NFL Power Rankings: The Top Teams In Contention
After 13 weeks of amazing football, we are approaching the end of the 2015-16 NFL season regular season. The Carolina Panthers have already clinched a playoff berth, but the rest of the spots remain unanswered. With four weeks left in the regular season, here is a breakdown of the top teams of the league and what we should expect from them entering the playoffs.
1) Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers have taken the league by storm this year. With a 12-0 record, Cam Newton and the Panthers appear to be unstoppable this season. While the New Orleans Saints gave them a run for their money yesterday, the Panthers somehow pulled together to make a comeback and win the game in the last few minutes of the game. This game truly speaks volumes to the resiliency of the Panthers squad. They showed the league that they are capable of weathering an offensive onslaught, which Drew Breese provided, and show poise when the game is on the line. Their remaining schedule is favorable, with games against the Falcons, Giants, and Buccaneers. A 16-0 regular season is a real possibility unless they decide to rest starters once they clinch home-field advantage for the playoffs.
2) New England Patriots
The New England Patriots got off to an incredible start this season, but injuries to their offense are beginning to slow them down. Back-to-back losses against the Denver Broncos and then Philadelphia Eagles make you wonder just how strong of a team they are entering the post-season. The hope to get some of their players back from injury before the playoffs start to help them get back on track. But regardless, when you have Tom Brady at the helm and Bill Belichick still on the sidelines, you can never count the team out.
3) Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals have reached the playoffs for four consecutive years, but they also became the first NFL team to lose four straight opening-round games. The Bengals have continued to improve, and this year may finally be the year the team mounts a successful postseason run. The team is firing on all cylinders this year. Andy Dalton and A.J. Green are an incredibly lethal combination on offense.
4) Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals continue to cruise their opponents and have established themselves as the second-best team in the NFC behind the Carolina Panthers. The Cardinals proved that this is the case Sunday, when they put a 27-3 beat down on the St. Louis Rams. Their remaining schedule will be somewhat of a challenge as their final two weeks of the season have them matching up against the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks — two teams fighting for Wild Card spots or their divisions.
5) Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos continue to improve with Peyton Manning on the sidelines. The question that remains is whether or not the team is now better with Brock Osweiler under the center. While Osweiler is not doing anything truly spectacular, he is doing a great job of managing the team and eliminating mistakes. Their continued success during this transition is a real testament to the team and shows that they are a contender. They are currently atop the division and are in contention with the Bengals and New England Patriots for a first-round bye.
6) Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are back to their winning ways, coming off two impressive wins against the Pittsburgh Steelers and now the Minnesota Vikings. Russell Wilson and the Seahawks are overcoming their deficiencies and injuries are playing some inspiring football. If the team continues to play at this caliber for the remainder of the season, we can certainly expect to see them make some noise in the playoffs once again.
7) Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs have won an impressive six games in a row. They have vaulted themselves into the playoff picture, now occupying one of the AFC wildcard spots. Everything appears to be clicking with the team at just the right time. Alex Smith and Jeremy Maclin have developed a strong connection in the passing game; Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware have proven to be a monster combination at running back in Jamaal Charles’ absence.
8) Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings started the season red hot, sitting at 7-2 just a few weeks ago. Their fortunes have slowly begun to change and the team now sits at 8-4. A loss to the Seattle Seahawks have them no tied with the Packers at the top of the division, but trending in a different direction. They are still in the driver’s seat for a Wild Card spot, but if they are unable to get back to their early-season ways, they are in serious danger of missing the playoffs.
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