Our final month of NFL games begins this week, with the power rankings serving as a de facto playoff preview from here on out. It’ll also be a good gauge of who is peaking at the right time and who is backing their way into the postseason. For teams out of the bracket, it’ll serve a similar purpose as a draft order preview and help determine who might make a dent in the rankings next season. Let’s see who has the power!
1. Dallas Cowboys – (11-1) The Cowboys were the first team to clinch a playoff spot with their win over the Vikings Sunday. They have a chance to clinch home field this week if they win and the Seahawks lose, all before the official first day of winter. Last week: 1
2. Oakland Raiders – (10-2) A week after moving to the No. 2 seed in the AFC tiebreaker, the Raders are back at No. 1 for reasons I don’t have any desire to discern. As it is, we’re all pretty excited at the possibility of a Cowboys-Raiders Super Bowl which is the best reason you could hope for to bet it won’t actually happen. Last week: 3
3. New England Patriots – (10-2) The Patriots are losing players faster than Donald Trump is losing electoral votes. It’s happening at the worst possible time… for them. The rest of us, we’re OK with it. Last week: 4
4. Kansas City Chiefs – (9-3) The Chiefs may be the second best team in the AFC. Unfortunately for them, they’re definitely the second best team in the AFC West. Last week: 5
5. Seattle Seahawks – (8-3-1) Sunday the Seahawks did what they always do, follow up an ugly performance with a showing that makes them look like the best team in football. The NFC West is already theirs, but beyond that, it all depends on the week. Last week: 7
6. Denver Broncos – (8-4) Nice of the Jaguars to give Paxton Lynch his first victory as a professional quarterback. Trevor Siemian should be back Sunday to face the Titans, but it’s always good to get a young quarterback an early win to boost his confidence. Just as Jared Goff. Last week: 8
7. New York Giants – (8-4) The Giants take a five-spot stumble this week after a loss to the Steelers. This Sunday they get a rematch with the Cowboys and have lost Jason Pierre-Paul for at least the rest of the regular season. So enjoy that Top 10 spot in the rankings while you can. Last week: 2
8. Atlanta Falcons – (7-5) Another week, another mystery performance from the Falcons. I would say they invented a new way to lose, but the returned extra point for a two-point conversion for the opposing team has been an NFC South staple this season. Lucky for you Atlanta, Jeff Fisher and the Rams are here to save the day. Last week: 6
9. Pittsburgh Steelers – (7-5) Are the Steelers rooting for the Patrtiots against the Ravens this week? I can’t see that happening. They can do a lot to work out the AFC playoff rankings by putting a righteous beat-down on the Bills Sunday. Last week: 10
10. Detroit Lions – (8-4) Jim Caldwell has led the Lions to a two-game lead in the NFC North and is probably two wins away from clinching a playoff spot. The only problem is three of their final four games are against the Giants, the Cowboys and the Packers. Last week: 13
11. Miami Dolphins – (7-5) Adam Gase saw his team’s six-game win streak come to an end against the Ravens. The good news is the Cardinals, Jets and Bills have a three-game win streak lined up for them before they wrap up the regular season hosting the Patriots. Last week: 9
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – (7-5) Speaking of streaks, the Buccaneers have won four straight and have every reason to believe it’ll be five straight when they host the Saints Sunday. I keep bringing up is Jameis Winston’s touchdown pass streak too because it’s damn remarkable. He’s thrown a touchdown pass in every single game he’s ever played in since high school. It’s a streak that he kept Sunday with the game-winning TD pass to Cameron Brate Sunday. Last week: 17
13. Baltimore Ravens – (7-5) The Ravens control their own playoff destiny, but there’s a problem. A New England-sized problem in the way this week. Luckily the Ravens have ruined the Patriots’ plans before. Last week: 18
14. Washington Redskins – (6-5-1) Not a lot of excuses for that turd you laid against the Cardinals, Washington. The Eagles won’t be pushovers this week either. Last week: 11
To see Part Two of Week 14’s NFL Power Rankings, click here.
To make a wager on this week’s NFL games, go to the world famous Diamond Sportsbook by clicking here.
