NFL Power Rankings Week 14: Will Pittsburgh Steelers Make Big Leap?

NFL Power Rankings are out, and it's time for some major movement.

Fans offered up some great reaction last week, and had many valid points about where their teams stood. I reminded them, however, that December is what matters and you'll know more about your team at this point when there's far more on the line.

You will see that for sure this week.

Teams with bad losses right now? They will definitely fall. And those with impressive wins may jump over other victorious teams that struggled.

While the New England-New York Jets game fell way short of expectations, I think we would all agree that the rematch between Pittsburgh and Baltimore definitely lived up to the hype. Lots did unfold over the weekend, but if you're a longtime NFL fan, you have to be sad with the death of former Cowboys quarterback and Monday Night Football analyst Don Meredith.

A former co-worker wrote an amazing piece on him, which included a great line about Tom Landry.

"Tom Landry is a perfectionist," Meredith once said. "If he was married to Raquel Welch, he'd expect her to cook."

On with the rankings:

Worse Than Watching The Lifetime Channel

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SEATTLE - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Jimmy Clausen #2 of the Carolina Panthers scans the field at the line of scrimmage against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on December 5, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks won, 31-14. (Photo by Otto Greule J

32. Cincinnati (2-10)
Last week's ranking: 32

The Saints drew the Bengals off sides late in the game, and Marvin Lewis had told his team to expect it earlier in the week. Hang in there coach. The torture is almost over.

31. Carolina (1-11)
Last week's ranking: 31

Hey, the Panthers actually had a 14-3 lead at halftime Sunday against Seattle. Proves you can find something positive amid a dreadful season.  

Save Your Time, Go Have Fun

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DENVER - NOVEMBER 14: Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe #82 of the Kansas City Chiefs makes a reception as Champ Bailey #24 of the Denver Bronco defends at INVESCO Field at Mile High on November 14, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Cheifs 49-29

30. Arizona (3-9)
Last week's ranking: 30 

Derek Anderson was bench and Max Hall left with a shoulder injury, giving John Skelton a chance at playing time. Where did Skelton play college ball, you ask? Fordham. Yes, Arizona desperately needs a franchise quarterback.

29. Denver (3-9)
Last week's ranking: 28 

Got to hand it to Champ Bailey, who locked down Dwayne Bowe and held him without a single catch or touchdown in Sunday's matchup. Bowe had entered having caught at least one touchdown in seven straight games.

Gasping For Breath

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 05: C.J. Spiller #21 of the Buffalo Bills rushes against the Minnesota Vikings at the Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on December 5, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

28. Detroit (2-10)
Last week's ranking: 29th

Have to respect how the Lions made it interesting with the Bears. 

27. Buffalo (2-10)
Last week's ranking: 27th 

Bills defensive end Chris Kelsay got rather blunt when he told Pro Football Weekly, "You heard the last few weeks that no one wants to play the Bills. Well, if we play like this, everybody's going to want to play us."

Still Struggling

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CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 24: Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers against the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

26. San Francisco (4-8)
Last week's ranking: 26th

The quarterback carousel continues: Alex Smith has recovered from his shoulder injury and will return Sunday against Seattle. Backup Troy Smith had been the starter. 

25. Houston  (5-7)
Last week's ranking: 23rd 

The Texans actually had more yards than the Eagles, but Michael Vick still finished with three total touchdowns.

Definite Room For Improvement

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MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 19: Head coach Tony Sparano of the Miami Dolphins watches from the sidelines during the game against the Minnesota Vikings on September 19, 2010 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Ge

24. Minnesota (5-7)
Last week's ranking: 25 

Maybe I'm wrong, but I think it would be wise for the Vikings to hang on to Leslie Frazier. 

23. Miami (6-6)
Last week's ranking: 22

Clark Judge of CBS Sports may be onto something: "I'll tell you another head coach you can add to the endangered list: Miami's Tony Sparano. He has lost seven of his last eight at home, including five of six this season, and was serenaded by a chorus of boos when he left the field Sunday. Sparano was hired by Bill Parcells, but Parcells is leaving. So where's his security blanket? There isn't one." 

Long Ways To Go

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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 05: Courtney Greene #36 of the Jacksonville Jaguars tackles Chris Johnson #28 of the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on December 5, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Jaguars won 17-6. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

22. Cleveland (5-7)
Last week's ranking: 24

The Browns were the better team, and it's fun to watch them learn how to win the tough games.

21. Tennessee (5-7)
Last week's ranking: 20

Only 220 total yards, and the defense could not stop Maurice Jones-Drew.

20. Washington Redskins (5-7)

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WASHINGTON ? OCTOBER 15: Defensive end Phillip Daniels #93 of the Washington Redskins huddles with his teammates during the game against the Tennessee Titans on October 15, 2006 at FedExField in Landover, Maryland. The Titans won 25-22. (Photo by Chris

Last week's ranking: 18th

You have to love Phillip Daniels, especially after the veteran defensive lineman called out fellow teammate Albert Haynesworth.

"I've been through 15 seasons, and I ain't won (anything). So what I'm saying is if I can come out here and do this, don't tell me that you can't do it," Daniels said. "I want every guy on this team to do well. I want you to realize that if you ain't all in, you don't need to be here.

"That's my point. I'm tired of going through season after season where we lose games that we should win, guys not doing the right thing, guys not putting the best effort in, whatever it may be. I'm tried of that, man. We deserve better."

19. Dallas Cowboys (4-8)

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 05: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys is helped off the field after an injury against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Cowboys defeated the Colts 38-35 in overtime

Last week's ranking: 21st

Dallas will have to finish the year without star rookie receiver Dez Bryant, who broke his ankle in the fourth quarter of Sunday's overtime win at Indianapolis.

"That sets us back,'' Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "That sets us back. I really feel bad for him, but it really sets us back. The good news is we've got some depth there. That'll give (Kevin) Ogletree and guys like that a little more play time.''

Bryant is a difference maker, and the Cowboys are playing better under Jason Garrett, but let's watch and see how Dallas finishes the season. This setback could prove to be a blessing.

18. Seattle Seahawks (6-6)

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SEATTLE - DECEMBER 05: Running back Marshawn Lynch #24 of the Seattle Seahawks rushes against Captain Munnerlyn #41 of the Carolina Panthers at Qwest Field on December 5, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Panthers 31-14. (Photo by Ot

Last week's ranking: 19th

Seattle has already surpassed last year's win total, and Marshawn Lynch had his first three-touchdown day of his career against Carolina, which snapped a two-game losing streak. 

"We haven't been feeling right about what we're capable of doing," Pete Carroll told the Associated Press. "All week, last night, pregame and then halftime it finally just jumped. I don't know. It's a little bit mystical there. I don't know what it was. It just happened."

No, you're not imagining things. An NFL coach actually used the word "mystical."

17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5)

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TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 05: Running back LeGarrette Blount #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Last week's ranking: 14th

You have to be impressed seeing rookie LeGarrette Blount run for 103 yards against Atlanta's defense. The Bucs almost pulled off the upset, but remain 0-5 this year against teams with winning records.

16. Indianapolis Colts (6-6)

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 05: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts drops back to pass against the Dallas Cowboys at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)

Last week's ranking: 12th

Hard to imagine that Peyton Manning is trying to do too much and hurting his team. But should fans panic? Not really says Andy Benoit of CBS Sports.

As he explains: "The Colts still control their own destiny. Their remaining four games are: @ Tennessee (Thursday night), vs. Jacksonville, @ Oakland and vs. Tennessee. If the Colts win out, they’ll finish 10-6. Even if the currently-first place Jaguars finish 10-6, the Colts would win the tiebreaker because they’d be 4-2 in division games (like Jacksonville) and one game better than the Jags against common opponents."

15. St. Louis Rams (6-6)

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 05: Runningback Steven Jackson #39 of the St. Louis Rams rushes the football for 22 yards past Kerry Rhodes #25 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 5,

Last week's ranking: 16th

The Rams may have beat Arizona, but lost a serious piece of their defense. Linebacker Na'il Diggs tore his pectoral muscle, and will be out for the rest of the season. Diggs has started all 12 games, and had 36 tackles and two passes defensed. St. Louis said it will take him five months to recover.

14. San Diego Chargers (6-6)

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SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers drops back to pass in the first quarter against the Oakland Raiders at Qualcomm Stadium on December 5, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 28-13

Last week's ranking: 13th

San Diego got swept by Oakland for the first time since 2001, and now trails Kansas City by two games with four remaining. Sunday's loss also snapped an 18-game winning streak in December for the Chargers, which tied an NFL record for victories in any month.

Norv Turner is already moving on.

"We’re going to look at what happened yesterday and then we’re going to look at Kansas City," he said. "I’m sure they’re going to use a game plan that’s very similar. They’re an outstanding running team. They have a receiver that’s playing at an outstanding level and defensively I think they’re a very stout group."

13. Oakland Raiders (6-6)

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OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 28: Jacoby Ford #12 of the Oakland Raiders is congratulated by fans after he scored a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 28, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty I

Last week's ranking: 17th

Keep an eye on Raiders rookie wide receiver Jacoby Ford. Pro Football Weekly reports that Ford's role won't expand just yet beyond offense and handling kickoff returns. Coach Tom Cable apparently said Ford may not even continue to start if the other receivers return to full health before season's end.

12. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-5)

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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 05: Maurice Jones-Drew #32 of the Jacksonville Jaguars breaks away from Chris Hope #24 of the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on December 5, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Jaguars won 17-6. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Last week's ranking: 15th

Maurice Jones-Drew carried his team on Sunday, finishing with 186 yards on 31 carries. It was the NFL's second-best rushing performance of the year, and Jones-Drew has now rushed for over 100 yards in five straight games.

Jacksonville has now won four of its last five and are in first in the AFC South, a game up on Indianapolis.

11. New York Giants (8-4)

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 05: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants throws a pass against the Washington Redskins on December 5, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Last week's ranking: 11th

Coach Tom Coughlin and the rest of the Giants remember quite well how Minnesota ended their season with a 44-7 defeat last year. It's something that still doesn't sit well.

"Let’s just say we haven’t forgotten what happened there,’’ guard Chris Snee told the New York Post. “I’ll just leave it at that. We know what the final score was. It’s already been talked about."

“All we’re concerned about is the way we play and what we showed on that field is not indicative of the team we are. That’s not the reputation we have had over the years of a team that’s going to play four quarters. Most guys were embarrassed by that performance, me included. Never want to have that feeling again.’’

10. Kansas City Chiefs (8-4)

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KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Matt Cassel #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs in action during the game against the Denver Broncos on December 5, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Last week's ranking: 10th

As Pro Football Weekly's Nolan Nawrocki notes, a big reason for Matt Cassel's success this year lies with offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, who has utilized his strengths and helped him get in a comfortable tempo with a mix of bootlegs, play-action and underneath passes.

9. Baltimore Ravens (8-4)

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BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: Derrick Mason #85 of the Baltimore Ravens argues a call with a referee during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. Pittsburgh won 13-10. (Photo by Geoff Bur

Last week's ranking: 7th

Ravens wide receiver Derrick Mason certainly wasn't happy with the offense after the 13-10 loss to Pittsburgh. 

"I might get crucified for this one, but with all these people we've got on offense? We're not a good offense at times. Just call it how you see it," he told the Baltimore Sun. "Call a spade a spade. If we were a good offense, we'd move the ball up and down the field....But we're just not a good offense at times. We look like the 'Bad News Bears' at times. And I'm a part of it."

8. Chicago Bears (9-3)

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DETROIT - DECEMBER 05: Brandon Manumaleuna #86 of the Chicago Bears runs for a first down as Julian Peterson #98 of the Detroit Lions makes the tackle during the game at Ford Field on December 5, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. The Bears defeated the Lions 24

Last week's ranking: 9th

All the attention is on Philadelphia and Atlanta in the NFC. In the mean time, Chicago quietly goes about its business, flying under the radar and preparing for the postseason.

7. New Orleans Saints (9-3)

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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 05: Jonathan Vilma #51 and Sedrick Ellis #98 of the New Orleans Saints tackle Cedric Benson #32 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the NFL game at Paul Brown Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Saints won 34-30.

Last week's rankings: 6th

For some reason, this team appears to be struggling and it's something that frustrates Jonathan Vilma. New Orleans barely escaped with a 34-30 win over Cincinnati.

"If we're going to make a run at this thing, we've got to start playing better football, start playing tougher football," Vilma told the New Orleans Times-Picayne. "The first half we're lights out and the second half we can't stop anybody. And as a captain of this team, I'm allowing it. It's tough for me to swallow right now."

6. New York Jets (9-3)

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 06: (L-R) D'Brickashaw Ferguson #60, Wayne Hunter #78 and Matt Slauson #68 of the New York Jets look on dejceted late in the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2010 in Foxboro, Massac

Last week's ranking: 2nd

Tap the brakes on all the Super Bowl talk. This team is talented, but has a ton of work to do.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3)

Larry French/Getty Images

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers walks off the field after defeating the Baltimore Ravens 13-10 at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

Last week's ranking: 8th

Anyone else have a laugh when the Steelers tried to say Big Ben had just a "bloody nose"?

Here's some great stuff from Michael Lombardi, who wrote on NFL.com about "Hate Games" like the rivalry between Baltimore and Pittsburgh:

"In 'Hate Games,' the standings are meaningless as the ill will is so strong that winning is the only thing that matters—no matter what is at stake for either team. This makes for the best football, as teams come willing to do whatever it takes to get a victory, or as Uncle Junior told Tony Soprano when they were feuding, 'Next time you walk through that door, you come heavy or don't come at all.' Teams that genuinely hate one another always come heavy."

4. Green Bay Packers (8-4)

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GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 05: James Starks #44 of the Green Bay Packers runs against the San Francisco 49ers at Lambeau Field on December 5, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the 49ers 34-16. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Last week's ranking: 5th

The Packers by-committee approach to running looked impressive, as they finished with 136 yards rushing against San Francisco. Currently, Brandon Jackson is sharing time with rookie James Starks and former Atlanta Falcon Dimitri Nance. Starks (pictured) had 18 carries for a team-high 73 yards Sunday.

3. Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 02: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles lines up under center at the line of scrimmage against the Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 2, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris Chambers/G

Last week's ranking: 4th

Hard to imagine, but the New York Giants will be rooting for a Dallas upset this Sunday when they face Philadelphia. This is the first of two meetings between both teams. Something tells me this will be a lot closer than people think.

2. Atlanta Falcons (10-2)

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 28: Matt Bryant #3, Roddy White #84 and Tony Gonzalez #88 of the Atlanta Falcons react after Bryant's go-ahead field goal in the final seconds against the Green Bay Packers at Georgia Dome on November 28, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Ph

Last week's ranking: 3rd

Big divisional win for the Falcons on Sunday. Atlanta just remains steady, but Orlando Ledbetter noticed that wide receiver Roddy White needs to relax a little.

"He's just nine catches shy of becoming the first Falcons receiver to catch 100 passes in a season since Eric Metcalf in 1995," Ledbetter writes in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "But for the second game in a row, White drew a penalty. White doesn't need to back down from the defensive backs, but he doesn't have to throw punches at them either. He needs to chill and relax (chillax), and let his play do his talking. He appeared to react to questionable tactics, but the officials always catch the retaliation. White received an earful from coach Mike Smith and wide receiver coach Terry Robiskie when he went to the sideline."

1. New England Patriots (10-2)

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 06: James Sanders #36 of the New England Patriots celebrates after he intercepted a pass against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Last week's ranking: 1

That was a completely dominating performance Monday night. Now for some laughter: Check out this video of Donald Trump, who was sitting with Patriots owner Bob Kraft.