NFL Power Rankings: Top Teams That Will Be Exposed This Week

Here’s a quick look at three playoff teams that will have their weaknesses highlighted during Week 15 of NFL action.

New England Patriots

The Pats have won five in a row and sit in a tie at the top of the AFC with a 10-3 record. As a result, most people are accepting them as a Super Bowl contender.

I’m still not quite there.

I understand the Patriots have one of the league’s best offenses, but the defense really bothers me. When Rex Grossman throws for 252 yards against you, there’s something wrong.

Of course, New England has to travel to Denver this week to face a Broncos team that is basically the exact opposite of them.

The Broncos offense is pretty weak, but their defense is very impressive. Denver is at home and will show the rest of the league how to beat New England: slow the game down and keep Tom Brady off the field.

I like the Broncos in a low-scoring game.

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers have one of the best defenses in the league. It’s as simple as that. Their run defense is absolutely suffocating.

However, San Fran still has problems. Those problems became quite apparent last week against Arizona, and they will become clear again on Monday night against Pittsburgh.

San Francisco’s offense is simply too mediocre. The Niners are never able to get up big, and that makes it so they can’t afford mistakes on defense.

If they face an offense that can put up a couple of touchdowns, or if they face an equally-stiff defense, San Fran will be in trouble.

They’ll face both of those things against Pittsburgh this week.

Houston Texans

The Texans get the Carolina Panthers at home this week, and most people will expect a blowout.

But the Panthers aren’t as bad as their record suggests. They are 4-9 but could easily have six or seven wins this year. If Carolina gets back to their heavy run game, they’ll upset Houston on the road.

Throw in the fact that Houston has already clinched a playoff spot and the Texans should be on upset alert this week. 

Tim Keeney's Week 15 Power Rankings:

1. Green Bay 13-0

2. Baltimore 10-3

3. Pittsburgh 10-3

4. San Francisco 10-3

5. New Orleans 10-3

6. Houston Texans 10-3

7. New England Patriots 10-3

8. Atlanta 9-5

9. Denver 8-5

10. NY Jets 8-5

11. NY Giants 7-6

12. Detroit 8-5

13. Dallas 7-6

14. Tennessee 7-6

15. Cincinnati 7-6

16. Oakland 7-6

17. Arizona 6-7

18. Chicago 7-6

19. Seattle 6-7

20. Philadelphia 5-8

21. San Diego 6-7

22. Buffalo 5-8

23. Miami 4-9

24. Kansas City 5-8

25. Carolina 4-9

26. Washington 4-9

27. Cleveland 4-9

28. Tampa Bay 4-9

29. Jacksonville 4-10

30. Minnesota 2-11

31. St. Louis 2-11

32. Indianapolis 0-13