Saints Look Down Upon The Rest: Each NFL Team's Ranking and Commentary

Bob SmithDec 14, 2009

Where exactly would each NFL team stand if they were ranked like college football? Well just scroll below and find out!

NFL Ranks Following Week 14

1.New Orleans Saints

TOP NEWS

Bleacher Report1w

Bleacher Report1w

Bleacher Report1w

As long as the Saints keep winning they will remain number one, but they are not dominating teams as much as their record would make it seem. Their last two victories, against the Falcons and Redskins, have come by a combined 6 points. That being said a wins a win and with the plethora of talent around Drew Brees on the offensive side of the ball this team will be difficult to defeat come playoff time. The only hope for teams facing the Saints is that the pressure of 19-0 gets to them.

2. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts continue their decade of regular season dominance, but whether that means anything come January is another story. One thing that has commonly been forgotten since Peyton Manning’s Colts won the 2006 Super Bowl is the fact he has played sub-par in the playoffs. In 15 playoff games Manning has thrown only 22 touchdowns to his 17 interceptions. Even in the Super Bowl season he had a mere 3 touchdowns to 7 interceptions.

3. San Diego Chargers

With a big win against the woeful Cowboys during the Dallas’ annual December collapse the Chargers have now won 8 straight and are on their way to a first round bye in the playoffs. The Chargers’ running game started to look more like a LaDainian Tomlinson led rushing attack and less like one led by Matt Forte. How much of that can be attributed to the absence of DeMarcus Ware (who left in the third quarter with a sprained neck) will remain to be seen...at least until next week. We will get a good idea of how good the Chargers running game is next week when they face the run stout Bengals next week in San Diego.

4. Minnesota Vikings

Bouncing back after a loss to the Cardinals, the Vikings defeated the Bengals in rather convincing fashion. With an offense led by Adrian Peterson and Brett Favre the absence of Percy Harvin (due to migraines) was hardly noticed, but with the assumption Harvin will be back in the coming weeks this team becomes even more dangerous on the offensive side of the ball. The only question which remains is whether Brett Favre can sustain his high level of performance for the remainder of the regular season and into the playoffs.

5. Philadelphia Eagles

Possibly the most dangerous player in the NFL returned this week and he made sure everyone noticed. The Eagles DeSean Jackson had two touchdowns and over 250 total yards in a game against the Giants which had dramatic playoff implications. The Eagles win gave them a one and two game lead over the Cowboys and Giants respectively, leaving them in control of their own destiny to win the division crown. With Brian Westbrook still holding out hope he can return before the season is over the Eagles running game could get a big boost.

6. Green Bay Packers

With the division all but secured by the Vikings, the Packers still find themselves in prime position to reach the playoffs as a wild-card. The Packers were tested against the Bears this week, but they found a way to win as their defense again forced turnovers against the league’s leader in interceptions, Jay Cutler. Ryan Grant led the Packers with two touchdowns including one on the opening play of the game. Many Packer fans must be wondering what may have happened had the Packers won just one of the two games against the Minnesota Vikings this season.

7. Cincinnati Bengals

Since the Bengals big win in Pittsburgh against the Steelers the Bengals have not looked the same. They have won only two of their last four since, and those wins include games at home against the Browns and Lions. If the Bengals plan on going anywhere in the playoffs Carson Palmer must get on track.

8. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals continue their Jekyll and Hyde like performances. Just a week after Kurt Warner played marvelously versus the Minnesota Vikings, he had five turnovers in the first half against the San Francisco 49ers. When the Cardinals play their game they can hang with anyone, but their consistency has been shaky to say the least.

9. New England Patriots

The Patriots got the win in week 14 against the Panthers, but a problem may be surfacing for New England. After being sent home earlier in the week, Randy Moss’ performance was one of his worst of the season. It included only one catch, a fumble, and a dropped pass leading some Panthers to believe Moss was not trying. This can have one of two effects on the Patriots. Either Moss will continue his lack-luster play or he will show everyone why he is one of the best wide receivers in the league. If option number two takes place expect numbers similar to Moss’ record breaking 2008 season in the final three games of the regular season.

10. Denver Broncos

The Broncos came up short against the Colts this week despite the Bronco’s Brandon Marshall doing everything in his power to defeat the unbeaten Colts. Marshall had an NFL record 21 catches for 200 yards and two touchdowns. The Broncos remain in control of their own destiny to reach the playoffs as a wild-card, but if they plan on winning a playoff game another wide receiver must step up.

11. Miami Dolphins

12. Dallas Cowboys

13. Baltimore Ravens

14. New York Giants

15. Jacksonville Jaguars

16. New York Jets

17. Tennessee Titans

18. Pittsburgh Steelers

19. Houston Texans

20. San Francisco 49ers

21. Washington Redskins

22. Atlanta Falcons