What would you rather do on a Sunday morning than wake up early and read weekly picks and power rankings involving 32 teams that basically are of equal strength and ability to beat, lose to or tie anyone on any given Sunday, Monday, Saturday, Thursday (and some day, when the revenue ceiling needs to be extended to a gazillion bazillion dollars, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday as well)?
CRAIG'S NFL POWER RANKINGS
BEST OF THE BUNCH
1. 49ers (11-4)
Why: They've won a league-best five straight, including a victory over the Seahawks, heading into today's game at Arizona. ... Which, um, we predict later on that the Cardinals will win. (Hey, nobody said the NFL is supposed to make sense).
THE REST
2. Cardinals (10-5); 3. Panthers (11-4); 4. Chargers (8-7); 5. Broncos (12-3); 6. Seahawks (12-3); 7. Patriots (11-4); 8. Colts (10-5); 9. Bengals (10-5); 10. Chiefs (11-4); 11. Saints (10-5); 12. Eagles (9-6); 13. Steelers (7-8); 14. Ravens (8-7); 15. Bills (6-9); 16. Dolphins (8-7); 17. Rams (7-8); 18. Cowboys (8-7); 19. Giants (6-9); 20. Titans (6-9); 21. Jets (7-8); 22. Bears (8-7); 23. Packers (7-7-1); 24. Lions (7-8); 25. Falcons (4-11).
THE VIKINGS
26. Vikings 4-10-1 (Last week: 20): Financially, the Vikings are giddy about leaving the Metrodome. As for what it means competitively, well, we'll have to wait and see. The Vikings are 166-92 (.643) at the Dome. And even in a season as miserable as this one has been, the Vikings have won three straight at the Metrodome and can make it four in a row with a win over the Lions today.
THE REST
27. Redskins (3-12); 28. Buccaneers (4-11); 29. Browns (4-11); 30. Jaguars (4-11); 31. Raiders (4-11).
WORST OF THE BUNCH
32: Texans (2-13): Just a mere 105 days ago, the Texans were 2-0 and considered a Super Bowl contender with a franchise quarterback, a strong defense and stability at head coach. Yeah, things tend to change quickly in the NFL.
