Benigno's Best: Week 16 NFL Power Rankings

1 Packers (14-1) (1)
Rodgers and company come back with a vengeance after speed bump in KC. 5 more TD passes for Aaron in rout of Bears. Packers have now clinched home field throughout the playoffs. You wonder if their style of play is conducive to winning in bad weather in January.
Next: vs. Lions

2. Saints (12-3) (2)
New Orleans clinches NFC South title with blowout of Falcons in Superdome. Brees breaks Dan Marino's 27 year old record for passing yardage in a single season. Not to mention 4 more td passes. If Aaron Rodgers is clearly league's MVP, Drew is at least in the conversation.
Next: vs. Panthers

3. Patriots (12-3) (3)
Clinched first round bye with come back win over Dolphins. Can clinch home field throughout playoffs with win vs. Bills. Aren't you tired of hearing how bad their defense is?
Next: vs. Bills

4. 49ers (12-3) (4)
Larry Grant's strip of Tavaris Jackson in closing minute in Seattle helps keeps Niners in line for first round bye. A win over hideous Rams seals that for San Fran. With all due respect to Baltimore, this is league's best defense.
Next: at Rams

5. Ravens (11-4) (5)
Ravens finish regular season a perfect 8-0 at home with ho hum win over brutal Browns. Can win division for first time under John Harbaugh by beating Bengals in Cincy. Won't be easy with Striped Cats playing for a playoff spot.
Next: at Bengals

6. Steelers (11-4) (6)
No big Ben, no problem as Pitt crushes pathetic Rams with Charlie Batch at QB. A big day for Rashard Mendenhall leads the way. Steelers can still win division and claim home field throughout AFC playoffs with a win over Browns and losses by Ravens and Pats.
Next: at Browns

7. Lions (10-5) (9)
Motown cats clinch first playoff berth this century with no doubt blowout of fragile Chargers in Detroit. Can clinch #5 seed and avoid the Saints or Niners in first round with win over Packers in Green Bay or with a Falcons loss vs. Tampa.
Next: at Packers

8. Bengals (9-6) not ranked
What a year for Marvin Lewis and Cincy. Whoever thought when season started that the Bengals would be control their own playoff destiny going into final week of season. Won't be easy with rival Ravens playing for division crown. How about that Jerome Simpson flip into the end zone?
Next: vs. Ravens

9. Texans (10-5) (7)
Since clinching division, Houston has now lost 2 straight to Panthers and Colts. With all their injuries and T.J. Yates at QB, just can't see these guys doing anything in the playoffs.
Next: vs. Titans

10. Giants (8-7) not ranked
Giants win battle of NY with beat down of fading Jets. Tom Coughlin should give game ball to Rex Ryan for all the motivation he gave Big Blue last week. Giants can win NFC east with victory over Cowboys in winner take all showdown Sunday night in Meadowlands. Justin Tuck played his best game of season Saturday, a great sign going forward for G-Men.
Next: vs. Cowboys

Fading Out: Falcons, Broncos
Closing in: Raiders

Do you take issue with Joe's Top 10? Make your case in the comments below…