Dec. 29, 2009

Power Rankings: NFC locks losing their way

By Pete Prisco | CBSSports.com Senior Writer
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Updated Dec. 29

It seemed so simple a month ago. But in the NFL, it never is.

The thinking was that the NFC bid to get to the Super Bowl would match the two titans of the conference, the New Orleans Saints against the Minnesota Vikings, the site determined by who had the fewest losses, as in maybe one.

Here we are with a week left in the season and the Vikings and Saints are reeling.

The Saints have lost two consecutive games after barely pulling out two others, but they still have the top seed in the conference locked up because the Vikings have been even worse.

Minnesota has lost three of its last four games, and two consecutive games, and might very well lose the second seed in the NFC playoffs if the Eagles can beat the Cowboys this Sunday.

Even if the Saints and Vikings are the top two seeds, do you think either would be a shoo-in to play in the title game?

Let's put it this way: They're both beatable in a conference loaded with good offensive teams.

The Vikings lost 36-30 in overtime Monday night to the Bears, falling for a second consecutive week as huge favorites. They lost at Carolina the week before in the Brett Favre-is-bigger-than-the-coach game.

The Minnesota defense was so bad Monday night that even Jon Gruden had trouble saying good things about it, and he'd praise Bernie Madoff for his character if he were an NFL player.

(Gruden on Madoff: "That guy is a great guy to have as a guy in your locker room with all those other cats.")

The Vikings were lifeless in the first half against the Bears. They fell behind 16-0, rallied to tie it, and then lost it when Adrian Peterson fumbled in overtime and Jay Cutler hit Devin Aromashodu with the game-winning touchdown pass.

Minnesota's defense made Cutler look good, and that's saying something for this season. He had four touchdown passes and just one interception.

The Vikings have dropped to the No. 6 spot in the CBSSports.com Power Rankings. They play the Giants this week in what is now a meaningful game. If the Eagles win, the Vikes will get no bye.

That will make for a tough road to the Super Bowl. If they don't get there, the Favre move will be a flop. no matter how well he's played this season. They sold their soul for this season. It was Super Bowl or bust.

Now they're flailing.

Even Gruden would have to admit things aren't good for the Vikings right now, although he still kneels at the altar of one Brett Favre. Close your eyes and you can hear him praying.

("That guy is a gunslinger guy, the kind of cat who can get it going in the playoffs, a prime-time guy. That guy is my kind of guy, a cool cat under pressure who loves to chuck that rock. I love cats like that.")

It seemed so simple a month ago. Minnesota and New Orleans in one of their domes, for the right to go to the Super Bowl.

That's what's great about the NFL.

It's never simple.

Power Rankings
Current		Team	Previous
	1	Giants · Trends	1
	They are a young team and need to improve in some areas, but why can't they repeat?
	2	Packers · Trends	2
	Deep down, you know they feel they blew a good chance to repeat in 2011. But that defense has to show more in 2012 if they are to bounce back.
	3	Texans · Trends	8
	The health of Matt Schaub is the key, but they might have been the best team in the AFC before he went down last season. They say he's ahead of schedule in his rehab.
	4	Patriots · Trends	3
	Improving the defense and the speed outside in the passing game makes them an improved team. That's scary for the rest of the AFC East.
	5	Steelers · Trends	7
	They did a nice job with their draft of trying to improve the offensive line, but there are some concerns on defense.
	6	49ers · Trends	4
	Why am I the only one who thinks this team will slip some in 2012? Maybe it's because I don't believe in the passing game.
	7	Falcons · Trends	9
	The change in offensive styles will make this a much better team in 2012. Matt Ryan will have his best season.
	8	Eagles · Trends	14
	If somebody says Dream Team this summer, they just may get cut. The Eagles have a talented roster, which means it's all on Mike Vick.
	9	Saints · Trends	6
	How do you lose an offensive wizard like Sean Payton and just keep on moving forward? When does Drew Brees show up?
	10	Lions · Trends	11
	They will once again be a high-scoring team, but have they done enough to fix a defense that wasn't very good last season?
	11	Ravens · Trends	5
	Losing Terrell Suggs with a torn Achilles tendon is a huge hit. They better hope Courtney Upshaw is the real deal.
	12	Bengals · Trends	10
	They had a great draft to add to a young, talented team. They aren't going anywhere. They will push for a playoff spot -- and maybe more -- again.
	13	Broncos · Trends	13
	I'm not ready to rush the Broncos into the Super Bowl just because Manning is on board. And who knows if the neck will be an issue?
	14	Cowboys · Trends	12
	To say this is a huge year for Tony Romo is an understatement. Even if the criticism he gets is sometimes unwarranted.
	15	Bears · Trends	21
	Jay Cutler is back healthy, which is the big thing for this team. What happens with Matt Forte?
	16	Cardinals · Trends	17
	If John Skelton or Kevin Kolb can take a major step forward, the Cardinals can win the NFC West. That is a big if.
	17	Chargers · Trends	18
	Is this the bounce-back year for the Chargers when all the focus is on the Broncos?
	18	Bills · Trends	26
	Adding Mario Williams in free agency really helps upgrade the pass rush. If Ryan Fitzpatrick can revert to his pre-injury form of 2011, the Bills could get to .500.
	19	Jets · Trends	16
	The worst thing they did was bring in Tim Tebow to a situation where Mark Sanchez has to become the guy. This is going to be a tough season.
	20	Seahawks · Trends	20
	Matt Flynn has to be improved over Tarvaris Jackson, or the Seahawks' talented defense will have to win a lot of games.
	21	Raiders · Trends	19
	New coach Dennis Allen inherits a team with a lot of speed. Look for a big year from Carson Palmer.
	22	Chiefs · Trends	22
	It's all about Matt Cassel. Can he show that he's the long-term answer for a talented young team?
	23	Titans · Trends	15
	For the sake of the franchise, it has to be Jake Locker time in Nashville. What's the point of delaying the inevitable?
	24	Panthers · Trends	25
	With Cam Newton, the offense will be special again. He does need to cut down on the mistakes. Did they do enough to improve the defense?
	25	Jaguars · Trends	27
	It's all on quarterback Blaine Gabbert. If he progresses, they can be good. If not, some heads might roll.
	26	Buccaneers · Trends	28
	They spent big in free agency and did some good things in the draft. But the division is tough and they might be a year away.
	27	Redskins · Trends	24
	Robert Griffin III will start from the get-go, which might make for some tough spots early. But by season's end, watch out for this team.
	28	Dolphins · Trends	23
	I expect them to play Ryan Tannehill early to get the process started. That would be the right thing to do, even if it means it's a clear rebuilding year.
	29	Rams · Trends	32
	Jeff Fisher has a lot of work to get this team back to playoff ready. But having Sam Bradford will make it a lot easier to do.
	30	Vikings · Trends	30
	There are a lot of holes, and how will Adrian Peterson bounce back? The secondary has to be improved for the Vikings to make any strides.
	31	Browns · Trends	29
	They will likely be starting a rookie runner and a rookie quarterback in the backfield. That spells a long season.
	32	Colts · Trends	31
	It's rebuilding time now. There will be growing pains with a young team and a rookie starting at quarterback.