TVA Week 15 NFL Power Rankings

Dec 8, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; A yard marker covered with snow prior to the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Detroit Lions at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

For the first time, The Viking Age will be doing Power Rankings. If you’re not familiar with how Power Rankings work, what they do is rank the teams in the order of how good they are. Enough with the fluff though, let’s get to the rankings!

Dec 8, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) runs the ball against the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter at Candlestick Park. The 49ers defeated the Seahawks 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Seattle Seahawks (11-2): Despite a loss to San Francisco last week, the Seahawks are the best team in the NFL. They have that combination of bruising defense and blistering offense that should scare the tar out of any team that they play against.

Denver Broncos (11-2): Any time you have a team with Peyton Manning, you know they’re going to be pretty good, but this Broncos team is much more than just Peyton’s plaything.

Dec 8, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of a game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Panthers 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans Saints (10-3): The Saints came into the game against the Carolina Panthers expecting to struggle immensely against one of the NFL’s top defenses. Instead, the Saints took them apart and showed why they’re the best team in their division.

Kansas City Chiefs (10-3): The Chiefs are winning games with a great pass rush and an efficient offense. When you don’t turn the ball over and are able to take the ball away, that makes you a darned good football team.

Dec 8, 2013; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) signals for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of New England

New England Patriots (10-3): The Patriots may have won a barn-burner on Sunday, but they lost one of their most dynamic offensive weapons in Rob Gronkowski to torn ACL and MCL.

San Francisco 49ers (9-4): When you can beat the team that I have considered to be the best in the NFL, then that definitely makes them the best team with their division. Sadly, if the 49ers have to play in Seattle in the playoffs, they will most likely be out.

Dec 8, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) runs with the ball in the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. New Orleans defeated the Panthers 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

Carolina Panthers (9-4): The Panthers have one of the best defenses in the NFL, but you wouldn’t know it from watching the game against the Saints. They still could be a very scary team in the playoffs that has the potential to beat anyone.

Cincinnati Bengals (9-4): Andy Dalton looked great against the the Colts pressure, which is something he’s been criticized for in the past. The Bengals defense did their part too, of course.

Dec 8, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy (25) carries the ball during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Lions 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Eagles (8-5): LeSean McCoy is the NFL’s leading rusher after a MASSIVE performance of 217 rushing yards last week put him into the Eagles’ record books. If only Foles could have had a good game to compliment him.

Arizona Cardinals (8-5): Arizona’s run defense is underrated and they just lost their rookie cornerback, Tyrann Mathieu, for the season. It’s hard to believe this is the same team as last year since they’re fighting for a wild card spot.

Dec 8, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) runs with the ball after a catch against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter action at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey G. Pittenger-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Lions (7-6): This team just has too much explosiveness on the offensive side of the ball not to be taken seriously. Defensively, they boast a beastly defensive line, but other than that, the Lions are a beatable team that looks to win the division.

Indianapolis Colts (8-5): Andrew Luck has shown himself to be a franchise quarterback. With the defense giving up so many points the last several weeks, they’ll need him to score as often as possible.

Oct 20, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Mike Wallace (11) prior to a game against the Buffalo Bills at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Dolphins (7-6): The Dolphins are a team that I’m kind of confused by. They are quietly putting together a squad that is competing for a wild card spot in the playoffs. Even if they don’t get in this year, this is an exciting young team to watch.

Chicago Bears (7-6): Josh McCown is looking like Jay Cutler even though Cutler is out. He’s got very talented players around him, including emerging mega-star Alshon Jeffery.

Dec 9, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) on the sidelines during the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Dallas Cowboys (7-6): Will Tony Romo ever lead this team to glory? I have my doubts, but at least he’s giving this team a chance to find out this year. The Cowboys are hot on the Eagles’ heels in the division race.

Baltimore Ravens (7-6): They didn’t have a good game against a struggling Vikings team in the snow, but they have a lot of pieces to the puzzle. Whether or not Flacco is an “elite” quarterback is definitely still up for debate.

Nov 24, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; A Green Bay Packers fan holds up a sign supporting Aaron Rodgers (not pictured) during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. The Vikings and Packers tied 26-26. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Green Bay Packers (6-6-1): Somehow, the Packers are still in the race for the division without Aaron Rodgers. This team has dealt with a ton of injuries and if they do make the playoffs with a healthy squad, they could be scary.

San Diego Chargers (6-7): Philip Rivers has a new weapon in Keenan Allen and is turning up the heat just in time for the end of the season. Will it be enough for them to take a Wild Card spot?

Dec 8, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) throws a pass while under pressure from Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Vance Walker (98) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

New York Jets (6-7): Geno Smith has 23 turnovers on the year and the Jets should be a better team than this. The fact that this team is a playoff contender is kind of a joke at this point of the season.

St. Louis Rams (5-8): Their defense is the main reason why this team is rated as highly as they are. The Rams are another team that is dealing with issues at the quarterback position that are seeing their trade with the Redskins for RG3 paying dividends this year.

Dec 8, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) reacts on the field against the Miami Dolphins during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Miami Dolphins won 34-28. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh Steelers (5-8): It’s hard to believe this team dropped off so quickly. They have too much talent and are too well coached to be a 5 win team. It’s too late to turn it around this year, but there’s always next year, right?

Tennessee Titans (5-8): The Titans defense is failing to get pressure on quarterbacks and have no idea who their quarterback or head coach will be next year. At least they have a lot of young players to evaluate from here on out.

Dec 8, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) on the field for pre-game warm up before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

New York Giants (5-8): Eli Manning may be “elite”, but this team isn’t. The Giants GM has stated that everyone is “on notice”. Should make for an interesting offseason for the Giants.

Jacksonville Jaguars (4-9): I always joke about this team, but they have one heck of a defense. They are really just an offense away from being a contending team. But until they get the pieces together, they will be continual cellar dwellers.

Nov 24, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon (12) makes a catch ahead of Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor (24) during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Browns (4-9): I was wrong about Josh Gordon. He’s a beast. They need pieces around him though. The Browns have a couple first round draft picks coming up thanks to the Trent Richardson trade, so at least they can get better quickly.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-9): Tampa has won four of their last five, but that could be all they end up with this year. They end the season against the 49ers, Saints, and Rams. Not a good sign for a team that wants to be taken seriously.

Dec 8, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback EJ Manuel (3) drops back to throw the ball during the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Buffalo Bills (4-9): They can’t run the ball and they’re turning the ball over too much. Rookie QB E.J. Manuel is having some growing pains, but does look to have some potential going forward.

Oakland Raiders (4-9): What is there to say about the Oakland Raiders. They are a team that is consistently at the bottom of the league and doesn’t really look to be getting any better. They haven’t had a winning record since 2002.

Dec 1, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) looks on during overtime against the Chicago Bears at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Bears 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Vikings (3-9-1): Things are looking good for the future of the Vikings with so many young players doing so well. Sadly, things are looking awful for the present with the TERRIBLE defense and questionable decisions from the coaching staff.

Washington Redskins (3-10): RG3 doesn’t look like the RG3 of last year. Despite that, the Redskins shouldn’t be as bad as they are. With him getting the headlines, it’s the Redskins defense that deserves the heaviest criticism.

Dec 8, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive end Mike Neal (96) knocks the ball away from Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 22-21. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Falcons (3-10): Is Julio Jones really that important to Matt Ryan? If so, does Ryan really deserve the money that he was paid? The talent is there, but the production isn’t. At least they’ll have a top draft pick, right?

Houston Texans (2-11): The Texans will be looking for a lot of help this offseason. Although they lost Arian Foster and benched Matt Schaub, fans in Houston should still be VERY disappointed with what they are seeing from their team this year.

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