NFL Power Rankings at the end of Week 15
We already have the first divisional champion, and therefore the first playoff qualifier, and five teams have also been mathematically eliminated from contention. The rest of the divisions are still to be defined, and the movements in our weekly ranking list reflect this.
- Packers
The Packers let a backup quarterback come close to bringing them back, but in the end, when it came down to one play, the defense did the job and they are now the best team in the NFL.
Chiefs
With the Patriots’ loss, they now have the best active winning streak in the league (seven) and despite this, I think they have not had enough recognition in the season. The Chargers sold the loss dearly and their great defense -this still sounds strange- suffered a lot at times during the game to contain Justin Herbert, but we must not lose sight of the fact that they did not have Chris Jones as their anchor to put pressure on the quarterback.
3.Rams
Cooper Kupp only has 20 receptions on the year to Tyreek Hill, his closest challenger for the NFL lead. In a year when it seems that no quarterback wants to win the MVP award -which already seems exclusive to the position- a wide receiver and a running back (Jonathan Taylor) have more than enough merit.
Colts
The Colts have become a physical team with a blistering ground attack and a more than solid defense; Saturday’s loss to the Patriots was no fluke, this team can beat anyone and that makes Indianapolis a dangerous team that no one will want to face in the postseason.
Patriots
The Patriots and Mac Jones proved to be human and for the first time since October 17, they tasted defeat again and although there is never a good time for it, now it was down the stretch. In addition to the lesson of this loss, they will now need help to recover the bye week and the home field in the playoffs because it is now in the hands of the Chiefs.
Cowboys
While we are still waiting for the Dallas offense to wake up, there are two players with merit to win the Defensive Player of the Year award here. Micah Parsons has the Defensive Rookie of the Year award locked up, but what he showed in his debut season is simply spectacular. Trevon Diggs has cooled off a bit, but a new streak of interceptions will put him right back in the mix.
Buccaneers
It’s true that injuries on offense were a factor, but it must be worrisome for the Bucs that they were blanked at home by a Saints team that has more doubts than certainties every week.
8.Cardinals
I would like to give a little confidence to Cardinals fans and not to pour lemon on the wound by suffering a loss to a team that just a couple of weeks ago knew what it was to win, but the reality is that they are having a memory of what happened last season when they were deflated in the final stretch and now is repeating itself because, since they lost the undefeated, their balance is 3-4 and they are already tied with the Rams.
9.Bills
It seemed impossible that Cole Beasley would not leave the Bills without his presence because of COVID-19 at some point in the season, and now he will not only miss a critical game in the division against the Pats, but he does so when the status of Emmanuel Sanders is uncertain. He is also at risk of missing up to two games, because by rule, he will be out for at least 10 days.
10.Titans
Absences on offense are weighing more and more heavily on the Titans, who depend too much on a quarterback like Ryan Tannehill who has never been known for his consistency. This is the worst time of the year to slump.
