NFL Power Rankings: Labeling the League's Contenders & Pretenders

With just three weeks left before the playoffs, the smoke cleared a little more after Week 14.

That said, there were some disappointments and surprises, but then again, that's pretty much how 2011 has shaped up. Also, the playoff pictured slightly changed, and the race for the postseason will be hot.

So, based on the current playoff standings, here are a few contenders and pretenders (aside from most of the obvious teams).

Contender: New Orleans Saints (10-3)

Let's be honest, prior to defeating the Titans in Tennessee, the Saints were just an average road team that could only play well at home.

Before Week 14, New Orleans was just 3-3 on the road, and it seemed like getting the No. 2 seed was their best shot to play the Packers in the playoffs. Well, the Saints got a big road win over the Titans, who were not a slouch by any means.

Tennessee had already beaten teams like Baltimore and Denver, so with their more consistent play at home combined with an improved ground game, they were going to be a tough opponent. So, not only did New Orleans get the win, but they are still alive for the No. 2 seed in the NFC.

The Big Easy is now 4-3 on the road but 2-0 in its last two road games and currently ride a five-game win streak. With games left against Minnesota (away), Atlanta and Carolina, there's no reason why the Saints can't finish 13-3.

Pretender: Detroit Lions (8-5)

The Detroit Lions may have gotten somewhat back on track after their home win over the Vikings (in which they barely survived), but they're still not consistent.

In improving their record to 3-5 since beginning 5-0 the Lions got some good fortune thanks to the Broncos' comeback win over the Bears and are now the NFC's No. 6 seed. To that end though, it's not going to be an easy ride into the playoffs.

First, Week 15 kicks off in Oakland against the Raiders who are fighting for a playoff spot, then it's home to San Diego who's riding a two-game win streak and then at Green Bay in Week 17.

By the way Detroit has played in the second half of the season, going 9-7 appears to be most realistic, however, the Lions won't make it out of the Wild Card round unless their rush defense significantly improves (they allowed 269 rush yards to the Adrian Peterson-less Vikings.)

Contender: Houston Texans (10-3)

Don't look now, but we may see T.J. Yates starting somewhere else next season if he keeps playing like this. Despite being mauled by injuries, the Houston Texans continue to win, and win against tough teams.

They currently ride a seven-game win streak, and four of the seven have been on the road. Three of which were against playoff-contending teams in Tennessee, Atlanta and Cincinnati. And under center, Yates is playing cautiously confident football.

The defense still ranks in the top five against the rush and pass, and the rush offense ranks No. 2. Yates is managing games to a T and that final game-winning drive on the road against a solid Bengals defense was impressive.

Houston may have turned the rock over four times, but great teams find ways to win against those odds, and the Texans have done as such. It's going to be fun watching them in January as they clinched the AFC South thanks to the Titans losing.

Pretender: San Francisco 49ers (10-3)

Yes, the Arizona Cardinals are an improved team going 5-1 in their last six games, including two win streaks of three games. However, there's no reason why a team supposedly as good as San Francisco should lose to them.

Nonetheless, the 49ers choked another game away (Week 2 at home against Dallas) and are not only a vulnerable bunch, but fighting for the NFC's No. 2 seed.

Here, the Cardinals limited RB Frank Gore just enough to force QB Alex Smith to beat them. Needless to say it didn't happen. Also, Arizona attacked the 49ers through the air quite a bit in stretching them vertically.

RB Beanie Wells only had 15 carries and QB John Skelton scrambled six times, so only 17 designed running plays were called. Arizona's respectable passing game exploited the 49ers weak pass defense and ultimately won 21-19.

Let's put it this way, wherever San Fran plays in the playoffs won't matter unless it proves it can stop the passing game while Alex Smith proves he can win in crunch time. Otherwise, Frisco will be one-and-done.

Not to mention, Arizona turned the ball over three times to San Francisco's zero, and the Cardinals still won.

Pretender: New York Jets (8-5)

Thanks to the Bengals losing, the New York Jets took over the AFC's No. 6 seed with their win over Kansas City in Week 14.

Unfortunately for the Jets, they're a pretender because all eight wins have been against teams not in the playoff picture. Their best win—Dallas at home—isn't that impressive as the Cowboys are just 7-6 and are in the midst of another late-season meltdown.

As for the Jets, they have games left at Philadelphia, home to the New York Giants and then at Miami. None of those games are cakewalks, however, each are winnable. That said, though, the Jets have yet to prove they can beat superior opponents this season.

They were swept by the Patriots, lost to Baltimore and have tough losses to Denver and Oakland. Recent history tells us they're a great playoff team, but past performance is no guarantee of future success either.

Week 15 NFL Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank) (* = MNF Teams)

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

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