Power Rankings 14

NFL Power Rankings

After Week 14

NOTE: Previous ranking is noted in the first parenthesis. Current team record noted in the second parenthesis.

1. (2) Denver Broncos (11-2) – The Broncos re-established themselves as the NFL’s top team after dismantling Tennessee Sunday, even after a slow start. I’m convinced they can score 30+ on anybody, including Seattle, which is why they are #1.

2. (1) Seattle Seahawks (11-2) – If you saw how I picked the games this weekend, I expected Seattle to lose, so it wasn’t a surprise. I was surprised though that Russell Wilson didn’t do a little more in the loss.

3. (4) New Orleans Saints (10-3) – Drew Brees during primetime at home is an unstoppable force. Carolina really had no chance.

4. (7) San Francisco 49ers (9-4) – They are officially back and legit Super Bowl threats. The defense is playing great again and Kaep continues to improve with healthier weapons. The win against Seattle was just a little proof of that.

5. (3) Carolina Panthers (9-4) – The streak is dead, but nobody intelligent truly expected them to win at New Orleans. They’ll be just fine and the defense is still great, despite what you saw Sunday night.

6. (6) Cincinnati Bengals (9-4) – We saw good Andy Dalton again on Sunday. When he comes to play, there aren’t many teams better in the entire league.

7. (5) New England Patriots (10-3) – They won again, yet I dropped them two spots. Why? Because they keep getting lucky! They deserved to lose on Sunday, and should have if Cleveland could recover an onside kick. They are inconsistent and rely on crazy comebacks at the end of games to win. That will catch up with them in the playoffs. They have to do what the teams above them do, and beat teams without luck or craziness. Plus, they just lost Gronk for the year to a torn ACL.

8. (8) Kansas City Chiefs (10-3) – KC finally stopped the bleeding and found their identity again. They beat up Washington on the ground and on defense, two things they’ve done most of the year.

9. (10) Philadelphia Eagles (8-5) – Philly won in one of the craziest games you’ll see all year. It was on a snow-covered field, and all of the scoring basically took place in the fourth quarter. They now are alone in first place in the NFC East.

10. (12) Arizona Cardinals (8-5) – Another step in the right direction and another solid win. They remain a game back of a wildcard spot, despite a good record and ranking here.

11. (14) Baltimore Ravens (7-6) – The commentators during the game kept saying, “everybody on Baltimore’s team thinks they will win.” Well, they did. And they are getting closer to a playoff birth. Pitta’s return helped too.

12. (14) Chicago Bears (7-6) – The offense on Monday night was great, and the defense was adequate, particularly against the pass. If they could have won some of the heartbreakers over the last couple of months (Minny, Washington, Detroit, etc.), they’d have already clinched the division.

13. (9) Dallas Cowboys (7-6) – Another December loss for Romo and the Cowboys. I blame this on the defense though, as they were pathetic against the Bears and couldn’t defend anyone.

14. (13) Detroit Lions (7-6) – The Lions would love to blame their loss to Philly on the snow, but Philly played in the same stuff. They are still in the driver’s seat in the NFC North, but it got a little tougher with that loss. They are behind Chicago in these rankings due to consistent inconsistent play.

15. (15) Miami Dolphins (7-6) – Miami’s win at Pittsburgh showed guts, and they also took a big step toward a playoff birth. They did lose Lamar Miller though, and despite a good game I don’t like Daniel Thomas as a lead back.

16. (11) Indianapolis Colts (8-5) – Another game, another disappointment. The Colts will make the playoffs, but there isn’t a chance of winning a game once there. Andrew Luck can’t mask all of their issues.

17. (17) Green Bay Packers (6-6-1) – The Packers kept some hope alive by winning a tight game on Sunday. Can Aaron Rodgers return now to help them complete the dream?

18. (18) San Diego Chargers (6-7) – The Chargers looked great again on Sunday, but they remain a game back of the wildcard chase. They still have two home games remaining, but their lone road game is at Denver.

19. (23) New York Jets (6-7) – As we’ve done all season, whenever we write the Jets off, they bounce back. Like San Diego, the road to the playoffs is tough, but it’s there at least.

20. (19) New York Giants (5-8) – The Giants fell flat, similar to their play from earlier in the season. What a disastrous year for this storied franchise.

21. (20) St. Louis Rams (5-8) – St. Louis didn’t bring the fight they usual muster, hence why this game wasn’t close in the second half.

22. (21) Pittsburgh Steelers (5-8) – The Steelers had it, then didn’t, then did, then didn’t. Tough loss to end their playoff dreams.

23. (25) Jacksonville Jaguars (4-9) – This is actually one of the hottest teams in the league. Their schedule helps, but they keep producing and winning. Ruined their high draft pick, but still…

24. (26) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-9) – Similar to Jacksonville, the Bucs have found something late in the year.

25. (22) Tennessee Titans (5-8) – It was announced this week that they will rebuild in Tennessee this offseason, letting Locker and CJ2K go. Interesting to say the least.

26. (24) Cleveland Browns (4-9) – Josh Gordon went nuts again, and Jordan Cameron re-emerged, but they choked at the end and lost. Bummer.

27. (27) Oakland Raiders (4-9) – Thought Oakland would win and was betting on a big day for the defense in fantasy… Why do I ever trust them?

28. (28) Buffalo Bills (4-9) – I think this team was really poorly coached this year. I think they have some decent talent to compete.

29. (29) Minnesota Vikings (3-9-1) – Minnesota was in one of those crazy finishes Sunday, nearly coming away with a nice win. They did lose AD in the process though.

30. (30) Atlanta Falcons (3-10) – So close… yet so far… Keeps them in the running for the #1 draft pick.

31. (31) Washington Redskins (3-10) – Really want to put them last, as they are a disaster.

32. (32) Houston Texans (2-11) – Not the year Houston envisioned, but they have a great shot at the #1 pick now.

By: The Sports Guys