The Polite Power Rankings: Week 16
Heading into the home stretch, the guys from Pittsburgh are making clear that they’re ready to make a post-season run. Illinois grad Carey Davis, the Steelers’ first team fullback, could see increased action in the weeks ahead as the team tries to keep its backfield healthy by spreading the ball around. Former Illini standout Rashard Mendenhall, whose season ended with a shoulder injury in Week 4, will have to wait till next season to help out Pittsburgh’s offense. How are other Illinois grads faring in the ranks of the NFL? Find out by checking out the Fighting Illini website for weekly updates.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers 11–3 (3)
The Steelers could end a dangerous five-game stretch with a 5–0 record if they can manage to take down the Titans in Tennessee this weekend. A win this weekend (and a victory over the struggling Browns in the final week of the season) also grants the Steelers AFC supremacy. But the Titans are no easy foe.
2. Tennessee Titans 12–2 (1)
With last Sunday’s loss to the Texans, the Titans suddenly look vulnerable. And the loss of defensive standouts Albert Haynesworth and Kyle Vanden Bosch doesn’t do them any favors as they prepare for a major AFC clash against the Steelers on Sunday.
3. New York Giants 11–3 (2)
If you watched the Giants game against the Cowboys last weekend, what you witnessed was some uninspired football. In order to head into the playoffs on a strong note, the G-man need to rediscover their inspiration — and quick.
4. Carolina Panthers 11–3 (5)
By thumping the Broncos last weekend, the Panthers sent a message that the entire NFC finally received: Carolina is ready to make a deep run in January. A victory over the Giants on Sunday night could lend them crucial confidence and momentum. Not that this will be an easy task. ...
5. Indianapolis Colts 10–4 (6)
Peyton Manning, who went 29-for-37 for 318 yards and a TD on Sunday, is playing like a guy who would really like to have more Super Bowl rings than his kid brother. And the rest of the team seems to like the sound of that, too. The Colts are getting hot when getting hot matters most.
6. Dallas Cowboys 10–4 (8)
T.O. says that he’s not disgruntled. He says ESPN’s Ed Werder is a liar. He says he’s not a distraction to his football team. Well, he may actually be disgruntled, and Ed Werder probably isn’t a liar, but one thing T.O. got right: His team doesn’t seem distracted. They playing like a club that knows that each week their playoff hopes hang in the balance.
7. Baltimore Ravens 9–5 (4)
8. New England Patriots 9–5 (9)
9. Minnesota Vikings 9–5 (12)
10. Philadelphia Eagles 8–5–1 (14)
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9–5 (7)
12. New York Jets 9–5 (13)
Honesty all’s well and good, but does Brett Favre need to indulge in so many maybe-I-don’t-have-it-anymore moments? It just can’t be good for locker room morale.
13. Atlanta Falcons 9–5 (15)
14. Denver Broncos 8–6 (11)
15. Arizona Cardinals 8–6 (10)
16. Miami Dolphins 8–5 (16)
17. Chicago Bears 8–6 (17)
The Bears still have a chance to make the playoffs, but Bears fans should be advised not to hold their breath. Still, the Vikings, who currently sit atop the NFC North, have two losable games ahead, and the Bears have two (versus Green Bay and then Houston) that could — and should — be won.
18. Houston Texans 7–7 (20)
For a few years now, we’ve looked at the late-season Texans and said, “They could be a real threat next year.” Well, let’s say it again: The Texans look like a team on the rise — an image aided by last Sunday’s upset of the Titans.
19. New Orleans Saints 7–7 (17)
20. San Diego Chargers 6–8 (22)
21. Washington Redskins 7–7 (19)
22. San Francisco 49ers 5–9 (21)
23. Jacksonville Jaguars 5–9 (26)
24. Buffalo Bills 6–8 (24)
25. Green Bay Packers 5–9 (23)
26. Seattle Seahawks 3–11 (27)
27. Cleveland Browns 4–10 (25)
Romeo will surely go. But before he does, will his team be able to stitch together a decent game for him? This Sunday against Cincy, they just might.
28. Kansas City Chiefs 2–12 (28)
29. St. Louis Rams 2–12 (30)
30. Oakland Raiders 3– 11 (29)
31. Cincinnati Bengals 1–11–1 (31)
32. Detroit Lions 0–14 (32)
Most Recent Sports Comments
Oh, by the way, the “Champaign County YMCA” no longer exists. The official name is now the “Stephens Family YMCA” (the website has not been updated, but check out the latest program guide). And no, it’s not just the name of the building. It’s the name of the organization.
Very inspired Photochops as well….
Props on the new YMCA dig. I think it’s a terrible spot for it, but then again, I’m not well-to-do and I’m not willing to drive 15 minutes at $4/gallon to exercise for an hour.
http://motorcycle-intelligence.com/do-loud-pipes-save-lives/1119/ Are you a smoker, too? I feel like I’m just getting recycled arguments.
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/streetsurvival/dangerous_motorcycle_safety_myths/index.html “Myth 2: Loud Pipes Save Lives”
Yes, I also love the idea of the downtown! However, the “turds” that ride Harley’s or any other motorcycle have the right to ride their motorcycles regardless of the “loudness” anywhere they want. They are buying gas, hence they are contributing to the motor fuel tax that…
Yup, this was the year I realized there’s no way this is my last CU marathon, even though I’m gradumacating next week.Where else am I gonna get cheered on by 70+ year old heart-of-gold volunteers who smile at me so genuinely I could believe I’m their granddaughter?…
I always have a good, but disappointed, laugh when marathon time creeps up and I start seeing posts on the WCIA Facebook page lamenting race day and how difficult it is to get around town that day. One this year said, “can’t they just go run in…
Reminds me of Total Football (soccer) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_Football
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Looking forward to trying this place!
I’m in the middle (or the beginning or end, depending on how you look at it) of re-reading Slaughterhouse Five. What a great companion column.
Get yours early. The Rave’s CD will be available at Exile and at The C-U Flea on Saturday. C-U Flea details here: http://www.smilepolitely.com/news/sp_radio_podcast_c-u_flea_arrives/
I don’t know about Gerard and a random police sargeant. My (mild) outrage is based on this: “...he worked closely with Champaign City Clerk Marilyn Banks to make sure he was licensed properly as a transient food peddler, filling out the necessary paperwork and paying a $225…
Local Yocal pretty much nails it here. I suspect there will be merchants who oppose food trucks because they arguably don’t pay their fair share to locate their trucks in high traffic (high rent) areas. The food trucks take away business from rent payers, park in city…
Oh nice! I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market. Check it: http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles
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@Dan - Wow. Unfortunately, I have to refrain from further comment due to a previous employment relationship. But with that brief context you might be able to imagine possible comments or responses I could have.