NFL Power Rankings: Predicting Post-Week 15 Standings

The NFL's balance of power is sorting itself out with each passing week, but there are still plenty of teams that have yet to separate themselves from each other. It has been fairly obvious who the league's elite teams are for the past several weeks. However, things remain cloudy beyond that.

With playoff spots still up for grabs in both conferences, there is no question that the results of Week 15 will be pivotal. Even though a few of the playoff races will probably come down to the final week of the season, many teams desperately need to win this week in order to keep pace.

Here is a look into the future regarding the league's power structure based on projections for how every Week 15 game will ultimately play out.

*All records projected following Week 15

32. Houston Texans (2-12)

Nobody could have expected the Texans to be in this position prior to the start of the 2013 season. They currently find themselves in last place, putting them in line for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 draft.

As nice as it would be to knock off the Colts on the road, losing and securing a chance to select Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in the draft is the best possible scenario for Houston at this point.

31. Washington Redskins (3-11)

Another team that has taken a huge step backward this season is Washington. The Redskins surprised many by winning the NFC East in 2012, but poor defense and erratic play from quarterback Robert Griffin III have prevented the 'Skins from turning in a repeat performance.

There have been whispers about replacing RG3 with Kirk Cousins after coach Mike Shanahan benched Griffin during last week's game, but no matter who plays for Washington on Sunday, it is likely to lose on the road in Atlanta.

30. Minnesota Vikings (3-10-1)

The Vikings appeared to have another win in their grasp last week, but a last-second comeback by the Ravens thwarted things.

Even bigger than that loss, though, was the injury suffered by star running back Adrian Peterson. According to Ben Goessling of ESPN.com, Peterson is not expected to play in Week 15.

That obviously puts Minnesota at a decided disadvantage. The Vikes were going to have a tough time against a red-hot Eagles team regardless, but Peterson's likely absence pretty much seals their fate.

29. Oakland Raiders (4-10)

Oakland deserves a great deal of credit for being a tough opponent this season, but its record doesn't reflect that fact. It's also difficult to think that way after the Raiders delivered a disappointing performance against the Jets on Sunday.

The Raiders have an even bigger challenge on their hands in Week 15, as they will host the rival Chiefs. Oakland pushed the Chiefs to the limit when they played earlier in the season, but after K.C.'s dominant win in Week 14, it's difficult to imagine the Raiders pulling off the upset.

28. Cleveland Browns (4-10)

Cleveland was nearly the talk of the league in Week 14 as it had the Patriots on the brink of defeat, but in typical fashion, the Pats found a way to win. It can also be said that choking in such games has become typical of the Browns.

Wide receiver Josh Gordon's emergence gives Cleveland a fighting chance every week, but with the Bears chasing a playoff spot and coming off an impressive victory on Monday night, the Browns are almost certainly in line for another defeat.

27. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-10)

As strange as it may sound, the Jaguars are among the NFL's hottest teams with four wins in their past five games, and they have a solid chance to make it five out of six with a win over the Bills on Sunday. Jacksonville's wins haven't exactly been pretty, but that isn't a concern for a team that started the year 0-9.

It's tough to fathom how the Jags have been winning since quarterback Chad Henne hasn't exactly been playing well, so the bubble could burst at any time. Jacksonville shouldn't be counted out based on its recent success, but it's bound to come crashing back down to earth.

26. Buffalo Bills (5-9)

The Bills are a maddening team to follow. They have some positives, such as a great defensive front that racks up sacks and a running back duo in Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller that grinds out plenty of yardage, but they're on pace to regress when compared to what they did last season.

Buffalo was extremely disappointing in Week 14 against the Buccaneers. It's entirely possible that the Bills' slide will continue, but look for rookie quarterback E.J. Manuel to come through with the type of performance that fans need to see in order to regain confidence in him.

25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-10)

All signs pointed toward Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano being fired at the end of the season, but based on how well his team has played as of late, that may no longer be the case. Schiano seems to have found a competent quarterback in rookie Mike Glennon, and things are suddenly looking up for the future. 

With that said, the Bucs have the unenviable task of hosting the 49ers this week. The Niners need to win in order to hold their one-game lead in the NFC wild-card race, and after an emotional win over the Seahawks in Week 14, they won't let this one slip away.

24. Atlanta Falcons (4-10)

Nothing can salvage the Falcons' season at this point, but a few wins down the stretch can at least allow the team to build some momentum heading into next season. Atlanta nearly won its second consecutive game in Week 14, but it allowed the Packers to come back and ultimately lost by a point.

The Falcons host the beleaguered Redskins this week, which means there is a good chance that they will return to their old ways. Washington's defense is pitiful this season, so look for quarterback Matt Ryan to come up big in a winning performance.

23. St. Louis Rams (5-9)

Although the Rams have come up short against excellent teams such as the 49ers and Cardinals in recent weeks, it shouldn't overshadow what they have accomplished this season. St. Louis has continued to battle without the services of starting quarterback Sam Bradford, and it has a chance to play spoiler in these last few weeks.

The Rams will host the Saints this week, and while nobody is giving them much of a chance, New Orleans has to be careful. St. Louis can run the ball with Zac Stacy and wide receiver Tavon Austin is taking strides, but it won't quite be enough.

22. New York Giants (5-9)

After the Giants' 37-14 loss to the Chargers in Week 14, it is apparent that observers were giving the G-Men a bit too much credit for their five wins in six games. New York was the beneficiary of a soft schedule, and it was leading a charmed life in terms of squeaking by some truly inferior opponents.

The Giants aren't as bad as their 0-6 start suggests, but they're closer to that than their 5-1 run would indicate. New York will have to deal with an ornery Seahawks team this week, and it won't be pretty as far as quarterback Eli Manning is concerned.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-9)

All the pieces were in place for the Steelers to move within one game of the AFC's second wild-card spot on Sunday, but a late-game collapse against the Dolphins has essentially dashed their playoff hopes. Even if they win out, they'll only be 8-8, and that obviously doesn't guarantee anything.

Pittsburgh will host the Bengals in an AFC North slugfest this week, and with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger playing his best football of the season, the Steelers have a fighting chance. With that said, Cincinnati is a more complete team, and Pittsburgh won't be able to compete with that.

20. New York Jets (6-8)

Against all odds, the Jets somehow continue to remain in contention. They seemed done after blowout losses to the Bills and Dolphins, but they are suddenly just a game back in the AFC wild-card race by virtue of their win over the Raiders in Week 14.

Quarterback Geno Smith wasn't great by any means, but he showed improvement compared to how awful he has been lately. New York's defense must be dominant in order for it to truly compete for a playoff spot, but it won't be able to match up with Carolina's total package in Week 15.

19. Tennessee Titans (6-8)

The Titans seemed poised to shock the football world as they held a lead over the Broncos in Week 14, but Denver's quick-strike offense changed things quickly. What initially looked like a potential Tennessee upset turned into a Broncos rout at the drop of a hat.

It's tough to blame the Titans for succumbing to Denver's offensive excellence since plenty of other teams have been on the receiving end of the onslaught this year. If they can get Chris Johnson and the running game going on Sunday, though, an upset win at home over Arizona could happen.

18. Green Bay Packers (6-7-1)

It wasn't pretty, but the Packers kept their playoff hopes alive in Week 14 with a win over the Falcons. The big key for Green Bay moving forward is quarterback Aaron Rodgers' health, but according to NFL Around The League's Twitter account, the Pack may have to turn to Matt Flynn once again on Sunday.

The Packers can win games here and there with Flynn at the helm, but expecting him to win a road game against a Cowboys team in dire need of a victory to keep their playoff hopes alive is a bit too much to ask.

17. San Diego Chargers (7-7)

San Diego has a big challenge ahead of it if it is going to qualify for the postseason, but it made a big statement in Week 14 by thrashing the Giants—and stepped up big on Thursday night.

The Chargers may be the best and most talented team in the running for the AFC's final wild-card spot, and now they have a far better chance of securing it after defeating the Denver Broncos 27-20 in Week 15.

It would be great to see revitalized quarterback Philip Rivers and the Bolts' explosive offense come January, and if his recent history is any indication, perhaps it's in the cards for San Diego, per ESPN Stats & Info:

Ryan Mathews' hard running also aided the Chargers' upset cause over their AFC West rivals on Thursday, as he punished Denver's defense for 128 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries.

If Mathews can provide that type of balance to the offense and the defense can play as well as it did in holding Broncos QB Peyton Manning to a season-low point total, this could be a dangerous team down the stretch.

16. Miami Dolphins (7-7)

Miami certainly could have gone into a shell and fallen apart after the bullying scandal took the NFL by storm, but just the opposite has been true. Joe Philbin's squad has played some very good football as of late, and it can be argued that the Dolphins have the advantage over the Ravens in the wild-card race due to an easier schedule.

The Dolphins have a major challenge on their hands in Week 15, though, as they will host the Patriots. New England already has the AFC East wrapped up for all intents and purposes, but Bill Belichick won't let his team take it easy, so look for Miami to fall short in this one.

15. Baltimore Ravens (7-7)

If the season ended today, the Ravens would qualify for the playoffs by virtue of their head-to-head win over the Dolphins earlier in the season. Closing things out over the final three games is far from guaranteed, though, since Baltimore will face three teams that are likely heading for the playoffs.

It starts on Monday night against the Lions. The Ravens are moving in the right direction now that tight end Dennis Pitta is back in action, but with the Lions needing a win at home after an awful road performance in Week 15, the Ravens will find themselves on the losing end.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-6)

The same problem that has plagued the Cowboys for years continues to rear its ugly head this season. No matter how talented the Cowboys are, they continue to play at or around a .500 level. That seemed like it may be good enough to win the NFC East earlier in the year, but that is no longer the case thanks to the Eagles' resurgence.

Dallas looked terrible on Monday night against Chicago, but it can't afford to dwell on that. It has a huge home game on tap against the Packers, and even though things aren't looking good right now, quarterback Tony Romo will lead Dallas to a much-needed win over Green Bay's inconsistent defense.

13. Chicago Bears (8-6)

Things were starting to look bleak for the Bears after consecutive losses to the Rams and Vikings, but they are suddenly back in the thick of things after a great win over Dallas on Monday. Quarterback Josh McCown has been spectacular lately, and ESPN's Mike Greenberg would stick with McCown even when Jay Cutler is ready to play.

There is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding Cutler's status, but McCown has cushioned the blow significantly. Chicago will take on a pesky Browns team in Week 15, and it will put the pressure on the Lions by coming away with another big win.

12. Detroit Lions (8-6)

The Lions are the de facto leaders in the NFC East with a 7-6 record, but they are tied with Chicago and just a half-game ahead of Green Bay. Detroit still essentially has a one-game lead over Chicago since it beat the Bears twice, but that doesn't make things any less tenuous with just three weeks left to play in the season.

Detroit is such an inconsistent team that it's impossible to predict how it will perform from one week to the next. With all three of its remaining games set to be played in domes, though, Matthew Stafford, Reggie Bush, Calvin Johnson and the Lions' dynamic offense should thrive.

11. Arizona Cardinals (8-6)

The Cardinals continued to roll with a win over the division-rival Rams on Sunday, and they remain just a game behind the Panthers and 49ers in the wild-card race. As great as it would be to see Bruce Arians' upstart squad qualify for the playoffs, the odds are somewhat stacked against them.

After playing the Titans this week, the Cards will have to slay the Seahawks and 49ers. That is a daunting task, and since it is basically impossible not to look ahead to those games, the Cardinals are very much in danger of losing Sunday's trap game against Tennessee.

10. Indianapolis Colts (9-5)

In less-than-impressive fashion, the Colts clinched the AFC South title on Sunday. They suffered a 42-28 loss to the Bengals, but by virtue of the Titans' loss to the Broncos, Indianapolis can now rest knowing it will be alive come playoff time.

The Colts simply haven't been the same team since wide receiver Reggie Wayne went down about two months ago, but they have been helped by incompetence within their own division. Some teams might decide to rest their players up down the stretch, but Indy has to find some semblance of rhythm, so expect it to do everything in its power to beat Houston this week.

9. Philadelphia Eagles (9-5)

Most had written off the Eagles after a 3-5 start, but they have since won five in a row and now find themselves all alone in first place in the NFC East. The magical play of quarterback Nick Foles allowed them to get back in the thick of things, and running back LeSean McCoy seems poised to ensure that they finish the regular season atop the NFC East as well.

Philly will have to hold off Dallas, and it may have to beat the Cowboys in Week 17 in order to make the playoffs, but it has other business to take care of first. A game at Minnesota is never easy, but with Peterson on the shelf, the Eagles should be able to come away victorious.

8. Kansas City Chiefs (11-3)

Perhaps the Chiefs aren't getting as much credit for being 10-3 as they should. After all, two of their three losses came against the Broncos, and there is no shame in that. With that said, Kansas City has yet to beat a playoff-caliber team, and that means that it is vulnerable come playoff time.

It was nice to see the Chiefs come out firing against the Redskins, though. Not only did the defense play great as it has all season long, but the special teams were excellent, running back Jamaal Charles was unstoppable and quarterback Alex Smith was steady. That should continue in Week 15 against Oakland.

7. Cincinnati Bengals (10-4)

The Bengals have experienced a few lapses in concentration this season that have caused some to question whether or not they are an elite team, but they have managed to rise to the occasion at certain points as well. Their win over the Patriots stands out, and their demolition of the Colts in Week 14 essentially assures them of the No. 3 seed in the AFC at the worst.

In addition to having an elite defense, Cincinnati is solid in all offensive aspects. The Bengals aren't going to explode for 42 points every week, but when quarterback Andy Dalton plays as well as he did against Indy, the Bengals are a team to be reckoned with. They have a tough matchup against Pittsburgh on the road this week, but they're rolling now.

6. San Francisco 49ers (10-4)

The Niners desperately needed to beat the Seahawks in order to prove that they are still among the league's elite teams, and by virtue of a crucial final drive, they were able to pull out a two-point victory. A loss wouldn't have knocked San Francisco out of contention by any means, but winning meant a ton to the team.

"It was a playoff game for us," 49ers safety Donte Whitner said, via Lindsay H. Jones of USA Today. "They might have a better record than us, we squandered away a couple football games early in the season, but when playoff time comes, you have to look out for the 49ers."

It wasn't a decisive victory, and quarterback Colin Kaepernick still had his problems, but it was a huge confidence booster. The Niners can't afford to sleep on the Bucs this week, and Jim Harbaugh simply won't allow them to.

5. Carolina Panthers (10-4)

It doesn't take long for a team to go from the penthouse to the outhouse when it comes to public opinion. The Panthers entered their Week 14 clash with the Saints riding an eight-game win streak, but that went up in smoke when New Orleans won easily by a 31-13 score. Even so, Carolina will still be a tough out come playoff time.

The Panthers have everything needed to contend, as they are top five against the run and pass defensively and quarterback Cam Newton gives them an ideal pass-run option offensively. Carolina may not ultimately win the NFC South, but it would be shocking if it didn't get back in the win column against the Jets this week.

4. New England Patriots (11-3)

The fact that the Patriots have beaten teams like the Broncos and Saints this season certainly makes them look like contenders, but the struggles they have had over the past two weeks against inferior teams doesn't inspire confidence. Also, New England will now have to deal with tight end Rob Gronkowski being lost for the season, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Losing Gronk is huge, but the Pats managed to win without him earlier in the year. They also managed to come back against Cleveland without him on Sunday. New England is a win away from clinching the AFC East, and even though it won't be easy, it will get that win over Miami in Week 15 by the will of quarterback Tom Brady.

3. New Orleans Saints (11-3)

Like the Panthers, the Saints experienced a huge reversal of fortune from Week 13 to Week 14. Many were questioning whether or not they were truly Super Bowl contenders after being embarrassed in Seattle, but they answered those questions on Sunday by coming through in a must-win game against the Panthers.

New Orleans proved that it may very well be the best home team in the league by improving its record at the Superdome to 7-0. If all goes well, the Saints won't have to leave the dome until the NFC Championship Game, assuming Seattle gets that far as well. The Saints need to focus on winning the NFC South first, and they'll take another step toward accomplishing that by beating the Rams in Week 15.

2. Denver Broncos (11-3)

Since blowing a 24-point lead against the Patriots a couple weeks ago, the Broncos have answered the bell. They followed that loss up with a win over the Chiefs to take control of the AFC West, and in Week 14 they erased a one-point deficit at halftime to beat the Titans 51-28. The Titans aren't a great team, but Denver made a solid defense look like a joke.

But Manning and the Denver offense took a step back and is now in danger of losing the No. 1 seed in the AFC, per ESPN.com's Mike Reiss:

The short week may have contributed to the letdown and the Broncos' first home loss of the season, but redemption is possible in Week 16, along with a shot at moving to No. 1 in the power rankings. Next Sunday, Manning and Co. travel to Reliant Stadium to take on the Houston Texans.

1. Seattle Seahawks (12-2)

The Seahawks may have fallen just short against the 49ers on Sunday, but they are still the NFC's best team. Seattle will have to settle for a split with the Niners, but its home win over San Francisco earlier in the season came in dominant fashion. If they meet for a third time in the playoffs, it will be in the Pacific Northwest.

With that in mind, there is no reason for Seahawks fans to be worried. Seattle holds a two-game advantage over the Niners in the NFC West, which means it is on the verge of clinching the division. With quarterback Russell Wilson, running back Marshawn Lynch and the defense playing at an elite level, Seattle will take care of the Giants on Sunday.

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