NFL Power Rankings: Taking the Temperature of Every Team in the League

NFL teams endeavor to get hot toward the end of the regular season and into the playoffs. With that in mind, I will take the temperature of every team and rank them accordingly.

Some teams may have peaked too soon, and some are rounding into proper form, but all play for a chance to win the biggest game of them all.

If your team isn't hot, there's a good chance they won't get a sniff at the Lombardi Trophy in February.

For this slideshow, I'll be incorporating the periodic table. Every team's temperature will be represented by the boiling point (Celsius) of an element. 

32. Indianapolis Colts (0-13)

At 0-13, the Indianapolis Colts are as cold as it gets. Jim Caldwell will apparently get to keep his job if the team can manage one win in the last three.

That makes perfect sense...

Next year will be interesting with Andrew Luck/Robert Griffin III trying to coexist with Peyton Manning.

Temperature: -269 degrees (Helium)

31. St. Louis Rams (2-11)

Does anyone even remember that the St. Louis Rams beat the New Orleans Saints back in Week 8?

Even their gusty Week 10 victory on the road in Cleveland seems like a distant memory. 

Sam Bradford has been battered and bruised all year long, and the Rams have been the most injury-addled team in the NFL.

Temperature: -253 degrees (Hydrogen)

30. Minnesota Vikings (2-11)

The Minnesota Vikings have some talented players on their roster, but it seems like nobody has figured out how to use them. Between Percy Harvin, Adrian Peterson and Christian Ponder, there has got to be a way to have an explosive offense.

Alas, the front office has thrown in with the current regime at least for another year. I don't see things vastly improving next year.

I know it's supposed to be cold up north, but jeez...

Temperature: -246 degrees (Neon)

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-10)

After 14 weeks, it's safe to say that Josh Freeman has regressed significantly in his third year as a pro.

It's not all Freeman's fault, though. The Buccaneers organization took a hard-line approach to free agency and decided to abstain from pursuing any big-name talent—and the results have been ugly. 

The Buccaneers have lost eight straight games. They got hit in the mouth a few times and never recovered.

Temperature: -196 degrees (Nitrogen)

28. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-10)

The Jacksonville Jaguars have a rookie quarterback who is constantly running for his life and who also has no weapons to throw the ball to even if he did have time in the pocket. 

There are a lot of problems for this team under new management. I'm interested to see what happens next. 

The worst part about the Jaguars is Maurice Jones-Drew is leading the NFL in rushing, but it doesn't really matter. Wins are more important than stats, and I guarantee Jones-Drew would trade in all his yards and touchdowns for a winning team.

Temperature: -188 degrees (Fluorine) 

27. Buffalo Bills (5-8)

The Buffalo Bills had such a promising start to their 2011 campaign, but the team is in full disarray now, having lost their last six games.

I wonder if the front office is lamenting the big extension they handed out to Ryan Fitzpatrick yet. 

Temperature: -186 degrees (Argon) 

26. Cleveland Browns (4-9)

The Cleveland Browns are a team that is a couple years away from contending for their division. Colt McCoy needs some better protection, a great young running back and a couple more weapons to throw to.

It has been a difficult season for the team and its fans.

After all, the Browns lost to the St. Louis Rams.

Temperature: -183 degrees (Oxygen) 

25. Miami Dolphins (4-9)

It seems as though the Miami Dolphins' late-season surge may have breathed its last breath after the team got hammered by the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 14 at home. Two days later, Tony Sparano was finally let go by the team.

One good thing to come from this broken season for the Dolphins is that Reggie Bush remembered how to run the football. He is still young and has taken a relatively light beating in his career, so he could be a valuable contributor for many years to come.

Temperature: -153 degrees (Krypton) 

24. Washington Redskins (4-9)

I will be shocked if Mike Shanahan doesn't select a quarterback with one of his first two draft picks in the 2012 NFL Draft. John Beck and Rex Grossman have made what should have been a team vying with Dallas and New York for the NFC East title into a team that folks chuckle about.

Getting younger and better at the wide receiver and cornerback positions will also give the Redskins a boost.

For now, though, things don't look good.

Temperature: -108 degrees (Xenon) 

23. Carolina Panthers (4-9)

I have a high regard for Ron Rivera and the job he's done down in Carolina with a young Panthers team.

That being said, I don't think there is a team in the NFL that is better suited for Jon Gruden to step in and help mold the new breed of offense Cam Newton can inspire.

This is a prime moment in the history of the NFL, because Newton happens to have once-in-a-generation abilities and was purchased at a bargain price due to the CBA signed before the 2011 season. 

The Panthers have all the right things in place to make a strong run for the next decade under the right leadership.

Temperature: -62 degrees (Radon) 

22. Kansas City Chiefs (5-8)

I was never a big fan of Todd Haley, but what happened to the Kansas City Chiefs this year wasn't really his fault. The Chiefs lost a handful of their top starters right out of the gate, and it just got worse from there.

Thomas Jones should retire. He's just not the same runner anymore. It looks like his body got old in a hurry.

Dexter McCluster is an exciting player, but he isn't the kind of back who can shoulder the load of a starter. 

Temperature: -35 degrees (Chlorine)

21. Philadelphia Eagles (5-8)

The Philadelphia Eagles have some major pieces on their roster that need the right leadership under which to thrive. The team needs to get a real defensive-minded genius to figure out how to utilize their amazing lineup. 

Drafting Vontaze Burfict in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft wouldn't be a bad idea, either.

Temperature: 58.8 degrees (Bromine)

20. San Diego Chargers (6-7)

The San Diego Chargers have a chance to prove their worth on Sunday Night Football against the Baltimore Ravens. Philip Rivers can be absolutely brilliant at times, but the Chargers' offensive line will be tested by fire, and I'm not sure they can stand the heat.

Ryan Mathews has shown the ability to be the running back of the future for the Chargers, and the defense just needs to get younger at a couple of key positions—namely linebacker, both inside and outside. 

Temperature: 184 degrees (Iodine)

19. Chicago Bears (7-6)

To say Caleb Hanie has been a disappointment to the Chicago Bears and their fans would be the understatement of the year. 

I'm not sure what the Bears did to piss off the football gods, but losing Jay Cutler and Matt Forte for the season is just brutal.

Temperature: 280 degrees (Phosphorus)

18. Seattle Seahawks (6-7)

You have to love what head coach Pete Carroll has done to turn things around for the Seattle Seahawks.

Marshawn Lynch is developing into a legend up in the Northwest. The Seahawks might actually give the San Francisco 49ers' defense a scare in Week 16 and test a couple of streaks.

There is still an outside chance that the Seahawks could get into the 2011 NFL Playoffs, and you know Carroll will have his men amped up and ready to play every game like it's their last. 

Temperature: 357 degrees (Mercury)

17. Oakland Raiders (7-6)

The Oakland Raiders were exposed at Lambeau Field by the best team in the NFL.

The biggest issue for the Raiders is their defense. Nobody plays disciplined on that defense, and there is no hope of winning too many ballgames with that kind of sloppiness.

If Carson Palmer can get his weapons back on offense there is an outside chance for the Raiders to still get into the playoffs.

However, Darren McFadden's foot continues to plague the team, and there is still no timetable for his return.

Temperature: 445 degrees (Sulfur)

16. Arizona Cardinals (6-7)

I imagine head coach Ken Whisenhunt is privately fuming about how much the Arizona Cardinals gave up to trade for Kevin Kolb. John Skelton has been the man for the Cardinals, and in the games he has started the team is 4-1.

Strong defense has also been a key component to the Cardinals' strong late push. Calais Campbell is playing well on the outside, and Daryl Washington is proving to be a playmaker in his second year out of Texas Christian.

Temperature: 677 degrees (Francium) 

15. Cincinnati Bengals (7-6)

The Andy Dalton-to-A.J. Green combination will be one of the best in NFL history if they can both manage to stay healthy. The Cincinnati Bengals desperately need a top-tier running back to threaten opposing defenses. 

I am continually impressed every year with the job defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer does with the players he has to work with. 

Temperature: 990 degrees (Tellurium) 

14. Tennessee Titans (7-6)

Reports indicate Matt Hasselbeck will start in Week 15 against the Indianapolis Colts. It seems like the Titans don't yet trust rookie Jake Locker to run the show, but I think they should let the kid lead the offense. 

The Titans have been feisty lately, allowing 18.66 points a game in the last three games.

Temperature: 1090 degrees (Magnesium) 

13. Dallas Cowboys (8-6)

You can't overlook how devastating it is for the Dallas Cowboys to have lost DeMarco Murray for the rest of the season with a fractured right ankle. The Cowboys let go of Tashard Choice earlier in the year, and now the team is stuck with one guy: Felix Jones. 

DeMarcus Ware is one of the premier defenders in the NFL, yet the Cowboys can't stop anyone lately. This isn't a good sign heading into the playoffs.

Still, the Dallas offense has kept on plugging, and Tony Romo is playing out of his mind.

Temperature: 1140 degrees (Barium)

12. New York Giants (7-6)

One thing is clear after 14 weeks of action: Eli Manning and the New York Giants can score points with any offense. 

The Giants have other issues, though. The defense, which has been thought of as a strength in the past, is now the weak link. 

New York is in control of its own destiny. If they win, they maintain their spot in the tournament. If they lose, then Dallas could slip right back in and grab that spot.

Temperature: 1,347 degrees (Lithium)

11. Detroit Lions (8-5)

The Detroit Lions welcome back their infamous star, defensive end Ndamukong Suh, to the lineup in their Week 15 contest against the Oakland Raiders.

They might also want to welcome back Calvin Johnson to the offense, as the star receiver has only caught one touchdown in the last five games.

In all reality, the Lions are one missed facemask penalty away from being on the outside looking in on this year's playoff picture. The team will slide in, but there are many issues that need fixing.

Temperature: 1,597 degrees (Europium)

10. New York Jets (8-5)

The New York Jets can make it into the 2011 NFL Playoffs if they continue to pound away at opposing defenses with a dedicated running attack. Shonn Greene has been getting into a groove with the offensive line the last couple of weeks.

The thing that concerns me the most is the way the Jets haven't been able to stop the run this year. That will need to be addressed if the team has any chance at winning in the postseason.

Temperature: 1,737 degrees (Radium)

9. Denver Broncos (8-5)

The Denver Broncos might have enough momentum to carry them into the second round of the 2011 NFL Playoffs and beyond. Tim Tebow is leading a team that has veteran leaders who have chosen to follow him. That is impressive for a quarterback in his second year.

The defense is also impressive, with Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller crushing it from the outside, and an experienced secondary unit that is playing well.

Temperature: 1,740 degrees (Lead)

8. Atlanta Falcons (9-5)

People have pointed out that you shouldn't get too excited about the Atlanta Falcons winning big on Thursday Night Football because their opponent was inferior.

You have to give credit where credit is due, though, and give the Falcons respect for doing what they were supposed to do.

If Atlanta can continue this strong play the next three weeks, they might be strong contenders to make it at least to the second round of the playoffs.

Temperature: 2,212 degrees (Silver)

7. San Francisco 49ers (10-3)

The San Francisco 49ers are in the middle of a rough patch, having lost two of their last three games.

Monday Night Football should be a blast, as the 49ers play host to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Patrick Willis is still out with a sore hamstring, the offensive line is struggling and the 49ers' red zone woes are well-documented. Still, if the team can pull a few things together down the stretch they could contend for the NFC Championship—if not the Super Bowl. 

Temperature: 2,807 degrees (Gold)

6. Houston Texans (10-3)

Houston Texans rookie quarterback T.J. Yates has shown he might be the next Tom Brady, leading his team to three wins since taking over. The Texans have won seven straight games heading into Week 15.

Credit Wade Phillips for crafting a top-three defense, and credit Texans owner Bob McNair for ignoring all the calls for Gary Kubiak's head. 

Temperature: 2,830 degrees (Germanium) 

5. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3)

Ben Roethlisberger must be the most underrated player in the NFL. No matter how much credit he does get, it's not enough.

It doesn't hurt that somehow the Steelers found two of the best young wide receivers in the NFL: Antonio Brown and Mike Wallace.

Dick LeBeau has the Steelers' defense playing at their traditionally high level, and if they ever get back to full strength they will be a terror in the playoffs. 

Temperature: 2,832 degrees (Scandium) 

4. Baltimore Ravens (10-3)

It says something about Ozzie Newsome and the depth of the Baltimore Ravens that the team hasn't missed a beat since Ray Lewis went out with a foot injury. 

Joe Flacco has been playing well lately, and Ray Rice continues to show he's among the elite dual-threat running backs in the NFL.

The Ravens are serious contenders to win it all in February.

Temperature: 2,927 degrees (Palladium)

3. New England Patriots (10-3)

The New England Patriots have once again reinvented their offense to suit the skills of the players on their roster. Every year, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick adapt better than anyone else in the NFL.

And Rob Gronkowski will be tough to stop.

Either the Ravens or Steelers could give the Patriots a run for their money in the 2011 NFL Playoffs. I'm not saying they could win, but they could make it close.

Temperature: 3,000 degrees (Promethium)

2. New Orleans Saints (10-3)

The New Orleans Saints survived a tough opponent on the road in Week 14 in the Tennessee Titans. They might coast the rest of the way and give San Francisco a run for their money for the No. 2 spot in the NFC playoff bracket.

The Saints are starting to gather momentum, having won their last five games. The defense has been playing much better as of late, and they are creating turnovers again like they did in 2009 when the team won their championship.

Temperature: 3,235 degrees (Plutonium)

1. Green Bay Packers (13-0)

The Green Bay Packers have won 19 straight games going back to last year, and they are poised to become only the second team in NFL history to have won 20 straight with a win against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15. 

Aaron Rodgers is a master at his craft, and the Packers' precision offense is a pleasure to watch, whether you are a fan or not (unless, of course, your favorite team is the one getting torn to shreds).

Temperature: 3,818 degrees (Uranium)