NFL Power Rankings 2013, Week 14: Giants creep up with victory

Week 13 is in the books, and for a second straight week Seattle sits atop the Big Blue View Power Rankings. On Monday Night Football, the Seahawks -- the projected No. 1 seed in the NFC -- dismantled visiting New Orleans -- the No. 2 seed.

Denver remained in the No. 2 spot on the rankings, while the Patriots and Saints exchanged spots. Dropping down toward the bottom of the top 10 were Indianapolis and the Chiefs, both riding losing streaks.

The Giants bounced back with a win over Washington remain in the playoff hunt. Every week is a playoff game for the Giants from here on out, as Philly and Dallas both continue to win and hold a tighter grasp on the NFC East.

Here are the Big Blue View Power Rankings for Week 14:

1. Seattle Seahawks (11-1): Seattle's home-field advantage is absurd, and nobody is coming into their house and beating them this post-season. (LW: 1)

2. Denver Broncos (10-2): With two wins over the Chiefs, the Broncos proved they are the class of the AFC West. Their schedule will allow them to take the top seed in the conference. (LW: 2)

3. New England Patriots (9-3): Tom Brady looked like Tom Brady in the second half each of the last two weeks. If the team can play that way for a full four quarters, they'll be a true force. (LW: 4)

4. New Orleans Saints (9-3): Any team will struggle up there in the Pacific Northwest. But next week's showdown with Carolina just got that much bigger. (LW: 3)

5. Carolina Panthers (9-3): Along with Cam Newton's week-to-week heroics, this defense is playing lights out. (LW: 5)

6. Cincinnati Bengals (8-4): There's no question the Bengals are the best team in the AFC North -- at least the most consistent. (LW: 6)

7. San Francisco 49ers (8-4): Again, the Niners are finding a rhythm on both sides of the ball. (LW: 9)

8. Detroit Lions (7-5): What a perfect situation for Detroit, beating the Packers and then watching the Bears lose at Minnesota. (LW: 10)

9. Kansas City Chiefs (9-3): That's three losses in three weeks, all to divisional foes. (LW: 8)

10. Indianapolis Colts (7-5): What's nagging the Colts? Injuries have taken a toll on this offense, which at this point in the season wouldn't be able to keep pace with any of the AFC elite. (LW: 7)

11. Philadelphia Eagles (7-5): Philly finally cooled off the Cardinals, and continues to keep pace with Dallas in the NFC East. (LW: 11)

12. Dallas Cowboys (7-5): It appears Dallas and Philly are heading toward a winner-take-all regular-season finale. (LW: 15)

13. Arizona Cardinals (7-5): Arizona's four-game win streak finally came to a halt, but this team still is in contention for a wild-card spot. (LW: 12)

14. Baltimore Ravens (6-6): The Super Bowl champs pulled out a victory against their bitter rival, but this doesn't look like a team poised for the post-season. (LW 16)

15. Chicago Bears (6-6): What a tough break for the Bears, who are now a game back of the division-leading Lions. But could the return of Jay Cutler reverse this team's fortunes? (LW: 14)

16. Tennessee Titans (6-6): The Titans D harassed Andrew Luck all day, and even with Ryan Fitzpatrick under center is playing really good football these days. (LW 19)

17. San Diego Chargers (6-6): This week's showdown with the Giants is a do-or-die game for both squads. (LW: 17)

18: Green Bay Packers (5-6-1): There are reports Aaron Rodgers might not return this season, meaning this team is a long shot to win more than one game the rest of the way. (LW: 13)

19. Miami Dolphins (6-6): Beating the Jets is nothing to brag about, but this team's playoff chances remain intact. (LW: 22)

20. New York Giants (5-7): Everyone is beating the Redskins these days. Let's see what the Giants can do against Philip Rivers and Co. before they host Seattle. (LW: 23)

21. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-7): That loss to Baltimore might have sealed Pittsburgh's fate. (LW: 18)

22. St. Louis Rams (5-7): The Rams are tough, and this team is heading in the right direction. It's not their year, though. (LW: 20)

23. New York Jets (5-7): The defense is the only reason this team is still alive in the playoff race. But the Jets quarterback situation is abysmal, and this story line is already getting old. (LW: 21)

24. Buffalo Bills (4-8): Just when you thought you had a grasp on the Bills, they fall to a two-win team. (LW: 24)

25. Oakland Raiders (4-8): Oakland had a strong first-half showing against the Cowboys. This team still has a lot to figure out. (LW: 25)

26. Cleveland Browns (4-8): Josh Gordon is an absolute monster. The Browns need to find a quarterback to throw him the ball. (LW: 26)

27. Minnesota Vikings (3-8-1): This team has been playing much better of late. (LW: 29)

28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-9): The Bucs offense may have mustered only two field goals, but Mike Glennon could be this team's future under center. (LW: 27)

29. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-9): Break up the Jags! Winners of two straight and three of their last four, this squad is showing some signs of life. (LW: 30)

30. Atlanta Falcons (3-9): In the beginning of the year, who would have thought beating Buffalo would be something to actually celebrate? (LW: 31)

31. Washington Redskins (3-9): Oh, how the reigning NFC East champs have fallen. (LW: 28)

32. Houston Texans (2-10): The Texans are poised to have the first pick in the draft. Quarterback, right?