NFL Power Rankings: Gauging the League's Most Unpredictable Teams

You would think that after watching 13 games of NFL football, I'd have a firm grasp on what to expect from each team each weekend. 

I don't. 

Do you? 

For example, what type of performance are the Oakland Raiders going to put on this Sunday against the Lions at home? 

They're just one of the teams I simply cannot figure out.

Oakland Raiders

Playing the Green Bay Packers on Lambeau Field is never easy, but I was expecting a lot more from the Raiders on Sunday. 

Then again, they've been one of the most inconsistent and frustrating clubs in the football this season. 

Ready for their season breakdown since Week 5? 

Win, win, loss, loss, win, win win, loss, loss. 

What the heck? 

Right when Carson Palmer looked to be settled into the offense, he regresses in two straight road losses. 

By the way, what happened to the running game?

Dallas Cowboys

I still believe the Cowboys are a good football team, but nearly at the precise moment when I'm ready to call them great, they blow a lead in the fourth quarter and lose a game they should win.

See: Cardinals and Giants games.

Tony Romo has been fine, and based on what we've seen from in years past, he's been rather consistent.

The defense is the real mystery. 

I'm starting to wonder what we would all think about Rob Ryan if his last name wasn't Ryan and he wasn't Rex's brother.

Great for three weeks, bad for next two.

Arizona Cardinals

As their 6-7 record indicates, the Arizona Cardinals aren't a great team. 

But remember, they were 1-6. 

They've got wins over the Eagles, Cowboys and 49ers and played the Ravens extremely close. 

Maybe John Skelton is the key. 

He's 4-1 as a starter. 

The poor-man's Tim Tebow? 

Kidding. 

Seriously though, are they a rebuilding team, or will they finish the year with a respectable 8-8 or 9-7 record? The Browns, Bengals and Seahawks remain on the schedule. 

Definitely an underrated team. 

Right?

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. Seattle Seahawks
16. Dallas Cowboys
17. Arizona Cardinals
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