NFL Power Rankings Week 15: Teams That Rose Beyond Expectations

Every week of the NFL season brings new surprises—and Week 14 was no different.

With just a few weeks left until the playoffs, there were big-time upsets that rattled the favorites and had the underdogs jumping for joy.

Here are three teams that rose above expectations headed into Week 15.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-9)

In their last five games, the Jaguars went 1-4, with their sole win being against the winless Indianapolis Colts.

There were questions about rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert; the offense was averaging 12.7 points per game, second-worst in the NFL.

But that all changed in Week 14 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Gabbert played better and running back Maurice Jones-Drew simply took over the game, racking up 136 total yards and four total touchdowns.

It was against the Buccaneers, but there was also no question the Jaguars came to play when they scored a whopping 41 points.

2. Denver Broncos (8-5)

Okay, this is just getting ridiculous.

Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow is 7-1 as a starter this season after orchestrating yet another come-from-behind victory against the Chicago Bears in Week 14.

Of course, you have to give it up to kicker Matt Prater, who sent the Broncos into overtime with a 59-yard field goal with thee seconds remaining.

In overtime, Prater knocked in a 51-yarder to send the Broncos to victory.

There is an energy around this team that is hard to describe.

Call it "Tebow Mania."

1. Arizona Cardinals (6-7)

There were signs that this Week 14 game would be tougher for the San Francisco 49ers.

After losing six of their first seven games, the Cardinals had played much better in recent weeks. They won five of their last six games, including against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 13.

The defense had also vastly improved since early in the season.

Still, not many expected the 10-2 49ers to fall to the Cardinals.

But the Cardinals defense gave quarterback Alex Smith problems, as he went 18-of-37 for 175 yards and was sacked five times.

And Cardinals quarterback John Skelton actually upstaged Smith, using star receiver Larry Fitzgerald to put points up on the board.

The Cardinals came to play on Sunday, and the 49ers weren't ready.