NFL Power Rankings Week 15: Race For Top Seed

 

With only three weeks remaining in the regular season, the postseason race is on.

The AFC is now Kansas City’s to lose, and the battle between New Orleans and Green Bay for the top spot in the NFC grows more interesting each week.

WEEK 15 POWER RANKINGS

1. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (12-1)

LAST WEEK RANKING: 1

WEEK 15: @ NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (10-3)

With Pittsburgh’s loss, the Chiefs take the driver’s seat for the No. 1 seed in the AFC.

Three games remain on the schedule, but if Kansas City can get past New Orleans on Sunday, then the Falcons and Chargers are the last obstacles in the way of the coveted postseason bye.

2. GREEN BAY PACKERS (10-3)

LAST WEEK RANKING: 4

WEEK 15: VS. CAROLINA PANTHERS (4-9)

The Packers have won the NFC North for the seventh time in 10 seasons.

A dramatic 31-24 victory over the Lions sealed Green Bay’s latest title, with Aaron Rodgers throwing for three touchdowns and 290 yards to continue his MVP campaign.

Green Bay has won three games in a row and is getting closer to securing that top NFC seed.

3. BUFFALO BILLS (10-3)

LAST WEEK RANKING: 5

WEEK 15: @ DENVER BRONCOS (5-8)

The Buffalo Bills are serious Super Bowl contenders.

Buffalo took advantage of a foundering Steelers side Sunday, winning 26-15 to hand Pittsburgh its second consecutive loss.

The Josh Allen-to-Stefon Diggs combination once again stole the show, with the duo linking up 10 times for 130 yards and a touchdown.

4. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (11-2)

LAST WEEK RANKING: 2

WEEK 15: @ CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-10-1)

The Steelers went from being the front-runners for the AFC’s top seed to being on the outside looking in only two weeks.

A poor performance from Ben Roethlisberger sealed Pittsburgh’s fate at Buffalo on Sunday night as “Big Ben” threw two crucial interceptions that halted any potential momentum the Steelers were building.

The Steelers still hold a one-game lead over the Bills for the No. 2 seed, but it’s hard to overlook the missed opportunity they had when atop the conference.

5. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (10-3)

LAST WEEK RANKING: 3

WEEK 15: VS. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (12-1)

Taysom Hill’s undefeated run as the Saints’ quarterback came to an end this past week, 24-21 to an uneven Eagles side.

Two turnovers from Hill doomed the Saints and opened the NFC race, with Green Bay now in control of its own fate for the playoff bye.

With the loss, the clock only ticks louder for New Orleans and the hope for Drew Brees’ return.