– Last Updated on November 20, 2022 10:18 pm
NFL Power Rankings Week 15
Week 14 of the NFL season is in the books and what a crazy week it was – weather was a major factor in a number of games – snow, rain and cold directly and indirectly influenced the outcome of a number of contests this week.
Two of the top five teams from last week lost while two more top 5 teams went head-to-head in a terrific contest with this week’s #3 team coming out on top.
NFL Football Handicapping
So where does your favorite stand heading into Week 15?
Let’s take a look in Dave B’s Week 15 NFL Power Rankings.
1. New England Patriots (11-2)
Last Week: 2
The Patriots took on the league’s best defense on Monday – Tom Brady threw for over 400 yards and LeGarrette Blount ran for 70 yards and a touchdown.
Truth be told – the game wasn’t even close except for the Special Teams gaffes which led to 14 points against.
New England seems to be able to do what it wants and is #1 again because of it.
2. Dallas Cowboys (11-2)
Last Week: 1
I am willing to give Dallas a mulligan for Sunday night’s effort – the Giants clearly have their number – New York played the absolute perfect game to defeat these guys.
The good news is that it took the perfect game plan to beat them and the fact that the defense was terrific on a cold night.
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Dallas was due for a dud and got it out of the way in Week 14.
I still have faith in them as a top team in the NFL though.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (10-3)
Last Week: 4
The Chiefs beat the Raiders in the biggest game of the weekend and looked pretty good in doing so.
The Chiefs defense proved to be top tier once again although Derrick Johnson may be gone for an extended period with an Achilles.
Travis Kelce has emerged as one of the most reliable weapons in the game and the team as a whole is now 20-3 in their last 23 Regular Season games – nuff said!
4. Oakland Raiders (10-3)
Last Week: 3
The Raiders slip one spot this week thanks to their loss at KC. Derek Carr was 17-for-41 for just 117 yards in that game but gets an extra three days off to heal his fingers.
The Raiders had won six straight games before last Thursday but have some work to do in order to get a home playoff date.
That said Kalil Mack makes the defense formidable and you have to think Carr will be better going forward.
5. Detroit Lions (9-4)
Last Week: 7
I Believe!!!!! I wasn’t pretty but the Lions got it done again Sunday against the Bears in come-from-behind fashion… AGAIN.
Matt Stafford seems to be willing his team to victory each and every week – his finger injury is cause for some concern but he played well despite it Sunday.
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The Lions have the Giants and the Cowboys on the road and the Packers at home to close the season – I’m not sure they hold their top 5 spot!
6. New York Giants (9-4)
Last Week: 9
An ugly win against the 11-1 Cowboys on Sunday night has the G-Men staring at a top 5 spot in the Rankings.
The offense wasn’t great but New York’s defense was sensational harassing Dak Prescott and limiting Dez Bryant to one catch (he fumbled on that reception).
With arguably the most dangerous weapon in the Division (Odell Beckham) and a defense that has elevated to elite status the G-Men have all the makings of a sneaky contender.
7. Seattle Seahawks (8-4-1)
Last Week: 5
The Seahawks delivered an absolute Dud on the road at Lambeau Sunday – Russell Wilson threw 5 interceptions and the receivers simply weren’t catching the ball.
They have now lost two of their last three games – both duds on the road – all four of their losses so far have come away from home.
There is some concern in the Pacific Northwest for sure although they should be able to handle the hapless Rams on Thursday.
8. Atlanta Falcons (8-5)
Last Week: 8
The Falcons played without Julio Jones and Mohammad Sanu on Sunday and they still posted the blowout win – impressive.
This team’s elite offense was never a question but with Vic Beasley and the defense coming around Atlanta looks like a team poised to make a run.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5)
Last Week: 10
Championships are won on good, opportunistic defense and an ability to run the ball in December – that is exactly what the Steelers did on the road in terrible conditions in Week 14.
Le’Veon Bell was sensational against the Bills and the other stars on the team – Big Ben and Antonio Brown were happy to let their RB steal the headlines.
Don’t sleep on Pittsburgh folks – their offense will score a ton and the defense has become a pretty good compliment.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-5)
Last Week: 11
The Bucs have won five straight games – the defense impressed yet again in Week 14 making Drew Brees and the Saints look average.
With Jameis Winston’s leadership and with Doug Martin and Mike Evans, the offense is a pretty darn good compliment as well. The defense though has quickly become one of the most feared in the game.
11. Denver Broncos (8-5)
Last Week: 6
The Broncos have lost three of their last five games and face the prospect of ending the Regular Season with games against the Pats, the Chiefs and the Raiders – yikes!
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The defense has and will continue to keep this team in games – the offense is the main question mark here – particularly the running game which has been stuck in the mud!
12. Green Bay Packers (7-6)
Last Week: 15
The Packers have been the most disappointing and inconsistent teams in the NFL – when they look good they look unstoppable and when they look bad it ain’t great.
Well we saw the good in Green Bay Sunday – they demolished a great Seattle team.
Green Bay could realistically run the table assuming Rodgers is healthy and become the team that nobody wants to play in the playoffs.
13. Washington Redskins (7-5-1) – Last Week: 13
14. Baltimore Ravens (7-6) – Last Week: 12
15. Tennessee Titans (7-6) – Last Week: 18
16. Minnesota Vikings (7-6) – Last Week: 16
17. Miami Dolphins (8-5) – Last Week: 14
18. Houston Texans (7-6) – Last Week: 19
19. Buffalo Bills (6-7) – Last Week: 17
20. Carolina Panthers (5-8) – Last Week: 25
21. New Orleans Saints (5-8) – Last Week: 20
22. San Diego Chargers (5-8) – Last Week: 21
23. Philadelphia Eagles (5-8) – Last Week: 22
24. Arizona Cardinals (5-7-1) – Last Week: 24
25. Indianapolis Colts (6-7) – Last Week: 23
26. Cincinnati Bengals (5-7-1) – Last Week: 26
27. New York Jets (4-9) – Last Week: 28
28. Los Angeles Rams (4-9) – Last Week: 27
29 Chicago Bears (3-10) – Last Week: 29
30. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-11) – Last Week: 30
31. San Francisco 49ers (1-12) – Last Week: 31
32. Cleveland Browns (0-13) – Last Week: 32
If you’re looking for more handicapping posts like this edition of our 2016 NFL Power Rankings we’ll be providing 4* free NFL predictions on the blog all season long, and check out our Experts for guaranteed premium & free NFL Football picks!
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