NFL Week 16 Power Rankings

Just one new team sneaks in this week. We're heading for an exciting close to the NFL season as teams fight for playoff seeding but in these power rankings, Seattle is back at the top.

1.  Seattle  All we talk about is Seattle's defense but Russell Wilson is a special player. He has yet to lose while playing on his home field. I expect to see him at Met Life Stadium in February.

2.  Denver  No problem scoring points but this defense is just flat out horrible. The winterization of their offense will take away the biggest advantage they have over opponents.

3.  Carolina  Cam Newton gets his shot at redemption and wins the division at the same time. The Panthers looked badly in New Orleans, winning the rematch puts them a step closer to a playoff bye.

4.  Kansas City  They've been able to turn things around and is looking dominant again. Andy Reid has always been able to put a decent offense on the field but it took over half a season to implement his system with his new team.

5.  New England  Let a chance of getting home field advantage slip away. After Denver’s loss all they had to do was win out.

6.  San Francisco  Continuing to get fat off softies but earned a road win nevertheless. They’ve had some dominant performances but will need to do better if they make the playoffs.

7.  Cincinnati  Could have been in play for a playoff bye, now the division title is in question. At times they seem like the most complete team in the conference but Pittsburgh bested them in the trenches.

8.  New Orleans  Once again a shaky performance on the road and it doesn't get any easier in Carolina. If they don’t right the ship, a playoff game in the dome might not be in their cards.

9.  Baltimore  This is a team that is playing like they are the defending Super Bowl Champs.  Their rebuilt defense has come together and is the strength of the team.

10.  Chicago  The return to Cutler didn't hurt them, and now they're in the driver's seat to top the NFC North.  Trying to stop both Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery has become a problem for opponents.