Nate's Power Ratings: Dec. 10

Was it just two weeks ago that many power ratings around the Web were putting the Giants and Jets in the top two slots? Now the Jets have lost back-to-back games, and the Titans team the Jets pounded has moved ahead of the Giants in most ratings. Even though they just lost at home to the Eagles, who recently tied the Bengals, who are 1-11-1.

Perhaps it's good to remind myself how quick things can change in the NFL. As the Redskins have slid from 6-2 to 7-6, I need something to believe in. I need to give up the smack talk songs. Portis and Zorn need to hug it out. Zorn needs to consider redrawing all blocking schemes, and oh yeah, sign about four offensive linemen. The 'skins still need a new punter (not Plackemeier) to replace the just-fine Derrick Frost, who was cut in preseason. The kicker should have been cut. Washington's second-round draft pick receivers need to make more plays.

Yet, despite all this doom and gloom, they could still make the playoffs. Last year, they rallied from 5-7 to get in; in 2005, they rallied from 5-6 to make it. Now, their remaining schedule has them at Cincinnati, vs. Philadelphia and at San Francisco, all winnable games.

But I don't think they will win out. Speaking of that, I'm predicting you'll need 11 wins to get in to the NFC playoffs, but you never know.

After reviewing the schedules, here's what I'm projecting for playoff seeding:
NFC
1. N.Y. Giants (12-4)
2. Carolina (12-4)
3. Arizona (10-6)
4. Minnesota (9-7)
5. Tampa Bay (11-5)
6. Atlanta (11-5)
AFC
1. Tennessee (14-2)
2. Pittsburgh (12-4)
3. New England (11-5)
4. Denver (9-7)
5. N.Y. Jets (10-6)
6. Indianapolis (10-6)

Sorry, Ravens fans, projected losses to Pittsburgh and Dallas put you via tiebreaker, as they lose for having worse strength of victory than Jets and head-to-head loss to Colts.

Now, onto the power ratings. Not much change from last week.
Team (W-L, last week)
1. N.Y. Giants (11-2, 1). Dropped passes lead to concerns. Can you answer this question?
2. Tennessee (12-1, 2). Will face a Houston team with backs against the wall this weekend.
3. Pittsburgh (10-3, 3). Talk about finding a way to win, will they carry the mo' next week.
4. Carolina (10-3, 4). Remember when Steve Smith fight was supposed to derail this team?
5. Tampa Bay (9-4, 5). Still in great playoff position.
6. Dallas (8-5, 6). Sure, Jerry. It's Barber's fault.
7. Indianapolis (9-4, 7). Finally, a blowout win. Now they get Detroit.
8. Baltimore (9-4, 8). Getting the stretchers ready for this weekend.
9. Arizona (8-5, 12). Can't believe they didn't have the decency to let the Niners keep it close.
10. New England (8-5, 15). Beat the Seahawks on a day other teams wouldn't have.
11. Philadelphia (7-5-1, 16). Remember when their season was over?
12. Miami (8-5, 17). Unheralded defense needs to keep it up to get 'Phins in postseason.
13. Denver (8-5, 9). Finally, Raiders and Chiefs off their schedule.
14. Atlanta (8-5, 10). How will young team respond to pressure-filled stretch run?
15. Minnesota (8-5, 11). That Lions game was way too close. Again.
16. N.Y. Jets (8-5, 14). This ship is sinking fast, but should get in if they beat Buffalo, Miami.
17. Houston (6-7, 20). Great run, but started too far in the hole.
18. Green Bay (5-8, 19). Let too many games get away, in deep hole now (said this last week too).
19. Chicago (7-6, 21). Offense showed some spark last week.
20. New Orleans (7-6, 18). Tough to know where they'll go this offseason.
21. San Francisco (5-8, 22). Things are turning around fast. Is Shaun Hill MVP?
22. Washington (7-6, 13). See above.
23. Buffalo (6-7, 23). Shaun King. Patrick Ramsey. J.P. Losman. The next Tulane NFL QB?
24. San Diego (5-8, 24). Almost sure Cutler fumble in Week 2 will cost them division.
25. Seattle (2-11, 26). The best damned 2-11 team in history.
26. Jacksonville (4-9, 25). Is Garrard really better than Leftwhich was?
27. Cleveland (4-9, 27). I'm flashing back to watching Dorsey at Miami nearly losing to Rutgers.
28. Oakland (3-10, 28). Does anyone have JaMarcus Russell's cell phone number?
29. Kansas City (2-11, 29). May actually beat Bengals, move back in draft.
30. St. Louis (2-11, 30). Remember when they beat Dallas and Washington?
31. Cincinnati (1-11-1, 31). Why bother?
32. Detroit (0-13, 12). Every team wins once, right? Update this week: Not anymore.