NFL Power Rankings Week 14

So this week the SBNation Power Ranking video superpowers are taking a break. As a consequence, I am returning to the normal format from before. I wanted to try a new twist, however. I like the video format, since it allows me to discuss a few teams in depth. That, in turn, provides a context for what constitutes the elite teams (first eight or so), the middle of the pack teams, and the bottom of the barrel (the bottom eight or so). I should continue with the regular video posts next week. But if I need to do the list form again in the future, I'm curious, which format do you prefer? Is this new style better? Or, do you like the brief blurbs for each team?

On to the rankings!

1) Houston Texans (11-1)

2) Atlanta Falcons (11-1)

3) Denver Broncos (9-3)

4) San Francisco 49ers (8-3-1)

5) New England Patriots (9-3)

The Patriots and the Packers are two odd teams. In a way, they define what the other elite teams are not. Both of these teams rely heavily upon the offense to win. The balance of the 49ers or Texans, or heck, even the Giants just isn't there. So far, obviously, they have been successful. In fact, this is the sort of model that dominated the NFL for the last five or so years. But how much longer can this last? Already, I wonder how successful the Packers and Patriots will be in the playoffs. When they have to play elite defenses in the cold, will the high flying style really work? I think our game against the Patriots in Foxboro will be an interesting preview, and perhaps a harbinger of things to come.

6) Green Bay Packers (8-4)

7) Chicago Bears (8-4)

8) Baltimore Ravens (9-3)

9) New York Giants (7-5)

10) Seattle Seahawks (7-5)

Can Seattle challenge us for the NFC West title? Perhaps. They did what we could not: close out a team in overtime. The fact of the matter is, though, that Russell Wilson is playing out of his mind right now. He went 23 for 37 for 293 yards and 2 TDs against the Bears, but that is unusual. On the season, the Seahawks have scored 20.2 points a game (22^nd in the league) on 328.6 yards (24^th). It hasn't been Wilson, but the rush game (141.3 yards per game - good for seventh in the league) and the top notch defense. Now that we have an Adderall scandal, can Wilson make up for any slack the defense presents? I don't know, but I think the Seahawks are looking up at a superior team. Crazier things have happened, though.

11) Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5)

12) Indianapolis Colts (8-4)

13) Minnesota Vikings (6-6)

14) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6)

15) New Orleans Saints (5-7)

16) Cincinnati Bengals (7-5)

17) St. Louis Rams (5-6-1)

18) Dallas Cowboys (6-6)

19) Washington Redskins (6-6)

Have I just been ignoring the Redskins in these rankings recently? I don't know, but Monday night seems to say yes. The team has been a bit inconsistent, hence my hesitation to shoot them up the rankings this season. I mean, what do you expect from a team led by a young QB? But, somewhat quietly, Alfred Morris is having a huge season. Already he is at 1106 yards on 230 carries, which is a 4.8 yard per average. If anything is driving the team's success, it's that man.

20) Miami Dolphins (5-7)

21) Detroit Lions (4-8)

22) Tennessee Titans (4-8)

23) San Diego Chargers (4-8)

24) New York Jets (5-7)

25) Buffalo Bills (5-7)

26) Arizona Cardinals (4-8)

Has there ever been a worse QB display than the Cardinals-Jets game? I think the only person in the world who enjoyed that low-scoring affair was Mike Singletary, and he still needs to check some tape to make sure it was boring enough. I'm not really buying into this whole Ryan Lindley thing. I mean, 10 for 31 with 72 yards? Really? You have arguably the best WR in the current NFL on your team. If you won't use him, can we please have him?

27) Carolina Panthers (3-9)

28) Philadelphia Eagles (3-9)

29) Cleveland Browns (4-8)

30) Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10)

31) Kansas City Chiefs (2-10)

32) Oakland Raiders (3-9)