Week Fourteen NFL Power Rankings

This is just getting ridiculous.  The Saints and Colts are still unbeaten, and there doesn't seem to be many more challenges ahead for either.  The Saints can thank Shaun Suisham, and the Colts can that Vince Young for choking on two fourth downs in the red zone.  They haven't been as prolific as the 2007 Patriots, but they are getting it done.

1. New Orleans Saints (12-0, LW: 1): The Saints keep the top spot by overcoming that huge deficit against the Redskins.  Again, they should have lost the game, but they did a good job coming back.  Robert Meachem is becoming a star.

2. Indianapolis Colts (12-0, LW: 2): The Colts got a few gifts from the Titans, and it doesn't get any easier this week against Denver.  The good news for the Colts is that they pretty much have the AFC wrapped up already.  The defence needs to be better.

3. Minnesota Vikings (10-2, LW: 3): Despite the loss, the Vikings stay at number three.  Brett Favre didn't look good this week, and AP hasn't done much.  They will both have to get going again if they want to make a deep playoff run.

4. San Diego Chargers (9-3, LW: 4): The Super Chargers are rolling again, and they get the falling Cowboys this week.  LT is running hard, and they will need this to continue.  They will be a tough out in the playoffs.

5. Cincinnati Bengals (9-3, LW: 5): The Bengals are in a tight race with the Chargers for the second seed in the AFC.  They will need to keep winning, and they have a tough matchup against the Vikings this week.  Carson Palmer needs to be better.

6. Green Bay Packers (8-4, LW: 8): Aaron Rodgers is on a roll, and he is putting the Packers back in the hunt.  They have won four straight, and they get a decent matchup against the Bears this week.  Their defence ripped the Ravens Monday Night.

7. Philadelphia Eagles (8-4, LW: 9): The Eagles completely dominated the Falcons, and they are one of the hottest teams in the league.  Mike Vick got into the action a bit, and that will be a good sign going into the playoffs.  They will need to keep winning to stay in.

8. Arizona Cardinals (8-4, LW: 10): The Cards got a huge home victory over the Vikings, and have to feel good about themselves going into the playoff run.  Kurt Warner played well, and they got a few plays from the defence as well.

9. New England Patriots (7-5, LW: 6): Two straight losses has the Patriots in danger of losing their Division.  That loss to Miami could be huge.  They need to get back on track this week, facing a weaker Carolina team.  The defence can't stop anybody.

10. Dallas Cowboys (8-4, LW: 7): The Cowboys blew a big game on Sunday, and it had a lot to do with poor tackling.  Say what you will about Tony Romo in December, but he dominated that game, and this was on the defence and special teams.

11. Denver Broncos (8-4, LW: 12): Two straight wins have given the Broncos a confidence boost heading into the final four weeks.  Kyle Orton will have to play a bit better, but the defence has done a great job getting back on track.

12. New York Giants (7-5, LW: 14): The Giants were fortunate to win on Sunday, and it won`t get any easier against the Eagles.  Will Eli Manning get back on track in time?  The running game hasn't done enough, and Manning will have to win games for them this year.

13. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-5, LW: 16): The Jags got back on track this week, getting a key win over the Texans.  They still don't look like a playoff team, but they can change that by not letting up against the Dolphins.

14. Baltimore Ravens (6-6, LW: 11): Alternating wins and losses will not be enough to get the Ravens into the postseason.  That loss to Green Bay will be tough to swallow.  Joe Flacco played brutal, and he didn't get any help from the run game.  They got dominated.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6, LW: 13): Despite getting Ben Roethlisberger back, the Steelers still dropped their fourth straight game.  On top of that, they lost to the Raiders.  That can't happen.  The Super Bowl hangover strikes again.

16. Miami Dolphins (6-6, LW: 20): The Dolphins got a huge upset over the Patriots Sunday, and are now back in the hunt.  They look more like a playoff team each week, and can get one step closer to the playoffs with a win over the Jags this weekend.

17. Tennessee Titans (5-7, LW: 17): The Titans made way to many mistakes against the Colts, and it likely cost them the playoffs.  But, this team has rallied behind Vince Young, and will be a contender again in 2010 if they can get the defence back on track.

18. Atlanta Falcons (6-6, LW: 15): The Falcons got their butts kicked at home against Philly, but they may get Matt Ryan back this week.  They will need him, as they take on the Saints.  They will be back in the hunt next year.

19. Carolina Panthers (5-7, LW: 21): The Panthers got a win over the Bucs, but they will have to be better than that if they want to sneak into the playoffs.  Matt Moore is the new QB, but he didn't do much better than Jake Delhomme.  They need a QB in April.

20. Chicago Bears (5-7, LW: 23): Jay Cutler played a bit better, and the Bears won.  Go figure.  They are playing for next year, and they will need some tweaking in the offseason.  They have to go after a wide receiver.

21. New York Jets (6-6, LW: 24): The Jets are an incredibly average team, and I don't think they get into the postseason.  However, the Division is wide open again, and if the Jets can put a few wins together, they might sneak in.  The defence will have to carry them.

22. Seattle Seahawks (5-7, LW: 25): After beating the 49ers, the Seahawks are slightly back in the playoff hunt.  They have a decent running game, and Matt Hasselbeck has played a lot better in recent weeks. 

23. San Francisco 49ers (5-7, LW: 18): That was the playoffs slipping away Sunday against the Seahawks.  They needed that win.  Alex Smith is clearly the answer at QB, and Vernon Davis is finally coming around.  They will be a good team next year.

24. Houston Texans (5-7, LW: 19): Another year, same old Texans.  They have dropped four straight, and the playoffs are hardly a possibility anymore.  They will need to get Steve Slaton going again if they are to turn the corner next year.

25. Oakland Raiders (4-8, LW: 27): What a huge upset...again.  If the Raiders could win the easy games, they might be in the playoff hunt.  Bruce Gradkowski has been a huge improvement over JaMarcus Russell.

26. Buffalo Bills (4-8, LW: 25): After the big upset over the Dolphins, the Bills lay an egg against the Jets.  Ryan Fitzpatrick has been OK, but the defence is too banged up.  They could be a decent team next year, but need some playmakers to step up on offence.

27. Kansas City Chiefs (3-9, LW: 26): The Chiefs got ripped by the Chargers.  The defence will need a lot of work in the offseason.  The offence will likely need some work as well.  Matt Cassell has not been very good.

28. Washington Redskins (3-9, LW: 28): The Redskins are not playing like a team that is ranked this low.  They have been solid on defence, and the offence looked better against the Saints.  However, they still only have three wins in a tough division.  Shaun Suisham is likely gone as kicker.

29. Detroit Lions (2-10, LW: 29): That was another tough loss against the Bengals.  The Lions have a solid team in place, and could be a force in the next couple years.  Or...they could be the Lions, and continue to rank among the league's worst teams.

30. St Louis Rams (1-11, LW: 30): The Rams are on their way to their 3rd straight second overall pick in the NFL Draft.  They need to grab one of the big QBs.  Also, they will have to spend a lot of picks on defence.

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-11, LW: 31): Another week, another pathetic performance from the Bucs.  They are lucky they got that win over the Packers.  They need a lot of work on both sides of the ball.

32. Cleveland Browns (1-11, LW: 32): The Browns actually made a run at a win against the Chargers.  Brady Quinn is making some strides, but he will need a few playmakers brought in if they hope to compete in the next few years.