Let it snow. Let it snow. Let it snow. For the second straight week, many NFL teams battled inclement weather including several games that had snow flurries. As the playoff push intensifies, the NFL power rankings become tighter with many deserving teams in the middle of the standings starting to make their push. The Packers are one of those teams and had their best game of the season by destroying the Seahawks at Lambeau Field. Seattle continues to struggle with consistency particularly on the road where all four of their losses have come. The Cowboys are 0-2 against the Giants and 11-0 against the rest of the league. New York bounced back from last week's loss in a big way with their upset of the Cowboys. Kansas City is making a statement that they are not only the best team in the AFC West but one of the best teams in the conference. While it may be the Raiders resurgence garnering the attention, the Chiefs completed their season sweep of the Raiders and find themselves tied for first in the division. Kansas City now owns the tiebreaker between the two teams because of their head-to-head record. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers are looking to their past and relying on defense to win games. Tampa Bay has won five straight games and is tied with Atlanta for the lead in the NFC South. Heavy explores all this and more in our latest NFL power rankings. Click the arrow on the right side of the above image to see the Week 14 NFL power rankings. (Getty)
No. 10 Green Bay Packers
Record: 7-6
Last Week's Ranking: Not Ranked
Last Game: Won 38-10 Over Seahawks
Outlook: The Packers routed the Seahawks in a fashion we have not seen in the Russell Wilson era. Green Bay's defense was electric and forced Wilson into throwing five interceptions. The Packers have won three straight games and appear to be peaking at just the right time. Aaron Rodgers hurt his calf during the game but was still able to be effective in the pocket. Two of their final three games are on the road as Green Bay looks to make their final playoff push. They head to Chicago in Week 15 to take on the Bears. (Getty)
No. 9 Denver Broncos
Record: 8-5
Last Week's Ranking: 6th
Last Game: Lost 13-10 to Titans
Outlook: Denver has lost three of their last five games. The Broncos are falling behind in the AFC West but find themselves in striking distance of the playoffs. Denver may have the toughest remaining schedule of any team. They take on the Patriots, Chiefs and Raiders to close out the season. The Broncos will have the benefit of hosting two of these three games. The Denver offense must improve if the Broncos hope to make the playoffs and pick up wins against a brutal schedule. (Getty)
No. 8 Detroit Lions
Record: 9-4
Last Week's Ranking: 8th
Last Game: Won 20-17 Over Bears
Outlook: It was not a pretty win, but the Lions were able to pull out the close victory over the Bears. The bigger story was the injury to Matthew Stafford's hand. According to NBC, he will be forced to wear a glove the rest of the season. The Lions chances for a postseason run will depend on how well Stafford can play through the injury. Detroit has a difficult three-game stretch to close the season. The next two weeks they go on the road to take on the Giants and Cowboys. They close out the season in the division against the Packers. (Getty)
No. 7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Record: 8-5
Last Week's Ranking: 9th
Last Game: Won 16-11 Over Saints
Outlook: The Bucs have won five straight games and are one of the hottest teams in the league. There is a glimpse of the glory days in Tampa, as it is the defense that is the story of their success. The Bucs defensive line is getting to the quarterback and creating havoc for opposing offenses. They have a difficult test against the best team in the league in Dallas on Sunday Night Football. It could be a preview of a potential playoff matchup. Tampa Bay remains tied with the Falcons for first in the NFC South. (Getty)
No. 6 Seattle Seahawks
Record: 8-4-1
Last Week's Ranking: 4th
Last Game: Lost 38-10 to Packers
Outlook: The Seahawks played their worst game in the Pete Carroll era. Seattle has a knack for keeping things close, but the Packers forced the Seahawks into too many mistakes to be in the game. Russell Wilson's five interceptions as well as the Seahawks poor pass rush played a role in Seattle laying an egg at Lambeau. The Seahawks have lost two of their last three games. All four of their losses have come on the road and bring into question a potential playoff run given the Cowboys are likely to lock up home field advantage. Seattle can get back on track soon as they have a Thursday night game against the Rams. Los Angeles won their earlier matchup and has a tendency to play the Seahawks close. (Getty)
No. 5 New York Giants
Record: 9-4
Last Week's Ranking: 7th
Last Game: Won 10-7 Over Cowboys
Outlook: The Giants own the distinction of being the only team in the NFL to defeat the Cowboys. New York has defeated Dallas in both of their matchups this season. The Giants pass rush got after Dak Prescott the entire game and was a big reason for the victory. They host a Lions team in Week 15 who they are fighting against for playoff positioning. New York will be a tough out in the playoffs. After their matchup with the Lions, they finish the regular season with two road games against the Eagles and Redskins. (Getty)
No. 4 Oakland Raiders
Record: 10-3
Last Week's Ranking: 3rd
Last Game: Lost 21-13 to Chiefs
Outlook: Oakland found themselves in an early deficit against the Chiefs and were never able to recover. It was a particularly bad day for the Raiders offense. Derek Carr was 17-of-41 for just 117 passing yards. The Oakland receivers struggled with drops throughout the game. The Raiders had won six straight games prior to their loss to the Chiefs. Two of their final three games are on the road including a Week 15 matchup against the Chargers. Given the Chiefs sweeped the Raiders this season, Oakland will have to finish with a better record to win the AFC West. (Getty)
No. 3 Kansas City Chiefs
Record: 10-3
Last Week's Ranking: 5th
Last Game: Won 21-13 Over Raiders
Outlook: The Chiefs were in control for much of the Thursday night contest against the Raiders. Kansas City's victory was big for two reasons. It brought them even with the Raiders atop the AFC West. The win also gives the Chiefs the head-to-head tiebreaker if the two teams tie at the end of the season. Kansas City was able to pull off the sweep of the Raiders this season which is difficult to do especially when it is a division rival. It was not all good news, as star linebacker Derrick Johnson appears to be out for the rest of the season after suffering an Achilles’ tear against the Raiders. (Getty)
No. 2 New England Patriots
Record: 10-2
Last Week's Ranking: 2nd
Last Game: Won 26-10 Over Rams
Outlook: The Patriots will have an opportunity to extend their three-game win streak on Monday Night Football against the Ravens. After this week's matchup, they go on the road to face the Broncos. New England was helped in the AFC race for the top seed by the Raiders loss to the Chiefs. A Patriots win would put them a game up on both the Chiefs and Raiders in the battle for home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Patriots offense will continue life after Gronk as they try to maintain their offensive attack despite missing their top weapon. (Getty)
No. 1 Dallas Cowboys
Record: 11-2
Last Week's Ranking: 1st
Last Game: Lost 10-7 to Giants
Outlook: The Dallas offense could not find its footing in East Rutherford despite their defense's best effort to keep them in the game. The Giants have handed the Cowboys their only two losses of the season. Dak Prescott had his worst NFL outing. Prescott was 17-of-37 for 165 yards, two interceptions and one touchdown. Dallas faces two difficult matchups over the next two weeks. They get another showing on Sunday Night Football against a surging Bucs team in Week 15. The following week they face the Lions who are currently the second seed in the NFC. Dallas will have their fingers crossed hoping they do not face the Giants again in the playoffs. (Getty)
NFL Power Rankings Week 14