Dave B’s NFL Power Rankings – Week 15
You gotta love the NFL! Another scintillating weekend has passed and as per usual there is some significant movement in the Power Rankings. There is a new #1 along with some serious risers and fallers on the charts. Still, the AFC dominates the top spots with the top NFC teams appearing in second tier of this week’s Power Rankings.
Enough talk – let’s get on with Dave B’s Week 15 edition of the Rankings!
1. PATRIOTS (2) – Not much doubt about this one after Monday Night. The Patriots have now won seven straight games and now have won 11 straight December games. They have definitely established themselves as the team to beat this year and are #1 for the first time this season!
2. TEXANS (1) – is anyone else worried about this once vaunted defense? The Texans were totally exposed and delivered their second dud this year against a top team on Monday night – beaten down by what was clearly a better team. So long #1 spot!
3. BRONCOS (4) – the Broncos have won eight straight games and with a quality running game and elite passing attack and solid defense, there is little reason to expect this team to slow down the rest of the Regular season. Denver is a scary team – absolutely nobody wants to play them right now!
4. 49ERS (5) – The Niners climb one spot after a Week 14 win against Miami. If not for the St. Louis Rams we may be talking about the 49ers as the #1 team in the Power Rankings! As the best team in the NFC the Colin Kaepernick Niners remain Top 5 as they have been all season long.
5. FALCONS (3) – The Falcons seem to be a team that nobody is scared of. Sure they have the best record in the NFC but a loss to the Panthers Sunday has certainly taken more luster off this team. They are winning – true but not exactly in convincing fashion. Atlanta remains Top 5 because of their record – their play suggests they should be in the 7-9 range.
6. PACKERS (6) – The Packers are officially in first place in the NFC North after Week 14! They are a banged up bunch that keeps getting it done in a number of different ways. They will get healthier before the playoffs and should are officially back to elite status after their Week 14 win.
7. GIANTS (10) – what a performance against the Saints in Week 14 – a 51-27 win. Not only are the Giants dangerous offensively, but the defense is starting to round into form and suddenly you have to worry about them on Special Teams! They dominated Week 14 and when they play up to potential there are few that can match up with them!
8. COLTS (7) – will make the playoffs this year. They are 9-4 – unbelievable after just two wins all of last year. They are playing inspired, they are well balanced and frankly they are the most shocking team in the NFL this year.
9. SEAHAWKS (11) – the Hawks are still undefeated at home after a 58-0 win against Arizona Sunday. They have a relatively easy schedule down the stretch and seem to have a lock on the NFC Wild card. Seattle is a very balanced team and a scary one heading into the playoffs.
10. RAVENS (8) – The Ravens just keep on slipping! Sure injuries have contributed but this team is looking vulnerable all over the field at the moment. The red-hot Broncos await in Week 15 – I don’t like Baltimore’s chances of snapping their slump!
11. BEARS (9) – The Bears are 1-4 in their last four games and are a far cry from the team that occupied the top 3 form many weeks this season. Jay Cutler is injured again and the defense is seriously banged up – not good sign for the second place team in the NFC North! [soliloquy id=”82219″]
12. BENGALS (12) – had won four straight games before a last-second loss to the emotional Cowboys on Sunday. They are still in the thick of the Wild Card conversation and they are pretty well balanced but the Eagles, the Steelers and the Ravens await them down the stretch – a tough sled indeed!
13. REDSKINS (15) – The Skins just keep getting it done – 7-6 and still alive in the NFC playoff picture. The problem – RGIII and his possible absence. Despite everything Washington is a worthy 13.
14. COWBOYS (16) – with heavy hearts the Cowboys pulled another one off in Week 14 – they simply won’t go away! The Boys face a tough schedule down the stretch possibly without Dez Bryant who has a boo-boo on his finger but for right now Dallas is a deserved #14.
15. STEELERS (14) – Big Ben returned but the team laid an egg against San Diego on Sunday. They are still in the thick of the AFC Wild Card picture but they looked mighty untrustworthy this past Sunday! Inconsistency almost had the Steelers slip out of the Top 15!
16. BUCCANEERS (13)
17. RAMS (18)
18. VIKINGS (19)
19. SAINTS (20)
20. CHARGERS (24)
21. LIONS (17)
22. BROWNS (25)
23. DOLPHINS (21)
24. BILLS (22)
25. JETS (23)
26. EAGLES (30)
27. TITANS (27)
28. PANTHERS (29)
29. RAIDERS (28)
30. CHIEFS (31)
31. CARDINALS (26)
32. JAGUARS (32)
