NFL Power Rankings: Biggest Winners After Week 15's Surprises

The biggest statement of the week was made by the San Francisco 49ers. By pulling off the big victory over the tough and battered Pittsburgh Steelers, they not only moved in shouting distance of the NFC leading Green Bay Packers, they also captured a big win after dropping a game to the Cardinals.

The Niners are 11-3 and two games behind the Pack.

Quietly, the Saints are rolling as well. At 11-3, no one is talking about the Saints. They have won six games in a row, and now, since the Packers have lost, they will get some credit for their run. They have played only one close game in that stretch. It was a three-point OT win over Atlanta.

This week, they have the Falcons again. A win for the Saints clinches the division for the Saints.

Another team that has won six games in a row is the New England Patriots. Brady and crew stopped Tebow-mania, as the Denver defense had no answer for Brady and the passing game.

Tebow could not take advantage of a pass defense that is statistically the worse in the NFL. The Patriots rose to the occasion, and they are peaking at the right time. As the Ravens and Steelers falter and the Texans are beset with injuries, the Patriots are stepping up into the top spot in the AFC.

Lastly, the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles were believed to be dead in the water just three weeks ago; now, they have a shot at the NFC East.

If they defeat the Cowboys this week and Washington in the season finale, the Eagles only need the Giants to lose one game in their last two.

They have the Cowboys and Jets remaining. This scenario is very possible, and the way the Eagles are playing, it seems they will hold up their end of the bargain.

The Eagles' ability to keep their heads up through all of the criticism, injuries and poor play has been huge. Even if they fall short, it is great momentum going into next season, and it just may save Andy Reid's job.

Here are my complete NFL power rankings:

1. Green Bay Packers 13-1

2. San Francisco 49ers 11-3

3. New England Patriots 11-3

4. New Orleans Saints 11-3

5. Baltimore Ravens 10-4

6. Pittsburgh Steelers 10-4

7. Houston Texans 10-4

8. Atlanta Falcons 9-5

9. Detroit Lions 9-5

10. Dallas Cowboys 8-6

11. Denver Broncos 8-6

12. Cincinnati Bengals 8-6

13. San Diego Chargers 7-7

14. Arizona Cardinals 7-7

15. NY Jets 8-6

16. Seattle Seahawks 7-7

17. Philadelphia Eagles 6-8

18. Oakland Raiders 7-7

19. Tennessee Titans 7-7

20. NY Giants 7-7

21. Kansas City Chiefs 6-8

22. Miami Dolphins 5-9

23. Chicago Bears 7-7

24. Carolina Panthers 5-9

25. Washington Redskins 5-9

26. Buffalo Bills 5-9

27. Cleveland Browns 4-10

28. Jacksonville Jaguars 4-10

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4-10

30. St. Louis Rams 2-12

31. Minnesota Vikings 2-12

32. Indianapolis Colts 1-13