NFL power rankings Week 14: Tim Tebow leads Broncos into top 10

Washington Post staff writer Mark Maske assesses the league’s top teams.

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1. Packers (12-0)

How easy did Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay offense make it look on their way to the winning field goal Sunday after the Giants tied the game in the final minute? Very easy. The main issue now is whether Coach Mike McCarthy will try to go 16-0 or rest key starters after the top seed in the NFC playoffs is clinched.

GARY HERSHORN / Reuters

2. Ravens (9-3)

When the Ravens don’t forget about tailback Ray Rice, good things happen on offense for them.

AARON JOSEFCZYK / Reuters

3. Steelers (9-3)

They're playing well now but they’re still looking at having to play a first-round game in the playoffs unless the Ravens stumble and surrender the division lead.

Jared Wickerham / Getty Images

4. Saints (9-3)

Drew Brees has completed 70.4 percent of his passes this season. He has more than 4,000 passing yards after only 12 games. He has 30 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions. Not bad for a guy who’s not even having the best season by an NFL quarterback.

Bill Haber / AP

5. Patriots (9-3)

Ditto for Tom Brady with his 66.7 percent completion rate, his more than 3,900 passing yards, his 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Charles Krupa / AP

6. 49ers (10-2)

The real race isn’t between the 49ers and Packers for the top playoff seed in the NFC, but between the 49ers and Saints for the second seed.

Ezra Shaw / Getty Images

7. Texans (9-3)

Three different starting quarterbacks in the last three games? Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart done for the season? No matter. The rest of the team is sufficiently solid for the Texans to keep winning.

David J. Phillip / AP

8. Jets (7-5)

The drop-off after the nine-win teams is significant. The Jets' current level of play is less than overwhelming but they at least have managed to win the last two games that they had to have.

John McDonnell / The Washington Post

9. Titans (7-5)

They have played well enough to keep the pressure on the Texans but Houston, to this point, has been unwavering even with its recent injuries.

David Duprey / AP

10. Broncos (7-5)

They're now 6-1 with Tim Tebow as the starter. No matter where you stand on the future prospects for Tebow to sustain this success, it is increasingly difficult to dismiss the current results.

ERIC MILLER / Reuters

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