Week 14 NFL Power Rankings: The Vikings Take a Freefall

Questions Answered: Roster Cuts Surprise Factor, Thought on Zimmer's New Job, Jim Marshall
Aug 29, 2019; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer walks on the field prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

1. New England Patriots

Last Week: 14-10 win @ BUF

Trending: —

This Week: Bye 

It was a windy, snowy night in Buffalo when the Patriots took on the Bills. Mac Jones passed the ball just three times, and New England relied on their defense along with a strong running game from Damion Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson. New England is officially the No. 1 seed in the AFC.

2. Green Bay Packers

Last Week: Bye

Trending: —

This Week: 12/12 vs CHI

This Packers team is struggling from injuries from lockdown cornerback, Jaire Alexander, all the way to superstar QB Aaron Rodgers. A bye allows them to get right, and now they host a primetime matchup against the Bears.

3. Arizona Cardinals 

Last Week: 33-22 win @ CHI

Trending: —

This Week: 12/13 vs LAR

Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins returned this week, but the story of this game was a terrific performance on defense. The Cardinals defense forced four interceptions against the Bears, and they rode those turnovers to another key win.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Last Week: 30-17 win @ ATL

Trending: —

This Week: 12/12 vs BUF

Tom Brady got off to a fast start, tossing a pair of touchdown passes in the first quarter. A pick six kept Atlanta in the game for a while, but Tampa’s defense kept Atlanta out of the end zone for much of the day.

5. Kansas City Chiefs

Last Week: 22-9 win vs DEN

Trending: +1

Next Week: 12/12 vs LV

Don’t look now, but the Chiefs have won five straight games. Once again, their defense completely dominated the Denver Broncos offense. With such a great performance on that side of the ball, very little pressure was put on Patrick Mahomes to do much more than game management.

6. Los Angeles Rams

Last Week: 37-7 win vs JAX

Trending: +4

This Week: 12/13 @ ARI

After three consecutive losses, the Rams had their get-right game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Matthew Stafford looked much better this week, and the star-studded defense lived up to its name. Now they get a must-win game against division rival Arizona.

7. Tennessee Titans

Last Week: Bye

Trending: +1

This Week: 12/12 vs JAX

The Titans lost back-to-back games prior to their bye week, and they’ve been extremely banged up on both sides of the ball. This week should be their own get-right game though as they match up with the Jaguars.

8. Baltimore Ravens

Last Week: 19-20 loss @ PIT

Trending: -3

This Week: 12/12 @ CLE

A two-point conversion attempt at the end of the game could have sealed a victory for the Ravens, but instead, the failure sent them home as losers this week. After throwing four interceptions last week on primetime, Lamar Jackson wasn’t as bad this week, but he still didn’t play great. For the Ravens to be contenders they will need their QB to play at an MVP-level; it needs to start this week against Cleveland.

9. Buffalo Bills

Last Week: 10-14 loss vs NE

Trending: -2

This Week: 12/12 @ TB

A lack of a running game bit Buffalo on Monday night, While Patriots were able to get just about whatever they wanted on the ground, the Bills relied on Josh Allen’s arm for much of the night. It ended up being an unsuccessful strategy, and the Pats took the night in Buffalo.

10. Indianapolis Colts

Last Week: 31-0 win @ HOU

Trending: +1

This Week: Bye

Jonathan Taylor again carried the Colts to victory, rushing for a pair of touchdowns and nearly 150 yards. After shutting out the Texans, they get to enjoy a bye before making one last push for the postseason.

11. Dallas Cowboys

Last Week: 27-17 win @ NO

Trending: +2

This Week: 12/12 @ WSH

Dak Prescott didn’t exactly play terrific football against the Saints on Thursday night, but the defense forced four turnovers of the Saints. We’ll see how this team fares in a must-win game for the Washington Football Team.

12. Los Angeles Chargers

Last Week: 41-22 win @ CIN

Trending: +6

This Week: 12/12 vs NYG

Justin Herbert got off to a roaring start against the Bengals. After Joey Bosa went out of the game, the defense allowed Cincinnati to get back into the game for awhile, but they eventually locked down and put the game away.

13. Miami Dolphins

Last Week: 20-9 win vs NYG

Trending: +4

This Week: Bye

In a year of streaks for Miami, the Dolphins lost seven straight games, and they have now won five straight. This latest was another outstanding performance by Tua Tagovailoa, and the defense held the Giants to single digits. Now that they’re improbably back in the playoff hunt, they have a bye week before a Jets game that could push them back to .500

14. Cincinnati Bengals

Last Week: 22-41 loss vs LAC

Trending: 

This Week: 12/12 vs SF

In the battle of the sophomore quarterbacks, the No. 1 overall pick did not come out on top. Joe Burrow was simply not good enough in this game for the Bengals to win. Granted, one of his turnovers was a pass that somehow flipped out of Ja’Marr Chase’s hands into a Chargers defender’s. Not to mention, he is clearly struggling through his pinkie injury. We also have to talk about the fact that the Bengals defense allowed 41 points.

15. Cleveland Browns

Last Week: Bye

Trending: -1

This Week: 12/12 vs BAL

I don’t know if there’s any saving Baker Mayfield at this point health-wise, but maybe a week off can get him 7% healthier, plus, whatever it can do for Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb will be helpful. This week they have a must-win against Baltimore.

16. Pittsburgh Steelers

Last Week: 20-19 win vs BAL

Trending: +4

This Week: 12/9 @ MIN

Pittsburgh seemed dead in the water after being blown out by 31 points at the hands of Cincinnati. Now, they’re trying to drag themselves up for one last gasp of air. Even with an underwhelming performance from Najee Harris, the Steelers were able to get a key victory against the Ravens. Now, they come off a short week to play the hapless Vikings on Thursday.

17. Washington Football Team

Last Week: 17-15 win @ LV

Trending: +2

This Week: 12/12 vs DAL

Taylor Heinicke will not ever be a top QB in the league by any means, but he’s proven to be capable of keeping his teams in games. This week was another close victory in Las Vegas where Heinicke played well, and the defense shut down the Raiders offense.

18. San Francisco 49ers

Last Week: 23-30 loss @ SEA

Trending: -6

This Week: 12/12 @ CIN

This one stings for the Niners. After a big win against the Vikings last week to finally push this team back to .500, they lost to a Seahawks team that has been reeling for weeks. The defense forced three turnovers, but Jimmy Garoppolo also threw a pair of interceptions. It’s always on to the next week in the NFL, and now San Francisco must beat the Bengals.

19. Philadelphia Eagles

Last Week: 33-18 win @ NYJ

Trending: +3

This Week: Bye

Minshew Mania has taken over in Philadelphia. After Jalen Hurts was ruled out with injury, Gardner Minshew was named the starting QB against the Jets, and he had one of his best games as a pro. The Eagles have now won three of four as they ride into their bye week.

20. Denver Broncos

Last Week: 9-22 loss @ KC

Trending: -4

This Week: 12/12 vs DET

Teddy Bridgewater did not play well this week, which led to another loss for the Broncos against good football teams. Denver’s defense played well enough, but a lack of any fluidity on offense really ended this game. I would say it’s safe to cross of the Broncos for the playoffs, but their next three games are against the Lions, Bengals, and Raiders.

21. Las Vegas Raiders

Last Week: 15-17 loss vs WSH

Trending: —

This Week: 12/12 @ KC

That Thanksgiving win over the Cowboys feels like it was the Raiders Super Bowl this year. After an unstoppable offense showed up in that game, Las Vegas could not get anything going against Washington. They’ll need to figure it out soon as they play the red-hot Chiefs this week.

22. Minnesota Vikings

Last Week: 27-29 loss @ DET

Trending: -7

This Week: 12/9 vs PIT

It might be time to blow it up. Minnesota went down by two scores to Detroit, only to come roaring back, and then blow the game in the final seconds. The defense played a lackluster game, allowing Jared Goff to get just about whatever he wanted down the stretch. On top of all the other injuries, Adam Thielen is now looking like he’ll be out for awhile after spraining his ankle. Minnesota comes off a short week to play in primetime on Thursday against the Steelers.

23. Chicago Bears

Last Week: 22-33 loss vs ARI

Trending: +1

This Week: 12/12 @ GB

Is Justin Fields back yet? Andy Dalton played a dreadful game against the Arizona Cardinals, tossing four interceptions. David Montgomery is the heart and soul of this team, and he’s just not at a high enough level to consistently carry this Chicago team to wins.

24. Seattle Seahawks

Last Week: 30-23 win vs SF

Trending: +5

This Week: 12/12 @ HOU

The Seahawks did it; they finally won a home game in the 2021 season. Even though this season hasn’t gone well at all, it had to feel good to watch Russell Wilson light up the 49ers again. It’s probably too late for a playoff push, but they have a chance to put together consecutive wins in Houston this week.

25. Carolina Panthers

Last Week: Bye

Trending: —

This Week: 12/12 vs ATL

The Panthers used their bye week to fire offensive coordinator, Joe Brady. It was probably about that time with the Carolina offense looking completely lifeless recently. Now, they have to take the field against the Atlanta Falcons.

26. Atlanta Falcons

Last Week: 17-30 loss @ TB

Trending: +1

This Week: 12/12 @ CAR

The Falcons hung around in Tampa Bay for a bit, but at the end of the day, Atlanta doesn’t have the tools to beat a Super Bowl contender. The offense piled up yards, but they just could not get the ball in the end zone. They’ll need to do that in order to beat Carolina.

27. New Orleans Saints

Last Week: 17-27 loss vs DAL

Trending: -4

This Week: 12/12 @ NYJ

The Saints are done. Taysom Hill played through injury this past Thursday, and looked every bit as hurt as he probably was. He piled up rushing yards, but he tossed four picks. The Saints have no identity on offense without Alvin Kamara, and it’s going to spell doom for the end of their season.

28. New York Giants

Last Week: 9-20 loss @ MIA

Trending: -2

This Week: 12/12 @ LAC

Without Daniel Jones, the Giants offense can’t get anything going. It didn’t help that they went up against a rolling Miami Dolphins squad this week. After this latest loss, they continue their tour of the AFC with a game in LA against the Chargers.

29. Detroit Lions

Last Week: 29-27 win vs MIN

Trending: +3

This Week: 12/12 @ DEN

The Kardiak Kitties have done it. They bit the knee caps of the Minnesota Vikings and earned their first win of the 2021 season. Jared Goff led a game-winning drive, and everything is a simulation.

30. New York Jets

Last Week: 18-33 loss vs PHI

Trending: -2

This Week: 12/12 vs NO

Zach Wilson was back to his gunslinger ways, and while it was good in flashes, there were just too many erratic throws made. On top of that, Gardner Minshew torched the Jets defense all day long, so there was really no path for a rookie QB to win this game.

31. Jacksonville Jaguars

Last Week: 7-37 loss @ LAR

Trending: -1

This Week: 12/12 @ TEN

Trevor Lawrence had another rough outing in this one, throwing for just 145 yards and no touchdowns. The defense had no answers for Matthew Stafford either, and it led to a blowout loss. The fact that they at least found a way to score some points keeps them out of the basement this week.

32. Houston Texans

Last Week: 0-31 loss vs IND

Trending: -1

This Week: 12/12 vs SEA

Houston got absolutely destroyed in all aspects of this game. Their run defense could not contain Jonathan Taylor, and the star RB rushed for more yards than the entire Texans offense put together in total.

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