NFL Power Rankings: 5 Most Entertaining Teams in the League

Anybody who ventures to put together their own NFL Power Rankings will inevitably be asked one simple question:

What kind of criteria is your order based off of?

Truth be told, I don't think there is any kind of set formula. You have to consider things like records, statistics and strength of schedule, but beyond that it's all opinion-based. The eye test plays a big role in putting together a set of power rankings.

As such, the more fun a team is to watch, the better. I don't rank teams based on how entertaining they are, but being entertaining definitely helps.

If I were to rank teams based on how entertaining they are, the top five would look something like this.

5. New England Patriots (No. 5)

People love to hate the Patriots, but I'll be damned if they aren't worthy of your attention. When you turn on a Patriots game, odds are you're going to see something awesome.

Tom Brady has a lot to do with this. He's getting up there in years, but he can still sling it. It helps that he has studly targets like Wes Welker and Rob Gronkowski to throw to. Watching those two go to work can be mighty enjoyable.

This time last year, the Patriots would have been No. 1 on this humble little list. The difference this year is that Brady is not quite as sharp, and their defense is generally pretty terrible. When Brady's not on the field, it's way too easy to change the channel.

Still, the Pats are fun to watch.

4. Baltimore Ravens (No. 2)

Had you asked me a couple weeks ago, I would have told you that the Ravens were by far the most frustrating team in the league.

They still are in many ways, but they can be pretty amazing too. Watching the Ravens defense play has been a treat for over a decade now, and it's as good this year as it's ever been. If you like to see quarterbacks getting hit and ball carriers being smothered, the Ravens are the team for you.

On offense, Ray Rice is a threat to do something amazing every time he touches the ball. Joe Flacco is inconsistent, but you can't help but watch when he uncorks a deep ball. Of late, rookie receiver Torrey Smith has emerged as a pretty dangerous deep threat.

What more can you ask for?

3. Denver Broncos (No. 14)

TEBOW! TEBOW! TEBOW!

Honestly, how can you not root for Tim Tebow right now? He's by far the most awkward quarterback in the league and he couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat, but the dude has a flair for the dramatic.

But it's not all about Tebow. The Broncos' defense has been playing out of its mind in recent weeks, and that's the No. 1 reason the Broncos are on this little hot streak of theirs. If you haven't yet caught a glimpse of rookie linebacker Von Miller, you need to do so. He's an absolute beast.

Another thing about the Broncos is that they should be your go-to team if you're looking to watch a close, hard-fought game. They've played in plenty of those recently, and they've been winning them.

Also, you're not going to find an option offense anywhere else.

2. New Orleans Saints (No. 4)

Drew Brees is playing as well now as he ever has, and that's saying something considering what he's been able to do in past years.

No doubt you've heard that Brees is on pace to break Dan Marino's record for passing yards in a single season, and that's no fluke. He throws the ball a lot, and it's almost unfair that he's been able to complete better than 70 percent of his passes this season. If you're looking to watch a master quarterback at work, Brees is definitely an option.

As much credit as Brees deserves, don't overlook New Orleans' stable of running backs. Sean Payton has done a fine job of utilizing Darren Sproles, Mark Ingram and Pierre Thomas, and the three of them together are a force to be reckoned with.

Sure, the Saints' defense is nothing special. But with this offense, it doesn't have to be.

1. Green Bay Packers (No. 1)

No surprise here. The Packers are the best at everything, and that includes being fun to watch.

Remember how I said Brees was an option if you're looking to watch a master quarterback at work? Well, Aaron Rodgers is the option. He's having an unbelievable season, and he's making the most difficult position in sports look way too easy.

Defensively, the Packers are not nearly as strong as they were in 2010, but they're still fun to watch. They lead the league in interceptions, and they're also pretty good at rushing the passer. These two things tend to get the adrenaline going.

In addition, we're getting to the point where we have to start taking the idea of a 16-0 season seriously. If you tune in to watch the Packers, you might be watching history in the making.

Zachary D. Rymer's Week 13 Power Rankings

Rank	Team	Record
1	Green Bay Packers	11-0
2	Baltimore Ravens	8-3
3	San Francisco 49ers	9-2
4	New Orleans Saints	8-3
5	New England Patriots	8-3
6	Pittsburgh Steelers	8-3
7	Oakland Raiders	7-4
8	Cincinnati Bengals	7-4
9	Houston Texans	8-3
10	Chicago Bears	7-4
11	Dallas Cowboys	7-4
12	Atlanta Falcons	7-4
13	Detroit Lions	7-4
14	Denver Broncos	6-5
15	New York Giants	6-5
16	New York Jets	6-5
17	Tennessee Titans	6-5
18	Buffalo Bills	5-6
19	Philadelphia Eagles	4-7
20	Washington Redskins	4-7
21	Seattle Seahawks	4-7
22	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	4-7
23	Arizona Cardinals	4-7
24	Carolina Panthers	3-8
25	San Diego Chargers	4-7
26	Kansas City Chiefs	4-7
27	Cleveland Browns	4-7
28	Miami Dolphins	3-8
29	Jacksonville Jaguars	3-8
30	Minnesota Vikings	2-9
31	St. Louis Rams	2-9
32	Indianapolis Colts	0-11