NFL Power Rankings, Week 14.

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Patriots fans are finally getting their wish. It only took their ninth straight win, but the Patriots have finally moved to the top of the Power Rankings, ending Kansas City's 12 week run at No. 1.

 

We've been bombarded by fans from all over New England this season, and while it's been tiresome at times to read all the angry e-mail, the passion is something you have to admire. And besides, it looks like all the e-mails were right. The Patriots are now a perfect 7-0 against teams that currently have winning records (Eagles, Titans, Dolphins twice, Broncos, Cowboys and Colts). That's pretty impressive.

 

New England isn't blowing teams out, winning by a margin of only 4.6 points per game. But they're winning and in line to be the top seed in the AFC.

 

The Chiefs dropped just one spot to No. 2, but they're looking a little shaky lately and the Eagles are right behind them with an eight-game winning streak.

 

A big mover this week was the Ravens, who jumped up five spots to No. 7 following their dismantling of the Bengals. Baltimore has won three straight games over quality opponents (Seahawks, 49ers and Bengals) and looks like one of the hottest teams in the NFL.

 

Anyway, on to the rankings.

 

2003 Power Rankings: Week 15

 

Rank Team Rec. Comment

 

1 Patriots 11-2-0 Tom Brady is now 31-12 (.721) as a starter. He might not look as good as Peyton Manning or Steve McNair, but he's a winner.

 

2 Chiefs 11-2-0 Suddenly the Chiefs look like they have some dents in their armor and the run defense is the big one.

 

3 Eagles 10-3-0 In Philly's eight-game winning streak, Donovan McNabb has thrown 10 TD passes and just three INTs.

 

4 Colts 10-3-0 Win over the Titans gives the Colts a stranglehold on the AFC South.

 

5 Rams 10-3-0 Rams can put away the NFC West with a win over the Seahawks on Sunday.

 

6 Titans 9-4-0 Titans' road to the Super Bowl looks like it will be entirely on the road once the playoffs start.

 

7 Ravens 8-5-0 The Ravens are starting to look like the kind of team that will be really dangerous in the playoffs.

 

8 Broncos 8-5-0 Eddie Kennison talked the talk, but it was the Denver Broncos and Clinton Portis that walked the walk.

 

9 Dolphins 8-5-0 Jay Fiedler is banged up again, but it looks like he'll play Monday against the Eagles in what is close to a must-win game for the Dolphins.

 

10 Panthers 8-5-0 Panthers still sitting pretty in the NFC South, but they don't want to back in to the playoffs.

 

11 Vikings 8-5-0 Daunte Culpepper to Randy Moss is about as fun as anything in the NFL to watch.

 

12 Seahawks 8-5-0 Maybe the Seahawks can't get good coffee on the road or something.

 

13 Bengals 7-6-0 That loud sound you heard was the Bengals crashing back down to earth.

 

14 Packers 7-6-0 Trailing the Vikings (in the NFC North), Cowboys and Seahawks (in wild card) by one game, the Packers have to be looking to win their last three.

 

15 Cowboys 8-5-0 Terry Glenn, Antonio Bryant and Joey Galloway had zero catches against the Eagles -- that's hard to imagine.

 

16 49ers 6-7-0 Is there a team in the NFL that has been harder to figure out this season than the 49ers?

 

17 Saints 6-7-0 Just when we're ready to jump on the Saints bandwagon they go and lose.

 

18 Buccaneers 6-7-0 Defense takes a stand against Deuce McAllister, ending his 100-yard game streak at nine.

 

19 Bills 6-7-0 Looks like the Bills are figuring some things out. Too bad it happened this late in the season.

 

20 Jaguars 4-9-0 Jacksonville quietly has put together one of the NFL's best defenses. Marcus Stroud and John Henderson are a load in the middle of the defensive line.

 

21 Jets 5-8-0 With games left against the Dolphins and Patriots, the Jets can be a big spoiler.

 

22 Redskins 5-8-0 Tim Hasselbeck has taken his opportunity and showed that he can play in the NFL.

 

23 Steelers 5-8-0 Nice to see Jerome Bettis rumbling for a 100-yard day. With the Steelers playing the Jets this weekend, look for another one.

 

24 Bears 5-8-0 We've said it before, but the Bears have to get Rex Grossman at least a little bit a playing time this season.

 

25 Texans 5-8-0 No David Carr and no Domanick Davis means no offense for the Texans.

 

26 Falcons 3-10-0 If anyone forgot exactly what Michael Vick could do, he reminded them Sunday night.

 

27 Browns 4-9-0 Browns seem like a team in disarray right now and the QB situation is the epitome of that.

 

28 Giants 4-9-0 The Giants stink right now. That's pretty much all you can say.

 

29 Lions 4-9-0 There have to be days when all Mooch can do is just shake his head.

 

30 Raiders 3-10-0 Apparently the Raiders didn't respond to Bill Callahan's 'stupid' remarks last week.

 

31 Chargers 3-10-0 Sounds like Drew Brees could be back as starting QB. What took so long?

 

32 Cardinals 3-10-0 Cardinals have been outscored 253-82 in seven road games (0-7) this season.