NFL Power Rankings - Week 14: Ravens surging, Eagles keep sliding

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's NFL Editors, including Jack Browne, Mitch Sanderson, Arun Srinivasan, and Dan Wilkins.

1. Dallas Cowboys

Previous Rank: 1st

It's time to find out how good these guys really are. With prime-time games against the Giants, Bucs, and Lions up next, the Cowboys won't get a break from the spotlight until their season is over. - Sanderson

2. New England Patriots

Previous Rank: 2nd

Brady collecting his record-setting 201st win in front of the guys he claimed his first Super Bowl with Sunday was a great (yet unnecessary) reminder of the unmatched success New England has enjoyed this century. - Sanderson

3. Oakland Raiders

Previous Rank: 3rd

It was a tale of two halves for the Raiders, but they proved that, at their best, they're a terrifying, multifaceted juggernaut. Also, there is no answer for Khalil Mack. - Srinivasan

4. Seattle Seahawks

Previous Rank: 4th

Earl Thomas' broken leg is a devastating loss for a Seahawks team rounding into form. Although they look capable of winning another Super Bowl, the NFC West power faces its toughest challenge of the Pete Carroll era. - Srinivasan

5. Kansas City Chiefs

Previous Rank: 5th

Eric Berry's superlative performance against his hometown Falcons was one of the heartwarming moments of the season, but don't expect opponents to take this emerging power lightly anytime soon. - Srinivasan

6. Denver Broncos

Previous Rank: 8th

It may be jarring, but the Broncos may snatch both first-team All-Pro spots at cornerback, with Chris Harris and Aqib Talib balling out of control. - Srinivasan

7. Pittsburgh Steelers

Previous Rank: 9th

This Steelers team appears right on schedule to heat up in time for a playoff run. That's a major problem for the rest of the AFC. - Wilkins

8. New York Giants

Previous Rank: 6th

The boys in blue started their season handing Dallas its only loss to date. Dropping another L on the Cowboys could do wonders for the Giants confidence down the stretch. - Sanderson

9. Atlanta Falcons

Previous Rank: 7th

Eric Berry's pick-2 (not as catchy as pick-6, is it?) of Matt Ryan to seal the win pushes Atlanta back into Tampa Bay's grasp, but a soft remaining schedule should save the Falcons. - Browne

10. Detroit Lions

Previous Rank: 10th

Dallas and Seattle remain the class of the NFC, but Detroit may be leading that next tier. The Lions defense is emerging as a perfect complement to their explosive passing attack. - Wilkins

11. Washington Redskins

Previous Rank: 11th

Kirk Cousins just doesn't look the same without Jordan Reed to target. Washington could see their playoff hopes slip away if he doesn't return and Cousins can't find a new favorite. - Sanderson

12. Baltimore Ravens

Previous Rank: 19th

Baltimore is quietly rounding into form with a month left to play. That defense can do more than enough to compensate for inconsistencies on the other side of the ball. - Wilkins

13. Green Bay Packers

Previous Rank: 14th

The Packers are severely flawed, that much we know. But if they can manage to sneak into the playoffs, is anyone going to bet against Aaron Rodgers? - Wilkins

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Previous Rank: 15th

Every year, a team emerges late that no one wants to face. The Bucs, with Winston, Evans, and a surging defense, are that team. - Browne

15. Miami Dolphins

Previous Rank: 12th

After racking up a winning streak off an easy schedule, the Dolphins got a painful reminder what an actual playoff-caliber team looks like on Sunday. - Sanderson

16. Buffalo Bills

Previous Rank: 13th

It's unfair to blame Tyrod Taylor for the Bills' .500 record this season, but if you want to throw it on Rex Ryan, no one is going to argue much. - Sanderson

17. Minnesota Vikings

Previous Rank: 18th

Minnesota will have to run the table to keep its playoff hopes alive. Another loss or two would provide more than enough reason to call off Adrian Peterson's late-season comeback attempt. - Wilkins

18. Tennessee Titans

Previous Rank: 20th

With Denver and Kansas City upcoming, it's put-up-or-shut-up time for Tennessee. They can't afford the usual slip ups if they're to win their first divisional title since 2008. - Browne

19. Arizona Cardinals

Previous Rank: 23rd

David Johnson is an all-around dynamo that the NFL has rarely, if ever, seen. Too bad his superlative season appears to have been wasted on a 5-6-1 club. - Srinivasan

20. Houston Texans

Previous Rank: 16th

Brock Osweiler thinks Houston's offense is primed to explode. Well, it'd better be soon, with a pivotal divisional clash versus the Colts upcoming. - Browne

21. Indianapolis Colts

Previous Rank: 25th

Laying 41 points on the Jets doesn't turn Indy's season around, but does any AFC contender want a dialed-in Luck in the playoffs over Houston and Osweiler? Hell no. - Browne

22. Philadelphia Eagles

Previous Rank: 17th

Don't get too down on yourselves, Eagles fans. It may not be in the cards this year, but half the league would kill for a young potential franchise quarterback and top-notch pass rush like yours. - Sanderson

23. New Orleans Saints

Previous Rank: 21st

New Orleans knows Drew Brees is 37, not 27, right? Another lost season for the future Hall of Famer. - Browne

24. San Diego Chargers

Previous Rank: 22nd

The Chargers' playoff odds are infinitesimal, but at least they drafted stalwart defenders in Joey Bosa and Jatavis Brown. - Srinivasan

25. Cincinnati Bengals

Previous Rank: 26th

It's too little, too late, but the Bengals finally began to show signs of the team we all expected en route to Sunday's win over the Eagles. - Wilkins

26. Carolina Panthers

Previous Rank: 24th

Could Cam Newton's benching really just be about a tie? If so, the Panthers have hit a new low. - Browne

27. Chicago Bears

Previous Rank: 29th

Chicago's rebuilding efforts will continue this offseason. The only question is whether John Fox is among those ushered out the door. - Wilkins

28. Los Angeles Rams

Previous Rank: 27th

Jeff Fisher may have received a two-year extension, but don't be surprised if owner Stan Kroenke finds a way to get rid of him after the season ends if the team loses out. - Srinivasan

29. New York Jets

Previous Rank: 28th

The guy who taught himself how to quarterback better by playing Madden has surpassed a Harvard grad on the Jets depth chart. So, yeah, it's not going great. - Sanderson

30. Jacksonville Jaguars

Previous Rank: 31st

It'll take some time to accept it, but Blake Bortles isn't the Jaguars long-term answer at quarterback. Jacksonville should seriously consider drafting a quarterback high in April, maybe with their first-round pick. - Browne

31. San Francisco 49ers

Previous Rank: 31st

It appears that the 49ers will have their choice of top-end defensive talent in the 2017 NFL Draft, the lone silver lining from this season. - Srinivasan

32. Cleveland Browns

Previous Rank: 32nd

There's always the draft to look forward to, right? - Wilkins