NFL Week 15 Power Rankings by Dave Shepard

1 (1) Indianapolis Colts (13-0)

They once again proved why they're head and shoulders above the rest of the teams in the league, executing the Jacksonville Jaguars. The score was much closer than it should've been, and this week the Colts have an opportunity to essentially eliminate San Diego from playoff competition.

2 (2) Seattle Seahawks (11-2)

They absolutely handled the 49ers, winning 41-3, as was expected. They are slowly getting closer to home-field advantage, and a win this week against the Tennessee Titans will go a long way towards getting that privilege.

3 (4) Cincinnati Bengals (10-3)

They struggled against the Browns, but winning is all that matters, and the win gives the Bengals a firm grasp on the AFC North division, as they have a two game lead over the Pittsburgh Steelers. This week's game against Detroit should give them the division championship, and with some help they could get the first-round bye.

4 (6) Denver Broncos (10-3)

The Ravens put up a heck of a fight, and Denver probably should've lost that game. The Broncos can't afford too many lackluster performances like that one, or they won't get the coveted first-round bye.

5 (7) Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4)

They only move up because a lot of the other top teams lost, and once Byron Leftwich comes back this team could be dangerous. However, if they continue to take needless penalties like they did on Sunday against the Colts, they won't go very far in the playoffs.

6 (3) San Diego Chargers (8-5)

They don't have to worry about winning the division now - they're going to need a lot of help just to make the playoffs. This loss to the Miami Dolphins might be the game they look back on and think about what could've been.

7 (11) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-4)

I'm not entirely convinced that they have what it takes to be considered a serious contender this year, but the Bucs did show something against the Panthers. They can be physical if they want to be. A similar performance this week against the Patriots may give the Bucs the momentum to win the NFC South.

8 (5) Carolina Panthers (9-4)

Out muscled and out worked by the Tampa Bay Bucs as they lost in a game that would've given them a great shot at clinching the NFC South. Now they have a slight breather against the New Orleans Saints, although the Saints did beat them earlier in the season.

9 (9) New York Giants (9-4)

Jay Feely finally came through for the Giants, and that's a good thing as they were able to keep their one game lead in the NFC East, and a shot at home-field advantage. Kansas City won't go down without a fight though, and it'll be interesting to see if the Giants can match their intensity.

10 (12) Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5)

The Steelers needed some serious help to get back in the playoff race, and they got it - courtesy of a loss by both the Chiefs and the Chargers. However, with their weak in-conference record the Steelers are going to need a small miracle to make the playoffs.

11 (10) Dallas Cowboys (8-5)

It took a lot, but they were able to slip past the Chiefs and remain in the NFC playoff race. This week they have Washington, but the Redskins aren't just going to roll over, not against a division rival.

12 (8) Chicago Bears (9-4)

I've said before that I'd be scared to see what would happen to the Bears if the opposition got an early lead, and Pittsburgh proved why. Going against popular opinion, I'd seriously consider putting in Rex Grossman, despite all the wins Kyle Orton has gotten. Why? Because this team isn't winning because of Orton, they're winning in spite of Orton.

13 (14) Atlanta Falcons (8-5)

They're going to have a tough time catching both Tampa Bay and Carolina, but the win over the Saints shows there are still signs of life coming out of Atlanta. Chicago may give them some problems though, but if Mike Vick can break loose, Atlanta could still make the playoffs.

14 (13) Kansas City Chiefs (8-5)

A very tough loss against the Dallas Cowboys, especially considering they had the chance to take sole possession of the last wild-card spot. Now they're in trouble, as Pittsburgh and San Diego are both still in the race.

15 (18) New England Patriots (8-5)

I'm a little hesitant to say that the Patriots are back, based on the strength of their competition. They'll have a chance to prove they're back this week against the Tampa Bay Bucs, and it should be a heck of a game. Home-field advantage might just put the Patriots over the top.

16 (15) Miami Dolphins (6-7)

They did a lot better this year than most people thought they would (myself included), but ultimately they're going to fall just short of their goal. They put a serious hurt on San Diego's playoff chances, and that's got to feel good to the Dolphins.

17 (17) Minnesota Vikings (8-5)

Can they catch the Bears and steal the division? That would be truly amazing, despite the inevitable first round playoff loss. They just have to keep pace with Chicago, and then beat them in the last game of the season - which very well could decide a playoff spot.

18 (16) Washington Redskins (7-6)

It'll take one heck of a miracle, but the Redskins are still in the playoff race. Beating Arizona by 4 points isn't particularly impressive, but they have a chance to redeem themselves this week against the Dallas Cowboys.

19 (20) Cleveland Browns (4-9)

They're mathematically eliminated from playoff competition, but they're not playing with it. They pushed the Bengals to the limit, and should be able to get a victory over the equally weak Raiders.

20 (24) Baltimore Ravens (4-9)

They were able to push the Broncos to the end of their rope, and probably should've won the game. Now they have the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night - you don't get many opportunities for a win that are better than that.

21 (21) Arizona Cardinals (4-9)

They kept up with the Redskins until the end of the game, and now they have a game against Houston - the team that seems like it's trying to lose. Arizona could very well continue to move up this week.

22 (25) Philadelphia Eagles (5-8)

For the first time in a while the Eagles won't have a winning season, but it won't be because of a lack of effort - they didn't let the Giants destroy them, as many expected. This week they get to play another NFC has-been powerhouse - the St. Louis Rams.

23 (27) Tennessee Titans (4-9)

They won, or did the Texans purposely lose? It sure seemed like it - that last kick wasn't anywhere near the upright. This week they're against the Seattle Seahawks - a team that's not trying to lose.

24 (22) Oakland Raiders (4-9)

They lost to the New York Jets, and they'll have a chance for back to back disappointing losses as they face the Cleveland Browns this week. Yep, Randy Moss is just what this team needed to make the playoffs.

25 (19) Buffalo Bills (4-9)

They got obliterated by an underachieving New England team, so just what do you think the Broncos are going to do to them?

26 (28) Green Bay Packers (3-10)

They did it! They did it! They won a game! It took overtime against Detroit, but they won a game! Now they have to play the Baltimore Ravens, a team that's almost as bad as Detroit. Can they make it back to back wins? Is it possible?

27 (26) New Orleans Saints (3-10)

This was the season that everything went wrong. They had a hurricane, got moved all around the country, played home games in New York, and have to play in one of the toughest divisions in football. Ouch.

28 (30) New York Jets (3-10)

Sure the win feels good now, but how are they going to feel when they watch Reggie Bush cut through defenses for the next 10 years? I don't advocate losing on purpose, but there are times when you question the point of winning...

29 (23) Detroit Lions (4-9)

For the entire season the Lions have been able to look at Green Bay and laugh, saying "at least we're not THAT team". No, you sure aren't... you're the team who loses to "THAT team".

30 (29) St. Louis Rams (5-8)

How sad is it that this poor excuse for a team is second in their division? No wonder the Seahawks are doing so well. The Rams didn't even show up to play the Vikings, and you have to wonder if they'll play this week against the Eagles.

31 (31) San Francisco 49ers (2-11)

They were praying for the Texans to beat the Titans, but they didn't come true. At least the 49ers held up their end of the bargain, losing by 38 to the Seahawks. Were they trying to lose, or were they just that bad?

32 (32) Houston Texans (1-12)

Reggie Bush - that kick was for you. Missing a 31 yard kick, and not just missing it, missing it by around 31 yards, you've got to try to do that. The Texans did everything but run backwards and kneel down in their end zone.

Check back for the Week 16 Power Rankings.

David Shepherd is a Freelance Editor/Writer and writes for Trevrogers.com.