NFL 2013 Power Rankings – Week 15

32. Houston Texans (2-12) (32) – Losers of 11 straight, the coachless Texans aren’t even putting up a fight. They’re clearly in offseason mode with two games left to play.Next game: vs Denver Broncos

31. Oakland Raiders (4-10) (31) – The Raiders clearly have some work to do. At times they look like they belong with almost anyone. Other times, especially this weekend, they come out and have a lackluster performance and throw four interceptions, which is a shame because I think Dennis Allen can coach. He just doesn’t have the tools. Next game: @ San Diego Chargers

30. Tennessee Titans (5-9) (28) – The Titans look to be moving on without their quarterback, coach or running back next season, which means they’re going to be just as bad or worse. In a way, I give them credit for realizing that whats happening now isn’t working so its time to blow it up and start over. Next game: @ Jacksonville Jaguars 

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-10) (27) – They lost to a good team, a playoff team. You can’t fault them for that. They hung in there as best as they could. Maybe Schiano keeps his job based on the past six weeks. Next game: @ St Louis Rams

28. Atlanta Falcons (4-10) (30) – Despite Matt Ryan giving me next to nothing in fantasy points against a terrible Washington defense, the Falcons won this game. I almost with they had won just so that the Falcons could feel the same sting that I felt as I watched Matt Ryan do as little as possible, but it wouldn’t have mattered because this team is in the toilet anyway and now they have a primetime game next week? Can we flex out ofMonday Night Football? Next game: @ San Francisco 49ers (MNF)

27. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-10) (25) – The Jags have been a fun team to watch since starting out without a loss for the first half of the season and even though they lost to Buffalo, they haven’t laid down. Once they have some talent down there for Gus Bradley, they might be something to watch. Next game: vs Tennessee Titans

26. Washington Redskins (3-11) (24) – What bothered me the most about this game against the Falcons is that Alfred Morris finally gets enough touches to make an impact and he fumbles the ball twice. It was almost like they needed someone to be the fall guy since RG was shut down for the season. Kirk Cousins played well and should demand a trade if he keeps it up. Next game: vs Dallas Cowboys

25. Minnesota Vikings (4-9-1) (29) – The Vikings announced that Leslie Frazier and Josh Freeman (among others) would not be returning next season. Then they went out and hung 48 points on the Eagles without their best player. Maybe they should announce to cut everyone more often. Next game: @ Cincinnati Bengals

24. Buffalo Bills (4-10) (26) – How about FSU quarterbacks this weekend? First Famous Jameis wins the Heisman, then EJ Manuel goes out and plays great against the Jags. Did Chris Rix sell a car too? Next game: vs Miami Dolphins

23. Cleveland Browns (5-9) (23) – Jason Campbell can only do so much before people start to realize he’s Jason Campbell. The defense did what it could against a very good Chicago Bears offense. Josh Gordon did Josh Gordon things, even though it came really late. Next game: @ New York Jets

22. St Louis Rams (6-8) (22) – The Rams are winning on multiple fronts these days. They’re going to get the Redskins first round pick, they already have a very good defense and now they’ve beaten a top four NFC team. I like what this team is doing. All they need is a quarterback and a plan that doesn’t involve giving Zac Stacy the ball 45 times a game. Next game: vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

21. New York Giants (5-9) (19) – I totally agree with Lawrence Taylor about Tom Coughlin. He’s done all he can do for this team. Its been over 10 years and they may have tuned him out. They guy can coach but this group of players isn’t holding up their end of the bargain. Even Antrel Rolle said it. He can only do so much. He can’t coach heart. Next game: @ Detroit Lions

20. New York Jets (6-8) (18) – I think all the Jets problems can be solved with Sheldon Richardson. He’s playing like the Defensive Rookie of the Year, he’s looking like he’ll be an All-Pro defensive tackle in his career and he even lines up in the jumbo package on offense to score touchdowns. Might as well let him play quarterback too. With the Ravens Monday Night Football win, the Jets are officially eliminated from playoff contention. Better luck next year, Gang Green. Next game: vs Cleveland Browns

19. San Diego Chargers (7-7) (21) – I hope AFC contenders are paying attention. This Chargers team is hot and they’re not going anywhere without a fight. They went into Denver, a hostile environment, and played a flawless game. If they can play as well as they did in Denver going forward, this is going to be a tough and confident team to beat.Next game: vs Oakland Raiders 

18. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-8) (20) – I regret not starting Ben Roethlisberger in fantasy. I had a gut feeling and went against it. It wouldn’t have made much difference because no one else on my team showed up. Give them credit though, they beat a tough legitimate playoff team. Next game: @ Green Bay Packers

17. Philadelphia Eagles (8-6) (16) – The Eagles missed a golden opportunity to create some separation n the NFC East. They’re still in the lead and have a favorable schedule going forward but allowing 48 points to teams like the Vikings (sans AP) isn’t going to help their cause. They couldn’t stop Matt Cassel. That statement alone is a cause for concern. Next game: vs Chicago Bears (SNF)

16. Cincinnati Bengals (9-5) (15) – Speaking of golden opportunities missed, the Bengals totally let the Patriots off the hook. Win a win, they’d be tied for the 2nd seed. Luckily for them, the Pats schedule isn’t very easy so the Bengals can jump up to get that first round bye and home field advantage. Next game: vs Minnesota Vikings 

15. Miami Dolphins (8-6) (17) – My official “Atta Boy” Award goes to the Fins for taking care of business against an injured Patriots team. Are the Patriots playing without five of their best players? Absolutely. But the Dolphins did what they had to do and now they’ve got a shot to get into the playoffs as a six seed with a favorable schedule. Next game: @ Buffalo Bills

14. Detroit Lions (7-7) (13) – The Lions should be ashamed of themselves and Jim Schwartz should be fired. This team is too talented to be 7-7 and in danger of missing the playoffs. Next game: vs New York Giants

13. Green Bay Packers (7-6-1) (14) – When the schedule comes out, I’m sure teams around the league check to see if they play the Cowboys in December because Dallas in December is almost guaranteed a win. Had the Packers lost this game, they might have let Rodgers sit out the rest of the season but now that they’re still fighting for a playoff spot, Rodgers is definitely going to play. Next game: vs Pittsburgh Steelers

12. New Orleans Saints (10-4) (7) – The Saints didn’t need to play a perfect game to beat the Rams but they were far from perfect and it resulted in a loss. They couldn’t stop the run, they couldn’t run the ball and Drew Brees threw two interceptions that led to touchdowns. They’re going to have to step it up if they want to be relevant come playoff time. Next game: @ Carolina Panthers

11. Dallas Cowboys (7-7) (9) – There are a few guarantees in life. Death, taxes and the Cowboys losing in December. I don’t know what it is, but the Cowboys can’t seem to find a way to win when it gets cold. How could the Cowboys squander a 26-3 lead to a team led by Matt Flynn? At the end of the day, you can blame Tony Romo all you want, he’s not out there playing defense. The Cowboys defense blamed and fired Rob Ryan and was supposed to be better, but they let Matt Flynn shred them for four touchdowns.Next game: @ Washington Redskins

10. Chicago Bears (8-6) (12) – I hope the Bears make the playoffs. This is a fun team to watch. Alshon Jeffrey is a monster, Josh McCown is having a resurgent career and Marc Trestman is looking like a Coach of the Year candidate. They can light it up whenever they want. Next game: @ Philadelphia Eagles

9. Arizona Cardinals (9-5) (11) – The Cards played a good offensive game. Carson Palmer didn’t turn the ball over, Ellington and Mendenhall ran efficiently and the defense turned Tennessee over three times. They’re hanging around in the NFC playoff race and could make things fun in the next two weeks. Next game: @ Seattle Seahawks

8. Indianapolis Colts (9-5) (10) – They played the Texans. That is all. Next game: @ Kansas City Chiefs

7. Baltimore Ravens (8-6) (8) – If you listened this week to Keeping It Real Sports, you heard me talk about the Ravens and their “AHA” moment. This time last year, they converted a 4th and 18 play late against the Chargers and they used that momentum to carry them to the Super Bowl. Last week, the Ravens won a game with four seconds to play. Maybe this is all they need to rally them to another Super Bowl. They’re certainly one of the hottest teams in football right now. Next game: vs New England Patriots

6. New England Patriots (10-4) (3) – The Pats can only do so much without five of their best players injured. The Dolphins did whatever they could to make Brady uncomfortable and take away his weapons…which is why Shane Vereen gave me next to nothing in fantasy. Next game: @ Baltimore Ravens

5. Kansas City Chiefs (11-3) (6) – When you can run the ball like they can and defend like they can, you should beat the Raiders. They also gave up 31 points so who knows?Next game: vs Indianapolis Colts

4. Carolina Panthers (10-4) (5) – The Panthers probably could have won by more. It didn’t seem like they had really unleashed their offense on the Jets. Then again, give credit to the Jets defense. They rushed for 131 yards on 36 carries and only one touchdown. The defense, however, gave up 157 yards rushing on 28 carries and a big touchdown to Sheldon Richardson. I think the Panthers will be fine and they have a big game coming up next week. Next game: vs New Orleans Saints

3. Denver Broncos (11-3) (1) – The Broncos only lost because the Chargers had to play as perfect a game as they could. The defense couldn’t stop Ryan Mathews and Phillip Rivers was damn near flawless. You also see what this team looks like without Wes Welker. Welker keeps defenses honest. The Broncos better get themselves in gear before the playoffs or else they’ll be upset by one of these hot teams. Next game: @ Houston Texans

2. San Francisco 49ers (10-4) (2) – The 49ers are going to be a tough team as we approach the playoffs. Colin Kaepernick is playing better than he was earlier this season, Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree are complementing each other and the defense is doing what they do best. Don’t be shocked if they make a run. Next game: vs Atlanta Falcons (MNF)

1. Seattle Seahawks (12-2) (4) – They played the Giants. That is all. Next game: vs Arizona Cardinals