NFL Week 14 Power Rankings Feature Patriots Finally Securing No. 1 Spot, Lead in AFC

It was a season-defining week in the NFL, with a number of big-time matchups that answered a lot of questions around the league.

In the last few days, we've learned the Patriots are the best team in the AFC, while the Falcons are the class of the NFC. And the Steelers used a comeback victory against the Ravens to earn the inside track on a first-round bye in the playoffs.

A lot of things still have to shake out, but during a season with so much uncertainty, the league has at least started to provide some answers as the calendar has turned to December.

NFL Power Rankings
1 Last week: No. 1 Record: 10 – 2	New England Patriots Danny Woodhead had 11 rushing yards and 104 receiving yards against his old team Monday night as the Patriots embarrassed the Jets 45-3 in a major statement game.
2 Last week: No. 3 Record: 10 – 2	Atlanta Falcons Eric Weems' 102-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter was one of the most significant special teams plays of the NFL season because it keyed Atlanta's 10-point comeback and kept the Falcons one game ahead of the Saints in the NFC South.
3 Last week: No. 4 Record: 9 – 3	New Orleans Saints Quarterback Drew Brees rescued the Saints from a second straight late-game collapse against a poor team, leading the offense down the field for a game-winning touchdown against the Bengals.
4 Last week: No. 6 Record: 9 – 3	Pittsburgh Steelers Safety Troy Polamalu, who forced a Joe Flacco fumble that led to the Steelers' game-winning score Sunday, proved again why he's probably the most valuable defensive player in the NFL.
5 Last week: No. 5 Record: 8 – 4	Baltimore Ravens Quarterback Joe Flacco's final fourth-down pass attempt, which short-hopped a wide-open receiver, will give him nightmares. And it was such an inappropriate way for a great game to come to an end.
6 Last week: No. 1 Record: 9 – 3	New York Jets After a string of close calls and a blowout in a show-me game, the Jets' stock has taken a serious dive. Oh, and cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who got torched for two early touchdowns Monday, is longing for the days when Randy Moss was a Patriot.
7 Last week: No. 8 Record: 9 – 3	Chicago Bears Are the Bears really for real? We'll know more this week after they host the Patriots
8 Last week: No. 10 Record: 8 – 4	Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback Michael Vick is ranked 34th in the NFL with 467 rushing yards.
9 Last week: No. 9 Record: 8 – 4	Green Bay Packers The Packers might have to win at least three of their last four games to get into the playoffs, and they finish with the Lions, Patriots, Giants and Bears. Oh, my.
10 Last week: No. 13 Record: 8 – 4	Kansas City Chiefs The upcoming game in San Diego lost a little of its luster because the Chargers just lost, but the Chiefs-Bolts showdown will help decide the division and show everyone what the Chiefs are really made of.
1 – 1011 – 2021 – 32