2014 NFL Power Rankings Week 14

First, let me start by apologizing for missing a week. It wasn't because it was Week 13 and I'm superstitious. I'm really only a little stitious. No, life just gets in the way sometimes. But here I am ready to roll with the newest rankings so let's get right down to it.

1. Green Bay Packers (10-3) ~ They couldn't stop Julio Jones last night but to me Green Bay is the best team in the NFC. At least for now. There's a certain defending Super Bowl champion team lurking. (Last Ranking 2)

2. New England Patriots (10-3) ~ With a win against Miami this Sunday the Patriots would clinch the AFC East. Something tells me Tom Brady will make sure that happens. (LR 1)

3. Denver Broncos (10-3) ~ Payton Manning's streak of 51 consecutive games with a least one touchdown pass came to an end but Denver still picked up the win. Seems the only people that care about the streak ending are those in fantasy leagues who were left wanting in the first round of the playoffs. (LR 4)

4. Arizona Cardinals (10-3) ~ The injuries continue to mount as Andre Ellington is now done for the year. That said, they won a game they hand to have against a Kansas City team just as desperate for a win. (LR 3)

5. Seattle Seahawks (9-4) ~ Seattle went cross country and trounced a good Eagles team that had won 10 straight at home. They're officially back and will win the NFC West if they win out. (LR 12)

6. Philadelphia Eagles (9-4) ~ Against the Titans two weeks ago Eagles fans were chanting "We want Dallas" and rightfully so. This week they get them again only this time at home with first place in the NFC East on the line. (LR 6)

7. Indianapolis Colts (9-4) ~ Once again Andrew Luck led his team to a comeback win. T.Y. Hilton abused Joe Haden hauling in 10 passes for 150 yards and two scores with nearly all of that coming in the second half. (LR 9)

8. Dallas Cowboys (9-4) ~ DeMarco Murray ran for 179 yards and a score but that's not all. He hauled in a team-high nine passes for another 49 yards as a one-man-show in a rout of the Bears last Thursday. Dallas can only hope for a repeat performance like that this weekend in Philly. (LR 5)

9. Detroit Lions (9-4) ~ Detroit snapped a 10-game losing streak in the months of December and January. Everyone likes to talk about Dallas' shortcomings in the final month of the season but I had no idea about this streak until today. (LR 11)

10. Cincinnati Bengals (8-4-1) ~ Call me crazy but even after a rough home loss to the Steelers I still think Cincy has enough to win the AFC North. That tie is going to come into play. It just has to. Math demands it. (LR 10)

11. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5) ~ Now before yinz get mad at me take notice that I used your word there. Not youse like we say here in Northeast PA. The Stillers could very well win the division and they got a win they so very much needed against the leaders. But remember. This is a team that lost to the Jets and Buccaneers. (LR 14)

12. Baltimore Ravens (8-5) ~ They went nearly a third of the game before picking up a first down but coming out of Miami with the W was the most important takeaway here. The rest of their schedule is favorable even without stud defensive tackle Haloti Ngata who is suspended for Adderall use. (LR 13)

13. San Diego Chargers (8-5) ~ Punter Mike Scifres was belted by Brandon Bolden and has a broken clavicle to show for it. He will miss the rest of the season and the Chargers will certainly miss him as he is one of the best in the business with a career net of over 40 yards. (LR 15)

14. Kansas City Chiefs (7-6) ~ Jamaal Charles averaged over nine yards per carry against the Cardinals on Sunday. Why was he only given 10 carries? Andy? Answer me!!! (LR 7)

15. San Francisco 49ers (7-6) ~ Could Jim Harbaugh really be on his way out? He has taken his team to the NFC Championship game three years in a row but that streak is in serious jeopardy after a bad loss to the Raiders. (LR 8)

16. Buffalo Bills (7-6) ~ There can't be a team in the league with a tougher four-game stretch to end the season: at Denver, home to Green Bay and a finale in New England. That's brutal even if you factor in the road game against the Raiders. Buffalo could easily finish 1-3 and miss the playoffs yet again. (LR 17)

17. Miami Dolphins (7-6) ~ If Miami wants to sneak in the playoffs a win in New England is a must. Their remaining schedule includes home dates against the Vikings and Jets which is favorable but 10 wins looks like the magic number in the AFC. (LR 18)

18. Cleveland Browns (7-6) ~ Brian Hoyer has been ineffective for the past three weeks and it has cost him his job. Rookie Johnny Manziel will make his first NFL start this weekend at home against the division-leading Bengals. No pressure. (LR 16)

19. Houston Texans (7-6) ~ J.J. Watt had a career-high three sacks thus cementing his status as the NFL's defensive player of the year. If Houston's record were slightly better he might have a strong case for MVP. He's that good. (LR 19)

20. St. Louis Rams (6-7) ~ Back-to-back shutouts. That just doesn't happen in the NFL. If only the last place Rams were in the NFC South. They'd be leading that division if you didn't know. (LR 21)

21. Minnesota Vikings (6-7) ~ If you think the fact that the Rams would be leading the NFC South is a joke I'm going to one up you right now. The Minnesota Vikings would be leading the NFC South. True story. (LR 24)

22. Chicago Bears (5-8) ~ Brandon Marshall is done for the year after suffering a collapsed lung and broken ribs against the Cowboys. Ouch. (LR 20)

23. Atlanta Falcons (5-8) ~ Julio Jones went off in Green Bay to the tune of 259 yards on 11 catches with a score. A masterful performance in a closer than I expected defeat. (LR 23)

24. New Orleans Saints (5-8) ~ Four straight home losses for the Saints including a humiliating 41-10 thumping by the woeful Panthers. Sometimes there are things in life you just can't explain. (LR 22)

25. Carolina Panthers (4-8-1) ~ Cam Newton was injured today in a car accident. He has suffered broken bones in his back which is the same injury Dallas quarterback Tony Romo is dealing with. He may be able to play the season out as Carolina inexplicably still has a chance to win their division. (LR 25)

26. New York Giants (4-9) ~ They snapped their seven-game losing streak and resembled a football team while embarrassing the Titans. That may be the final bright spot for the G-Men this year. (LR 26)

27. Oakland Raiders (2-11) ~ They may be horrible and might not win another game all year but they beat their cross-town rival Niners and may have ended San Fran's season in the process. For that, we salute you Oakland. (LR 31)

28. Washington Redskins (3-10) ~ Their road win against the Cowboys is looking more and more like an anomaly as the year goes on. It is not only their only road win of the season (1-6) but it is also their only win against an NFC opponent this year (1-8). (LR 28)

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-11) ~ Sorry Bucs fans but this weekend's loss officially eliminated your team from postseason consideration. (LR 27)

30. New York Jets (2-11) ~ Geno Smith threw a pick-six on his first pass attempt on Sunday. Almost seems like the game was over before it started. To be fair the Jets did force overtime but let's be real. They never had a chance. (LR 29)

31. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-11) ~ Since I missed last week I didn't get to tout the Jaguars on their victory over the Giants. As an Eagles fan I'm going to take this time to remind all Giants fans of that loss. You're welcome. (LR 32)

32. Tennessee Titans (2-11) ~ A new cellar dweller this week. The Titans could change that next week as they host the Jets but they will have to do it without rookie quarterback Zach Mettenberger who is out for the year. (LR 30)