NFL Power Rankings Week 14: Assessing Teams That Are Simply On a Roll

After a big weekend of football, the playoff landscape had seen some tweaks in the AFC, while the NFC took a few steps back with five contenders dropping a game.

That said, this is the time of the year to be on a roll or beginning to roll. The following three teams should feel fortunate.

New Orleans Saints (9-3)

The past few weeks we've seen an angry New Orleans team about having three losses. So although it's more like a much more focused team, motivation is what's really happening.

After being upset by Tampa on the road, New Orleans blasted the Colts at home but then had another hiccup at St. Louis. All of a sudden, the Saints couldn't win on the road against inferior opponents.

However, they've since been on a four-game tear, won at Atlanta and thrashed the Giants and Lions at home the past two weeks. They're playing with more tenacity and have their eyes on the NFC's No. 2 seed, especially if the 49ers slip up once more.

But, with games remaining at Tennessee and home versus the Falcons, based on how New Orleans can hiccup, don't be surprised if they finished 11-5 or 12-4.

Denver Broncos (7-5)

Somehow Tim Tebow keeps defying the odds and getting wins. Thing is, he beat the Vikings with the passing game which was spot on this past week (10-of-15, 202 yards, two TDs).

Now, Minnesota does have arguably the NFL's worst pass defense and they were without RB Adrian Peterson, however, the Broncos were also without Von Miller who has 10.5 sacks (has to be Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate).

Since late October, the Broncos have won six of seven games and along with Tebow, the defense has been causing turnovers and playing well. With four games left, only the Patriots look like a team who can stop the Broncos.

There, we find out how truly good this Denver team is.

Tennessee Titans (7-5)

Of the teams mentioned here, the Titans are the ones beginning to get on a roll. They've won three of their last four (lost at Atlanta) and got a much needed win over Buffalo in Week 13. RB Chris Johnson is finally getting into a rhythm (486 yards last four games) and everyone else is following.

Their wins over Baltimore and Denver early on is paying dividends now, however, they still need to catch the Bengals. Right now, Tennessee is one spot back of Cincinnati and both will most likely finish 9-7.

In that case, the Bengals would get the tiebreaker so this week is extremely crucial for Tennessee. Incoming are the New Orleans Saints and for as great as the Saints are, they have had trouble on the road this season.

Both are on a roll and the Music City plays host to the Big Easy in Week 14. In terms of playoff implication matchups, despite being inter-conference, Saints vs. Titans may be the game of the week.

Week 14 NFL Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank) (* = MNF Teams)

1. Green Bay Packers (12-0) (LW 1)	17. New York Giants (6-6) (LW 17)
2. Baltimore Ravens (9-3) (LW 6)	18. *San Diego Chargers (4-7) (LW 20)
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3) (LW 2)	19. Miami Dolphins (4-8) (LW 21)
4. New Orleans Saints (9-3) (LW 5)	20. Arizona Cardinals (5-7) (LW 22)
5. Houston Texans (9-3) (LW 3)	21. Seattle Seahawks (5-7) (LW 25)
6. New England Patriots (9-3) (LW 4)	22. Buffalo Bills (5-7) (LW 19)
7. San Francisco 49ers (10-2) (LW 7)	23. Kansas City Chiefs (5-7) (LW 24)
8. Atlanta Falcons (7-5) (LW 9)	24. Philadelphia Eagles (4-8) (LW 18)
9. Denver Broncos (7-5) (LW 14)	25. *Jacksonville Jaguars (3-8) (LW 26)
10. Tennessee Titans (7-5) (LW 16)	26. Carolina Panthers (4-8) (LW 28)
11. New York Jets (7-5) (LW 15)	27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-8) (LW 23)
12. Dallas Cowboys (7-5) (LW 8)	28. Washington Redskins (4-8) (LW 27)
13. Detroit Lions (7-5) (LW 13)	29. Cleveland Browns (4-8) (LW 30)
14. Oakland Raiders (7-5) (LW 11)	30. Minnesota Vikings (2-10) (LW 29)
15. Chicago Bears (7-5) (LW 10)	31. St. Louis Rams (2-10) (LW 31)
16. Cincinnati Bengals (7-5) (LW 12)	32. Indianapolis Colts (0-12) (LW 32)

Follow John Rozum on Twitter @ Sportswriter27.