NFL Power Rankings Week 15: Predicting Post-'Monday Night Football' Standings

The 2014 NFL regular season has featured plenty of intense on-field action, but the mad rush toward the playoffs has shaken up the Week 15 power rankings.

While Week 14 isn't over until the Green Bay Packers square off against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football, fans of the 30 other franchises have already turned their attention toward where their teams stand in the latest rankings.

Here is where every team is ranked entering Week 14.

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

32. Oakland Raiders

Despite stunning the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday and earning their second victory of the season, the Oakland Raiders are still the worst team in the power rankings. The future is bright with Derek Carr under center, but the team has weaknesses across the depth chart.

31. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars also have a bright future with a rookie quarterback. Unfortunately, the team has been atrocious around Blake Bortles and will continue to be that way until Jacksonville adds a few viable weapons who can stay healthy.

30. Tennessee Titans

There have been times when the Tennessee Titans have looked strong, but those moments are so few and far in between that the team has been awful all year. Losing to the New York Giants added insult to injury, and Tennessee could easily slide further down the rankings over the last two weeks.

29. New York Jets

The New York Jets took the Minnesota Vikings to overtime but were beaten on a huge touchdown that stole any momentum New York had built. The on-field chaos this season will lead to offseason chaos at the head coach and quarterback positions.

28. Washington Redskins

There is no bigger train wreck in the NFL than the current situation with the Washington Redskins. With a franchise quarterback likely on his way out, expect the losses to continue mounting for the remainder of the season.

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Wide receiver Mike Evans has emerged as one of the best rookie wide receivers in the NFL, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still atrocious in most facets of the game. Head coach Lovie Smith should be looking for a quarterback early in the 2015 NFL draft.

26. Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns lost a heartbreaker to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, and most of the blame falls on the poor play of quarterback Brian Hoyer. If Cleveland truly cares about winning, the franchise must turn the starting job over to Johnny Manziel.

25. Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bear's high-powered offense was supposed to make the team a viable contender in the NFC North, but that couldn't be further from the truth. At this point, Minnesota is more of a viable threat than Chicago.

24. Minnesota Vikings

Rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has faced adversity during his time with the Minnesota Vikings, but he is showing clear signs of progression. With a possible franchise quarterback in place, the Vikings must do their best to surround him with weapons.

Mark Zaleski/Associated Press

23. New York Giants

A victory is exactly what the New York Giants needed to build confidence. A favorable matchup against Washington in Week 15 should continue their recent string of success.

22. Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons are ranked 22nd due to the fact that the team is leading its division. If Atlanta loses to Green Bay as expected, the wide-open NFC South will undoubtedly be the worst division in football.

21. Carolina Panthers

After the Carolina Panthers' victory over New Orleans, it's hard to tell whether the performance from the offensive and defensive units was an anomaly. The team will have another chance to prove its worth in Week 15 against the lowly Buccaneers.

20. New Orleans Saints

It doesn't make sense. The Saints have a roster filled with exceptional talent, but the entire team has struggled to put it all together. New Orleans could still easily win the division, but quarterback Drew Brees must return to his elite form.

19. Buffalo Bills

The hopes of bucking the postseason trend are fading for the Buffalo Bills, and a matchup against Green Bay in Week 15 is not helping matters. It looks like Buffalo fans will have to wait another year for a chance to return to the postseason.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers

A win over the Cincinnati Bengals was huge for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and they get a favorable matchup against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 15. It appears Pittsburgh’s postseason hopes are still alive.

17. St. Louis Rams

Few teams in the NFL would want to play the St. Louis Rams after back-to-back shutouts. Arizona and St. Louis play on Thursday Night Football this week, and football fans should expect a defensive battle.

16. Houston Texans

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt is doing as much to keep his team in contention as any player in the NFL. Unfortunately for Watt and the Texans, the next matchup on the schedule is a battle against the rival Colts.

15. Miami Dolphins

If the Miami Dolphins thought the loss to Baltimore deflated the team’s postseason hopes, a Week 15 meeting against New England will erase all doubt that Miami will miss the playoffs.

14. San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers should be fighting for the top spot in the NFC. Instead, they are slipping further and further out of postseason contention. Regardless of why the team is losing, taking a loss to Oakland at this point of the year could be a death blow.

13. Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith has yet to throw a passing touchdown to a wide receiver this season. If the team fails to make the postseason this year, Andy Reid and the coaching staff must re-evaluate the entire game plan and their commitment to Smith.

12. Cincinnati Bengals

A loss to the Steelers is a major setback for the Cincinnati Bengals' attempt to win the AFC North, and a matchup against the division rival Browns in Week 15 could result in another tough loss at a key moment.

11. Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens are one of the most inconsistent teams in the NFL. A win over Miami was a good start to the playoff push, and the team must take advantage of a favorable matchup against Jacksonville.

10. Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys beat up on the lowly Chicago Bears in Week 14, but the team will be forced to square off with the division rival Eagles for the second time in three weeks. If Dallas wants to ensure a postseason berth, the team must win in Week 15.

9. Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions have had an unstoppable offense and an impenetrable defense at times this season, but it’s all about getting both units playing well at the same time. As seen against Tampa Bay this Sunday, Detroit is rounding into elite shape.

8. San Diego Chargers

A loss to New England was devastating for the San Diego Chargers, but all hope is not lost. San Diego played the Patriots tough and will now host Denver in Week 15. If the Chargers beat the Broncos, Philip Rivers and the boys will be hot heading into the postseason.                                            

7. Indianapolis Colts

No game is out of reach for the Andrew Luck-led Indianapolis Colts. Luck has been incredible since joining the Colts, and another come-from-behind win is exactly what Indianapolis needs heading into the home stretch of the season.

Michael Perez/Associated Press

6. Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez has struggled at times as the team’s starting quarterback. A loss to the Seattle Seahawks was tough, but a meeting with the Dallas Cowboys in Week 15 will be a better gauge of where the Eagles are as postseason contenders.

5. Arizona Cardinals

The offense hasn't performed well since Drew Stanton took over as quarterback, but injuries have plagued the Arizona Cardinals. Despite major issues on both sides of the ball, the team has come together when needed and has continued to win.

4. Seattle Seahawks

A victory over the Philadelphia Eagles was a big step back to elite form for the Seattle Seahawks. After suffering several stunning losses earlier this season, the defending Super Bowl champions are ready for another run at the title.

3. Denver Broncos

Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos have not played at the elite level at which they started 2014, and there is concern that injuries are starting to take their toll on the team. As long as Denver gets healthy for a playoff run, the Broncos will be Super Bowl threats.

Morry Gash/Associated Press

2. Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers should have no problem picking apart the lackluster defense of Atlanta on Monday night. As long as Aaron Rodgers is under center, Green Bay will be a serious championship threat.

1. New England Patriots

Beating San Diego on Sunday night was a major victory for the New England Patriots. The team is looking to secure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, and a victory over San Diego set the tone for the team’s run down the stretch to the postseason.

Stats via NFL.com.

Follow @Donald_Wood