NFL Power Rankings Week 15: Latest NFL Playoff Picture

Week 14 of the 2011 NFL season provided a great deal of high drama, as many games were decided in the final minute. 

After the heart-pounding action, this is what the playoff picture looks like. 

NFC 

1. Green Bay Packers (13-0)

Could this team be any more impressive?

It doesn't matter whom they're playing—their offense is unstoppable, mainly because of Aaron Rodgers' mastery. He finds essentially all of his pass-catching options, works well underneath, is outstanding on the intermediate throws and is amazingly accurate down the field. 

The defense forces turnovers, and the running game busts a big run on occasion. 

16-0 seems extremely likely.

2. San Francisco 49ers (10-3)

I guess the absence of Patrick Willis does make a huge difference on the 49ers defense. He's one of, if not the best middle linebacker in the league, but I still was under the impression that the rest of San Francisco's vaunted defense would step up against the Cardinals. 

They didn't. 

A few weeks ago, San Fran was essentially locked into that No. 2 seed, but now they have the same record as the Saints, and both clubs will be battling for the first-round bye over the last three weeks. 

They need to get way more from the offense. 

3. New Orleans Saints (10-3)

It wasn't their most efficient performance against the Titans on Sunday, but nonetheless, it was a road win in December against a solid club. 

Even though he was held in check in the first half, not surprisingly, Drew Brees finished the game with 337 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. 

He's the one steady facet of this explosive Saints team. 

Getting that No. 2 seed is crucial for New Orleans because of how incredible they are in the Superdome.

4. New York Giants (7-6)

Eli Manning's fourth-quarter comeback was just a microcosm of the type of year he's having. He threw for an astounding 400 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, disappointing Dallas to take a firm grasp on the division.

Now they're on the outside looking in.

Washington, New York Jets and the Cowboys are left on the schedule for the G-Men.

I have them making the postseason.

5. Atlanta Falcons (8-5)

Like they have for much of the season, the Panthers were extremely competitive—they just made big mistakes late. The Falcons put the finishing touches on their NFC South rival with a 75-yard touchdown from Matt Ryan to Julio Jones with 4:17 left on the clock.

It's a huge win for Atlanta—forget the fact they were playing a 4-8 team.

6. Detroit Lions (8-5)

Didn't we all see this one coming? The Lions faced an inferior Vikings secondary at home and took out all their frustrations. 

However, they certainly scared their fans in Detroit with the collapse in the second half. 

In the end, Matt Stafford's 20-of-29, 227-yard, two-touchdown effort was enough to give the Lions their eighth win of the season. 

AFC

1. Houston Texans (10-3)

Congratulations to the Texans on their first playoff berth in franchise history.

Who would have thought T.J. Yates would lead the game-winning, postseason-clinching drive? He wasn't great, especially in the first half, but Houston leaned on their defense, and they gave Yates the opportunity to seal the victory in the final seconds.

In a game in which Arian Foster managed just 41 yards rushing, the rookie signal-caller from North Carolina delivered.

2. Baltimore Ravens (10-3)

The Ravens are quietly piecing together a fantastic season that should give them the AFC North title. They handled their business against the worst team in the league, and the final showdown with the Bengals on the road on New Year's Day against could decide the division. 

Anyone else realize Baltimore has won four straight? 

3. New England Patriots (10-3) 

The Patriots didn't have an easy time with the hapless Redskins in Washington, but ironically their defense made the play in the final seconds that ended the game.

Tom Brady turned in a typical performance—aside from the interception in the end zone—and Rob Gronkowski once again proved that he's the best tight end in football.

Total monster.

The defense must improve. 

4. Denver Broncos (8-5) 

Wow.

Tim Tebow actually looked like an NFL quarterback in the fourth quarter and in overtime against the Bears after being the victim of a few drops in the first half.

Sure, it wasn't all Tebow. Matt Prater booted a 59-yarder to tie the game at the end of regulation and kicked the 51-yard game winner in the extra session. 

Denver also got tons of help from Chicago when Marion Barber fumbled on a run that most likely would have set up a field goal for the Bears in the final seconds. 

Just the magic of Tebow. 

5. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3) 

What a gutsy performance by Ben Roethlisberger on Thursday night. Ankle rolled up on, limping on the sidelines, yet he came back in the second half and won the game on one leg.

A true warrior and someone that'll be endeared in the city of Pittsburgh forever. 

Oh yeah, the defense is pretty good, too. 

6. New York Jets (8-5) 

Just like that, the Jets are in the postseason and would face the Patriots in the first round if the playoffs started today. 

Please let that happen. 

Mark Sanchez has taken tons of heat from the media, but he does enough for his team to win, and Shonn Greene exploded for 129 yards with a score on 24 carries.

If he can continue that type of production, the Jets are a dark horse in the AFC postseason.

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

*MNF matchup