NFL Power Rankings: Updated League Review Following 2015 Divisional Round

Despite the fact that there's only four teams still alive in the quest to be crowned Super Bowl XLIX champions, there's plenty of news swirling around the NFL.

Sure, the events on the field are paramount as we move toward crowning another champion, but general manager, head coach and coordinator hires are also major topics of discussion.

As the playoffs continue and front office moves take a shape, here's a fresh look at power rankings in the NFL.

32. Tennessee Titans

After finishing the season tied for the worst record in the NFL, the Titans have an uncertain quarterback situation and few playmakers on either side of the ball. Things are bad.

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

You really could put the Titans or Bucs here, but I gave Tampa Bay the edge because it at least has the No. 1 pick. The ability to draft the Oregon Ducks Marcus Mariota No. 1 overall puts the Bucs in a better position than the Titans.

30. Jacksonville Jaguars

Despite the fact that the Jags finished the season 3-13, head coach Gus Bradley seems to have his team pointed in the right direction from an effort standpoint. The Jags play hard, and sooner or later, their effort and continued high draft picks will result in better finishes.

29. Oakland Raiders

The Raiders were outscored by a league-high 199 points in the 2014 season, but the team does have a potential leader on offense in Derek Carr and defense in Khalil Mack. If Oakland finds the right man to coach this young squad and gets Carr a viable No. 1 receiver, it will improve.

Alabama's Amari Cooper declared for the draft on Jan. 9, per Alabama's official Twitter account.

With an aerial threat like him, we might see significant improvement with the Raiders in 2015.

28. Washington

There are weapons on this team, but it needs to figure out who its quarterback is and commit to him. On defense, there needs to be an injection of pass-rushing outside linebackers. Brian Orakpo is a free agent, and the team must replace that element if it is to be good in 2015.

27. New York Jets

Rex Ryan left behind some solid pieces on defense, but like Oakland, the Jets need a top-notch receiver. Perhaps a player like Jaelen Strong from Arizona State or Kevin White from West Virginia might be a solid fit. Obviously, if the Raiders don't select Cooper, he'd be ideal.

26. Chicago Bears

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There's plenty of work for new general manager Ryan Pace to do. The first order of business is hiring a head coach. With the Ravens Gary Kubiak choosing to stay with the team as offensive coordinator, per Mike Coppinger of NFL.com, the Bears will have to turn to Plan B in their head-coaching search.

Whoever is chosen to succeed Marc Trestman had best bring a personality and identity to the suddenly lost franchise.

25. New York Giants

With Jason Pierre-Paul headed toward free agency, the Giants could potentially have a need for a defensive lineman. The offense seems to be in a decent place with the emergence of Odell Beckham Jr. and the return of Victor Cruz next season, but unless there's some good work done in the offseason, defense could be an issue for the G-Men.

24. Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta is a big pass-rusher away from being the class of the NFC South. That might not sound like a huge compliment, but it'll guarantee a playoff spot.

It's time for the team to find a younger running mate for Julio Jones and a healthy horse at running back, but Atlanta's top order of business should be finding a way to get consistent pressure on the quarterback.

23. St. Louis Rams

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Of all the teams that missed the playoffs, the Rams have one of the brightest immediate futures. Defensively, this team has playmakers on every level of the defense. The running back situation is in order with Tre Mason, and Stedman Bailey and Tavon Austin are dynamic young receivers.

Even the young offensive line is an encouraging group. Sam Bradford's inability to stay healthy has stagnated the growth of the team.

Next season, the Rams have to find a dependable quarterback to lead. If it does, this could be a playoff team in 2015.

22. Cleveland Browns

Johnny Manziel is further away from being ready to lead this team than Browns fans had hoped. Because of this, Cleveland still is a team without an identity.

Like it or not, the Browns have hitched their wagons to Manziel for at least the next year. As he goes, so goes the organization in 2015.

21. Minnesota Vikings

There's reason to be excited about Teddy Bridgewater's performance late in the 2014 season. He showed flashes of being the leader the team has needed since Daunte Culpepper was at his best.

There are still a few issues in the secondary, but head coach Mike Zimmer has the Vikings moving in the right direction.

20. New Orleans Saints

Something has to happen with the Saints defense. By the end of the season, New Orleans' and Chicago's defenses looked the worst on the field of any teams in the league.

Drew Brees may not be the same guy he was four years ago, but he's still capable of leading a potent attack. With some tweaks on defense, the Saints could be back in the mix next season.

19. San Francisco 49ers

Colin Kaepernick is still a talent, but the Niners' once-vaunted defense has been ravaged by injuries and disciplinary issues. Head coach Jim Harbaugh was forced out and landed in the college ranks. It'll take a special effort from the new sideline leader to avoid a fall.

18. Miami Dolphins

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The Dolphins are a No. 1 receiver away from the playoffs. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill has developed nicely, and the Fins have playmakers on defense. The team has also improved its once-poor offensive line.

Miami is primed to make 2015 a big year.

17. Kansas City Chiefs

Alex Smith has his limitations, but he's smart and works well in Andy Reid's system. If the Chiefs are going to take the step in 2015, he needs receivers who can make things happen after the catch. Right now, Jamaal Charles is the only player on the team who is dynamic in the open field.

16. San Diego Chargers

Let's face it. Antonio Gates isn't getting any younger, and the Chargers secondary could still stand to improve. Philip Rivers is still all-world, and he has a budding superstar in Keenan Allen, but the defense has to gain some fangs before San Diego can return to the postseason.

15. Houston Texans

Bill O'Brien had his team playing hard, and despite injuries to No. 1 pick Jadeveon Clowney and a sad quarterback situation, the Texans just missed the playoffs. If O'Brien gets a decent quarterback, look out.

14. Buffalo Bills

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Bills will hire Rex Ryan as their new head coach.

It's a great move for Buffalo because the personnel is already in place to play the style of defense Ryan loves. Also, the Bills need to be relevant. A personality like Ryan's will make them marketable.

If Ryan hires Marc Trestman as the team's offensive coordinator, they could be downright dangerous in 2015.

13. Philadelphia Eagles

If the quarterback situation was better, this team would have easily made the playoffs and been a real force. That's not to say there aren't other issues. The secondary—specifically the cornerbacks—needs to be upgraded.

Addressing both needs in the draft and/or free agency could make all the difference for Philly in 2015.

12. Pittsburgh Steelers

Behind a balanced offense, Pittsburgh returned to the playoffs in 2014, but there's still work to be done on the defense. Age and injuries have reduced the effectiveness of players like Troy Polamalu, and it's time the Steelers found the leaders of the next era on that side of the ball.

11. Carolina Panthers

Don't let the losing regular-season record fool you; the Panthers are close to being an elite team. Cam Newton is an exceptional leader who is only getting better on the field.

He has one consistent threat in wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin. Newton needs one more to push the offense to the next level.

10. Cincinnati Bengals

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Until the Bengals replace Andy Dalton, they will continue to bump their heads on the glass ceiling. Dalton has proved time and again that he doesn't have what it takes to lead his team to postseason success.

Before the Bengals waste the talent they have on offense and defense, it's time to look for a new leader under center.

9. Arizona Cardinals

If Carson Palmer isn't hurt, the Cardinals might still be alive in the playoffs. With third-stringer Ryan Lindley proving he's fortunate to have a job in the NFL, the Cards had no chance to win a postseason game.

Losing defensive coordinator Todd Bowles to a head coaching job would also hurt, but you have to love the depth of the defense and the offense when Palmer is healthy.

8. Detroit Lions

Retaining free agent Ndamukong Suh is the key to the Lions' offseason. If Suh bolts, Detroit can still be good on defense, but it won't be the No. 1 unit we saw in 2014.

Without a defense of that caliber, the team would be back to the underachievement that marred the Jim Schwartz years. 

7. Baltimore Ravens

You have to admire Joe Flacco. His postseason performances are beginning to make him one of the best playoff performers in recent years. Still, the Ravens' secondary was torched by the Patriots in the second half of the AFC Divisional Round game.

Addressing the safety position and bringing in Terrell Suggs' ultimate successor would be wise if the Ravens hope to get back to the Super Bowl.

6. Denver Broncos 

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There are some serious decisions to make when it comes to Peyton Manning. He's clearly not the player now that he was earlier this season, or any of the last two years.

The proactive thing to do would be to draft his successor now, and potentially groom him for a season to take Manning's spot. Then again, we don't even know if Manning is going to return in 2015.

After Sunday's loss to the Indianapolis Colts, Manning was non-committal on a return, per Frank Schwab of Yahoo! Sports. Denver has to aggressively look for a resolution to keep from heading into a prolonged rebuilding period.

5. Dallas Cowboys

Losing in the NFC Divisional Round had to be painful for the Cowboys. This team was good enough to reach the Super Bowl, but it didn't get the breaks it needed against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

The good thing is, if the Cowboys re-sign both Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray, there's no reason the team can't be just as good—or better—in 2015.

4. Indianapolis Colts

In three meetings with the New England Patriots, Andrew Luck and the Colts are 0-3 and have lost by an average of 26 points. Indy is holding the fourth spot, and I'd be shocked if it ascended any higher. Bill Belichick simply has Luck's number, and the Pats should stump the Colts again.

3. Green Bay Packers

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Aaron Rodgers and Co. have proven to be unbeatable at home. Unfortunately for them, the home games are over. The Packers will be traveling to CenturyLink Field to take on the Super Bowl-champion Seattle Seahawks with a trip to this year's Super Bowl on the line.

Away from Lambeau Field, Rodgers and the Packers are a different team. Without the home-field advantage, beating the Seahawks will be tough.

Rodgers' injured calf muscle may not be healed enough not to hinder him in the NFC title game. Green Bay figures to need Rodgers at 100 percent to beat the champions on the road.

2. New England Patriots

Tom Brady proved he still is an elite quarterback by slicing the Ravens defense during the team's 35-31 win on Saturday. New England's defense isn't exactly stout, but the offense is unpredictable and versatile. The coaching staff makes adjustments and finds a way to win.

As of now, this team is trumped by just one squad.

1. Seattle Seahawks

Teams give great effort to remain competitive with the Seahawks for a little over a half, but ultimately Seattle's combination of defense and clutch offensive play wears down an opponent.

It happened in the regular-season finale with the St. Louis Rams and in the Divisional Playoff Round against the Panthers. Russell Wilson leans on his defense just enough, and then makes the plays needed to provide the team with the offense to win big games.

That's why Seattle is the class of the league.