2014 Week 16
Nipping at #10's heels:
Texans (#16), Chiefs (#15), Chargers (#14)
Bills (#13), Bengals (#12), Cardinals (#11)
Last Week: 12th
Best Ranking: 9th (Week 10)
The Steelers finally took care of business against an NFC South team, and at just the right time, as their first victory in Atlanta since 1996 kept them in control of their own destiny in the AFC North. If the Steelers win their final two games, they will win their division and receive no worse than a No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs. The Steelers made it more interesting than it needed to be after opening up leads of 13 and then 14 points. But the defense made enough stops and put a touchdown on the scoreboard... The Steelers play their last two regular-season games at home, first hosting the Kansas City Chiefs, then the Cincinnati Bengals. - Scott Brown
9. Baltimore Ravens (9-5)
Last Week: 10th
Best Ranking: 8th (Week 5)
The Ravens remain a half game back of the first-place Cincinnati Bengals (who have to play the Broncos and Steelers in the final two weeks) and are tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers for second place. It was an ugly game and a tougher one than expected against the lowly Jaguars. Behind a dominant pass rush, the Ravens were able to overcome mistakes on special teams and another slow start to win for the fourth time in five games. With a San Diego Chargers loss to the Denver Broncos, the Ravens move into the No. 6 seed in the AFC. The Ravens will next visit the Houston Texans, then host the Cleveland Browns to conclude the regular season. - Jamison Hensley
Last Week: 6th
Best Ranking: 4th (Week 8, 4, 3)
With home losses to Seattle and now to Dallas, the Eagles fell from 9-3 as a playoff leader to 9-5 and on the verge of missing the playoffs altogether. Their secondary was shredded by Dez Bryant and turnovers, including two interceptions, proved costly. Scoring 38 points (only Green Bay with 53 has scored more on the Eagles this season), Dallas demonstrated the Eagles simply cannot beat playoff caliber teams. Next the Eagles travel to play the Washington Redskins, then the New York Giants. With wins in those games, the Eagles would finish 11-5 and give themselves a chance for a playoff berth. A loss in either game would likely knock the Eagles out of the playoff picture. - Phil Sheridan
7. Dallas Cowboys (10-4)
Last Week: 9th
Best Ranking: 2nd (Week 8)
Dallas is in first place in the NFC East and could be in position to earn a first-round bye or even home-field advantage, which is an amazing feat considering the expectations at the start of the season. And amazing again after the 33-10 whipping the Eagles put on them on Thanksgiving. The Cowboys are now 7-0 on the road for the first time since 2007 and just the third time in franchise history. They have also reached double digits in wins for the first time since 2009, which is also the last time they made the playoffs. The margin for error, however, remains slim as the Cowboys close out the season hosting the Indianapolis Colts, then traveling to the Washington Redskins. - Todd Archer
Last Week: 7th
Best Ranking: 3rd (Week 8)
The Colts continued their domination in the AFC South by winning the division for the second straight season. But it’s not just about winning the division for the Colts, who have won 12 straight division games. It’s about showing they’re ready to challenge in the AFC. That’s not the case based off their performance the past few weeks. The Colts’ defense played well for the second straight week (against a team without their starting QB or star receiver), but QB Andrew Luck’s turnover problems continued. He'll look to fix those issues in the Colts' last two games against the Dallas Cowboys and the Tennessee Titans, both on the road. - Mike Wells
5. Detroit Lions (10-4)
Last Week: 5th
Best Ranking: 4th (Week 11, 10)
In a game the Lions had to win to keep their NFC North hopes alive and their wild-card chances in good shape, the Detroit defense again came through for a sputtering offense, just as it has all season long. In the first half, two interceptions set up 10 points for the Lions and were some of the best offense the team had all day. In the second half, the defense didn't allow a point and snuffed out two late Minnesota drives. If the Lions are going to have playoff success, it will be behind Detroit’s defense, which has already led them to the second-seed in the NFC. The Lions final two games are on the road against two division rivals: the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. - Michael Rothstein
Last Week: 3rd
Best Ranking: 1st (Week 9, 8, 7, 3)
For the first time in franchise history, the Broncos have won four consecutive AFC West titles. The victory also clinched the playoff spot that comes with the division title. The Broncos have just one AFC West game remaining, against the Oakland Raiders, in the regular-season finale at home. That will come after a visit to the Cincinnati Bengals in a game which could decide home-field advantage and/or a bye week in the playoffs. Tied with the New England Patriots (who own the head to head tie-breaker) for the AFC's first-seed, the Broncos will hope QB Peyton Manning can hold up through age, injury, and illness in the upcoming playoffs. - Jeff Legwold
3. Seattle Seahawks (10-4)
Last Week: 4th
Best Ranking: 1st (Week 6, 5, 4, 2, 1, Post-Draft)
The Seahawks achieved their fourth consecutive win and their seventh victory in the past eight games, beating the 49ers for the second time in 17 days and the fifth time in the past six meetings. The Seahawks will earn the NFC West title if they win their last two games, and, thanks to Green Bay's loss Sunday, they have a shot at earning home-field advantage in the NFC. A scary thought for opponents, considering the Seahawks' defense has allowed only 27 total points in the past four games. Seattle ends the season with games against two stout division rivals, the Arizona Cardinals and St. Louis Rams. - Terry Blount
Last Week: 1st
Best Ranking: 1st (Week 15, 14)
Maybe this is why home-field advantage is so important to the Packers. Their struggles on the road against a mediocre team don't bode well if they have to leave Lambeau Field in the playoffs. In fact, at 10-4, they’re not even in the playoffs yet, and with the Detroit Lions beating the Minnesota Vikings, the Packers have lost their lead in the NFC North to the Lions with just two games remaining. Now, as the NFC's sixth-seed, the Packers' future will largely be decided - at home, it should be noted - in a head-to-head match-up with the second-seed Lions. But first they'll get a warm-up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. - Rob Demovsky
1. New England Patriots (11-3)
Last Week: 2nd
Best Ranking: 1st (Week 16, 13, 12, 11, 10)
The Patriots clinch the AFC East championship for the sixth consecutive year (only three other teams have ever done so) and for the 11th time in 12 years (the only team to ever do so). They are still in the driver's seat to have a bye week and home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs if they win their remaining two games - at the New York Jets and home against the Buffalo Bills. The Patriots were shaky in the first half before exploding in the second half, with one of the key adjustments getting tight end Rob Gronkowski more involved in the attack. Among a number of records set Sunday, the Patriots' 24 points in the third quarter were a franchise high. - Mike Reiss
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