Mark Craig's Week 15 NFL power rankings

December 11, 2019 at 5:20AM
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, left, and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speak at midfield after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady met after Kansas City’s victory in Foxborough, Mass., on Sunday. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

1. Ravens (11-2)

All they've done since their bye is beat the Patriots (10-3), Texans (8-5), Rams (8-5), 49ers (11-2) and Bills (9-4).

2. 49ers (11-2)

Jimmy G out-Breesed Drew Brees in the Big Easy while vaulting his team from fifth to first in the NFC. Not a bad week.

3. Saints (10-3)

The NFL's MVP is modern medicine and how fast it fixes broken body parts (see: Brees, D.)

4. Chiefs (9-4)

Sorry, Mr. Brady, but after a zillion years at the top it might be time to step aside for a Mahomes v. Jackson AFC title game.

5. Patriots (10-3)

Dear New England. If you could stop spying on people, that would be super. Love, Rog.

6. Packers (10-3)

The hotter Matt LaFleur gets, the colder Mike McCarthy looks.

7. Seahawks (10-3)

Russell Wilson appears to be human after all.

8. Rams (8-5)

LA 2-0 with 1,004 yards of offense since Sean McVay's self-scouting identified that he was being an "idiot."

9. Bills (9-4)

Two questions:  "Are the Bills for real?" and, "Are you tired of hearing the question, 'Are the Bills for real?'"

10. Titans (8-5)

Ryan Tannehill is doing things only Aaron Rodgers did back in 2011. And Rodgers won his first MVP that year.

11. Vikings (9-4)

Mike Zimmer has gone 5-0 against Detroit since starting out 2-5.

12. Steelers (8-5)

A little "Duck" and a lotta defense guarantees Mike Tomlin won't suffer first losing season in 13 years as Steelers coach.

13. Texans (8-5)

Houston's season:  Loss, two wins, loss, two wins, loss, two wins, loss, two wins, loss …

14. Bears (7-6)

Chicago offense became dangerous when the Bears stopped caring whether Mitch Trubisky gets hurt running the ball.

15. Buccaneers (6-7)

Bucs win as Jameis Winston has career-in-a-nutshell game: Three picks, gets hurt, comes back, throws for four TDs, 465 yards.

16. Cowboys (6-7)

Please, no more stats about the Cowboys' offense until it scores more points than whomever it is playing.

17. Browns (6-7)

Baker Mayfield was asked a question and told the truth. The Browns have asked him to be more presidential in the future.

18. Broncos (5-8)

Any of you contenders out there want a piece of Drew Lock and the Broncos right about now?

19. Chargers (5-8)

Coming off a road win at Jacksonville, Chargers return to Los Angeles to play a "road" game against Vikings Nation.

20. Eagles (6-7)

Someone has to win the NFC East. Might as well be the team that needed OT to beat the 2-11 Giants at home.

21. Jets (5-8)

The Jets beat Miami in a game with 10 field goals. Yes, we fell asleep just writing that sentence.

22. Colts (6-7)

Remember when they were 5-2, healthy and didn't need Andrew Luck?

23. Falcons (4-9)

Remember when they mattered?

24. Raiders (6-7)

Remember when they were 6-4 and some idiot in Minnesota jinxed it by praising Jon Gruden?

25. Redskins (3-10)

Yes, it took a 10th loss to officially eliminate Washington from the playoff picture.

26. Dolphins (3-10)

Apparently, going 0-for-6 in the red zone isn't good enough to win.

27. Panthers (5-8)

Sorry, but Kyle Allen's two picks and fourth multi-fumble game of the season can't be pinned to Ron Rivera's résumé.

28. Cardinals (3-9-1)

Three of Kyler Murray's nine interceptions this season came in the final 22 minutes of Sunday's loss to Pittsburgh.

29. Jaguars (4-9)

In four of their past five straight losses, the Jags have given up 216, 264, 219 and 195 yards rushing.

30. Giants (2-11)

Good news:  Almost the best team in the NFC East. Bad news: Almost the best team in the NFC East.

31. Bengals (1-12)

The biggest rout in NFL history is 73-0. Something to watch as Cincy hosts the Patriots team they just tattled on for spying.

32. Lions (3-9-1)

David Blough probably doesn't agree, but Danielle Hunter really is a gentle giant.

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