NFL Power Rankings start in Week 14: The 11-1 Lions have no breathing room in either the division or the NFC

In 1999, the Tennessee Titans posted a 13-3 record but finished second in their division to the 14-2 Jacksonville Jaguars, giving Tennessee the distinction of having the most wins for a wild card team in NFL history to achieve. The 1986 Chicago Bears, 1998 Atlanta Falcons and 2004 New England Patriots are the only teams to ever win 14 games and not be seeded No. 1.

This season could be a historic anomaly in the NFC. When a team like the Detroit Lions is 11-1 and seemingly headed for 15 or 16 wins, they usually don’t have to worry much about winning the division or being ranked No. 1. But the Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings, both 10-2, could keep the pressure on all season.

The Lions have the third-toughest remaining schedule in the NFL, according to Tankathon, which doesn’t help. The Vikings are fourth and part of the problem for both teams is that they play each other in Detroit in Week 18. This game could have an incredible impact on the NFC playoff round. The Lions also have tough games against Green Bay (on Thursday night), Buffalo and San Francisco, giving the Eagles plenty of hope of claiming the No. 1 seed.

Philadelphia has the 23rd toughest remaining schedule. The Eagles only have two games left against winning teams (Pittsburgh and Washington). It’s possible that a 15-2 team doesn’t finish first in the NFC and a 14-3 team doesn’t win its division.

Detroit should be comfortable at 11-1, but may feel like it needs 16-1 to clinch the important top seed in the NFC. It should be a great race until the end.

Here are the power rankings after Week 13 of the NFL season: