Through Week 14 of the NFL season, it is clear who the legitimate Super Bowl contenders are. However, there are a lot of teams sitting right around .500 looking to make the playoffs, and that's where it gets difficult to rank these teams.

1. Carolina Panthers (13-0)

Did you expect to see anyone else in this spot? Leading MVP candidate Cam Newton and his teammates have been beating teams and dabbing like there's no tomorrow. With no remaining opponents above .500, this team seems to be headed straight for an undefeated season. The defense has been great and Newton has turned this star-lacking offense into a great unit. Look out, league, the Carolina Panthers don't plan on slowing down any time soon.

2. Arizona Cardinals (11-2)

There may not be a more complete team in the NFL than the Arizona Cardinals. Their offense is loaded in talent, led by arguably the best quarterback in the league this season, Carson Palmer. On defense, Arizona is extremely dangerous, particularly in the secondary. Everyone will talk about Carolina, but there is a legitimate chance that the Cardinals could beat the Panthers come playoff time.

3. New England Patriots (11-2)

The preseason favorites, a team that seemed poised to lock down the top spot in our rankings for the whole season has hit a bump in the road lately. There has been more bad news, as running back LeGarrette Blount is headed to IR. Still, it's hard to count out a team led by Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. Come playoff time, there is no doubt that this team will look like its postseason self, and they are definitely a legitimate contender.

4. Seattle Seahawks (8-5)

Talk about peeking at the right time. The Legion of Boom has been shutting teams down as of late, and Russell Wilson is playing like an elite quarterback. Doug Baldwin has been a touchdown machine in the past three weeks. No NFC team wants to cross the path of the Seahawks in the playoffs, as whichever team that may be could see their season come to an end sooner rather than later.

5. Denver Broncos (10-3)

Slumping at this time of the year is not a good thing. After a Week 14 loss, the Broncos have two tough games in the next two weeks, with the Steelers and the Bengals. Brock Osweiler has come back down to earth, and the offense in general has been under-whelming. Their defense is still the best in the NFL, and that will have to be what carries them through the playoffs (unless Peyton Manning returns, and to his vintage form.

6. Green Bay Packers (9-4)

The Packers should let head coach Mike McCarthy call the plays more often. Sure, they were playing the Dallas Cowboys, but Green Bay's offense looked great in Week 14. Eddie Lacy had a game that everyone has been waiting to see from him. Aaron Rodgers didn't do anything crazy, but absolutely no one will bet against him come playoff time. With a pretty good defense, an improving offense, and one of the best quarterbacks of all-time (no typo), the Packers will be a scary team come playoff time.

7. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5)

What the Seahawks are to the NFC, the Steelers are to the AFC. This team is playing their best football of the season at just the right time. Ben Roethlisberger has been one of the best quarterbacks in the league, and his plethora of weapons is just absurd. The defense is improving, and they are getting tougher (just ask the Bengals). With a quarterback as good as Roethlisberger, a Super Bowl-experienced coach, and an elite front seven, no one will be asking to play the Steelers come January.

8. Cincinnati Bengals (10-3)

Nothing can derail Super Bowl hopes like an injury to a key player can. Andy Dalton injured his thumb in week 14, an injury that will probably keep him out AT LEAST for the regular season. Even if the Bengals lose out, they will still make the playoffs, but they will have no chance without their star quarterback when the postseason rolls around.

9. Kansas City Chiefs (8-5)

Alex Smith has game-managed the Chiefs to being arguably the hottest team in the league. Even without Jamaal Charles, this team has got the job done by not turning the ball over and playing great defense. The offense may not put up many points, but the defense is capable of conceding a very small number. If defense wins championships, you better watch out for the Chiefs. 

10. Minnesota Vikings (9-4)

The Vikings have a great record and are playoff-bound, but they definitely have their flaws. Other than all-time great running back Adrian Peterson, there isn't a consistent playmaker on this offense. Teddy Bridgewater has not lived up to his expectations this year. Minnesota's defense just isn't good enough to make this team a legitimate contender, so the offense will definitely have to step up.

11. New York Jets (8-5)

Unfortunately for the Jets, they do not control their own destiny to make the playoffs. Fortunately, they have one of the hottest quarterback-wide receiver duos in the past few weeks. Ryan Fitzpatrick and Brandon Marshall have been on a whole new level in recent weeks, and their defense has continued to be one of the best in the league. If the cards fall the right way and this Jets team gets into the playoffs, they have the potential to make some noise. 

12. Oakland Raiders (6-7)

The Raiders are coming off of a huge win, one that was brought to them solely by their defense. Khalil Mack was a beast last week against the Broncos, as was the rest of the defense. Though they won't make the playoffs, this has been a promising season so far for Oakland, as their young talent on both sides of the ball has developed into elite players.