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by Digger

15 weeks down, 2 to go. That's how many games remain for NFL teams in the 2008 regular season. Head Coaches are busy installing game plans for this weekend's games. The fate of many teams could be determined in Week 16.

Three featured biggie's on Week 16... Saturday night showcases Ravens (9-5) @ Dallas (9-5) fight for the Playoffs (loser eliminated). Daytime Sunday pits Steelers (11-3) vs Titans (12-2) with AFC regular season title on the line. Sunday Night Football from the Meadowlands decides NFC regular season Champ as Carolina (11-3) squares off against New York's Giants (11-3). All will be heavy hitting games.

Digger's Power Rankings Top 10:

1) Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3): Steelers defense has battered opposition all season long while ranking near the top in every major statistical category. Offense comes to life with game on the line time after time. If Pittsburgh's attack can start scoring more 1st half points, then this team may never lose again. They could enter Playoffs as AFC's #1 seed by defeating Titans. Winners of five in a row, it's hard to name any team capable of beating the Steelers at this moment.

2) Carolina Panthers (11-3): Panthers offense is clicking, scoring 30 or more points in 4 of their last 5 victories. Sunday, their attack heads to NY to battle the Champs to decide NFC's regular season title.

3) New York Giants (11-3): Plaxico Burress is not the cause of New York's recent 2 game skid. It's been the offensive line failing to get the job done clearing running lanes and shutting out pass attackers. Manning sacked 8 times last week should raise big concerns. However, this is a Coughlin coached team and he's bound to wake up these suddenly sleeping Giants. Sunday's game vs Carolina decides NFC top dog.

4) Indianapolis Colts (10-4): It isn't often a Wild Card team out ranks a team with the leagues best record. Colts leapfrog over Tennessee as Peyton Manning has been leading the way. Indy started the year slowly and skeptics were quick to bash. Now everyone's back on the bandwagon expecting these guys to challenge as AFC's rep in this years Super Bowl. There's still a long way to go until then... as for now... these guys have been on a roll winning seven straight.

5) Tennessee Titans (12-2): Titans early season success elevated them to Cinderella status. The clock is about to strike midnight and a few concerns could crumple what has been a tremendous season. Defensive Tackle Albert Haynesworth and end Kyle Vanden Bosch are done in '08 due to injuries. Opposing teams will be sure to exploit this new void. Titans understudies need to play bigger than life to keep this ship sailing.

6) Atlanta Falcons (9-5): It's been the Ryan-Turner-White show for the soaring Falcons. Atlanta has made highlight reels from week to week. Defense "bend but don't break" style played huge in last weeks 13-10 win over Tampa. This could be a dangerous team in the Playoffs. First things first, they need to win final two games.

7) Baltimore Ravens (9-5): Ravens suffered a gut wrenching defeat vs Pittsburgh 13-9. Playoff fate rests on the shoulders of rookie QB Joe Flacco. Flacco's play has been efficient for Ravens ball control style play until recently. He must rebound from last weekends battering to guide this club or they'll be sitting on the sidelines. Defense has been outstanding all season long.

8) Minnesota Vikings (9-5): Vikings riding a four game wave. QB Jackson is back and shined torching Arizona with 4 td passes. Vikings looking very strong lately. It'll be up to Jackson to stay hot. He'll be tested vs Atlanta & Giants. A win this weekend locks up NFC North.

9) Miami Dolphins (9-5) What a season it's been for Miami. 1-15 last year, possibly on the verge of winning AFC East this year. QB Chad Pennington has been the most overlooked player in the league. His steady methodical play (completed 66.3%, 95.1 rating) has led to ball control clock grinding drives. Defense has played very steady. Final two games are far away from the sunny skies of South Florida. Their mettle will be tested in 20 degree December weather at Kansas City and then Chad takes on his former team in New York (Jets). December's have not been kind to the Dolphins in recent history. Their final game of the year vs Jets could decide AFC East title.

10) Philadelphia Eagles (8-5-1): The football world wrote off the Eagles when McNabb was benched during a blowout loss to Baltimore. Since then, the Eagles have been on fire reeling off three straight wins (two vs Playoff bound teams). This is make or break week. Philly travels to Washington to face a Redskins team in disarray. A win this weekend sets up a potential showdown at home vs Cowboys to end the year. McNabb has been razor sharp lately completing 67% with 7 td's in last 3 games. Here come the Eagles.

I know there must be some Cowboys fans out there wondering why their team was left of my list. Same goes for fellow New Yorkers wearing Green.

Dallas (9-5) is on the bubble here. It's their tough games vs Baltimore and Philly leaving me thinking this is going to be another Cowboys December debacle. Eagles have a better matchup for victory vs Washington. Baltimore's defense will hit Romo at every opportunity. Blitzes will come from all directions. Dallas will crack the top 10 if they survive this weekend. It's do or die time in Big D.

Brett Favre and the Jets (9-5) have kept New Yorkers on the edge of their seats on every down. Last year, fans were throwing seats after suffering thru 4-12 misery. Problem with the Jets right now is two fold. Favre has been erratic... often forcing passes best tossed out of bounds. Defense plays erraticaly too. For brief moments during games, Gang Green looks invincible. No lead is safe, no deficit too steep. It's been a see-saw season from game to game. Play calling has killed what should have been a 12-4 season. Very bad decisions especially when Favre has been learning a new system. Soft game this weekend vs Seattle... "easy" win games have a history of being lost. The division title might be won or lost vs Miami in a potential showdown Week 17.