Once again the votes are in. Let's take a quick look through the top 12 teams in the NFL as voted by the writers at VAVEL USA.
#1 Arizona Cardinals (13-2)
Winners of their last nine games, including a dismantling of the Green Bay Packers 38-8 this past week, the Cardinals make their first appearance in the top spot of the VAVEL USA Power 12 this week. What is there not to like about the Cardinals? They have a fierce defense that continues to attack. They didn't lose a single step this past weekend even without their Pro Bowl safety in Tyrann Mathieu. Carson Palmer is a legitimate MVP candidate. They are quite possibly the hottest team in all of football at this point. They will host the Seattle Seahawks (9-6) at home this week in hopes of getting Home field advantage in the NFC.
#2 Carolina Panthers (14-1)
Yes, you could argue that the Panthers still deserve to have the top spot in the power 12. But they simply had played sloppily in several of their most recent contests and were dealt a loss by the Atlanta Falcons (8-7) this past week for their first loss of the season. But Cam Newton is still Cam Newton, and he still likes to do the dab. They are not a team that is easy to beat, and they do have the best record in the NFL. They can clinch home field in the NFC this Sunday by beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-9) at home in Charlotte, North Carolina.
#3 New England Patriots (12-3)
Yes, they lost this past week after a controversial coaching decision to kick the ball to start overtime. Bill Belichick has made worse decisions in the past, but this is one that he is unlikely to make again. But when it comes to teams in the AFC, there is no one else that the writers at VAVEL USA trust more than the Tom Brady led Patriots squad. It's hard to blame them, as the Patriots are the defending Super Bowl Champions. They simply continue to win the AFC East and then find playoff success.
#4 Kansas City Chiefs (10-5)
The Chiefs are also on one of the hottest winning streaks around as they are now at 9 wins in a row themselves. They have been led on defense by Rookie Marcus Peters, and Alex Smith has been doing a good job of keeping possession of the football. Their schedule was quite a bit frontloaded, and then they had lost Jamaal Charles, it was a worthwhile question if they were going to find success this season after starting 1-5, as it is difficult to predict 10 wins form a 1-5 record. But they have clinched a playoff spot, and they host the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium to finish the season.
#5 Denver Broncos (11-4)
Whether it's Peyton Manning or Brock Osweiler that is starting at quarterback for the Broncos, they simply have a good running game and a really strong defense. They found a way to be able to knock off the Cincinnati Bengals in overtime this past week on Monday Night Football, and it was their defense that was able to force the fumble and and recover it as they had already made their field goal. If they are able to beat the San Diego Chargers at home on Sunday, they will win the AFC West again this year.
#6 Cincinnati Bengals (11-4)
A.J. McCarron has done a great job at quarterback since coming in after the injury to Andy Dalton. But are either of them the person who you trust going into the playoffs? As has been the case recently for the Bengals, it appears that the level of trust that we have in the team will simply continue to come down to whether or not they are able to win at least one playoff game.
#7 Seattle Seahawks (9-6)
They simply are one of the teams to be feared in the NFC. Whether or not they can beat the St. Louis Rams, the Seattle Seahawks are in the playoffs as a wild card team and they will be a tough out for any team they face. Russell Wilson has been doing well, and they do need some running backs to come back. Everyone also knows that they have been missing some help on the offensive line. But they are a team that has strengths in other areas.
#8 New York Jets (10-5)
Ryan Fitzpatrick has been leading this team as they have now won their last five in a row. They currently are in the final slot for the playoffs in the AFC as they just have a game over the Pittsburgh Steelers. But Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker have both done well on the outside as they have now found an offensive identity under Offensive Coordinator Chan Gailey. The biggest shock is that they upset the New England Patriots this past week at home.
#9 Minnesota Vikings (10-5)
The Minnesota Vikings are getting better defensively behind Head Coach Mike Zimmer. Of course, Adrian Peterson is back this season and that obviously helps the offense as Teddy Bridgewater has continued to develop during his Sophomore season. As to how far they can go, largely depends on the next team on the list.
#10 Green Bay Packers (10-5)
Yes, that's right, the Packers will be hosting the Minnesota Vikings and the winner takes home the NFC North title and bragging rights into the playoffs. If the Packers take the title home they would most likely face the Vikings at home again in the wild card round of the playoffs. The Packers would have loved a bye week as they have several injuries both on offense and defense, but that is not going to happen. Hopefully Aaron Rodgers can help them get out of the hole they are in as they have struggled on offense for the majority of the season.
#11 Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6)
They are probably the best team not to make the playoffs this year, just like the Philadelphia Eagles were the best team not to make the playoffs last season. But it's been their defense that has been their weakness this year. Their offense is feared around the league as Ben Roethlisberger is a quarterback that likes to throw the ball downfield to receivers like Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant.
#12 Washington Redskins (8-7)
You like that? Well, of all the teams in the NFC East, this writer doesn't remember any experts picking the Redskins to win the East at the beginning of the year. But the Redskins have done that, winning their last three games in a row, and they face Kellen Moore as a starter in week 17 as they will travel to AT&T Stadium to face the Dallas Cowboys.