Scoreboard

Nov 26, 2014

NFL Power Rankings - December 18, 2014

The New England Patriots have climbed back to the No. 1 spot in the TSN.ca NFL Power Rankings.

Tom Brady

The New England Patriots have climbed back to the No. 1 spot in the TSN.ca NFL Power Rankings.

 

 

New England Patriots

2014 Record: 12-4

In an improved AFC East where their death grip on first place is in question for the first time in over a decade, can Bill Belichick’s men withstand the temporary loss of Tom Brady, as well as some key veterans, and claim their 12th division crown in 13 seasons?

 

PREVIEW: Patriots look to weather early storm without Brady

AFC West

Denver Broncos

2014 Record: 12-4

Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos had another disappointing end to their season last year, losing at home to the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Divisional game. Luckily for the Broncos, a 39-year-old Manning has decided to come back for an 18th season, but with the future Hall of Fame quarterback past his prime, does Denver have a shot at the Super Bowl?   

 

PREVIEW: Window set to close on Peyton, Broncos?

Green Bay Packers

This Week: 3 | Last Week: 1 | Record: 10-4

Team Stats

  • PF
    436
  • PA
    325
  • DIFF
    +111
  • YDS/GM
    383.6
  • YDSA/GM
    365.7
  • TO DIFF
    +15

Just as the Packers were starting to look unstoppable, their five-game winning streak crashed to a halt in Buffalo, with QB Aaron Rodgers flummoxed by Buffalo's defence, completing only 40.5% of his passes, his worst in any game that he's started in his career.

Key Injuries: C J.C. Tretter (knee), DT B.J. Raji (biceps).

Seattle Seahawks

This Week: 4 | Last Week: 4 | Record: 10-4

Team Stats

  • PF
    339
  • PA
    242
  • DIFF
    +97
  • YDS/GM
    361.6
  • YDSA/GM
    272.4
  • TO DIFF
    +8

The Seahawks are looking a lot like last year's championship team, winning seven of eight with increasingly impressive defensive play, surrendering a total of 27 points during their current four-game winning streak.

Key Injuries: TE Zach Miller (ankle), DT Brandon Mebane (hamstring).

Pittsburgh Steelers

2014 Record: 11-5

The Steel City was once known for putting fear in opponents with their Steel Curtain defence. Now, it's Pittsburgh's offence that takes the headlines, led by the dominant trio of Ben Roethlisberger, Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown. With others on the rise to help add even more power to offence, Pittsburgh is a serviceable defence away from being Super Bowl contenders. Can the defence improve enough to get the Steelers to Super Bowl 50?

 

PREVIEW: Steelers offence waiting to explode?

Detroit Lions

This Week: 6 | Last Week: 6 | Record: 10-4

Team Stats

  • PF
    281
  • PA
    238
  • DIFF
    +43
  • YDS/GM
    340.9
  • YDSA/GM
    300.3
  • TO DIFF
    +8

Three straight wins for the Lions lifts them to a slight lead over the Packers in the NFC South, with RB Joique Bell averaging 114.3 yards from scrimmage in those three wins. 

Key Injuries: OLB Kyle Van Noy (core), MLB Stephen Tulloch (knee), DT Nick Fairley (knee).

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens

2014 Record: 10-6

The Ravens own one of league's top passing rushing units, a franchise quarterback and a 1,000-yard running back. However, after losing Torrey Smith in the offseason, wide receiver remains a question for the possible Super Bowl contenders. Can Joe Flacco put the pieces to make the Ravens a complete team, or will offence struggle to produce with just one proven option in veteran Steve Smith Sr. 

 

PREVIEW: WR remains a question mark for Flacco, Ravens

Dallas Cowboys

This Week: 8 | Last Week: 10 | Record: 10-4

Team Stats

  • PF
    381
  • PA
    328
  • DIFF
    +53
  • YDS/GM
    377.7
  • YDSA/GM
    359.9
  • TO DIFF
    +1

The wins haven't all been easy, as the 'Boys can still surrender a lead with surprising ease, but back-to-back road wins in December has put them in the NFC East driver's seat.

Key Injuries: ILB Sean Lee (knee), OLB Justin Durant (biceps).

Indianapolis Colts

2014 Record: 11-5

The Indianapolis Colts advanced to the AFC Championship game, perhaps a little ahead of schedule for their young but talented offence, before falling victim to the New England Patriots and some perhaps slightly under-inflated footballs. The Colts return in 2015 looking to repeat their success of a year ago and hop what appears to be the last hurdle in the conference, the hated Patriots.

 

PREVIEW: Colts one hurdle away from Super Bowl

Cincinnati Bengals

2014 Record: 10-5-1

Last year, the Cincinnati Bengals became the first team in NFL history to lose four straight first-round playoff games. This season, the Bengals have an offence with more weapons than ever before, but can Andy Dalton make the most of them and save Marvin Lewis' job?

 

PREVIEW: Bengals bring balanced attack to AFC North

Philadelphia Eagles

This Week: 11 | Last Week: 5 | Record: 9-5

Team Stats

  • PF
    416
  • PA
    347
  • DIFF
    +59
  • YDS/GM
    387.6
  • YDSA/GM
    371.4
  • TO DIFF
    -8

The early success of QB Mark Sanchez has taken some hits in back-to-back losses to Seattle and Dallas, but the Eagles still have a solid shot at the playoffs so long as they can win on the road at Washington and New York (Giants). If they could get Nick Foles back from injury, all the better.

Key Injuries: C Jason Kelce (hernia), OLB Mychal Kendricks (calf), QB Nick Foles (collar bone), MLB DeMeco Ryans (Achilles).

New Orleans Saints

This Week: 12 | Last Week: 18 | Record: 6-8

Team Stats

  • PF
    323
  • PA
    318
  • DIFF
    +5
  • YDS/GM
    430.3
  • YDSA/GM
    390.5
  • TO DIFF
    -7

Uneven performance after uneven performance still has the Saints leading the NFC South. A home win against Atlanta this week would really solidify that lead, but it would be only the second two-game winning streak of the season for the Saints.

Key Injuries: FS Jairus Byrd (knee), WR Brandin Cooks (thumb),

Arizona Cardinals

This Week: 13 | Last Week: 12 | Record: 11-3

Team Stats

  • PF
    287
  • PA
    244
  • DIFF
    +43
  • YDS/GM
    321.6
  • YDSA/GM
    350.0
  • TO DIFF
    +12

The Cardinals have been the ultimate find-a-way-to-win team this season, but now that they have Ryan Lindley at quarterback, that's increasing the level of difficulty.

Key Injuries: OLB Daryl Washington (suspension), DT Darnell Dockett (knee), OLB John Abraham (concussion), DE Calais Campbell (knee), QB Carson Palmer (knee), QB Drew Stanton (knee), FS Tyrann Mathieu (thumb).

San Francisco 49ers

This Week: 14 | Last Week: 9 | Record: 7-7

Team Stats

  • PF
    251
  • PA
    285
  • DIFF
    -34
  • YDS/GM
    314.1
  • YDSA/GM
    307.1
  • TO DIFF
    +4

Scored a total of 23 points in three straight losses. Two were against Seattle, which complicates matters, but the Niners' freefall looks like it's going to result in a coaching change and the latest news on now-released DE Ray McDonald doesn't reveal even the slightest positive action on behalf of the team.

Key Injuries: DT Glenn Dorsey (bicep), RT Anthony Davis (hamstring), ILB Patrick Willis (toe), G Mike Iupati (concussion), NT Ian Williams (fibula)

Miami Dolphins

2014 Record: 8-8

This is a make-or-break year for Joe Philbin and his Miami Dolphins. Will a revamped defence led by Ndamukong Suh and a new-look offence with the improving Ryan Tannehill at the helm be enough for a return to the playoffs for the first time since 2008? 

 

PREVIEW: New-look Dolphins swimming for success

San Diego Chargers

2014 Record: 9-7

The Chargers finished with an identical 9-7 record to 2013’s squad last season, but this time around it wasn’t good enough for a spot in the playoffs. Head coach Mike McCoy was praised after the team’s fortunate playoff berth two years ago, but when those same nine wins didn’t equal a spot in the postseason last year – as they shouldn’t – McCoy was seen in a less favourable light. Norv Turner could get the Chargers’ nine wins; McCoy was brought in to take the Chargers to the next level.

 

PREVIEW: Bolts hoping for Tomlinson-like surge with Gordon aboard

AFC East

Buffalo Bills

2014 Record: 9-7

The offseason started with a gut punch in the resignation of Doug Marrone, but the Buffalo Bills head into 2015 with a brashness that isn't befitting of a team that hasn't made the playoffs since 1999. Under Rex Ryan, the team is hopeful that its new identity will result in the end of the NFL's longest playoff drought.

 

Will the uncertainty at quarterback derail what could be the team's best shot at a return to the postseason in 16 years?

 

PREVIEW: Questions at QB persist for Bills

Kansas City Chiefs

2014 Record: 9-7

For probably the third straight season, the Kansas City Chiefs were a hard team to figure out. A season that featured wins over Seattle and New England (in a blowout), and losses to Tennessee and Oakland (previously winless) resulted in a 9-7 record. For the second straight year the Chiefs battled for a wild card spot with the San Diego Chargers behind the Denver Broncos in the AFC West. Two years ago both teams snuck into the playoffs, this year the luck ran out and both were left watching the postseason.

 

PREVIEW: Added pieces could elevate Chiefs from good to great

AFC South

Houston Texans

2014 Record: 9-7

After finishing at the bottom of the league two years ago, the Houston Texans took advantage of a weak division to finish a surprising 9-7. The team enters 2015 with a similar look: a frightening defence led by JJ Watt and nothing but question marks at the quarterback position.

 

PREVIEW: Fun to watch Texans' D could be special

St. Louis Rams

This Week: 20 | Last Week: 23 | Record: 6-8

Team Stats

  • PF
    291
  • PA
    297
  • DIFF
    -6
  • YDS/GM
    314.5
  • YDSA/GM
    339.9
  • TO DIFF
    +2

Still lots of questions about the offence, but the Rams' D is legit, allowing a total of 12 points over the past three weeks.

Key Injuries: QB Sam Bradford (knee), CB Trumaine Johnson (knee), WR Brian Quick (shoulder), LT Jake Long (knee).

Cleveland Browns

2014 Record: 7-9

The media focus on the Cleveland Browns will once again be on Johnny Manziel and the quarterback situation in 2015. However, internally, the Browns are focused on their run-first offensive system to compete in the AFC North. Though the Browns may have the top secondary in the division, their pass rush could hold them back from becoming a shutdown unit.

 

PREVIEW: Eyes on the QB, but Browns' focus is on the run

New York Giants

This Week: 22 | Last Week: 26 | Record: 5-9

Team Stats

  • PF
    317
  • PA
    339
  • DIFF
    -22
  • YDS/GM
    346.9
  • YDSA/GM
    371.4
  • TO DIFF
    -6

It's been against Tennessee and Washington, but after a seven-game losing streak, the G-Men take wins wherever they can get them.

Key Injuries: MLB Jon Beason (foot), CB Trumaine McBride (thumb), OLB Jacquian Williams (concussion).

Minnesota Vikings

This Week: 23 | Last Week: 22 | Record: 6-8

Team Stats

  • PF
    277
  • PA
    297
  • DIFF
    -20
  • YDS/GM
    312.9
  • YDSA/GM
    339.9
  • TO DIFF
    -1

Rookie QB Tedy Bridgewater has back-to-back 300-yard passing games, pretty impressive given the unproven nature of his supporting cast on offence.

Key Injuries: RB Adrian Peterson (suspension), QB Matt Cassel (foot), RG Brandon Fusco (pectoral), RB Jerick McKinnon (back).

 

Carolina Panthers

This Week: 23 | Last Week: 27 | Record: 5-8-1

Team Stats

  • PF
    288
  • PA
    358
  • DIFF
    -70
  • YDS/GM
    345.5
  • YDSA/GM
    351.5
  • TO DIFF
    +1

Still in the hunt for a playoff spot, improbably enough given their record, and indications are that QB Cam Newton should be able to go this week, despite being involved in a car accident.

Key Injuries: DE Greg Hardy (Commissioner's List).

 

Atlanta Falcons

This Week: 25 | Last Week: 24 | Record: 5-9

Team Stats

  • PF
    348
  • PA
    369
  • DIFF
    -21
  • YDS/GM
    382.9
  • YDSA/GM
    409.9
  • TO DIFF
    +4

Competitive enough in back-to-back losses to Green Bay and Pittsburgh, but it leaves the Falcons looking up -- admittedly not very far up -- in the NFC South. If they are to have any hope, a healthy Julio Jones would go a long way.

Key Injuries: LT Sam Baker (knee), ILB Sean Weatherspoon (Achilles), WR Julio Jones (hip).

Chicago Bears

This Week: 26 | Last Week: 21 | Record: 5-9

Team Stats

  • PF
    296
  • PA
    409
  • DIFF
    -113
  • YDS/GM
    338.2
  • YDSA/GM
    382.5
  • TO DIFF
    -8

As poorly as Jay Cutler has played for the Bears, it still seems like waving a white flag when deciding to bench him in favour of Jimmy Clausen, the former Notre Dame star who hasn't started a game since 2010 and has thrown three career touchdown passes.

Key Injuries: CB Charles Tillman (triceps), DT Jay Ratliff (concussion), C Robert Garza (ankle), LT Jermon Bushrod (knee, ankle), RG Matt Slauson (chest).

 

Tennessee Titans

2014 Record: 2-14

The Tennessee Titans took over division rival Houston Texans’ spot as worst team in the league last year. The team enters 2015 with more than a few roster holes still to deal with, but at least there is hope at the quarterback position in Marcus Mariota. The concern this year, however, is if Mariota will be left hanging to dry by the lack of talent around him.

 

PREVIEW: Mariota could be left hanging while Titans' rebuild

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

This Week: 28 | Last Week: 29 | Record: 2-12

Team Stats

  • PF
    254
  • PA
    367
  • DIFF
    -113
  • YDS/GM
    305.9
  • YDSA/GM
    366.7
  • TO DIFF
    -10

Seven of Tampa Bay's losses have been by six points or less, so a few bounces might make them better than a two-win team, but it takes a lot of bounces to get better from two wins.

Key Injuries: QB Josh McCown (thumb), FS Dashon Goldson (ankle), LT Anthony Collins (foot), CB Alterraun Verner (hamstring).

Washington Redskins

This Week: 29 | Last Week: 25 | Record:3-11

Team Stats

  • PF
    257
  • PA
    370
  • DIFF
    -113
  • YDS/GM
    358.6
  • YDSA/GM
    338.9
  • TO DIFF
    -9

It's something to behold, seeing a head coach slam his quarterback the way Jay Gruden has Robert Griffin III. RGIII has had problems, to be sure, but this has spiralled downward in a hurry.

Key Injuries: CB DeAngelo Hall (Achilles), CB Tracy Porter (hamstring), OLB Brian Orakpo (pectoral), OLB Adam Hayward (knee).

Oakland Raiders

2014 Record: 3-13

The Oakland Raiders finished with a 3-13 record last year after losing their first 10 games, fired head coach Dennis Allen midway through the season, and didn't retain interim coach Tony Sparano; and yet there was still plenty of optimism coming out of the Bay Area last year. Most of that stems from the promise shown by rookie quarterback Derek Carr.

 

Despite seemingly being forbidden to throw farther than 10 yards downfield, Carr showed he possesses a lot what makes a good QB. And fans are ready for a winner after years of Terrelle Pryor, Matt Flynn, a disinterested Carson Palmer, Jason Campbell, JaMarcus Russell … I could go on.

 

PREVIEW: Raiders need to turn last year's promise into something real
New York Jets

This Week: 31 | Last Week: 31 | Record: 3-11

The culture of the New York Jets takes a 180 with the reserved Todd Bowles taking over from the brash Rex Ryan. Can a new mindset and the return of Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie make up for another year of uncertainty at quarterback?

 

PREVIEW: Problems at pivot could drag down Jets

Jacksonville Jaguars

2014 Record: 3-13

The Jacksonville Jaguars maintained their spot in the basement of the NFL standings, finishing 3-13 a year after a 4-12 finish, which came a year after a 2-14 record. The Jaguars enter the season with some hope on offence, banking on Blake Bortles and the team’s young receiving corps growing together, but there is little expectation the team eclipses the four- or five-win mark.

 

PREVIEW: Jaguars giving Bortles tools to succeed

 

Follow Scott Cullen on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen and e-mail him at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca.