Packers and Chiefs rejoin top five after Week 14 shuffle
With the playoffs quickly approaching and the teams near the top of both conferences still in flux, here are our NFL power rankings, post-Week 14 edition:
1. Baltimore Ravens: Deservedly league’s darlings at this point, but is offense slowing? Just 44 total points last two weeks after scoring 40+ in three previous contests. 2. San Francisco 49ers: Emmanuel Sanders, first 49er to throw a TD pass and catch one in the same NFL game, has been a big factor in this offense finding new level. 3. New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees needs three TD passes Sunday to break Peyton Manning’s career record (539) this season in front of the New Orleans faithful.
4. Green Bay Packers: “I wouldn’t mind winning ugly all the way to the Super Bowl,” Aaron Rodgers said Sunday. Might need to be that way given only eye-popping aspect of 2019 Pack is their win total (10).
5. Kansas City Chiefs: Fun to see Travis Kelce rush for TDs, but he’ll make history by catching more balls. He’s now 11 yards from becoming first TE with four straight 1,000-yard r seasons.
6. Seattle Seahawks: Perhaps worse than loss to Rams was season-ending loss of RB Rashaad Penny, who’d finally emerged lately to give this offense a nice jolt.
7. Minnesota Vikings: Adam Thielen, who’s played 16 snaps in last seven games, is probably the key if Minnesota is to make late charge to NFC North crown.
8. Houston Texans: It’s one thing to get blown out in Baltimore. It’s an entirely different matter to get embarrassed at home by Denver. No reason to trust this Houston team.
9. New England Patriots: Their loss to Kansas City in 2014 kicked off Bill Belichick’s “We’re on to Cincinnati” mantra... which led to a Super Bowl title. So ...
10. Tennessee Titans: As big a shot in arm as Ryan Tannehill has given them, perhaps nothing will prove more inspiring to locker room than his takedown of Raiders’ Maurice Hurst.
11. Buffalo Bills: They only need one more win to clinch second playoff berth in three years under Sean McDermott... but draw Steelers and Pats next two weeks.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers: Last time they didn’t have 1,000-yard rusher or receiver was 2012, when Jonathan Dwyer and Mike Wallace led in those categories, respectively.
13. Los Angeles Rams: Todd Gurley has exceeded 100 yards from scrimmage in three of past four games. But looking like too little, too late for reigning NFC champs.
14. Chicago Bears: Mitchell Trubisky has been on fire while orchestrating four wins in five weeks. But looking like too little, too late for reigning NFC North champs.
15. Tamp Bay Buccaneers: Jameis Winston conundrum deepens. Showed toughness playing with injured thumb. Has engineered three straight wins with (mostly) strong play. But he’s one picksix from matching league’s single-season record (6).
16. Dallas Cowboys: Brett Maher is now their former kicker after becoming first since 2015 to miss 10 FGs. Last to do it? This week’s opponent: Greg Zuerlein.
17. Philadelphia Eagles: Zero aesthetic value after they survived Giants in overtime Monday night. But, like Dallas, Philly continues to control its (one and done?) playoff destiny.
18. Indianapolis Colts: Based on how “tough Luck” campaign has degenerated, GM Chris Ballard may have to rethink his propensity for hoarding cap space.
19. Cleveland Browns: So they’ve underachieved all this time because of sub-par medical staff? At least we know who’s to blame for 17th straight non-playoff effort.
20. Denver Broncos: Drew Lock completed 81% of his 27 throws in Sunday’s win. John Elway only did that once in his career when attempting at least 20 passes.
21. New York Jets: Sam Darnold has led them to four wins in five weeks. But J-E-T-S fans will only see guy they could have had on Thursday – Lamar Jackson.
22. Oakland Raiders: Marriage with Josh Jacobs looks like a winner. He was despondent after being deactivated Sunday. Meanwhile, Raiders have changed Twitter avatar to campaign for his offensive rookie of the year candidacy.
23. Los Angeles Chargers: All Philip Rivers had to do was turn 38 in order to post highest single-game passer rating (154.4) of his 16-year career.
24. Atlanta Falcons: Undrafted rookie Olamide Zaccheaus averaging 93 yards per catch... so no idea why they keep throwing at Julio Jones (14.7 ypc).
25. Washington Redskins: Shame Derrius Guice’s career sidetracked by another injury. His misfortune might mean another improbable 1,000-yard year for Adrian Peterson.
26. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton to Bears buzz makes sense (we wrote as much six weeks ago), save one thing — Chicago has no first-rounder to offer until 2021.
27. Miami Dolphins: With Giants and Bengals up next, Miami team that initially looked like one of worst ever likely to be at least .500 in second half of 2019.
28. Arizona Cardinals: Sunday’s Kyler Murray-Baker Mayfield matchup means little in grand scheme, but maybe it will settle debates in Oklahoma.
29. Detroit Lions: Surely appears this will be fifth consecutive season that Detroit’s leading rusher won’t crack 650 yards.
30. Jacksonville Jaguars: All you need to know about their recent play is they’ve lost five straight by at least 17 points for first time in club history. Reboot.
31. New York Giants: Eli Manning’s career record fell to 116-117 after valiant effort Monday. Here’s hoping he wins next two.
32. Cincinnati Bengals: New England is obviously struggling, but do you guys really think Pats need to clandestinely tape team to break back into win column? Come on...
(USA Today/TNS)