NFL Power Rankings - Week of December 28, 2019

Outside Looking In

Eagles (8-7, Previous Ranking: Not Ranked)

Just when you thought the Eagles were done, they grit out another ugly victory and now sit one win away from the NFC East crown. After taking down Dallas, all the Eagles have to do is beat the Giants Sunday or have the Cowboys lose to the Redskins to make the NFC Playoffs and host a Wild Card game.

That’s pretty remarkable for a team without DeSean Jackson, Jordan Howard, Nelson Aghalor and a banged-up Zach Ertz on offense.

10.

Texans (10-5, Previous Ranking: 10th)

Houston will host a Wild Card game next weekend and can knock the Titans out of the playoffs by beating them this Sunday in Houston. Otherwise, the Texans can plan on getting ready for either the Bills (most likely), Titans, Steelers or Raiders.

It’ll be interesting to see if the Texans use week 17 as a bye week and rest starters, especially when wide receiver Will Fuller is already out with a groin injury.

9.

Bills (10-5, Previous Ranking: 9th)

It was all there for the taking last Saturday in Foxboro for the Bills. Yet, with a one-point fourth-quarter lead, Buffalo couldn’t step up, giving up a Patriots go-ahead score and then not being able to capitalize on a first-and-goal with two minutes left in the game for a potential tie. Buffalo’s taking that next step to compete with the best of the AFC. Now, with a Wild Card playoff game on tap for next weekend, most likely in Houston, can the Bills take another step in the right direction to win a playoff game and is quarterback Josh Allen ready to lead them there?

8.

Vikings (10-5, Previous Ranking: 6th)

Count Kirk Cousins as still winless on Monday Night Football. The Vikings quarterback now stands at 0-9 after Monday night’s 24-10 home loss to the Packers, clinching the NFC North for Green Bay. Now, Minnesota will hit the road for the playoffs as the sixth seed and a date with either the 49ers, Packers or Saints. 

Not exactly the type of outing the Vikes wanted to have at home, being dominated by a division rival as they head into the second season. Now, they’ll look to get running back Dalvin Cook healthy for that playoff game after sitting out week 15 with a shoulder injury.

7.

Seahawks (11-4, Previous Ranking: 3rd)

Ponder the state of the Seahawks. After a disastrous home loss to the Cardinals, Seattle not only lost a grip on the NFC West and a potential first-round bye, but they also lost running backs Chris Carson and CJ Propise along with offensive lineman Duane Brown.

That’s why the Seahawks drop four in our rankings this week. It’s a situation that’s left them resigning old friend Marshawn Lynch and Robert Turbin just to have a pair of running backs to play in week 17. The pressure is now squarely back on Russell Wilson to power the Seattle offense.

6.

Patriots (12-3, Previous Ranking: 8th)

Don’t count out the reigning, defending Super Bowl Champions out just yet. Just when it was chic to say the Bills would waltz into Foxboro to take out the Pats, New England rallies for an AFC East Title clinching victory. With a win Sunday against Miami, the Patriots will also clinch a coveted first-round bye in the AFC Playoffs.

Another plus for New England was seeing its once-vaunted running attack rebound for a second straight successful week – 143 yards vs. Buffalo – to take some of the pressure of Tom Brady’s shoulders. A bigger thing to keep an eye on – Julian Edelman’s health.

Already stung with knee and shoulder injuries, Edelman missed a quarter of the Bills game with a head injury and the Patriots’ offense simply can’t afford to be missing such a key cog in the engine.

5.

Chiefs (11-4, Previous Ranking: 7th)

Is it me or are the Chiefs peaking at exactly the right time this season? The past two weeks, Kansas City has barely been challenged in back-to-back wins over Denver and Chicago in which they gave up only a pair of field goals, the first time in head coach Andy Reid’s illustrious career.

Now that Terrell Suggs is aboard, expect that defense to be an even bigger threat to those challenging the Chiefs in the upcoming AFC playoffs. Don’t expect the Chargers to put up too much of a threat this week as well.

4.

49ers (12-3, Previous Ranking: 4th)

The only thing between the 49ers and the #1 seed in the NFC Playoffs is a win this Sunday night in Seattle against the suddenly ravaged Seahawks. On the other side of the coin though. Only a loss stands between he Niners and being the 5th seed and a possible trip to face a suddenly surging Eagles team in Philadelphia Wild Card Weekend. How did they get there? They run the ball and they play good defense, ranked second at both in the league.

And to think, Jimmy Garoppolo is just a year removed from a torn ACL in his knee. All this might be a bit soon for the Niners, but wouldn’t a matchup in Miami be a tasty Super Bowl treat come February?

3.

Packers (12-3, Previous Ranking: 5th)

How soon they forget? Just one year ago, the Packers were missing the playoffs, firing head coach Mike McCarthy and quarterback Aaron Rodgers just wasn’t what he used to be. Now, back in the final week of 2019, Green Bay’s using its weapons on both sides of the ball to ball to an NFC North crown. With a #1 seed in the NFC still in play this week, Rodgers would certainly take another ugly win against the Lions to ensure the path to Miami goes through Lambeau Field.

“I (Rodgers) said earlier in the season, just getting in gives you a legitimate shot, but knowing we could have two home games to get somewhere special changes the whole dynamic,” said Rodgers after Monday’s game.

2.

Saints (12-3, Previous Ranking: 2nd)

Going on the road, in the outdoors, against a desperate Titans team that needed a win, you could’ve surely counted me as one who though the Saints would struggle in Tennessee last Sunday. And for a quarter and a half, they did. But then, boom. A pair of Drew Brees to Jared Cook touchdown passes rallied the Saints to comfortable victory that sees them climb to the number two spot in our rankings.

If they can get Alvin Kamara, who totaled 110 yards and 2 touchdowns in offense against the Titans, back rolling in the run game, these Saints could be playing for another Super Bowl in Miami.

1.

Ravens (13-2, Previous Ranking: 1st)

What can be said about these Ravens that hasn’t already been said? Well, they could actually lose this week, but only because they’re resting starters like Lamar Jackson and the now-injured Mark Ingram (calf) against the Steelers.

Baltimore’s earned the #1 seed in the AFC and will now entertain all comers who challenge them. How’s this for dominating – the Ravens are still averaging over 200 yards (204.9 yards exactly) per game. That’s nearly 60 yards better than the 49ers at 145 yards per game. Should they top Pittsburgh this Sunday, they’ll ride a twelve-game winning streak into the playoffs.