The Finishing Pole – NFL Power Rankings Week 14

As the last NFL bye week approaches, it’s also time to make a long look of the playoff push. It’s more likely for most teams to look good, but come up short at the end. For the teams firmly planted in the postseason, playoff positioning is the most important thing right now. The regular season formalities are quickly coming to an end.

 

1. New England Patriots (11-2)
There seems to be something unfair about New England getting a bye week this close to the playoffs. Especially being the number one seed with another chance at a bye week right before the playoffs.

2. Los Angeles Rams (9-3)
Three turnovers will always even the playing field. The Rams will have a fairly easy schedule heading down the stretch of the regular season.

3. Denver Broncos (10-2)
Giving up 26 points on Sunday has dropped the Broncos down to fourth in total points allowed. They’ve still won nine in a row and are top five in both total points and total yards allowed.

4. Chicago Bears (9-3)
Ben Johnson should easily win the NFL’s coach of the year award. The Bears can solidify their NFC North positioning with two games left against Green Bay and one game left against Detroit.

5. Seattle Seahawks (9-3)
At this very moment, the Seahawks would be starting the playoffs on the road as the fifth seed playing the fourth seed. They’d be the favorite in that hypothetical game.

6. San Francisco 49ers (9-4)
San Francisco has won three games in a row, outscoring their opponents by a total of 48 points (87-39). Their overall point differential for the season is 38 points.

7. Los Angeles Chargers 8-4)
None of the Chargers last five opponents have a losing record. They’ll have their work cut out for them if they want to win the division.

8. Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)
The Eagles have lost two in a row and they’ve been outscored 48-36 during that stretch. They rank 19th in total points scored.

9. Indianapolis Colts (8-4)
The Colts have been outscored 43-36 over their last two games and they’ve lost three out of four games overall.

10. Green Bay Packers (8-3-1)
The Packers are ranked sixth in total points and fourth in total yards from scrimmage. They’ve won three games in a row.

11. Buffalo Bills (8-4)
It looks like the Bills will be on the road throughout the playoffs. They have an outside chance at a division title and a huge showdown with New England in week 15.

12. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4)
The Jaguars have won four out of their five games since their bye week. They’ve forced six turnovers during that stretch.

13. Houston Texans (7-5)
The dominating Texans’ defense has allowed 20 or more points only three times this season. They’re allowing an average of 16.5 points per game.

14. Detroit Lions (7-5)
The Lions have lost three out of their five games since their bye week. They’ll play four teams with a winning record in their last five games.

15. Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1)
The Cowboys have won three games in a row and they’ve scored 30 or more points in two of those games. The Cowboys remain undefeated when they score 30 or more points.

16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5)
The Buccaneers snapped a three game losing streak with their win on Sunday. They play one team (two games) with a winning record in their last five games.

17. Carolina Panthers (7-6)
The Panthers have scored 30 or more points in four different games this season. Those four games count for about  half of their overall season point total.

18. Baltimore Ravens (6-6)
Nobody wants to win the AFC North division. Baltimore had a solid chance against Cincinnati, but then they forgot how to score all of a sudden.

19. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6)
A hundred years of great defenses and hard hitting offense has ended it seems. The Steelers are soft on offense and their defense hasn’t been playing Steeler football in their past two games.

20. Kansas City Chiefs (6-6)
Who should the Chiefs draft in the first round this year? It’s crazy to even fathom that they won’t be in the playoffs.

21. Miami Dolphins (5-7)
The Dolphins proved they really aren’t that good even in a winning effort.  If they played a team with a bit more talent than New Orleans had, they would’ve got crushed on Sunday.

22. Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)
The Bengals scored 32 points, but most importantly gave up their least amount of points this season. Whenever the defense compliments the offense, they’re successful.

23. Minnesota Vikings (4-8)
Every decision the Vikings have made at quarterback since the end of last season has been unsuccessful to say the least.

24. Atlanta Falcons (4-8)
The Falcons have played two different styles this season. It’s either too little, too late or not showing up at all.

25. Washington Commanders (3-9)
Washington has lost two games in a row after pushing the game to overtime. They’ve lost seven in a row overall.

26. New York Jets (3-9)
The Jets snapped a two game losing streak with a 27 point outburst on Sunday. If they were still in the hunt for anything they’d have a favorable schedule down the stretch of the season.

27. Arizona Cardinals (3-9)
Jacoby Brissett has thrown 13 touchdowns and only four interceptions in nine appearances this season. The Cardinals had the right idea using him as their backup, but they haven’t been able to succeed with any of their quarterbacks this season.

28. Cleveland Browns (3-9)
Sheduer Sanders has looked very much like a rookie quarterback. He looks like a rookie quarterback with upside though.

29. New York Giants (2-11)
Younghoe Koo kicking a clump of dirt instead of kicking the ball on a field goal attempt pretty much sums up the Giants season.

30. Las Vegas Raiders (2-10)
The Raiders haven’t won since a week six tilt against the Tennessee Titans. It’s safe to say Pete Carroll’s first year in Las Vegas hasn’t been very successful.

31. New Orleans Saints (2-10)
The Saints have lost two games in a row, averaging 13.5 points per game during that stretch. They rank 30th in total points scored .

32. Tennessee Titans (1-11)
They’ve almost got the number one pick locked down. What exactly should their fans be looking forward to in these last five games?