NFL Power Rankings: Key Statistic and Playoff Standing for Every Team

Only two weeks remain in the NFL's regular season, but not much is settled regarding playoff standings. Four teams have clinched spots in the postseason, but none of the four have locked down their seed.

That could change on Sunday, along with a few other things.

The playoff standings are all that matter when it comes down to it, but the following rankings are my take on where each team in the NFL stands heading into Week 16.

This list focuses on key statistics associated with each team—most of which shed some light on the team's current position.

1. Seattle Seahawks, 12-2—NFC Top Seed

Seattle rebounded from its 19-17 Week 14 loss with a 23-0 win over the New York Giants on Sunday. The Seahawks secondary again rose to the occasion, picking off Eli Manning five times.

The team now has 22 interceptions to lead the NFL. In a pass-happy league, the Seahawks are one of only two teams (along with the Carolina Panthers) to have more interceptions than touchdown passes allowed (22 to 14).

That's impressive.

2. San Francisco 49ers, 10-4—First NFC Wild Card 

Based on their recent win over the Seahawks, one could argue that the 49ers are ready to surpass their division rivals for the top spot. However, the two teams split the season series, with both winning on home field. Although San Francisco's win was more recent, the Seahawks' victory was more dominant (29-3 in Week 2).

With that said, the 49ers have been incredible during their four-game winning streak. The team has outscored its opponents by a combined count of 102-50.

3. Denver Broncos, 11-3—AFC Top Seed

Based on the Broncos' loss to the San Diego Chargers at home on Thursday, they gave way to the 49ers here. But while we're talking about dominance, let's not forget that Denver has outscored all of its opponents by a combined 163 points this season.

Only the Seahawks have a higher point differential.

4. New Orleans Saints, 10-4—NFC South Division Leader

The Week 15 loss to the St. Louis Rams wasn't that surprising. Sure, the Saints were expected to win, but the Rams' commitment to the run game was just what the doctor ordered. New Orleans has allowed three straight opponents to run for 127 yards or more. The Saints are 1-2 in those games.

Overall, New Orleans is just 3-4 this season when opponents eclipse the 100-yard mark in rushing. 

5. Carolina Panthers, 10-4—First NFC Wild Card 

The young Panthers showed they could respond from adversity in Week 15. Coming off a loss to the Saints in Week 14, Carolina dealt the desperate New York Jets a 30-20 loss.

The Jets had only 297 total yards in the game. It was the eighth time this season the Panthers held a team to less than 300 total yards.

6. New England Patriots, 10-4—AFC East Division Leader

With the injuries and issues the Patriots have had this season, their 10-4 record is all the more impressive. Despite out-gaining the Miami Dolphins in Week 15, New England still fell 29-20 and kept the Fins' playoff hopes alive.

With just two games remaining, the Patriots should still claim the division title, barring a complete collapse. One big reason for the team's success is its discipline. New England is the least penalized team in the NFL, averaging just 4.1 flags per game.

When a team is as undermanned as the Patriots have been this season, being efficient is essential.

7. Kansas City Chiefs, 11-3—First AFC Wild Card 

Why is an 11-3 team that is one of the four squads to have clinched a playoff spot only ranked seventh? It's simple: The Chiefs haven't played a tough schedule. Kansas City has played just three games against teams with winning records.

It is just 1-2 in those games.

At best, the Chiefs are unproven as an elite team.

8. Arizona Cardinals, 9-5

With Larry Fitzgerald's injury, the Cardinals could be in deep trouble. Arizona is about to play its toughest and two most important games of the season. Things are looking good for the future Hall of Famer, though. 

Per Dan Hanzus of NFL.com, Fitzgerald is expected to play on Sunday against the Seahawks. After the Cards tangle with Seattle at CenturyLink Field, they will host the 49ers in the season finale.

With just a 2-4 mark against teams with a winning record, Arizona can prove it deserves to be considered elite in the last two weeks. These games are even more crucial because the Cardinals probably need to win out to make the playoffs.

9. Cincinnati Bengals, 9-5—AFC North Division Leader

The final score of Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field was 30-20, but it really wasn't that close. The Steelers led 30-7 heading into the final quarter. Cincinnati scored two late touchdowns but never seriously threatened in the game.

Based on the Bengals' road performance this year, gaining some sort of home-field advantage seems imperative. This team can't feel too confident about its ability to win in the postseason away from home.

Cincinnati is just 3-5 on the road this year and 6-0 at home.

10. Baltimore Ravens, 8-6—Second AFC Wild Card 

Baltimore is surging. The team is on a four-game win streak, and winning the turnover battle is the biggest reason for its success. The Ravens are plus-three in turnover margin during their winning run. In the 10 games before that, they were minus-five.

Just when you thought the defending champions were ready to give up their reign, they responded.

11. Indianapolis Colts, 9-5—AFC South Division Leader

This is the most enigmatic team in the NFL.

Even though the Colts are in the league's worst division, it is hard to call them overrated. After all, Indy has beaten Denver, Seattle and San Francisco this season. Yet, the Colts have also feasted on their weak divisional foes.

If you subtract their games against division opponents—none of which will even sniff the postseason—the Colts are just 4-5 this season.

12. Miami Dolphins, 8-6

So much for the Dolphins missing Richie Incognito's "leadership" and presence. Since he was suspended, the team is 4-2 and has won three games in a row.

Miami is in a battle with Baltimore for the last playoff spot in the AFC. It will have to hold serve and hope for the champions to stumble. The Ravens own the tiebreaker based on their 26-23 win over Miami in Week 5.

13. Chicago Bears, 8-6—NFC North Division Leader

For all the talk about the quarterback situation in Chicago, the Bears offense has performed well with both Josh McCown and Jay Cutler under center. Only the Broncos have scored more points than Chicago this season.

The key to the Bears winning out and making noise in the postseason is its defense. Chicago's 32nd-ranked run defense must improve if it hopes to advance to the playoffs—and have a chance to win once it gets there.

14. Green Bay Packers, 7-6-1

The Packers are making their own breaks and getting help from other teams.

The Dallas Cowboys' collapse against Green Bay on Sunday helped the latter stay alive in the race for the division. The Baltimore Ravens' 19-16 win over the Detroit Lions on Monday night only made the Pack's hopes more realistic.

As long as Green Bay is still alive for the playoffs, the possibility for an Aaron Rodgers return is still open.

Had the Packers lost, they would have been 6-7-1 and all but eliminated from playoff contention. In that scenario, it would have been pointless to bring the star back this season.

His availability for Sunday's game against the Steelers still isn't known, but things are getting interesting in the NFC North.

15. Philadelphia Eagles, 8-6—NFC East Division Leader

The Eagles gave up 48 points to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, and the 'Vikes didn't even have Adrian Peterson.

Could Philly's fast-paced offense be bad for them?

The Eagles have the shortest time of possession percentage of any team in the NFL at 43 percent, per Sporting Charts. Essentially, the team's 30th-ranked defense is on the field more than its potent offense.

16. San Diego Chargers, 7-7

After pulling off another improbable road win in Denver in Week 15, the Chargers would love to play all their games against the best teams in the NFL.

San Diego also owns a road win over the Chiefs and beat the Colts at home. Despite the team's success against the best teams in the league, the Bolts have struggled against the mediocre squads.

Losses to the likes of the Houston Texans, Washington Redskins and Tennessee Titans will level things in a major way. The Chargers are 4-2 against teams currently slated to make the playoffs and 3-5 against non-qualifiers. Go figure.

17. Detroit Lions, 7-7

The Detroit Lions look to be in the midst of another second-half swoon.

In 2012, Detroit was 0-8 after Week 9. This season, the team has lost four of its last five games and is just 2-4 since its bye in Week 9.

How nervous are Lions fans knowing their team is 2-12 down the stretch of the last two seasons?

18. Pittsburgh Steelers, 6-8

Defense has been one of the bright spots for the Steelers in the second half of the season. The unit is ranked 11th in the league in yards allowed, but overall consistency has been an issue. The Steelers have been on as many losing skids this season as they have been on winning streaks.

If Pittsburgh can continue to re-establish its identity as a running and defensive-minded team, 2014 can mark a return to the postseason.

19. Dallas Cowboys, 7-7

Tony Romo's critics need to calm down. There is no doubt his two fourth-quarter picks were huge in the 37-36 loss, but he didn't cost his team the game. As usual, the defense is to blame for Dallas' latest defeat.

The Cowboys' woeful defense gave up more than 400 yards of total offense for the eighth time this season. With consistently bad defense like that, Romo and the offense have to be near perfect for the team to win.

20. St. Louis Rams, 6-8

Jeff Fisher has the Rams playing with toughness and grit, just like his successful Tennessee Titans teams used to play.

St. Louis has committed to the run. It has run for at least 100 yards in seven straight games. During that span, the defense has also forced 15 turnovers. This is a dangerous young team heading into 2014.

If it can only get consistent solid play at quarterback, it will be a force in the NFC.

21. New York Jets, 6-8

Geno Smith has had his moments this season, but his 21 interceptions have sunk any hopes the Jets had of making the playoffs. He threw another pick-six on Sunday against the Panthers.

Experience and more playmakers on offense are what he desperately needs to improve, but in the meantime, this season is officially a wash.

At 6-8, the Jets are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs.

22. Buffalo Bills, 5-9

Against a hot Jacksonville Jaguars team, rookie quarterback EJ Manuel came up with a much-needed strong performance. He shook off the effects of a four-interception game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the week before.

The Jags defense is legitimate, which makes Manuel's 105.1 quarterback rating in the game all the more impressive.

23. New York Giants, 5-9

The Jets' Smith has a lack of experience to use as an excuse; Eli Manning doesn't. He threw five more interceptions to run his league-leading total to 25. 

Seattle's secondary is exceptional, but throwing five interceptions was unacceptable. So much for playing inspired football for an embattled head coach.

If the G-Men don't finish the season strong, Tom Coughlin may be in trouble.

24. Minnesota Vikings, 4-9-1

Playing without Adrian Peterson, Minnesota not only won, but it also scored a season-high 48 points. The point output only came against the Eagles' weak defense, but because the Vikings did it without their star, the explosion was impressive.

Matt Cassel has outperformed Christian Ponder when he has played. He hit six different receivers en route to his 382-yard, two-touchdown, one-interception performance. The newfound balance should carry over when and if A.P. returns this season.

Bleacher Report's injury expert Will Carroll reports A.P. was at practice on Wednesday:

25. Tennessee Titans, 5-9

Jake Locker may not seem like a player who is essential to playing winning football, but the Tennessee Titans have missed him dearly.

Counting the Nov. 10 game against the Jags when he was injured, the Titans are 1-5 since their starting quarterback went down.

Tennessee is 4-3 in games that Locker has appeared in this season.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4-10

When the season began, no one would have expected that Mike Glennon would have the best season of all rookie quarterbacks.

Through 11 games, he has thrown for 2,231 yards, 17 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. No other rookie has been nearly as successful under center this season.

Because of his play and an underrated defense that is ranked 13th in the NFL, the Bucs are the best of the lower-ranked squads—for whatever that's worth.

27. Jacksonville Jaguars, 4-10

Gus Bradley won't win, but he deserves to be mentioned in the conversation for Coach of the Year. That may sound strange, but considering this team began the season 0-8 and non-competitive, he's done a marvelous job of turning things around.

Remember, there still isn't a wealth of talent on this roster.

Jacksonville had its win streak snapped by the Bills on Sunday, but that doesn't diminish what the team has accomplished in the second half of the season.

Through the first eight games, the Jags weren't just being beaten; they hadn't stayed closer than 10 points to any of their opponents.

Since then, Jacksonville is 4-2.

28. Atlanta Falcons, 4-10

The Falcons edged out a 27-26 win over another disappointing team in the Washington Redskins on Sunday, but finishing the season on a high note will be difficult.

The Dirty Birds will face two elite squads to finish the season. The 49ers will welcome them to San Francisco in Week 16 on Monday night. In the season finale, their NFC South rivals the Panthers will invade the Georgia Dome.

29. Oakland Raiders, 4-10

When Terrelle Pryor was the starter, the Raiders were a respectable 3-5. With the combination of Matt McGloin and the since departed Matt Flynn, the Raiders are 1-5.

If you consider that Pryor still has upside and the Raiders have nothing to lose, he should start the last two games of the season. 

The team is in the midst of a four-game losing streak. All the momentum and hope that were established early in the season are just about dead. Perhaps Pryor can help create a buzz for 2014.

30. Cleveland Browns, 4-10

Josh Gordon is having a great year. He's leading the league in receiving yards with 1,467 yards, but he didn't look like himself in Sunday's loss to the Bears.

His demeanor wasn't the best, and it seemed to catch the attention of the Fox broadcast. Gordon had several prolonged closeups while he was on the sideline.

The team's current five-game losing streak might be getting to some of the players.

31. Washington Redskins, 3-11

Kirk Cousins gave a great effort, but he came up short against the Falcons in Week 15. Had he played better, he might have helped to create a full-fledged quarterback controversy in Washington.

As it stands, it was just another loss—the sixth in a row, to be exact.

This team is falling apart, and it comes from the head coach and matriculates through the roster.

If the six-game losing streak isn't bad enough, the Washington faithful have to deal with rumors that their head coach is intentionally trying to get fired, per Jay Glazer of Fox Sports.

32. Houston Texans, 2-12

Losing 12 games in a row is mind-blowing for a team with as much talent as the Texans.

After beginning the season 2-0, the team has been decimated by injuries and shattered confidence. The decline is sad to watch, and I'm not even a Texans fan. Perhaps the return of Matt Schaub to the starting lineup, per John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, will help?

Nah.

All stats from Pro-Football-Reference, unless otherwise noted.

Follow me for news and musings on all things sports.