NFL Power Rankings: Week 15

1. (2) Tennessee Titans (12-1)

With their rout of the Browns and the Giants’ loss to the Eagles, the Titans not only clinch the AFC South, but they also reclaim the top spot in the Power Rankings.


2. (1) New York Giants (11-2)

After watching the Giants’ third and fourth-string receivers drop pass after pass on Sunday, if you still don’t think New York will miss Plaxico Burress during the playoffs, then I don’t know what to tell you.


3. (3) Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3)

Deshea Towsend’s 25-yard interception return for a touchdown not only capped a miraculous comeback for the Steelers, but it also sent one of my fantasy teams to the semifinals, prompting the co-owner and I to jump up and down in an embarrassing display of simultaneous jubilation.


4. (7) Carolina Panthers (10-3)

In my Week 11 Power Rankings, I told you to circle Dec. 21 on your calendars because that’s when the Panthers will be traveling to the Meadowlands to play the Giants for home-field advantage in the NFC.  That showdown is now less than two weeks away.


5. (4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-4)

The Bucs better improve their play on the road because it’s looking like that’s where they’re going to be come playoff time.


6. (8) Indianapolis Colts (9-4)

With Peyton Manning leading this banged-up team to six straight victories, the quarterback deserves some strong MVP consideration.


7. (9) Baltimore Ravens (9-4)

The Ravens picked up their biggest win of the season on Sunday and are establishing themselves as serious contenders in the AFC.


8. (10) Dallas Cowboys (8-5)

The Cowboys should’ve won that game at Pittsburgh, but despite the loss, they still move up in the Wild-Card standings and in the Power Rankings.


9. (6) Atlanta Falcons (8-5)

Winning a division rivalry game on the road in December was a little too much for these upstart Falcons, but not by much.


10. (5) New York Jets (8-5)

Which is the real Jets team—the one who won at New England and Tennessee, or the one that lost to Denver and San Francisco? I’d say it’s closer to the latter.


11. (11) Washington Redskins (7-6)

I’m hesitant to drop the Redskins too far down because their last four losses have come against the Steelers, Cowboys, Giants, and Ravens, but without a healthy Clinton Portis, this team isn’t going anywhere.


12. (17) Philadelphia Eagles (7-5-1)

The Eagles kept their season alive for at least one more week with a surprising win at the Giants.


13. (13) Arizona Cardinals (8-5)

The NFC West champs haven’t beaten a winning team since Oct. 12.


14. (12) New England Patriots (8-5)

The Pats got the win in Seattle, but it wasn’t easy. New England’s had just two 100-yard rushers this year.


15. (14) Miami Dolphins (8-5)

A week after the Giants and Panthers battle for the top seed in the NFC at the Meadowlands, the Fins and Jets meet at the same place to decide who wins the AFC East and claims bragging rights in the whole Pennington/Favre ordeal.


16. (15) Denver Broncos (8-5)

Losing running back Peyton Hillis is a big blow to a team that already relies entirely too much on its quarterback.


17. (16) Minnesota Vikings (8-5)

For the second time this year, the Vikes nearly handed the Lions their first win before pulling the game out in the fourth quarter.


18. (19) New Orleans Saints (7-6)

The Saints must finish the season on a four-game winning streak to make the playoffs.  Beating Atlanta on Sunday was a good start, but there’s no time to celebrate. They travel to Chicago on Thursday.


19. (18) Chicago Bears (7-6)

The Bears have a better chance of making the playoffs because they’re only a game back of division-leading Minnesota, but they’ll still need to beat New Orleans. That’s a game with big playoff implications on Thursday night. Too bad not many people will see it.


20. (20) San Francisco 49ers (5-8)

The list of wait-'til-next-year teams begins with the 'Niners, who after upsetting the Jets, have now won three of four. No one’s making fun of Mike Singletary anymore.


21. (21) Buffalo Bills (6-7)

The Bills haven’t scored a touchdown since Nov. 23, which was also their only win in their last seven games.


22. (23) San Diego Chargers (5-8)

All the Chargers need to do to clinch the AFC West is win their final three and hope the Broncos lose their final three.


23. (24) Houston Texans (6-7)

With three straight wins, the Texans are one of the hottest teams in the NFL, but that should all come to an end against Tennessee Sunday.


24. (22) Green Bay Packers (5-8)

The Packers’ defense continues to hemorrhage points to the tune of 110 allowed in their past three contests.


25. (25) Jacksonville Jaguars (4-9)

That’s four straight losses for the most disappointing team in the league.


26. (26) Cleveland Browns (4-9)

Or is Cleveland the most disappointing? The Browns haven’t scored a touchdown in their past three games. It’s enough to leave Romeo Crennel speechless.


27. (27) Kansas City Chiefs (2-11)

In Denver, KC was held scoreless in the second half by the fifth worst defense in the NFL.


28. (28) Oakland Raiders (3-10)

JaMarcus Russell threw for just 68 yards in San Diego last Thursday, but it was only his third worst total of the season.


29. (29) Seattle Seahawks (2-11)

Seneca Wallace led the team in passing and rushing Sunday, but the 'Hawks blew an eight-point fourth quarter lead at home against New England.


30. (30) St. Louis Rams (2-11)

Not even fantasy football players will care about the Seahawks/Rams game this Sunday and that’s probably because anyone with Steven Jackson or Matt Hasselbeck was eliminated weeks ago.


31. (31) Cincinnati Bengals (1-11-1)

The Bills, Browns and Bengals are involved in a heated competition to determine which team can go the longest without getting in the end zone.


32. (32) Detroit Lions (0-13)

This is the worst team in the history of the NFL.

Jordan Schwartz is Bleacher Report's New York Yankees Community Leader. His book "Memoirs of the Unaccomplished Man" is available at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and authorhouse.com.

Jordan can be reached at [e-mail]