NFL Power Rankings - Week 13

This week's rankings features a new #2.

1. Houston Texans 302
Last Week: 1

Notes: Two overtime wins in a row doesn't make this team look as dominant as they did a couple of weeks back, but they are still at 10-1 and, in my opinion, the best in the NFL.

2. New England Patriots 281 
Last Week: 3
Notes: More than half of the games they've been playing are reminiscent of their brilliant 2007 season. Thanksgiving against the Jets was one of those games. Nobody wants to play the Pats right now.
 
3. Atlanta Falcons 255
Last Week: 2
Notes: Another example of the Falcons just skating by. Yes they are 10-1, but all of their games in November have been decided by 6 or less points.
 

4. San Francisco 49ers 246

Last Week: 4

Notes: I feel bad for Alex Smith. He deserves to be the starter after how great he's been performing, but Kaepernick looks to be (potentially) more efficient at getting the passing game going.

5. Chicago Bears 219

Last Week: 7

Notes: They have Jay Cutler back and are just as dangerous as they were before his injury.
 

6. Denver Broncos 214

Last Week: 5

Notes: Division games are always tough, despite opponent and Sunday's game against the Chiefs was no exception. However, they got the win and are pretty much a lock now for the division.

7.  Baltimore Ravens 213
Last Week: 6
Notes: A nail biter against the Chargers, but the Ravens are now at 9-2 and a comfortable 3 games ahead in the division.

8. New York Giants 161
Last Week: 9
Notes: The bye week seemed to do the Giants well as they played one of their best games of the season Sunday night against the Packers.
 

9. Green Bay Packers: 123
Last Week: 8
Notes: That loss drops the Packers back into 2nd place. While they will most likely make the playoffs (whether it's as a division winner or a wildcard), the team's injuries will hurt them if they don't get most of their team back by the playoffs.
 

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 95
Last Week: 10
Notes: A great game against the Falcons, but they find themselves on the losing end. On the positive side, the 2011 Bucs wouldn't have made that game even competitive.
 

11.  Seattle Seahawks: 79
Last Week: 11
Notes: If the Seahawks want to be legit contenders, they need to find ways to win more on the road. 1-5 isn't going to cut it.

12.  Cincinnati Bengals 75
Last Week: 15
Notes:  After losing 4 in a row, the Bengals look lights out their last 3 games. They've played dominant football against the Giants, Chiefs, and Raiders. Their next 3 games are against opponents below .500, all winnable games, before facing the Steelers.
  

13. Pittsburgh Steelers:64

Last Week: 12

Notes: Charlie Batch showed why he's the 3rd string quarterback. The Steelers are in a lot of trouble if Big Ben doesn't return next week.

14.  Minnesota Vikings 48
Last Week: 13
Notes:  Ugly game against the Bears. That loss pretty much secures them for 3rd place in the NFC North.

15. Indianapolis Colts: 27
Last Week: 17
Notes: The Colts find themselves now at 7-4 and a game ahead of the current 6th seeded Steelers. If they beat the Lions and Titans next 2 weeks, they'll be at 9-4 and in good shape to take one of the wildcard seeds.

16. Washington Redskins: 18
Last Week: 18
Notes: The Redskins keep their playoff hopes alive with two impressive wins against divisional opponents.

17. New Orleans Saints:10

Last Week: 14

Notes: The Saints need to rebound and beat the 10-1 Falcons (again) in order for any shot of the playoffs. No easy task.

18. Miami Dolphins: 0
Last Week: 21
Notes: The Dolphins still have a long road ahead to make it into a wildcard seed with the Colts, Steelers, and red hot Bengals ahead, but they got the important win against the Seahawks. Now they need to take it one game at a time.
 

19. Dallas Cowboys: -5
Last Week: 16
Notes: You're fighting for the NFC East division and then you play like garbage against the Redskins. 

20.  San Diego Chargers -19

Last Week: 19

Notes: And that's the nail in the coffin. The Chargers played the Ravens tough, but couldn't get the win.

21.  Detroit Lions: -33

Last Week: 20

Notes: Gotta feel bad for the Lions. They should have gotten the win against the Texans. A bad call and a bad challenge cost them the game. Even if they beat the Texans, it probably wouldn't have saved their season anyway.

 

22. St. Louis Rams: -39
Last Week: 22
Notes: A win against the Cardinals moves the Rams out of last in the NFC West.

23.  Arizona Cardinals -64
Last Week: 23
Notes: Now they are at 7 losses in a row. Even with a new QB, I thought they were going to pull off the win. I guess the safe bet is to go against the Cardinals.

24. New York Jets: -86

Last Week: 24

Notes: Rex Ryan is trying to give this team hope that they can still make the playoffs, but all they are fighting for now is to not end up last in the division.

25. Cleveland Browns: -93
Last Week: 27
Notes: Even though it was against Charlie Batch, the Browns D played well and took the upset win.
 
26. Buffalo Bills: -98
Last Week: 25
Notes: The Bills schedule gets a little easier with games against the Jags and the Rams

27. Carolina Panthers: -106

Last Week: 29

Notes: Not too many bright spots for the Panthers this season, but they managed to pull themselves out from being the worst in the NFC conference after beating the Eagles. 

28 Tennessee Titans: -124
Last Week: 26
Notes: The Titans are a 4-7 team that play like a 1-10 team.

29. Philadelphia Eagles: -144

Last Week: 28

Notes: If the season ended today, the Eagles would be dead last in the NFC conference. This was a team that was expected to at minimum be competitive all year.

 

30  Oakland Raiders: -198
Last Week: 30
Notes: Another week, another loss for the Raiders. 

31. Jacksonville Jaguars: -205
Last Week: 31
Notes: I'm not on the Henne bandwagon yet, but I think that a big change to helped sparked something positive in this Jags team.
 

32. Kansas City Chiefs: -262

Last Week: 32

Notes: The Chiefs played the Broncos tough, but they are a terrible team.

NFL Power Rakings - Week 12

Chicago takes a huge drop in the rankings along with other big changes.

1. Houston Texans 273
Last Week: 1

Notes: When the best in the league faces the worst in the league at home, the last thing you expect is an overtime game (even if its a divisional game). The Texans almost had a huge upset loss, but managed to pull out the win and are only one of two teams with 1 loss on the season.

2. Atlanta Falcons 234
Last Week: 3
Notes: The Falcons seem to be playing down to their competition every week which could explain these one possession wins they keep getting. While they are still at 9-1 and in great shape to take the NFC South, they might find themselves losing out on the 1 seed if they keep playing like this.
 
3. New England Patriots 225

Last Week: 4
Notes: Everybody keeps talking about the Texans and the Falcons, but the Patriots might be the most dangerous team in football right now.

4. San Francisco 49ers 211

Last Week: 5

Notes: An impressive Monday night football showing without their starting QB. Both sides of the ball played well against a great Bears D.

 

5. Denver Broncos 191

Last Week: 6

Notes: The Broncos now have 5 wins in a row. The way this team has been playing, they might not lose another game this season.
 6.  Baltimore Ravens 185
Last Week: 7
Notes: Even though they weren't facing Big Ben, the D held up their end of the bargain against the Steelers. The Ravens look to be in good shape to take the division and will almost seal the deal if they can sweep the Steelers.
 

7. Chicago Bears 179

Last Week: 2

Notes: The Bears didn't look like the Bears we saw in their first 9 games. It's hard to say that this team isn't an elite one after just one game. They were playing with Campbell at QB, who didn't look great, and even though the D struggled, they will rebound.

 

8. Green Bay Packers: 159
Last Week: 8
Notes: They've now won 5 in a row and are in first in the NFC North. That being said, this isn't the same Packers team as 2011.
  

9. New York Giants 110
Last Week: 9
Notes: The Giants face a very important game against the Packers next week. In fact, every game they have left on their schedule might be important with the Cowboys right on their tail. They have one of the toughest (if not the toughest) remaining schedules in football so it won't be that easy.

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 106
Last Week: 12
Notes: Out of nowhere, the Buccs have won 4 in a row and are now above .500. Even if they don't make the playoffs this year, I'm excited to see how this team performs in 2013.
 

11.  Seattle Seahawks: 97
Last Week: 11
Notes: The Seahawks need to continue to play well with the Buccs and Vikings right on their tail.
 

12. Pittsburgh Steelers: 85

Last Week: 10

Notes: The D played well, but the game against the Ravens shows how important Big Ben is to the Steelers. In a tight battle in the AFC, the Steelers might find themselves on the outside looking in if Ben doesn't return soon.

13.  Minnesota Vikings 77
Last Week: 13
Notes:  The Vikings face two tough divisional games back to back against the Bears and Packers.

14. New Orleans Saints: 34

Last Week: 17

Notes: The Saints continue to play great football and now find themselves at .500. After looking completely out of the playoff picture, they are all of a sudden right back in the thick of things.

15.  Cincinnati Bengals 21
Last Week: 21
Notes: A second straight great game played by the Bengals. With Big Ben out, the Bengals hope to continue to gain ground on the Steelers and take over 2nd place in the AFC North (and a playoff seed).

16. Dallas Cowboys: 14

Last Week: 19
Notes: The Cowboys almost lost against a team that they are a lot better against, but they managed to get the win in overtime. They now have two important divisional games against the Redskins and Eagles which could decide their playoff fate. 


17. Indianapolis Colts: -6
Last Week: 14
Notes: I'm excited for how the Colts have been playing this year, but I don't think you can put them amongst the elite and the game against the Patriots proved that.

18. Washington Redskins: -7
Last Week: 23
Notes: This team won't make the playoffs, but I'm excited to see what RGIII and the Skins do next year and in the future when the team (hopefully) gets a stronger defense.
  
19.  San Diego Chargers -9

Last Week: 15

Notes: That game against the Broncos was basically a playoff game for the Chargers. Expect Norv Turner to be fired after the Chargers don't make the playoffs yet again this year.

20.  Detroit Lions: -22

Last Week: 16

Notes: A close one against the Packers, but the Lions find themselves on the losing end yet again.

  

21. Miami Dolphins: -23
Last Week: 18
Notes: The Dolphins went from legit playoff contender to one of the worst in the AFC. It's crazy what 3 games can do.

22. St. Louis Rams: -28
Last Week: 22
Notes: The Rams are improved over last season, but they still have a long way to go. The game against the Jets showed this.

23.  Arizona Cadrinals -35
Last Week: 20
Notes: So close against the Falcons, but the Cardinals now have lost 6 in a row.

24. New York Jets: -41

Last Week: 24

Notes: I base my rankings on an algorithm that takes into account record, strength of schedule, home / away record, and net points. This is why the Jets are ranked below the Rams still, despite them destroying the team last week. If they beat the Pats, expect them to skyrocket through the rankings.

25. Buffalo Bills: -79
Last Week: 28
Notes: The Bills finally get a win and find themselves in a 3 way tie with the Dolphins and Jets.

26. Tennessee Titans: -97
Last Week: 26
Notes: I think the Titans are pretty bad, but if they can find a way to beat the Jags, Colts, Jets, and Jags again they'll end the season at .500 which is still better than expected at this point.

27. Cleveland Browns: -119
Last Week: 27
Notes: One thing you can say about the Browns is that they give it their all each and every week. Not good enough to be a team competing for the playoffs, but you have to admire that.
 

28. Philadelphia Eagles: -128

Last Week: 25

Notes: They now have lost 6 in a row and are last in the NFC East. Firing their defensive coordinator wasn't the answer. Andy Reid will likely join him after this season.
 

29. Carolina Panthers: -134
Last Week: 29
Notes: Poor Panthers. They looked like they were going to pull out the win, but bad teams find ways to lose leads and the Panthers are no exception.
 

30  Oakland Raiders: -161
Last Week: 30
Notes: Another terrible loss by the Raiders.

31. Jacksonville Jaguars: -230
Last Week: 32
Notes: They move up after an impressive showing on the road against the Texans. 
 

32. Kansas City Chiefs: -239

Last Week: 31

Notes: I don't know what else to write about this team. They're bad and are in good shape to end the season at 1-16.

NFL Power Rankings - Week 11

 With Atlanta's first loss, we have a new #1!

1. Houston Texans 257
Last Week: 3

Notes: They look like the best team in football right now on both sides of the ball. Now that there are no undefeated teams anymore, the Texans could be at the top of the rankings for the remainder of the season.

2. Chicago Bears 216

Last Week: 2

Notes: The Bears to me are the best in the NFC right now. Even though they were on the losing end to a very good Texans team, their defense still played great. Hopefully Jay Cutler can be cleared to play next week.

3. Atlanta Falcons 210
Last Week: 1
Notes: It was bound to happen eventually. After going 8-0 the Falcons finally lost in a close battle to the Saints. Given the big lead they have in the division, they should have no problem winning the NFC South unless they suffer from a monumental collapse.

4. New England Patriots 196

Last Week: 5
Notes: A closer battle than anticipated, but the Patriots continue to show why they are by far the best in the AFC East and one of the best overall in the NFL.
 

5. San Francisco 49ers 166

Last Week: 4

Notes: Who would have thought the first tie in the NFL this season would be a game involving the 49ers and the Rams? With the Seahawks right on the 49ers tail, it will be interesting to see if the tie might negatively impact the 49ers towards the end of the season.

6. Denver Broncos164

Last Week: 8

Notes: Winners of 4 in a row, the Broncos are playing excellent football behind the superb playing of Peyton Manning.

7.  Baltimore Ravens 162
Last Week: 9
Notes: That game helped to quiet critics who said the Ravens' offense couldn't carry this team with all the injuries they have on defense. What an impressive game against the Raiders.
 

8. Green Bay Packers: 141
Last Week: 7
Notes: The Packers look to extend their winning streak to 5 with a road game against the Lions.
  

9. New York Giants 110
Last Week: 6
Notes: Even before the 2 game losing streak, the Giants have been playing kind of sloppy stemming back to the game against the Redskins. Their remaining schedule is one of the toughest (if not the toughest) in the NFL so they need to work out their issues ASAP or they might find themselves on the outside looking in come playoff time.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers: 100

Last Week: 10

Notes:It was a lot closer than anticipated, but the Steelers find themselves at 6-3 and on a 4 game winning streak.

11.  Seattle Seahawks: 92
Last Week: 12
Notes: The Seahawks continue to impress with another win against the Jets. Heading into their bye, they are only 1 game behind the 49ers.

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 83
Last Week: 11
Notes: One of the nice surprises of the season is the 5-4 Buccs.

13.  Minnesota Vikings 77
Last Week: 14
Notes:  The Vikings continue to show why they are relevant this season with another win against the Lions. They should be fighting for a playoff spot all year.
 
14. Indianapolis Colts: 49
Last Week: 16
Notes: There's a 4 way tie for the longest active winning streak in the NFL right now between the Broncos, Packers, Steelers and..the Colts. 6-3 is well beyond expectations for a team that was 2-14 last year and was starting a rookie QB.
 
15.  San Diego Chargers 13

Last Week: 13

Notes: At 4-5, things don't get easier for the Chargers with upcoming games against the Broncos and Ravens.

16.  Detroit Lions: 0

Last Week: 17

Notes: After showing signs of life, they end up losing against the Vikings for a 2 game sweep in the series. The more the season progresses, the more likely it seems the Lions will finish last in the division.

17. New Orleans Saints: -1

Last Week: 19

Notes: A great win against the Falcons. The Saints have now won 4 out of their last 5 and have a winnable game next week against the Raiders. If they win this, they are back to .500.

  

18. Miami Dolphins: -2
Last Week: 15
Notes: The Dolphins all of a sudden looked like the Dolphins of 2011 with that loss against the Titans.

19. Dallas Cowboys: -3
Last Week: 20
Notes: To me, the better team won in the Cowboys / Eagles game. The way the Giants have been playing as of late, the Cowboys are far from out of the division.

20.  Arizona Cadrinals -21
Last Week: 18
Notes: The Cardinals hope to play like they did the first 4 games of the season after they return from the bye.

21.  Cincinnati Bengals -16
Last Week: 23
Notes: What a way to snap a 4 game losing streak. The Bengals still have a long road ahead if they were to have any shot of the playoffs, but a great win nonetheless.
 
22. St. Louis Rams: -48
Last Week: 25
Notes: A tie is not a win, but it's a lot better than what was expected from this Rams team against the 49ers.

23. Washington Redskins: -52
Last Week: 21
Notes: The Redskins hope to fix a lot of their issues on D after coming back from the bye.

24. New York Jets: -75

Last Week: 22

Notes: Rex Ryan keeps saying he thinks his team came make the playoffs and win out for the remainder of the season. I'm definitely not seeing what he's seeing.

25. Philadelphia Eagles: -88

Last Week: 24

Notes: If Andy Reid is not fired after this season it will be a huge surprise.

26. Tennessee Titans: -94
Last Week: 30
Notes: The first game all season where I was impressed with the Titans playing.

27. Cleveland Browns: -101
Last Week: 29
Notes: The best of the 2 wins or less teams. This season is lost, but this young Browns team does have some potential for next season.

28. Buffalo Bills: -104
Last Week: 28
Notes: They played the Patriots tough, but, as usual, they find themselves on the losing end.
 

29. Carolina Panthers: -110
Last Week: 26
Notes: I didn't expect them to beat the Broncos, but definitely expected them to play at least a little better against them.
 

30  Oakland Raiders: -125
Last Week: 27
Notes: The Raiders find themselves in the bottom 3 after a horrific showing against the Ravens.

31. Kansas City Chiefs: -202

Last Week: 32

Notes: They move up after a loss to the Steelers because they made it a competitive game on the road. The Jaguars pass them in a close battle for the worst in the NFL.

32. Jacksonville Jaguars: -211
Last Week: 31
Notes: :(

NFL Power Rankings Week 10

The Saints gain the most ground this week while the Eagles continue to plummet in the rankings.

1. Atlanta Falcons 234
Last Week: 1
Notes: Halfway through and the Falcons are still undefeated. They do not play a team that's above .500 until the Giants in Week 15. At that point, they should have the division wrapped up.

2. Chicago Bears 233

Last Week: 3

Notes: They've been playing such dominant football for the most part of the season, I had to put them at the #2 spot. Nobody wants to play the Bears right now.

3. Houston Texans  222
Last Week: 2

Notes: They pulled up the win against the Bills and remain at the top of the AFC.

4. San Francisco 49ers 176

Last Week: 4

Notes: After the Rams, the 49ers play the Bears for what should be a great game.

5. New England Patriots 147 
Last Week: 6
Notes: The Patriots move up during the bye week with a Giants loss.
  

6. New York Giants 144
Last Week: 5
Notes: Both the Giants and the Steelers were at a disadvantage with Sandy throwing off their routine, but the Giants found themselves on the losing end. The offense looked out of sync, but they should bounce back next week against the Bengals.

7. Green Bay Packers: 135
Last Week: 8
Notes: The Packers looked a lot better against the Cardinals than they did against the Jaguars.

8. Denver Broncos 126

Last Week: 7

Notes: It was a nail biter at one point, but the better team got the win.

9.  Baltimore Ravens 113 
Last Week: 9
Notes: An important win especially with all of the injuries this team has. 2 out of their next 4 games are against the Steelers which could decide the division.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers: 82
Last Week: 12
Notes: .Winners of 3 in a row. It should be 4 after they play the Chiefs.

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 58
Last Week: 13
Notes: The Buccs look like they could be fighting for a wildcard spot for the remainder of the year.

12.  Seattle Seahawks: 56
Last Week: 14
Notes: They clearly are now the 2nd best in the NFC West. 
 
13.  San Diego Chargers 50

Last Week: 15

Notes: Some say that win saved Norv Turner's job for now, but as long as the Chargers stay at .500 don't expect Norv back next year.

14.  Minnesota Vikings 44
Last Week: 10
Notes:  That loss will likely keep them out of the playoffs. Now that the Seahawks and Buccs have the tiebreaker against them and the Packers playing great, a #6 seed looks like a long shot.
  
15. Miami Dolphins: 43
Last Week: 11
Notes: The game went exactly as it should against the Colts. Two evenly matched teams with the road team losing by a field goal. 

16. Indianapolis Colts: 28
Last Week: 16
Notes: Andrew Luck played out of his mind. What a great performance by the rookie QB. They're finding ways to win, but I'm concerned with how close all of their wins have been, regardless of opponent.

17.  Detroit Lions: 24

Last Week: 18

Notes: All of a sudden, the Lions are back at .500 and far from out of the playoff race.

18.  Arizona Cadrinals -4
Last Week: 17
Notes: Now losers of 5 in a row, they face the undefeated Falcons after the bye week.

19. New Orleans Saints: -34

Last Week: 27

Notes: The Saints are now winners of 3 out of their last 4 games, with their only loss coming coming against the red hot Broncos. Handing Atlanta their first loss next week could be the game that completely turns around the Saints season and puts them back in the playoff hunt.

20. Dallas Cowboys: -35
Last Week: 20
Notes: Another close game and another loss. The Cowboys continue to perform well against the elite in the NFL, but can't find ways to win.
 

21. Washington Redskins: -44
Last Week: 19
Notes: The Redskins playoff dreams seem to be a distant memory. RGIII still continues to play well, but the defense is horrendous.

22. New York Jets: -44

Last Week: 23

Notes: The Jets hope to get back to .500 with upcoming games against the Seahawks and Rams.

23.  Cincinnati Bengals -47
Last Week: 22
Notes: Dalton played well, but the Broncos overpowered them. The Bengals have now lost 4 straight.

24. Philadelphia Eagles: -57

Last Week: 21

Notes: Losers  of 4 straight, the Eagles have a do or die game at home against the Cowboys next week. If they lose this, you can put a fork in the Eagles.

25. St. Louis Rams: -61
Last Week: 26
Notes: They hope to pull off the upset against the 1st place 49ers next week.

26. Carolina Panthers: -70
Last Week: 29
Notes: The Panthers finally get another win. Cam Newton played like he had something to prove. The Panthers need to play like that every week in order to have any shot of a good season.
 

27  Oakland Raiders: -71
Last Week: 24
Notes: A good game against the Buccs, but the Raiders couldn't get the win. 4-4 would have been great after a slow start.

28. Buffalo Bills: -83
Last Week: 25
Notes: No surprise that the Bills lost against the Texans. They now find themselves in last place in the division.

29. Cleveland Browns: -107
Last Week: 28
Notes: For a second, they had the 4th quarter lead against the Ravens, but the Ravens showed that, even with injuries, they are the better team.

30. Tennessee Titans: -150
Last Week: 30
Notes: Are the Titans really that bad or are the Bears really that good? I say both.

31. Jacksonville Jaguars: -181
Last Week: 31
Notes: They need to get MJD back if they have any shot of winning another game.

32. Kansas City Chiefs: -184
Last Week: 32
Notes: (Insert another "they suck" comment here)

2012 NFL Standings Predictions

We're about halfway through the 2012 NFL season and there have been a lot of pleasant surprised and disappointments. How will the rest of the 2012 season pan out? We have our standings predictions below. Playoff seeding is in parenthesis

AFC East:
1. New England Patriots: 11-5 (3)
2. Miami Dolphins: 9-7 (6)
3. New York Jets: 7-9
4. Buffalo Bills: 6-10

AFC North:
1. Baltimore Ravens: 12-4 (2)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers: 10-6 (5)
3. Cincinnati Bengals: 7-9
4. Cleveland Browns: 5-11

AFC South:
1. Houston Texans: 13-3 (1)
2. Indianapolis Colts: 9-7
3. Tennessee Titans: 6-10
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: 3-13

AFC West:
1. Denver Broncos: 11-5 (4)
2. Oakland Raiders: 8-8
3. San Diego Chargers:  7-9
4. Kansas City Chiefs: 3-13


NFC East:
1. New York Giants: 13-3 (2)
2. Philadelphia Eagles: 9-7
3. Washington Redskins: 8-8
4. Dallas Cowboys: 6-10

NFC North:
1. Green Bay Packers: 12-4 (4)
2. Chicago Bears: 11-5 (5)
3. Minnesota Vikings: 10-6 (6)
4. Detroit Lions: 8-8

NFC South:
1. Atlanta Falcons: 14-2 (1)
2. New Orleans Saints: 8-8
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 8-8
4. Carolina Panthers: 4-12

NFC West:
1. San Francisco 49ers: 13-3 (3)
2. Seattle Seahawks: 9-7
3. Arizona Cardinals: 8-8
4. St. Louis Rams: 5-11