Nolan Anderson’s NFL Power Rankings: Post Week 14
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) walks off the field after a win over the Miami Dolphins during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Byes are done, and it’s the final push to the playoff. Let’s see how the rankings fell this week:
- Eagles (last week #1)
The utter dominance on display this Sunday from the Eagles was all encompassing, the Giants didn’t stand a chance. The Eagles are clearly the top contender in the NFC.
- Bills (last week #2)
A game that started with ten drives ending in a punt, the Bills grinded out a tough win against the Jets and cemented their status as top of the AFC EAST.
- Bengals (last week #3)
The Bengals for some reason have had a really hard time beating the Browns, with their last win against the team coming in 2019. Joe Burrow and the offense changed course this Sunday with a dominant performance against the Browns.
- Chiefs (last week #5)
This team is so good their biggest opponent was themselves this past Sunday. The Chiefs were almost victims to their own hubris, stepping off the gas after going up 4 possessions on the Broncos.
- 49ers (last week #6)
Brock freaking Purdy. Need I say more? From Mr. Irrelevant to taking down the G.O.A.T. What a week for the rookie.
- Cowboys (last week #6)
Another high-powered offense that didn’t take their opponent seriously and they almost lost the game because of it.
- Chargers (last week #15)
The Bolts are the biggest jumpers this week after a statement win against the Dolphins on Sunday night. The team may be bereft with injuries, but when wide receivers Mike Williams and Keenan Allen are on the field, this offense is dangerous.
- Vikings (last week #8)
Vegas knew something. Before the game on Sunday, the Vikings were underdogs in most sports books. A ten-win divisional leading team was an UNDERDOG to a Detroit Lions team with five wins, and the Vikings proved Vegas right with a stunning loss.
PLAYOFF HOPEFULS
- Ravens (last week #9)
With star QB Lamar Jackson out with an injury, the Ravens keep winning. Relying on their explosive backfield that featured healthy returns of JK Dobbins, the Ravens grinded out a tough win.
- Dolphins (last week #7)
It certainly looks like the league has caught on to the best strategy to stop the Dolphins, who have lost back-to-back games to stifling defenses. Even the depleted Chargers secondary was able to stop this high-powered offense.
- Commanders (last week 10)
The Commanders had the week off to prepare for their rematch with the Giants. This upcoming game will most likely the playoff fate of the Commanders.
- Jets (last week #11)
Quarterback Mike White got knocked out the game twice and returned. He has adopted the ‘tougher than you’ mentality that has carried the Jets through the season. Ahead of schedule, the Jets playoff hopes remain alive.
- Titans (last week #13)
The Titans could have gone a long way to securing the AFC South division this past Sunday with a win against the Jaguars. But with the loss, the rematch towards the end of the season looms large as a potential decider for the division crown.
- Lions (last week #16)
All they do is win! After a slow start to the season, the Lions have rebounded and look like a bona fide playoff team. They may have dig a hole to big to dig their selves out of, but this team is trending upwards.
- Giants (last week #12)
The Giants are lucky they banked so many wins early in the season, the 48-22 drubbing on Sunday from the Eagles was their worse performance of the year.
- Seahawks (Last week #14)
A once promising season seems to be slipping away for the Seahawks. QB Geno Smith is starting to turn the ball over and the defense is regressing.
PLAYOFF HOPEFULS (that I don’t feel good about)
- Patriots (last week #18)
With the win on Monday night, the Patriots have a tiny hold on the 7th seed in the playoffs. Despite this hope, they’re still the worst team in the AFC East.
- Jaguars (last week #23)
The Jaguars switch the mould every week. One week they’re absolutely dominated, (see their game against the Lions) followed by a surprising win against a tough team (See this Sunday’s 36-22 stunner over the Titans).
- Buccaneers (last week #17)
Is it the end of the road for Brady? I expect him to play in 2023 but not for this Tampa team. Brady and the Bucs looked lifeless on offense this Sunday and are barely holding onto their lead in the worst division in football.
MAYBE NEXT YEAR
- Packers (last week #20)
The Packers make a return from their bye week this week, and its still unknown if either Aaron Rogers or Jordan Love will be the starter. Smart money is on Rogers as technically the Packers have not been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs.
- Rams (last week #30)
With only two days of preparation, quarterback Baker Mayfield took the Rams from irrelevant to watchable. That 98-yard game winning touchdown drive may have been the best drive for the Rams all season.
- Panthers (last week #29)
So you’re telling me there’s a chance. With the win on Sunday, the Panthers remained alive in the divisional race. Credit interim head coach Steve Wilks, who took over a one win team and now has the Panthers in line for playoff berth.
- Falcons (last week #18)
With word that the Falcons will be looking to start their rookie QB over Marcus Mariota, the Falcons are hoping Desmond Ridder will give the team the spark they need to catch the Panthers and Bucs in the division.
- Steelers (last week #22)
It’s never a good sign for the Steelers when Mitch Trubisky comes in the game.
- Saints (last week #25)
The exciting thing for the Saints to happen on the bye was the rumored possibility that the Saints may be a possible candidate for Tom Brady in 2023.
- Raiders (last week 26)
This season, the Raiders have lost to interim head coach Jeff Saturday, who had three days of preparation. The Raiders did that one better by losing to Baker Mayfield who maybe had a day and a half of preparation.
- Bears (last week #27)
A bye week means that young signal caller Justin Fields should return to the field healthy. Too bad it will be against the freight train that is the Eagles.
- Colts (last week #26)
The bye week was the first-time interim head coach Jeff Saturday had the time to really dive into this team. This should give the organization the best possible look at to what Saturday will bring to the table as a full-time head coach for 2023.
- Cardinals (last week #24)
And just like that, we can close the books on the 2022 season for the Cardinals. With the expected season ending injury to Kyler Murray, this team is done.
- Browns (last week #21)
This team looks completely different with Deshaun Watson behind center. Under Jacoby Brissett this team stayed in games and had heart. Under Watson, the offense has fallen off a cliff.
- Broncos (last week #31)
The Broncos had their silver lining game of the season. After getting flexed out of prime time, the Broncos at least put up a fight so that the final score wasn’t a total blowout.
- Texans (last week #32)
This was their chance to get another win, and they came up just short. After failing to convert a 4th and goal for the go-ahead, the Texans then subsequently gave up a 98 yard touchdown drive to lose the game in the final seconds.
