When it comes to Creative Misfortune Power Rankings, production is combined with potential to determine a team's true strength compared to the rest of the league. Winning isn't the only factor, but it is one of the most important components of the rating. I don't believe teams can be powerful if they consistently lose, even to other great teams.
The Forked Few~
Abandon hope and fortune all ye who rank here
# 32 - Houston Texans (previous: 32)
Things must be pretty bad in Houston behind the scenes if they fired Coach Kubiak mid-season. Any new worthwhile coach should be able to have this talented roster back up on its feet in no time.
# 31 - Washington Redskins (previous: 30)
Rumor is that RGIII will be benched and deactivated in favor of Kirk Cousins this week… and the fun in Washington continues.
# 30 - Atlanta Falcons (previous: 28)
Atlanta's season just keeps getting better and better.
# 29 - Minnesota Vikings (previous: 27)
If Peterson is remotely hurt, the Vikings should just shut him down the rest of the season. Why risk further injury to your star player? Taking Adrian away would also allow them to truly evaluate the talent - or lack thereof - they have at the quarterback position as they prepare for the 2014 draft.
# 28 - Buffalo Bills (previous: 24)
I really thought the Bills could have been something this year.
The Creatively Challenged~
Folly remains ever their mistress
# 27 - Oakland Raiders (previous: 25)
No Pryor, no Jennings… very little offense.
# 26 - Jacksonville Jaguars (previous: 31)
4 wins, Jacksonville? Are you kidding me? Where was that enthusiasm for victories early in the season?
# 25 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (previous: 29)
Has Schiano won enough games these past few weeks to keep his job in Tampa Bay?
# 24 - Cleveland Browns (previous: 26)
That letdown in New England last week turned a potential signature win for the franchise into one of the worst losses in regular season history.
# 23 - New York Giants (previous: 22)
Surprisingly enough, the Giants can still finish the season without a losing record.
# 22 - Pittsburgh Steelers (previous: 21)
So much for a drive for the playoffs… Pittsburgh can start preparing for 2014.
# 21 - St. Louis Rams (previous: 20)
The Rams have a lot of potential… just need to get their execution down so they can keep pace with the big boys in their division.
The Remarkably Average~
Dancing the fine line between misfortune and glory
# 20 - Tennessee Titans (previous: 17)
The Titans had the Broncos right where they wanted them… and then Peyton Manning happened.
# 19 - New York Jets (previous: 23)
The Jets gained a little bit of relevance in the AFC playoff chase, but the offense is just too erratic in order for them to make it to the postseason.
# 18 - Green Bay Packers (previous: 19)
Rodgers is still on the mend, which does not bode well for Green Bay's playoff hopes.
# 17 - San Diego Chargers (previous: 18)
Still outside looking in, but the Chargers have an outside shot at the AFC's second wild card.
# 16 - Baltimore Ravens (previous: 15)
It looks like Baltimore is in a dogfight with Miami for a Wild Card spot, but they will have to win out to have a real shot at defending their Super Bowl championship in the postseason.
# 15 - Dallas Cowboys (previous: 11)
The offense can move the ball, both on the ground and through the air. The defense is just too injury-riddled to stop anybody. Good news for Dallas, they still control their own destiny. Bad news for Dallas, it is December.
# 14 - Miami Dolphins (previous: 14)
Miami has a huge, possible make-or-break test against the Patriots this week. Win, and they will likely make the playoffs. Lose, and all bets are off.
# 13 - Chicago Bears (previous: 16)
Is it too early to declare a quarterback controversy in Chicago?
The Fortunate Seven~
The best of those not yet elite
# 12 - Detroit Lions (previous: 10)
The snow in Philadelphia really hurt Detroit's high-octane offense.
# 11 - Indianapolis Colts (previous: 9)
I don't know what to think of the Colts any more. They are clearly trying to be the best of the worst and the worst of the best.
# 10 - Arizona Cardinals (previous: 13)
It's still an uphill climb for the Cardinals to make the playoffs, but they are still very much in the mix.
# 9 - Philadelphia Eagles (previous: 12)
It certainly can be fun to play in the snow!
# 8 - Cincinnati Bengals (previous: 8)
Cincinnati has pretty much clinched the AFC North, but they will be hard pressed to secure a first-round bye… which could lead to a difficult Wild Card matchup against the Chiefs.
# 7 - San Francisco 49ers (previous: 7)
A huge win over the Seahawks has given the 49ers complete control over their own Wild Card destiny.
# 6 - Carolina Panthers (previous: 3)
The winning streak has ended… but Carolina can still do a lot of damage in the postseason.
The Creative Elite~
Wielding misfortune at its finest
# 5 - New England Patriots (previous: 4)
Tom Brady continues to find a way to win… and with Gronk out the remainder of the season, he'll need to bring forth all the magic he can muster if he hopes to guide the Patriots deep into the playoffs.
# 4 - Kansas City Chiefs (previous: 6)
It always helps to get back on the winning track by facing an opponent in complete and utter disarray.
# 3 - New Orleans Saints (previous: 5)
Now that the bad taste of the Seattle loss is behind them, New Orleans needs to play perfect down the stretch if they want any shot at all of achieving home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
# 2 - Seattle Seahawks (previous: 1)
Despite the loss to the 49ers, Seattle is still very much the team to beat in the NFC.
# 1 - Denver Broncos (previous: 2)
Does anybody doubt that Denver will be representing the AFC in the Super Bowl?
Week 14 Power Ranking Awards:
The Free Fallers - Dallas Cowboys (-4), Buffalo Bills (-4), Carolina Panthers (-3), Tennessee Titans (-3), Indianapolis Colts (-2)
The Biggest Movers - Jacksonville Jaguars (+5), New York Jets (+4), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+4), Philadelphia Eagles (+3), Arizona Cardinals (+3)
Maintaining The Status Quo - San Francisco 49ers (7), Cincinnati Bengals (8), Miami Dolphins (14), Houston Texans (32)
Creative Misfortune Super Bowl XLVIII Favorite ~ After Week 14
Denver Broncos
Check back later today for Thursday Night Game predictions...
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