NFL Power Rankings - Week 16

1. Atlanta (12-2)
2. Denver (11-3)
3. Houston (12-2)
4. San Francisco (10-3-1)
5. New England (10-4)
6. Green Bay (10-4)
7. Seattle (9-5)
8. Washington (8-6)
9. Baltimore (9-5)
10. Indianapolis (9-5)
11. Dallas (8-6)
12. Cincinnati (8-6)
13. Minnesota (8-6)
14. Chicago (8-6)
15. Pittsburgh (7-7)
16. NY Giants (8-6)
17. New Orleans (6-8)
18. St. Louis (6-7-1)
19. Miami (6-8)
20. Tampa Bay (6-8)
21. NY Jets (6-8)
22. Carolina (5-9)
23. Cleveland (5-9)
24. San Diego (5-9)
25. Tennessee (5-9)
26. Buffalo (5-9)
27. Arizona (5-9)
28. Detroit (4-10)
29. Oakland (4-10)
30. Philadelphia (4-10)
31. Kansas City (2-12)
32. Jacksonville (2-12)

Holiday Bowl Preview

      
17 UCLA (Even) vs. Baylor

If you like points, you should like this one. Remember back in the day when it seemed like the Holiday Bowl was always a shootout? It should return to that form this year. UCLA has an outstanding backfield that could shred a skeptical Baylor D. Baylor is a prolific offense capable of shredding any defense. Jim Mora Jr. and Art Briles have both done magnificent jobs restoring credibility to these programs. Only one team can get a bowl win this year. UCLA will take a trip down Pacific Coast Highway to record their tenth win in Mora's debut season with the Bruins.

Prediction - UCLA 47 Baylor 38

Belk Bowl Preview

      
Cincinnati (-7.5) vs. Duke

There has been a major shakeup in Cincinnati. Butch Jones is out and Tommy Tuberville is in at head coach. The Bearcats tied for the Big East championship for the second straight year and head to Tobacco Road to take on Duke. The Blue Devils will be playing in their first bowl game since 1994. They were in contention for an ACC title heading into the final month of the season. Four consecutive losses ruined those dreams. Cincinnati will ruin their dreams of winning a bowl game for the first time since 1961.

Prediction - Cincinnati 35 Duke 27

Military Bowl Preview

      
23 San Jose St. (-7.5) vs. Bowling Green

Bowling Green has consistently been in the top half of the MAC in recent years. Thanks to the expansion of the bowl season, that has been good enough to make two bowls in the last four years. This is where San Jose State wants to be. The Spartans are ranked the Top 25 just two years after finishing 1-12 and being one of the worst teams in the FBS. These teams have won in contrasting fashion. SJSU has scored over 40 points in half their games. BG has given up less than 20 in five of their last six. The WAC has already gotten the better of the MAC once this bowl season as Utah State beat up on Toledo. I think the WAC gets to 2-0 vs. the MAC.

Prediction - San Jose St. 27 Bowling Green 21