411's NFL Power Rankings 12.19.07: Week 15

Posted by Don M. Dumas on 12.19.2007

Brian Westbrook made the smartest, most unselfish play of the year and the Miami Dolphins got their first win of the season! The Fins now jumped two spots in the rankings. Who did they pass? Check out 411's Power Rankings by Don M. Dumas to find out.

I wouldn't feel right if I didn't open this column with a congratulations to the Miami Dolphins for getting their first win of the season. In beating the Ravens, the Dolphins will remain a mere footnote in the '07 season and not a headline.

The most surprising aspect of the game was the play of Dolphins' quarterback Cleo Lemon. He completed 23 of 39 passes for 315 yards and the game-winning touchdown in overtime. Lemon and the Dolphins played a good game all around, committing 0 turnovers and only 25 yards in penalties.

Jason Taylor, last year's NFL Defensive Player of the Year, had two sacks, blocked a field goal, and even lined up at wide receiver at one point. After the game, Taylor was rather nonchalant about the victory, saying he knew they would get a win this year.

Well, his owner, Wayne Huizenga wasn't so sure. Shown shedding tears when the final whistle blew, Huizenga later claimed the win felt like they won the Super Bowl. The fans and players were certainly celebrating as such and I don't blame them. Only those who have endured a season like the Dolphins have can relate; I would have probably cried, too.

On a different note: wasn't that Cleveland game awesome? All that snow, all those incomplete passes (Derek Anderson and Trent Edwards combined to complete 22 passes on 57 attempts), and all that hard running from Jamal Lewis! Not to mention the – brace yourself now – playoff implications. I love football in December and January, played outdoors, like it should be.

Now, before I get into the rankings, I must give my nomination for Man of the Year. Brian Westbrook could have taken the ball into the end zone and scored a touchdown. But, with his team in the lead and only two minutes left, he took a knee at the one-yard line and allowed his team to milk the clock and get the victory.

In today's NFL, with huge contracts being based on statistics and players who only care about their ‘numbers,' it is refreshing to see a guy who really does put the team first. I've always liked Westbrook, but what he did against Dallas made my season. My faith in team sports has been rejuvenated.

Who says there are no role models in pro sports?

1		The weather in Foxboro didn't allow Tom Brady to throw the ball all over the field, so the Pats relied on the running game. Laurence Maroney answered the call, gaining over 100 yards. Two more games and New England is in the history books.	previous rank: 1
2		It wasn't pretty, but the Colts escaped Peyton Manning's first trip to the Black Hole with a victory. What was alarming was the fact that their defense allowed the pitiful offense of the Raiders to drive down to their 16-yard line before causing a turnover on downs. With that said, they're still injured, and they're still winning.	previous rank: 3
3		Brett Favre set the NFL record for passing yards, but that was about the only impressive thing for Green Bay. They did win the game, but they didn't play good football. They looked sloppy, committing 3 turnovers, 6 penalties, and only 279 yards of total offense. They did clinch a first round bye, and are still fighting for home field advantage throughout. If they get it, they'll be tough to beat.	previous rank: 4
4		I think their loss to Philadelphia couldn't have come at a better time. It forces the ‘Boys to refocus their energies and make a strong statement going into the playoffs. Having a tiebreaker advantage over the Packers means all they have to do is win out and they'll be home for the playoffs. Romo needs to stop forcing the ball to Terrell Owens when he isn't open.	previous rank: 2
5		Beating Pittsburgh on the road sent a clear message to the NFL: Don't forget about the Jaguars. In bad conditions, the Jags were able to run the ball extremely well, and David Garrard tossed three touchdowns, too. They held the Steelers to just over 200 yards of offense. I've liked this team all year long, but I am worried about how they might hold up under the pressure of the playoffs.	previous rank: 5
6		Winners of 8 of their last 10, the Chargers are picking up steam. They absolutely destroyed the Lions, knocking them out playoff contention for good. Their secondary, historically San Diego's weakness, picked of 5 passes, including the 10th of the year for Antonio Cromartie. Congrats on the back-to-back AFC West Championships, but will it translate to something more than one-and-done?	previous rank: 7
7		The game against Carolina was scoreless until the fourth quarter, when both teams finally scored a touchdown in the final two minutes. Seattle came out on the losing end, though. I supported them becoming a pass-first team, but that didn't mean I wanted them to completely abandon the running game. They only gained 42 yards on 14 carries, and I don't think they'll be too successful with performances like that.	previous rank: 6
8		Offensively the Bucs didn't do much, and they didn't have to. With Ronde Barber returning an interception for a touchdown on Atlanta's first possession, and then Michael Spurlock returning a first quarter kickoff for a touchdown (the first in Tampa Bay's history), the Bucs just cruised to an easy win. They have been a pleasant surprise in the 2007 season.	previous rank: 10
9		It was their type of weather, but the Steelers defense had a meltdown. They allowed Jacksonville to control the line of scrimmage. Losers of three of their last five, Pittsburgh may be blowing it at the wrong time. They better tighten up in the last two games of the season or they won't make the playoffs at all. I think they will.	previous rank: 8
10		Jamal Lewis carried the Browns to victory with 163 yards on 33 carries. Lewis seemed to enjoy the cold weather. He shortened his stride, set up blocks, and punished defenders as much as he could. With Cincinnati and San Francisco remaining on their schedule, Cleveland could win the division.	previous rank: 11
11		Nobody on New York could catch the ball, so the Giants fell to the hated Redskins. Worse yet, they lost Jeremy Shockey for the season because of a broken fibula. Brandon Jacobs ran well, though, proving that he can be an every down back. I don't think this team will go very far in the playoffs.	previous rank: 9
12		The Vikings did everything they could to lose, but Darren Sharper saved the day. Adrian Peterson did the usual, scoring two touchdowns. But Tarvaris Jackson looked terrible, making bad decisions with his arm and not enough plays with his feet. Minnesota controls their own destiny, as the cliché goes. They just need to win out and they're dancing.	previous rank: 12
13		Tennessee needs a little help to make the playoffs, but I don't think they'll get it. They just matched their win total from a season ago and that's all they should really expect. If they continue to improve little by little each year, they should be true contenders soon.	previous rank: 13
14		The Saints have won four out of their last 5 and they refuse to give up their playoff hopes. After starting 0-4, you have to admire how this team has fought back. I think they dug themselves too much of hole to climb out of, though. Drew Brees, however, is a stud and I would take him on my team over any quarterback in the league, except Brady and P. Manning..	previous rank: 15
15		Clinton Portis shouldered the load for the ‘Skins and they escaped New York with the playoffs still mathematically in the equation. Todd Collins only completed 8 passes but they went for 166 yards (20.75 yards per completion). They need to be better against the run.	previous rank: 17
16		The Bills can't blame the weather because they play in the exact same conditions at home. The difference in the game was Cleveland had Jamal Lewis, and Buffalo had Marshawn Lynch. That is not to say that Lynch didn't play well, Lewis just played better. The really odd stat in a game played during a blizzard: no turnovers by either team.	previous rank: 14
17		Those all-red uniforms were ugly, but the play of Mario Williams was anything but. After sacking Cutler 3.5 times, Williams is now the all time leader in franchise history with 13 sacks. He was unblockable and I don't hear anyone criticizing the Texans choice any longer. At 7-7, the Texans are in last place in their division. Yeah, the AFC South is the toughest in the NFL.	previous rank: 19
18		Drafting Levi Brown in the first round back in April was a step in the right direction for this team. They simply cannot keep defenders off of their quarterback and are not opening enough holes for Edgerrin James. On paper, it looks like this team is an offensive one, but I think they are much better on defense, especially when healthy. Maybe that is where they should hang their hat.	previous rank: 18
19		If these rankings were broken up into quarters, as many coaches do when evaluating their team's performance, then Detroit would be down where they started this season, somewhere around 30th. The thing is, the NFL is full of so many bad teams right now, I wouldn't feel right ranking Detroit below any of the others. With 6 losses in a row, however, no team is playing worse for the past two quarters.	previous rank: 16
20		I mentioned it before: Brian Westbrook is my hero. But, Lito Shepard also played a great game and I loved the way Brian Dawkins stayed home and intercepted that Romo pass in the end zone. It was a great team effort by Philadelphia; something they've rarely been able to put together this season. McNabb look like old self, too, running for 53 yards.	previous rank: 22
21		Last week I wrote that the Panthers have nothing to look forward to. Well, I changed my mind. And no, I'm not talking about Matt Moore. I am referring to the way the Panthers played down the stretch. They could have given up on the game – and their season for that matter – but they didn't. Just a few minor adjustments (i.e., lineman who can run block) and they might be a decent team.	previous rank: 24
22		The Broncos were dominated by the Texans. They were outmatched physically and the student (Gary Kubiak) defeated the teacher (Mike Shanahan). If you just looked at the stat sheet, it would appear the two teams were evenly matched: 1 turnover between them, 50 yards separated them, as did only 2 penalties. But the score says it all: Houston 31 Denver 13. Men against boys, really.	previous rank: 20
23		Carson Palmer reached 100 touchdown passes on his career, and that was about it for the Bungals. They let the 49ers push them all over the field and ensured their first losing season under Marvin Lewis. With expectations coming into the season so high, I doubt they'll bring Lewis back. Hey, I hear Bill Cowher is bored in retirement…	previous rank: 23
24		Losers of three straight, the Bears don't have anything to look forward to until the draft. Speaking of which, is hard to guess what position the Bears will address. They need a running back, safety, and of course, quarterback. Although Kyle Orton didn't look too bad against Minnesota, its hard to imagine them not drafting a qb.	previous rank: 21
25		The 49ers played a nearly flawless game. Their quarterback Shaun Hill (6th season out of Maryland, I looked it up) played great, completing 75% of his passes for 1 touchdown and another on the ground. Calling a draw play on 3rd and 9 and picking up the first was remarkable. It showed that they could be physical and were up to the challenge.	previous rank: 30
26		After embarrassing themselves last week, the Raiders gave the Colts all they could handle. Justin Fargas reached the 1,000-yard mark, then was injured and will miss the rest of the year. My only hope is that Lane Kiffin gives JaMarcus Russell a start, I'm dying to see him in a full game.	previous rank: 26
27		If their talent level was anywhere near that of the Patriots, the Jets would have won because Eric Mangini coached a better game than The Prince of Darkness. No matter what the conditions, holding Tom Brady without a touchdown pass was remarkable. Rookie cornerback Darrelle Revis is making huge strides.	previous rank: 29
28		Their loss to the Titans was another one to forget for this team. Once again, the Chiefs were beaten at home and I don't understand why. As far as talent goes, they're on an even basis with Tennessee, home-field advantage should given the Chiefs enough to win. But, when things go bad, these things happen.	previous rank: 27
29		They played a pretty good game against Green Bay but came up short. Steven Jackson has continued to do all he can for this football team, but he is going at it alone. Defense and special teams needs to improve dramatically.	previous rank: 28
30		What a great game! Cleo Lemon's pass to Greg Camarillo was awesome. I thought it was over when Matt Stover lined up for the winner in overtime because, well, he's never missed a kick in OT before. But sometimes destiny intervenes and Miami finally tasted victory. Savor it, Miami!	previous rank: 32
31		Losers of 8 straight, the Ravens are playing terribly. I think they should have gone for the touchdown on 4th and goal. Instead, they played for overtime and got burned. With all the talent on this team, their fall from grace is inexcusable.	previous rank: 25
32		Bobby Petrino quitting before the season was over is just plain cowardice. Nobody would've blamed him if he left after the season, but leaving the players out to dry like that makes Petrino the worst type of character. I hope the University of Arkansas realizes that they got a good football coach, but a terrible leader of young men.	previous rank: 31