Week 14 NFL Power Rankings Roundup: Love ‘Is Going to the Playoffs’
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Following an upset win over the Kansas City Chiefs, the Green Bay Packers have rocketed up the latest NFL power rankings.
Before the Packers embarked on their three-game winning streak, their average ranking in our weekly survey of 10 national power rankings was 26.4. It was 17.3 last week. Now, it’s 12.7. They cracked the top 10 at Sports Illustrated.
Here is where you can find the Packers in the weekly rankings, including links to take you to deeper analysis.
Sports Illustrated: 10th
Last week: 17th
The Packers are going to the playoffs, announced Conor Orr. “The Packers’ remaining schedule: Giants, Buccaneers, Panthers, Vikings, Bears. Guess what folks? Jordan Love is going to the playoffs. Against an excellent Chiefs defense on Sunday night, Love hit five receivers three or more times, and none of them were reception-gobbling checkdown running backs.”
The 33rd Team: 11th
Last week: 18th
A “manageable” schedule will help the Packers overcome the loss of receiver Christian Watson, Ryan Reynolds wrote. They’ve “knocked off the Lions and Chiefs in the last two weeks, inserting themselves into the NFC playoff picture. The Packers’ talented defense has kept them competitive for most of the season, but QB Jordan Love has been a difference-maker in recent weeks.”
Yahoo: 11th
Last week: 15th.
Frank Schwab notes Jordan Love is an “entirely different player” the last five games. Because of it, “The Packers are likely going to the playoffs after Sunday's upset win of the Chiefs — Green Bay has the easiest remaining schedule in the NFL, via Tankathon — but seeing Love come alive as its starting quarterback might be even more important.”
The Athletic: 12th
Last week: 16th
In this week’s rankings, Josh Kendall focuses on the “worst case” for all teams. For the Packers, it’s turnovers. “The Packers have turned their season around with three straight wins, the most recent two coming against Super Bowl contenders. It might be a sign of great things to come. Or it might just be turnovers. The Packers are second in the league in turnover margin in the last three weeks (plus-five).”
ESPN.com: 12th
Last week: 17th
This week’s rankings focused on the “pleasant surprise” for each team. Packers beat writer Rob Demovsky picked Joe Barry. His defense has kept the Packers in just about every game. “Those who wanted -- and perhaps still want -- Matt LaFleur to make a change at defensive coordinator might want to look away. The Packers have climbed to No. 9 in the NFL in scoring defense, allowing just 20.3 points per game. … Nothing matters more than points.”
CBS Sports: 13th
Last week: 19th
Pete Prisco dedicated a huge chunk of his rankings to the emerging Love. Prisco was impressed with Love during his trip to training camp, then was unimpressed to start the season. Now, Love is rolling and the Packers are in the hunt.
“His command of the offense was outstanding against the high-pressure looks the Chiefs used. He seemed to get to the right play in almost every situation, his pocket awareness so much better than earlier in the season. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has done a masterful job of navigating through injuries and bringing along a young quarterback and roster.”
USA Today: 13th
Last week: 16th
Nate Davis noted coach Matt LaFleur’s stunning 16-0 record in December. “Green Bay is sitting pretty, particularly with five games scheduled this month.”
NFL.com: 14th
Last week: 18th
Remember that time when fans were thinking about using that top-10 draft pick on a new quarterback? Eric Edholm does. “The season has been turned on its ear with the Packers’ statement victory over the Chiefs, making it appear more likely right now that the Packers are in the playoffs than out, especially with a very favorable schedule down the stretch. Currently, they’re slotted in the final NFC wild-card spot, with a tiebreaker over the Rams. Just think, the 2-5 Packers beating the 3-5 Rams in Week 9 is dictating the shape of the playoffs.”
Pro Football Network: 15th
Last week: 18th
The Packers are surging behind Love, Dalton Miller says. “Love has now thrown for eight touchdowns and no interceptions during Green Bay’s three-game win streak, while the Packers have re-inserted themselves into the playoff mix. They’d be the NFC’s seventh seed if the season ended today, and given the way Green Bay’s defense is starting to come together, no contender will want to face them.”
Pro Football Talk: 16th
Last week: 19th
In a copy and paste from a week ago, Mike Florio wrote: “Where are all the people who wanted to pull the plug on Jordan Love?” Well, a few weeks ago, Florio wondered if “mediocrity” could be the Packers’ “new status quo.”
Next Opponent: New York Giants
The Giants’ average spot in our rankings is 27.8. They are 25th at Sports Illustrated. It is worth nothing they won back-to-back games and are coming off their bye.
Wrote Conor Orr: “Riding a post-bye high that includes a reported 1,200% spike in Tommy DeVito jerseys, the Giants are on a path to destroy the Packers on Monday Night Football this week. OK, maybe not, but who is going to say with any degree of confidence that the Giants won’t keep it close?”
