PFT’s Week 14 2020 power rankings

Denver Broncos v Kansas City Chiefs
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1. Chiefs (last week No. 2; 11-1): Exceptional teams can periodically sleepwalk and still win consistently.

2. Saints (No. 3; 10-2): Sean Payton quietly is making a strong case for Canton.

3. Steelers (No. 1; 11-1): They’ve been so close to losing for so long, coach Mike Tomlin seems relieved that it finally happened.

4. Bills (No. 4; 9-3): The Bills are definitely ready for prime time.

5. Packers (No. 5; 9-3): It’s a shame that Aaron Rodgers had to sit on the bench for three years.

6. Rams (No. 8; 8-4): Let Cam Akers become the identity of the offense.

7. Dolphins (No. 9; 8-4): In Brian Flores vs. Any Player in the NFL, I’d bet on Brian Flores.

8. Browns (No. 11; 9-3): Cleveland deserves this. Cleveland could end up getting used to this.

9. Colts (No. 10; 8-4): A very good team will end up missing the playoffs in the AFC. The Colts could be that team.

10. Seahawks (No. 6; 8-4): A very good team will end up missing the playoffs in the NFC. The Seahawks could be that team.

11. Titans (No. 7; 8-4): The loss to Cleveland quite possibly was a fluke. If it wasn’t, the Titans could end up on the outside looking in.

12. Buccaneers (No. 12; 7-5): In the not-so-subtle battle of Bruce vs. Brady, Sunday’s bye-week return game against the Vikings becomes critical.

13. Ravens (No. 13; 6-5): The Steelers and Chiefs should be praying that the Ravens don’t make it to the playoffs.

14. Vikings (No. 15; 6-6): The hornheads recently have a horseshoe up their butts.

15. Patriots (No. 16; 6-6): They should have saved some of those 45 points for later.

16. Cardinals (No. 14; 6-6): The NFL has caught up with the Arizona offense.

17. Falcons (No. 18; 4-8): Good news, two games in 15 days against the Saints are done. Bad news, two games in 15 days against the Bucs are looming.

18. Raiders (No. 19; 7-5): If the Raiders make it to the playoffs, Jon Gruden should hire Gregg Williams.

19. Giants (No. 23; 5-7): Can they actually get to 8-8?

20. Washington (No. 24; 5-7): Can they actually get to 8-8?

21. 49ers (No. 17; 5-7): Every time it looks like it’s over for the 49ers, they win the next game.

22. Lions (No. 27; 5-7): The Darrell Bevell bump is real.

23. Panthers (No. 22; 4-8): They’ll soon get a chance to try to spoil their former coach’s playoff run.

24. Bears (No. 20; 5-7): The winds of change are blowing harder than usual in the Windy City.

25. Broncos (No. 21; 4-8): It’s a good thing fans aren’t there this year for home games, or they wouldn’t be.

26. Texans (No. 25; 4-8): Deshaun Watson continues to do everything he can to help an overmatched team win.

27. Eagles (No. 26; 3-8-1): Carson Wentz finally was fed a Hurts donut.

28. Cowboys (No. 28; 3-8): It’s been 12 days since the Cowboys last played, and no one seems to miss them.

29. Chargers (No. 29; 3-9): The Chargers, if looking for a new coach, should try to hire a current head coach from another team; more than a few surely would be interested.

30. Bengals (No. 30; 2-9-1): The Bengals are once again the third best team in Ohio.

31. Jaguars (No. 31; 1-11): The Trent Baalke bump is real, but it wasn’t enough to keep the losing streak from getting to 11.

32. Jets (No. 32; 0-12): Nearly a decade after he should have been permanently shunned from the NFL, Gregg Williams finally will be.

72 responses to “PFT’s Week 14 2020 power rankings

  1. Giants are finally ranked in the top 20 and a typo makes it look like we’re 29th. Force of habit I guess.

  2. 24. Bears (No. 20; 5-7): The winds of change are blowing harder than usual in the Windy City.

    ——————-

    And I’m free, free fallin’
    Yeah I’m free, free fallin’

  3. LOL florio thinking the Ravens are going to do anything…. WHAT have they proven? The Browns seem to be on the uptick WAY more then the Ravens.. -Steeler Fan.

  4. How are the falcons #17? Twenty-seven would be more appropriate. No way 17 or even in the top 20.

  5. Peyton for Canton?

    Would you put Mike McCarthy there? Very similar accomplishments.

    Don’t know that I’d put both there. Peyton will end up there over Mike but an objective look tells me Peyton gets a lot of press for a guy who gets to playoffs with a HOF QB, only to get bounced. 1 single Superbowl appearance.

    Sounds familiar doesn’t it…

  6. I don’t think the Steelers or Chiefs care if the Ravens make the playoffs. Do you even watch football Florio? This is a QB league. The Ravens have a glorified RB playing the most important position on the field & there is now tape on how to stop Jackson. BTW, Baltimore can’t comeback from a deficit. Any wonder why they underachieve come playoff time w/ Jackson at the helm?

  7. 31. Jaguars (No. 31; 1-11): The Trent Baalke bump is real, but it wasn’t enough to keep the losing streak from getting to 11.

    ——————————–

    Just wait as he tries to outsmart everyone in the war room by drafting guys with torn ACLs or waste high draft spots on guys from low-tier schools projected to either go on Day 3 or undrafted at all. He’s also an absolute joy to work with and gets along with the coaching staff just fine.

  8. At this rate the bengals may be the 4th best team in Ohio, and the second best in Cincinnati

  9. Titans and Packers are too low. If you want to base this list off only your personal opinion then have it. Then don’t call it a Power Ranking.

    The Saints lost to the Packers. Yes, it matters to a extent. Until they can prove they can beat the Pack they shouldn’t be 3 spots above Green Bay in a actual power rankings which includes more than you thinking what team is better. I’ll take the Packers overall roster over the Saints all day. I could also make a strong case that the Packers have the stronger head coaching. Another criteria in Power Rankings.

    The Titans lost to the Browns by 6 points. Ok, I give you that. However, no one in their right mind would say the Browns have a stronger roster and coaching staff. Which are two of the criteria in a Power Ranking.

  10. I know you like to reuse lines, but while the Colts may miss out on the playoffs, which is more likely if they lose to the Raiders this weekend, the Seahawks would have to absolutely collapse in their final four games for that to happen. At worst they go 1-3, and that’s if you have them losing to Washington, Rams, and 49ers.

  11. Anyone realize that yesterday Florio posted an article where he didn’t understand how Greg Williams was still coaching because of bounty gate. Yet, he is now saying Sean Payton should be in Canton.. lol.. Payton was the head coach who knew about it and was suspended. I don’t understand how either should be coaching right now, let alone talking about Canton.

  12. The Ravens face only one team with a winning record in their last five games of the season, the Browns they handily beat week one, so they have a decent shot to get to ten wins. But that opening day game and the one against the Colts are their only wins against teams with a winning record.
    They frighten no one.

  13. Chiefs/Saints in a couple of weeks in NOLA. That should sort the top two. I wouldn’t put money on it either way.

  14. It’s a shame Rodgers had to sit for three years? How so? He learned from the best and in doing so likely extended his career into his forties. Where’s Burrow right now? Exactly.

    BTW…..the comment about the Vikings is unfair. They deserve credit for the luck all the hoping, wishing, and praying from their fans is providing.

  15. First – I feel like KC has got to be heavily favored to repeat as champs.

    As a Browns fan I’m cautiously optimistic. Baker has been avoiding costly mistakes – it would be nice if his accuracy was more consistent – and our receivers drop too many passes (I’m sure fans of every team say that).

    We’ve had a few games this year where we’ve had big leads and almost gave them up. I’ll attribute that to a young team. I don’t know. The Titans game wouldn’t have been as close if our receiver hadn’t dropped a TD pass in the first half.

    Nick Chubb is on a path to having statues built of him in Cleveland, and Hunt as a 2nd back is unreal. We need them both, and I don’t know how long we can keep both.

    Anyway, the past 20 years haven’t mentally prepared me for the team doing this well. The Steelers and Ravens are still our main speed bumps to any kind of sustained franchise success, or success within the division. They’re in our heads, except for the occasional blip. We’ll see.

  16. MortimerInMiami says:
    December 8, 2020 at 10:41 am
    How about those amazing Miami Dolphins everyone!

    Phins Up!
    Mask On!
    ——–

    Making work of that last place schedule!

  17. 13. Ravens (No. 13; 6-5): The Steelers and Chiefs should be praying that the Ravens don’t make it to the playoffs.

    ———–

    Lol what?

  18. Mickey Loomis will likely merit a Hall of Fame nom more than Payton. He built the team that won a super bowl, drafted exceptionally well these past few years, has amassed one of the league’s most balanced rosters that’s been able to withstand significant injuries, and all of that has resulted in a string of disappointing playoff losses by the supposedly Canton bound coach.

  19. lol trolling that the browns only won by six. They were up by twenty with ninety seconds to go. Vrabel really coached hard for the moral victory, so pat on the head to him and his team of egregious personal foul artists. It was adorable

  20. The Browns playing to an empty stadium Monday night is one of my top 5 most depressing 2020 moments.

  21. Uh I think you mean the Ravens should be praying they never have to play the Chiefs in anything be it football or horse shoes. You wrote like nine articles on how the Chiefs are the Ravens kryptonite and the Ravens have regressed since then.

  22. Would you please stop over rating the Dolphins? They are maybe top ten, but 7 is ridiculous–and they may even be out of top ten after losing to Chiefs week 14! (And they will lose to Chiefs! Their D is good, but their offense? Tua needs more time, and will Preston Williams be back? And I don’t think Miles Gaskin is anywhere near as good as Hillaire (spelling?).

    But I am very happy the AFC East is finally competitive again! And if Tua is as good as I think he can be, the Fins will overtake the Bills in a year or two.

    And the AFC West is the new AFC East, and the Chiefs are the new (Brady/BB-run) Pats. Good luck Denver, Vegas, and LAC! Just ask the Bills, Fins and Jets in the 2010s!

  23. Four teams with worse records, including 6-8 Atlanta, ranked ahead of the Raiders. These power rankings are a joke.

  24. People still eating up the Sean Payton bountygate propaganda.. gotta love it. Lol

  25. If you don’t think Sean Payton is worthy of the HOF… there’s no hope for you. Turn your blinders off, my goodness

  26. 13. Ravens (No. 13; 6-5): The Steelers and Chiefs should be praying that the Ravens don’t make it to the playoffs.
    —–
    why? they can’t beat either one.

  27. joetoronto says:
    December 8, 2020 at 11:34 am
    13. Ravens (No. 13; 6-5): The Steelers and Chiefs should be praying that the Ravens don’t make it to the playoffs.

    ———–

    Lol what?

    —–

    So? They played the very strong AFC West and only lost to Seattle. They play the Chiefs next week (and yes, lost to Denver–you know, altitude? Has Tua ever played at 5,000 feet?)…what’s the matter, (I assume since Toronto) Bills fan? Can’t handle the heat? Since the Fins play in Miami…. Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!

  28. What a ridiculous statement to say that Broncos fans wouldn’t show up… The Broncos have a sellout streak of 51 years! I’m pretty sure the fans would still be there if they were all allowed in!

  29. freefromwhatyouare says:
    December 8, 2020 at 11:04 am
    I’ll take the Packers overall roster over the Saints all day. I could also make a strong case that the Packers have the stronger head coaching.

    ———————————————————————————

    Thanks for this, I needed a good belly laugh this morning.

  30. Poor raiders, they have beated 3 of the top 8 teams, and can still beat 5 of the top 10 with games against the Dolphins, and Colts. If they do when those games, I am sure pft will rank them around 28

  31. All I know is that Drew Brees is one of the most overrated quarterbacks in the history of the game right alongside Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers. The Saints have not lost one game in these last two seasons without him, based on Bridgewater going 5-0 last season with that roster and Hill is now like 2-0 with them. If the Patriots were 10-2 right now without Tom Brady, we’d never hear the end of it from all the sports talking heads who think they know anything about the sport of football. The double standards are real.

  32. Mike Floria, thank you for giving Sean Payton the credit he deserves! He’s a little rough on the edges but he’s a franchise coach that should be considered for the H.O.F. It’s one thing to ride a shoe-in HOF QB., like Brees for an entire career, but look at how he developed Taysom Hill. He signed a couple of strong quarterbacks, so he could keep Hill on the field, while sharing the vision that he will be the future starter of this football team, at quarterback. Bridgewater and Hill are undefeated as starters, behind Brees, up to this point. He signed Winston, who could have started for a few teams in the league that were quarterback needy, bc of Bridgewater’s success and big money contract from Carolina. He humbled Mike Thomas and that’s hard to do with ultra competitive guys that signed big money contracts.That takes meticulous planning and vision. Most second and third string quarterbacks hold a clipboard or bounce around the league’s practice squads. Taysom has lined up at every offensive position, except for offensive line and made meaningful impacts in games. it may be difficult to take Hill out, if he elevates his passing game more and protects the ball. I love Drew Brees but if Taysom plays any better in the passing game, he may see the field through the playoffs. Sean Payton’s job is to win, and it still may be Drew’s starting job, but I’m just saying that it may be a very difficult decision down the stretch, and I’m confident Payton will make the correct decision.

  33. Seahawks (No. 6; 8-4): A very good team will end up missing the playoffs in the NFC. The Seahawks could be that team.

    The Seahawks are struggling, but come on, they have a 2% chance of missing the playoffs. The only team who has a realistic shot of taking their place is the Cards, and the Hawks have a 2 game lead over the Cards with 4 games left. It would take an epic collapse for that to happen. You play the games for a reason and all, but the Hawks will be favored to win 3 of the last 4.

  34. freefromwhatyouare says:
    December 8, 2020 at 11:04 am

    Titans and Packers are too low. If you want to base this list off only your personal opinion then have it. Then don’t call it a Power Ranking.

    The Saints lost to the Packers. Yes, it matters to a extent. Until they can prove they can beat the Pack they shouldn’t be 3 spots above Green Bay in a actual power rankings which includes more than you thinking what team is better. I’ll take the Packers overall roster over the Saints all day. I could also make a strong case that the Packers have the stronger head coaching. Another criteria in Power Rankings.

    The Titans lost to the Browns by 6 points. Ok, I give you that. However, no one in their right mind would say the Browns have a stronger roster and coaching staff. Which are two of the criteria in a Power Ranking.
    _________

    This seems to be very important to you. A power ranking is based entirely on someone’s personal opinion. You’re making up criteria as though everyone has agreed on how you’re supposed to rank teams. This is your opinion. Do you think your opinion is the only one that matters?

  35. Surge92 says:
    December 8, 2020 at 12:07 pm

    Four teams with worse records, including 6-8 Atlanta, ranked ahead of the Raiders. These power rankings are a joke.
    _________

    Wasn’t it just nine days ago that the Falcons beat the Raiders 43-6? If you just want to rank teams by their records, you can look at the standings.

  36. joetoronto says:
    December 8, 2020 at 11:34 am
    13. Ravens (No. 13; 6-5): The Steelers and Chiefs should be praying that the Ravens don’t make it to the playoffs.
    _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
    That was a joke right? Both teams have beat the Ravens this season. In fact, the Steelers have beat the Ravens twice.

  37. “The hornheads recently have a horseshoe up their butts.”

    Do all teams need to apologize for wins or how they win?? Asking for a friend….

  38. asteddonkey says:
    December 8, 2020 at 10:53 am
    Peyton for Canton?

    Would you put Mike McCarthy there? Very similar accomplishments.

    Don’t know that I’d put both there. Peyton will end up there over Mike but an objective look tells me Peyton gets a lot of press for a guy who gets to playoffs with a HOF QB, only to get bounced. 1 single Superbowl appearance.

    Sounds familiar doesn’t it…
    ——/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

    Are you serious?? Didn’t McCarthy have a hall of fame qb in Rodgers??? Isn’t Sean Peyton winning games? Come on man!

  39. One day Payton, Loomis et al will be able to tell how Goodell railroaded the team in order to buy protection from the CTE lawsuits. Evidence can be found in that Vilma is now a commentator approved by the league when he was named as the bounty ringleader. And of course Tagliabue threw out all the player suspensions. Coaches and execs are not protected by the CBA like players and so they must keep quiet or get suspended again. The league chose to take the word of an asst coach who threatened Payton after he was fired for unexplained absences, and Goodell has now given that guy a job in his office. It will all come out one day.

  40. Miami is way too high.. and I am a Miami fan.
    But I will say this..everyone said they would be lucky to win 4 games this year.. and look at them now haha
    They will maybe split the last 4 and go 10/6

  41. If Andy Reid is Canton bound so is Payton. Some of the hate on Payton is absolutely ridiculous. And it’s not “Peyton”. He is not a “Manning”. Other than the Patriots there isnt a coach in the nfl with multiple super bowl rings. Sean Payton took over what was once one o the laughing stocks of the nfl and turned them into a legit nfl powerhouse year after year. He’s on his way to his 3rd consecutive 13-3 seasons possibly which is ridiculous to do so in one of the tougher conferences in this league over the past decade. Loomis has been a great GM but it is Payton who is making these calls and has final say over roster, draft, and free agents. Yeah, the playoff losses have been brutal albeit that Rams game is just ridiculous to blame him for. The guy has also had a top 5 offense every year he’s been a head coach in this league. If he isn’t HOF worthy then i’m not sure who is at this point other than Billy in New England.

  42. giants58 says:
    December 8, 2020 at 1:11 pm

    Are you serious?? Didn’t McCarthy have a hall of fame qb in Rodgers??? Isn’t Sean Peyton winning games? Come on man!

    **************

    Not a fan of either team. Just saying, I don’t think anyone’s warming a spot in Canton for McCarthy. Compared to Peyton – they’ve had very similar accomplishments – HOF Qb’s, usually in the playoffs (tho I think McCarthy’s made it more often when their time at GB/NOLA overlapped) and usually bounced without a repeat trip to the SB. McCarthy was pretty good about getting to the NFCCG – better than Peyton.

    I’m just saying – why Peyton and not Mike – they both basically accomplished the same things in the league. If you don’t want them there – great. If you do – great but you can’t say Peyton and not Mike or Mike and not Peyton – not at this point right now. None or both.

    If what Peyton’s done is HOF then what Mike’s done is HOF as well.

  43. Miami??
    Easiest schedules so far this year:

    1 MIA
    2 PIT
    3 KC
    4 IND
    5 WAS
    (from footballoutsiders web site..)

  44. As a lifelong Miami fan, while I am enjoying their unexpected success this year, you have them ranked too high. Their offense is 16th in the league, they are average at best. They are playing a last place schedule and let’s not forget they had that streak where they seemed like they were getting a special teams or defensive TD every week. Again, I am not knocking them, just stating that they are too high. You can’t simply go by record. I know you can only play who is on your schedule, but they have played the Jets (twice), the 49ers, Chargers and Jags. They lost to Denver…They currently have the easiest strength of schedule in the NFL by far. Again, I get it. You can only play who they tell you to play, but that should be figured into the rankings. Talk to me after the next 4 weeks when they play the Chiefs, Raiders, Pats and Bills. THAT is a true litmus test. All in all, it has been a great season. I expected 5-11 or 6-10…

  45. BB/TB Tracker

    BB: 6-6
    TB: 7-5

    Weeks ago BB was at 23 for 2 weeks.The classic tale of the tortoise (BB) and the hare (TB).

  46. Aloha,
    Would be interested in knowing home many NFL players and team employees have tested positive for Covid. Nationally the current 1 week rolling number is something like 50 per 100,000. I have to believe the rate is WAY WAY higher in the NFL in the last few weeks.

    Glad to have heard of no NFL deaths due to Covid. That is excellent.

    Go Pats. 10 and 6 would be a decade worst year for them. and I would love them to make it.

    10,000 – 20,000 Covid deaths likely week in Dec and Jan. God have mercy on us.

    Love. Keep your family safe and well.

  47. joetoronto says:
    December 8, 2020 at 11:34 am
    13. Ravens (No. 13; 6-5): The Steelers and Chiefs should be praying that the Ravens don’t make it to the playoffs.

    ———–

    Lol what?
    —————————————–
    No one loves the Ravens more than me. But I also find this comment laughable.

  48. I actually think my favorite team may be ranked a bit high, but mostly I’m commenting to wonder out loud what some of the above folks that are all worked up about thee rankings do when they have real problems?

  49. It’s a shame that Aaron Rodgers had to sit on the bench for three years.

    Still only one SB appearance. Favre had two.

  50. From “Gruden should hire Gregg Williams”

    To just a bit farther down “Nearly a decade after he should have been permanently shunned from the NFL, Gregg Williams finally will be.”

    Which one is it?

  51. Canton for Payton? For one SB appearance in nearly 20 years with an all-time great QB? And only winning it because the opponent was historically dubious?

    What should be a hall of greats is turning into a hall of gets-a-lot-of-publicity, hall-of-consistent-but-underwhelming. Dungy, Payton, Tomlinson, there’s a sort of “filler” class starting to take up space.

    Meanwhile, Coughlin and Plunkett have each won the SB twice. They rose to the challenge in exceptional circumstances, which to me seems more special than just missing out for a long time.

  52. Sorry, it wasn’t the Saints’ opponent that was dubious, it was their manner of winning. Careless writing not properly reviewed, downvote away.

  53. tqaztec says:
    December 8, 2020 at 4:46 pm
    It’s a shame that Aaron Rodgers had to sit on the bench for three years.

    Still only one SB appearance. Favre had two.

    ___________________________________________________________________________________________

    What does that have to do with anything???? It takes a whole team to win Super Bowls, just a QB.
    One of the greatest QB’s who ever played in the NFL NEVER won one — Dan Marino.
    Judging a QB by how many Super Bowls he has won is such a dumb thing to do.
    The fact is, neither Brett Favre or Aaron Rodgers have had a Hall Of Fame WR to throw to. Davante Adams might be on his way there, but he has a long way to go before you can call him that.
    Brett and Aaron are two of the best QB’s who ever played in the NFL. I’d take either of them in any game and play anyone and I’d have a good chance to win. That’s all that matters. And — they are both shoo-in Hall Of Fame QB’s. Brett is there and Aaron will be, too.

  54. I hope the Vikings make the playoffs only to have another miracle win over the saints again

  55. 2020 NFL strength of schedule (toughest to easiest):
    New England Patriots .537.
    New York Jets . 533.
    Miami Dolphins . 529.
    San Francisco 49ers . 527.
    T-5. Buffalo Bills . 525.
    T-5. Detroit Lions . 525.
    T-5. Atlanta Falcons . 525.

    You can only play the schedule they give you.
    T-8. Arizona Cardinals .518.

  56. Interesting how so many of you think that you know it all. Some of you want to change how the playoffs are structured. Why can’t you just relax, enjoy the sport and the games and watch however it plays out and enjoy it? I really like the Patriots fans take on how it’s nice to see someone else in the division win, that is different & refreshing. I do miss TB12 in NE though.

  57. toasteddonkey says:
    December 8, 2020 at 10:53 am
    Peyton for Canton?

    Would you put Mike McCarthy there? Very similar accomplishments.

    Don’t know that I’d put both there. Peyton will end up there over Mike but an objective look tells me Peyton gets a lot of press for a guy who gets to playoffs with a HOF QB, only to get bounced. 1 single Superbowl appearance.

    Sounds familiar doesn’t it…

    ===================================================================

    No it doesn’t. It’s hilarious to watch all the upset Packers and Vikings fans downvote this because of reasons unrelated to the actual premise.

    McCarthy has Aaron Rogers and Dak Prescott. How is he doing without Dak and Aaron?

    Payton last season lost Brees for 5 games and took Vikings castoff Teddy Bridgewater and went 5-0. This season he lost Brees again and Taysom Hill who this entire board says isn’t a starting QB in the NFL and has gone undefeated with him as his starter.

    Florio’s reasoning is sound and his argument is that when Payton has faced all sorts of adversity in his career he has overcome it and managed to be very competitive year after year. Hell, look how well Belichick is doing without Brady for some more examples.

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