NFL Power Rankings – Week 14, John Crowe

Sunday, December 13, 2020

John Crowe, Sports Contributor

 

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“May you live in interesting times.”

It’s an old English expression based on the translation of an old Chinese curse. As we finish up the final month of 2020 and month nine of the COVID-19 pandemic, we can all say that this year has been one that’s unlike any other. At times interesting yet also feeling so very cursed at the way things have played out.

The same can be said for our favorite, or not-so-favorite depending on your side of the aisle, football team from Foxboro. With a Thursday night 24-3 dud in Los Angeles against the Rams firmly in the rearview mirror, the Patriots will not finish an NFL season with double-digit wins for the first time since 2002 (9-7). They’re also trending to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2008, the year that Tom Brady blew out his knee in game one against the Chiefs. Could it be the curse of TB12 all the way from Tampa?  

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At quarterback, Cam Newton continues to show he’s both afraid to throw the ball at times and at other times, incapable of throwing a short, successful pass completion. Yet, through it all, head coach Bill Belichick continues to make things interesting by not wavering on who his quarterback is moving forward.

"Yeah, great question, really glad you asked that. Cam (Newton)'s our quarterback," said Belichick in response to ESPN’s Mike Reiss’ question on who would start next week at Miami, according to the team’s website.

Poor Jarrett Stidham. He can’t even get near a sniff at a start these days.

So, no, New England at 6-7 is nowhere near our Power Rankings this week. But things are getting very interesting throughout the rest of the league with just four weeks left in the regular season.  Time to cue the top 10!

Best of Rest: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5, Last week: ranked Best of Rest)

By not playing, the Bucs keep pace in the NFC playoff chase. Plus, they got to rest and tweak that offense that’s been beset with turnover troubles the past few weeks. With the hard part of the schedule over and one with, the Bucs host Minnesota, play Atlanta home-and-home and travel to Detroit in the final four games. On paper, that's a four-game win streak heading into the playoffs. On the field, we'll have to wait and see if Tom Brady and friends still have the January magic.

10. Indianapolis Colts (8-4, Last week: ranked Best of Rest)

It is the giving the season and Indy is thankful that Deshaun Watson handed them a fumble in the red zone last Sunday as Houston was moving in on the upset. Moving forward, the Colts get a chance to put a crimp in the Raiders postseason this Sunday in Las Vegas. After that, the Colts should be good as they sandwich home games against the Texans and Jaguars around a visit to Pittsburgh in week 16. A return to the playoffs is looking good in Indianapolis.

9. Seattle Seahawks (8-4, Last week: ranked 5th)

The free-fall continues in Seattle, who had started the season 5-0. Russell Wilson struggled again, getting upset by the Giants 17-12 and backup QB Colt McCoy (106 yards passing) at home to drop the Seahawks out of first place in the NFC West. If Wilson can't regain his early season charm, Seattle could be on the outside looking in when it comes to January football.

8. Miami Dolphins (8-4, Last week: ranked 8th)

With Tua or without Tua Tagovailoa, the Dolphins face the iron of their schedule over the next four weeks as Miami tries to hold on to the AFC Wild Card. Gone are the patsies of the Jets and Bengals as Miami hosts Kansas City and the Patriots before closing things out in Las Vegas and Buffalo. You could say the playoffs start now for Brian Flores' team.

7. Los Angeles Rams (9-4*, Last week: ranked 10th, * - already won in week 14)

Five days. Two wins. One revenge win against the Patriots. That’s a mighty successful week for the LA Rams. Winning on the road against the Cardinals Sunday was made all the sweeter with a Thursday night domination over New England, 24-3. The Rams, behind Cam Akers 171 yards, absolutely owned the Pats and now have a firm grasp on first place in the NFC West. To the victors go the spoils too as they have 10 days before hosting the winless Jets in week 15 before heading to Seattle for a rematch with the Seahawks in week 16 that could cement a division title.

6. Cleveland Browns (9-3, Last week: ranked 9th)

Holy Baker Mayfield! Just when you thought the Browns and Titans would be in a battle on the ground with Nick Chubb & Kareem Hunt vs. Derrick Henry, Mayfield throws 4 touchdowns in the first half in Tennessee to absolutely take out the Titans before halftime. So much for those who said the Browns could only run the ball behind the NFL's 2nd ranked rushing offense.

5. Green Bay Packers (9-3, Last week: ranked 6th)

Christmas continues to come early for the Packers. Last week, they got to host and roast the Eagles. This Sunday, they take on the Lions, who despite a last-second victory over the Bears, shouldn't pose too much of a threat to Green Bay as they try to catch New Orleans for the top seed in the NFC. Trap games and looking too far ahead are on head coach Matt LaFleur’s list of things NOT to do in December.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-1, Last week: ranked 2nd)

We told you last week that the Steelers were off their rhythm. Playing for the second time in six days, Pittsburgh proved it by losing a 14-0 lead and the game to a Washington team that came into Heinz Field with a 4-7 record. Losing now could benefit the Steelers as the wake-up call they needed to right the ship. Or it could send them spiraling. Unfortunately for them, that ship travels to troubled waters in Buffalo Sunday night against the AFC East leading Bills.

3. Buffalo Bills (9-3, Last week: ranked 4th)

Buffalo is climbing the charts with a bullet. A maturing Josh Allen, an unstoppable Stefon Diggs and now a defense that's figuring things out make the Bills more than just a passing fancy in the AFC. Sunday night in primetime, they'll take on an angry Steelers team coming of their first loss.

2. New Orleans Saints (10-2, Last week: ranked 3rd)

QB Drew Brees is eligible to come off the injured list (ribs) this week. He won’t play and New Orleans should give him as much rest as needed. Why you might ask? The Saints, now 8-0 over the past two seasons without Brees, travel to Philly to take on QB Jalen Hurts, who’s making his first NFL start.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (11-1, Last week: ranked 1st)

Let's just say that the 22-16 victory over Denver Sunday night wasn't their best effort. Yet, at no point did we think the Chiefs would lose. That's the mark of a very good team and one that just could repeat as Super Bowl Champions. This week, it's a road trip to Miami to take on the dynamic Dolphins. That will definitely be more of a challenge for Kansas City, who’s banking on a return trip to Florida for the Super Bowl in Tampa in February.

Last week:
Best of Rest: Colts, Buccaneers
10. Rams
9. Browns
8. Dolphins
7. Titans
6. Packers
5. Seahawks
4. Bills
3. Saints
2. Steelers
1. Chiefs

 

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