thenflthisweek.com has a record of 8-0-1 in NFL picks against the spread over the last few weeks.  Now we are expanding our analysis to include our top 10 NFL Power Rankings. Why?

After doing extensive analysis on the NFL Power Rankings, we determined they are as objective as the college football polls. 

Sources such as ESPN, FOX and other entities all come up with their own.  But who is right?  None.  So we at thenflthisweek.com have compiled our own ranking based on many factors – and we tell you what these factors are!

 The ranking was ascertained by rating overall record, record within the division, record within the conference, strength of schedule, points scored, points given up, home/away record, key injuries, expert analysis, game statistics, turnover ratio, quarterback, running back and wide receiver strength, defense prowess and other intangibles.   WEEK 16 schedule and location are not a factor in the power rankings.

In week 15 of the NFL season, the top two teams in the NFL power ranking both loss.  The Tennessee Titans lost to the Houston Texans and the New York Giants lost to the Dallas Cowboys.  So how did the loses effect the overall power ranking going into week 16?

Here are our top 10 NFL Football Power Rankings for Week 16

1)  Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3-0)
The Steelers played the Baltimore Ravens in a masterful game last week – winning with a few minutes left on the clock. There defense is the best in the AFC and the offense scores just enough points to win.  Pittsburgh leads the AFC North and will play the leader of the AFC South on Sunday – Tennessee Titans.

2) Tennesee Titans (12-2-0)
Although the Titans lost to the Houston Texans.  The Texans are a very good team even though they are only  7-7.  The Titans have a formidable defense that gives them an edge of the #3 ranked New York Giants.

3) New York Giants (12-2-0)
Yeah, we know they lost two games in a row. But Eli Manning and the Giants defense have what it takes to finish undefeated.  Playing within the conference certainly hurt them the last two weeks -but again, the Giants defense is the best in the NFC.  The Giants play #4 ranked Carolina at home on Sunday. Giants are #1 in the NFC East

4) Carolina Panthers (11-3-0)
The Panthers have been a sleeper most of the year but are turning it on over the last few weeks.  The test will come this weekend when they play the Giants in the Swamps of Jersey. The Panthers are in first place in the NFC South.

5) Dallas Cowboys (9-5-0)
The Cowboys defense sacked Eli Manning 8 times last week in Dallas and made the Giants offense look sad.  Romo and company are fighting amongst themselves but that should help them as each player wants to prove their worth.  They are in second place in the NFC East behind the Giants.  They are not guaranteed a postseason spot at this time. Dallas plays on Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens. 

6)  Baltimore Ravens (9-5-0)
The Ravens lost a tough fought battle to the AFC North leader Pittsburgh Steelers last week 13-9.  The Ravens defense is as good as the Steelers, except for one game against the Giants earlier in the season.  The Ravens play the Dallas Cowboys on the road in Dallas next Saturday

7) Indianapolis Colts (10-4-0)
Where have the Colts been all year?  It seems that Peyton Manning’s knee has healed as they have reeled off 8 wins in a row.  The Colts are right behind the Tennessee Titans is the AFC South.  The play Jacksonville on 4 days rest this week, in the Thursday night game of the week.

New England Patriots (9-5-0)
Who would have thunk it? Even if the Patriots win out – they could still miss the postseason.  Matt Cassel has been tremendous at QB and done something even the great Tom Brady hasn’t done – thrown for two 400 yard games in a season.  The defense is old but they get the job done. The Patriots play at home against the Arizona Cardinals – they should get it done.

9) Minnesota Vikings (9-5-0)
Probably the most underrated team in the league. The Viking play at home against Atlanta.  They quietly lead the NFC North.

10) Atlanta Falcons (9-5-0)
Another sleeper who may have their first winning season in years.  They are tied with the Tampa Bay Bucs for second in the NFC South.  They play the Viking Sunday – this game will determine their destiny.

So there you have it.  The top 10 teams in the NFL according to thenflthisweek.com.

Check back on Thursday afternoon for our Thursday Night Pick of The Week, check on Saturday for our Saturday and Sunday pick and on Monday for our Monday Night Pick of the Week.  Tuesdays we revisit the power rankings for the week.

On Thursday, December 11, we predicted the Bears would win 24-20. The Bears did win in overtime by a final score of 27-24. The Bears were favorited by 3 points and our pick resulted in a push.  In our last 8 NFL picks we are 7-0-1 against the spread.  An pretty impressive record. 

In our best bet pick for Sunday, December 14 – Week 15 of the NFL football season, we are picking the San Francisco 49ers over the Miami Dolphins.

GAME INFO
Teams: San Francisco 49ers vs. Miami Dolphins

Date: Sunday, Dec 14, 2008
Kickoff: 1:00 pm EST
Teams: Location: Dolphin Stadium, Miami Florida
TV: Fox

THE LINE (Daily Line for Saturday, December 13)
The CURRENT line of 3 of 4 top bookmakers favorites the Dolphins by 6 points. (1 bookmaker has the Dolphins giving up 7 points)
All four of the bookmakers share the CURRENT Under/Over points line of 41 1/2

THE MATCHUP
The 49ers are 5-8 overall, 2-4 on the road, 2-3 in the NFC West and 3-7 in the NFC
The Dolhpins are 8-5 overall, 4-3 at home, 3-2 in the AFC Eat and 6-4 in the AFC

LAST WEEK
The Dolphins beat the Buffalo Bills by the score of 16-3.  The defeat of the Bills practically eliminated them from the post season with a record of 6-7.

The San Francisco 49ers beat the New York Jets 24-14.  An impressive win for the 49ers and their interim coach Mike Singletary. 

AGAINST THE SPREAD (ATS)
49ers
6-7 ATS Overall
3-3 ATS away
4-6 ATS as underdog
3-3 ATS as an away underdog

Dolphins
6-7 ATS Overall
2-5 ATS at home
0-4 ATS as favorite
0-3 ATS as a home favorite

PREVIEW
The San Francisco 49ers are playing hard for interim coach – Mike Singletary.  These last few games will make the difference in him backing back as the full-time coach next year.  The 49ers QB change to Shaun Hill has paid off.  It has made the offense more balanced. He has thrown for 11 touchdowns and with only 4 interceptions.

The Miami Dolphins are coming off a 1-15 season and have made a tremendous turnaround by acquiring QB Chad Pennington, who was released by the Jets after the signing of Bred Favre.  Both those teams are benefitting from the moves.  Miami’s the long misunderstood, ganja smoking, previously suspended running back Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown have led a successful running attack for the Dolphins this year.

KEYS TO THE GAME
The San Francisco 49ers are out of the post season but they are playing hard for Mike Singletary. Last week they beat the AFC East leading New York Jets 24-14.  They played tenacious defense and scored enough points to win.   This week the 49ers play another AFC East team in the Miami Dolphins.

If the 49ers Frank Gore is healthy and can run for a 100 yards, the Dolphins are in for a rough day. On the flip side, if Ricky Williams and Chad Pennington both have big games, the 49ers will fall short.
INJURIES (as of 12/12/08)
49ers
Arnax Battle WR (foot) is OUT
Frank Core RB (ankle) is QUESTIONABLE
Nate Clemens CB (thumb) and Josh Morgan WR (groin) are PROBABLE

Dolphins
No Injuries

PREDICTION
Miami Dolphins 21, San Francisco 49ers 17

We cannot believe that the current line favors the Miami Dolphins by 7 points.  The 49ers are playing for respect and believe in their coach – Mike Singletary.  Although the Dolphins are tied with the Jets and the Patriots, we just can’t see them winning by more than 7 points. We emphasize the point that both teams a little of 21 points a game.  

The QB situation is also a major reason for our prediction.  49ers QB Shaun Hill has thrown 10 TDS with only 4 interceptions while Dolphins QB, Chad Pennington has thrown for 8 TDS but thrown 11 interceptions – not good!

Finally, the Dolphins “reverse-perfect” record against the spread: ATS favorite (0-4) and a home ATS favorite (0-3) record make this an obvious best bet for the week.

But this is NFL football and anything can happpen (especially with the officiating these days).

U.S. Marshalls are searching for Mark Ingram, a one-time Super Bowl star as wide receiver for the New York Giants, who failed to show up Friday to begin a 7-year, 8-month sentence at a federal prison in Kentucky.

Ingram had not shown up for sentencing several times at federal court in Central Islip, after his conviction for attempting to launder $100,000 for people he thought were Uniondale drug dealers. Ingram was caught in an FBI sting operation.

When Ingram missed several sentencing dates U.S. District Judge Denis Hurley rescheduled sentencing each time. But Hurley issued an arrest warrant for Ingram on Monday, after federal prosecutor Richard Donoghue told the judge Ingram had not appeared at the federal prison in Ashland, Ky., to begin his sentence, according to court papers.

Ingram’s attorney, Raymond Colon, could not be reached for comment. Donoghue, who said in court after Ingram missed a sentencing date that the ex-football player apparently believed court dates were “optional,” declined to comment yesterday.

A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s office on Long Island, says  a warrant for his arrest was issued.  He is still on the lam!

The former NY Giant standout has sought freedom until after the college football season so he could watch his son’s freshman season as a running back for the University of Alabama.

Stay tuned for more on this developing story.