NFL Power Rankings: Division Leaders Limping to the Finish

The problem with doing power rankings at this stage of the season is that there is not going to be a lot of turnover. We know which teams are the best in the league, and who is bringing up the rear. 

But Week 15 provided us with a lot of interesting outcomes that have shined a light on a lot of problems that have been apparent all season but we just failed to take notice of them because of the overall record. 

It's a funny thing, this NFL, because all that we really look at is who wins and loses, even though there is so much more to a game than just the final outcome. The final doesn't tell the whole story, it just tells a part of it. 

Here are three division leaders that have been coasting by for a few weeks that are in serious trouble following last week's games. 

Denver Broncos (8-6)

It is too harsh to say that the Broncos are a mess now that the New England Patriots have exposed their defense. Not a lot of teams in the league possess the offensive talent that the Patriots do, so they aren't going to give up 41 points every week. 

The problem is that if they do get behind, Tim Tebow is not going to be able to lead them back with his arm. He still has to improve as a passer, and when you have a quarterback that can't throw the ball you are in trouble. 

I still think they will win the AFC West because no one else wants to, but they look a lot less attractive today than they did three days ago. 

Houston Texans (10-4)

We have all been waiting for that one game where everything falls apart for the Texans. We knew it was coming because they were playing with T.J. Yates as their starting quarterback. 

That day finally came in Week 15 against the Carolina Panthers. They were overpowered in that game and it left a lot of doubt about what's in store for them when the postseason begins. 

They went from being the No. 1 seed in the AFC to maybe the fourth-best team in the conference based on their performance last week. 

Baltimore Ravens (10-4)

I want to believe in the Ravens, I really do. They have the defense to play with anyone in the NFL. The problem is the offense, particularly Joe Flacco, and the mental hiccups that they have had this season. 

Last week's game against San Diego is a perfect example. It's not that the Ravens lost that game, it's the way that they lost. They rolled over and played dead, it was a terrible performance for a team that has Super Bowl aspirations. 

If that was the first time all season they had played a game like that, I wouldn't mind as much. But they have done this throughout the year. 

 

1. Green Bay Packers
2. New England Patriots
3. San Francisco 49ers
4. New Orleans Saints
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
6. Atlanta Falcons
7. Baltimore Ravens
8. Houston Texans
9. Detroit Lions
10. Dallas Cowboys
11. Cincinnati Bengals
12. Denver Broncos
13. Seattle Seahawks
14. New York Jets
15. San Diego Chargers
16. Arizona Cardinals
17. New York Giants
18. Philadelphia Eagles
19. Oakland Raiders
20. Tennessee Titans
21. Kansas City Chiefs
22. Carolina Panthers
23. Miami Dolphins
24. Chicago Bears
25. Buffalo Bills
26. Cleveland Browns
27. Washington Redskins
28. Jacksonville Jaguars
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
30. Minnesota Vikings
31. St. Louis Rams
32. Indianapolis Colts
Adam Wells' Week 16 NFL Power Rankings

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