I can’t believe that is already Week 15. It seems like each football season goes by quicker and quicker each year. In Week 14, the mighty Cowboys fell prey to their kryptonite once more, the Chiefs proved themselves at home, and the Patriots kept on winning without Gronk. Let’s get to the Power Rankings.
1. New England Patriots.
Record: 11-2
2. Dallas Cowboys.
Record: 11-2
3. Kansas City Chiefs.
Record: 10-3
4. Oakland Raider.
Record: 10-3
5. Atlanta Falcons.
Record: 8-5
6. Pittsburgh Steelers.
Record: 8-5
7. Detroit Lions.
Record: 9-4
8. Seattle Seahawks.
Record: 8-4-1
9. Green Bay Packers.
Record: 7-6
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Record: 8-5
11. New York Giants.
Record: 9-4
12. Denver Broncos.
Record: 8-5
13. Baltimore Ravens.
Record: 7-6
14. Tennessee Titans.
Record: 7-6
15. Washington Redskins.
Record: 7-5-1
16. Minnesota Vikings.
Record: 7-6
17. Miami Dolphins.
Record: 8-5
18. Arizona Cardinals.
Record: 5-7-1
19. Houston Texans.
Record: 7-6
20. Carolina Panthers.
Record: 5-8
21. Cincinnati Bengals.
Record: 5-7-1
22. San Diego Chargers.
Record: 5-8
23. Buffalo Bills.
Record: 6-7
24. New Orleans Saints.
Record: 5-8
25. Indianapolis Colts.
Record: 6-7
26. Philadelphia Eagles.
Record: 5-8
27. Chicago Bears.
Record: 3-10
28. New York Jets.
Record: 4-9
29. Los Angeles Rams.
Record: 4-9
30. San Francisco 49ers.
Record: 1-12
31. Jacksonville Jaguars.
Record: 2-11
32. Cleveland Browns.
Record: 0-13
Better luck next year:
Cleveland, Jacksonville, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York Jets, Chicago, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Carolina, Indianapolis, San Diego, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Arizona.
In the hunt:
Houston, Tennessee, Tampa Bay, Atlanta, Green Bay, Minnesota, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, New York Giants, Washington, Miami, Denver.
Playoff locks:
Dallas, Detroit, Kansas City, Oakland, New England, Seattle.
On the rise:
Pittsburgh Steelers
The “Killer B’s” are back in full force. The Steelers perpetually perform well in December, and Sunday was no exception. Le’Veon Bell absolutely torched the Bills for 236 rushing yards and three touchdowns. The Steelers may very well have the best combination of quarterback, running back and receiver outside of Dallas’s lethal combination. If this offense can stay healthy (that’s a big if), Pittsburgh will be very dangerous come playoff time.
Green Bay Packers
Remember when most people were saying that Aaron Rodgers is done? That feels like a long time ago compared to how the Green Bay quarterback is playing now. The Packers are starting to get healthy at just the right time, and the offense is beginning to really flourish. Aaron Rodgers threw for 246 yards and three touchdowns against the Earl Thomas-less Seahawks defense, including a beautiful downfield throw to Davante Adams that ultimately resulted in a touchdown. On the other side of the ball, Green Bay’s mediocre defense got five turnovers, all interceptions of Russell Wilson. Green Bay made a statement with the 38-10 blowout of the NFC’s second best team. That win was their third straight, and they look to run the table against the division in order to make yet another trip to the postseason.
Tennessee Titans
The Titans continue to perform well with the stout backfield combination of Marcus Mariota and Demarco Murray. On Sunday, Mariota did not perform well from a statistical standpoint (6-20, 88 yards), but he did not commit any turnovers against a Broncos defense that many consider to be a top-five defense. Murray turned in a 92 yard, one touchdown performance to provide the offense all it needed to stave off a Denver comeback. Tennessee has a tough test this week as they go into Arrowhead to face the Chiefs, but the Titans should feel confident behind the lethal Mariota-Murray tandem.
On the decline:
Seattle Seahawks
To say that Seattle is missing Earl Thomas would be a massive understatement. I have seen Seattle’s secondary get beaten in the past, but I have never seemed trounced like they were trounced on Sunday. At some points during Sunday’s game, I didn’t recognize this defense, the same defense that held Tom Brady in check for four quarters. The offense did not help Seattle’s cause much either. Russell Wilson threw five picks, two of which were not his fault, and the receivers had a serious case of the drops. All in all, Seattle is reeling from this blowout loss, and they will look to regroup against the Rams who have suffered a fair few thrashings of their own.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos went into the Tennesse game feeling confident off of a win in Jacksonville. Their confidence was completely shattered by game’s end. Trevor Siemian could get very little going on offense, and the defense, once again, could not stop the run when it needed to. Denver looks to be battling for its playoff life against the likes of Miami and Pittsburgh. The Broncos will face another tough test, this time at home against the New England Patriots in a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship Game.
