ESPN Power Rankings: Week 14

Skins up three to #14.

Pears down two to #8.

Puckers up two to #7.

Seems appropriate.  The interesting thing now is that as we enter the final quarter of the season significant movement week to week will not happen.  Also, the NFC seems wide open.  No one has really separated themselves and each of the playoff contending teams appear to have weaknesses.

My own thoughts are that San Francisco seems to be the strongest of the bunch as they have built their team from the inside out.  Meaning they have very good line play on both sides of the ball.  Ultimately, this is where football games are won and lost.  They have a strong defense and a solid running game.  I personally think it was a mistake to start Kaepernick.  Smith did nothing to lose his starting job and in fact was having himself a pretty good year.  I feel like that move could undo the 9ers.  If Kaepernick starts to struggle, the locker room could divide and they will turn to an Alex Smith who is pretty ticked off.  Will be interesting as another one of SF's strong points is that they seem unified and really believe in Harbaugh.  For their sake, hopefully that continues. 

Still, most of the NFC playoff contending teams have their strong points and I see anything happening over the last four weeks of the regular season.  It's not how you start but how you finish and who gets hot at the right time.  Should be fun.