NFL 2014 Week 12 news and Power Rankings

This week's takeaways:
1.  Nobody is playing better than New England right now.  They thoroughly trashed the Lions, and totally dominated all phases of the game.  They do it by rotating stars, as they haven't had two consecutive games this season where the same player has been the leading rusher.
2.  There were many last minute lead changes in the league this week.  Lesson:  never count any team out
3.  Something really needs to be done about the NFC South.  With both Atlanta and New Orleans losing this week, the division leaders have 4-7 records.  That means if they each lose just ONE more game, the best the division winner can finish would be 8-8; 7-9 is more likely.  In fact, it's possible for the division winner to be 6-10, which would be the first time a team with double-digit losses to make the playoffs.  Maybe it's time for the league to say, "This division is not playoff caliber," and give that spot to a more deserving NFC team.

Top Ten [Last week's position]
1.  NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (9-2) [2] : Clearly the most dominating team in the league right now
2.  Green Bay Packers (8-3) [3] : The second best offense in the league right now, and a dominating team in their right, although Minnesota scored a lot
3.  Arizona Cardinals (9-2) [1] : Burned by the defending Super Bowl champs
4.  Denver Broncos (8-3) [4] : Had to come from behind, but they showed the Dolphins defense has holes.  Their defense needs work, though.
5.  Baltimore Ravens (7-4) [6] : Strongest of the AFC North, yet in last place due to division record
6.  Philadelphia Eagles (8-3) [7] : Despite some sputtering by Mark Sanchez, this offense keeps rolling
7.  Indianapolis Colts (7-4) [9] : Bounced back from their thrashing at the hands of the Patriots, but they did play Jacksonville, after all
8.  Dallas Cowboys (8-3) [8] : Not a strong victory, and let the Giants back into the game, but they keep pace with the Eagles
9.  Seattle Seahawks (7-4) [12] : Dominant road victory over the former Number One team bounces Seattle back into the Top Ten
10. Kansas City Chiefs (7-4) [5] : Lost to previously unbeaten Oakland

Divisional rankings [Last week's position]
1.  AFC North [1] : All the teams have seven wins.  Epitome of parity
2.  NFC West [3] : With Seattle and San Francisco winning again, this division is rising
3.  AFC East [5] : Buffalo and New England had dominant wins
4.  AFC West [2] : Both Denver and San Diego had to engineer fourth-quarter comebacks
5.  NFC East [6] : The gap between the two leaders and the rest of the division is growing
6.  NFC North [4] : With Detroit's huge loss, Green Bay is the only team with a positive difference between points scored and points allowed
7.  AFC South [7] : The Colts are pulling away, and are the only winning team in the division
8.  NFC South [8] : Leaders with 4-7 records?  This is pathetic