Our NFL Power Rankings continue. To see part one of the rankings, click here.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – (8-6) The Bucs’ playoff hopes are teetering on the edge and, frankly, it’s not looking good with games against the Saints and the Panthers to wrap up the season. Still, being in it in December is a victory for this franchise in itself. Not to mention being in the top half of the power rankings. Last week: 12
16. Baltimore Ravens – (8-6) The Ravens’ entire season rests on their Sunday game against the Steelers. I’m not confident. This is your own fault, Baltimore. If you’d shown up in the first half against New England we’d all feel a lot better today. Last week: 13
17. Indianapolis Colts – (7-7) It’s too bad the Colts team that beat the hell out of the Vikings on both sides of the ball took so long to make an appearance this season. Somehow, you’re still in it, Colts. Can you make it count against Oakland, Saturday? Last week: 21
18. Buffalo Bills – (7-7) The Rex Ryan farewell tour rolls on with a visit by the Dolphins this Saturday. And the bad news for Bills fans is both these last two games are winnable. So the owners may have an excuse to keep Ryan around. The nightmare is real. Last week: 20
19. Carolina Panthers – (6-8) The Panthers are the great spoilers of the AFC South now. Victim No. 1 was the Redskins. Will the Falcons be victim No. 2? Last week: 23
20. Washington Redskins – (7-6-1) Valiant effort this season, Redskins. Kirk Cousins proved he’s at least an NFL starter this season and you proved you’re a much better team than I thought you were. Even though you’ll still miss the playoffs as I predicted. Last week: 15
21. New Orleans Saints – (6-8) Missing out on their debut on HBO’s Hard Knocks is just a fantasy at this point, but ruining January for the Bucs isn’t. Why suffer alone? Last week: 24
22. Minnesota Vikings – (7-7) Adrian Peterson’s return did absolutely nothing for a Vikings team that refuses to be flushed down the toilet and, somehow, continues to crawl out of it like a New York sewer rat. Last week: 18
23. Philadelphia Eagles – (5-9) Tanking never was an option for these Eagles and they’re on their way to finishing with the 5-11 or 6-10 record everyone thought they’d have anyway. But, hey, they at least made it interesting. Last week: 19
24. Arizona Cardinals – (5-8-1) Speaking of making it interesting, the Cardinals’ offseason should be full of twists and turns. Especially with Tony Romo available in a trade and Carson Palmer playing like Carson Palmer all season. Last week: 22
25. Cincinnati Bengals – (5-8-1) Marvin Lewis doesn’t have to polish off his resume when this season is over. Everyone knows what he’s capable of building. I just think a divorce in Cincinnati might be best for everyone involved. Last week: 25
26. San Diego Chargers – (5-9) Mike McCoy survived another week and that could be all thanks to Gus Bradley getting fired on the tarmac by the Jaguars. Losing to the Browns this week would definitely bring out the pink slip. Last week: 26
27. New York Jets – (4-10) Bryce Petty should be back under center to face the Patriots Saturday. I like this kid. I’ll like him a lot more if he can work some magic and knock the Pats out of home field. Last week: 27
28. Chicago Bears – (3-11) The Bears may have stumbled into their quarterback with Matt Barley, a guy I always liked and thought could play in the NFL. Now they just need to fill out about 18 more starting roster spots in the offseason and they’ll be good. Last week: 28
29. Los Angeles Rams – (4-10) Lose, win, I don’t care. Jeff Fisher is gone and nothing that happens with this team can bring me down. Just don’t blow it on your next hire, Stan Kroenke. Rankings be damned. Last week: 29
30. Jacksonville Jaguars – (2-12) Gus Bradley not only got fired on the tarmac, he had to ride back on the jet with the team. Damn, that’s some cold shit, Shad Khan. Last week: 30
31. San Francisco 49ers – (1-13) Colin Kaepernick benched again and the 49ers dumpster fire rages on. Last week: 31
32. Cleveland Browns – (0-14) The Chargers game Saturday may be your last chance to avoide 0-16 Browns. I think you can do it. I won’t pick you, but I’ll be rooting for you Browns. Last week: 32
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