NFL Power Rankings Week 14: Where Each Team Fits in the NFL Playoff Picture
NFL Power Rankings are always a blast, and are even more fun with a little playoff picture twist.
Instead of simply ranking each club from top to bottom, let's look ahead to the postseason, factor in the remaining schedule for each team and include the non-playoff teams that will have chances to play spoiler in December.
No. 32: Arizona Cardinals
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In their final four games, the Cardinals face no teams that are currently in the playoff race (if you don't count the 49ers).
They certainly aren't the worst team in the NFL, but the way they've played of late, coupled with their boring end-of-season schedule, lands them in the cellar.
No. 31: Denver Broncos
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The Broncos made headlines this week when they fired head coach Josh McDaniels after a 10-6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
They've lost seven of eight.
Interim head coach Eric Studesville's group plays the Chargers in the season finale that could have playoff implications, but there's not much left on their schedule.
No. 30: Detroit Lions
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The Lions have lost many close games this season, and have been somewhat underwhelming in a year in which some believed they'd start to turn the corner.
They're down to Drew Stanton at quarterback and their defense is as shaky as they come.
Detroit hosts Green Bay this week and travels to Tampa Bay in possible spoiler games, but can you really see them pulling off one of those victories?
Maybe.
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No. 29: Carolina Panthers
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I'd have to pick my jaw off the floor if the Panthers win another game, but the three chances to play spoiler in the final four weeks bump them up to the 29 spot.
They play Atlanta twice and head to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers in what could be a frightening game to watch for Panthers fans.
No. 28: Buffalo Bills
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The Bills were a catch away from beating the mighty Steelers two weeks ago, and were blown out in Minneapolis last weekend.
Maybe they are as bad as we thought.
They run the gantlet through all three division foes in the final month, but with the Jets and Patriots as the only contenders, Buffalo only gets the chance to alter playoff positioning twice.
No. 27: Cincinnati Bengals
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With games against Pittsburgh, San Diego and Baltimore remaining, the Bengals will have a shot at crushing some playoff dreams.
However, they've lost eight straight and I doubt they can actually do any damage.
No. 26: San Francisco 49ers
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I've seen reports that Alex Smith will start this weekend for the 49ers.
Not great news for fans in the Bay Area.
They play three divisional games in the season's final lap and are essentially still in the playoff hunt, but after such a disappointing season, this is the rightful place for SF.
No. 25: Tennessee Titans
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The Titans simply cannot win with Randy Moss in the lineup.
Actually, it's hardly been the receiver's fault; the Titans have seemingly quit on the season and don't have the answer at quarterback right now.
They get Indy twice, but play in Arrowhead and Lucas Oil Stadium in Weeks 16 and 17. Yikes.
No. 24: Houston Texans
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This is at the low end for the Texans, who are two games out of the division lead.
They've lost five of their last six games, basically have no pass defense and will have trouble winning any of their last four games, though they do get Baltimore on MNF at home next week.
Sorry, Texans fans. I expected more this year out of your squad and didn't get it.
No. 23: Cleveland Browns
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I really like how the Browns are playing of late.
Peyton Hillis is a tractor-trailer that happens to play running back, and the defense comes to play every week.
After games in Buffalo and Cincinnati, they'll take center stage in AFC North spoiler showdowns in the Dawg Pound against Baltimore and Pittsburgh.
No. 22: Washington Redskins
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I still have a hard time trusting the Redskins to win any significant games, but with contests against the Bucs, Jags and Giants left on their schedule, they'll have ample opportunity to make some noise.
(I wouldn't count on it.)
No. 21: Dallas Cowboys
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Jason Garrett has invigorated the Cowboys as they've actually looked like a contending team since he was named the interim head coach.
They face the Eagles twice, next week and in the season finale, and those games could be dandies.
No. 20: Miami Dolphins
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Where do the Dolphins go after Chad Henne's putrid performance against the Browns?
They're 6-6 and mathematically still alive for the postseason, but let's be real, it's not happening.
Games against an angry New York Jets team and the clicking New England Patriots should seal the deal for the Dolphins.
No. 19: Minnesota Vikings
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Leslie Frazier has won his first two games as an NFL head coach. Good for him.
However, the Vikings are probably the last team that has their eye on being a spoiler, with the playoffs an afterthought at this juncture.
They play the Giants, Bears and Eagles, so we'll see how far they've come. (And who will start at QB.)
No. 18: Oakland Raiders
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The Men in Black have kept their heads above water, and are still a possibility for the playoffs, but it won't be a cakewalk.
In three of their final four games, Oakland plays in Jacksonville and Kansas City, but gets the Colts at home.
Let's see if that running game can carry the Raiders.
No. 17: Seattle Seahawks
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The Seahawks are tied for the lead in the NFC West and have a testy schedule left.
They play the Falcons and the Rams in Qwest Field, but face a tough road game in Tampa Bay against a much-improved Buccaneers team.
This is a team that's very hard to figure out, but one that could ultimately be crowned division champs.
No.16: St. Louis Rams
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The Rams have surprised most of us and sit atop the NFC West at 6-6.
We'll see how good they really are with games against the Saints, Chiefs and Seahawks to end the year.
No. 15: San Diego Chargers
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Just when we thought the Chargers were going to rattle off six or seven straight in the latter part of the season, they lose to the rival Raiders by 15 at home.
Luckily for the San Diego faithful, their remaining games aren't too intimidating. After welcoming the Chiefs this week, they play the 49ers, the Bengals and the Broncos to end the year, and that's why they sit at No. 15.
No. 14: Indianapolis Colts
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We've all been on Peyton Manning for his three-game stretch in which he's tossed 11 passes to the opposing team.
Yes, very un-Manning-like.
But are we really ready to count the Colts out just yet?
Games against the Jaguars and Raiders are sandwiched by matchups with the Titans.
No. 13: Jacksonville Jaguars
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Don't give the Jaguars the AFC South title just yet.
They hold a one-game lead over the Colts, and probably will have to win in Indianapolis and in Houston to bring the title back to Jacksonville.
They'll need to rely on Maurice Jones-Drew, and I could watch that bowling ball run all day.
No. 12: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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The home loss to the Falcons this past week is crushing to the Bucs playoff hopes, but all hope is not lost.
Starters Jeff Faine and Aqib Talib are injured, but games against Washington, Detroit and Seattle could give Tampa Bay some momentum before the season finale in the Superdome.
No. 11: New York Giants
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I know, I know, Giants fans, how could I put the G-Men at 11 with an 8-4 record after they won consecutive games?
Easy.
Three of their last four are on the road and their lone home contest is against the high-flying Eagles.
No. 10: Philadelphia Eagles
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The Eagles narrowly edge out their division foe the Giants because they own the head-to-head tiebreaker at this point.
Philadelphia won't have it easy in these final four.
Two games with the Cowboys, the aforementioned G-Men and a new-look Vikings team could lead to a dramatic end to the season.
No. 9: Kansas City Chiefs
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There's been a guardian angel following the Chiefs this season, and it doesn't look like it has intentions of leaving anytime soon.
Kansas City is two games up in the division and has three manageable games against the Rams, Titans and Raiders to end the year.
No. 8: Baltimore Ravens
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The loss to the Steelers is crushing for the Ravens, because they are far from a shoo-in for the playoffs.
They travel to Houston on MNF, play the offensively gifted Saints and head to the Dawg Pound to meet up with Peyton Hillis.
In Week 17, they drew the Bengals, so in the end the Ravens should get into the postseason.
No. 7: New Orleans Saints
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Remember, I'm factoring in the remaining schedule here, because believe me, the Saints are better than the seventh-best team in football.
They must go to Baltimore and they get Tampa Bay at home to finish off the year, but both of those games could be competitive.
No. 6: Green Bay Packers
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The Packers are on the outside looking in on the playoffs right now, but they're only a game behind the division-leading Bears, a team they get in Lambeau to end the season.
Matchups against the Patriots and Giants will be real gut-checks, and don't sleep on the Lions in Ford Field.
No. 5: Chicago Bears
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Jay Cutler has cut down on his interceptions, the defense has played well and what do you know...the Bears are 9-3.
Things get very difficult from here on out, however.
The Bears play the Patriots, the Vikings, the Jets and the Packers to end the year.
They'll need to bring their A-game each week.
No. 4: New York Jets
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Could the thrashing on MNF have been any more humiliating?
Don't think so.
Anyway, the Jets should still make the playoffs, but games in Pittsburgh and Chicago will make things interesting.
No. 3: Pittsburgh Steelers
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The win in Baltimore clinched it for the Steelers, if you ask me.
The defense is rolling, and they have games against the Panthers, Bengals and Browns remaining on the schedule.
No. 2: New England Patriots
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Tom Brady doesn't need Randy Moss.
We saw how great he can be with any group of receivers against the Jets on MNF.
The Patriots close with games in Buffalo and home against the Dolphins.
A record of 12-4 should be easily attainable.
No. 1: Atlanta Falcons
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Here's a prediction: The Atlanta Falcons will finish with the best record in football.
They play the Panthers, not once, but twice, and have to travel to Seattle to play a Seahawks team I see them having no trouble with.
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