2013 NFL Power Rankings Week 14

The second and third postseason tickets were punched this past weekend. That means 25% of the playoff field is already set. Think about that. Doesn't it feel like the season just started? Every team was full of hope and optimism. Their fans talked trash to fans of other teams. It was all fun and fresh and everyone was happy. Now it's crunch time. With only three weeks left in the regular season the playoff picture is shaping up. More teams should clinch this week while others will be officially eliminated with another loss. That's just how it goes. And how it goes this week is with another new team atop the rankings after Seattle lost to San Francisco on Sunday.

1. Denver Broncos (11-2) ~ The Broncos nearly unstoppable offense put up more than 50 points in a game for the third time this season. Third. There aren't even words for how good this offense is. Oh, and Matt Prater booted and NFL record 64-yard field goal. (Last Week's Ranking 2)

2. Seattle Seahawks (11-2) ~ It took a field goal with less than a minute left to give Seattle just their second loss of the season but a loss is a loss. That is the only reason they drop from the top spot. Seattle is clearly the class of the NFC. (LWR 1)

3. New Orleans Saints (10-3) ~ Well, one week after looking lost against a tough Seattle defense Drew Brees and the Saints carved up Carolina's top notch D and snapped their eight-game winning streak in the process. I have to believe home field means more to the Saints than it does the Panthers. (LWR 5)

4. New England Patriots (10-3) ~ The pass interference in the end zone gave Tom Brady the ball at the one. What did you think was going to happen? That is called karma for what I still think is a blown call at the end of the Carolina game. (LWR 4)

5. Carolina Panthers (9-4) ~ A touigh loss, yes, but all winning streaks have to come to an end sometime, don't they? (LWR 3)

6. Cincinnati Bengals (9-4) ~ Cincinnati keeps winning and continues to be perfect at home after blowing out the Indianapolis Colts Sunday. Two of their final three are also at home putting 11 wins, which would win the division, a real possibility. (LWR 6)

7. San Francisco 49ers (9-4) ~ The dethroned the beast of the NFC but they are still facing the number five seed at best and a road date against either the NFC East or NFC North champion. They are good, don't get me wrong. But I'm not as high on them as I was earlier in the year. (LWR 7)

8. Kansas City Chiefs (10-3) ~ The Chiefs got well in a hurry with the Washington Redskins on the field. Andy Reid's squad dispatched a familiar foe and did it convincingly. (LWR 8)

9. Philadelphia Eagles (8-5) ~ Nick Foles' interception streak came to an end but LeSean McCoy ran for a franchise record 217 yards in the snowy mess that was Lincoln Financial Field as the Eagles rolled to their fifth straight win. (LWR 10)

10. Arizona Cardinals (8-5) ~ You can put it on the boooooooard YES! The Cardinals won their first division game of the season to stay within one of the 49ers and a possible playoff berth. (LWR 11)

11. Indianapolis Colts (8-5) ~ Another blowout loss for the Colts has to be concerning. This trend cannot continue if the Colts expect to advance in the postseason. Even with the loss Indy clinched the division title. (LWR 9)

12. Baltimore Ravens (7-6) ~ I don't think I have ever seen an ending quite like this. There were what, four lead changes in the last two minutes and change? That....doesn't....happen! (LWR 14)

13. Detroit Lions (7-5) ~ Playing in the blizzard that was Philadelphia this past weekend is the definition of what I call a pass. The Lions lose no points in my mind for losing that game. (LWR 13)

14. Chicago Bears (7-5) ~ On a night when they honored Da Coach, Da Bears got a big win when they needed it. The Bears did not have to punt once during their thrashing of the Dallas Cowboys. (LWR 15)

15. Dallas Cowboys (7-5) ~ After being torched by the Bears' backup quarterback Josh McCown (348 yards passing, 4 touchdowns and another on the ground) do they want to see Aaron Rodgers this weekend or Matt Flynn? I'm serious. (LWR 12)

16. San Diego Chargers (6-7) ~ Philip Rivers improved to 2-0 against his draft day trade partner Eli Manning. He knocked the New York Giants out of the playoff hunt as well while still keeping the Chargers' pulse going strong. (LWR 16)

17. Miami Dolphins (7-6) ~ To say they were lucky to hang on and win that game in Pittsburgh is an understatement. That's all I have to say. (LWR 17)

18. Green Bay Packers (6-6-1) ~ Green Bay got their first win since losing Aaron Rodgers to a broken collarbone and now the star qb might be on his way back. They are only half a game back in the NFC North. Anything is possible. (LWR 19)

19. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-8) ~ Antonio Brown had it. He had the game won. It was going to be the most exciting final play ending since the Music City Miracle. Antonio Brown stepped out of bounds. Game over. (LWR 20)

20. St. Louis Rams (5-8) ~ I had actually forgotton that the Rams get Washington's first round pick this year via the draft day trade that sent RGIII to the Redskins. Right now that appears to be a top three pick. (LWR 18)

21. New York Jets (6-7) ~ My preseason pick to be the worst team in the NFL this season still has a shot at a winning record. I can't explain it. Geno Smith is terrible. How is this happening? How did this team beat the Saints and the Patriots? (LWR 23)

22. Tennessee Titans (5-8) ~ Another lost season in Tennessee as the Titants were torched by Peyton Manning. There really isn't any harm in that though. He does that to everyone. (LWR 22)

23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-9) ~ Bobby Rainey set a franchise record with an 80-yard touchdown run. I found it hard to believe that was a franchiise record. Seems, well, short for that kind of thing. (LWR 24)

24. New York Giants (5-8) ~ Remember all that talk about how the Giants were going to win the NFC East after starting 0-6? Yeah, about that. (LWR 21)

25. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-9) ~ Break up the Jags! Winners of three straight and four of five Jacksonville is all of a sudden resembling an NFL team. So much for the number one pick in the draft. (LWR 26)

26. Cleveland Browns (4-9) ~ Josh Gordon is officially the best receiver in the NFL most people don't know about. In his last four game he has at least 125 yards receiving and a score. That is bananas. This is with Jason Campbell and Brandon Weeden throwing him the ball mind you. (LWR 25)

27. Minnesota Vikings (3-9-1) ~ The only thing going right for Minnesota this season is Adrain Peterson. Something that might not be going this weekend for Minnesota? Adrian Peterson. (LWR 27)

28. Oakland Raiders (4-9) ~ I don't know what the Raiders were doing by pulling Matt McGloin for Terrelle Pryor but they need to know that a two quaterback system will not work in the NFL. Will not. (LWR 28)

29. Buffalo Bills (4-9) ~ I'm not sure what else could have gone wrong for the Bills in their blowout loss to Tampa Bay. Only three more weeks Bills fans. Then it's all over. (LWR 29)

30. Atlanta Falcons (3-10) ~ They were oh-so-close to making it back-to-back wins in Lambeau field this weekend. The Falcons miserable season and Tony Gonzalez's brilliant career come to an end in three weeks time. (LWR 30)

31. Washington Redskins (3-10) ~ Mike Shanahan is talking about bencing RGIII for the remainder of the year. I think it is safe to say the Shanahan era (both he and his son Kyle) is coming to a close in the nation's capital. (LWR 31)

32. Houston Texans (2-11) ~ The Gary Kubiak era is officially over in Houston. I don't think Wade Phillips will be given the coaching job going forward. I actually see Shanahan headin to Houston. (LWR 32)