Week 15: 2009 NFL Power Rankings and Fantasy Focus

The Saints and Colts are still both undefeated and this upcoming week they will both play before Sunday.

On Thursday, the Colts will head down to Jacksonville and take on the Jaguars. They are expected to play all of their starters, so make sure you get your Colts fantasy players in your lineup.

The Saints will face off against the Cowboys in New Orleans on Saturday night in a very big game for Dallas. If the Cowboys can win this week, they still have a solid chance to make the postseason.

Below we have a short write-up on the Top 10 teams on our power rankings for this season. These teams are important to know as they are playing well and should continue to help fantasy teams.

Pay attention to the worst teams on the list, as they are the teams you want to have your players going against for the fantasy football playoffs.

1. Saints (13-0)

Another week has gone by and another close victory over a losing team for the New Orleans Saints. This coming week should be a fantasy football fun feast, as the Saints play the Cowboys on Saturday Night Football.

Look for Drew Brees and his band of marry men to have strong fantasy production in this matchup.

2. Colts (13-0)

The Colts now have home field locked up in the AFC and have the luxury of resting different players. This week the team is planning to use all of their starters, as they are still five weeks away from playing their first playoff game.

If any star player gets banged up in this game the Colts will probably take that player(s) out and give them rest. But expect all the starters to play, as the team will have 10 days off after their early Thursday matchup against the Jaguars.

3. Vikings (11-2)

After a disappointing loss to the Cardinals in Arizona, the Vikings bounced back and beat the Bengals at home. Not only did the Vikings win, but they did so in impressive fashion.

Look for the Vikings to make quick work of the Panthers on Sunday; fantasy owners should have their usual fantasy players starting from this team.

4. Chargers (10-3)

The Chargers could just about lock up the No. 2 spot and a bye week if they beat the Bengals this week at home. The way this team is playing right now I wouldn't put it past them to clinch a first-round bye because they are playing great football.

Just how many fantasy points both teams will put up is still a big question mark, but start your normal players in this game.

5. Bengals (9-4)

To say this week's upcoming game against the Chargers is important for both teams is an understatement. This game is basically for the right to have a bye week and a home-field game in the divisional round of the playoffs.

Between the Bengals and Chargers, this game is more important for the Bengals since a loss would put Cincinnati two games back and with the head-to-head loss would really be three behind San Diego. This would effectively seal the deal for the Chargers to have homefield over the Bengals.

Look for Cedric Benson and the Bengals' ground game to try and keep the ball away from the Chargers' very explosive offense.

6. Eagles (9-4) 

The sloppy play of the Eagles' defense wasn't impressive last week against the Giants, but they did pull out the victory. The fact that the Eagles' can have an off night defensively and still win is a big plus going forward.

Not only that, but the Eagles are starting to run the ball decently when they need to pound it on the ground. This will help them put games away at the end, but expect their passing game to be the focal point of this attack every week.

7. Packers (9-4)

Well, the Packers are back in the top seven teams of our NFL power rankings so that means they are probably going to lose this week against the Steelers. Many will pick the Packers to win this game, but I believe the Steelers will give them a tough game in Pittsburgh.

The Steelers looked like a tired team against the Browns, but now they will have 10 days off before this game at home. Expect a good, close game between these two football teams.

8. Broncos (8-5)

The Broncos have shown they have a lot of fight still left in them, as they look to be playoff-bound. Brandon Marshall and Kyle Orton have clearly got solid chemistry together, hooking 21 times last week for an NFL record for receptions in one game.

Expect the Broncos to roll over the Raiders in Denver this weekend, as they are playing solid football right now.

9. Patriots (8-5)

The Patriots are clearly struggling, but they will win their division this year. While the Patriots should win their division, they won't receive a first-round bye, which belong to the Colts and either the Chargers or Bengals.

Still, remember that New England is very capable of going on the road and winning a playoff game. If that is going to happen this year, Tom Brady needs to heal his ailments, or they simply won't win.

10. Cowboys (8-5)

The Cowboys are falling apart in December once again, but they can beat the Saints this week in New Orleans. The Saints have barely won against bad competition for weeks (outside of the Patriots' game) and the Cowboys are desperate.

If the Cowboys can win this game than they will still have a very good chance to make the playoffs. The major competition they have to worry about for the last spot for the playoffs in the NFC is the Giants.

Since the Giants have beaten the Cowboys twice this year, they will get the tie-breaker if these teams should have the same record at the end of 2009. This is a must-win game for the Cowboys.

11. Cardinals (8-5)

12. Giants (7-6)

13. Ravens (7-6)

14. Dolphins (7-6)

15. Jets (7-6)

16. Titans (6-7)

17. Jaguars (7-6)

18. Steelers (6-7)

19. 49ers (6-7)

20. Texans (6-7)

21. Falcons (6-7)

22. Panthers (5-8)

23. Bills (5-8)

24. Seahawks (6-7)

25. Redskins (4-9)

26. Raiders (4-9)

27. Bears (5-8)

28. Chiefs (3-10)

29. Browns (2-11)

30. Lions (2-11)

31. Buccaneers (1-12)

32. Rams (1-12)