2013 Week 15
Da da, da-da da da. Da da, da-da da da... You get it. It's the final countdown towards the end of the season and games are never more important. Never more important is the health of players for that matter, something to discuss when talking about the Patriots below. The Colts are out of the Top 10 following their embarrassing loss on Sunday. Not sure if we'll see them back in the Power Rankings this year. A team we might see are da Bears, coming off an impressive win against the Cowboys. If the Cardinals struggle, Chicago might make a return to the list. But what about the teams in the Top 10: the Cardinals, Broncos, Bengals, Seahawks, Chiefs, 49ers, Eagles, Saints, Patriots, and Panthers; how did they rank? Let's get to it; hike!
Nipping at #10's heels: The Colts and Bears
Last Week: --
Top Ranking: 9th (Week 13)
It's hard to tell [what the Cardinals' win over the Rams means]. The Rams played badly enough that it almost didn't matter how well the Cardinals performed. However, the defense is getting better each game and manhandled the Rams at the line of scrimmage, especially in pressuring quarterback Kellen Clemens... For being questionable, quarterback Carson Palmer sure didn't look like he had an injured throwing elbow. He threw for 269 yards and one touchdown but he kept the passes relatively short, hitting Larry Fitzgerald for 96 yards on 12 passes. The week of rest looked to have helped Palmer" (Josh Weinfuss).
9. Cincinnati Bengals (9-4)
Last Week: 9th
The Bengal's biggest problem this season has been Andy Dalton, but "the Bengals quarterback turned in his best performance since Halloween, when he threw for 338 yards in an overtime loss at Miami. While he didn't break the 300-yard mark Sunday, Dalton's 275 still were the most he has thrown since the Dolphins game. He also didn't throw an interception, marking the first time in six games that he hasn't been picked off. This was only the third game all season that he had without throwing an interception. Dalton also looked sharp. Often during the game, he put passes precisely where they needed to be. He zipped the ball into soft zones in coverage that were caught and led receivers just far enough on others. Marvin Jones' diving first-half touchdown reception was the product of being led to just right spot by Dalton" (Coley Harvey).
8. Kansas City Chiefs (10-3)
Last Week: 7thTop Ranking: 1st (Week 8, 10, 11)
"The Chiefs got back to playing the kind of game that produced a nine-game winning streak earlier in the season, even if it was against the lowly Redskins. After getting just two sacks in the last five games, the Chiefs dragged down Washington quarterbacks Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins six times. They also scored two special teams touchdowns. The 10-3 Chiefs snapped their three-game losing streak" (Adam Teicher).
7. Philadelphia Eagles (8-5)
Last Week: 8th
Top Ranking: 7th (Week 15)
6. New England Patriots (10-3)
Last Week: 3rd
Top Ranking: 1st (Pre-Free Agency)
Rob Gronkowski is out for the season. Consider this: "Since his return to action on Oct. 20, Gronkowski almost single-handedly changed the Patriots' offense. The Patriots were 22nd in points per game before Gronkowski returned; they were seventh entering Sunday's game. The Patriots were 30th in red zone efficiency without Gronkowski; they were 11th entering Sunday's game. The Patriots were 19th in passing yards per game without Gronkowski; they were 10th entering Sunday's game. The Patriots were 16th in first downs per game before Gronkowski returned; they were fifth entering Sunday's game" (Mike Reiss). Add that to the fact that the Pats just cannot seem to score barely any points in the first half, and the Pats might have major problems.
"The winning streak ends at eight. That the Panthers (9-4) got a taste of what New Orleans got from the Seahawks six days ago on "Monday Night Football." Nobody should be surprised. The Saints (10-3) have been doing this to almost every team in the Superdome this season. The key for Carolina will be to bounce back next week the way New Orleans did after its 34-7 loss to Seattle. The Panthers likely need to win at least two of their three final games to get into the playoffs as a wild card. Arizona is lurking at 8-5, and the Cardinals own the tiebreaker based on a 22-6 victory over the Panthers on Oct. 6. Winning the NFC South is almost out of the question now. It would take New Orleans losing two of its final three -- including in Charlotte on Dec. 22 -- and Carolina winning out" (David Newton).
4. New Orleans Saints (10-3)
Last Week: 6th
Top Ranking: 2nd (Week 6)
"This win was about as big as it could get for the Saints. At 10-3, they’re now in great position to win the NFC South and secure the conference's No. 2 seed. Just as important, they quickly got their mojo back after a humbling loss at Seattle six nights ago. Not that there was any concern that the Saints lacked confidence. But to come out and give such a dynamic performance on both sides of the ball on a short week spoke a lot about the Saints’ ability to respond to adversity. The Saints will play at Carolina (9-4) again in two weeks. Even if they split the series, the Saints would win the tiebreaker if both teams finish 12-4. The Saints need to win any two of their final three games to clinch the NFC South (at St. Louis, at Carolina, vs. Tampa Bay)" (Mike Triplett).
"The 49ers got the stink of two bad back-to-back losses to Seattle off their minds. This was a great game, and it will serve the 49ers well heading into the postseason. They proved they could beat a good team. The 49ers were 1-4 against teams with winning records going into Sunday's game. The 49ers are now 9-4, and the Seahawks fell to 11-2. Could we see a rubber match in Seattle in January? I would be surprised if we don't... The 49ers travel to Tampa to play the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay has improved lately. It is 4-9 and 3-4 at home. The 49ers are 7-0 against teams with losing records" (Bill Williamson).
2. Seattle Seahawks (11-2)
Last Week: 1st
Top Ranking: 1st (Week 1, 3, 4, 13, 14)
"Seattle’s NFC title goals will have to wait at least one more week. The 49ers showed they can get it done, at least at home, against the best team in the league and their division rivals. This was a game the 49ers needed to win much more than the Seahawks did, and it showed... The Seahawks play their final road game of the regular season against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. A victory would give Seattle a franchise-best six road wins this season. The Seahawks hope this game is a preview of the place where they will return in six weeks for the Super Bowl" (Terry Blount).
"With the win, the Broncos, in largely throw-first mode for much of the day despite a kickoff temperature of 18 degrees, kept their hold on the top spot in both AFC West as well as the race for home-field advantage in the AFC... It always seems to come down to a kicker at some point in the postseason for any Super Bowl hopeful, and the Broncos continue to feel good about the range and accuracy of Matt Prater, even in a season when the Broncos have scored so many touchdowns. His NFL-record 64-yard field goal on the last play of the first half was his 20th made field goal of at least 50 yards in his career with the Broncos" (Jeff Legwold).
Last Week: 3rd
Top Ranking: 1st (Pre-Free Agency)
Rob Gronkowski is out for the season. Consider this: "Since his return to action on Oct. 20, Gronkowski almost single-handedly changed the Patriots' offense. The Patriots were 22nd in points per game before Gronkowski returned; they were seventh entering Sunday's game. The Patriots were 30th in red zone efficiency without Gronkowski; they were 11th entering Sunday's game. The Patriots were 19th in passing yards per game without Gronkowski; they were 10th entering Sunday's game. The Patriots were 16th in first downs per game before Gronkowski returned; they were fifth entering Sunday's game" (Mike Reiss). Add that to the fact that the Pats just cannot seem to score barely any points in the first half, and the Pats might have major problems.
5. Carolina Panthers (9-4)
Last Week: 4th
Top Ranking: 4th (Week 14)
"The winning streak ends at eight. That the Panthers (9-4) got a taste of what New Orleans got from the Seahawks six days ago on "Monday Night Football." Nobody should be surprised. The Saints (10-3) have been doing this to almost every team in the Superdome this season. The key for Carolina will be to bounce back next week the way New Orleans did after its 34-7 loss to Seattle. The Panthers likely need to win at least two of their three final games to get into the playoffs as a wild card. Arizona is lurking at 8-5, and the Cardinals own the tiebreaker based on a 22-6 victory over the Panthers on Oct. 6. Winning the NFC South is almost out of the question now. It would take New Orleans losing two of its final three -- including in Charlotte on Dec. 22 -- and Carolina winning out" (David Newton).
Last Week: 6th
Top Ranking: 2nd (Week 6)
"This win was about as big as it could get for the Saints. At 10-3, they’re now in great position to win the NFC South and secure the conference's No. 2 seed. Just as important, they quickly got their mojo back after a humbling loss at Seattle six nights ago. Not that there was any concern that the Saints lacked confidence. But to come out and give such a dynamic performance on both sides of the ball on a short week spoke a lot about the Saints’ ability to respond to adversity. The Saints will play at Carolina (9-4) again in two weeks. Even if they split the series, the Saints would win the tiebreaker if both teams finish 12-4. The Saints need to win any two of their final three games to clinch the NFC South (at St. Louis, at Carolina, vs. Tampa Bay)" (Mike Triplett).
3. San Francisco 49ers (9-4)
Last Week: 5th
"The 49ers got the stink of two bad back-to-back losses to Seattle off their minds. This was a great game, and it will serve the 49ers well heading into the postseason. They proved they could beat a good team. The 49ers were 1-4 against teams with winning records going into Sunday's game. The 49ers are now 9-4, and the Seahawks fell to 11-2. Could we see a rubber match in Seattle in January? I would be surprised if we don't... The 49ers travel to Tampa to play the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay has improved lately. It is 4-9 and 3-4 at home. The 49ers are 7-0 against teams with losing records" (Bill Williamson).
Last Week: 1st
Top Ranking: 1st (Week 1, 3, 4, 13, 14)
"Seattle’s NFC title goals will have to wait at least one more week. The 49ers showed they can get it done, at least at home, against the best team in the league and their division rivals. This was a game the 49ers needed to win much more than the Seahawks did, and it showed... The Seahawks play their final road game of the regular season against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. A victory would give Seattle a franchise-best six road wins this season. The Seahawks hope this game is a preview of the place where they will return in six weeks for the Super Bowl" (Terry Blount).
1. Denver Broncos (11-2)
Last Week: 2nd
"With the win, the Broncos, in largely throw-first mode for much of the day despite a kickoff temperature of 18 degrees, kept their hold on the top spot in both AFC West as well as the race for home-field advantage in the AFC... It always seems to come down to a kicker at some point in the postseason for any Super Bowl hopeful, and the Broncos continue to feel good about the range and accuracy of Matt Prater, even in a season when the Broncos have scored so many touchdowns. His NFL-record 64-yard field goal on the last play of the first half was his 20th made field goal of at least 50 yards in his career with the Broncos" (Jeff Legwold).
No comments:
Post a Comment