NFL Power Rankings: What You Need to Know About Every Team at Week 15

While some NFL teams have been out of the hunt for a little while at this point, others are fighting for their 2012 postseason lives as the season winds down.

Going into Week 14, a number of teams hadn't yet shown us anything to make a judgment on, but teams like the Giants and Patriots got decisive wins while the wheels fell off for the Falcons.

Power rankings are a holistic assignment, so don't expect the Seahawks to be the top team on this list, but look for the most recent results to certainly have an impact on where some teams end up here.

32. Jacksonville Jaguars

Team MVP: Cecil Shorts/Eugene Monroe

Projected playoff seed: N/A

Analysis: The Jaguars are the worst team in these power rankings and deservedly so, after losing to the Jets and being unable to really muster much of a fight in a 17-10 defeat.

There is no quarterback on this roster capable of leading the team to a four-win season and the lack of a cohesive defensive unit has also hurt the team in recent weeks (especially against the Texans).

31. Kansas City Chiefs

Team MVP: Justin Houston

Projected playoff seed: N/A

Analysis: The Chiefs had all of the talent they needed to make a playoff run this season except a quarterback, which is a death sentence in the new NFL.

Kansas City has been through a lot this season but after an emotional win over the Panthers, they regressed to their losing ways, falling 30-7 to the Cleveland Browns.

30. Arizona Cardinals

Team MVP: Daryl Washington

Projected playoff seed: N/A

Analysis: Continuing with the theme of teams that don't have a quarterback, the Cardinals find their way here after losing 58-0 to the Seattle Seahawks to perpetuate their nine-game losing streak.

This ballclub misses Kevin Kolb and should be somewhat competitive when the signal-caller returns next season.

29. Oakland Raiders

Team MVP: Carson Palmer

Projected playoff seed: N/A

Analysis: When I did the live game grades for the Raiders this last week, I was adamant in saying that Carson Palmer is not the problem; rather, the unpolished offensive talent on this team is holding it back.

The Raiders need to get back to fundamental football, including catching passes, blocking the right people on run plays and finding the right holes to run through. Until then, they won't find themselves much higher than 29.

28. Philadelphia Eagles

Team MVP: Evan Mathis

Projected playoff seed: N/A

Analysis: At this point, the Eagles are in complete rebuild mode and are playing without their starting quarterback and running back; can you blame them for being so terrible?

That being said, a feel-good victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers helps them out this week as they find themselves out of the 30's. I still don't think Nick Foles is a long-term answer.

27. Tennessee Titans

Team MVP: Derrick Morgan

Projected playoff seed: N/A

Analysis: Tennessee didn't look awful against the Indianapolis Colts, which is something of a start, but the fact remains that there is so much unrest here that it's tough to make anything of this team.

Morgan, the team's MVP, has really picked up his play this season and justified his first-round status from a few years ago; the defensive end has five sacks, 18 quarterback hits and 34 quarterback hurries on the season for a total of 57 pressures.

26. Carolina Panthers

Team MVP: Cam Newton

Projected playoff seed: N/A

Analysis: As much as people would love to harp on the fact that Cam Newton has "regressed" from his first season in the league, the truth is that Newton's had a solid year and is playing great ball as of late.

The Panthers' true problems lie on defense, where the team just can't seem to get things figured out. Specifically, being the 21st-rated run defense in the league isn't helping matters.

25. Buffalo Bills

Team MVP: C.J. Spiller

Projected playoff seed: N/A

Analysis: Spiller's emergence has helped Buffalo be competitive this season, but the team doesn't yet have the pieces on offense to be a successful squad.

Past that, defensively, Buffalo is making progress. Stephon Gilmore needs to improve his coverage skills but has the playmaking ability to be a star down the road.

24. Miami Dolphins

Team MVP: Cameron Wake

Projected playoff seed: N/A

Analysis: Despite the fact that it'll be another losing year in Miami, it looks as though the Dolphins have found a viable franchise quarterback in Ryan Tannehill.

On the season, Tannehill has shown remarkable poise and while his stats aren't fantastic, the signal-caller keeps his teams in games and makes plays happen.

23. Detroit Lions

Team MVP: Calvin Johnson

Projected playoff seed: N/A

Analysis: It's unfortunate for the Lions because while they've followed the typical NFL model for success in terms of getting a star quarterback and pairing that signal-caller with a top-notch wide receiver, their team won't make the playoffs in 2012.

Defense is just as important as offense at this point and the Lions have a very below-average run-stopping front seven, which hurts them.

22. Cleveland Browns

Team MVP: T.J. Ward

Projected playoff seed: N/A

Analysis: The fact that the Browns aren't yet mathematically eliminated speaks to the job that their front office has done in terms of evaluating talent and bringing in the right players.

Josh Gordon, now that he's caught onto the offense and the system, was a great pickup in the supplemental draft, and Cleveland should be rewarded for its efforts.

21. San Diego Chargers

Team MVP: Eric Weddle

Projected playoff seed: N/A

Analysis: Despite a victory over the Steelers, Norv Turner and A.J. Smith will lose their jobs at the end of the season, which could lead to some massive turnover in San Diego.

Will the aging, turnover-prone Philip Rivers stay on as the starting quarterback? What of failed free-agent experiment Jarrett Johnson? It's tough to say what will happen here.

20. New Orleans Saints

Team MVP: Drew Brees

Projected playoff seed: N/A

Analysis: The Saints fell by the wayside this year, succumbing to the loss of head coach Sean Payton, but some things never change.

Drew Brees is having a very good season and the defense is, as usual, not a very good unit. Whether or not they're "killing the head," the Black and Gold defense isn't too special. The wheels just came off against the Giants as that same defense allowed 52 points.

19. New York Jets

Team MVP: Muhammad Wilkerson

Projected playoff seed: N/A

Analysis: Don't look now, but the much-maligned New York Jets are 6-7 with an outside shot at the playoffs.

With one of the best offensive lines in the league, the Jets have actually gotten off rather easy when it comes to how well their skill position players have played. Imagine Mark Sanchez behind a bad offensive line.

18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Team MVP: Vincent Jackson/Doug Martin

Projected playoff seed: N/A

Analysis: At this point, we start to recognize some of the better teams in the NFL and the job they've done thus far.

We've officially entered the "next tier" of teams and the Buccaneers, whose offseason moves (acquiring Vincent Jackson and Doug Martin and sticking with Josh Freeman) have proved to be genius. Great job here, Greg Schiano and staff.

17. Dallas Cowboys

Team MVP: Anthony Spencer

Projected playoff seed: N/A

Analysis: The Cowboys are one of the most confusing teams to predict in the NFL because they're never truly out of the playoff picture.

After narrowly beating the Bengals, Dallas retained an outside shot at capturing either a wild-card berth or a division title. The team has the talent to win a Super Bowl and the mental toughness to go 0-16.

16. St. Louis Rams

Team MVP: Jeff Fisher

Projected playoff seed: N/A

Analysis: Fisher came into a bad situation in St. Louis and he's given his players the hope they needed to put a competitive ballclub on the field.

No player has really stood out, so we'll give Fisher the MVP award here for the job he's done turning the Rams from a perennial joke into a team that didn't lose to the 49ers and could finish with a winning record.

15. Minnesota Vikings

Team MVP: Adrian Peterson

Projected playoff seed: N/A

Analysis: Many wrote off the Vikings after last week's loss, but a competitive effort and a win against the Bears raised a few eyebrows around the league.

Christian Ponder hasn't been good, but he's getting the job done and could be an effective player in a year or two. As for Adrian Peterson, the team's MVP, he put the team on his back against the Bears and could deliver his Vikings to the postseason.

14. Pittsburgh Steelers

Team MVP: Ben Roethlisberger

Projected playoff seed: N/A

Analysis: Charlie Batch was able to lead this team to a crucial victory over the Baltimore Ravens recently, but the Steelers dropping a game against the San Diego Chargers really hurt Pittsburgh's chances here.

It's tough to say whether or not the Steelers will make the playoffs, but I'll say, for argument's sake, they're unable to pull it out.

13. Cincinnati Bengals

Team MVP: A.J. Green

Projected playoff seed: 6, AFC

Analysis: Though A.J. Green had an off day against the Dallas Cowboys, the wide receiver has really played well over the course of the season and his dynamic ability has proven him to be one of the brightest young faces in the game.

Marvin Lewis needs to rally his troops after a loss against Dallas, considering the playoffs are now in sight and a Pittsburgh loss opens the door for Cincinnati to charge right through into the postseason.

12. Baltimore Ravens

Team MVP: Ray Rice

Projected playoff seed: 4, AFC

Analysis: It's telling of the way the Ravens have been built that the team's offense is performing much better than its defense at this point in the season, but another loss (this one to the Redskins) should have some fans worried.

This defense can't compete with the likes of Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and even Matt Schaub come playoff time, so don't expect a long run for Baltimore in the postseason.

11. Washington Redskins

Team MVP: Robert Griffin III

Projected playoff seed: N/A

Analysis: The last team on this list not to be in my projected playoff bracket, Washington has been very good this year and should be proud of their efforts in their first year with Robert Griffin III.

Griffin brings a special dynamic to the team that it hasn't had in the past and Mike Shanahan has done a fantastic job utilizing his rookie quarterback this season. Despite my prediction, don't count out the Redskins just yet.

10. Chicago Bears

Team MVP: Charles Tillman

Projected playoff seed: 6, NFC

Analysis: This is it for the Chicago Bears; they need to start winning games to hold off teams like the Washington Redskins and Minnesota Vikings if they hope to make the postseason.

The defense has been so good this season while the offense has been somewhat mediocre (thanks to a horrifically bad offensive line). Look for Jay Cutler to prove his true mettle down the stretch now.

9. Seattle Seahawks

Team MVP: Marshawn Lynch

Projected playoff seed: 5, NFC

Analysis: Another convincing win has the Seahawks in prime position to take over the NFC West title and head into the playoffs on a hot streak. While I don't think they'll beat the 49ers, it's been a very impressive year in Seattle.

Russell Wilson's been absolutely fantastic and I was completely wrong about the young quarterback in saying that he didn't have what it takes to win at this level. I admit I made a mistake there. With a strong run game and good defense, Pete Carroll's bunch is on its way.

8. Indianapolis Colts

Team MVP: Reggie Wayne

Projected playoff seed: 5, AFC

Analysis: For a player who was likely very close to bolting Indianapolis altogether, Reggie Wayne has performed at an enormously high level for Andrew Luck and the Colts.

Wayne, on the year, has caught 94 passes for 1,220 yards and four touchdowns and the season still isn't over yet. He's a huge reason why the Colts are in position to make the playoffs.

7. Atlanta Falcons

Team MVP: Matt Ryan

Projected playoff seed: 1, NFC

Analysis: I still think the Falcons will end up as the No. 1 seed in the NFC, but they haven't been very good over the last few weeks and they've shown us that they do have holes to exploit like any other slightly above-average team.

Matt Ryan's gang has had some great luck on the season but you can't take away 11 wins, so they find their way to the seventh ranking. We've officially made it to the tier of elite teams.

6. Green Bay Packers

Team MVP: Aaron Rodgers

Projected playoff seed: 3, NFC

Analysis: After the Packers were ripped apart by the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football, many were quick to say that Green Bay was pretty much done.

Things change in a week and a gutsy performance on Sunday Night Football against the Detroit Lions helped the Packers legitimize themselves in the NFC again.

5. Houston Texans

Team MVP: J.J. Watt

Projected playoff seed: 3, AFC

Analysis: I'm not sure what I just watched on Monday Night Football, but seeing the Texans get picked apart by Tom Brady was eerily similar to when Aaron Rodgers took down Houston a few weeks earlier.

Like Baltimore, this defense has issues with elite quarterbacks and won't be able to slow down high-powered offenses in the postseason.

4. New York Giants

Team MVP: Eli Manning

Projected playoff seed: 4, NFC

Analysis: The Giants got another convincing win Sunday night to make up for an awful showing against the Washington Redskins. With the victory, they maintain a small lead in the NFC East.

Look for the focused G-Men to stay tough down the stretch with leader Eli Manning at the helm. Manning's having a marvelous season and he earns the team MVP award for New York.

3. San Francisco 49ers

Team MVP: Justin Smith

Projected playoff seed: 2, NFC

Analysis: Time will tell if Jim Harbaugh truly made the right decision switching out Alex Smith for Colin Kaepernick in the middle of the season, but the 49ers have so much talent around the quarterback position that it may not even matter.

Kaepernick is much more dynamic and explosive than Smith, but the fact remains that Smith didn't make bad decisions with the football.

2. Denver Broncos

Team MVP: Peyton Manning

Projected playoff seed: 2, AFC

Analysis: At the beginning of the season, it looked as though Peyton Manning might be a shell of his former self. Once the quarterback settled in though, it was all business for the Broncos.

Manning has been one of the league's best passers and has given the Broncos one of the best aerial assaults the team has had since the days of John Elway. Signing Manning was the right move.

1. New England Patriots

Team MVP: Tom Brady

Projected playoff seed: 1, AFC

Analysis: There's no question about who the best team in the NFL is after watching Tom Brady pick apart the Houston Texans and pass his team to 42 points. The Patriots have the right balance with Stevan Ridley carrying the ball as well.

Brady isn't just the team MVP; he's the league MVP. With 3,833 yards, 29 touchdowns and just four interceptions, this quarterback is leading the best offensive attack in all of football and should be commended for such.