NFL Power Rankings - Week 14

Honestly I am more excited about putting up the new movie stills quiz tomorrow, but I have a duty to put up the rankings and I will stick to it. On a side note, my cousin started a Pittsburgh blog that he hopes will become something like Mondesi's House in the future. Here's the link: The Terrible Blog.

In NFL news, it appears Plax is done for the season, including playoffs. Many do not believe it will be as easy for the Giants to shake off the loss of one of the most productive receivers in the league, but we will see. Every team goes through a controversy at some point in the season, and this is theirs. Will they overcome?

Let's take a look at some of the QB's that will be in the playoffs: Brett Favre, Kurt Warner, Kerry Collins, and Gus Frerotte. That's a third of them, and they are all gristled veterans who many thought at one point in time they were past their prime, if not completely washed up. And then there are possibles Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco. Was there ever a greater age discrepency between quarterbacks than the possible first round matchup of Favre and Flacco, or even Frerotte and Ryan? We will see.

For the first time since week 1 of the season, the top 12 teams in the rankings and the 12 teams I predict will go to the playoffs. Maybe Arizona and Denver aren't so bad afterall.

Onto the rankings:

1. Tennessee Titans - Back on top, and clinch at least a tie for most times at #1 in this poll. Pretty impressive considering how mediocre this team was last year.

2. New York Giants - A bad loss to an average team could not have come at a worse time. With the Burress mishap and the loss of momentum, things might be more difficult in the playoffs for the G-Men. Could Dallas really upset them?

3. Indianapolis Colts - Who would have thought they would be here after falling to #15 in the poll in Week 7? Well, me. A bum knee can't hold Peyton back all season. Look out for them in the playoffs.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers - They are definitely not winning pretty, but they are starting to heal up and look like a team that could make a run at the Super Bowl.

5. Carolina Panthers - I am a believer. DeAngelo Williams is a stud and Jonathin Stewart will be. Once Delhomme works out the kinks, hopefully in the next 3 weeks, the Panthers will be a tough team to beat.

6. Tampa Bay Bucs - Carolina made their run defense look ugly, but they should be able to rebound with a heavy veteran roster.

7. Baltimore Ravens - Every ounce of me wants to keep the Ravens out of the top 12, but somehow they keep on winning with an old washed up defense, mediocre running game, old receivers, and a QB with almost as many interceptions as touchdowns. Oh, and add in one of the toughest schedules in the football. How does this happen??

8. Dallas Cowboys - I don't know what to make of this team, but it sure seems like they lack heart and team chemistry. If they miss out on the playoffs I think Wade Philips misses out on a job.

9. Arizona Cardinals - Arizona at #9? What am I thinking...All I know is I would be fine with the Steelers trading away some mainstays for Larry Fitzgerald...

10. Denver Broncos - Really?? #10?? I can't justify the last 4 teams. Maybe the league is just not very deep in good teams this season.

11. New York Jets - Fluke? I wasn't sold on them to begin with, add in losses to Oakland and San Francisco and no one can't help questioning their ability.

12. Minnesota Vikings - Now here's a team on the rise - 8 spots in 4 weeks and show no signs of slowing up (besides only beating Detroit by 4, but a win is a win is a win).

13. New England Patriots - It's becoming obvious that this team does not know how to run the ball, and this was overshadowed by Tom Brady and the record breaking passing attack they had last year. This season, it is a glaring problem and even the great Matt "the King's" Cassel can't overcome it.

14. Atlanta Falcons - I really want to believe they will make the playoffs this season, but with 2 teams better than them in the NFC South it will be difficult. Their fate hinges on Dallas most likely.

15. New Orleans Saints - Too little too late for the Saints, but if they can get off to a better start next year I think they will replace the Bucs near the top of the division.

16. Miami Dolphins - This is their highest ranking of the season. That's all I really have to say.

17. Philadelphia Eagles - Here's a poll for you: which team is the least consistent this year - Eagles, Broncos, Packers, Bears, or Jets? I have to go with the Broncos, but the Eagles are darn close. They could lose to anyone any week.

18. Washington Redskins - It's been a long fall from the top, and Clinton Portis' recent remarks to coach Jim Zorn are not easing the pain.

19. Chicago Bears - Another inconsistent team, but Matt Forte and a decent O-Line ensure they will be competitive for years to come.

20. San Diego Chargers - Tomlinson may be done. How much does this organization want Michael Turner back right now?

21. Houston Texans - Steve Slaton is an exciting back, and with Mario Williams, Matt Schaub (a HEALTHY Matt Schaub), Andre Johnson, and even Andrew Walter, look out for these guys as the Colts begin to age in the coming years.

22. Green Bay Packers - There's always next year...

23. Buffalo Bills - Like I said in last week's post, this team is simply not that good.

24. San Francisco 49ers - They are unfairly giving fans false hope. Just lose already and look towards next year.

25. Cleveland Browns - The Ken Dorsey era has begun with a bang. Didn't he win a Heisman or something with the U? I don't remember...

26. Jacksonville Jaguars - Have lost 6 of 7, and every week is a new humilation.

27. Kansas City Chiefs - Larry Johnson sucks and is ruining my fantasy team...well 1 of them. Speaking of, congrats to Josh on claiming the last spot in Ryan's league. Good thing I whooped up on Singer for you.

28. Seattle Seahawks - Deion Branch is back! He made his old team look like they made a mistake not resigning him, but then the Pats won the game and realized they have 6 more wins than Seattle. Oops.

29. Oakland Raiders - A random stat I heard the other day. If you combine all of the Raider's wide receivers' statistics they would only have like 750 yards and 5 td's; Not even enough to start on a fantasy football team.

30. Cincinnati Bengals - Nothing much to say except they are consistent. They could teach the Broncos a few things. They have moved the least amount of spots on this poll with a margin of only 4.

31. St. Louis Rams - If you were a fan of these teams, would it be like what the Pirates' fans go through in about August? That is, do you completely give up caring and stop watching the games?

32. Detroit Lions - On the other hand, if I was a Detroit fan I would be watching every week to see if they can get their first win. Being the worst team in history is not something this organization needs - even though it might be true.

Playoff Predictions

AFC
1. Titans
2. Steelers
3. Broncos
4. Jets
5. Colts
6. Ravens

NFC
1. Giants
2. Panthers
3. Cardinals
4. Vikings
5. Bucs
6. Cowboys

MVP Watch
1. Kurt Warner
2. Drew Brees
3. Adrian Peterson
4. Michael Turner
5. Peyton Manning
6. Jay Cutler
7. Tony Romo
8. Eli Manning
9. Philip Rivers
10a.Brian Westbrook
10b.DeAngelo Williams