The Arizona Cardinals lost on Monday night to the Los Angeles Rams, leaving a void at the top of the power rankings. The team stepping in has the MVP favorite in Tom Brady and the most lethal passing attack in the NFL. Tampa Bay is the defending Super Bowl champion and looks well-equipped to make another run.
Here are my power rankings heading into Week 15. Odds courtesy of DraftKings on Dec. 14.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-3)
Last week: 2
Week 14 result: 33-27 overtime win over the Bills
Week 15: Buccaneers (-10.5) vs. Saints
The Bucs blew a big lead and almost lost to the Bills, but were able to secure the win in overtime on a long touchdown pass from Tom Brady to Breshad Perriman. Tampa Bay has a great shot at the No. 1 seed in the NFC as it plays the Saints, Jets and the Panthers twice to end the year.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (9-4)
Last week: 4
Week 14 result: 48-9 win over the Raiders
Week 15: Chiefs (-4) at Chargers
Super Bowl odds: +500
The Bucs and Chiefs were the preseason favorites, and after some early-season turbulence, they are back atop the power rankings. Kansas City blitzed the Raiders on Sunday, and the defensive improvement certainly seems sustainable at this point.
3. New England Patriots (9-4)
Last week: 3
Week 14 result: Bye
Week 15: Patriots (+2.5) at Colts
Super Bowl odds: +750
The Patriots are currently atop the AFC standings, but have a tough road game against Indy this week. New England is slightly below Kansas City in my mind, but the Patriots certainly look like viable Super Bowl contenders.
4. Arizona Cardinals (10-3)
Last week: 1
Week 14 result: 30-23 loss to the Rams
Week 15: Cardinals (-14) at Lions
Super Bowl odds: +1000
The Cardinals lost their grip on the top seed in the NFC with the Monday night loss to Los Angeles. Arizona decidedly lost the battle in the trenches, and has to get that remedied in order to have a chance at winning the Super Bowl.
5. Green Bay Packers (10-3)
Last week: 5
Week 14 result: 45-30 win over the Bears
Week 15: Packers (-5) at Ravens
Super Bowl odds: +650
Aaron Rodgers was dominant as the Packers avoided an upset loss to the Bears with a strong offensive performance. Green Bay is now atop the NFC standings following the Cardinals’ loss, but will likely need to win out to stay there.
6. Los Angeles Rams (9-4)
Last week: 6
Week 14 result: 30-23 win over the Cardinals
Week 15: Rams (-6.5) vs. Seahawks
Super Bowl odds: +1100
This is a year's worth of highlights for most players. It's one game of work for Aaron Donald — the league's best player.
— Sosa Kremenjas (@QBsMVP) December 14, 2021
The Rams still have just an outside shot at winning the NFC West, but they kept that hope alive by upsetting the Cardinals on the road. Even if they enter the playoffs as a wild card, this team can’t be counted out. The defense has three superstars, and when Matthew Stafford is dealing like he was on Monday, Los Angeles can beat anyone.
7. Buffalo Bills (7-6)
Last week: 7
Week 14 result: 33-27 loss to the Buccaneers
Week 15: Bills (-10.5) vs. Panthers
Super Bowl odds: +1200
The Bills are only a game above .500 now, but they can still be a dangerous team come playoff time. That was on display in the second half against the Bucs, as Buffalo nearly rallied for the win.
8. Dallas Cowboys (9-4)
Last week: 8
Week 14 result: 27-20 win over Washington
Week 15: Cowboys (-10) at Giants
Super Bowl odds: +1200
The Cowboys jumped out to a big lead on Washington and then held on for the win, ending any NFC East drama before it began. Dallas isn’t generally spoken about with the Big Three in the conference but has the talent to compete.
9. Los Angeles Chargers (8-5)
Last week: 10
Week 14 result: 37-21 win over the Giants
Week 15: Chargers (+4) vs. Chiefs
Super Bowl odds: +2500
The Chargers have been playing well lately and have a chance to leapfrog the Chiefs for the AFC West lead with a head-to-head win on Thursday. It won’t be easy, but they aren’t huge underdogs. Los Angeles is trending toward a playoff berth either way.
10. San Francisco 49ers (7-6)
Last week: 12
Week 14 result: 26-23 overtime win over the Bengals
Week 15: 49ers (-9.5) vs. Falcons
Super Bowl odds: +3500
The game winner 🤩@THE2ERA pic.twitter.com/SVjaEvxlJN
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 13, 2021
The 49ers picked up a nice road win last time out and have solidified themselves as a likely wild card entrant into the playoffs. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is playing well, and when he does that, San Francisco is tough to beat.
11. Cincinnati Bengals (7-6)
Last week: 11
Week 14 result: 26-23 overtime loss to the 49ers
Week 15: Bengals (+2) at Broncos
Super Bowl odds: +3500
Cincy missed out on a golden chance to catch Baltimore in the divisional race, but more opportunity could await. The Bengals have looked like a playoff team all season and now need to finish hot to guarantee a spot.
12. Baltimore Ravens (8-5)
Last week: 9
Week 14 result: 24-22 loss to the Browns
Week 15: Ravens (+5) vs. Packers
Super Bowl odds: +3500
The Ravens are fading fast, and now superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson is dealing with an ankle injury that knocked him from the loss to Cleveland. Baltimore has another tough game on tap against the Packers and is in danger of falling outside of the playoff picture if the struggles continue.
13. Indianapolis Colts (7-6)
Last week: 13
Week 13 result: Bye
Week 14: Colts (-2.5) vs. Patriots
Super Bowl odds: +2500
The Colts are picking up steam and can really turn some heads with a win over New England. Somewhat surprisingly, Indy is a slight favorite.
14. Tennessee Titans (9-4)
Last week: 14
Week 14 result: 20-0 win over the Jaguars
Week 15: Titans (-2) at Steelers
Super Bowl odds: +2000
The Titans have an easy schedule down the stretch and running back Derrick Henry is expected back before the playoffs. Tennessee isn’t the best team in the AFC but should have an optimal enough setup to be a tough out.
15. Cleveland Browns (7-6)
Last week: 16
Week 14 result: 24-22 win over the Ravens
Week 15: Browns (-4) at Raiders
Super Bowl odds: +3500
The Browns picked up a much-needed win over the Ravens on Sunday, but are now dealing with a COVID outbreak. Something to watch, for sure.
16. Denver Broncos (7-6)
Last week: 18
Week 14 result: 38-10 win over the Lions
Week 15: Broncos (-2) vs. Bengals
Super Bowl odds: +10000
Denver has kept itself in the playoff picture and now has a humongous showdown with the Bengals this weekend. The Broncos are slight home favorites and need to win to gain ground for an AFC wild card.
17. Minnesota Vikings (6-7)
Last week: 17
Week 14 result: 29-27 loss to the Lions
Week 15: Vikings (-3) vs. Steelers
Super Bowl odds: +10000
The Vikings made things interesting at the end once again but picked up a much-needed win over the Steelers last week. Minnesota is among five 6-7 teams in contention for the last NFC playoff spot.
18. Philadelphia Eagles (6-7)
Last week: 16
Week 14 result: Bye
Week 15: Eagles (-5) vs. Washington
Super Bowl odds: +10000
The Eagles can surpass Washington in the wild card standings with a head-to-head win this week. It’s a muddled mess in the NFC and Philly has to win these type of games to have a shot at the No. 7 seed.
19. New Orleans Saints (6-7)
Last week: 20
Week 14 result: 30-9 win over Jets
Week 15: Saints (+10.5) at Buccaneers
Super Bowl odds: +20000
Sean Payton on Alvin Kamara returning to the lineup….
"There is an element of confidence that he brings with him and that carries over to the offense." #Saints— Rod Walker (@RodWalkerNola) December 13, 2021
The Saints kept pace last week with a win over New York but will be significant underdogs against Tampa Bay. New Orleans has easier games in its final three but a loss here would make it tough to fight back and claim a playoff berth.
20. Las Vegas Raiders (6-7)
Last week: 19
Week 14 result: 48-9 loss to the Chiefs
Week 15: Raiders (+3.5) at Browns
Super Bowl odds: +20000
The Raiders didn’t show up in their loss to Kansas City, and may have kissed their playoff hopes goodbye.
21. Washington Football Team (6-7)
Last week: 21
Week 14 result: 27-20 loss to the Cowboys
Week 15: Washington (+5) at Eagles
Super Bowl odds: +20000
As expected, Washington did not fare very well against the Cowboys. WFT is still clinging to the final playoff spot in the NFC but look for the Eagles to knock them from that perch.
22. Miami Dolphins (6-7)
Last week: 23
Week 13 result: Bye
Week 14: Dolphins (-8.5)
Super Bowl odds: +25000
Miami’s string of easy games continues this week against the Jets. The Dolphins can remain on the periphery of the AFC wild card hunt with a win.
23. Seattle Seahawks (5-8)
Last week: 24
Week 14 result: 33-13 win over the Texans
Week 15: Seahawks (+6.5) at Rams
Super Bowl odds: +20000
Seattle took care of business against Houston and has a slim chance of making the postseason, but needs to upset the Rams on the road this week to keep that dream alive.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6-1)
Last week: 24
Week 14 result: 36-28 loss to the Vikings
Week 15: Steelers (+2) vs. Titans
Super Bowl odds: +20000
The Steelers have been more lucky than good this season, and will need to find a way to knock off Tennessee in order to hang around in the AFC playoff chase for another week.
25. Atlanta Falcons (6-7)
Last week: 28
Week 14 result: 29-21 win over the Panthers
Week 15: Falcons (+9.5) at 49ers
Super Bowl odds: +50000
Somehow, some way, Atlanta is only a game below .500 on the season and still in the mix for the final NFC playoff spot. The Falcons will need to pull off a big upset this weekend to keep pace.
26. Carolina Panthers (5-8)
Last week: 25
Week 14 result: 29-21 loss to the Falcons
Week 15: Panthers (+10.5) at Bills
Super Bowl odds: +100000
What a disastrous season in Charlotte. The Panthers made two ill-advised quarterback moves and have fired their offensive coordinator, taking the steam out of a once-promising rebuild.
27. Chicago Bears (4-9)
Last week: 26
Week 14 result: 45-30 loss to the Packers
Week 15: at Bears (+3.5) vs. Vikings
Super Bowl odds: +100000
Jakeem Grant is fun. That is all.
28. New York Giants (4-9)
Last week: 27
Week 14 result: 37-21 loss to the Chargers
Week 15: Giants (+10.5) vs. Cowboys
Super Bowl odds: +100000
The Giants got smoked by the Chargers last week and might get smoked by the Cowboys this week.
29. Detroit Lions (1-11-1)
Week 14 result: 38-10 loss to the Broncos
Week 15: Lions (+14) vs. Cardinals
Super Bowl odds: N/A
Detroit got its win over the Vikings. Now it’s back to misery.
30. Houston Texans (2-11)
Last week: 31
Week 14 result: 33-13 loss to the Seahawks
Week 15: Texans (+3.5) at Jaguars
The Texans were mildly competitive against the Seahawks. Good enough to move up a spot in the powerless portion of the power rankings.
31. New York Jets (3-10)
Last week: 30
Week 14 result: 30-9 loss to the Saints
Week 15: Jets (+8.5) at Dolphins
Super Bowl odds: N/A
Not much to be excited about in New York. It’s surprising that the Jets have managed to win three games this year.
32. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-11)
Last week: 31
Week 14 result: 20-0 loss to the Titans
Week 15: Jaguars (-3.5) vs. Texans
Super Bowl odds: N/A
Another week, another report of Urban Meyer being an awful fit as coach of the Jaguars. Only intrigue left in the season: Will he get fired?
