It is time for the NFL playoff push. With just four weeks left in the regular season, teams are jockeying for position and trying to secure their spot in the postseason. This is where the good teams separate themselves and the pretenders fade away. Here’s how I see all the stacking up in my week 14 NFL power rankings.
32) Houston Texans
This is where we always expected the Texans to be coming into the season. They are the worst team and they haven’t even started their rebuild yet.
31) Detroit Lions
The Lions won a game!!!!! That makes two non losses on the year. Granted, the roster is still terrible, but the people of Detroit can pop the bubbly knowing they won’t have another winless season.
30) Jacksonville Jaguars
Another week, another 30 point loss for the Jags. It’s surprising this team isn’t better than they are because they are not void of young talent.
29) New York Jets
The Jets look putrid with no real sign of improvement as the year has gone on. The offense has looked particularly bad, which is that much more disappointing with a rookie quarterback who came in with some expectations.
28) Chicago Bears
The Bears are truly a mess. They have a young quarterback who they won’t put on the field and a defense that is aging and possibly on its last legs. Expect major changes in Chicago this offseason.
27) New York Giants
Daniel Jones is hurt, so the Giants have gone from bad to worse without him. There is some talent here, but they are less than the sum of their parts.
26) Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks got a nice win over the division rival 49ers. With Russell WIlson back Seattle could put together a few wins down the stretch, but the season is essentially lost at this point.
25) Atlanta Falcons
Things went about as you would expect for the Falcons last weekend. A good team plays a bad team and it looked ugly for Atlanta most of the game. Despite being in the playoff picture, this is one of the worst teams in the league.
24) Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have rode the line of good and bad team all season. After losing to the Lions, it might be time to just officially label them a bad team.
23) Carolina Panthers
The Panthers had a bye last week, but still found a way to lose. The firing of offensive coordinator Joe Brady came as a surprise and I don’t see any reason why it should improve the situation in Carolina.
22) Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles beat up the Jets with a backup quarterback on Sunday. They have found their identity and their rushing attack has become a problem. They are now just one game below .500.
21) Pittsburgh Steelers
As much as I love T.J. Watt and the Steelers defense, I really don’t trust the Steelers offense. They look like the worst team in their division.
20) Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins defense has come to life in recent weeks and has got them back into the hunt. I’m not sure the offense is good enough to get them to the playoffs, but the fact that they could is more than respectable.
19) New Orleans Saints
Taysom Hill looked less than impressive against the Cowboys. Without Jameis Winston this team has really spiraled.
18) Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders lost by two to a hot Washington Football Team, which is respectable. Las Vegas continues to battle despite seemingly everything stacked against them.
17) Denver Broncos
The Broncos offense isn’t a mess, but it isn’t dynamic either. They are a classic good defense and ball control offense type of team which can win games in this league.
16) San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers continue to be a team that beats bad teams and loses to good teams. I don’t know that their loss to the Seahawks falls into that category, but it wasn’t a good showing.
15) Washington Football Team
Football Team has won four games in a row, including over the defending champions. They are playing their best football right now. We’ll see if that can continue as they finish the year with five consecutive division opponents.
14) Cleveland Browns
The Browns were on a Bye and it came at a good time. They need to get healthy and get ready for one last playoff push.
13) Cincinnati Bengals
After a hot start to the season, the Bengals have lost three of the last five. They are a good team, but they are in danger of missing the playoffs yet again.
12) Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers were on the good side of a blowout win in Cincinnati. They can throw the ball all over the field, but the defense struggles to get stops and are particularly weak on their interior.
11) Indianapolis Colts
The Colts blew out the Texans last week, as we would all expect. They continue to run the ball very well behind a strong offensive line and Jonathon Taylor.
10) Buffalo Bills
It was a crushing loss at home to the New England Patriots last week. Many projected the Bills to go to the Super Bowl this season, but now they are fighting to just make the playoffs as a wild card.
9) Tennessee Titans
The Titans got a late bye on Sunday. I’m not sure how much it will help them as Derrick Henry is out for the season, but they will have fresh legs down the stretch.
8) Baltimore Ravens
It was a disappointing loss for the Ravens as victory literally was just out of reach at the end of the game. They are still near the top of the AFC standings, but they are limited when it come to their passing game.
7) Dallas Cowboys
After winning six in a row, the Cowboys have lost three of the last five. With four division games to go and the NFC leading Cardinals, they need to find a way to build momentum in the next month.
6) New England Patriots
Just win, baby. Despite a roster that leaves a lot to be desired, the Patriots have forged an identity and are once again at the top of the AFC standings.
5) Kansas City Chiefs
We all know that the Chiefs offense is their defining feature. However, their defense has shown signs of life as well. Allowing single digit point totals in three of the last four games..
4) Los Angeles Rams
After losing three in a row, the Rams bounced back with a big win over the Jags. They are now 8-4 and the leading wild card team. They could be this year’s version of the Buccaneers.
3) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Speaking of the Bucs, they’re still very good. They controlled the Falcons the entire game and had an easy win. They are starting to get healthy and rounding into Super Bowl form.
2) Green Bay Packers
The Packers were on their bye over the weekend. Now they are fresh and in a prime position to get ready for their playoffs and try to secure a first round bye.
1) Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins are back. Even when they were gone, the Cardinals maintained their place as the best record in the NFL. Now they are once again looking like the team to beat.
