NFL POWER RANKINGS – WEEK 14
1. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (11-1)
The Eagles made a huge statement this week that helped jump them back up to #1. Hanging 35 points on the Titans is no easy task.
2. BUFFALO BILLS (9-3)
The Bills sort of stumbled into Foxborough but left standing tall. After some less than stellar performances, Buffalo got back to playing the dominant brand of football that we have come to expect from them. They handed New England a 24-10 loss, which is a tough task in that raucous atmosphere.
3. DALLAS COWBOYS (9-3)
Another statement from the Cowboys with a 54-19 dismantling of Indy. This team is hungry.
4. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (9-3)
For whatever reason, it just seems like the Bengals have their number.
5. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (10-2)
The Vikings took care of business at home, securing yet another 1-score victory.
6. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (8-4)
The Niners Super Bowl aspirations took a big hit on Sunday. I’ve stated that I didn’t think Jimmy G is the guy to being a ring back to The Bay, but he had a better shot than Brock Purdy does. I’m a big fan of Purdy. He was a consistent winner at Iowa State, but this is a tall task for the rookie QB in the top-heavy NFC.
7. BALTIMORE RAVENS (8-4)
They may be 2-1 over their past 3 games, but things aren’t looking great in Baltimore at the moment. They escaped with a narrow victory against Denver and will now have to take on the Steelers in the ‘Burgh. It doesn’t matter what kind of season these teams are having – these games are always hard-fought.
8. CINCINNATI BENGALS (8-4)
The Bengals may have started slow out of the gates, but it looks like things are on track after defeating the Chiefs yet again.
9. MIAMI DOLPHINS (8-4)
The Dolphins scored on the first play from scrimmage and then Jimmy G broke his foot on the following drive. I thought Miami would cruise from there. The opposite was true. This was a tough loss for the Fins.
10. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (7-5-1)
The Commanders escaped with a tie on Sunday after the Giants missed a potential game-winning field goal as time expired in overtime. A win would have gone a long way in their playoff push, as the Giants are one of the teams that they are trying to chase down.
11. TENNESSEE TITANS (7-5)
The Titans have hit a slight rough patch, losing 3 of their past 5. Let’s see if they can get right against the Jags at home this week.
12. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (7-5)
Seattle earned a win over a depleted Rams team to stay in that final wild card spot. That’s a good week.
13. NEW YORK GIANTS (7-4-1)
It wasn’t as good as a win, but a tie vs Washington still somewhat suited the Giants’ purpose.
14. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (6-6)
A Tom Brady orchestrated game-winning drive inside of 2-minutes. I feel like I’ve heard that before.
15. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (6-6)
Is the jury still out on Mac Jones? I expect so – and at this point in his career they should be – but the rumblings that he may not be “the guy” are certainly growing louder.
16. NEW YORK JETS (7-5)
Mike White had the ball in the Vikings red-zone two times in the final 2 minutes, including a 2nd & goal on the 1-yard line. He proceeded to turn it over on downs and then throw a game-ending interception. Let the second-guessing of the benching of Zach Wilson commence.
17. DETROIT LIONS (5-7)
The Detroit Lions were once again involved in a game where a team got thrashed… except this time they were the ones doing the thrashing. Soak it in, Detroit.
18. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (6-6)
The Chargers needed that win against Las Vegas. They currently sit outside of a playoff berth. I know that injuries have been a major issue for this team, but it’s getting late in the season. Time to start overcoming adversity.
19. CLEVELAND BROWNS (5-7)
Watson didn’t look good in his return. But the Browns got it done, winning the game 27-14. I suppose that’s all that matters.
20. GREEN BAY PACKERS (5-8)
It’s been a down year for Green Bay, but that doesn’t matter when they play Chicago. Aaron Rodgers & company disposed of their rivals once again.
21. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (5-7)
Where the hell has this team been? A 3-game winning streak has revived the Raiders’ playoff hopes. It’s not gonna be easy, but it’s certainly not impossible.
22. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (5-7)
Kenny Pickett & the Steelers are still trending in the right direction, but they turned in yet another poor 2nd half performance, losing the final 30 minutes 10-3. However, they still managed to earn a 19-16 victory, and that’s what counts.
23. ATLANTA FALCONS (5-8)
Home loss to a rookie QB. You never want that to happen.
24. ARIZONA CARDINALS (4-8)
I’m actually very curious to see how Kyler Murray performs this week after being called out by former teammate Patrick Peterson for being a “selfish” player.
25. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (4-8-1)
The Colts turned in another poor primetime performance on Sunday Night Football… only this time it was much more embarrassing. 54-19. Yikes.
26. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (4-8)
In the Rahl Reviews “Best Bets” article that I write with Shane, I suggested that this could be a letdown week for the Jags after an emotional last-second victory over Baltimore last week, while Detroit had a few extra days of rest. It looks like that could have been the case after they got thrashed by the Lions on Sunday.
27. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (4-9)
It’s been a rough two weeks for Saints fans. New Orleans followed up their shutout with a loss in the waning seconds of the game. Brutal.
28. LOS ANGELES RAMS (3-9)
The Rams probably just want to get this season over with at this point.
29. CAROLINA PANTHERS (4-8)
I’m sure a lot of Panthers fans are just anxious for this season to end so that they can get to the 2023 NFL Draft.
30. DENVER BRONCOS (3-9)
The defense kept them in the game, but the offense once again failed to generate points. Russell Wilson has to be one of the most disappointing signings of all time at this point, right?
31. CHICAGO BEARS (3-10)
Turnovers killed the Bears this week. They entered the 4th quarter with a 9-point lead, but went on to lose the final 15 minutes by a score of 18-0.
32. HOUSTON TEXANS (1-10-1)
Deshaun Watson didn’t look great in his return, I’m sure Texans fans liked that. But Watson also left with a 13-point victory. I’m sure that one stung a little.