After a crazy week in the NFL and an awesome Monday night game it's time for the latest power rankings heading into week 14. Despite all the talk about how the NFC is superior the AFC is looking better at the moment.
#1 New England Patriots (9-3)
No, the Patriots don't have the league's best record. No, they didn't light up the Dolphins on Sunday. But they're on another late season run (6 in a row) and proved this week that they can win ugly games with defense and running even if Tom Brady doesn't light up the scoreboard. Game's against Houston and San Francisco coming up will tell us a lot about this New England team.
#2 Houston Texans (11-1)
We all over-reacted a bit about Houston's defensive struggles and near-losses to Jacksonville and Detroit. Well, the Texans re-asserted their dominance with a convincing win against the Titans on Sunday. They haven't had the toughest schedule but they've proved they can win games in a variety of ways. Monday night matchup with the Pats will determine next week's #1.
#3 Denver Broncos (9-3)
Should it come as any surprise that Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are the top 2 in the MVP running and each have their teams thinking Super Bowl? Denver extended their win streak to 7 and rebounded from a poor showing in Kansas City by dominating a good Tampa Bay team. Peyton Manning has NEVER has a defense this good.
#4 San Francisco 49ers (8-3-1)
Colin Kaepernick struggled in the surprise OT loss to the Rams. Maybe Harbaugh should go to Alex Smith but regardless of who's at QB we shouldn't take to much away from this loss. The defense is still dominant, they run the ball as well as anyone, and there's a surprising number of weapons for QB x to throw to. They've looked like the most complete team in the NFC all year.
#5 Atlanta Falcons (11-1)
Even with Drew Brees throwing 5 INT's the Falcons still barely managed to beat the Saints. They haven't beat many quality opponents, have been squeaking by as of late, and Matt Ryan doesn't look like the MVP candidate he did in the first 10 weeks. Still, 11-1 is 11-1 and with the 49ers losing it's basically guaranteed the road to the Super Bowl in the NFC will go through Atlanta.
#6 Green Bay Packers (8-4)
How about that? Did anyone see the Packers two-headed running monster on Sunday. They re-captured the division lead after a critical win over the Vikings despite 210 yards from Adrian Peterson. They can't keep all their weapons as healthy and they don't seen as dynamic as they did last year (or on their 5 game winning streak this year for that matter) but the Pack are still one of the most talented teams in the NFL. The only real challenge remaining is a trip to Soldier Field. If this team finishes hot I would not want to see them in the playoffs.
#7 New York Giants (7-5)
Despite the loss last night it would be stupid to count the Giants out. These guys should still win the NFC Least. They basically handed the game to the Redskins by committing penalties and calling stupid plays in the second half. Big game against the surely motivated Saints coming up.
#8 Chicago Bears (8-4)
A lot of people are ranking the Bears below Seattle in wake of their collapse against them on Sunday. I am obviously not one of those people. Chicago surely has some issues to figure out (the O-line is still awful and they need to learn how to contain athletic QB's) but it finally appears that their offensive core (Cutler, Forte, Marshall) will be healthy down the stretch. The key for them is not to look ahead to the Packers game and let the Vikings sneak up on them this weekend.
#9 Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5)
Words cannot describe how huge Sunday's win against the Ravens with Charlie Batch at QB was for this team. Not only did it keep the Steelers alive in the division and out on front in the wild card hunt but it proved this team can play with anybody. Of course Big Ben needs to get healthy for them to do anything but Mike Tomlin once again has his team right in the hunt thanks to defense, James Harrison had his best game of the year on Sunday.
#10 Seattle Seahawks (7-5)
Everyone's favorite team at the moment responded to a bad loss to Miami with a huge road win against the Bears on Sunday. They can win a variety of different ways and proved they are still dangerous even if Lynch doesn't run for 100. They need to pray their starting CB's win their suspension appeals, that would cripple a defense that should be able to dominate their next two matchups (Arizona and Buffalo).
#11 Baltimore Ravens (9-3)
You might think I'm blowing their terrible loss to Charlie Batch out of proportion. I mean they are 9-3 and still 2 games up in the always competitive AFC North. But even the biggest Ravens fan can't deny this team doesn't deserve their 9-3 record. The refs gave them two wins against San Diego and New England, it's not even questionable. They're going to the playoffs but need to figure some things out these last 4 weeks if they don't want to be a one-and-done.
#12 Cincinnati Bengals (7-5)
Despite still being on the outside looking in thanks to the Steelers wining the young and fiery Bengals picked up a critical West Coast win against the Chargers. The Bengals weren't rolling on all cylinders like they were their previous 3 games but still bore down and pulled out a 4th quarter comeback win. They're finding their running game and at the moment have the most dynamic pass rush in the league. Their game against Pittsburgh in a few weeks will probably determine the final AFC playoff spot.
#13 Indianapolis Colts (8-4)
Despite having a better record than both the Bengals and Steelers I can't honestly rank the Colts ahead of either of them. That's not to take anything away from Andrew Luck's gritty performance in their incredible comeback win over Detroit. I'm rooting for this team and it would take a pretty epic collapse for them to miss the playoffs. I just don't think they're capable of doing anything once they get there.
#14 Washington Redskins (6-6)
That was a HUGE win for this exciting team. At this point RG3 has proven he is a stud so their playoff push will come down to the defense. Can they consistently play like they did last night against the Giants? That hasn't been the case most of this year. They'll host Baltimore this week in what could be another statement win for this team.
#15 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6)
Two straight losses to Atlanta and Denver have really put a dent in this solid teams playoff hopes. They are still a very competitive group but their inability to defend the pass came back to bite them in the butt the last 2 games and could be an issue going forward as they still have to play Drew Brees and Matt Ryan again.
#16 New Orleans Saints (5-7)
Drew Bress pretty much ended any chance at an improbable playoff run by throwing 5 INT's against the Falcons on Thursday night. The Saints were a hot pick heading into that game but the Falcons asserted their dominance in the division. Still, with a high-powered offense and an us-against-the-world attitude this team could close out the season on a tear and play serious spoiler.
#17 Dallas Cowboys (6-6)
One of the teams whose chances the Saints could spoil is the Cowboys. Dallas hasn't been pretty as of late; it took OT for them to beat the Browns, got beat by the 'Skins on Thanksgiving, and barely beat the Eagles B-squad on Sunday Night. But they're 6-6 and the Giants recent loss still gives them a legit shot at the division title if they can take care of business. But as always, taking care of business in Dallas is easier said than done.
#18 Detroit Lions (4-8)
It's sad that Calvin Johnson and Co. are 4-8. They've played at a much higher level than their record indicates this year. Some things just haven't gone their way. But the league's top ranked passing attack still has 2 prime time games left and I expect this team to put up a fight in both of those (against Green Bay and Atlanta).
#19 St. Louis Rams (5-6-1)
Jim Harbaugh's kryptonite are playing solid defense as of late and are really exciting their fan base for next year if they can find a few weapons for Sam Bradford. It's unfortunate this team has had such a tough schedule. They're playing as well as any of the wild card contenders in the league.
#20 Minnesota Vikings (6-6)
The Vikings are still in the hunt but recent division losses to the Bears and Packers hurt. Adrian Peterson is having perhaps the best season of his career but Christian Ponder and the defense aside from Jared Allen is just not getting it done yet again. Changes need to be made for this team to keep up with the rest of the NFC North.
#21 Miami Dolphins (5-7)
Some special teams gaffes and no one giving surprisingly good rookie QB Ryan Tannehill prevented the Dolphins from pulling what could have been a critical upset against the Patriots. Miami has lost 4 of 5 for one simple reason, they've lost the ability to run the ball. One has to wonder if Reggie Bush is a starting caliber RB, he's not doing what he was in the early weeks.
#22 Buffalo Bills (5-7)
Maybe the Bills could be ahead of the Dolphins, but does it really matter? The Bills have talented players on both sides of the ball but physically limited QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is really holding this team back. This team scored 34 points on Sunday despite having just 9 completed passes.
#23 Cleveland Browns (4-8)
If not for an 0-5 start the Brownies would be in the playoff hunt. This is a legit defense and Trent Richardson has been great despite teams treating him like Adrian Peterson and putting 100% of their efforts into stopping him. Rookie deep threat Josh Gordon has provided a spark as well. They're a few pieces away (including a QB) still but there's a lot more talent on this team than there 4-8 record indicates.
#24 Carolina Panthers (3-9)
Yes, losing to Kansas City is pretty bad. But most of the Panthers losses this year have been really close games. The defense and O-Line is giving Cam Newton no help. So while he is having a bit of a sophomore slump he's not to blame for their 3-9 record.
#25 San Diego (4-8)
Another week, another Chargers collapse. Instead of giving up a 4th & 29, this one came down to Norv Turner and Philip Rivers. Turner called way too conservative of a game and Rivers once again had multiple turnovers in the 4th quarter that allowed the Bengals to leave San Diego with a win. Norv and GM Smith NEED to go. Maybe Rivers too.
#26 Tennessee Titans (4-8)
Titans fans are obviously extremely disappointed with the way this season has played out. Jake Locker has regressed since his rookie season so despite having some solid weapons in both the backfield and out wide the Titans offense has failed to scare anybody. Oh yeah, the entire defense is god-awful too.
#27 Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10)
The Jags have struggled across the board this year but at least some of that can be attributed to injuries. That's really all I can say about this team, MAJOR changes need to be made.
#28 New York Jets (5-7)
How the Jets are 5-7 I have no idea. They can't stop the run or move the ball to save their lives. I don't know who this team QB of the future is but I do know that man is currently not on the roster.
#29 Arizona Cardinals (4-8)
Poor Larry Fitzgerald. Arizona is perhaps the only team with a more laughable QB situation than the Jets. And what happened to that dominant defense that carried them to a 4-0 start.
#30 Kansas City Chiefs (2-10)
They aren't THAT BAD outside of the QB position. Jamaal Charles, Derrick Johnson, and Justin Houston are all impressive talents. The current holders of the #1 pick need to find a QB via free agency (Vick?) or in the draft (Smith? Barkley?).
#31 Philadelphia Eagles (3-9)
Doesn't matter who is at QB, what I feel is the worst offense in the league is hobbled by injuries and terrible line play. And that supposedly revamped defense looks like it should be playing on Friday nights. WORST SAFETY PLAY EVER.
#32 Oakland Raiders (3-9)
Sadly, on paper the Raiders are in NO WAY the worst team in the NFL. Back their lack of effort and discipline has lead to them getting blown out consistently.
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