2013 Week 14
December. The month that matters. Every game counts. Playoff hopes hang in the balance. This is why we watch football.
Short sentences aside, this truly is an exciting time of the year in the NFL. There are an astounding number of teams still in the race for Wild Card spots, and even division titles. I even consider the #10 spot in my rankings to be a bit of a three-way tie, with the edge going to the Colts for having been in the Top 10 before (unlike the Cowboys) - and getting as far as #1 for a week - and having won this past week (unlike the Cardinals). The Bengals continue to win games, due in large part to their running game and despite the shaky play of their quarterback. The Eagles, despite losing the tie-breaker to the Cowboys for first place in the NFC East, have started to look like one of the most well-rounded teams in football (get excited for their rematch against the 'Boys in the very last week of the regular season).
The sliding Chiefs have a chance to reverse their momentum with upcoming games against Washington and the Raiders. And then there is the enigma that is the Saints. They're a better team than we saw in Monday's ugly loss to the Seahawks, but twice in the next three weeks they will play a Panthers team that often looks a lot like the 'Hawks: "a physical, stifling defense, a power run game and a mobile dual-threat quarterback" (Mike Triplett). So where do all these teams, along with the 49ers, Seahawks, Panthers, Broncos, and Patriots, rank? Let's get to it; hike!
Nipping at #10's heels: The Cardinals and Cowboys
Last Week: --
Top Rankings: 1st (Week 9)
9. Cincinnati Bengals (8-4)
Last Week: 8th
Last Week: 10th
Top Rankings: 8th (Week 14)
7. Kansas City Chiefs (9-3)
Last Week: 7th
Last Week: 4th
Top Rankings: 2nd (Week 6)
5. San Francisco 49ers (8-4)
Last Week: 5th
"The 49ers strengthened their hold on the sixth and final spot in the NFC playoffs and improved their record to 8-4... The 49ers dominated, and it was their seventh victory of the season by double digits... Next, the 49ers host bitter NFC West rival Seattle. The Seahawks have a stranglehold on the NFC West, but this game is important for the 49ers, who have been blown out in the past two games against Seattle. Not only do the 49ers need to compile wins, but they also have to send the Seahawks a message in case they meet in the postseason." - Bill Williamson
4. Carolina Panthers (9-3)
Last Week: 6th
Top Rankings: 4th (Week 14)
(I pretty much consider the 49ers and the Panthers tied, so I gave the Panthers the edge to get my friend Kyle off my back.) "The Sunday night showdown with the New Orleans Saints for the NFC South lead is now a reality. The Panthers won a franchise-record eighth straight game, improving to 9-3... This Sunday will be the first of two games between Carolina and New Orleans during a three-week stretch that likely will decide the division and possibly a first-round playoff bye. That the Panthers were able to defeat Tampa, which had won three straight, with such a workmanlike performance shows their focus." - David Newton
The "next-man-up" mantra is still putting Wins on the board and there was great play this week from tight end Gronkowski and kicker Gostkowski, but Sunday "wasn't the Patriots' best effort. After two prime-time games against top teams, they played down to the level of their competition against the two-win Texans in a natural letdown-type situation. They'll take the win after making the plays in critical situations, but they know they'll need to play better in the weeks to come, even as they improve to 9-3 and keep pace in the overall AFC playoff race." - Mike Reiss
Top Rankings: 4th (Week 14)
(I pretty much consider the 49ers and the Panthers tied, so I gave the Panthers the edge to get my friend Kyle off my back.) "The Sunday night showdown with the New Orleans Saints for the NFC South lead is now a reality. The Panthers won a franchise-record eighth straight game, improving to 9-3... This Sunday will be the first of two games between Carolina and New Orleans during a three-week stretch that likely will decide the division and possibly a first-round playoff bye. That the Panthers were able to defeat Tampa, which had won three straight, with such a workmanlike performance shows their focus." - David Newton
3. New England Patriots (9-3)
Last Week: 2nd
Top Rankings: 1st (Pre-Free Agency)
The "next-man-up" mantra is still putting Wins on the board and there was great play this week from tight end Gronkowski and kicker Gostkowski, but Sunday "wasn't the Patriots' best effort. After two prime-time games against top teams, they played down to the level of their competition against the two-win Texans in a natural letdown-type situation. They'll take the win after making the plays in critical situations, but they know they'll need to play better in the weeks to come, even as they improve to 9-3 and keep pace in the overall AFC playoff race." - Mike Reiss
2. Denver Broncos (10-2)
Last Week: 3rd
Top Rankings: 1st (Week 5, 6, 7, 12)
"With another remember-when day from Peyton Manning, the Broncos put themselves squarely on the inside lane for the AFC West title, with a one-game lead and a season sweep of the Chiefs. The Broncos sit at 10-2 and don’t play a team with a winning record the rest of the way (Tennessee, San Diego, Houston and Oakland)." - Jeff Legwold
The Seattle Seahawks have now surpassed the Broncos for the most weeks in the #1 slot. And for good reason. "The arguments are over. The debates have ended. The Seahawks made a statement Monday night. The message was loud and proud. They are the best of the best.They have won a franchise record 14 in a row at home. Seattle has won 17 of its past 19 games overall, dating to last year and including the playoffs, and the two losses were on the road by a total of eight points. Monday night was the Seahawks' best performance of the year. For now, the road to the Super Bowl goes through Seattle. That should make every potential playoff opponent cringe." - Terry Blount
Last Week: 3rd
Top Rankings: 1st (Week 5, 6, 7, 12)
"With another remember-when day from Peyton Manning, the Broncos put themselves squarely on the inside lane for the AFC West title, with a one-game lead and a season sweep of the Chiefs. The Broncos sit at 10-2 and don’t play a team with a winning record the rest of the way (Tennessee, San Diego, Houston and Oakland)." - Jeff Legwold
1. Seattle Seahawks (11-1)
Last Week: 1st
The Seattle Seahawks have now surpassed the Broncos for the most weeks in the #1 slot. And for good reason. "The arguments are over. The debates have ended. The Seahawks made a statement Monday night. The message was loud and proud. They are the best of the best.They have won a franchise record 14 in a row at home. Seattle has won 17 of its past 19 games overall, dating to last year and including the playoffs, and the two losses were on the road by a total of eight points. Monday night was the Seahawks' best performance of the year. For now, the road to the Super Bowl goes through Seattle. That should make every potential playoff opponent cringe." - Terry Blount
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