2014 NFL Power Rankings Week 15

Playoffs? You wanna talk about playoffs? Ah, Jim Mora. When this time of year comes around your name always conjures up great memories. Thanks for this. Yes, it is that time of year again. Four teams have officially punched their tickets and more will cement their status in the coming days. There's only two weeks left in the regular season so buckle up and enjoy the ride.

1. New England Patriots (11-3) ~ For the sixth straight year the Patriots rule the roost in the AFC East. If they win out they will wrap up home field advantage throughout. (Last Week's Ranking 2)

2. Denver Broncos (11-3) ~ Peyton Manning and the Broncos secured another AFC West title as they handled the division rival Chargers. They need some help if they are going to catch the Pats for the top seed, however. If they remain tied in record New England holds the head-to-head tiebreaker. (LWR 3)

3. Green Bay Packers (10-4) ~ After five straight games with multiple touchdown tosses and no interceptions MVP candidate Aaron Rodgers threw two picks and failed to throw a touchdown for the first time this season. (LWR 1)

4. Seattle Seahawks (10-4) ~ Over their last four games Seattle's defense is giving up an average of 6.75 points per game. Talk about taking the pressure off the offense. (LWR 5)

5. Arizona Cardinals (11-3) ~ Yes they won again and yes they are the only NFC team to have clinched a playoff spot but there are serious question marks here. After Drew Stanton's injury Ryan Lindley is taking snaps in Arizona. He's your likely playoff starter. Yikes. (LWR 4)

6. Indianapolis Colts (10-4) ~ Four straight wins have propelled the Colts to another AFC South crown. Up next, a tough battle with Dallas as both teams jockey for playoff position. (LWR 7)

7. Dallas Cowboys (10-4) ~ They went on the road and knocked off the Eagles in a battle for first place in the NFC East. While they came out with a win DeMarco Murray's broken hand could be a bigger kind of loss. (LWR 8)

8. Detroit Lions (10-4) ~ I'm not sure there has ever been a less talked about 10-win team in the NFL at this stage of the season. If the playoffs ended today Detroit would have a first-round bye. It's almost unthinkable. (LWR 9)

9. Philadelphia Eagles (9-5) ~ Two straight home losses have Philly on the outside looking in at the playoffs. Despite the loss, I had a great time in section 104 taking this game in up close and personal. (LWR 6)

10. Cincinnati Bengals (9-4-1) ~ There was a lot of hype surrounding this game as Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel was set to make his first NFL start. Sixty minutes and zero points later the Bengals had their first shutout victory since 2008. (LWR 10)

11. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-5) ~ A nice, methodical win in Atlanta gave the Steelers their first winning season since 2011. One or two more wins would also give the club their first playoff berth since then as well. (LWR 11)

12. Baltimore Ravens (9-5) ~ With eight sacks and a blocked punt returned for a touchdown Baltimore evoked memories of the defense of old with Ray Lewis and Ed Reed roaming the field. (LWR 12)

13. Kansas City Chiefs (8-6) ~ They exacted revenge on the Raiders for an earlier defeat, however, it could be that one loss that keeps KC out of the playoffs. (LWR 14)

14. Buffalo Bills (8-6) ~ In the last two weeks Buffalo's defense stymied Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers. This Bills team still has fight in them as they look to end the NFL's longest playoff drought. (LWR 16)

15. San Diego Chargers (8-6) ~ Keenan Allen broke his collarbone Sunday which should end the receiver's season. One more loss would end San Diego's dwindling playoff hopes. (LWR 13)

16. San Francisco 49ers (7-7) ~ Their streak of three straight appearances in the NFC Championship game came to a close in Sunday's lackluster defeat against Seattle. All eyes will be on coach Jim Harbaugh the rest of the way. (LWR 15)

17. Miami Dolphins (7-7) ~ After trailing 14-13 at the half the Dolphins gave up 24 points in the 3rd quarter en route to a blowout loss in New England that ended their playoff hopes. (LWR 17)

18. Houston Texans (7-7) ~ Ryan Fitzpatrick broke his leg causing the team to re-sign Case Keenum to potentially play this week. Keenum was 0-8 as a starter in Houston last year helping lead the Texans to the number one overall pick in the draft. (LWR 19)

19. St. Louis Rams (6-8) ~ They didn't get their third shutout in a row but they did hold division-leading Arizona to just 12 points. If only the offense showed up. (LWR 20)

20. New Orleans Saints (6-8) ~ Look at that! The Saints won another road game! The victory held out hope that the winner of the NFC South won't have a losing record. Please don't let the winner of the division have a losing record. (LWR 24)

21. Cleveland Browns (7-7) ~ After a 30-0 blowout loss there's no way the Browns could go back to Brian Hoyer at quarterback. Could they? (LWR 18)

22. Minnesota Vikings (6-8) ~ The usually reliable Blair Walsh was 0-for-3 kicking field goals in a two-point loss at Detroit. The life of the lonesome kicker. (LWR 21)

23. Carolina Panthers (5-8-1) ~ Derek Anderson is 2-0 this season with both victories coming against Tampa Bay. He has 40% of the team's victories this year. He might get another chance this weekend if Cam Newton is not cleared to return from a back injury sustained in a car accident. (LWR 25)

24. New York Giants (5-9) ~ Rookie Odell Beckham Jr. has nearly 1,000 yards receiving and nine touchdowns in just 10 games. Think about what he could do in a full season. (LWR 26)

25. Atlanta Falcons (5-9) ~ Would Atlanta have won if Julio Jones was available? Maybe. But thanks to their being undefeated in their division their playoff hopes are very much alive. (LWR 23)

26. Chicago Bears (5-9) ~ Chicago is giving up nearly 30 points a game which is dead last in the NFL. Fixing the defense won't be an easy task next season but it can't get much worse than this. (LWR 22)

27. New York Jets (3-11) ~ Your homework assignment should you choose to accept it is to find out just how many NFL games have ended 16-11. There can't be many of them. (LWR 30)

28. Washington Redskins (3-11) ~ Colt McCoy was placed on injured reserve and it looks like Robert Griffin will get another shot to show that he can lead this team. Suffice it to say it might be his last shot. (LWR 28)

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-12) ~ All the hype surrounds New York's Odell Beckham but Mike Evans is having himself quite a year in Tampa with 948 yards and 11 touchdowns. Not too shabby. (LWR 29)

30. Oakland Raiders (2-12) ~ Once again Latavius Murray saw the bulk of the carries in the Oakland backfield. Could this spell the end for Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew? (LWR 27)

31. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-12) ~ In a game that nobody will be watching Thursday night the Jags play host to the...(LWR 31)

32. Tennessee Titans (2-12) ~ Seriously. Who is going to be watching this game? (LWR 32)