NFL Power Rankings Week 14: Predicting The Final Standings and Week 17 Rankings
Week 13 saw the New England Patriots dominate the New York Jets, the Pittsburgh Steelers steal a win away from the Baltimore Ravens and the Atlanta Falcons win a thriller in Tampa Bay.
After such a tumultuous week, things are much more clear than they were just a few short days ago, and now we are looking ahead to the playoffs more than ever.
Teams are gearing up for the home stretch and fans are getting stoked to see their team make their playoff run down the stretch, while others are lamenting a lost season.
Constant jeering and sniping is, as usual, going on between the fans of various NFL team, so here I want to attempt to stir the pot, and probably get called an idiot in the process.
So, after painstaking research and with the help of the vast resources of the interwebs, I have groomed the rest of the NFL season, and made some conclusion about each team.
Having gone over each team's schedule and taken my best guess at the outcome of the remaining games, here are the week 17 power rankings a month in advance.
32. Carolina Panthers
1 of 33
Current Record: 1-11
Remaining Schedule: Vs. Atl L, Vs. Ari W, @ Pit L, @ Atl L
Final Record: 2-14
An ugly season down the drain for the Carolina Panthers, the fans should be happy to be rid of this stinker. Time to focus on the draft.
31. Cincinnati Bengals
2 of 33
Current Record: 2-10
Remaining Schedule: @ Pit L, Vs. Cle L, Vs. SD L, @ Bal L
Final Record: 2-14
A season that started with so much hope and optimism ends in the gutter. The only question now is do they go after Andrew Luck or continue to put their faith in Carson Palmer and upgrade elsewhere in the draft.
30. Buffalo Bills
3 of 33
Current Record: 2-10
Remaining Schedule: Vs. Cle L, @ Mia L, Vs. NE L, @ NYJ L
Final Record: 2-14
Well, the Bills played in one of the toughest divisions in the AFC, if that's any consolation, so at least they won a few games. Probably time to spruce up that defense in the draft.
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29. Detroit Lions
4 of 33
Current Record: 2-10
Remaining Schedule: Vs. GB L, @ TB L, @ Mia L, Vs. Min L
Final Record: 2-14
Detroit can take consolation in the fact that Matthew Stafford looked pretty good when he was playing, now all they need to do is get everybody else looking pretty good, and they will have a pretty good team. Plus they have more seasons of Ndomukong Suh to look forward to.
28. Arizona Cardinals
5 of 33
Current Record: 3-9
Remaining Schedule: Vs. Den L, @ Car L, Vs. Dal L, @ SF L
Final Record: 3-13
This team has so many problems that need to be addressed that I don't even know where to start. Everywhere perhaps?
27. Denver Broncos
6 of 33
Current Record: 3-9
Remaining Schedule: @ Ari W, @ Oak L, Vs. Hou L, Vs. SD L
Final Record: 4-12
Well, I guess it's time to look for a new coach, new running back, and a new secondary. There's a lot of work to be done up in Denver.
26. Tennessee Titans
7 of 33
Current Record: 5-7
Remaining Schedule: Vs. Ind L, Vs. Hou W, @ KC L, @ Ind L
Final Record: 6-10
They've got a quarterback that's probably on the way out because of his actions and a quarterback who will be on the way out soon because of his age. I'm thinking a quarterback would be good for them to find so they won't end up this close to the bottom next season.
25. Minnesota Vikings
8 of 33
Current Record: 5-7
Remaining Schedule: Vs. NYG L, Vs. Chi L, @ Phi L, @ Det W
Final Record: 6-10
Their final four games are all contingent on the starting quarterback. If it's Brett Favre, they win one game, max, if Tavaris Jackson gets the nod, who knows what kind of magic could happen.
24. Seattle Seahawks
9 of 33
Current Record: 6-6
Remaining Schedule: @ SF L, Vs. Atl L, @ TB L, Vs. Stl L
Final Record: 6-10
Seattle is still in the playoff race out west, but I still don't think they have a great chance of taking the NFC West crown. An ugly finish for the Seahawks.
23. Washington Redskins
10 of 33
Current Record: 5-7
Remaining Schedule: Vs. TB L, @ Dal L, @ Jac L, Vs. NYG W
Final Record: 6-10
This has been a season with so much uncertainty that it is hard to figure out what to make of the Redskins. Maybe they should keep from pussyfooting around so much this offseason when they will no doubt be trading Albert Haynesworth.
22. Dallas Cowboys
11 of 33
Current Record: 4-8
Remaining Schedule: Vs. Phi L, Vs. Was W, @ Ari W, @ Phi L
Final Record: 6-10
Jason Garrett is doing a fine job in the second half of the season with Dallas. If Jerry Jones is smart, he'll keep the guy aboard.
21. Houston Texans
12 of 33
Current Record: 5-7
Remaining Schedule: Vs. Bal L, @ Ten L, @ Den W, Vs. Jac W
Final Record: 7-9
While still technically alive for a playoff spot, Houston has little chance of grabbing one, as they haven't got the defense that can enable them to win their final four games. Their offense remains amazing, their defense remains embarrassing.
20. St. Louis Rams
13 of 33
Current Record: 6-6
Remaining Schedule: @ NO L, Vs. KC L, Vs. SF L, @ Sea W
Final Record: 7-9
Sam Bradford should be pegged as the offensive rookie of the year, but I don't see them finishing out the division. They should take away their impressive improvement and run with it into next season.
19. Miami Dolphins
14 of 33
Current Record: 6-6
Remaining Schedule: @ NYJ L, Vs. Buf W, Vs. Det W, @ NE L
Final Record: 8-8
Any time you can get to 8-8 with a quarterback who is shaky at best, you should take it as a moral victory, and with two cupcake games left, they should at least get there. Miami has been good enough to win despite Chad Henne, and they look to compete in the division in the next couple seasons.
18. San Francisco 49ers
15 of 33
Current Record: 4-8
Remaining Schedule: Vs. Sea W, @ SD L, @ Stl W, Vs. Ari W
Final Record: 7-9
Mike Singletary may be mucking this prediction up by starting Alex Smith because Troy Smith lost to Green Bay. They didn't need to beat Green Bay. Nonetheless, I still say San Fran puts it together and wins the division at a pitiful 7-9.
17. Oakland Raiders
16 of 33
Current Record: 6-6
Remaining Schedule: @ Jac L, Vs. Den W, Vs. Ind W, @ KC L
Final Record: 8-8
There are a wealth of good things the Raiders can take from this season. The vast improvement from not only last year, but the beginning of this season, Darren McFadden finally showing up, their defense showing very good play, and even some of Al Davis' decisions actually working. He must have died.
16. Cleveland Browns
17 of 33
Current Record: 5-7
Remaining Schedule: @ Buf W, @ Cin W, Vs. Bal L, Vs. Pit W
Final Record: 8-8
This result will cause me to lose a bet, but I don't care at this point, the Browns are looking like a team on fire every week and if they get a quarterback in there who they can trust, Baltimore and Pittsburgh had better beware.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars
18 of 33
Current Record: 7-5
Remaining Schedule: Vs. Oak W, @ Ind L, Vs. Was W, @ Hou L
Final Record: 9-7
The Jaguars are in prime position to win the AFC South, but with trips to Indianapolis to play in the Oil Drum and to Houston, I don't see things working out as planned for them.
14. San Diego Chargers
19 of 33
Current Record: 6-6
Remaining Schedule: Vs. KC W, Vs. SF W, @ Cin W, @ Den W
Final Record: 10-6
Once again the chargers dig themselves out of a hole that seemed un-dig-out-able, but this time they are trying to catch an opponent that actually has their wits about them, and not the Broncos like in years past. They fall just short of the playoffs.
13. Indianapolis Colts
20 of 33
Current Record: 6-6
Remaining Schedule: @ Ten W, Vs. Jac W, @ Oak L, Vs. Ten W
Final Record: 9-7
If Indianapolis can win their division games, they should make it into the playoffs. With two games against the quarterback-less Titans and one against the defenseless Jaguars, I see Indy pulling it off yet again, and putting Peyton Manning back into the playoffs.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
21 of 33
Current Record: 7-5
Remaining Schedule: @ Was W, Vs. Det W, Vs. Sea W, @ NO L
Final Record: 10-6
Unfortunately, it seems that Tampa Bay will be the team victimized by the NFC West Champion. Despite their impressive record and tremendous turnaround, Tampa will be on the outside looking in.
11. Chicago Bears
22 of 33
Current Record: 9-3
Remaining Schedule: Vs. NE L, @ Min W, Vs. NYJ L, @ GB L
Final Record: 10-6
Chicago has one of the toughest schedules in the NFL over the final four games in the season, and even though I have decided to stop doubting them, I can't make myself think that they will come out on top of this division.
10. Green Bay Packers
23 of 33
Current Record: 8-4
Remaining Schedule: @ Det W, @ NE L, Vs. NYG L, Vs. Chi W
Final Record: 10-6
With Chicago having to run the gauntlet over the final four games, all they should need to do is beat Detroit and then the Bears at home in the final week of the season to win the division. Anything else would be icing on the cake.
9. Kansas City Chiefs
24 of 33
Current Record: 8-4
Remaining Schedule: @ SD L, @ Stl W, Vs. Ten W, Vs. Oak W
Final Record: 11-5
Out of nowhere, Kansas City has the best running game on the planet and Matt Cassel looking like a very good quarterback. That coupled with a pretty brisk end to the season should put them in the playoffs out of the AFC West, although it looks to be a close race.
8. New York Giants
25 of 33
Current Record: 8-4
Remaining Schedule: @ Min W, Vs. Phi W, @ GB W, @. Was L
Final Record: 11-5
New York has not been as great as it has been in years past, and the same goes for Eli Manning. But, if they just rely on the run game as they did on Sunday against Washington, they should scoot their way right into a wild card spot.
7. New Orleans Saints
26 of 33
Current Record: 9-3
Remaining Schedule: Vs. Stl W, @ Bal L, @ Atl L, Vs. TB W
Final Record: 11-5
New Orleans is hotter than any team in the NFL right now, and the same goes for their quarterback, Drew Brees. They do, however, face some tough challenges in week 15 and 16, but if they beat St Louis and Tampa Bay, they should earn themselves a wild card spot.
6. Philadelphia Eagles
27 of 33
Current Record: 8-4
Remaining Schedule: @ Dal W, @ NYG L, Vs. Min W, Vs. NYG W
Final Record: 11-5
Wins against Dallas and Minnesota should come, and as long as they split their two games with the Giants, the Eagles win the division and find themselves with a firs round bye.
5. New York Jets
28 of 33
Current Record: 9-3
Remaining Schedule: Vs. Mia W, @ Pit L, @ Chi W, Vs. Buf W
Final Record: 12-4
New York ended up victimized by Tom Brady and the Patriots Monday night, humbling the team and Rex Ryan in the process. They should get it back together and take a wild card spot, however.
4. Baltimore Ravens
29 of 33
Current Record: 8-4
Remaining Schedule: @ Hou W, Vs. NO W, @ Cle W, Vs. Cin W
Final Record: 12-4
After a depressing loss to Pittsburgh, Baltimore has a pretty easy schedule the rest of the way, with potential speed bumps against New Orleans and Cleveland waiting. Nonetheless, I see Baltimore regrouping and taking the top wild card spot.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
30 of 33
Current Record: 9-3
Remaining Schedule: Vs. Cin W, Vs. NYJ W, Vs. Car W, @ Cle L
Final Record: 12-4
The Steelers have squeezed out two wins in a row by their nose hairs, but they are still the Steelers. With easy wins against Cincinnati and Carolina on tap, all they need to do is win one more to all but lock up the division.
2. Atlanta Falcons
31 of 33
Current Record: 10-2
Remaining Schedule: @ Car W, @ Sea W, Vs. NO W, Vs. Car W
Final Record: 14-2
Two games against Carolina, one against Seattle. What more could you ask for over the final weeks of the season. New Orleans will put up a fight, but I think they wrap up the division in a timely fashion and win out.
1. New England Patriots
32 of 33
Current Record: 10-2
Remaining Schedule: @ Chi W, Vs. GB W, @ Buf W, Vs. Mia W
Final Record: 14-2
They have two tough games ahead in the final two weeks of their hellish stretch, but they are so hot right now that no team could slow them down. New England wins out and takes the top spot in the power rankings and the AFC.
Playoff Picture
33 of 33
As I am sure that my predictions will all come to fruition (that's likely), here is what we will be looking at in the first round of the playoffs.
AFC
#1 New England & #2 Pittsburgh 1st round byes
#5 Baltimore @ #4 Indianapolis
#6 New York Jets @ #3 Kansas City
NFC
#1 Atlanta & #2 Philadelphia 1st round byes
#5 New Orleans @ #4 San Francisco
#6 New York Giants @ #3 Green Bay
So, tell me what you think. Have i gone horribly wrong, or am I not so crazy after all?
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