NFL Power Rankings Week 15: Updated 2014 Analysis Before Thursday Night Football

We're getting to the time of the year in which the top-seeded teams in the NFL's power rankings will begin to closely resemble this season's ensemble of playoff contenders—with the possible exception of the mediocre NFC South, a division that will be lucky to produce a .500 team.

No longer are we basing these rankings off of any team's potential in the coming weeks. The entire league has had 13 games to perfect its on-field product, and what's currently being delivered by every franchise is what we will see over the final three weeks of the season. Therefore, every team will be ranked accordingly.

So, which teams are the league's most powerful and very likely to be contenders in the postseason? Looking at the NFL's updated hierarchy heading into Week 15 will answer that question.

32. Tennessee Titans (2-11)

The Titans suddenly find themselves in a terrible scenario. Rookie quarterback Zach Mettenberger was lost for the season, and the team must now decide if he's worthy of maintaining the starting role going forward. After all, this team is in line for a high pick in a quarterback-heavy draft class.

31. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-11)

Jacksonville just desperately needs to get some kind of experience on the offensive side of the ball. A rookie quarterback, a trio of rookie wide receivers—minus Allen Robinson, who was lost for the year—and an inexperienced ball-carrier in Denard Robinson (who was also lost for the year) won't accumulate many points.

30. New York Jets (2-11)

Obviously, Geno Smith isn't the answer at quarterback for the Jets. He was forced back into action with Michael Vick sidelined, and the team quickly shifted to a one-dimensional, run-heavy offense. New York doesn't have faith in this signal-caller and should be expected to acquire another over the offseason.

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-11)

Speaking of teams in need of a quarterback, the Buccaneers are near the top of the list. This team has recently begun to show some improvement on the defensive side of the ball, and with talented wide receivers Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson on board, upgrading the quarterback position must be Tampa Bay's top priority.

28. Washington Redskins (3-10)

Let's just keep rolling along with the quarterback trend. Colt McCoy doesn't seem to be a long-term answer, and it's becoming clear Robert Griffin III no longer holds the keys to this franchise. This team has playmakers, but without a viable signal-caller, it will go nowhere fast in a tough division.

27. Oakland Raiders (2-11)

The Raiders suddenly sprung to life in a victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 14. Derek Carr played very well, and the team finally came to its senses and relied on Latavius Murray out of the backfield. There is actually a light at the end of the tunnel in Oakland.

26. Carolina Panthers (4-8-1)

Cam Newton came away with one of his best performances of the season against the New Orleans Saints in Week 14. Unfortunately, he was tragically injured in a car crash on Tuesday. His status for the rest of the season is in doubt, and we can only hope he makes a quick and full recovery. Derek Anderson will take the reins under center in his absence.

25. New Orleans Saints (5-8)

The Saints continue to be the league's most enigmatic team. Just one week after earning a huge road win against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Drew Brees and Co. laid an egg against Carolina. There's far too much talent on this team for this kind of inconsistency.

24. Chicago Bears (5-8)

Unfortunately, the Bears' rough season got a little worse when it was announced wide receiver Brandon Marshall would miss the remainder of the season. The wideout made matters worse, saying he'd have buyer's remorse in regard to quarterback Jay Cutler's contract. This isn't a good situation for a fragile team.

23. Cleveland Browns (7-6)

The Browns may be in the thick of a playoff race, but they decided to bench the struggling Brian Hoyer in favor of rookie Johnny Manziel just before a huge divisional contest with the Cincinnati Bengals. Sure, Manziel could go in and light it up; however, the move just shows the uncertainty surrounding this franchise right now.

22. Kansas City Chiefs (7-6)

Kansas City just continues to lose game after game. The Chiefs' lack of any kind of offense—aside from Jamaal Charles—is really starting to hurt. The lack of a viable passing game continues to make this team one-dimensional and easy to defend. Don't expect to see Kansas City in the postseason.

21. New York Giants (4-9)

The Giants have finally started to come alive. Sure, it's a little too late to make anything out of this season, but with young weapons like Odell Beckham Jr. and Andre Williams, New York appears to be in very good shape for seasons to come.

20. San Francisco 49ers (7-6)

San Francisco is in dire straits. Head coach Jim Harbaugh will most likely be heading out of town after the season, and it's beginning to look like quarterback Colin Kaepernick may not be the answer under center. Expect plenty of changes in San Francisco over the offseason. 

19. Minnesota Vikings (6-7)

Minnesota's defense has improved with the hiring of head coach Mike Zimmer, and now some offensive playmakers are beginning to emerge. It may be too late for this team to reach the postseason this year, but if the Vikings can surround Teddy Bridgewater with a couple more weapons, they could contend in the near future. 

18. Atlanta Falcons (5-8)

Atlanta is the de facto leader of the AFC South. This division is just terrible, but at least the Falcons looked a bit like a division leader in a 43-37 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Matt Ryan and Julio Jones are clicking right now, and that will probably be good enough for this team to find a spot in the playoffs.

17. Buffalo Bills (7-6)

The Bills are a solid team, but they don't do anything exceptionally well. This will be the reason they miss out on the playoffs this year. While Buffalo's defense is solid, there isn't enough firepower on the offensive side of the ball to make this team relevant in the AFC East.

16. Miami Dolphins (7-6)

Miami needs to figure out if Ryan Tannehill is its quarterback of the future. Yes, he's put up some good numbers this season. Although, not only has he failed to put up gaudy numbers against weaker opponents, but he's actually struggled in a few of those games. That's not going to help this team dethrone the New England Patriots any time soon.

15. Houston Texans (7-6)

Houston is in a very similar situation as Buffalo. This team's defense is very good, especially up front, but it lacks elite firepower on the offensive side of the ball. Arian Foster is a great running back, and DeAndre Hopkins has put together a few nice performances, but the teams' long-term answer at quarterback may not be currently residing on its roster.

14. St. Louis Rams (6-7)

The Rams are a team no one wants to play right now. This squad has been lights-out on the defensive side of the ball, pitching two shutouts over its last two games. St. Louis won't make the postseason this year, but with a couple additions on offense, it could be a major contender very soon.

13. San Diego Chargers (8-5)

San Diego is going to need a big win against the Denver Broncos if it is to make the playoffs. The Chargers were impressive in Week 13 with a victory in Baltimore, but they couldn't get anything going in Week 14 at home against the Patriots. Inconsistency could end this team's season early.

12. Baltimore Ravens (8-5)

The Ravens bounced back from a tough loss to San Diego with a very nice win on the road against the Dolphins. Baltimore's defense is playing very well right now, and with the emergence of Justin Forsett, its offense is nicely balanced. That's a solid recipe for a playoff berth.

11. Arizona Cardinals (10-3)

Arizona stopped its slide in Week 14 with a close victory over the faltering Chiefs. This team needs another win in the worst possible way before it slips out of playoff contention. A victory over the Rams would likely punch the Cardinals' ticket to the postseason, but a loss will put them into the thick of the wild-card race.

10. Cincinnati Bengals (8-4-1)

The Bengals looked impressive for three quarters against the Steelers, but the wheels really fell off in the fourth quarter. Luckily, this team gets a chance at redemption in Week 17, but it can't be caught sleeping in a very important contest against the Browns on Sunday.

9. Philadelphia Eagles (9-4)

Philadelphia's offense was putrid in Week 14. Yes, Seattle has a very good defense, but putting up a total of 139 yards of offense is just pitiful. This team will be tested once again in Week 15 against the Dallas Cowboys, and a loss may give up the division for good.

8. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5)

Pittsburgh's offense looks extremely dangerous. Ben Roethlisberger is playing well, Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell are nearly unstoppable and Martavis Bryant has been a revelation. While this team can put up points, it's giving up plenty as well. The Steelers need to shore up that side of the ball to make a playoff run.

7. Indianapolis Colts (9-4)

The Colts continue to win despite numerous unforced errors. Indianapolis has been struggling with ball security of late but has managed due to the lack of quality opposition. That won't fly Sunday, as a Texans team hungry for its first win in Indianapolis comes to town.

6. Detroit Lions (9-4)

Detroit's defense remains one of the NFL's best, and now its offense is beginning to come around. Wide receiver Calvin Johnson notched his second consecutive monster performance in Week 14, and keeping up that kind of consistency will make the Lions a fierce competitor in January.

5. Dallas Cowboys (9-4)

Dallas bounced back from a rough Thanksgiving Day loss with a dominant performance against the Bears in Week 14. Tony Romo was extremely accurate, and DeMarco Murray reaffirmed why he's the league's best ball-carrier this season. Although, the Cowboys will need a big day on both sides of the ball in Week 15 if they are to fare better against the Eagles this time around.

4. Denver Broncos (10-3)

The Broncos haven't been nearly as dominant as they were in past weeks, but they are still finding ways to win. Peyton Manning didn't throw a single touchdown pass in Week 14 against Buffalo, and that will likely have to change against a Chargers team that is playing to keep its playoff hopes alive.

3. Seattle Seahawks (9-4)

It took the Seahawks a little while to figure things out this season, but they finally look like the defending Super Bowl champions once again. This team put on a dominant showing against the Eagles, and Russell Wilson continues to be fantastic under center. Seattle is hitting its stride at the right time.

2. New England Patriots (10-3)

New England was given a tough test on the road against San Diego, but Tom Brady and Co. prevailed in the end. The Patriots are playing well on both sides of the ball right now, making them the AFC's most dangerous team heading into the postseason.

1. Green Bay Packers (10-3)

Green Bay's offense is simply ridiculous. Aaron Rodgers and Co. seem able to score at will—at least that's what it looked like Monday night against Atlanta. The team's secondary is a bit of a concern right now, but even with a shaky back end, it will be difficult for any squad to outscore the NFL's most potent offense.