JACKSONVILLE -- Here are senior writer John Oehser's Week 16 2014 NFL power rankings. And we all know how important these are:
1.New England Patriots (11-3) | 2 | Apparently, the Patriots are not going to bench Tom Brady
2.Denver Broncos (11-3) | 3 | Clinched fourth consecutive AFC West title
3.Seattle Seahawks (10-4) | 4 | Looking suspiciously like Super Bowl contenders again
4.Green Bay Packers (10-4) | 1 | Believe it or not, Buffalo on the road isn't a really bad loss
5.Arizona Cardinals (11-3) | 5 | The quarterback issues will catch up … won't they?
6.Dallas Cowboys (10-4) | 10 | Season-defining victory at Philly Sunday
7.Indianapolis Colts (10-4) | 7 | Clinched third consecutive playoff appearance
8.Cincinnati Bengals (9-4-1) | 8 | A lot of fun at Johnny Football's expense Sunday
9.Detroit Lions (10-4) | 9 | They control destiny – but that could mean winning finale in Green Bay
10.Philadelphia Eagles (9-5) | 6 | Postseason hopes suddenly in serious jeopardy
11.Pittsburgh Steelers (9-5) | 12 | That finale against Cincinnati looks sorta big
12.Baltimore Ravens (9-5) | 13 | Still in control of their playoff destiny
13.San Diego Chargers (8-6) | 11 | Playoff chances in serious jeopardy now
14.Kansas City Chiefs (8-6) | 14 | Too little too late?
- Buffalo Bills (8-6) | 18 | This defense is very, very real
16.Cleveland Browns (7-7) | 15 | Tough start for Johnny Football
17.San Francisco 49ers (7-7) | 16 | Out of playoffs for first time in Jim Harbaugh era
- Miami Dolphins (7-7) | 17 | Playoff hopes getting dimmer and dimmer
19.Houston Texans (7-7) | 19 | Division title hopes gone -- and playoff chances slim, too
20.New Orleans Saints (6-8) | 20| Your NFC South-leading New Orleans Saints
21.Atlanta Falcons (5-9) | 21 | They can't have a winning season, but they can still win division
22.St. Louis Rams (6-8) | 22 | Defense gives this team something to build around
- Minnesota Vikings (6-8) | 23 | Let one get away in Detroit Sunday
- Chicago Bears (5-9) | 24 | The long slide continues
25.New York Giants (5-9) | 25 | Giants unbeaten since loss to Jaguars
26.Carolina Panthers (5-8-1) | 26 | Still holding on to playoff hopes
27.Washington Redskins (3-11) | 27 | Six consecutive losses
28.New York Jets (3-11) | 28 | Scratched and clawed their way out of the two-win deadlock
29.Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-12) | 29 | Strikingly close to the leaders in the NFC South
- Jacksonville Jaguars (2-12) | 30 | Two offensive touchdowns in last four games
31.Tennessee Titans (2-12) | 31 | Eight consecutive losses their worst stretch since 1994
32.Oakland Raiders (2-12) | 32 | Tough day for Derek Carr Sunday
