NFL Power Rankings, Week 15: Tim Tebow, Broncos Just Keep Winning

The top and the bottom of our 2011 NFL power rankings for Week 15 stayed the same because there are two things we really know about this season: the Green Bay Packers are the best team and the Indianapolis Colts are the worst team. That's been pretty well established after 14 weeks of action.

The rest of the teams in our top 10 stays relatively the same. Teams like the Saints, Ravens, 49ers, Steelers and Patriots are so, so similar right now that you could really mix those up any way you want.

Here's how things look entering Week 15:

1. Green Bay Packers (13-0, LW: 1): The best team in the league heads to Kansas City to play a Chiefs team that just fired their head coach. In other words, this one could get ugly for the home team.

2. New Orleans Saints (10-3, LW: 2): The Saints might be the only team right now that I would pick to compete with the Packers. They're one of the few teams that might be able to match Green Bay's offensive firepower.

3. Baltimore Ravens (10-3, LW: 3): The Ravens are well-tested and they're going to be a tough out in the playoffs. Are they the favorite to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl?

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3, LW: 5): They'd be the best team in most divisions but with Baltimore in the AFC North we still don't know who will win that division. Both have 10 wins through 13 games.

5. New England Patriots (10-3, LW: 6): The Patriots are starting to hit their stride (even with a slight hiccup against Washington). They should wrap up the AFC East shortly.

6. San Francisco 49ers (10-3, LW: 4): The 49ers lost last Sunday which means home field advantage is no longer a sure thing. They have a huge test against Pittsburgh on Monday night.

7. Houston Texans (10-3, LW: 7): Well, I'm officially impressed with the Texans. That's another victory for T.J. Yates, the rookie QB replacing Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart. Right now I have them and San Francisco at the top of the second tier teams.

8. Denver Broncos (8-5, LW: 8): OK, now. That's 7-1 under Tim Tebow which, after a 1-4 start, is incredible. I'm a believer. Tebow and Co. control their own destiny down the stretch.

9. New York Jets (8-5, LW: 12): The Jets have found an offense scoring 28 or more points in the last three games, all victories. If they can keep that up, Rex Ryan will be right -- the Jets will be a dangerous playoff team.

14. Dallas Cowboys (7-6, LW: 10): The Cowboys have had a few chances to take a commanding lead in the NFC East but two losses in a row now have them tied with the Giants for the division lead.

15. Chicago Bears (7-6, LW: 13): As many expected, the Bears may be missing the playoffs after Jay Cutler's injury. Caleb Hanie is clearly not the answer.

16. Oakland Raiders (7-6, LW: 14): The Raiders were sitting pretty a few weeks but Tebow Time has hit them. They're a game behind the Broncos in the AFC West.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (7-6, LW: 15): Tough break for Cincy. They've lost four of their last five and are now on the outside looking in when it comes to playoff talk.

18. San Diego Chargers (6-7, LW: 18): The Chargers usually have a late-season run and they're starting their run this year with two W's in the last two weeks. If they win out, they have a shot (with some help from the Broncos).

19. Arizona Cardinals (6-7, LW: 20): All of a sudden, the Cardinals look pretty legit. They've won five of their last six after starting 1-6. It's too late for the playoffs but it's a good sign heading into 2012.

20. Seattle Seahawks (6-7, LW: 21): Like their NFC West counterpart in Arizona, the Seahawks are on a little roll winning four of their last five. And, like their NFC West counterpart, it comes too late.

21. Buffalo Bills (5-8, LW: 22): The dream is dead. Buffalo started off hot making Bills fans wonder if the playoffs are on the horizon but they've floundered lately.

22. Miami Dolphins (4-9, LW: 24): Tony Sparano has now been fired, which means the Dolphins are looking for a coach.

23. Philadelphia Eagles (5-8, LW: 25): Philly won't make the playoffs, we know that. The only question remaining is whether Andy Reid will be around next year to lead them.

24. Kansas City Chiefs (5-8, LW: 19): Like Miami, Kansas City is without a coach after firing Todd Haley. The immediate task is nearly impossible -- beat the unbeaten Packers on Sunday.

25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-9, LW: 23): My how times change. Just a few months ago Raheem Morris was the fiery head coach of an up-and-coming team and now...he might be gone at the end of the season.

26. Carolina Panthers (4-9, LW: 26): Cam Newton is incredible. Getting Newton acclimated was the big goal this year so consider that mission accomplished, despite the record.

27. Washington Redskins (4-9, LW: 28): Give Washington credit for keeping with the Patriots throughout the game even though they had nothing to play for. They're a quarterback away from being competitive in a very winnable division.

28. Cleveland Browns (4-9, LW: 27): The Browns have had their troubles but I still think it would be a mistake to part ways with Colt McCoy. That will be a big question come draft time.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-9, LW: 29): Blaine Gabbert may have had his best game of the season (but that's not saying much). This will be another interesting quarterback question come draft time.

30. Minnesota Vikings (2-11, LW: 30): It's not a good thing when your starter (Christian Ponder) is benched and the backup (Joe Webb) looks better.

31. St. Louis Rams (2-11, LW: 31): Is this just a bad season for Sam Bradford? Is it injuries? Or is Sam Bradford bad? I didn't think I'd be asking that question.

32. Indianapolis Colts (0-13, LW: 32): Yup. Worst team in the league and it's not even close.