NFL Week 15 Power Rankings

By Djack

​ESPN's Power Ranking
"1. New England Patriots 2016 record: 11-2 | Week 14 ranking: 2
Tom Brady has now thrown 11 touchdowns with one interception with Rob Gronkowski off the field this season. Brady and the Patriots are still thriving without their top offensive weapon, but they could miss him against the Broncos this week. Brady is 2-7 overall in his career at Denver, including playoffs.
2. Dallas Cowboys 2016 record: 11-2 | Week 14 ranking: 1
The past two weeks the Cowboys have averaged 12.0 points per game, committed five turnovers and converted two of their 24 third-down plays (8.3 percent). Is this just a blip on the radar or is it cause for concern? We'll get a better idea this week when the Boys play the Bucs.
3. Kansas City Chiefs 2016 record: 10-3 | Week 14 ranking: 7
The Chiefs are now 20-3 since Week 7 of last season, best in the NFL. The Chiefs have a plus-27 turnover margin in that time. Next closest? The Raiders at plus-16. The Chiefs look to keep on rolling against the Titans in Week 15.
4. Oakland Raiders 2016 record: 10-3 | Week 14 ranking: 3
Derek Carr posted a career-worst 9.4 Total QBR in Week 14 against the Chiefs. Why did Carr struggle so much? Was it his finger? The cold? The Chiefs' defense? We'll uncover some answers when the Raiders head to San Diego in Week 15.
5. New York Giants 2016 record: 9-4 | Week 14 ranking: 14
The Giants are 9-4 but currently have a minus-5 turnover differential this season. It's not easy to win when you don't win the turnover battle, but the Giants have found a way. The Giants take on the Lions, a team with the fourth-fewest giveaways (10), on Sunday.
6. Atlanta Falcons 2016 record: 8-5 | Week 14 ranking: 10
The offense continues to light it up, but Vic Beasley Jr. has been lighting up opposing quarterbacks for the Falcons this season. Beasley has 13.5 sacks, tied for most in the NFL, and six forced fumbles (most in the NFL), and could pad those stats against Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers this Sunday.
7. Seattle Seahawks 2016 record: 8-4-1 | Week 14 ranking: 4
Russell Wilson lost by more than 10 points for the first time in his career Sunday, thanks to a career-high five interceptions. Wilson now has two touchdowns and eight interceptions his past three games, and this week he plays a team he has lost three straight against: the Rams.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers 2016 record: 8-5 | Week 14 ranking: 5
Since his return from suspension, Le'Veon Bell has accounted for about 58 percent of the Steelers' touches (rushes and receptions) and 43 percent of the Steelers' yards from scrimmage. Bell looks to rack up more offense this week against the Bengals, the team that ended his 2015 campaign.
9. Detroit Lions 2016 record: 9-4 | Week 14 ranking: 8
The Lions have won five straight and eight of their past nine. During the five-game winning streak, the defense has allowed 15.6 points per game. If the defense can keep it up, especially against the Giants this week, it will help the Lions compensate for QB Matthew Stafford's injured finger.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2016 record: 8-5 | Week 14 ranking: 12
Jameis Winston's sophomore success has been a great story, but the Buccaneers have forced 25 turnovers this season, tied for most in the NFL. Tampa's defense will look to disrupt the host Cowboys on Sunday night." Via ESPN

Djack's Power Ranking
1. New England Patriots 2016 record: 11-2
Week 14 ranking: 1
Patriots continually prove it's the culture they've built around their team the last 15 years that controls their success, not the players. No Gronk, no problem, Patriots won soundly over the Ravens last night, who are now considered to be one of the better teams in the AFC. Pats are the team to beat in the NFL, should come as no surprise it's been this way for 15 years.
2. Kansas City Chiefs 2016 record: 10-3
Week 14 ranking: 4
The Chiefs may not be the best team in the league, but they might just have the most talented roster. That defense is filled with all pro players at every level and the offense has big time playmakers in Jeremy Maclin and Tyreke Hill. Alex Smith isn't an elite quarterback, but he's an elite game manager that won't lose your team games. Chiefs have the best shot at knocking out the Pats in the AFC with the absurd amount of talent they have on that team.
3. Oakland Raiders 2016 record: 10-3
Week 14 ranking: 3
Oakland's offense wasn't their typical forml dominate selves against the Chiefs, that's also in part to poor weather conditions, being on the road, and the fact the Chiefs probably have the best defense in the AFC. Crabtree and Cooper need to step up, they've dropped a lot of catchable balls these last few weeks. An offense that relies on scoring a lot of points to cover a weak defense can't afford stupid hiccups like that. Raiders are still very much a threat in the AFC although they're very much flawed.
4. New York Giants 2016 record: 9-4
Week 14 ranking: 10
You would've thought the Cowboys were going to be ahead of my G-men after being handed there second loss of the season to them. Giants are clearly better than Dallas, beating them twice has proved that, and if Dallas is the "class of the NFC" I guess that really makes the Giants the class of the NFC.
​5. Dallas Cowboys 2016 record: 11-2
Week 14 ranking: 2
Dak has been exposed, defensive coordinators are picking up on his weaknesses, and are forcing Dak out of his comfort zone. He finally looks like a rookie QB. This is bad timing for the Cowboys and ultimately the way things are looking over their the past few weeks I smell a collapse coming soon. Cowboys are one and done in the playoffs, been saying it all along.
6. Seattle Seahawks 2016 record 8-4-1
Week 14 ranking: 5
Without Earl, this secondary just isn't the same, can't replace a playmaker like Earl Thomas. The offense has been hot and cold this year, but mostly cold. This isn't the same Seattle of the past I don't think they're the Super Bowl favorite whatsoever in the NFC anymore.
7. Green Bay Packers 2016 record: 7-6
Week 14 ranking: N/A
The Packers are getting red hot at the right time. If they get into the playoffs, which they will by beating Detroit week 17 for the division, they're the last team I want to see as an opposing team. It's no mystery either, the team is finally getting healthy, and the team's play is reflecting that. Green Bay is very dangerous, especially since Aaron Rodgers is out for blood with everyone giving him serious hate earlier this season.
​8. Pittsburgh Steelers 2016 record: 8-5
Week 14 ranking: 7
Steelers are built for this time of year, cold weather benefits the Steelers since they have an incredible running back who can carry this teams offense for 200+ yards single handidly. I knew the Steelers would finally come around, I called this win streak in my week 11 power rankings, and I believe it'll continue for the rest of the regular season. Steelers are like the Packers they're always a threat to go all the way once they get into the big dance.
9. Atlanta Falcons 2016 record: 8-5
Week 14 ranking: 9
The Falcons are the Falcons, you get what you see from them each season basically. A big time offense complimented by a defense that can't stop a nose bleed, it's a recipe for playoff disaster. Probably explains their poor playoff history in the Matt Ryan era. 
10. Detroit Lions 2016 record: 9-4
Week 14 ranking: 6
Stafford is basically the entire team, now that his hand is hurt, he's going to be less effective, meaning the Lions are now less effective. In my opinion they've already execeeded expectations this season, but I see a very sad collapse that potentially cost's them the division and a playoff spot in general. Prep yourselves for another let down Detroit.