Week 15 NFL power rankings: 49ers, Ravens at the very top after clutch wins
By Peter Panacy
NFL power rankings, Nos. 20-11
. 5-8. Previous: . Los Angeles Chargers. 20. team. 13
W, 45-10 @ Jaguars
The Chargers may be eliminated from playoff contention and quarterback Philip Rivers might have struggled as of late. But it certainly didn’t look that way on the road in Jacksonville, as Rivers tossed three touchdowns en route to a one-sided win on his 38th birthday.
How many more birthdays will the veteran enjoy in Los Angeles?
6-7. Previous: . Dallas Cowboys. 19. team. 123.
L, 31-24 @ Bears
The NFC East is terrible, and the fact the Cowboys are still in the playoffs as division leaders despite the sub-.500 record is telling.
Their Thursday Night Football loss is yet another mark against head coach Jason Garrett, and it will be a total shock if he’s still employed by owner Jerry Jones in 2020.
Notable fall in our NFL power rankings for this scuffling Dallas squad.
Previous: . Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 18. team. 48. . 6-7
W, 38-35 vs. Colts
Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston was very Winston-like in Week 14, tossing four touchdowns against three interceptions.
But the bigger story is Tampa Bay putting a massive dent in the Colts’ playoff hopes, which are falling apart at the wrong time. Meanwhile, the Bucs have won three in a row.
17. team. 46. . 6-7. Previous: . Indianapolis Colts
L, 38-35 @ Buccaneers
Speaking of those Colts, losing in Week 14 was a huge disappointment, especially considering the Titans are starting to run away with the AFC South.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett was good, but Indianapolis’ defense couldn’t keep Winston from tossing for 456 yards despite picking him off three times.
That late missed field goal hurt, too.
28. . 6-7. Previous: . Las Vegas Raiders. 16. team
L, 42-21 vs. Titans
Man, the Raiders have fallen on hard times the past few weeks. After a tie game with the Titans at halftime, Oakland completely fell apart in the second half and watched its chance to steal the AFC West slip away with the loss.
The Raiders miss running back Josh Jacobs, who is dealing with a fractured shoulder, and his team is now lost three in a row, falling in our NFL power rankings as a result.
53. . 6-7. Previous: . Cleveland Browns. 15. team
W, 27-19 vs. Bengals
OK, so the Browns don’t get any style points for beating the lowly Bengals. And quarterback Baker Mayfield’s postgame comments about his training staff and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.’s injury sure were weird.
Beckham reportedly wants out of Cleveland, according to Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer, and he’s a pretty good insider. For now, though, the Browns keep their dim playoff hopes alive with this much-needed win, climbing a bit in our NFL power rankings as a result.
57. . 7-6. Previous: . Chicago Bears. 14. team
W, 31-24 vs. Cowboys
Speaking of NFL power rankings climbers, it was refreshing to see the Bears pull off a home win on Thursday Night Football over the scuffling Cowboys.
And someone must have told quarterback Mitchell Trubisky he’s on the hot seat, too, as he went off for three touchdowns through the air and another on the ground. It might not be enough to save his job under center, but it certainly didn’t hurt.
13. team. 55. . 8-5. Previous: . Pittsburgh Steelers
W, 23-17 @ Cardinals
It’s crazy to think the Steelers are still in this thing, holding onto the No. 6 seed in the AFC after beating the Cardinals on the road. Defenders Joe Haden and T.J. Watt each had crucial interceptions, while Devlin Hodges did enough to pull off the victory.
Pittsburgh will try to keep that hold against the Bills in Week 15.
Previous: . Houston Texans. 12. team. 10. . 8-5
L, 38-24 vs. Broncos
This should have been a walk-in win for the Texans, who couldn’t afford to lose in Week 14 with the Titans playing so well as of late. Alas, Houston proved its colors again, being up so high one week, only to drop in embarrassing fashion the week after.
The Titans still hold the division lead in the AFC South, but they fall significantly in our NFL power rankings.
Previous: . Los Angeles Rams. 11. team. 51. . 8-5
W, 28-12 vs. Seahawks
Like so many NFC teams, the Rams needed a win to ensure their playoff hopes stayed in OK shape, and that’s exactly what head coach Sean McVay’s squad did against the Seahawks on Sunday Night Football. Tight end Tyler Higbee went off for Los Angeles, and the Rams defense did more than enough to frustrate Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.
L.A. is still on the outside, looking in for the postseason picture. But at least the Rams stay alive to fight another week.