With two weeks to go until the postseason it's time to sort the real Super Bowl contenders from the rest.
The Contenders
1. Panthers (14-0)
Previous rank: 1. Result: Won 38-35 at Giants. Next: Sun. vs. Falcons.
I think they'll get the Falcons' best shot. I think they'll win again.
2. Cardinals (12-2)
Previous rank: 2. Result: Won 40-17 at Eagles. Next: Sun. vs. Packers.
They've got the best scoring margin in the league at +176.
3. Patriots (12-2)
Previous rank: 3. Result: Won 33-16 vs. Titans. Next: Sun. at Jets.
They can clinch the AFC's No. 1 seed with a W at the Jets plus a Broncos loss.
4. Seahawks (9-5)
Previous rank: 6. Result: Won 30-13 vs. Browns. Next: Sun. vs. Rams.
They are on the verge of clinching a playoff spot. They are going to have to make their run as a road wild card but that's no problem when the road starts at the NFC East champion.
5. Steelers (9-5)
Previous rank: 7. Result: Won 34-27 vs. Broncos. Next: Sun. vs. Broncos.
They've only struggled when QB Ben Roethlisberger was out injured and now the offense is rolling. They are the only true test for the Pats.
The Challengers
6. Bengals (12-2)
Previous rank: 5. Result: Won 24-14 at 49ers. Next: Mon. at Broncos.
I just don't see how Andy Dalton can be effective if he returns or how AJ McCarron can take them where they want to go if he doesn't.
7. Chiefs (9-5)
Previous rank: 8. Result: Won 34-13 at Ravens. Next: Sun. vs. Browns.
They've won eight in a row, they do own a W at Denver and they can really score. But they still are a notch below the Pats and Steelers.
8. Packers (10-4)
Previous rank: 9. Result: Won 30-20 at Raiders. Next: Sun. vs. Patriots.
At some point they are going to have to win a shootout and, strange as it sounds, not sure if they can do that anymore when it counts.
The One-and-Dones
9. Vikings (8-5)
Previous rank: 10. Result: Lost 23-20 at Cardinals. Next: Sun. vs Bears.
They can be dangerous if QB Teddy Bridgewater delivers but I'm thinking he needs more seasoning.
10. Jets (9-5)
Previous rank: 10. Result: Won 19-16 at Cowboys. Next: Sat. at Cowboys.
Their defense makes them dangerous but it's not enough to win a playoff game .
11. Broncos (10-4)
Previous rank: 4. Result: Lost 34-27 at Steelers. Next: Mon. vs. Bengals.
Was that defensive collapse against high-scoring Steelers an outlier or a sign that the unit finally is showing stress? I'm thinking it's the latter, and plus QB Brock Osweiler is falling back to earth.
12. Washington (7-7)
Previous rank: 18. Result: Won 24-21 at Bears. Next: Sun. vs. Bills.
Put any of the three possible NFC East champions in this slot and it will be the same result: a loss to the Seahawks.
The Fringe
13. Falcons (7-7)
Previous rank: 22. Result: Lost Won 23-17 at Jaguars. Next: Sun. vs. Panthers.
They haven't quit but they aren't good enough to beat the Panthers and keep their playoff hopes alive.
14. Texans (7-7)
Previous rank: 19. Result: Won 16-10 at Colts. Next: Sun. at Dolphins.
They can secure the AFC South by winning out but they can't handle the Steelers or Jets.
The Rest
15. Raiders (6-8)
Previous rank: 12. Result: Lost 30-20 vs. Packers. Next: Thurs. vs. Chargers.
16. Eagles (6-8)
Previous rank: 13. Result: Lost 40-17 vs. Cardinals Next: Sat. vs. Redskins.
17. Giants (6-8)
Previous rank: 14. Result: Lost 38-35 vs. Panthers. Next: Sun. vs. Panthers.
18. Bills (6-8)
Previous rank: 15. Result: Lost 35-25 at Washington. Next: Sun. vs. Cowboys.
19. Buccaneers (6-8)
Previous rank: 16. Result: Lost 31-23 at Rams. Next: Sun. vs. Bears.
20. Colts (6-8)
Previous rank: 17. Result: Lost 16-10 vs. Texans. Next: Sun. at Dolphins.
21. Jaguars (5-9)
Previous rank: 20. Result: Lost 23-17 vs. Falcons. Next: Sun. at Saints.
22. Saints (5-9)
Previous rank: 21. Result: Lost 35-27 vs. Lions. Next: Sun. vs. Jaguars.
23. Bears (5-9)
Previous rank: 23. Result: Lost 38-17 at Vikings. Next: Sun. at Buccaneers.
24. Rams (6-8)
Previous rank: 26. Result: Won 31-23 vs. Buccaneers. Next: Sun. at Seahawks.
25. 49ers (4-10)
Previous rank: 24. Result: Lost 24-14 vs. Bengals. Next: Sun. at Lions.
26. Lions (5-9)
Previous rank: 27. Result: Won 35-27 at Saints. Next: Sun. vs. 49ers.
27. Dolphins (5-9)
Previous rank: 25. Result: Lost 30-14 at Chargers. Next: Sun. vs. Colts.
28. Chargers (4-10)
Previous rank: 30. Result: Won 30-14 vs. Dolphins. Next: Thurs. at Raiders.
29. Cowboys (4-10)
Previous rank: 29. Result: Lost 19-16 vs. Jets. Next: Sun. at Bills.
30. Browns (3-11)
Previous rank: 28. Result: Lost 30-13 at Seahawks Next: Sun. at Chiefs.
31. Titans (3-11)
Previous rank: 31. Result: Lost 33-16 at Patriots. Next: Sun. vs. Texans.
32. Ravens (4-10)
Previous rank: 32. Result: Lost 34-14 at Chiefs. Next: Sun. vs. Steelers.
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