Week 14 NFL Power Rankings: Cowboys, Bengals Surge, Chargers Faltering

 As the playoffs loom just around a month away, the intensity and magnitude of each game continues to rise. Week 13 was an epic slate of games with in fact some epic results that have a major effect on the weekly ranks. We see a different team in the top spot as last week as a result of the KC loss to Cinncy and some other movement as well near the top. Here we go!

1. Philadelphia Eagles (11-1)
Last week: #2 +

The squad that has been #1 for the majority of the season returns to the top spot following the Chiefs' loss and another big win for Philly themselves. Some people thought that the AFC playoff contending Titans would be a test for them this Sunday, nope. Not at all. Philly's offense cooked behind the arm of Jalen Hurts throwing into the hands of AJ Brown once again and this defense was unreal, holding King Henry to just 40 rushing yards. There is no question right now that this is the best and most complete team in the sport.

2. Dallas Cowboys (9-3)
Last week: #5 +

The Cowboys have not been hotter in YEARS, probably since their last Super Bowl appearance. Genuinely. There is really not a noticeable flaw with this team, as they CREAMED the Colts, dropping 54 points on their solid defense. This really could be the year, Cowboys fans. HOW BOUT DEM COWBOYS?!

3. Cincinnati Bengals (8-4)
Last week: #8 ++

Some might not be happy that I have this 4 loss Bengal team over multiple 2/3 loss ones, but this is power rankings, not really just record rankings. This is the team we all saw make a cinderella run to the Super Bowl last season. Joe Burrow for the second straight year is making a late season MVP push. With Ja'Marr Chase back in the lineup, the offense looked scary. This really feels like a team that could return to the Super Bowl. 

4. Buffalo Bills (9-3)
Last week: #4

Buffalo got a quality win against the Patriots on Thursday Night and that, coupled with the Miami loss and the KC loss returns the Bills to the top seed in the AFC for the moment. I think the Bills are not playing nearly as well as they were at the start of the year, but it is looking better and better by the week. 

5. Kansas City Chiefs (9-3)
Last week: #1 -

The Chiefs had been cruising of late, but their kryptonite once showed again, which is the Cincinnati Bengals, who have now beaten the Chiefs THREE times in the calendar year of 2022. I'm not worried about this team, as their offense is still probably the best in the NFL and their defense is pretty good too. The only worry for them is how they might go about finally beating these Bengals in a potential post-season match. 

6. Minnesota Vikings (10-2)
Last week: #7 +

Minnesota just continues to win these tight games. Another one score game, another victory. I just feel like it's not sustainable. Something about these Vikings has been hard to trust all season long, and this gut feeling continues for me right now. I think they are good, but until I see them beat a really good team or even win a playoff game, I'm not going to be completely sold. 

7. San Francisco 49ers (8-4)
Last week: #6 -

The Niners got a HUGE win over Tua and red-hot offense of the Miami Dolphins, but at the cost of their QB. Jimmy Garopollo has been having a great season for SF but he broke his foot and is out now for at least the rest of the regular season and probably deep into the playoffs. The Niners will now turn to unheralded 7th round rookie QB Brock Purdy to keep them afloat in their chase for the NFC West and a return to the NFC title game. With this defense and also the offensive supporting cast around him, nothing can be ruled out.

8. Miami Dolphins (8-4)
Last week: #3 --

A tough loss for Miami. I had them as high as inside of my TOP 3 last week, but the Niner defense proved to be too much, even for this white hot offense. I think the Dolphins would probably win in a rematch, it was a close game and a lot of things went wrong for Miami, but they did lose this game, which is why they fall a bit in the ranks. I'm not worried. This was a good test for a young offense without key OL pieces and they held their own. This loss will make this team stronger as they push for the top seed in the AFC down the stretch.

9. Seattle Seahawks (7-5)
Last week: #13 +

After back-to-back losses, Seattle won in classic fashion on Sunday and return to the top 10 at #9! Things could have all gone sideways for Seattle as they were back and forth with LA all day, but Geno and this team never gave in, and it all paid off with a clutch, career moment winning drive from Smith, capped off by an amazing DK Metcalf TD catch over Jalen Ramsey. This was a huge win for both playoff race and mental state for the Seahawks. At 7-5, they are just 1 game back of the Niners in the West with the rematch looming next Thursday night. The Hawks play 4 of their final 5 games at home and will be favored in most, an unlikely return to the post-season is looking more and more likely by the day.

10. Baltimore Ravens (8-4)
Last week: #11 +

A win is a win, but I think it's panic time in Baltimore. The Ravens won on a last minute TD against the lowly Broncos by a score of 10-9. Even more concerning was the PCL injury to Lamar Jackson, who is set to be sidelined anywhere from 1-3 weeks. Backup QB Tyler Huntley is more than capable of leading this team to victories, but the Ravens are trending down at the wrong time, while their division rival Bengals are trending up...

11. Washington Commanders (7-5-1)
Last week: #12 +

The result of Sunday's big time affair with the Giants left an awful taste in the mouth's of the Commanders and their fans, but tying that game was not the worst thing in the world. I thought Washington played really well all game, but allowed the Giants to stay in the game and ultimately force OT and then the tie. This offense is a force right now, and with the nearing return of former DROY Chase Young following the week 14 bye, Washington is in a good spot to try and secure a wild-card spot down the stretch.

12. Tennessee Titans (7-5)
Last week: #9 -

Sunday's blowout loss in Philly marked the second consecutive loss for the Titans, but not all hope is lost. Losing to Philly and the red hot Bengals isn't the worst thing in the world. While they haven't officially clinched the division title, they are nearly a lock to, guaranteeing them a top 4 seed in the AFC. That is something to be happy about, even after two straight losses and seeing your longtime GM (Jon Robinson) fired on Tuesday.

13. New York Jets (7-5)
Last week: #10 -

The Jets hung with the high flying Vikings all afternoon, and came up just short in the end of a 27-22 loss. Mike White continued to play well, and he has injected serious life into a once dormant offense. The Jets have their work cut out for themselves down the stretch, as they will need to win some games to sneak into the post-season, but with this defense, and Mike White playing this well, they've got a true shot.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6)
Last week: #17 +

Tom Brady will never go out. The Bucs played like absolute crap for the first 55 minutes of a 60 minute game, but then as Brady has done time and time again, they figured it out. Brady and co. rallied a 13 point deficit in the final minutes of the game to come out on top 17-16 over the Saints from a TD pass from Brady to Rachaad White with 3 seconds on the board. At 6-6, the Bucs have a comfortable lead in the dumpster fire of the NFC South where they could secure a top 4 seed in the NFC playoffs. I have a strong hunch that Brady should not be counted out come January.

15. New York Giants (7-4-1)
Last week: #15

Props to the Giants, for sticking with it and battling back against the Commanders, ultimately forcing a tie in overtime. The Commanders came out strong early, shooting out to a 13-0 lead, but the Giants didn't roll over and die as they stormed back to make it 13-13 and then this game was simply both teams going blow for blow the rest of the way. Ultimately, neither team is happy with a tie, but the Giants should be glad they were able to get any kind of positive out of a contest they probably shouldn't have won. This tie keeps the G-men in the playoff picture at the current moment and with a real shot of returning to the playoffs, pending a necessary solid finish to the season.

16. New England Patriots (6-6)
Last week: #14 -

After sitting pretty at 6-4 just two weeks ago, the Patriots find themselves now back at .500 after back to back losses and a lot of uncertainty. The defense continues to play elite football, but this offense just cannot keep up. It has to be majorly a coaching thing, as longtime DC Matt Patricia has taken over the OFFENSIVE playcalling, and it has been a disaster. The Patriots are still very much alive in the AFC Wildcard race, but they have to act NOW or it will be too late.

17. Las Vegas Raiders (5-7)
Last week: #20 +

Vegas has now won three in a row and is starting to look like the team we all thought they were coming into the season. Josh Jacobs and Davante Adams feel like they are having alternating MVP weeks. That might be the best duo of offensive skill players in the league right now. In turn, the Raider D is stepping up right now in a big way, with huge contributions coming from the beast that is Maxx Crosby. With 7 losses, it will be tough for the Raiders to find their way into the playoffs, but I'm not counting them out. If they were to just keep winning, there is a good chance they could get in.

18. Detroit Lions (5-7)
Last week: #21 +

How about these Lions! This is probably the highest I have had them rank in months, maybe all season long. Winners of 3 of their last 4, the Lions are technically still in the hunt for the NFC playoffs and if they were to keep on winning, things could get really interesting. Their recent success has come from a defensive turnaround, but also the resurgent play of QB Jared Goff, who is making his case to remain the Detroit starting QB for the long haul. With elite weapons doing their parts on offense around him, like Amon-Ra St. Brown, D'Andre Swift, and Jamaal Williams, Goff is going off lately. Odds are against the Lions in terms of their chances to actually make the playoffs THIS season, but whether they do or not, there is bright future ahead in Motown.

19. Cleveland Browns (5-7)
Last week: #19

Deshaun Watson's much anticipated return to action did not go according to plan, as he looked very much rusty and only threw for about 150 yards with no TDs and one INT, but Cleveland STILL won big. The defense came up huge, scoring multiple times, and Nick Chubb had another good game. As Watson settles into this offense, things will get better, and I'm just excited to see what he does next week at this point. Cleveland is also still technically alive in the AFC playoff race if they were to keep on winning (just like Vegas and Detroit right now).

20. Los Angeles Chargers (6-6)
Last week: #16 -

If I hadn't thrown in the towel previously on the Chargers this season, I have now. My pre-season Super Bowl pick is not playing well. At 6-6, the Chargers have just not looked really any better than they did last year, which is a surprise due to the star additions to this squad and the development of good young players. I think it comes down to HC Brandon Staley, who clearly is not cut out for the job and will be an easy scapegoat for this team in the off-season. With a new coach, this Charger team could finally get over the hump next year in my opinion.

21. Green Bay Packers (5-8)
Last week: #23 +

Even in the worst of the worst of seasons for Green Bay, one thing remains a given: they will beat the Bears. Not only do they always beat Chicago, but they wind up looking like a juggernaut each time they do with the way they hand their crap to them. The real story out of Green Bay continues to be rookie second round WR Christian Watson, who is making a legitimate late season push for OROY as he has now scored EIGHT touchdowns in the last 4 games. Wild scoring production out of the rookie speedster.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-7)
Last week: #26 +

We know who this Steeler team is. They can't beat teams 1-16 in the NFL for the most part, but they are going to beat teams that they SHOULD beat, which is a rarity sometimes in the NFL if that makes sense. This young Pittsburgh team has been playing good, hungry football of late, and while they likely won't make the post-season this year, the development of their defense and guys like Kenny Pickett on offense is an encouraging sign for the future.

23. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-8)
Last week: #22 -

Everytime that you think this young Jaguars team is finally really piecing it all together, they flounder back to square one. After a thrilling upset victory over the Ravens a week ago, the Jags were feeling great, but they just got ahead of themselves and then watched as a blowout ensued against the Lions of all teams this week. This clearly isn't a winning year for the Jags, but as a young team, there is true promise for the future in Duval. I think they have the right HC/QB duo for the future, which is a huge positive for a franchise who has been searching for that sweet spot really since the beginning of time.

24. Atlanta Falcons (5-8)
Last week: #18 --

While the Falcons remain alive in the ever-awful NFC South, it is not clearly be their own merit. Another week and another disappointing close loss for these Falcons. I'm really beginning to wonder when rookie second round QB Desmond Ridder is going to get a chance...

25. Arizona Cardinals (4-8)
Last week: #26 +

Things were not looking good for this team before the bye, and I doubt we see much improvement on the other side of it. This is going to be an eventful off-season in Arizona I have to believe.

26. New Orleans Saints (4-9)
Last week: #24 -

The collapse that New Orleans committed in the late minutes of MNF's game vs the Bucs was very indicative of their disastrous season. Up 13 with 5 minutes to go, they crumbled and lost by one to the Bucs in a game they needed to really stay alive in the NFC South. In a turn of events that few saw coming, the Saints currently sit dead last IN the worst division in the league.

27. Carolina Panthers (4-8)
Last week: #25 -

Not far behind the Saints are the lowly Panthers. In fact, they are actually currently slightly ahead of the Saints in division standings, but in terms of my personal power rankings, they find themselves just below. You know things are bad when you turn back to Sam Darnold at QB and are happy about it...

28. Indianapolis Colts (4-8-1)
Last week: #27 -

I so badly want this team to succeed. They have a lot of likable players and I'm rooting for interim coach Jeff Saturday, but boy, this team is in need of a rebuild. Indy hung with the red hot Cowboys for three quarters before getting absolutely run out of the gym in the 4th in which they allowed 20+. This has been a lost season for the Colts, and now it is getting more and more magnified by the week.

29. Chicago Bears (3-10)
Last week: #29

There are three certains in life, death, taxes, and the Bears losing to the Packers.

30. Los Angeles Rams (3-9)
Last week: #30

The Rams showed a little bit of life on Sunday against the Seahawks (like they tend to do annually), but ultimately couldn't close out a win in the end. While this team is a disaster and is probably already looking to next season, an injection of juice was squeezed into this team yesterday as they claimed the embattled former top pick Baker Mayfield to finish out the season as their QB. Could be fun to see what he can do with Sean McVay at the very least.

31. Denver Broncos (3-9)
Last week: #31

No words for this team, currently they are sending their projected 3rd overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft to Seattle...

32. Houston Texans (1-10-1)
Last week: #32

Kyle Allen was somehow even worse than Davis Mills, prompting HC Lovie Smith to flip flop back and announce Mills as the starter for week 14 after being benched just two weeks prior. Nothing is looking bright in Houston this year, but the team should be excited for it's 4+ first rounders in the next few drafts!

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JKNFLFOOTBALL Week 13 Honors

Offensive Player of the Week: Geno Smith, Quarterback, Seattle Seahawks
Statline: 28-39 attempts for 376 yards (career-high), 3 TDs, 1 INT passing, 71.8 completion %

Defensive Player of the Week: Nick Bosa, Edge Rusher, San Francisco 49ers
Statline: 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 2 TFLs, 3 total tackles

Special Teams Player of the Week: Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR/PR, Cleveland Browns
Statline: 76-yard punt return TD

Rookie of the Week: Tariq Woolen, Cornerback, Seattle Seahawks
Statline: 7 total tackles, 1 INT, 3 pass deflections

Team of the Week: Cincinnati Bengals (8-4)
Beat Kansas City Chiefs (27-24)

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Week 14 Official Game Picks
Last Week's Record: 10-4-1 
2022 Season Overall: 107-70-2

Raiders over Rams (34-20)
Lions over Vikings (28-27)
Steelers over Ravens (24-19)
Bengals over Browns (36-26)
Bills over Jets (33-24)
Cowboys over Texans (40-10)
Eagles over Giants (29-18)
Titans over Jaguars (27-22)
Chiefs over Broncos (28-12)
Seahawks over Panthers (33-20)
Buccaneers over 49ers (24-21)
Dolphins over Chargers (34-26)
Patriots over Cardinals (25-14)