- HubPages»
- Sports and Recreation»
- Team Sports»
- American Football»
- NFL Football
2014 NFL Power Rankings Week 12
NFL Power Ranks Week 12
For the first time in a long time we have a new number one. How long they keep that title depends 100% on them. Why? Well, because they are playing the number two team this week. Sounds like a showdown if you ask me. But I won't bore you with that. On to the rankings!
1. New England Patriots (9-2) ~ Tom Brady once again has his team on top of the NFL world. How long they stay there will largely depend on what happens this Sunday in Lambeau Field. Get your popcorn ready. (Last Week's Ranking 2)
2. Green Bay Packers (8-3) ~ Aaron Rodgers will look to end the Pats' seven-game winning streak on Sunday. If anyone can do it it's him. And the rest of the Packers. Don't want to leave them out. (LWR 3)
3. Arizona Cardinals (9-2) ~ The Cardinals were throttled in Seattle but the same can be said of most teams who travel to the north west. Interesting to note that Arizona's only losses so far are to the teams who played in last year's Super Bowl. (LWR !)
4. Denver Broncos (8-3) ~ Brandon McManus is out and Connor Barth is in. This is Denver's third kicker this year after Matt Prater was released at the beginning of the season. (LWR 5)
5. Dallas Cowboys (8-3) ~ One more win will snap a three-year streak of 8-8 finishes by the Cowboys. It'll be tough to get it on Thanksgiving Day at home against the Philadelphia Eagles. (LWR 6)
6. Philadelphia Eagles (8-3) ~ Josh Huff set a franchise record for the longest play when he took back the opening kickoff 107 yards for a touchdown. Who was there to witness that in person? THIS GUY! (LWR 8)
7. Kansas City Chiefs (7-4) ~ Andy Reid and the Chiefs fell victim to the trap game in Oakland. It came down to the final seconds but a loss is a loss is a loss. And this was an ugly, sloppy one at that. (LWR 4)
8. San Francisco 49ers (7-4) ~ Has anyone seen Vernon Davis? Last year he racked up 850 yards receiving and found the end zone 13 times. This year? Less than 200 yards and two scores. (LWR 9)
9. Indianapolis Colts (7-4) ~ Andrew Luck's streak of 300-yard games ended at eight, just one short of Drew Brees' NFL record. The Colts have now won 11 straight games against their AFC South division rivals. (LWR 10)
10. Cincinnati Bengals (7-3-1) ~ The Bengals finally won in Houston after being ousted there in the playoffs two of the last three years. It won't make those playoff losses go away but I'm sure it feels good on some level. (LWR 11)
11. Detroit Lions (7-4) ~ The Lions failed to find the end zone in back-to-back road losses against division leaders. They should find things much easier on Thanksgiving at home against a bad Chicago Bears squad. (LWR 7)
12. Seattle Seahawks (7-4) ~ After Sunday's big home win against the Cardinals quarterback Russell Wilson claims the Seahawks have their swagger back. That will be tested right away Thanksgiving night in San Francisco in a pivotal NFC West battle. (LWR 13)
13. Baltimore Ravens (7-4) ~ Could Steve Smith (53 catches / 817 yards / 5 td's) become the first receiver in Ravens' history to be named to the Pro Bowl? If he keeps this up he will. (LWR 14)
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4) ~ Pittsburgh will be rested after the late bye and gets to play at home against a woeful New Orleans Saints squad who does not play nearly as well outside the Superdome. (LWR 12)
15. San Diego Chargers (7-4) ~ It took an interception at the goal line to seal the win but the Chargers held off the St. Louis Rams in the battle of the I-can't-tell-if-this-team-is-any-good bowl. What does that tell us? That I can't tell if this team is any good. Sigh. (LWR 16)
16. Cleveland Browns (7-4) ~ In his first game of the year Josh Gordon caught eight passes for 120 yards. I don't think he will lead the league in receiving after a suspension like he did last year but he will be a major addition to a Browns squad looking for a playoff berth. (LWR 17)
17. Buffalo Bills (6-5) ~ After being displaced by an insane amount of snow the Bills routed the New York Jets in Detroit. Scott Chandler celebrated a touchdown catch by mimicking shoveling snow. All reports are that the Bills will be OK to play at home this coming weekend. (LWR 20)
18. Miami Dolphins (6-5) ~ After holding Denver to just 17 points in the first three quarters Miami's defense coughed up 22 in the fourth to let the game slip away. A win in Mile High would have gone a long way in solidifying Miami's playoff hopes. (LWR 15)
19. Houston Texans (5-6) ~ The Ryan Mallett era in Houston is over before it got started. Reports are the signal-caller has a torn pectoral and will miss the rest of the season. (LWR 18)
20. Chicago Bears (5-6) ~ Matt Forte and the Bears erased a 10-0 lead to beat Lovie Smith and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the former Bears' coach's first game against the team he led to the Super Bowl just a few years ago. (LWR 23)
21. St. Louis Rams (4-7) ~ The late interception at the goal line in a three-point game is inexcusable. The tie is there. A turnover is the only thing that loses the game. (LWR 21)
22. New Orleans Saints (4-7) ~ Three weeks ago the Saints reached .500 and were set to open a three-game set at home. All seemed great. Fast forward and the Saints have lost three games in a row at home. All is not lost, but it doesn't seem great anymore. (LWR 19)
23. Atlanta Falcons (4-7) ~ The Falcons have yet to win a game against someone outside of their division. The sad part is that if they only win their remaining two against division rivals it could be enough to win the NFC South. (LWR 22)
24. Minnesota Vikings (4-7) ~ Ben Tate was scooped up off the scrap heap to help patch a beaten down backfield in Minnesota. He didn't play Sunday but it appears he will be rookie Jerick McKinnon's backup the rest of the way. (LWR 24)
25. Carolina Panthers (3-7-1) ~ Carolina has not won a game since early October and they control their own destiny in the NFC South. Think about that. Does it hurt your brain? Me too. (LWR 25)
26. New York Giants (3-8) ~ Odell Beckham Jr. broke the internet.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-8) ~ If I haven't sold you on how bad the NFC South is yet here's my last shot. Tampa Bay at 2-8 can still win the division. (LWR 27)
28. Washington Redskins (3-8) ~ It's sad to think that the best option the Redskins have at quarterback may be Colt McCoy. (LWR 28)
29. New York Jets (2-9) ~ In a stunning display of symmetry Michael Vick was replaced by Geno Smith against the Bills. You'll remember it was in the first game against the Bills that Vick replaced Smith. Viva symmetry! (LWR 29)
30. Tennessee Titans (2-9) ~ Sunday marked the first time the Titans have ever lost to the Eagles. They are now 1-4 against them since moving from Houston. (LWR 30)
31. Oakland Raiders (1-10) ~ The streak is over! Just win baby! (LWR 32)
32. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-10) ~ They can't score and they can't defend. If they get the number one pick which side of the ball should they use it on? (LWR 31)