There are only two weeks of football left and here we have the teams that have hopes of making the playoffs. This power ranking only pertains to those teams still in the race or ahead of their respective division.
Call it a "Playoffs Power Ranking" if you want to, but by the end of Week 16 either things will further complicate or the playoff picture will slim down and become more defined.
Broncos grab the top spot as they continue to look unbeatable. Redskins and Seahawks look dynamic, while Giants' and Steelers' playoff hopes dim.
1. Denver Broncos (+1)
As winners of nine straight, the Broncos are the hottest team in the NFL right now. Right now they are fighting for the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
2. New England Patriots (-1)
Many wonder why I have the Pats up here even though they lost on Sunday, but did people stop watching the game in the first half? The Patriots battled and almost came out with a victory. Can't say any of these other Top 5 teams are explosive enough to rally from a 28-point deficit.
3. Houston Texans
Their victory against the Colts proved they can get it done against weaker opponents and finally locked up the division. Texans will try to remain the No. 1 team in the AFC now.
4. Atlanta Falcons
Did you see the score of their game against the Giants? They made Eli Manning on the Giants' offense look more like Mark Sanchez and the Jets.
5 San Francisco 49ers
This is why Jim Harbough is sticking with Collin Kaepernick. He is a big play quarterback and can strike like lightening from anywhere on the field. Have to clean up snaps, fortunate not to have led to fumbles on Sunday.
6. Green Bay Packers (+1)
Congratulation to the 2012 NFC North winners. They staved off the Chicago Bears in a game that was close than many expected. Packers have the Bears' season hanging in the balance.
7. Indianapolis Colts (-1)
The Colts failed at turning the AFC South into a race, but no fear, they are still more than likely heading to the playoffs.
8. Seattle Seahawks (+1)
Russell Wilson ran the Seahawks to 50 points and they destroyed the Bills. I hate to say it, but the Seahawks are looking dominant now.
9. Baltimore Ravens (-1)
Joe Flacco's performance on Sunday wasn't elite in any sense of the word. Offense looks sub-par as of late. Torrey Smith might be out with a concussion
10. Washington Redskins (+3)
If the Giants taught us anything last season and in 2007 is that momentum is almost more important that records. After seeing the Redskins not only win, but destroy with their backup quarterback, the world is the limit for this group of guys.
11. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals don't mind that the Ravens clinched a playoff spot, if they win their next two games and the Ravens lose their two, then the Bengals will be crowned AFC North champions.
12. Minnesota Vikings (+4)
Run A.P.! Run! Whether you like the guy or not, what Adrian Peterson is doing is simply amazing. Pretty sure they would love for him to break the single-season record, but of course, the playoffs take more importance.
13. Dallas Cowboys (+3)
Tony Romo seems like he doesn't want to screw things up this season. He has his boys in the race and in the playoff hunt. They are looking more dominant than the Giants.
14. New York Giants (-4)
The Giants are consistently inconsistent. Don't like their playoff chances now and didn't like them after their loss to the Redskins. When things go wrong on offense, the entire team goes on panic mode and they eventually lose. You can count on that
15. Pittsburgh Steelers
Their playoff hopes are slowly evaporating as the Steelers can't win a game. They are 1-4 in their last five games and they are running out of time.
16. Chicago Bears (-4)
Jay Cutler and the Bears fell again to the Packers worsening their record against Green Bay. The Vikings are now in 2nd place in the division and hold the 6th seed in the Wild Card.
17. Miami Dolphins (+9)
They stepped it up against the Jaguars and are still mathematically in it. However, the math won't save them if they don't win.
