JACKSONVILLE – Here are senior writer John Oehser's pre-Week 15 2015 NFL power rankings. And we all know how important these are:
1.Carolina Panthers (13-0) | 1 | Three more to go
2.New England Patriots (11-2) | 3 | So much for that "slump" thing
3.Arizona Cardinals (11-2) | 4 | They're going to be a really tough out in the postseason
4.Seattle Seahawks (8-5) | 6 | They'll go on the road in the playoffs … so what? They're good enough
5.Kansas City Chiefs (8-5) | 7 | Those Chiefs are so hot right now
6.Denver Broncos (10-3) | 2 | This quarterback situation may be getting interesting. Real interesting
7.Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5) | 9 | Outside of New England is there a team they can't beat?
8.Cincinnati Bengals (10-3) | 5| Injury to Andy Dalton feels like too much to overcome
9.Green Bay Packers (9-4) | 8 |Looking like a lock for postseason appearance
10.New York Jets (8-5) | 11 | Suddenly, a three-game winning streak – when it matters, too
11.Minnesota Vikings (8-5) | 10 | Early signs of a slump, but still in solid playoff position
12.Buffalo Bills (6-7) | 12 | They're close to being so much better than this
13.Houston Texans (6-7) | 13| Still look like best of a struggling division
14.Indianapolis Colts (6-7) | 14 | Andrew Luck can't get back soon enough
15.Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7) | 15 | Lost two of three after midseason surge
16.Washington Redskins (6-7) | 17 | Suddenly the hottest team in a struggling division
17.New York Giants (6-7) | 20 | Big win for TC and Eli in Miami on Monday; still in it
18.Philadelphia Eagles (6-7) | 23 | They deserve a lot of credit for starting to get this right
19.Oakland Raiders (6-7) | 26 | Still hanging around the playoff chase
20.Atlanta Falcons (6-7) | 16 | Lost seven of eight games
21.Chicago Bears (5-8) | 18 | Weird stat: Bears are 1-5 at home this season
22.Detroit Lions (4-9) | 19 | Playing their way back out of contention last two weeks
- Jacksonville Jaguars (5-8) | 29 | 51-16 … just keep saying it over and over for a while
24.New Orleans Saints (5-8) |25 | Drew Brees still makes Saints tough, tough, tough to beat
25.Miami Dolphins (5-8) | 21 | Eliminated from postseason with Monday's loss
26.St. Louis Rams (5-8) | 21 | Victory over Detroit big – but probably not enough to save season
27.Dallas Cowboys (4-9) | 24 | Last hopes may have faded Sunday
28.Baltimore Ravens (4-9) | 28| Losses in personnel just too much to overcome this season
29.San Francisco 49ers (4-9) | 30 | No team has scored fewer touchdowns this season
30.San Diego Chargers (3-10) | 27 | Fighting to the end in a long, long – long season
31.Cleveland Browns (3-10) | 32 | Looks like Johnny's going to get a long, long look
32.Tennessee Titans (3-10) | 31 | In a position to help the Jaguars a whole lot
