There is not an analysis for every team, but the power rankings for Week 15 of the 2018-19 NFL season are listed below. Hope you enjoy!
1. New Orleans Saints
Drew Brees is the obvious MVP. His touchdown to interception ratio is unbelievable, and leading this Saints team to an 11-3 start is tremendous especially with the inconsistency of the defense.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
Back to back quarterback shout outs must be well deserved, and Patrick Mahomes deserves this one. An incredible first year as a starter he has been absolutely magnificent and re-shaped the game much like Stephen Curry re-shaped NBA basketball. Mahomes has begun to turn the league into a high-scoring pass-based system just as Stephen Curry turned the NBA towards a three point centered game.
3. Los Angeles Rams
While Todd Gurley is obviously one of the most physically gifted players in the NFL, his mental awareness could use some work. While the Rams entire roster is so loaded that they should theoretically never be losing, in tight situations at the ends of games, Todd Gurley has got to know to get out of bounds. He didn't against Philadelphia, and he cost his team a very good chance at sending the game into overtime.
4. Los Angeles Chargers
Phillip Rives has established himself as the most underrated player in the NFL. He should be a frontrunner for MVP alongside Drew Brees and Patrick Mahomes, but instead he silently assassinates opposing defenses to carry his team to an 11-3 record.
5. Chicago Bears
Tarik Cohen has become the newest small and quick phenomenon in the NFL. A great pass-catcher and good runner, Cohen has sparked this offense to life this year. The real story is the impact of Khalil Mack and Akiem Hicks on the other side of the ball, though. These two guys have single handedly destroyed game plans this year. Of course it helps when the rest of the defense is loaded with young All-Pro talents like Eddie Jackson, Adrian Amos, and Kyle Fuller.
6. Houston Texans
Ever since the trade for Demaryius Thomas, the Texans have been going off. While Thomas's production certainly does not show that he is the reason for their recent success, the offense has begun to click better than ever and have landed themselves the 2 seed in the AFC which could prove very beneficial if they can hold on to it for the playoffs.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers
JuJu Smith-Schuster has become one of the best receivers in the NFL in such a short time. The kid is incredible. The combination of Antonio Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Eli Rogers, and the indestructible offensive line is enough to scare any team. Usually, Big Ben and the Steelers' O likes to stall out come playoff time, but this year, this offensive line is the best the Steel Curtain has had to offer in over 5 years.
8. New England Patriots
The Patriots are too inconsistent. Either the offense is off and the defense is on or the offense is on and the defense is off. While credit must also be given to opposing teams, last-second lateral plays should never be game-winners and 10 points in an hour's worth of football is unacceptable. Once the offense and defense get in sync though, this team could be scary... very scary.
9. Philadelphia Eagles
Nick Foles is the best quarterback for the Eagles. Carson Wentz might have more skill, but Foles has shown repeatedly that he can get the job done in Philly under Doug Pederson. Now that Wentz is hurt yet again, Foles has transformed this Eagles offense into a very scary machine. Michael Bennett continues to dominate on the defensive end, and if the Eagles can somehow wiggle their way into the playoffs, the odds for a back-to-back world champion wouldn't be too bizarre.
10. Minnesota Vikings
11. Indianapolis Colts
12. Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson has provided the spark that this Ravens team needed. The Louisville speedster has lead the Ravens to an 8-6 overall record on the year and favorable odds for a playoff spot.
13. Seattle Seahawks
14. Dallas Cowboys
The offense is repulsive. Dak Prescott was a one-season wonder for the 'Boys and could qualify to be the league's best backup quarterback someday. For now, looks like Jerry Jones wants to stick with the former Mississippi State standout. Ezekiel Elliot, rookie Blake Jarwin, and newcomer Amari Cooper are the only bright spots right now for this Cowboys offense.
15. Green Bay Packers
The Packers are not a great team, but as long as Aaron Rodgers is taking the snaps at quarterback, the Pack will always have a chance to win.
16. Tennessee Titans
17. Miami Dolphins
18. Atlanta Falcons
19. Carolina Panthers
20. Cleveland Browns
After the coaching change, Baker Mayfield's deep balls have been a thing of beauty. Baker is getting more freedom, and he is looking good in orange and brown. Hopefully interim head coach Gregg Williams stays on permanently after a 4-2 start.
21. Washington Redskins
Unfortunate events for the 'Skins have lead to a fall down the rankings. First, Alex Smith's leg breaks and gets infected, then Colt McCoy goes down after leading Washington admirably, and then Mark Sanchez is suddenly the starter. Even Josh Johnson looks like a God-send compared to the washed up Mark Sanchez. The defense is stingy though and could quite possibly carry D.C. to a playoff appearance.
22. New York Giants
23. Denver Broncos
Bradley Chubb looks like he could be even better than Von Miller some day. The kid is an absolute beast attacking the quarterback. Might I say Khalil Mack 2.0. Phillip Lindsay has really stepped on as an every down back for the Broncos who need to bring in much more young offensive talent if they want to compete.
24. Cincinnati Bengals
25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
26. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags have underperformed this year after a dominant last season earned them incredibly high expectations. Blake Bortles's starting days in Jacksonville are officially over now that the staff has decided even a former Browns quarterback would be worth starting over the multi-million dollar man. Perhaps Tom Coughlin and the front office make a move for Baltimore's out-of-favor man Joe Flacco.
27. Detroit Lions
28. Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen is one of the best scramblers in the league. If he can improve in every facet of the passing game, he could be special. In other news, the Bills need a complete overhaul at almost every position.
29. San Francisco 49ers
The Niners find themselves in a bad spot once again because Jimmy G just can't stay healthy, and the backup quarterbacks just aren't quite up to par. However, once Jimmy G comes back, this team could be dangerous.
30. New York Jets
31. Oakland Raiders
Jon Gruden has successfully run this team into the ground by ridding himself of nearly all playmakers on both sides of the ball. Hopefully he can re-stock with all the draft picks he has assembled.
32. Arizona Cardinals
While Josh Rosen has been awful and could set the franchise record for interceptions in only half a decade and David Johnson can't find any gaps behind an offensive line that couldn't block against PeeWee football players and an incapability to stop the run, Larry Fitzgerald continues to show how great of receiver he is. If he had a capable team around him, the league would be talking this guy up as one of the best in the business even at his age. Fitz's successor Christian Kirk also played very well this season before being placed on Injured Reserve last week. Hope this first round pick can turn around all the woes the Cardinals are having right now. My prediction: probably not.
