NFL Power Rankings: Two Weeks Left, Contenders vs Pretenders

There are just two weeks left in the season. It is getting clearer who is a true contender and who will fall away as the playoffs begin. Let’s get real this week with our NFL Power Rankings.

1. Seattle Seahawks 12-3 (Last Week: 1)
   The Seahawks rose from the ashes to steal a huge win from their division rival Rams. Seattle has the inside track on the division and home field for the playoffs.Keepin’ it real: Seattle is a Super Bowl contender. Their odds get better if they can stay at home as Seattle has historically been a brutal destination for visiting teams. Contender
2. Los Angeles Rams 11-4 (Last Week: 2)
   The Rams found a way to lose what would have been the biggest win for them this season. Los Angeles may be best served by being conservative with their older players’ health and getting ready for the road in the playoffs.Keepin’ it real: Los Angeles is a Super Bowl contender. Their road will be bumpier than it could have been, but if the Rams are healthy, they are a favorite to represent the NFC. Contender
3. New England Patriots 12-3 (Last Week: 4)
   New England all but ended the Raven’s season. The Pats are in the mix for homefield advantage.Keepin’ it real: If the Pats are home for the playoffs, they must be favored. It is very hard for visiting teams to win in New England. If the Pats are home, they have to be considered a contender despite the struggles with good teams. Contender
4. San Francisco 49ers 11-4 (Last Week: 5)
   The Niners controlled the game in Indianapolis. The Colts had to have the game, but San Francisco was dominant after the opening quarter.Keepin’ it real: San Francisco is a Super Bowl contender. The Niners can run and throw the ball. They might be the NFC’s most balanced team right now. Contender
5. Buffalo Bills 11-4 (Last Week: 6)
   Buffalo stopped the Brown’s comeback attempt to get a win on Sunday. The Bills are unable to put any distance between themselves and their opponents because they allow too many points.Keepin’ it real: The Bills will be on the road for the playoffs, and they are just not good enough to get through the AFC. The Bills season will end in the playoffs again. Pretender
6. Houston Texans 10-5 (Last Week: 7)
   The Texans gave up big plays on Sunday to a team that had not been able to make any big plays all year. There may have been a letdown with the last place Raiders in town, and it almost cost the Texans.Keepin’ it real: The Texans’ defense makes them a true contender. Houston’s elite defense will need to be better than they were against Las Vegas, but they figure to be when there’s more on the line. Contender
7. Jacksonville Jaguars 11-4 (Last Week: 9)
   The Jaguars were impressive in a resounding win on the road in Denver. That was the type of win the team has been needing for more than a season.Keepin’ it real: The win in Denver created a new perspective for Jacksonville. The Jags have beaten several weaker teams during their six-game win streak, but the team now has a signature win and the confidence they can win on the road against a playoff team. The Jags are contenders. Pretender
8. Chicago Bears 11-4 (Last Week: 10)
   The Bears notched a critical win against the Packers. The win avenged a loss to Green Bay from two weeks prior and gives Chicago the lead in the division.Keepin’ it real: The Bears are a great story and appear to never be out of a game. If we are going to keep it real, we must put the Bears in the pretender category. Chicago is not going to win against the big dogs in the NFC. Pretender
9. Philadelphia Eagles (Last Week: Not Ranked)
   The Eagles return to the top ten after a week outside. Philadelphia put two lesser teams away easily the last two weeks finding their passing game in the process. We will see if they can keep it up against the heavyweights.Keepin’ it real: It is hard to ignore the defending champs, but we do not think the success of the last two weeks will carry over into the playoffs. The Eagles are not the same team without all-world offensive tackle Lane Johnson in the lineup, and their offensive woes figure to return when the competition gets tougher. Pretender
10. Los Angeles Chargers (Last Week: Unranked)
    The Chargers have won four straight games to climb back into the top ten. Los Angeles has kept each of its last six opponents under twenty points. That type of defe

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