NFL power rankings, Week 14: Steelers rise, Falcons fall

8-4. Previous: . Detroit Lions. 6. team. 50. Four consecutive wins has propelled the Lions into first place in the NFC North. Matthew Stafford finally looks like an MVP candidate, and the kind of player the Lions thought they were going to get coming out of Georgia as the number one overall pick. Stafford picked apart the New Orleans defense, resulting in two touchdowns and 341 passing yards. All of this comes despite losing Calvin Johnson and Ameer Abdullah, two of the offense’s much-needed playmakers. Credit is also deserved for the defense, which picked-off Drew Brees three times on the road. They have been one of several Cinderella stories this year. <p>Next Week: The Bears travel to Detroit after a big win over San Francisco. Matt Barkley will be starting for Chicago, giving the Lions defense a great opportunity to pounce on a division opponent. This game could get messy, and result in David Fales being thrown into the sacrificial fire late in the game.</p> <p>Playoff hopes: Two games separates the Packers and Lions for the NFC North crown. Each team is on a multi-game win streak, although it appears the Packers are not as strong this time around. Injuries on defense and questions being drawn around the head coach will play in Detroits favor. The New Years Day game could be the determining factor in week 17.</p>