NFL Power Rankings Week 15: Who Will Be Toughest Playoff Team?
The Week 15 edition of the NFL Power Rankings needs to be focused on the playoffs, right?
With the most parity we've seen in the NFL in quite some time, we're in for a wild ride this postseason.
Teams are still fighting for playoff positioning, with bottom-feeders looking to play spoiler in the season's final weeks.
No. 32: Carolina Panthers
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Carolina looks totally defeated, and outside of a promising run game with Jonathan Stewart and Mike Goodson, they're the worst team in the NFL.
No. 31: Cincinnati Bengals
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Even though they have two wins, they haven't won since September 26th. Remember when Carson Palmer was one of the league's top quarterbacks?
No. 30: Denver Broncos
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What a sloppy mess in Denver. They've been victorious once since October 3rd. With one of the worst defenses in the NFL, the Broncos are still rebuilding.
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No. 29: Detroit Lions
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When you're down to your third string quarterback it's hard to win football games. Drew Stanton hasn't been terrible but the Lions are still at least one year away from even being in consideration for a Wild Card spot.
No. 28: Buffalo Bills
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They've played much better of late, winning three of their last five and they took care of business against Jake Delhomme last week. Buffalo has a chance to play spoiler in their final three contests, all divisional games.
No. 27: Tennessee Titans
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Wow. Randy Moss has been invisible in Nashville and they've lost every game since his arrival. Is Jeff Fisher's job in jeopardy?
No. 26: Dallas Cowboys
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Jason Garrett has the Cowboys playing inspired football, but deficiencies in the secondary have been exploited which hasn't allowed Dallas to rebound from an atrocious start.
No. 25: Arizona Cardinals
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They finally snapped their seven game losing streak with a blowout of the Broncos this past week, but their quarterback situation is among the worst in the NFL and that defense has trouble stopping even average offenses.
No. 24: Washington Redskins
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The Mike Shanahan/Donovan McNabb experiment has failed in year one. The Redskins are still in rebuilding mode, with a lack of playmakers on offense and a shaky offensive line.
No. 23: San Francisco 49ers
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This is probably the lowest you'll ever see a team that could win their division, but at 5-8, the 49ers are extremely inconsistent and you don't know what you're going to get each Sunday.
No. 22: Cleveland Browns
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A disappointing loss to the Bills in Buffalo kept the Browns from winning three straight, but we saw that it's tough to win with a one dimensional offense and no studs on the defensive side of the ball.
No. 21: Minnesota Vikings
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Another team that's in shambles. Favre leaves them with no future, and we witnessed how out of sorts they are with their ugly loss on Monday to the Giants.
No. 20: Houston Texans
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Their OT loss to the Ravens sums up their season. Outside of a few comeback wins early, the Texans simply couldn't close out wins in tight games. It's sad because there's lots of talent on that offense. The defense, not so much.
No. 19: Seattle Seahawks
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They've mustered six wins this season, but they get the Falcons and the Bucs in two of their last three games which won't be easy. They can't run the football and are terrible at defending the pass.
No. 18: Oakland Raiders
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Jason Campbell and Darren McFadden played great in Jacksonville last week, but ultimately they surrendered too many big plays to the Jaguars. They're a longshot for the playoffs, but are playing much better.
No. 17: St. Louis Rams
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It's never easy to win in the Louisiana Superdome, but Sam Bradford's club gets two of their final three at home, and there's something about this team I like. Got to respect how hard Steven Jackson runs the football. Not a scary playoff team however.
No. 16: Miami Dolphins
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I'm not sure what to make of their 7-3 win over the offensively stagnant New York Jets, because Chad Henne was still highly ineffective. They're still alive for the playoffs but I doubt the Dolphins can squeeze in. Love how Mike Nolan is coaching the defense.
No. 15: Indianapolis Colts
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Big win last Thursday to keep their playoff chances alive. Peyton Manning got some of his swagger back. The season comes down to a home contest with the division leading Jaguars in what should be a highly competitive football game. In the playoffs however, I do see them doing much damage.
No. 14: San Diego Chargers
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Here we go again. The Chargers smacked the Chiefs 31-0, and I'm sorry Chiefs fans but I don't think Matt Cassel would have made that big of a difference. Once again, they'd be a dangerous out in the postseason with Philip Rivers playing great football.
No. 13: Green Bay Packers
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A few weeks ago, we thought the Packers would cruise into the playoffs. But with Aaron Rodgers suffering his second concussion last week, many question marks have arisen. They need to run the football but haven't been able to get production from their run game all year. If Rodgers returns for the playoffs, the Packers are a tough out.
No. 12: Tampa Bay Buccaneeers
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It doesn't matter how they do it, the Bucs just win football games. Josh Freeman is growing as a quarterback every week, and don't be shocked if they upset someone in the playoffs if they creep in.
No. 11: Kansas City Chiefs
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Cassel should be back next week and his return will give Kansas City a little boost. They'll have the Chargers on their tail so they'll need to bring their A-game in their last three games. With that run game, you never know what could happen if they get to the postseason.
No. 10: New York Jets
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Two weeks ago we were ready for what was said to be the greatest Monday Night Football matchup in years. Now, the Jets are struggling mightily and Mark Sanchez has seemingly lost all confidence. Time to worry for Gang Green.
No. 9: Jacksonville Jaguars
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What a pleasant surprise the Jaguars have been this year. Maurice Jones-Drew's play should garner some MVP votes, and David Garrard has improved greatly since a rough start to the year. Division champs?
No. 8: Chicago Bears
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Because they played the Patriots in a blizzard, the Bears could get no pass rush on Tom Brady. That always spells trouble. This team should make the postseason, but I'd like to see more balance.
No. 7: New York Giants
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They handled their business in Detroit against the ailing Vikings, but Eli Manning was far from great. Another team that should be in the postseason, but Manning has to be firing on all cylinders if they want to make a deep run when they get there.
No. 6: Baltimore Ravens
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The Ravens did what they needed to do to win in Houston on Monday, but their defense is looking very unfamiliar to the rest of the NFL. When they make the playoffs, they'll need to make vast adjustments defensively if they want to contend for a Super Bowl title.
No. 5: Philadelphia Eagles
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Is there a more fun team to watch in the entire NFL? DeSean Jackson and Michael Vick can score on any play and the defense is holding its own. The return of Asante Samuel gives them a much needed boost in the secondary. Legit Super Bowl contender.
No. 4: Pittsburgh Steelers
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The Steelers have the most intimidating defense and Troy Polamalu is playing the best football of his career. This team is very similar to the '05-'06 team that won it all.
No. 3: New Orleans Saints
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They're fighting for a division crown but will certainly make the playoffs. With Brees and co. looking like they did last season, the chances for a repeat is not out of the question.
No. 2: Atlanta Falcons
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Most balanced team in the NFC. They can beat you through the air and on the ground. The NFC Super Bowl favorite.
No. 1: New England Patriots
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Can they be stopped? This offense is clicking as well as it did in '07 and the defense is not a liability anymore. Tom Brady is the hottest QB in football. Look out.
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