one of the hottest teams in all of football. The Panthers won their final three games of the season, including a week 17 win over the New Orleans Saints. At 5-8, the Panthers finished the season with wins over the Giants, Vikings and Saints. Carolina will now await the future of head coach John Fox. The organization announced they would allow him to come back for his final season under contract, but would not offer him an extension. Fox has yet to mention whether he will return or not. The Panthers boast the only running back duo to both garner over 1100 rushing yards. Johnathan Stewart reached that mark on Sunday, as he finished the game with 125. Carolina finishes the season at # 16, up one from last week.
17. San Francisco 49ers (8-8) – Under head coach Mike Singletary, the San Francisco 49ers finished the 2009 season 8-8. San Francisco will come into the 2010 season with high hopes, with Alex Smith at quarterback, a stud running back in Frank Gore, and a tight end that tied the record for touchdowns at that position. With his 13th touchdown catch Sunday, Vernon Davis tied Antonio Gates for 13 touchdowns in a season. The 49ers won their season finale; over St. Louis 28-6, to finish .500. The 49ers move up one spot from last week.
18. Tennessee Titans (8-8) – After starting the season 0-6, the Tennessee Titans rallied back and finished the year at .500. Vince Young won 8 of the 10 starts he made at quarterback for Tennessee. The Titans won their season finale on Sunday, edging the Seattle Seahawks 17-13. Chris Johnson rushed for 134 yards in the win, to put him over 2000 on the season. Johnson also scored 14 rushing touchdowns on the season. The Titans finished third in the AFC South, behind Indianapolis and Houston. The Titans moved up two spots in the final week of the rankings.
19. Denver Broncos (8-8) – For the second straight season, the Broncos lost their final three games of the season, and fail to reach the postseason. Denver was downed 44-24 by divisional rival Kansas City on Sunday. The Broncos were unable to slow down Jamaal Charles, as he rushed for 259 yards in the game. The Broncos needed a win, and some help from other AFC opponents to get into the postseason. The losing streak last year cost head coach Mike Shanahan his job. The Broncos finished the season at # 19, down four positions from # 15 last week.
20. New York Giants (8-8) – The Giants continued their disappointing and frustrating end to the season with another blow-out loss. This time the Minnesota Vikings were the opponent. The Giants turned the ball over twice, and saw Brett Favre carve the defense up for 316 yards and 4 touchdowns. New York finished the regular season 8-8, after winning their first four games of the season. The Giants were outscored 427 - 402 on the season. New York finishes the season at # 20, down one spot from last week.
21. Chicago Bears (7-9) – The Chicago Bears finished the season winners of their final two games. After the Bears upset Minnesota last week, they went to Detroit and knocked off the Lions. Jay Cutler finished the game with 276 passing yards, to put him over 3300 on the season. Matt Forte had one of his best games of the season, rushing for 101 yards. Forte finished his second season in Chicago with 828 rushing yards. The Bears finished in third place in the NFC North. The Bears move up two spots from # 23 to # 21
22. Miami Dolphins (7-9) – Miami failed to finish the season at .500, losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-24. Miami trailed 24-10 after three quarters, but made a late rally, only to come up short. The Dolphins were unable to slow down Ben Roethlisberger and Rashard Mendenhall in the loss. Miami finished the season being out scored by their opponents 390 - 360. The Dolphins finished in third place in the AFC East. Miami slides down one spot from # 21 to # 22.
23. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-9) – Jacksonville finished their disappointing end to the season with a loss to the Cleveland Browns. The loss for the Jaguars dropped them to last place in the AFC South. Jacksonville was able to get the offense going against the Browns defense, scoring just 3 points in the first three quarters. Jacksonville will now decide on the future of head coach Jack Del Rio. Many reports Del Rio will be fired. Jacksonville ends the season, down one position from # 22 to # 23.
24. Buffalo Bills (6-10) – The Bills ended their season with a win over the Indianapolis Colts. Buffalo took full advantage of the Colts not playing all their offensive stars, holding them to just a lone touchdown. Fred Jackson led the Buffalo offense with 212 yards, while Terrell Owens led in receiving, with 65 yards and a touchdown. The Bills finished the season 6-10; last place in the AFC East. Buffalo, with the win, remained at # 24 in the power rankings.
25. Cleveland Browns (5-11) – The Cleveland Browns ended their regular season on a high night, knocking off the Jacksonville Jaguars. The win for the Browns completed a four game winning streak to finish the regular season. Cleveland now will wait for the status of head coach Eric Mangini, and if he will be asked back to coach in Cleveland next season. The Browns were out scored 375 - 245 on the season. Cleveland moved up one position from # 26 to # 25 to finish the season.
26. Seattle Seahawks (5-11) – Seattle finished their season with a home loss to the Tennessee Titans. Tennessee scored the final touchdown of the game with just under 4:00 to go in the game for the 17-13 win. Seattle lost their final four games of the season, finishing in third place in the NFC West. Seattle, with the loss, fell from # 25 to # 26.
27. Oakland Raiders (5-11) – The Raiders put up a quality fight, but came up short on Sunday. The Raiders were downed by the Baltimore Ravens 21-13. The win for the Ravens allowed them to seal their postseason fate as the number five seed in the AFC. For Oakland, the job of head coach Tom Cable is in question, and fans expect to know the status of Coach Cable on Monday. Oakland finished the season, scoring just 197 points on the season. Oakland, despite the loss, finished at # 27 in the power rankings.
28. Kansas City Chiefs (4-12) - The Kansas City Chiefs ruined the postseason chances of one of their top rivals - Denver Broncos on Sunday. Kansas City used 259 rushing yards from Jamaal Charles to pile up 44 points. Charles finished the season with 861 rushing yards for the Chiefs. Kansas City was out scored 424 - 294 on the season. The Chiefs finished one game behind the Oakland Raiders in the AFC West. Kansas City moved up two positions from # 30 to # 28 to finish the season.
29. Washington Redskins (4-12) – The Redskins finished their dreadful 2009 season with a loss to the San Diego Chargers. Washington expects to fire head coach Jim Zorn on Monday. The Redskins finished the season allowing 366 points, and scoring 266. Washington in the season finale led, heading into the final quarter, but saw the Chargers score the final ten points of the game. Washington, with the loss, fell from # 26 to # 29.
30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-13) – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost in their season finale to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Tampa Bay finished the season 3-13 with the 20-10 loss. Tampa Bay was unable to slow down quarterback Matt Ryan and receiver Roddy White. Ryan threw for 233 yards, with 66 of them to Roddy White. Jason Snelling continued to take over for top running back Michael Turner, rushing for 147 yards. Tampa Bay will receive the # 3 pick in the 2010 NFL Draft with their 3-13 season.
31. Detroit Lions (2-14) – The Lions lost their sixth straight game, and finished their season 2-14. Detroit was unable to slow down Jay Cutler, and Matt Forte as the Bears rolled 37-23. Detroit gave up a league most 494 points defensively, while scoring just 262. The Lions two wins on the season came over Washington and Cleveland. The Lions finish the season at # 31
32. St. Louis Rams (1-15) – The Rams lost the game on Sunday, and sealed up the # 1 pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. The Rams, for the first time in franchise history finished the season with just one win. That one win came over the Detroit Lions. St. Louis finished the season allowing the second most points in the NFL; with 436, and scored the least in the league; with 175. The Rams finished the season losing their final eight games.
