NFL Power Rankings: Stock Watch for Every Division

Is the AFC North still the best division in the NFL? 

What about the NFC North?

Which division has the most compelling argument? 

Let's take look at the current stock of all the divisions in football after Week 14. 

NFC East 

This division has become a classic race to the finish between the Giants and the Cowboys. The Eagles and Redskins can give a good effort on occasion, but they're clearly flawed clubs.

Eli Manning proclaimed he should be mentioned in the same breath as the other elite quarterbacks like Tom Brady, and he's proven that this season.

As for the Cowboys, they simply cannot blow that type of lead at home with the division on the line. 

Stock Up 

NFC North 

The division went 2-2 on Sunday, with the Lions beating the Vikings in thrilling fashion. Green Bay torched the Raiders and Aaron Rodgers continued his epically masterful season. The Bears were the most recent victim of Tim Tebow and the Broncos' magical run.

There's lots of talent on both sides of the football in the division, but the injuries to the Bears have crippled the overall stock of the NFC North. 

Stock Steady 

NFC South 

The Saints were tested by the Titans in Nashville, but came out with a victory on a goal-line stand in the game's final seconds. Drew Brees didn't have his typical start to the game, but when it was over, he threw for 337 yards with two touchdowns. 

The Falcons scored 23 unanswered points on Cam Newton's competitive but ultimately bad Panthers' team and the Buccaneers were spanked by the lowly and offensively inept Jaguars 41-14. 

Stock Down 

NFC West 

The Cardinals upset the 49ers? What? Without Patrick Willis, San Francisco's defense is simply not as dominating.

Although the Rams-Seahawks matchup on Monday Night Football lacks the luster of what we've grown accustomed to over the years for a prime time game, I'm pumped to watch Marshawn Lynch.

Beast.  

Stock Steady 

AFC East 

The AFC East went 2-2 this weekend, and the Redskins were surprisingly close to knocking off the Patriots in Washington. With the Bengals loss, the Jets moved into the No. 6 and final playoff spot and would play New England if the postseason started today. 

Can New York get to nine or 10 wins to sneak into the playoffs once again? 

Stock Steady?

AFC North 

The Bengals were once the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoff picture, but now, after playing against stiffer competition, we've witnessed some of their offensive deficiencies. 

The Steelers and Ravens are gearing up for another run in the postseason and the Browns are, well, the Browns. 

Still, this is the best division in football in my estimation. 

Big-game experience and defense puts them over the top.

Stock Up  

AFC West 

Tim Tebow. Does the guy really bring magic to the field? How inexplicable was Marion Barber's fumble that would have set up the likely game-winning field goal for the Bears? How about Matt Prater's 59-yarder to send the game into overtime? 

Actually, Tebow looked like a legitimate NFL quarterback in the fourth quarter against Chicago. 

The Raiders were stomped by Green Bay in a game I thought they could be somewhat competitive in and the Chiefs were dismantled by the Jets in New Jersey. 

Don't forget about the Chargers just yet. They've won two straight in convincing fashion. 

Stock Up 

AFC South 

Props to the Houston Texans for clinching their first postseason berth in franchise history. They did so behind the arm of T.J. Yates. Who would have thought? 

They boast a premier defense and have the running game to compete in the postseason.

The Titans had a fantastic opportunity to upset the Saints and move into a playoff spot, but couldn't punch it in to the end zone of the final play of the game. 

The Jaguars are respectable. I think. 

The Colts have a great shot at 0-16. Yikes.

Stock Down

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