NFL Power Rankings Week 14: Projecting Best Teams of Both Conferences

Are the Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots the unquestioned best teams in their respective conferences? 

Probably. 

But who are the select few teams that round out the NFL's elite? 

First, let's start with Green Bay and New England. 

Green Bay Packers 

Hand Aaron Rodgers the MVP right now. Sorry, Drew Brees and Tom Brady. Rodgers has been a tremendous front-runner all season, and this past weekend, we saw him face adversity on the road against the Giants and lead a sensational game-winning drive. 

He's having one of the best seasons a quarterback has ever had. 

The defense isn't nearly as intimidating as it was at the end of last season, but forget the yardage, it has a league-most 23 interceptions. 

New England Patriots 

Similar to the Packers, the quarterback is the key to it all. Brady has acclimated his game to the personnel around him. 

When he had Randy Moss, he continually found him deep. Now with Wes Welker and Rob Gronkowski, he utilizes the seam route and, more often than not, he connects. 

New England's defense isn't good, but it has some semblance of a pass rush with Andre Carter and Mark Anderson.

Baltimore Ravens

They beat the Steelers twice, and despite two humiliating losses to the Seattle Seahawks and Jacksonville Jaguars, they've been one of the most consistent clubs in football this year.

The key for the Ravens, however, is their running back, Ray Rice.

If he gets his fair share of touches, they're extremely difficult to beat. In their three losses on the year, he received 13, eight and five carries.  

The defense is still withstanding the test of time and will be a terrorizing force in the postseason. 

New Orleans Saints 

Right now, I'd have to say the Saints are more impressive than the 49ers. They're only separated by one game record-wise, and Drew Brees is playing the best football of his career.

Yes, better than he played in 2009. 

I love the underrated running back committee of Mark Ingram, Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles. And tight end Jimmy Graham, in my estimation, is slightly more dangerous than the Pats' Gronkowski.

The defense isn't fabulous, but it does enough to allow the offense to get into a shootout with the opponent. 

I like the Saints in nearly every "shootout" game. 

Don't you?

Week 14 Power Rankings

1. Green Bay Packers (12-0)
2. Baltimore Ravens (9-3)
3. New Orleans Saints (9-3)
4. San Francisco 49ers (10-2)
5. New England Patriots (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. Chicago Bears (7-5)
16. New York Giants (6-6)  
17. Denver Broncos (7-5) 
18. Miami Dolphins (4-8)
19. Seattle Seahawks (5-7)
20. Buffalo Bills (5-7)
21. Kansas City Chiefs (5-7)
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-8)
23. Arizona Cardinals (5-7)
24. San Diego Chargers (5-7)
25. Philadelphia Eagles (4-8)
26. Carolina Panthers (4-8)
27. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-9)
28. Washington Redskins (4-8)
29. Cleveland Browns (4-8)
30. Minnesota Vikings (2-10) 
31. St. Louis Rams (2-10)
32. Indianapolis Colts (0-12)