Sporting Joe NFL Power Poll: Week 14

Despite the unmitigated disaster that was Sunday’s 41-10 loss in the Superdome to Carolina, the Saints still possess the inside track to win the putrid NFC South.  No team from the NFC South deserves a spot in the Power Poll but playoff races merit discussion.  Currently, Atlanta is the division leader but they face a stiff road test against Pittsburgh.  If the Falcons tumble the Saints, who square off with an odious Chicago squad, are in position to ascend to the pole position.  That would set up a Week 16 showdown in the Superdome against Atlanta for the division title.  Of course, the Saints, who had won twenty straight home games under Sean Payton, have now dropped four straight in the dome.  Now it is time to turn away from the NFC South and unveil the best the NFL has to offer.  

1)      Green Bay- The Bills in Buffalo are trickier than in years past.  Plus, Kyle Orton is no stranger to facing Green Bay.

         

2)      New England- The most interesting story line from Sunday night’s game may be this nugget from Bill Belichick.

          

3)      Seattle- This is a truly scary team.  The only roadblock facing Seattle is a potential showdown on the road against Green Bay.

4)      Denver- This may be beating a dead Bronco but yet again, the running game keyed Denver’s success.  On a day when Peyton Manning appeared mortal, 14-20 for 173 yards and two interceptions, the ground game delivered ten first downs (compared to the three passing first downs) and three touchdowns.

5)      Indianapolis- The Colts are edging towards the NFL’s elite.  Hanging in and eventually beating the Browns, on a day when Cleveland’s defense played as well as it has all season, displayed Indy’s resiliency.

  

6)      Philadelphia- There may be some concern about the offense after the poorest showing of the Chip Kelly era (57 yards rushing and 82 yards passing).  Those numbers do not inspire confidence but they are indicative of Seattle’s dominance.

  

7)      Detroit- Beat Tampa Bay, check.  Now the Lions must check another box towards the postseason by defeating the Vikings.

8)      Arizona- The NFL never ceases to amaze.  NFC West leading Arizona finds itself as an underdog in St. Louis and the Cardinals must score to avoid becoming the third consecutive victim of the Rams’ shutout streak.

      

9)      Dallas- Beating Chicago on Thursday night quieted the murmurs about yet another December collapse in Dallas.  Winning at Philadelphia this week will silence those concerns.

10) Pittsburgh- The Steelers currently find themselves as the fifth seed in the playoffs.  With another match-up against Cincinnati, who they just beat 42-21, Pittsburgh controls their destiny.