NFL Power Rankings Week 15: Checking Out Teams on the Rise

As we've come to learn toward the end of each NFL season, nothing is truly set until the regular season officially concludes.

To that end, there are quite a few teams still alive for the playoffs, and the following three are definitely on the rise, if not already controlling their own destiny.

New York Jets

The Jets have little room for error as they sit in the AFC's No. 6 seed through 14 weeks of play. One game up on the Raiders, Titans, and Bengals, Gang Green must maintain their spot, otherwise they may ultimately lose the tiebreaker with a weak strength of victory.

That being said, the Jets are clearly on the rise with three straight wins and three winnable games remaining. The run defense has stepped up to help the pass defense and the offense is playing methodically effective football.

Much like the past two seasons, New York's AFC franchise is getting hot at the right time, but the question is whether that can last through the AFC title game.

New York Giants

Had it not been for their imperatively needed win over Dallas last week, the Giants would not be rising and controlling their own destiny.

But, thanks to one of the NFL's best passing attacks and a respectable pass rush on defense (mainly Jason Pierre-Paul), the Big Blue Wrecking Crew is 7-6 and could very well finish at least 9-7. After Washington are the Jets and then Dallas at home in Week 17.

None of their games are cakewalks since they've already lost to the Redskins (Week 1), the Jets are fighting for their own playoff berth, and the Cowboys game will determine who wins the NFC East.

However, once again Eli Manning must rally the troops and based on history, he's the man to lead Big Blue into and through January.

Seattle Seahawks

Believe it or not, the Seattle Seahawks can still make the playoffs. Thanks to a having the tiebreaker over the Giants, Seattle's strength of victory (.410) is the best amongst NFC teams ranked No. 5-No. 11 in the playoff standings (as those are all who is fighting for the final two seeds).

Also, RB Marshawn Lynch has bowled over opposing defenses the past six weeks and the defense has been locking down coverage as good as anyone. With the Bears this week, the Hawks can move within one spot of the No. 6 seed if Dallas gets upset by Tampa Bay.

However, all still won't be lost as their final two games are against San Francisco and Arizona. Two games that can propel them with the best strength of schedule/victory between those on the fringe and a good playoff draw (most likely the Giants).

As we all know, Seattle upset Big Blue in the Big Apple earlier this year, so don't be surprised if we see Seattle in the divisional round once again.

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

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. Seattle Seahawks (6-7 (LW 21)
4. New Orleans Saints (10-3) (LW 4)	20. San Diego Chargers (6-7) (LW 18)
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 (2-11) (LW 31)
16. Oakland Raiders (7-6) (LW 14)	32. Indianapolis Colts (0-13) (LW 32)

Follow John Rozum on Twitter @ Sportswriter27