NFL Power Rankings: Week 15

My current NFL Power Rankings for Week 15 of the 2021 NFL Season.

I’m going to use these rankings as the order for my 2022 NFL Mock Draft during the 2021 season. Follow @walterfootball.

I’ve gone from WORST to FIRST, so if you don’t see reverse numbering (via Javascript), don’t worry; the Jets and Texans aren’t my top teams.

Updated: Dec. 14

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-11) – Previously: 30.
Note to self: Bet against a team the next time its head coach calls his assistants “losers.” The Jaguars almost should fire Urban Meyer now to prevent Trevor Lawrence’s further regression. Lawrence threw a career-high four interceptions against the Titans.

Houston Texans (2-11) – Previously: 32.
Sunday marked the first time that Davis Mills battled a defense ranked in the bottom half of pass defense DVOA, and it showed, as Mills looked like a functional quarterback. Nevertheless, the Texans will obviously be targeting a signal-caller in the top three of the 2022 NFL Draft. Here are our 2022 NFL Draft Quarterback Prospect Rankings.

Detroit Lions (1-11-1) – Previously: 31.
One more loss, and I clinch my under five wins bet! I joke, but crazier things have happened. Then again, I won’t have to worry if the Lions keep having to call up seven players from the practice squad.

New York Jets (3-10) – Previously: 29.
Zach Wilson was anemic in the loss to the Saints, but to be fair, he was missing his top two receivers. Still, his rookie year has been a huge disappointment. I have the Jets picking a quarterback in my updated 2023 NFL Mock Draft.

Carolina Panthers (5-8) – Previously: 28.
“I’m back!” Cam Newton has been favored thrice since then, and he’s lost outright on all three occasions. All three losses, by the way, were to teams that currently have losing records.

New York Giants (4-9) – Previously: 27.
So much for the NFL’s No. 8 DVOA pass defense. The Giants looked helpless to defeat Justin Herbert, as their 37-21 defeat was actually much worse than the score indicates.

Atlanta Falcons (6-7) – Previously: 26.
I’d put the Falcons on the overrated list if they weren’t huge underdogs against the 49ers this upcoming week. They beat the Panthers, but were outgained and averaged 0.4 fewer yards per play. Their defense has gotten better though, as A.J. Terrell has been fantastic.

Chicago Bears (4-9) – Previously: 25.
I’d commend the Bears for losing a game they could have won (they led 24-14 at Green Bay) to help their draft positioning, but they don’t have a first-round pick. The Giants will benefit from this great incompetence instead.

New Orleans Saints (6-7) – Previously: 24.
I almost want to put the Saints on the overrated list after their win against the Jets. They were up just 13-6 entering the fourth quarter but were never really threatened because Zach Wilson had a miserable game.

Seattle Seahawks (5-8) – Previously: 22.
The Seahawks got out to a very slow start against the Texans, but ultimately won by 20. Russell Wilson is definitely back to his former self. My concerns are with the defense, which had issues getting Davis Mills off the field.

Philadelphia Eagles (6-7) – Previously: 20.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Eagles are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Washington Redskins (6-7) – Previously: 19.
The Redskins were due for regression after being outgained by the Raiders the prior week. The Cowboys were just in a different class, as the Redskins’ offensive line didn’t stand a chance versus Dallas’ monstrous defensive front. Washington really needs to improve its blocking this upcoming offseason.

Denver Broncos (7-6) – Previously: 23.
The Broncos have been dominant defensively in the two games prior to battling Detroit, shutting down Justin Herbert- and Patrick Mahomes-led offenses. Nothing can be learned from beating the Lions and their 13 infected players.

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6-1) – Previously: 18.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Steelers are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Las Vegas Raiders (6-7) – Previously: 17.
The Raiders’ decision to gather at midfield must have been like when the dog picks the Super Bowl winner by eating out of a certain bowl. It’s almost as if the Raiders picked the Chiefs to win by gathering at their logo, and they made sure that would happen with Josh Jacobs’ scoop-and-score fumble, the interception off Foster Moreau’s hands and Hunter Renfrow’s lost fumble.

Tennessee Titans (9-4) – Previously: 13.
I’ve had the Titans on the overrated list, but after losing to the Texans and getting blown out by the Patriots without all their weapons, they’re no longer in that category. Still, they might be creeping back into that area after averaging just 3.8 yards per play against Jacksonville’s horrible defense. The Titans won 20-0, but it was a very unimpressive showing by the offense.

Baltimore Ravens (8-4) – Previously: 10.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Ravens are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Miami Dolphins (6-7) – Previously: 21.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Dolphins are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Minnesota Vikings (6-7) – Previously: 16.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Vikings are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Cleveland Browns (7-6) – Previously: 11.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Browns are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

San Francisco 49ers (7-6) – Previously: 15.
The 49ers are no longer underrated after beating the Bengals in a high-profile game. They’re also double-digit favorites to open against the Falcons. However, despite the win at Cincinnati, they were outgained and averaged one fewer yard per play.

Indianapolis Colts (7-6) – Previously: 14.
The Colts are like that bully in grade school who beats up on the younger kids, but when someone’s big brother comes around, they crap their pants and run away. Indianapolis clobbered yet another “younger kid,” a.k.a. the Texans, after crapping their pants against the Buccaneers the prior week. We’ll see how they handle the Patriots coming out of the bye.

Cincinnati Bengals (7-6) – Previously: 12.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Bengals are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

San Angeles Chargers (8-5) – Previously: 9.
Justin Herbert just played his first great game against a defense ranked highly in pass defense DVOA, and he did so despite not having Keenan Allen at his disposal. Allen figures to be back for Thursday’s tilt against the Chiefs, but Austin Ekeler could be sidelined after hurting his ankle against the Giants.

New England Patriots (9-4) – Previously: 7.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Steelers are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Dallas Cowboys (9-4) – Previously: 6.
Micah Parsons is obviously Defensive Rookie of the Year, but is he also the Defensive Player of the Year? He could be. Dallas’ defense was awesome against the Redskins, but Dak Prescott was dreadful. With the Redskins missing their top four edge rushers and maintaining a leaky secondary, there was no legitimate excuse for Prescott nearly throwing away the game.

Buffalo Bills (7-6) – Previously: 5.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Bills are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Arizona Cardinals (10-3) – Previously: 3.
And the Cardinals made another unforced error. Monday night was extremely frustrating for anyone who had the Cardinals to win the Super Bowl, but Arizona could easily bounce back and win the whole thing. They ended up outgaining the Rams despite their many mistakes.

Los Angeles Rams (9-4) – Previously: 8.
The Rams dropped in these power rankings in recent weeks because of Matthew Stafford’s troublesome back, but he finally looked 100 percent against the Cardinals on Monday night.

Kansas City Chiefs (9-4) – Previously: 4.
It’s scary that Kansas City’s offense hasn’t come close to reaching its potential yet because the team has gone on a long winning streak as a result of its defense being terrific since getting its pass rush back from injury.

Green Bay Packers (10-3) – Previously: 2.
The Packers looked like they were going to lose for a while, but a Jason Peters-less Bears offense imploded in the second half. I’d mark down the Packers as overrated, but they’ll be getting back some All-Pro reinforcements soon.

By the way, we have a t-shirt to support Aaron Rodgers in our merch store! This is your chance to support Rodgers, who has been attacked unfairly by the scumbag media!

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-3) – Previously: 1.
The Buccaneers have gotten everyone back from injury/suspension except for Antonio Brown. It’s unclear why Brown has been suspended, but he’ll return for the playoffs, meaning Tampa Bay will be extra potent during another playoff run. Nevertheless, the Buccaneers had a huge win over the Bills in what could stil be a Super Bowl preview.

MVP Race:

1. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers
2. Tom Brady, QB, Buccaneers
3. Kyler Murray, QB, Cardinals
4. Aaron Donald, DT, Rams

5. Micah Parsons, DE/LB, Cowboys

Scrubs of the Week:

1. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers
2. Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints
3. Miles Sanders, RB, Eagles
4. Miles Sanders, RB, Eagles
5. Miles Sanders, RB, Eagles
6. Chase Claypool, WR, Steelers
7. Aaron Jones, RB, Packers
8. Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs
9. Josh Allen, QB, Bills
10. Josh Jacobs, RB, Raiders
11. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs
12. Cam Newton, QB, Panthers
13. James Robinson, RB, Jaguars
14. James Robinson, RB, Jaguars

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