NFL Power Rankings: Week 14 Standings Based on Latest Super Bowl Odds: Week 14 of the NFL season cant come soon enough for a majority of clubs still in hot pursuit of a playoff spot to keep their hopes of reaching Glendale, Arizona, for Super Bowl XLIX. Nineteen of the leagues 32 teams boast a .500 record or better, and a handful more (looking at you, NFC South) are well within playoff position despite unfavorable records. But despite so many teams gunning for the postseason, the odds surrounding Super Bowl favorites indicate that only a select few squads have serious chances to win a championship. As for the others, well, at least the 2015 draft is only five months away. Note: All Super Bowl XLIX odds are courtesy of Odds Shark, last updated Dec. 2 at 4 p.m. ET (* = team eliminated from playoffs) 32. Oakland Raiders* (5,000-1) After a shocking win over the Chiefs in Week 12 ended the possibility of an 0-16 season, the apathy is back in droves in Oakland. A 52-0 drubbing at the hands of a mediocre St. Louis Rams team will do that to you, per Bleacher Reports Christopher Hansen: Quarterback Derek Carr is showing promise as a franchise gunslinger to build around, but few other jobs will be safe on the roster entering 2015. 31. Jacksonville Jaguars* (3,000-1) The Jaguars got back in the win column with a thrilling 25-24 comeback over the Giants, but many diehard fans may be disheartened to see Jacksonville (2-10) move further from the top overall pick. A surprisingly dangerous pass rush and rookie growth from Blake Bortles paint a brighter future in Jacksonville, which isnt saying much considering the organizations recent futility. 30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2,000-1) Tampa Bay is shockingly not yet eliminated from the postseason with a 2-10 record, largely thanks to the hapless NFC South. But head coach Lovie Smiths first year at the helm has been disastrous, and the organization should do all it can to land a franchise quarterback along with some defensive improvements before 2015. 29. New York Jets* (2,000-1) Not much was expected of the Jets in 2014, but 2-10 has to be a bit of a surprise for a team that boasted a ferocious defensive line and a stable running game early in 2014. With head coach Rex Ryan likely out at the end of the season, the new coaching staff needs to start over from scratch at the quarterback position and work from there. 28. Tennessee Titans* (1,000-1) They have plenty of company at the bottom of the league, but hardly any team has looked more lifeless than the Titans as of late. They have lost four of their last five games by two touchdowns or more, including Ryan Fitzpatricks six-touchdown game against his former team in Week 13. The big question for Ken Whisenhunt and staff over the offseason is whether to continue investing in Zach Mettenberger, grab a quarterback early in the draft or make a free-agency move. The wrong choice will set Tennessee back even further. 27. Washington Redskins* (1,000-1) The 3-9 Redskins injected some life into their offense by starting Colt McCoy but still were throttled 49-27 on the road by the Indianapolis Colts. The problems on defense are nothing compared to regular offensive ineptitude, and the yearlong struggles will make it a tough offseason decision on the recently benched Robert Griffin III. 26. New York Giants* (750-1) Any promise that Giants fans had for their woeful team were dashed in just about the most embarrassing fashion you can find. After going up 21-0 at Jacksonville on Sunday, New York allowed the Jags to come back and grab the win. The Tom Coughlin era in New York has been a magical one, but it looks to be nearing a disappointing end. 25. St. Louis Rams (500-1) If it werent for a late interception in San Diego in Week 12, the Rams could be on a three-game winning streak. The latest was a 52-0 drubbing of the Oakland Raiders, in which Tre Mason dominated with two touchdowns and 117 rushing yards. The quarterback position is a serious question mark entering next season, but the Rams have a star in Mason and an improving defense. 24. Chicago Bears (500-1) After a Thanksgiving Day drubbing from the Lions, the Chicago Bears (5-7) should already be looking to next season. Priority No. 1 for the franchise has to be addressing a hapless secondary that ranks 30th in the league, and a close second should be fortifying the offensive line. 23. Carolina Panthers (500-1) The NFC South is up for grabs, but you couldnt tell it by the way the defending division champs are playing. Carolina has now lost six straight games, and it wouldve been seven had Cincinnati not missed a late field goal that forced a tie in Week 6. It certainly wouldnt hurt for the Panthers to find a stable of running backs that can stay healthy alongside Cam Newton for next season. 22. Minnesota Vikings (300-1) Its been a year full of growing pains for Minnesota, but those pains show the progress being made. The Vikings dominated Carolina 31-13 in Week 13, and Teddy Bridgewater is playing efficient and poised in an offense that needs everything it can get from the rookie. 21. Houston Texans (200-1) Ladies and gentlemen, heres the lone .500 team in the NFL. The 6-6 Houston Texans are the definition of mediocrity this season, hanging tight in most of their games and blowing out the teams they should. But until Bill OBrien gets a dangerous quarterback at his disposal and stronger secondary play, thats the ceiling for J.J. Watt and Co. 20. Buffalo Bills (200-1) The Buffalo snowstorm came just as the Bills were gearing up for a late-season playoff push, but it only seemed to fire them up. Needing a win streak to get into the playoff hunt, the Bills have won their last two games by a combined 54 points. However, Bills fans will cringe to see their final four opponents include Denver, Green Bay and New England. Thats just brutal. 19. Cleveland Browns (100-1) If I told you at the beginning of the season that the Browns would start 7-5, a quarterback controversy would seem to go out the window. But with Brian Hoyer struggling, Johnny Manziel replaced him in a loss to Buffalo and scored on his first drive. Hoyer has looked awful in recent weeks, and ESPNs Jeremy Fowler is among the many who think its time: Things are never boring in Cleveland, are they? 18. Atlanta Falcons (66-1) The Falcons entered their Week 9 bye as one of the most disheartened teams in the NFL, having lost five straight en route to a 2-6 record. Since, Atlanta has won three of four, including a very impressive 29-18 win over the NFC West-leading Arizona Cardinals. Dont be surprised one bit if the NFC South-leading Falcons (5-7) win the division with a sub-.500 record. 17. Miami Dolphins (50-1) The Dolphins prevailed in a game they simply had to win on Monday Night Football, coming back from a 10-0 hole to beat the Jets 16-13 on the road. Miami is now currently in the sixth and final AFC wild-card spot, and quarterback Ryan Tannehills vast improvement indicates the Dolphins wont fall apart down the stretch this time around. 16. Pittsburgh Steelers (50-1) Looking to keep pace in the cutthroat AFC North, the Steelers couldnt overcome the Saints at home Sunday and fell to 7-5. Regardless, Ben Roethlisberger is in the middle of one of his best seasons, and this team should make a late playoff push as long as there are no more unthinkable slip-ups (see: Week 4, Tampa Bay). 15. Baltimore Ravens (50-1) The Ravens could have put some serious pressure on Cincinnati in the AFC North with a win over San Diego, but they couldnt pull through. Baltimores postseason chances should still be liked down the stretch, with games against Jacksonville, Houston and Cleveland to close out the season. But it will be easier said than done getting to the playoffs at all in this division. 14. Kansas City Chiefs (50-1) After a head-scratching loss to Oakland was followed up by a loss to the Broncos, the Chiefs have now lost two straight in the crucial moment of their playoff push. Theyre now looking up at the Chargers for a wild-card spot and will need to make some magic in their final four games—at Arizona, vs. Oakland, at Pittsburgh, vs. San Diego—to make a repeat playoff trip. 13. Cincinnati Bengals (28-1) The Bengals did just about everything they could to lose to the Buccaneers in Week 13, but prevailed with a 14-13 victory. That set a franchise mark for Cincinnati, per The Cincinnati Enquirers Paul Dehner Jr.: Andy Dalton has been inconsistent at best throughout 2014, but he has more than enough around him to lock up the AFC North. It wont be unearned, however, as they have to face the Steelers twice along with the Broncos down the stretch. 12. Dallas Cowboys (28-1) The Cowboys offense has been potent, and the defense has been acceptable through most of 2014, but neither was the case on Thanksgiving Day against the Eagles. Dallas late-season collapse hasnt come yet, but one more loss to the Eagles in Week 15 would greatly hurt its divisional and wild-card chances. 11. New Orleans Saints (28-1) Few teams needed their Week 13 win more than the Saints, who had lost three straight games at the Superdome prior to Sundays road win over Pittsburgh. Despite sputtering to a 5-7 record, New Orleans is in a great position to make the postseason with games against Carolina, Chicago, Atlanta and Tampa Bay to close out 2014. Despite their favorable Super Bowl odds, its hard to make a case for the Saints being the 11th-best team right now. But their playoff pedigree and postseason chances have them climbing the ranks. 10. San Francisco 49ers (28-1) The Niners inked out three straight unimpressive wins (if any NFL win can be unimpressive) before being waxed by the Seahawks 19-3 on their home turf. San Francisco will make some serious noise in the playoffs if it can get there, but it will likely require payback against the Seahawks—in Seattle—in Week 15. 9. San Diego Chargers (28-1) The Chargers up-and-down season is certainly up at the moment. They won five straight, then lost three in a row and now have rattled off three straight victories. San Diego is in the thick of the AFC playoff hunt at 8-4, but that could quickly change if it endures another losing spell. It wouldnt be shocking to see the team finish out the season winless, as it goes up against New England, Denver, at San Francisco and at Kansas City. 8. Arizona Cardinals (28-1) Just a few weeks ago, few could question that the Cardinals were the NFLs best team—at least in terms of game results. But after two straight losses—including a loss to Atlanta—Arizona is looking at itself in the mirror, per NFL on ESPN: At 9-3, the team is starting to feel the pressure from 8-4 Seattle in the NFC West race. Its playoff hopes in general may start slipping away if the Cards dont turn it around. 7. Detroit Lions (25-1) The Lions grabbed a win over Chicago on Thanksgiving Day that they simply had to have and now are sitting pretty at 8-4 and in the NFC wild-card race. Green Bays recent tear will be too tough to catch, but Detroit should rather easily lock up a wild-card slot with games against Tampa Bay and Minnesota in upcoming weeks. 6. Indianapolis Colts (18-1) Performances against some of the AFCs elite squads have shown that the Colts arent yet a complete package, but Andrew Lucks continued emergence has them consistently atop the league. After putting its finishing touches on another AFC South crown, Indianapolis will have a chance to play the spoiler role in the postseason. 5. Philadelphia Eagles (12-1) The Eagles join the Colts as perhaps the only teams with major holes that could make a run for it all. Philadelphias offense is just that good, no matter if its Nick Foles or Mark Sanchez under center. Its just hard to see a 26th-ranked passing defense that has struggled against top quarterbacks getting through the likes of Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford and perhaps Drew Brees. 4. Seattle Seahawks (13-2) In case you couldnt tell by their play this season, the Seahawks have been here before. After putting its postseason hopes in jeopardy with inconsistent play early in the season, Seattle is flying high after consecutive 19-3 wins over division rivals and NFC heavyweights Arizona and San Francisco. 3. Denver Broncos (17-4) Peyton Mannings offense isnt the machine that it was in 2013, but it indeed is still a machine with Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders and Wes Welker all showing out. What makes Denver truly scary is that the defense is on another level, with Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware wreaking havoc off both edges. As Cris Collinsworth put it via NBC Sports PR, this is Mannings last great chance to win his second ring: It will be a tall task to get out of the AFC and thwart the Patriots, but dont be shocked if the Broncos make a repeat trip to the Super Bowl. 2. Green Bay Packers (7-2) Aaron Rodgers relax comment early in the season proved to be so right on the money that a shirt was made out of it. Even he might not have been aware that the Packers were about to win eight of their next nine games, five of which were by 21 points or more. After answering a championship-like test from New England in Week 13, there are few—if any—doubters of Green Bays chances for a deep playoff run. 1. New England Patriots (15-4) Before a 26-21 loss at Lambeau Field to Green Bay, the Patriots had rattled off seven consecutive victories—four by 22 or more points. Tom Brady is gashing defenses with his limited receiving options, and an incredible turnaround from the offensive line has almost every running back on the roster going for ridiculous games week in and week out. The Pats biggest mistake, however, may have come off the field and not on it, per Bleacher Report: But not even the curse of Justin Bieber looks like it can thwart the run New England is on. Read more NFL news on BleacherReport #NFL #RankingsList
Posted on: Wed, 03 Dec 2014 16:55:26 +0000
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