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.