NFL Power Rankings Week 14: Projecting the Entire NFL Playoff Picture

With every passing week the playoff landscape ever so slightly changes. That said, here are is an updated playoff picture.

AFC

No. 1: Baltimore Ravens (12-4)

Much thanks to sweeping the season series of Pittsburgh, the Ravens get the AFC's No. 1 seed. Can you imagine if Baltimore hadn't slipped up against Jacksonville and Seattle?

Talk about being on the Packers' level because a road loss to Tennessee is looking much more legit as we continue on down the seedings.

No. 2: New England Patriots (12-4)

The Patriots may be feasting off a weak schedule, but it's not their fault that the games panned out in that manner. New England lost a tough game at Pittsburgh and croaked at home to the Giants.

Fortunately for the Pats, however, the Bills fell back to earth and they swept the Jets. With games left against Washington, Denver, Miami and Buffalo, New England will have no trouble getting the No. 2 seed.

No. 3: Houston Texans (11-5)

Despite being mauled by injuries, the Houston Texans will win the AFC South and get the No. 3 seed. They have arguably the NFL's best and most complete defense along with a stout ground game.

All that negates their QB injuries, so as long as Houston doesn't turn the ball over and keeps the field position battle near even, the Texans could get as far as the AFC title game.

No. 4: Denver Broncos (10-6)

Tim Tebow may be a big part of it, however the Broncos are playing like a complete team more and more. The defense has been forcing turnovers and getting QB pressure while RB Willis McGahee has revitalized his career.

Regardless of how long the Broncos last, 2011 has been one unorthodox season that will never be forgotten. 2012, however, is the deal-breaker since Tebow will have had an offseason and full training camp to develop.

No. 5: Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)

Had it not been because of the pesky Ravens, Pittsburgh may have earned another first-round bye. Luckily for the Steelers, however, they're still one of the best NFL teams and will get a wild-card spot.

Perhaps the most dangerous playoff team, the Steel Curtain plays its best football in January so don't be surprised to see Pittsburgh and their non-traditional passing offense make a deep run.

No. 6: Tennessee Titans (9-7)

The Titans get a playoff spot over the Bengals and Jets because of tiebreakers and the better conference record. And being that Tennessee earned the No. 6 seed, they now have another shot to take down Houston.

Regardless, for as inconsistent as Tennessee played early on, RB Chris Johnson has had one of the best late-season surges after a horrid start. The defense is playing more sound and the offense is getting back to normal.

If there's one team who can upset Baltimore, it's Tennessee, as they've already done it this season.

NFC

No. 1: Green Bay Packers (16-0)

Despite the pass defense still being the weakest link, Green Bay continues to win because of contributions from the defense.

Against the Giants, LB Clay Matthews took a pick back to the house and it turned out to be a major factor in the Cheese winning. Fortunately for Green Bay, also, is that there's still plenty of room to improve.

And when the weather breaks in Green Bay during the playoffs, having a poor pass defense won't matter.

No. 2: San Francisco 49ers (14-2)

Being in the poor NFC West aside, San Fran gets the NFC's No. 2 seed thanks to a solid defense and great running game that sets up the pass.

QB Alex Smith rarely turns the ball over and has been extremely effective when given the green light. He's arguably one of the better game-managing QBs (not a gunslinger) and under the supervision of Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers continue to win with Smith at the helm.

No. 3: New Orleans Saints (12-4)

If only the Saints were more consistent on the road they'd be 11-1 right now. However, two road losses at Tampa and St. Louis have slimmed their odds at the No. 2 seed.

In any event, however, New Orleans will get the No. 3 seed and host another playoff game. The question thereafter, though, is whether the Big Easy can win on the road in the playoffs. They have lacked success as of recent when away from the Superdome.

No. 4: Dallas Cowboys (10-6)

The Cowboys basically win the NFC East by default. The Giants are too inconsistent regardless of the opponent, Washington is just plain bad and the Eagles are overrated.

Dallas has played the most consistent (and it hasn't been all that consistent), so they get the divisional win. With two games left against the Giants, chances are they don't sweep, however their other games are much easier (at Tampa, Philly).

Cowboys get a home game but until they actually play well in the postseason, don't expect much.

No. 5: Atlanta Falcons (10-6)

The Falcons get fortunate here because of Chicago having too many injuries and a favorable schedule remaining (at Carolina, Jacksonville, at N.O., Tampa).

Three of those games the Falcons are sure to win and currently sitting at 7-5 will get the Dirty Birds to 10 wins. As for the playoffs, playing at Dallas won't be easy, however the Falcons have played tough in road games this season.

If they can get over the hump and win more consistently on the road against formidable opponents, Atlanta can get a postseason W.

No. 6: Detroit Lions (9-7)

After the sweet 5-0 start the Lions currently sit at 7-5 but will barely make the playoffs. Chicago has too many injuries to overcome and Detroit has been suffering from mental errors.

The Lions are healthy, which is in their favor this late in the season. The mental errors are tangible fixes and the talent they own is too good to not make a playoff run.

The Motor City sneaks into the postseason, however they must play at New Orleans where they just got beat in a manner that was not indicated by the score—because it was much worse.

Week 14 NFL Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank) (* = MNF Teams)

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

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