NFL Week 14 Power Rankings

2. Seahawks (2): Earl Thomas' absence could be just as big for Seattle as Gronk's is for Pats. But producing 534 yards provides hope offense can compensate.

3. Patriots (3): When you've got the winningest (and probably greatest) quarterback ever, you can overcome loss of probably the greatest tight end ever.

4. Chiefs (6): Nice to see FS Eric Berry pull off biggest pick-two in league history after kicking cancer's butt. We dare you to merely tag him again, Chiefs.

5. Raiders (5): Maybe J.J. Watt had to go down before Khalil Mack (9 sacks, 4 strips, INT last seven games) realized defensive MVP honors were up for grabs.

6. Lions (7): A new element of Matthew Stafford's game -- his legs. Eighth-year QB already has career-high 178 rushing yards and has picked up 11 first downs.

7. Broncos (10): We now have further confirmation that Paxton Lynch is probably still a year away ... so let's keep fanning those Tony-Romo-to-Denver rumors.

8. Steelers (13): Le'Veon Bell averaging 128 rushing yards during Pittsburgh's three-game win streak. Only Ezekiel Elliott averages more per game in 2016.

9. Giants (8): Deion Sanders offered wise advice Sunday night, Odell. If you pan one officiating crew, you're panning all of them. Expect repercussions.

10. Falcons (4): Their remaining opponents are a combined 14-34, perhaps too bad to keep a club that's lost four of seven from another season-ending collapse.

11. Ravens (12): Dennis Pitta's return from a twice-fractured hip is one of 2016's best stories. He scored twice Sunday, nearly three years since his previous TD.

12. Dolphins (11): Forget Ryan Tannehill's clunker Sunday. This defense has allowed 971 yards last two weeks to 49ers and Ravens. Those are serious red flags.

13. Buccaneers (14): Jameis Winston and Co. have officially arrived -- not because they're in a playoff spot, but because NBC flexed them to prime time in Week 15.

14. Redskins (9): Hey, defense, how about a little help for the offense? Washington has five takeaways in the last seven games and none amid their two-game slide.

15. Packers (22): Only four players in league history have registered more career sacks than LB Julius Peppers (142.5). Start carving that bust.

16. Vikings (18): Maybe they should have re-hired Bud Grant on a one-game basis. Mike Priefer's special teams dissolved while he was standing in for Mike Zimmer.

17. Texans (19): Their 20 touchdowns scored this season are the fewest in the AFC. Good thing Houston tends to post most of them against AFC South foes.

18. Colts (20): Team that plays in host city of Indianapolis 500 may be hitting high gear just in time. Need to beat Houston, which holds tiebreakers, Sunday.

19. Saints (15): Bad time for Drew Brees to have his worst game in recent memory. New Orleans only plays once more at home, so playoffs probably a pipe dream.

20. Chargers (16):

21. Titans (21): Pretty nice bye week given they moved into a first-place tie in the division. But Tennessee only sees one sub-.500 opponent rest of the way.

22. Bills (23): Yeah, they've got a half-dozen victories, but they're definitely not Bowl-eligible when you take a closer look at who they've beaten.

23. Cardinals (26): The only wide receiver in league history who still has more receptions than Larry Fitzgerald is Jerry Rice. Yup, start carving that bust.

24. Bengals (27): After watching what Matthew Stafford has done in 2016, maybe it shouldn't be shocking that Andy Dalton's best game came without A.J. Green?

25. Eagles (17): Yeezy cleats worn by Dorial Green-Beckham, other players failing to give effort as season circles drain ... and Chip Kelly can't even be blamed.

26. Panthers (24): One team leader benched for shirking dress code. Another, fighting a concussion, shows more fire than uniformed teammates. #StillGettingPounded

27. Rams (25): No team has gained fewer yards. No team has scored fewer points. No team has done worse job managing narrative around its embattled/extended coach.

29. Bears (30): They haven't found a whole lot of reasons to be optimistic about 2017 and beyond. One major exception has been the play of RB Jordan Howard.

29. Jets (28): New Yorkers witnessed a totally embarrassing effort in Monday night's loss ... though most had the good sense to watch from their living rooms.

30. Jaguars (31): Most disturbing stat of the week -- QB Blake Bortles now has more career pick-sixes (11) than victories as Jacksonville's starter (10).

31. 49ers (29): After they produced all of 6 net passing yards Sunday, maybe better that the Niners lost to remain in striking distance of that No. 1 draft pick.