We’re going to open this week’s Power Rankings with another moment dedicated to MSF Editor-in-Chief, Jerod Morris.
The Cleveland Browns get mentioned for the first time this season in a positive light today, after their win over Pittsburgh, who are now losers of six straight, and likely out of the playoffs.
So, congratulations Cleveland and, of course, Jerod.
This was the Super Bowl for the Browns, and you won.
[Editor's Note: Thank you Myles. It was quite a week for Browns fans, many of whom - like myself - are still on Cloud 9 after last Thursday's thrilling W. Thus, to make this week's Power Rankings even more of a tribute to the Browns, I have chosen a very special song to provide our Week 15 NFL Power Rankings mood music.
Click the play button below (or click here if you don't see a play button), then proceed onto Myles' personal, one-man circle jerk otherwise known as his #1 and #2 spots in the rankings.]
Now onto the teams we actually care about:
1. Indianapolis Colts  (13-0)
2. New Orleans Saints (13-0)
Both of these teams have continued their pursuit for perfection, and deserve to be at the top of the list. New Orleans squeaked by Atlanta, and Indy, as they usually do, handled Denver despite Brandon Marshall’s record setting day.
The Saints have now clinched a first round bye, and find themselves only one win (or Minny loss) from clinching home field. However, the #1 spot goes to the Colts this week for several reasons.
The Colts have now set the record for consecutive regular season wins at 22, as well as amassing 114 wins this decade, which is a new NFL record, and of course, the Colts have now secured seven straight seasons of twelve wins or more, also an NFL record.
They have also clinched home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
The question for both of these teams, especially the Colts, is when do you rest your starters? And is perfection worth risking the health of players like Peyton Manning and Drew Brees? How much can you rest them without making them rusty?
[Editor's note: Umm...what kind of a cop-out is this? You just ask questions and don't give your opinion? Lame-o...]
3. Minnesota Vikings (11-2)
The Vikes bounced back in a big way after last week’s loss with a convincing 30-10 win over the Bengals.
Adrian Peterson found the endzone twice, and the Vikings have now clinched a wild card birth at the very least, while moving only one game away from clinching the NFC North and a round one bye.
4. San Diego Chargers (10-3)
These guys just keep rolling.
While the Cowboys can’t win in December, the Chargers seemingly can’t lose in December as they win their 15th straight December game and eighth in a row this season to move into sole possession of the second seed in the AFC.
This may perhaps be the most dangerous team in the AFC right now, and with one more win, they will clinch the AFC West.
[Editor's note: I like how you didn't qualify your "most dangerous team in the AFC right now" statement with "other than the Colts", and it shows just how terrified you pansy Colts fans are of the Chargers. I think everyone in the NFL, most notably Peyton Manning, knows that San Diego has the Colts' number. Indy has been squeaking by teams that are not nearly as good as San Diego. Philip Rivers is actually good enough to pull out a late win versus Peyton.
So, in conclusion, you are right. San Diego is the most dangerous team in the AFC right now. Period.]
5. Cincinnati Bengals (9-4)
Even with the loss, the Bengals are still in good position in the AFC North with Pittsburgh’s shocking loss to Cleveland. Baltimore is still on their heels, however, at only two games back of the AFC North lead.
The bad news for Cincy is that they have now fallen a game behind San Diego for the second seed, and San Diego, with the exception of Indy and the Saints, is the hottest team in the NFL right now.
6. Green Bay Packers (9-4)
Green Bay has kept their playoff hopes very alive, and the Packers have moved closer to a wild card birth.
Ryan Grant had a career day with 137 yards by ground and two touchdowns Sunday against the Bears. While Aaron Rodgers had a relatively quiet day, with only 180 yards and no touchdown or interceptions, he continue to do a great job leading this team to what Green Bay hopes is a deep playoff run.
7. Philadelphia Eagles (9-4)
Now, the Eagles control their own destiny. With Dallas’ loss and Philly’s win against the Giants, Philly takes sole possession of the lead in the NFC East with only three games to play.
McNabb and Vick are beginning to make a tough match-up tandem for defenses as Andy Reid learns when and where to play Vick as the season proceeds. And DeSean Jackson once again has proved he is a superstar in the making, netting 178 yards and a score, which accounted for over half of the Eagles’ passing attack.
[Editor's note: How great would a Philly-Green Bay playoff matchup be? Philly's explosive offense and DJax going up against Green Bay's Charles Woodson-led secondary. Remember, Green Bay gives up a lot of passing TDs, yet the Eagles have corners who could match up with Donald Driver and Greg Jennings to make things difficult on Aaron Rodgers. I love how the Packers are playing right now, but I don't think the Eagles would present a particularly favorable matchup for them.]
8. New England Patriots (8-5)
Even with the win, controversy is surrounding New England with whispers of the ghosts of Randy Moss coming to life. Is Moss finally going off the deep end, or was it just a bad week?
The Pats must not forget that the surging Dolphins are only a game back, just looking for the chance to take over the AFC East. Can the Master bring his locker room back together and make a deep run into the playoffs?
9. Arizona Cardinals (8-5)
Arizona lost a division game to San Fran and drops to 8-5. The good news for the Cards is that they still control one of the weakest divisions in football, the NFC West.
10. Miami Dolphins (7-6)
Speaking of the Phins, here they are! Why are they above Dallas, who has a better record, you ask?
Simple.
It was posed to me earlier in the season as to why I would put a team ahead of another team when I wouldn’t pick them to win a game between the two. At this point, I would pick the Dolphins ten times out of ten to beat the Cowboys, who just can’t catch a break in December.
Miami is right in the thick of the AFC wildcard race, and only one game back of the Patriots in the AFC East.
[Editor's note: I can't disagree with you at all here. And it isn't it funny that Tony Sparano was the offensive line coach for the Cowboys just a couple of years ago. And Dallas also had a chance to hire Norv Turner. I wonder if Jerry Jones would like to have either of those guys over Phade Willips right now? I think so.]
11. Dallas Cowboys (8-5)
I don’t know if I really want to spend too much time talking about the Cowboys when I can sum up everything with one simple word:
December
However, our hopes and prayers go out to DeMarcus Ware and his family after his nasty injury on Sunday. The latest I have heard is that he is doing much better, but it was a very scary moment, as it always is, to watch the medical staff tend to him and take him off the field on a stretcher. I may not be a Cowboy’s fan, but I wish DeMarcus the best in his recovery!
[Editor's note: Luckily it looked worse than it was. Ware might even play this weekend.]
12. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-6)
Following their disappointing loss to Miami, Jacksonville finds themselves in a dog fight for the AFC Wildcard.
Jaguars QB David Garrard was sacked on fourth-and-3 with just over a minute remaining near midfield. Jacksonville still managed another possession with 17 seconds left, but Garrard was dropped again at his own 17-yard line to end the game.
Jacksonville must forget this loss and press on if they want to make the playoffs. Their next challenge is undefeated Indianapolis on Thursday night.
13. Denver Broncos (8-5)
Denver falls again to Indianapolis, and while it’s not a season ending loss, and Denver is currently leading the AFC Wild Card race, it would be very beneficial to the Broncos if they can win out.
One other big question for Denver is the health of Correl Buckhalter.
Knowshon Moreno is having a great season, but he is beginning to show signs of being tired. A strong second back will be necessary for Denver to hold on to their Wild Card lead.
14. Baltimore Ravens (7-6)
Baltimore pushed themselves back into Wild Card contention with their 48-3 destruction of the Detroit Lions.
Ray Rice has been nothing short of completely amazing for the Ravens this year, and this game was no different as he complied over 200 yards of total offense and reached the endzone once.
Don’t count the Ravens out, they may very well be the dark horse of this year’s playoffs, provided they make it there.
15. New York Giants (7-6)
The Giants fall back to the bottom of the list with their disappointing loss to the Eagles.
They aren’t out of the playoffs, but things are beginning to look bleak for 2008’s Superbowl winners, and winning out may be the only chance they have of making the playoffs.
The good news for New York is that Dallas is one of the teams they must catch up to, and it is December.
Just Missed the Cut – Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons
