Week 14 saw the contenders separated from the pretenders. First off, the Giants, Redskins, Cowboys, and even the Eagles won to give the NFC East a 4-0 week. The Eagles are out of it, but the 'Skins and 'Boys now only trail Big Blue by a game, and both are primed for a wildcard spot. The Colts, Seahawks, Rams, and Vikings are all found ways to win to keep their playoff hopes alive...however, wildcard favorites Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Cincinnati all took a step back, paving the way for others. Here are my power rankings, updated to reflect the new
information we learned in week 14. Each team is followed by a quick
summary
of their change with {Season high, Season low}. Here we go!
1) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (10-3): Can I just bask in this for a moment? Who put them #1 a good 2-3 weeks before everyone else? Yep, that's me. The Pats showed just how good they are by schooling a top AFC team, and giving the Texans their first in-conference loss. This was the win that Bellichick needed to get that #1 seed (and they should at least get a bye) - one more loss by Houston, and they'll be #1 in the AFC.
Change: 0 {1,6}.
3) NEW YORK GIANTS (8-5): A lot of you will think this is crazy, but I'm just setting the curve again. The Giants have dominated top teams in the conference in two of the last three weeks. Yes, they lost to the Redskins....but the Giants lose to the Redskins EVERY year, no matter how good or bad the Redskins are. It's just what the Giants do. They drop a few clunkers in their division, and kill everyone else. They've gone 1-1 against the Cowboys and Redskins and lost to the Eagles earlier this year (rematch in week 17), but have CRUSHED the top teams in the NFC: 49ers (26-3), Packers (38-10), and now the Saints (52-27). Sure, you can say that the Saints aren't a top NFC team, but if you say that, you're just going on their record. After that abysmal start, they have looked very much like their former selves. Anyway, the Giants will rout the overrated Falcons this week, and everyone will sing their praises after that....but you heard it here first, and I'm giving them what the deserve now.
2)
DENVER BRONCOS (10-3): I said that the Broncos would continue to climb as long as they continue to win, and their 8-game winning streak has brought them up to #2. Their win over Oakland wasn't flashy, but they once again took care of business by double-digits. They may have hit their ceiling in these power rankings, though, because I don't see the Pats faltering.
Change: +1 {2,7}.
3) NEW YORK GIANTS (8-5): A lot of you will think this is crazy, but I'm just setting the curve again. The Giants have dominated top teams in the conference in two of the last three weeks. Yes, they lost to the Redskins....but the Giants lose to the Redskins EVERY year, no matter how good or bad the Redskins are. It's just what the Giants do. They drop a few clunkers in their division, and kill everyone else. They've gone 1-1 against the Cowboys and Redskins and lost to the Eagles earlier this year (rematch in week 17), but have CRUSHED the top teams in the NFC: 49ers (26-3), Packers (38-10), and now the Saints (52-27). Sure, you can say that the Saints aren't a top NFC team, but if you say that, you're just going on their record. After that abysmal start, they have looked very much like their former selves. Anyway, the Giants will rout the overrated Falcons this week, and everyone will sing their praises after that....but you heard it here first, and I'm giving them what the deserve now.
Change: +5 {3,9}.
4)
GREEN BAY PACKERS (9-4): The Packers make it two in a row by taking out yet another divisional foe. They'll make it a triple crown this week as they take on the fading Bears. They're quietly moving into position to try to steal one of the playoff byes over the next three weeks.
Change: +2 {2,8}.
5)
HOUSTON TEXANS (11-2): When will the Texans show up and dominate a game like they did earlier this year? After close games with the Jags, Lions, and Titans, the Patriots completely exposed them. They are starting to look like frauds, and could lose their position for a first-round bye with just one more loss. In fact, they could even still lose their division as they face the red-hot Colts twice over the final three weeks. They had better right the ship quickly.
Change: -3 {1,5}.
6) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (9-3-1): They beat Miami. So what? Who hasn't. Sure, it was a convincing win, but all I can think of when I look at the 9ers' record is that nasty tie...and the LOSS....to the Rams. They're a solid team, but I just don't think they're going anywhere in the postseason.
Change: -1 {2,8}.
7) ATLANTA FALCONS (11-2): FINALLY. I have been waiting for the Falcons to get their second loss for so long. There were so many games where it should have happened, but the Falcons had the game handed to them. With the loss being to Carolina, the Falcons should be grateful that I didn't drop them lower. I'm sure they'll still get homefield edge because no one else's record in the NFC really threatens them, but don't be surprised if the Falcons are the weakest of the six NFC playoff teams come January.
Change: -3 {2,7}.
8)
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (8-5): They finally gave me what I was looking for - an absolute ROUT of a weak opponent. This is what the great teams do when they play the bottom-feeders - they run up the score early so that they can rest in the second half. I haven't believed in Seattle all season because I just hadn't seen a game like this, and didn't know if they were capable of it. Well, now I know that they can put points on the board. I Would have been fine with 38, but 58?! That's crazy.
Change: +6 {8,15}.
9)
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (9-4): They got off to a terrible start, but Luck once again rallied them back (and the defense got a nice pick-6 on an absolutely AWFUL pass from Jake Locker). This team has a lot of fight in them, and is very likely headed to the playoffs as all of their wildcard competition lost this week. They might be able to pull an upset in the first around, too (especially if they face the Ravens).
Change: +3 {9,13}.
11)
CHICAGO BEARS (8-5): What a disappointment. They had to win that game against the Vikings, but they were out of it from the beginning. What has happened to that defense that we so fierce in the first half. For one, I think that Urlacher's loss is a larger deal than many perceive. However, they need to find a way to overcome their adversity and win two of their next three to make the playoffs. Two weeks ago, it looked like they or the Packers would take the top wildcard and leave the rest of the NFC to fight it out for the #6 seed. However, two losses later, the Packers are on the path to take the division, leaving the Bears to fight for scraps in the wildcards. HUGE game coming up against the Pack this week.
10)
BALTIMORE RAVENS (9-4): They just keep hanging around. Everyone knows that they're weak, but a bunch of early wins keep them atop the AFC North with a two-game lead. They get passed by two teams, but two teams also fall below them, so they stand pat at #10.
Change: 0 {7,10}.
Change: -4 {3, 11}.
Change +4 {12,25}.
13)
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (7-6): Ben, that was ugly. The entire game was ugly. Even your touchdown pass to Mike Wallace was ugly. Who would have thought the Steelers would play better with Charlie Batch. Rest up, Ben, the Steelers need you for the playoffs. It's obvious you're not 100%.
Change: -4 {9,13}.
14)
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (5-8): That was a tough loss to the Giants. However, I think the Giants are a top-3 team, so you can excuse it some. A lot of people will think this is too high for a 5-8 team, but I honestly think the Saints would beat anyone below them on this list....they just had a tough start to the season with Bountygate.
Change: -3 {10,17}.
15)
DALLAS COWBOYS (7-6): What a HUGE win for Big D against a feisty Bengals team that is clawing for a playoff spot. With that victory, the Cowboys showed that they are a legit threat to contend for a wildcard spot (and for the division, if you're in Tex's camp). All joking aside, they and the Redskins are only a game out of first in the East, and anything can happen.
Change: +3 {15,18}.
16)
CINCINNATI BENGALS (7-6): What a depressing loss for Cincy as they push for the playoffs. Fortunately for them, the Steelers also lost, and they control their own destiny with a season finale against Pitt which could very well decide who goes home.
Change: -3 {13,19}.
17)
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (7-6): Adrian Peterson is a freak. Yet another impressive performance from him. I can't move the Vikings into the top half yet, but if they win against the Rams this week to move to 8-6, I'll have no choice.
Change: 0 {15,17}.
18)
TAMPA BAY BUCS (6-7): Ugh, Bucs! You have so much promise, but you are not for real if you lose like that to the Eagles. Everyone else in the NFC wildcard hunt won, so it will take a miracle and some more help on top of it for Tampa to make it to the postseason. At least it looks like they have a good foundation for next year. Just don't run poor Doug Martin into the ground in the meantime.
Change: -3 {11,18}
19)
ST. LOUIS RAMS (6-6-1): I was originally going to keep them under the Lions, but the Rams won and the Lions didn't.....the Rams are in contention and the Lions aren't....and the Lions only scraped by head-to-head with them in week one. HUGE game against the Vikings this week, with the loser likely out of the playoff picture.
Change: +1 {19,27}.
20) DETROIT LIONS (4-9): They just can't catch a break. They even kept it close in the snow with the Packers...only to fall short in the end, just as they have so many times this year.
Change: -1 {11,20}.
22) SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (5-8): Sure, you won. You still suck. I'm putting the Browns ahead of you because you lost to them a few weeks ago. Remember that one? They only scored 7, and still beat you. Yeah.
21)
CLEVELAND BROWNS (5-8): Three in a row! The Browns have played it close with their opponents all year, and are finally seeing their efforts show in the win column. Interestingly enough, they have a backdoor shot at the playoffs if EVERYTHING falls right and they win out, but we'll only talk about that in detail if it's still relevant next week.
Change: +2 {21,29}.
Change: -1 {15,22}.
23)
CAROLINA PANTHERS (4-9): Finally, they finish a game. I'm so glad that it was against the Falcons. You should have beaten them last time, too, though!
Change: +1 {22,24}.
24)
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (4-9): I'll move them up a bit for a win against a team that many considered a dark horse in the playoff hunt.
Change: +2 {22,27}.
25)
BUFFALO BILLS (5-8): They just lost their season on a very winnable game against the Rams. What a disappointment. Well, better luck next year...the motto of Buffalo since 1999. Or, I suppose you could go back further to those Jim Kelly Super Bowls, but at least those teams were good.
Change: -3 {21,26}.
26) NEW YORK JETS (6-7): They've won two in a row and are somehow back in the playoff hunt, however vague of a shot it is. They may very well get the help that they need, but I don't think the Jets can win out. They have an easy enough schedule, but I watched them against the Jags this week, and they were HORRIBLE. Unfortunately for me, the Jags were even worse.
Change: +3 {24,30}.
Change: +1 {27,30}.
28) MIAMI DOLPHINS (5-8): Horrible showing against the 49ers.
Change: -3 {20,28}.
29) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (2-11): They are such a pain to watch. The defense plays alright, but the offense isn't doing anything (what else is new?). The Chad Henne fad as already worn off.
Change: -2 {27,32}.
Change: +1 {30,32}.
31) OAKLAND RAIDERS (3-10): They move out of the cellar only because they didn't lose 58-0 last week.
Change: +1 {28,32}.
32) ARIZONA CARDINALS (4-9): They lost 58-0.
Change: -2 {21,32}.
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