Ballot and comments from AP Pro 32 panel voter Dan Pompei of Chicago Tribune:
Week 18
DAN POMPEI (Chicago Tribune)
- Denver Broncos - In their last four games, no team has come within 13 points of them, and in their 11 game win streak they have only trailed in the fourth quarter once.
- Green Bay Packers - Despite the fact they lost Sunday, Aaron Rodgers is playing great football. And that's a very good sign for the Packers.
- Seattle Seahawks - Too bad the vote for offensive rookie of the year can't be put off for a week after Russell Wilson takes on RG3.
- San Francisco 49ers - In his last nine games, Frank Gore has failed to rush for 100 yards. If they are going to win in the playoffs, Gore has to heat up.
- New England Patriots - They made an NFL record 444 first downs and head into the playoffs with the NFL's most dangerous offense.
- Minnesota Vikings - If Christian Ponder plays like he did Sunday in the playoffs, the Vikings can go all the way.
- Atlanta Falcons - Bad way to head into the playoffs: they lost their last game and possibly lost their top cornerback and top pass rusher.
- Washington Redskins - They have now avoided committing a turnover in six games this year, which speaks well to their playoff chances.
- Indianapolis Colts - In most years, Andrew Luck is a runaway winner for offensive rookie of the year. He might not get many votes this year.
- Houston Texans - They lost three of their last five and no longer look like the same team that won 10 of their first 11.
- Baltimore Ravens - Ray Lewis' return should give them an emotional charge, and the Ravens will need one after losing four of their last five.
- Cincinnati Bengals - They will need to pick it up offensively to beat the Texans. They have scored just one offensive touchdown in their last eight quarters.
- Chicago Bears - Ten wins got four other teams in the playoffs, and usually gets any team in, but the Bears lost the wrong games and missed the cut.
- New York Giants - They lost five of their last eight and became the 14th Super Bowl winner to fail to make it to the playoffs.
- Pittsburgh Steelers - This is what you have to love about the Steelers-they underachieved and missed the playoffs but are apparently not making major changes. Only in Pittsburgh.
- Dallas Cowboys - After a fine, fine season by Tony Romo, his three interceptions against the Redskins were the three nails in this team's coffin.
- St. Louis Rams - It will be a surprise if this team doesn't finish next season's power rankings quite a bit higher than 17th.
- Carolina Panthers - Ron Rivera and the coaching staff did a heck of a job down the stretch to turn around the Panthers and win five of their last six.
- New Orleans Saints - They had their biggest win of the year over the weekend-re-signing head coach Sean Payton.
- Miami Dolphins - They missed the playoffs for the tenth time and 11 years. Now it's time to go get Ryan Tannehill someone to throw to.
- San Diego Chargers - A.J. Smith and Norv Turner had some good moments in San Diego. They just didn't have enough of them lately.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Josh Freeman petered out at the end of the season, and left Greg Schiano lukewarm on the QB's future with the team.
- New York Jets - If Mark Sanchez still gives the Jets the best chance to win next year, the Jets won't be very good again.
- Buffalo Bills - They have had one winning season in their last 13, and everything wasn't Chan Gailey's fault.
- Tennessee Titans - Interesting how the blame game was played by Bud Adams. Mike Munchak and Ruston Webster stay, Mike Reinfeldt goes.
- Cleveland Browns - If history repeats itself, the Browns will hold a press conference to announce a new coach in a few weeks. Then they will do it again in two years. And again in two years. And again in two years.
- Arizona Cardinals - Rod Graves and Ken Whisenhunt made some solid contributions to the Cardinals, but they couldn't fix the quarterback position in recent years.
- Philadelphia Eagles - It's a pretty safe bet the Eagles' next coach will fail to match Andy Reid's record in Philly.
- Oakland Raiders - It must be a new era in Oakland if the head coach isn't getting fired.
- Detroit Lions - From 10-6 to 4-12, the Lions were one of the most disappointing teams in the NFL. As a result, look for quite a bit of roster upheaval.
- Jacksonville Jaguars - Gene Smith was the fall guy, and the Shad Khan era really begins now.
- Kansas City Chiefs - They had three more Pro Bowlers than victories, so Clark Hunt said adios to Romeo Crennel.
Online:
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