NFL Power Rankings entering Week 12
Frantic finish
Week 11 ended with a great game as the Eagles and Chiefs battled in a Super Bowl rematch (preview?). Philly goes into KC and comes away with a win. Don’t be surprised if they meet again in February. As the NFL season heads into Week 12, here is how all 32 teams stack up…
32. Carolina Panthers (1-9, lost to Dallas Cowboys)
Trading what could be the first pick in the 2024 NFL draft for the chance to select Bryce Young isn’t looking great. It is early but the reviews are dim thus far.
31. Washington Commanders (4-7, lost to New York Giants)
The Commanders might be the only team in NFL history to notch nine sacks in a game they turned the ball over six times. New ownership likely means the coach is on a burning hot seat, though.
30. Chicago Bears (3-8, lost to Detroit Lions)
It takes a special group to give up 17 points and lose to the Detroit Lions in the way the Bears did on Sunday. At least they are protecting their draft position.
29. New York Giants (3-8, defeated Washington Commanders)
Who needs a quarterback when you have Tommy DeVito and a defense that forces six turnovers?
28. New England Patriots (2-8, BYE)
Well, the mystery over who replaces Mac Jones should be revealed at some point this week.
27. Tennessee Titans (3-7, lost to Jacksonville Jaguars)
Let’s get it over with and part ways with Mike Vrabel so he can be in play for the New England Patriots head coaching job.
26. Atlanta Falcons (4-6, BYE)
The Falcons were on a bye and next up is a fascinating (just kidding) NFC South clash with the New Orleans Saints.
25. Arizona Cardinals (2-9, lost to Houston Texans)
The Cardinals are competitive with Kyler Murray. It is going to be fascinating to see how they play out their hand with a high draft pick and Murray on the roster.
24. Los Angeles Chargers (4-6, lost to Green Bay Packers)
One would think at some point the Bolts would get tired of losing close games. Or team management would hate it and decide the coach needs to go.
23. Los Angeles Rams (4-6, defeated to Seattle Seahawks)
Nice comeback victory for the Rams, who sweep the season series from the Seahawks. LA doesn’t feel like it is going anywhere but always better to win than to lose — unless you are praying for a high draft pick.
22. Green Bay Packers (4-6, defeated Los Angeles Chargers)
There are some nice signs in Green Bay. Jordan Love is putting it together and his young receiver corps appears to be talented. Warning for the Thanksgiving game: Green Bay’s running back room is depleted.
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6, lost to San Francisco 49ers)
The only thing keeping the Bucs from last place in the NFC South is how awful the Panthers are.
20. New Orleans Saints (5-5, BYE)
The Saints head into the NFC South game with the Falcons and need to win it and show everyone who is boss in the division. There is no guarantee that will happen, of course, in the weak quartet.
19. Denver Broncos (5-5, defeated Minnesota Vikings)
Hard to imagine after the way this team started that it is now in second place in the AFC West, and has won four straight. Tribute to how great a coach Sean Payton is.
18. Cincinnati Bengals (5-5, lost to Baltimore Ravens)
The loss of Joe Burrow means this team will be tested — which it has not been since becoming a contender. Hard to believe it will overcome the hurdle with Jake Browning running the show.
17. Indianapolis Colts (5-5, BYE)
The Colts catch the Buccaneers after their bye week. Expect a high-scoring game, one Indy needs if it hopes to have serious wild-card dreams.
16. New York Jets (4-6, lost to Buffalo Bills)
One has to wonder how good the Jets would have been with Aaron Rodgers. The defense is wonderful and the offense is non-existent without the future Hall of Famer.
15. Buffalo Bills (6-5, defeated New York Jets)
Was this a one-off or are the Bill going to find their way back to being playoff threats? Only time will tell.
14. Las Vegas Raiders (5-6, lost to Miami Dolphins)
Give Antonio Pierce credit. He has the Raiders playing better ball than in a long time. And losing a close one in Miami is an example. Remember, this is what will happen when you go with a mid-round rookie at QB. Mistakes happen.
13. Houston Texans (6-4, defeated Arizona Cardinals)
This team is a lot of fun. And expect it to wind up in primetime games in plenty of seasons going forward.
12. Minnesota Vikings (6-5, lost to Denver Broncos)
The Joshua Dobbs magic almost pulled off another victory for Minnesota but came up short. A sweet story that should not be shortchanged.
11. Miami Dolphins (7-3, defeated Las Vegas Raiders)
Still not totally buying into Miami until it proves it can beat a good team. Those three losses loom larger than the seven wins.
10. Cleveland Browns (7-3, defeated Pittsburgh Steelers)
The contract to Deshaun Watson becomes a bigger mistake weekly as this team wins with QBs named Dorian Thompson-Robinson and PJ Walker. That’s a lot of money to throw at position when it’s the reserves who are delivering big-time for the Brownies.
9. Seattle Seahawks (6-4, lost to Los Angeles Rams)
Don’t blame Jason Myers, who missed from 55 for the loss. The Seahawks stumbled when Geno Smith injured his elbow. Hopefully, for them, he will be able to play in their next game.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-3, defeated Tennesse Titans)
Nice bounce-back win against the Titans. Jacksonville has a lot going for it and rebounding with a strong win shows that the culture is ripe for success.
7. San Francisco 49ers (7-3, defeated Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Brock Purdy and the Niners have found their groove once again.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4, lost to Cleveland Browns)
The lack of an offense is going to be a big problem throughout the rest of the season. The defense is great. The coach is wonderful. The offense is in neutral or reverse.
5. Dallas Cowboys (7-3, defeated Carolina Panthers)
The easy part of the Dallas schedule continues on Thanksgiving as the Commanders come to town. They need to take care of business and win clean without drama.
4. Detroit Lions (8-2, defeated Chicago Bears)
All you need to know is this was the kind of game the Lions have historically lost. Instead, they found a way to beat the Bears. Detroit may not be ready to menace with a deep playoff run but it is getting there.
3. Baltimore Ravens (8-3, defeated Cincinnati Bengals)
The Ravens are good. They are also prone to injuries — again. Mark Andrews is done for 2023. Lamar Jackson was limping against Cincy. Odell Beckham Jr. seems banged up every week. That’s a concern for a strong team.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (7-3, lost to Philadelphia Eagles)
Dropped passes proved costly for the Chiefs as the Eagles gained a sense of revenge for the Super Bowl. KC sits at No. 2 because it was a close game, and remember the Ravens lost Mark Andrews in their game against Cincy. The Ravens and Chiefs are close but KC still has an edge.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (9-1, defeated Kansas City Chiefs)
Jalen Hurts with a couple of rushing TDs while the defense did enough to hold off the Chiefs. For that, Hurst and his Eagles teammates remain at No. 1.
