2014 Week 11
Nipping at #10's heels:
Chargers (#16), Bengals (#15), Ravens (#14)
Steelers (#13), Browns (#12), 49ers (#11)
Last Week: 12th
Best Ranking: 10th (Week 11)
The 6-3 Chiefs took a big step toward securing a playoff spot by rallying to beat one of the AFC’s other wild-card contenders. The Chiefs now have the tiebreaker against the Bills, who fell to 5-4. The Chiefs previously beat wild-card contenders from San Diego and Miami, so they’re piling up an arsenal. Next the Chiefs return to Arrowhead Stadium for Sunday’s game against the defending Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks. - Adam Teicher
9. Seattle Seahawks (6-3)
Last Week: 11th
Best Ranking: 1st (Week 6, 5, 4, 2, 1, Post-Draft)
The Seahawks improved to 6-3 on a day when they set a franchise record with 350 yards rushing. Marshawn Lynch had a career-best four rushing touchdowns while running for 140 yards. Seattle now has won their past three consecutive games. The Seahawks trailed 17-14 at the half. Realistically, they were 30 minutes away from their NFC West title hopes being over considering the brutal six-game stretch coming up. But the defense held the Giants scoreless in the second half. Next the Seahawks travel to play the Chiefs (6-3). Seattle lost the last meeting against the Chiefs 42-22 in 2010, coach Pete Carroll's first year. - Terry Blount
8. Dallas Cowboys (7-3)
Last Week: 8th
Best Ranking: 2nd (Week 8)
One could say the most important part of the win was the fact that Tony Romo made it out of the game healthy, but in reality, ending their two-game losing streak as even more crucial for the Cowboys. It was imperative the Cowboys get to 7-3 at the bye week with four of their final six games on the road. The Cowboys did what they should have done against a bad team and they were helped by their opponent, too. At 7-3, the Cowboys are one win from equaling their win total in each of the past three seasons. Perhaps this 8-8 ride is over. - Todd Archer
6. Green Bay Packers (6-3)
Last Week: 7th
Best Ranking: 6th (Week 11, 9, 8, 3, 1)
Unfortunately for the Packers, a total domination of a division rival - a 55-14 drubbing of the Chicago Bears (3-6) - doesn't count double in the NFC North standings. Nevertheless, the victory might be just what the second-place Packers (6-3) need to run down the Detroit Lions (7-2), who still lead the division by one game. The Packers still have three of their next four games and four of the last seven to finish the regular season at home, where they are unbeaten this season and where they will play the Lions in Week 17 in a game that could be for the division title. For now, the Packers will surely take some degree of satisfaction in putting up the third-most points in a game in franchise history. - Rob Demovsky
4. Detroit Lions (7-2)
Last Week: 4th
Best Ranking: 4th (Week 11, 10)
If it happens once, it might be luck. Twice? Curious. But three straight come-from-behind wins in the final two minutes for the Lions? Well, that happened Sunday against the Dolphins, pushing the Lions to a 7-2 record. This gives Detroit four straight wins and an immense amount of confidence heading into the toughest three-game stretch of the season for the Lions: games at Arizona and New England followed by a short week to prepare for one of their biggest rivals, the Chicago Bears. This is a Lions team clearly playing with confidence and the belief that they can win any game in any situation right now after comeback wins over New Orleans, Atlanta and now Miami. - Michael Rothstein
2. Denver Broncos (7-2)
Last Week: 2nd
Best Ranking: 1st (Week 9, 8, 7, 3)
For almost two quarters the Broncos looked as if the hangover from the loss to the New England Patriots was still in the offensive huddle. Peyton Manning threw two early interceptions, had at least four passes batted at the line of scrimmage to go with an intentional grounding penalty. The Broncos hung in with defense and finally kick-started things with a 51-yard catch-and-run touchdown from running back C.J. Anderson. Denver closed the first half with two touchdowns in the last 2:44 before halftime and won going away, pulling several starters when the fourth quarter started, to keep a grip on first place in the AFC West. - Jeff Legwold
Last Week: 8th
Best Ranking: 2nd (Week 8)
One could say the most important part of the win was the fact that Tony Romo made it out of the game healthy, but in reality, ending their two-game losing streak as even more crucial for the Cowboys. It was imperative the Cowboys get to 7-3 at the bye week with four of their final six games on the road. The Cowboys did what they should have done against a bad team and they were helped by their opponent, too. At 7-3, the Cowboys are one win from equaling their win total in each of the past three seasons. Perhaps this 8-8 ride is over. - Todd Archer
7. Indianapolis Colts (6-3)
Last Week: 6th
Best Ranking: 3rd (Week 8)
Yes, the Colts play in the AFC South, the worst division in the league. But they've also shut out the Cincinnati Bengals and beat the Baltimore Ravens. Most importantly, the Colts are winning the games they're expected to win. That's why they're on their way to winning the division for the second straight season. Exiting their bye week, the Colts will be fine offensively as long as Luck continues to take the snaps at quarterback. But Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger proved that an elite quarterback can find their defensive flaws and pick them apart. The defense needs to continue to improve because it'll likely need to get by at least one of the premier quarterbacks in the AFC to get to the Super Bowl. - Mike WellsLast Week: 7th
Best Ranking: 6th (Week 11, 9, 8, 3, 1)
Unfortunately for the Packers, a total domination of a division rival - a 55-14 drubbing of the Chicago Bears (3-6) - doesn't count double in the NFC North standings. Nevertheless, the victory might be just what the second-place Packers (6-3) need to run down the Detroit Lions (7-2), who still lead the division by one game. The Packers still have three of their next four games and four of the last seven to finish the regular season at home, where they are unbeaten this season and where they will play the Lions in Week 17 in a game that could be for the division title. For now, the Packers will surely take some degree of satisfaction in putting up the third-most points in a game in franchise history. - Rob Demovsky
5. Philadelphia Eagles (7-2)
Last Week: 5th
Best Ranking: 4th (Week 8, 4, 3)
More than anything, this win means the Eagles will not fall apart without starting quarterback Nick Foles. Mark Sanchez had good and not-so-good moments in the game, but the rest of the team played at as high a level as it has since Chip Kelly has been the coach. Darren Sproles returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown. Cornerback Bradley Fletcher returned an interception 34 yards for another score. The Eagles’ defense caused four turnovers and sacked Carolina’s Cam Newton nine times -- five in the first half. This was not a team that looked concerned about losing its starting quarterback. It looked like a team capable of competing with anyone in the NFC. - Phil SheridanLast Week: 4th
Best Ranking: 4th (Week 11, 10)
If it happens once, it might be luck. Twice? Curious. But three straight come-from-behind wins in the final two minutes for the Lions? Well, that happened Sunday against the Dolphins, pushing the Lions to a 7-2 record. This gives Detroit four straight wins and an immense amount of confidence heading into the toughest three-game stretch of the season for the Lions: games at Arizona and New England followed by a short week to prepare for one of their biggest rivals, the Chicago Bears. This is a Lions team clearly playing with confidence and the belief that they can win any game in any situation right now after comeback wins over New Orleans, Atlanta and now Miami. - Michael Rothstein
3. Arizona Cardinals (8-1)
Last Week: 3rd
Best Ranking: 3rd (Week 11, 10, 9)
Sunday’s win was an example of everything that’s made this team 8-1 and everything that could limit the Cardinals from making a deep run into January. The defense continued to establish itself as the bedrock for the franchise, coming away with two interceptions – one returned for a touchdown – and a scoop-and-score just in the fourth quarter alone. The final 15 minutes have been when the Cardinals step up the most. But it was in the third quarter when Arizona’s chances of playing in late January took a hit when quarterback Carson Palmer went down with a left knee injury early in the fourth quarter. - Josh WeinfussLast Week: 2nd
Best Ranking: 1st (Week 9, 8, 7, 3)
For almost two quarters the Broncos looked as if the hangover from the loss to the New England Patriots was still in the offensive huddle. Peyton Manning threw two early interceptions, had at least four passes batted at the line of scrimmage to go with an intentional grounding penalty. The Broncos hung in with defense and finally kick-started things with a 51-yard catch-and-run touchdown from running back C.J. Anderson. Denver closed the first half with two touchdowns in the last 2:44 before halftime and won going away, pulling several starters when the fourth quarter started, to keep a grip on first place in the AFC West. - Jeff Legwold
1. New England Patriots (7-2)
Last Week: 1st
Best Ranking: 1st (Week 11, 10)
The Patriots exit their bye on a high note as their 7-2 record is the best in the AFC, a dramatic turnaround from a 2-2 start that had many doubting them. What has changed? A lot of things, including the offensive line coming together, tight end Rob Gronkowski's return to form, cornerback Brandon Browner's return from suspension, quarterback Tom Brady's excellence at keeping plays alive with this season's new nimbleness, Brandon LaFell's emergence as a top receiver against man coverage, and a few smart trades for defensive players Akeem Ayers and Jonathan Casillas to add depth on defense and special teams. - Mike Reiss
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