NFL Week 14 Power Rankings: Tom Brady, New England Patriots On Top
Following their massive Monday Night rout of their AFC East division rival Jets, Tom Brady and his New England Patriots stand tall atop the entire NFL heading into Week 13. “Tom Terrific” is in rare, MVP form at the moment. He is easily the leading MVP candidate following Week 13 with an astonishing seven game streak without turning the ball over. He currently has 3029 yards, 27 touchdowns and just four interceptions on the season. At the moment, Bill Belichick’s Patriots are the best team in the NFL.
32. Carolina Panthers (1-11)
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I have to give it to the Panthers. After an abysmal start, they’re at least trying to win games at the moment. The running game has picked up with Mike Goodson and Jonathan Stewart now healthy.
The passing attack is atrocious. As a football fan, we have to feel bad for Steve Smith. He is one of the elite receivers in the game and has had to play through terrible quarterback play for most of his career. It would be nice to see him traded to a team with a quality quarterback.
The Panthers had a chance to win on the road at Seattle but gave the game away, as expected. At least they’re in position to land the top spot in April’s NFL draft.
31. Denver Broncos (3-9)
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The Denver Broncos just fired Josh McDaniels after his tumultuous reign as head coach. Although he started off well last season, he has been a terrible and cocky coach since then. He managed to gut this team by trading away superstars Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall and over paying for Tim Tebow in the first round of the 2010 draft.
Knowshon Moreno has played better in recent weeks than all season but he and Kyle Orton won’t be enough to overcome this lifeless defense the rest of the season.
30. Arizona Cardinals (3-9)
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The Arizona Cardinals have underachieved this season on defense but their offense took the biggest hit with Kurt Warner retiring. They were never able to figure out their quarterback woes all year, which was the main reason this team couldn’t win games.
The running game was supposed to be the focal point of this team with their inadequacies at quarterback, but it just proved to be another inoperable cog in the rusty machine. Beanie Wells was injured to start the season and could not recreate the dominant running he displayed late last season.
As they continue to sink to the bottom of the worst division in football, they will have to take a long, hard look at how to bring this team back to title contention.
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29. Washington Redskins (5-7)
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The Redskins are falling apart quickly. They have been picked apart through the air and on the ground in recent weeks by the Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants.
Both sides of the ball, offense and defense, are absolutely lifeless.
This team has suffered through injuries, poor coaching and poor play all around from their skill players. They rewarded Donovan McNabb with an unworthy contract extension. The Albert Haynesworth experiment proved to be a worthless disaster that brought unnecessary drama to this team throughout the season.
As expected, the Redskins are a mainstay at the bottom of the league.
28. San Francisco 49ers (4-8)
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The 49ers are trying, at least. They have been one of the most disappointing teams this season and have recently been hit by the injury bug, losing elite running back Frank Gore to a fractured hip.
They owned the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football Week 12 behind the legs of Brian Westbrook but were no match for the offensive powerhouse of Aaron Rodgers’ Green Bay Packers.
Patrick Willis is arguably the best defensive player in the game today but he cannot cover an entire offense by himself or play quarterback for the offense.
Although I consider myself a Troy Smith fan, neither he nor Alex Smith is their answer at quarterback. Until they finally find their man, this team will be a middle of the pack or bottom barrel squad.
27. Cincinnati Bengals (2-10)
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The most disappointing team this season, the Bengals at least put up a fight Week 14 against the defending Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints. Terrell Owens continues his fantasy comeback season but the defense was just as inconsistent as it has been all season. Carson Palmer finally refused to turn the ball over but a stupid off side penalty cost this team their potential third win.
The Bengals have a chance to make some noise for truly the first time this season if they could go into Pittsburgh and upset the AFC North division leaders.
26. Buffalo Bills (2-10)
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The Buffalo Bills have played solid football this season and almost upset the Pittsburgh Steelers in overtime Week 13.
Surprisingly, they went on the road and were destroyed by Tarvaris Jackson, Adrian Peterson and the Minnesota Vikings. This team didn’t play with the same grit and resiliency they have shown for the most part this season. It was an extremely disappointing performance.
It will be interesting to see if this team will rebound at home against the Cleveland Browns, who have surprised a lot of people by playing excellent football for the most part.
25. Tennessee Titans (5-7)
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The Titans are the surprising losers of five straight games. Jeff Fisher’s team is rarely this poor and undisciplined but they have proven in recent weeks that they are playing with zero heart whatsoever.
The addition of Randy Moss was worthless.
Vince Young, one of the team’s best playmakers is lost for the season.
Chris Johnson’s disappearance over the past two games has been the most shocking part of the Titans’ downturn. Their run blocking has been terrible.
The team is still in position to make a run for the AFC South crown but they seem to have quit on the season already. I’d expect Peyton Manning’s Colts to dominant them this Thursday night.
24. Detroit Lions (2-10)
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The Lions have played some of the most inspired, dedicated and resilient football all season. I can’t stress how much they have impressed me this season. The future is extremely bright in Detroit.
Their main problem this season has been their inability to close out games in the second half.
They have played most teams very close and tough all season. They surprised the Bears, Eagles and Packers in the beginning of the season and the Jets, Patriots and Bears over the past month.
Despite their injuries at the quarterback position, they continue to plug away and stay close in their matchups.
The tide and culture is finally beginning to change in Detroit. Soon, this team will be a contender for the NFC North division title with superstars Calvin Johnson and Ndamukong Suh on the team.
23. Minnesota Vikings (5-7)
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Since Brad Childress was fired and Leslie Frazier took over this team two weeks ago, they have played far better. Brett Favre sprained his shoulder in the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills but is expected to keep his starting streak intact Week 14.
Adrian Peterson and Sidney Rice went off against the Bills for a total of five touchdowns. Surprisingly, Tarvaris Jackson relieved Favre and performed very well for the Vikings. It will be interesting to see Frazier turns to Jackson at some point in the remainder of the season or lets Favre keep his streak alive as he tries to impress Minnesota management that he is the right man for the job next season.
22. Dallas Cowboys (4-8)
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Since Jason Garrett took over as interim head coach for Wade Phillips, this team has played far better and inspired football. The Cowboys have won three of their past four games and only lost on Thanksgiving to the New Orleans Saints because of Roy Williams’ costly and unfortunate fumble.
The offense has played much better in recent weeks but suffered a major blow in their overtime shootout win over the Indianapolis Colts when Dez Bryant fractured his ankle and was lost for the season.
Jason Witten is suffering from an ankle sprain but is not expected to miss time.
It will be interesting to see how the defense plays up this week against Michael Vick’s Philadelphia Eagles.
21. San Diego Chargers (6-6)
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The Chargers were in position to make a run at the AFC West crown, winning four straight games leading into their home division matchup with the Oakland Raiders. The Chargers were dominated by their division rivals in all facets of the game. The Raiders’ defensive line destroyed the Chargers’ offensive line, disrupting Philip Rivers throughout the game. Jason Campbell and the Raiders’ rushing attack ran through the Chargers’ defense.
With a big division matchup at home against the AFC West division leading Kansas City Chiefs, they have a chance to make some noise in the division still. Kansas City is as well coached as any team in the league and should be able to handle this disappointing, underachieving Chargers team that thought they could continue their old story of only playing the second half of the NFL season.
20. Seattle Seahawks (6-6)
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The Seahawks are one of the most bizarre teams in the league and one that is truly tough to figure out. Simply put, they are a week to week team. They can be decent on any given week or just flat out bad.
They inconsistent play should not lead them to a division title. Even if it does, this is a one and done team.
The offensive game plan has been a mess in Seattle. “Big” Mike Williams is in the running for comeback player of the year as he is having a great season despite suffering from a foot injury in recent weeks. A major problem for the Seahawks is that they fail to establish a solid running attack each week despite having two capable runners in Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett. They performed well Week 13, so it will be interesting to see if they decide to push that momentum into Week 14 against the San Francisco 49ers.
19. St. Louis Rams (6-6)
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The Rams are surprisingly atop the NFC West. Although it is a poor division, the Rams have played solid football throughout the year.
Sam Bradford has been every bit the franchise changing quarterback St. Louis envisioned for him. His accuracy has been impeccable for the most part. Although this team has played rather poorly on the road, they have the running game and defense to turn that around.
Steven Jackson is one of the elite runners in this game, a true superstar who can do it all on the field. Behind their workhorse, they should make it into the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
18. Houston Texans (5-7)
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The Texans opened the year shocking the Indianapolis Colts behind Adrian Foster’s monster game.
Unfortunately since then, they have failed to get over the hump in the past two months. They have one of the worst defenses in the league and easily the worst secondary, which has been the leading reason for their sub-.500 record.
The team has battled injuries throughout the year, most notably to Andre Johnson who missed time and DeMeco Ryans who is out for the season. Still, neither of them would have been able to help the atrocious secondary who continues to get lit up each and every week.
Not even the potential powerhouse offense, which has been a bit disappointing this season, could have overcome the defense.
17. Oakland Raiders (6-6)
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The Oakland Raiders, behind the fantastic running of Darren McFadden, are actually battling for a playoff spot.
They demolished the San Diego Chargers, mostly because of their defensive line running through the Chargers’ offensive line. However, Michael Bush and Darren McFadden ran very well against the Chargers as both scored touchdowns. McFadden has finally lived up to his top billing out of Arkansas. He still has his great speed, vision and hands but is now finally displaying excellent power.
Jason Campbell and Bruce Gradkowski have been in and out of the lineup due to injuries but have each played well in limited action.
The Raiders may not overtake the Chiefs for the AFC West crown but a winning season is looking very likely for the first time in years.
16. Miami Dolphins (6-6)
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The Dolphins have been inconsistent in the middle of the season due to injuries to Chad Henne, Chad Pennington and Brandon Marshall. The main reason this usually resilient team is not above .500 is because their running game has been lacking this season compared to recent years. The Wildcat offense has not been as effective either.
Chad Henne failed to progress his game and enter the next tier of quarterbacks.
Thus far, Brandon Marshall has been a disappointment in his first season as a Dolphin and has been visibly frustrated by the inconsistent quarterback play.
With Ronnie Brown most likely gone in the offseason, Miami needs to look to draft a running back in April.
15. Cleveland Browns (5-7)
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The Browns have been one of the toughest teams this season. Despite the lack of offensive weapons and injuries to all three of their quarterbacks, the Browns enter each week about as prepared as any team in the league. Their defense is stout but it is dual-threat Peyton Hillis who has been the No. 1 reason the Browns have five wins. Hillis is one of the most bruising rushers in the game, seemingly running through and over defenders each and every week. Not only can Hillis run the ball with authority, he can catch the ball out of the backfield as well.
Hillis has 962 yards and 11 touchdowns while adding 53 receptions for 436 yards and two touchdowns through the air. The main concern with Hillis has been his fumbling woes, which cost the Browns their first two games of the season against the Buccaneers and Chiefs.
14. Indianapolis Colts (6-6)
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I don’t think many could have ever predicted this type of fall from grace from Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. Regardless of all of the injuries suffered each season, Peyton Manning usually has his Colts rolling. This season, Manning has been the main reason for his Colts’ regression in recent week. Over the past three games, Manning has thrown 11 interceptions. His team is on a four game losing streak and in position to miss the playoffs for the first time in what feels like forever.
Manning and his Colts should take care of business this Thursday against the Tennessee Titans on the road, but with the way these Colts are playing, it is not a certainty. Manning needs to step his game up but also needs help from the running game, which has suffered mightily without Joseph Addai in the lineup.
13. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-5)
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The Jaguars have been one of the most surprising teams to me in recent weeks. Usually, this team suffers down the stretch. Maurice Jones-Drew and David Garrard usually fade in the waning weeks of the season. This year, however, they have picked up the pace. Maurice Jones-Drew is running with the freshest set of legs he has ever had at this point in the season and it is evident in his speed and power.
David Garrard is finding ways to win with Mike Thomas and Marcedes Lewis even without Mike Sims-Walker who has been dealing with an ankle injury. This team has managed to stay afloat in the AFC South and control their own destiny going forward.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5)
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Josh Freeman’s Buccaneers took a step backwards Week 13 against the Atlanta Falcons. It wasn’t a big step back, but a step back nonetheless as they were in position to take this game and make a lot of noise in the NFC South division. If they won the big home division showdown, they had the potential to shock everyone and overtake this division or at least position themselves for a wild card spot in the playoffs. They are not out of it, but with Green Bay, New Orleans and New York ahead of them in the standings, they no longer control their own destiny.
We were calling Freeman the “comeback kid” recently but it was his poor throw that ultimately cost his Buccaneers the game.
They now lost one of the best cornerbacks in the league in Aquib Talib for the season and are unfortunately on the way down. Still, this has been an excellent and surprising season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and they should be very proud of their accomplishments thus far.
11. Kansas City Chiefs (8-4)
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As I have said since the opening weeks of the season, I am on the Kansas City Chiefs bandwagon with their excellent coaching staff. They played smart football on all sides of the ball. Now that the explosive rookie Dexter McCluster is back, their special teams can really start to take off. McCluster is a game-changing player with his speed, quickness and agility.
Dwayne Bowe has been absolutely unstoppable in the past two months. He leads the NFL with 14 receiving touchdowns. He presents a mismatch for almost every cornerback in this league.
I fully expect the Chiefs to go into San Diego and take care of business as they stay atop the AFC West division and control their own playoff destiny.
10. Chicago Bears (9-3)
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The Chicago Bears are really starting to pick up steam. Even though I thought they would handle Drew Stanton and the Detroit Lions far more convincingly in Week 13, they still eked out a close win. Their win over the Philadelphia Eagles was impressive as they showed they could compete with the best the NFC has to offer.
Mike Martz’ offense is still a concern as it leads Jay Cutler vulnerable to taking sacks, forcing throws and risking injury. Still, Matt Forte is a perfect fit for this offense and Jay Cutler’s motley crew of receivers are starting to take shape.
The defense is what brings this team together. They are injured and playing very well. Julius Peppers, Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs are three of the best defenders this game has to offer at their respective positions. This will be an extremely dangerous team in the playoffs.
9. Green Bay Packers (8-4)
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Although they are in second place in the NFC North, I trust Aaron Rodgers more than Jay Cutler to lead their team to victory, thus placing them one spot above division rival Chicago Bears.
The Packers have been decimated by injuries this season yet still manage to find ways to win games thanks to Rodgers and wide receiver Greg Jennings, who is playing at an All-Pro level. This makeshift defense and running back core has given Rodgers just enough to bring them to an 8-4 record.
Although the Packers haven’t had the toughest schedule, their record is quite impressive considering all of their injuries.
8. New Orleans Saints (9-3)
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After starting slow caused by injuries to running backs Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush, Drew Brees’ New Orleans Saints are in prime position to make the playoffs and defend their Super Bowl Championship.
The Saints are starting to recreate the magic that brought the city of New Orleans their Super Bowl Championship last season. In a tough road game against a Cincinnati Bengals team with nothing to lose, Drew Brees drew the Bengals defensive line off sides on a 4th and 2 to give the Saints a first down. The Saints proceeded to score the game winning touchdown to take them to their 9-3 record and in position to control their playoff destiny with a Wild Card spot.
The Saints expect Pierre Thomas back Week 14 and are getting healthy at the right time. With Sean Payton’s creative offense led by MVP candidate Drew Brees, the Saints are as dangerous as any team in the NFC.
7. Atlanta Falcons (10-2)
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Although the Falcons have the best record in the NFC, I’m still not a firm believe they are the best team in the conference. Still, they deserve a ton of respect for winning six straight games.
Matt Ryan has been as clutch as any quarterback in the waning moments of a game, when it matters most, of course. Roddy White has proven that he is one of the elite receivers in the game. With 1140 yards, seven touchdowns and 91 receptions thus far, Ryan and White are showing that they are one of the premier quarterback-wide receiver tandems in the entire league.
This team has gotten help from unlikely contributors on defense and special teams to take the Falcons to their league best 10-2 record. In a big NFC South division road game Week 13, Eric Weems weaved in between Tampa Bay tacklers for a 102 yard kick return touchdown. Brent Grimes made a spectacular pick on Josh Freeman to seal the game in the fourth quarter. Most importantly for the Falcons as they control their playoff destiny, they are undefeated at home this season.
6. Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)
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The Eagles are arguably the most dangerous team in the league with Michael Vick leading the fastest offense in the league. Michael Vick’s improved vision and accuracy has allowed him to hit speedsters DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin in stride for big gains.
Vick’s presence on the field has allowed running back LeSean McCoy to become an after though for opposing defenses, yet he is almost as important as Vick for this offense.
McCoy is a dual threat back as he has excellent receiving skills and his quickness and agility allows him to work up field for monster gains as evident against the New York Giants and Houston Texans. In the past two weeks, McCoy caught eight passes in each game.
5. New York Giants (8-4)
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The Giants are officially back on track after stumbling to the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles. They slaughtered the Washington Redskins at home. Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw combined for 200 yards and four touchdowns. Even though the Giants are without starting wide receivers Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks, this is the winning football they need to play. Run first, smash mouth football with tough defense. Enough with the pass first attack, which is not going to win another Championship. They must rely on their two running backs to take them to the Super Bowl along with their stout defense.
Although the Eagles beat the Giants a few weeks back, the Giants laid the blue print on how to contain Michael Vick. The Bears used this blue print to halt Vick’s Eagles and close out a big win. The Giants man handled the Bears in the beginning of the season. They have the defense and offense to compete with any team in the league.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3)
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The Steelers come in at No. 4 after their gritty and heads up win over the Baltimore Ravens. Really, they’re just 3B as they stole the tough division game. Troy Polamalu showed everyone once again why he is one of the most important players in the league. It’s amazing how different the Steelers are when he is healthy and on the field.
Ben Roethlisberger, played with his foot in a specially made boot, took a beating from the Ravens defense. In the first quarter he suffered a broken nose, which he had surgery on December 6. He is not expected to miss time. The man is one of the game’s best warriors. He stays in the pocket and takes a beating yet comes back for more. Roethlisberger and the Steelers are what winning teams are made of. They will be one of the scariest teams to face in the playoffs.
3. Baltimore Ravens (8-4)
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It’s tough deciding which team should be No. 3 after the Week 13 Sunday Night football game between the Ravens and Steelers. The matchup was as brutal and physical as we expected.
The Ravens come in at No. 3 because I’m on the side of the fence that believes they blew the game instead of the Steelers winning it.
The Ravens made a fantastic come back in their first meeting. In this one, Troy Polamalu made a fantastic forced fumble on a play that should never have been called. The Ravens should have ran the ball, everyone knows it. I’m sure they know it too. They had absolutely no business dropping Joe Flacco back to throw the ball. The Ravens were in control of that game and it won. They should be atop the AFC North division at the moment.
Mental mistakes are part of the game, but this one will not cost them in my overall rankings, yet.
2. New York Jets (9-3)
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Despite their embarrassing road loss to the Patriots in which they relinquished the top record in the NFL, the New York Jets are still the second best team in this league.
They have arguably the most ferocious defense in the game. Mark Sanchez, despite the Monday Night blip, has played excellent, clutch football over the past month. They snuck in come from behind wins over Detroit, Cleveland and Houston but wins are wins. Those are the type of wins that build credibility for a team. Sanchez’ teammates believe in this kid to win a game. He displayed fantastic poise, great arm strength and pin point accuracy in those comeback victories.
Despite the stumble in Foxboro, these Jets still have what it takes to win the AFC in January.
1. New England Patriots (10-2)
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The Patriots have been arguably the most dominant team in the NFL over the past month. They stumbled on the road against the Cleveland Browns, but have since then been the most focused and determined team. They dismantled the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road, sealed a close win over their rival Indianapolis Colts, carved up the Detroit Lions in the second half on Thanksgiving and owned their AFC East division rival New York Jets on primetime Monday Night Football.
Bill Belichick has his inexperienced defense finally playing like veterans, making big play after big play. Tom Brady is leading a makeshift offense to supreme numbers each week. Brady has thrown 13 touchdowns and zero interceptions over the past four games.
This team is unstoppable at the moment.
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