Week 15 NFL Pro Football Power Rankings

As we enter the week before Christmas, here are the NFL Pro Football Power Rankings for week 15.

1. The Green Bay Packers- This team is very deep. Despite losing Greg Jennings to injury, they found that they still have a great running game with Ryan Grant.

2. The New Orleans Saints- Drew Brees is playing like an NFL MVP with 1,364 yards this year, 11 TDs and O interceptions within the last four games.

3. The Pittsburgh Steelers- The Steelers are one of the grittiest teams in the NFL led by one of the toughest QBs. Roethlesberger's performance against the Browns with a high ankle sprain was an exercise in pure will and toughness.

4. The Baltimore Ravens- Keeping pace with Pittsburgh, the Ravens hold a tie breaker over the Steelers in the AFC North. The defensive play of LB Terrell Suggs who had three sacks against the Colts keeps this team in the top 5 for week 15.

5.The New England Patriots- Despite a red zone gaffe by Tom Brady and an argument with his offensive coordinator, The Patriots found a win last week against Washington. Expect more great play by Gronkowski and Brady when this team meets the Broncos this week.

6. The Houston Texans- Houston went up against a very tough Cincinnati team last week and found a win. They did this with a rookie back-up QB in TJ Yates to clinch a playoff berth for the first time in franchise history.

7. The San Francisco 49er's- Tough play by a defense missing their leader, Patrick Willis is what keeps this team in the top 10 in the NFL Power Rankings. The match up against the Steelers on Monday night will be a true test of how far this team has come this year with Jim Harbaugh.

8. The Atlanta Falcons- Matt Ryan has found a favorite receiver in rookie Julio Jones. Tough defensive play combined with the offensive weapons of Ryan, Jones, Gonzalez , White and Douglas keep this team in the top 10.

9. The Denver Broncos- Tim Tebow did it again. He managed to keep this team together to topple the Bears last week. The defense played well enough to stymie the reeling Bears. Matt Prater's hot foot kicking both a 59 yard and a 51 yard field goal keeps the Broncos in the top 10.

10. The New York Jets- Mark Sanchez put up four TDs in their victory over the Chiefs. If the Jets keep playing aggressively, they will control their fate and possibly make the playoffs.

11. The New York Giants- The Giants are a mentally tough team that can beat any team each week. Their close game against Green Bay two weeks ago and their victory over the Cowboys on Sunday Night earns them an 11 spot in the NFL Power Rankings.

12. The Detroit Lions- The Lions have stopped their free fall with a nice win over the Vikings. However, this team commits too many needless penalties which can hold them back.

13. The Cincinnati Bengals- Andy Dalton's team took one on the chin against the Texans last week. This team is on the path to greatness, A solid defense and a young receiving corp in Green and Simpson takes care of business in the Queen City.

14. The Tennessee Titans- The Titans gave the Saints fits last week but ended up taking one on the chin. Jake Locker played sharp when Hasselbeck got injured. Expect big things when everyone is healthy.

15. The Dallas Cowboys- This is a great team that has an identity issue. It has an Offensive Coordinator and a Defensive Coordinator. But the coordinators loom larger than the Head Coach. A total team concept is needed in Dallas.

16. The Seattle Seahawks- Like last year, the Seahawks are making their move at the end of the year. Tavaris Jackson, when he settles down is developing as a nice QB. The play of Doug Baldwin and Marshawn Lynch is starting to turn heads.

17. The Arizona Cardinals- This team was left for dead several weeks ago. However Ken Whisenhunt has kept the team together and has kept the last five games very close. Elevated play by Skelton and consistent play by Fitzgerald and Wells will help this team finish at .500 this year.

18. The Oakland Raiders- Injuries have hampered the progress this team has made with Carson Palmer at the helm. However Palmer's 3 INTS per game makes me wonder that perhaps Jason Cambell, when healthy,could do better.

19. The Chicago Bears- Oh how the fickle finger of fate hurt the Bears. A Forte injury, A Cutler injury and a Barber gaffe has driven this team to 19 in the NFL Pro Football Power rankings.

20. The San Diego Chargers- Phillip Rivers finally has a healthy supporting cast. This team has a realistic shot of shocking Denver and making a run.

21. The Philadelphia Eagles- The Eagles are finally starting to right the ship with a solid win against Miami last week. The Philadelphia defensive line accounted for 9 sacks and an interception.

22. The Carolina Panthers- Until the Panthers find a way to play both halves of the game consistently well, even Cam Newton cannot save them.

23. The Washington Redskins- Typical Rex Grossman play- interception at the end of the game- combined with the absence of Fred Davis and a starting left tackle has pushed this team to number 23 in the NFL Pro Football Power Rankings.

24. The Buffalo Bills- This team is playing very un-inspired football. Until they find ways to win, they will stay in the lower end of the NFL Pro Football Power Rankings.

25. The Miami Dolphins- Tony Sparano's job was never safe, especially after an 0-7 start to the season. With Matt Moore out with a head injury, this team will find wins more and more difficult.

26. The Jacksonville Jaguars- In a nice win last week for Mel Tucker and Mr. Kahn the new owner, the Jaguars have a more difficult task on Thursday against the Falcons. Gabbert must improve for this team to move forward.

27. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Raheem Morris could be the next coach out of a job if he doesn't turn this team around. Seven turnovers in the last game drives this team down the power chart.

28. The Minnesota Vikings- As the Vikings sort out their woes, there seems to be hope on the horizon with Ponder. When this team gets healthy, expect better times.

29. The Cleveland Browns-It is painfully obvious that Colt McCoy, even without a concussion, is nothing more than a back-up Quarterback. He lacks the arm strength and accuracy. Also, he has no one to throw to. The Browns may be in the RGIII sweepstakes.

30. The Kansas City Chiefs- Todd Haley's departure was unexpected. But the injury bug has taken a major toll on this team. You cannot blame everything on Haley.

31. The St Louis Rams-When you cannot score from the one yard line until the 9th consecutive attempt, you deserve to be at the bottom of the NFL Pro Football Power Rankings.

32. The Indianapolis Colts- Can it get much worse?