NFL Power Rankings: Which Teams Have Most To Prove in Week 14?

The time is now for NFL teams to prove they are serious contenders for a playoff spot. With four games remaining in the season, the contenders and pretenders will be separated quite soon.

Teams such as the Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets must prove they are legitimate playoff teams who are capable of playing well in December.

Let's look at three NFL teams who have the most to prove in Week 14 of the season.

1. New York Giants

The New York Giants face the Dallas Cowboys for the first time this season on Sunday night, and their performance will tell us a lot about how good they really are.

After earning a 6-2 start midway through the season, the Giants are now 6-6, but because the Cowboys lost last week the G-Men are only one game behind Dallas in the division.

The Giants gave a fantastic effort last week in a 38-35 loss to the 12-0 Green Bay Packers, and against any other team New York probably would have won.

Giants quarterback Eli Manning must prove he can lead the Giants to the playoffs despite an inconsistent running game.

New York has to win both games against the Cowboys in the last four weeks to ensure they return to the NFL playoffs.

2. Oakland Raiders

After their terrible 34-14 loss to the Miami Dolphins last week, the Oakland Raiders have everything to prove on Sunday versus the unbeaten Green Bay Packers. 

The Raiders and the Denver Broncos are now tied for the AFC West lead, and against the best team in the NFL, there won't be a better opportunity for Oakland to prove they are a real playoff team than this week.

Carson Palmer played well against the Dolphins but got no help from the running game. The Raiders rushed for just 46 yards last week and must have a balanced offense to beat the Packers.

Green Bay gives up the second most passing yards in football, but you have to score touchdowns to beat them. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is the MVP of the league, and will torch the Raiders defense this week unless Oakland gives their best effort.

The key for the Raiders is to start the game well. They cannot afford to dig themselves an early hole like they did against the Dolphins when they fell behind 34-0.

3. Detroit Lions

The loss of defensive star Ndamukong Suh has hurt the Lions' ability to get to the quarterback, and last week they were beaten soundly by Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints.

At 7-5 the Lions are in a three-way tie for the two NFC wild-card playoff berths with the Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons. Those teams are only one game up on the New York Giants.

Detroit's opponent in Week 14 is the Minnesota Vikings, who were barely beaten by Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos last week.

The Lions defense must prove they can contain high-scoring offenses and not allow too many points. When the Lions are down early they have to be one-dimensional, which plays into opposing defense's hands.

Detroit has allowed at least 27 points in each of the last four games, and in three of those games they allowed more than 30 points.

After starting the year 5-0, the Lions have lost five of their last seven games, and are in danger of ruining a once promising season unless they prove they are real playoff contenders against the Vikings.

Proving they can be a contending team this season starts with their defense playing well on Sunday.

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