NFL Power Rankings Week 15: The NFC Opens Wide
By Dean Holden
Dec 8, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) passes the ball during the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
A week ago, it looked like the playoff situation in the NFC was pretty stable, and NFL power rankings everywhere supported that.
Seattle and Carolina were unstoppable, the Detroit Lions would win the NFC North simply because nobody else could be bothered to, Philadelphia and Dallas would play until one of them choked, and the Saints and 49ers would be the teams nobody wanted to play.
Some of that may remain true, but Seattle and Carolina have been stopped by San Francisco and New Orleans (respectively), the Eagles and Cowboys actually look like a competent fight to the finish, and the Lions refuse to slam the door on their divisional rivals. Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals won’t go away in the wildcard chase.
All told, there are 10 teams still very, very alive in the NFC playoff hunt, and very few sure things. This is when the NFL is at its best.
Also, with Seattle losing and Denver winning, we have an interesting situation with two teams at 11-2 at the top of the rankings. I am fully prepared for you to disagree with their ordering, but you’ll have to click on to do that.