NFL Power Rankings Week 15 – Backs Against The Wall

Knockout blows can come at any time and the NFL season seems to throw nothing but haymakers at all 32 teams. The franchises that can pick themselves up and keep going should be considered true contenders. The rest of them will probably stay down for a full ten count.

No team in the league can afford to let a bump in the road stop their progress.

 

1. San Francisco 49ers (10-3)
Since their bye week, the 49ers are allowing an average of 13.0 points per game. They’ve won five games in a row and they’re averaging 32.4 points per game during that stretch.

 

2.  Baltimore Ravens (10-3)
The Ravens have won their last three games and have taken control of first place in the AFC. They’re averaging 30.3 points per game over their last three.

 

3. Dallas Cowboys (10-3)
Dallas has taken over first place in the NFC East and can now look at potentially securing the number one seed in the conference. Their next three games are all against winning teams.

 

4. Philadelphia Eagles (10-3)
After looking unbeatable for the better part of the season, the Eagles are sputtering out of control. They have lost two in a row and have given up a combined 75 points to Dallas and San Francisco.

 

5. Miami Dolphins (9-4)
The Dolphins had a real chance to put some separation between themselves and the Bills in the AFC East. The loss to Tennessee combined with their upcoming four game gauntlet has put a division title in jeopardy.

 

6. Detroit Lions (9-4)
Detroit has lost two out of their last three games and Minnesota is hot on their trail for the division lead. They play Minnesota on the road in two weeks after a home game against Denver.

 

7. Cleveland Browns (8-5)
Cleveland has held an opponent to less than 80 yards rushing five times this season. They rank 11th in rushing yards allowed.

 

8. Kansas City Chiefs (8-5)
The Chiefs were in first place in the AFC two weeks ago. Now a two game losing streak has put them in fourth place in the conference and in danger of losing their AFC West division lead.

 

9. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-5)
The Jaguars have lost two in a row and three out of their last five games. They’ll play two division leaders in the next two contests.

 

10. Buffalo Bills (7-6)
Buffalo now has a clear path to a playoff spot and a possible division title. They’ll have to start by getting past Dallas this weekend and hope for another Miami loss to keep the momentum going.

 

11. Denver Broncos (7-6)
The Broncos got back to their winning ways and they kept the turnovers to a minimum. They play one team with a winning record down the stretch of the season.

 

12. Cincinnati Bengals (7-6)
The Bengals have won two in a row and their playoff hopes remain alive even without starting quarterback Joe Burrow. They have scored 68 points in their last two games.

 

13. Minnesota Vikings (7-6)
Minnesota keeps on winning, but nobody said it had to look pretty. Three points and 231 total yards from scrimmage is definitely their worst win of the season.

 

14. Houston Texans (7-6)
The Texans had their worst game of the season since week one. To make matters worse, CJ.. Stroud is in concussion protocol and his status for this week is up in the air.

 

15. Indianapolis Colts (7-6)
The Colts snapped a four game winning streak, but are still holding on to a playoff spot. Their games usually turn into a turnover fest. They have turned the ball over 20 times and they have forced 21 on defense this season.

 

16. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6)
Pittsburgh’s offensive futility continues. They managed to scrape together 18 points against the Patriots, which was their highest point total since week 10. The Steelers are ranked 27th in total points scored.

 

17. Atlanta Falcons (6-7)
The Falcons have not only lost their division lead, but they’ve put themselves in a three way tie with Tampa Bay and New Orleans. Their last four games are winnable, but none of them will be a cakewalk.

 

18. Green Bay Packers (6-7)
The Packers loss to the Giants have thrown a major wrench into their playoff chances. They are 1-4 this season when they’ve turned the ball over multiple times.

 

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7)
The Buccaneers seemed like a team trying to give a victory away on Sunday against Atlanta. Even with a win, they should be very concerned about their next three games. All are against teams fighting for a playoff spot or playoff positioning.

 

20. New Orleans Saints (6-7)
New Orleans is in a three way tie record wise with Tampa Bay and Atlanta, but tie breakers have them currently in third place in the NFC South. None of the teams left on their schedule have a winning record.

 

21. Los Angeles Rams (6-7)
The Rams snapped a three game winning streak, but they’re still scoring points. They have scored 30 or more points for the third game in a row.

 

22. Seattle Seahawks (6-7)
The Seahawks have lost their last four games and they’ve been outscored 117-80 during the streak. They haven’t rushed for 100 yards in any of their seven losses this season.

 

23. Tennessee Titans (5-8)
Rookie quarterback Will Levis carved the Dolphins’ defense up for 327 yards through the air. He’s giving Tennessee hope that they’ve drafted the right signal caller to lead their team for the next several years.

 

24. New York Giants (5-8)
The Giants looked dead in the water at 2-8 and now all of a sudden they have an outside chance at a playoff spot. The Giants have won three games in a row, allowing an average of 16.0 points per game during that stretch.

 

25. New York Jets (5-8)
Zach Wilson threw for 301 yards and two touchdowns in a win against Houston. New York isn’t fooling anybody – they had this planned all along.

 

26. Chicago Bears (5-8)
With four games left against teams with losing records, the Bears outside playoff chances are still intact. Chicago has won two in a row to put themselves in this position.

 

27. Los Angeles Chargers (5-8)
The Chargers have lost four out of their last five games and their tumultuous season just took another big hit. Justin Herbert is slated to have surgery on his index finger and his season looks to be over.

 

28. Las Vegas Raiders (5-8)
The Raiders have scored 20 or more points only twice this season. They’re ranked 28th in total points scored.

 

29. Washington Commanders (4-9)
Washington will have a hard time salvaging their season with nine losses already and one of the league’s worst defenses.

 

30. New England Patriots (3-10)
Bailey Zappe threw for 240 yards and three touchdowns, which accounted for his best game of the season. With four games left he is auditioning for a job in another city, because the Patriots more than likely will be taking a quarterback in the upcoming NFL draft.

 

31. Arizona Cardinals (3-10)
Arizona has four games left to see which one of their players are worth keeping for next season and where they need to make changes. This team should look drastically different in 2024 if Arizona wants to get back to contention.

 

32. Carolina Panthers (1-12)
Every team left on the Panthers’ schedule has something to play for. Carolina has almost no reason to continue the season. They can’t tank for a better first round draft pick and they have no chance at making the playoffs.

 

Offensive Player Of The Week
Deebo Samuel – Wide Receiver, San Francisco 49ers: 7 catches, 149 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown, 1 rushing touchdown

Defensive Player Of The Week
Maxx Crosby – Defensive End, Las Vegas Raiders: 10 total tackles, 2.0 sacks.