NFL Power Rankings: Which Teams Are Making a Late-Season Push?

To say that the NFL got turned on its head in Week 14 would be an understatement. We saw teams that we thought were good losing to lesser teams and others that we didn't think were so good make statements with big victories. There is so much going on right now that it is hard to keep track. 

The Power Rankings are going to be very reflective of all the change going on in the league right now. In fact, there are some teams that have come out of nowhere to make the postseason, or at least a serious push. 

But which teams are for real? That is what we are interested in. Any team can win a couple of games late in the season, but it takes a special group to actually win enough to get into the postseason and possibly a game when they do get in. 

Here are four teams that are making a charge up the ranks right now. 

Denver Broncos (8-5)

After weeks of complaining about playing a soft schedule, the Broncos are finally going to have the chance to show us just how good they really are in Week 15 against the New England Patriots.

They have been beating up on weak teams or teams missing stars due to injury for the last six weeks. This is their time to prove that they are the team that some analysts are saying they are. 

Tebow knows how to do his thing in the fourth quarter, but that won't matter much if he goes 3-for-16 in the first 45 minutes against the Patriots because they will be down by 24 points. 

New York Jets (8-5)

Much like Tebow in the fourth quarter, the Jets always seem to catch fire in the final month of the season. They are doing it again with three straight victories and have a firm grasp on the sixth and final spot in the AFC. 

The offense, in particular, has caught fire with two straight games of at least 34 points. Mark Sanchez might not be the superstar that New York wants him to be, but he is figuring out ways to succeed without turning the ball over. 

Winnable games against Philadelphia, New York and Miami could bring the Jets another 11-win season if they are able to avoid those hiccups that cost them early in the season. 

Atlanta Falcons (8-5)

It isn't always pretty and rarely is it a blowout, but the Falcons always seem to find a way to win. That could be a team still trying to find itself or a sign that they don't get overwhelmed in any situation and feel comfortable doing anything it takes. 

I think the biggest advantage that the Falcons have right now is that we have rarely seen their best team on the field at the same time. Julio Jones has missed some games with hamstring injuries and Roddy White had to sit out a game earlier this season. 

Just think of how good this team can be if/when all the pieces are on the field and healthy at the same time. I won't go so far as to say they would beat the Packers or Saints, but anyone else in the NFC better fear the Dirty Birds. 

New York Giants (7-6)

We heard some rumblings last week that the Giants would take their loss against the Packers as a motivator for the rest of the season. That is fun to talk about, but the team still has to go out and execute. 

Their game against the Cowboys on Sunday night was not perfect. They had to score 14 points in the final three minutes to win the game, but how do you argue with this team when they have a great defensive line and Eli Manning is playing out of his mind?

I don't know who is going to win the NFC East. If you would have asked me 24 hours ago, I would have said Dallas. But if you were to ask me which team in the division has the best chance to make a playoff run, I would have said the Giants. 

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