NFL Power Rankings - Week 12

Here are my NFL Power Rankings through Week 12, with last weeks rankings in parentheses:

Week: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

1. New York Giants (10-1) (2)

The Giants reclaim the # 1 spot in the power rankings after Tennessee lost their undefeated season in Week 12. The Giants also had a nice road win in Arizona.

2. Tennessee Titans (10-1) (1)

The Titans finally lost and I was pretty shocked that the Jets were able to score as many points as they did on Tennesse. They should get back on track in Week 13 on Thanksgiving against Detroit.

3. New York Jets (8-3) (6)

The Jets now have back to back road wins over the Patriots and Titans and have won 7 of their last 8 overall. In Week 13, they get the Broncos at home, which should mean another big day for Thomas Jones running behind that solid offensive line.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) (4)

The Steelers travel to New England this week, which is a game that has huge playoff implications for both teams. The Steelers will hope to slow down Matt Cassel after he has had back to back games with 400 yards passing.

5. Dallas Cowboys (7-4) (7)

Dallas is 2-0 since Tony Romo returned and will have a great chance to make it 3-0 against Seattle on Thanksgiving. 5th is probably a lot higher than most people would have them ranked, but honestly teams 5 through 13 on my power rankings are all pretty similar and I don't see much difference between any of them.

6. Carolina Panthers (8-3) (3)

I'm still not convinced that Carolina can win on the road, but they will get another shot at it in Week 13 against the Packers.

7. Arizona Cardinals (7-4) (5)

I was tempted to put the Cardinals even lower because they are only 3-4 outside of the NFC West and all 3 of thoses wins came at home. If they finish with just 9 or 10 wins and 6 of those wins come from beating teams in the NFC West, then you have to at least be skeptical about how good they really are. If they lose at Philly this week then I can't see this team getting passed the second round of the playoffs and maybe not even winning in the first round depending on the matchup. Most likely they will have to play either Dallas, Washington, Carolina, Tampa Bay, or Atlanta in the first round.

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-3) (9)

I still don't like this team enough to separate them from the group of teams ranked 5 through 13 and I don't expect that to change even though they have an excellent chance to win the division.

9. Indianapolis Colts (7-4) (8)

The Colts have won 4 games in a row and play Cleveland, Cincinnati, Detroit, and Jacksonville the next 4 weeks before finishing up with the Titans who might be resting their players by then. I see this team winning at least 10 games and most likely 11, which would almost certainly gaurantee them a playoff spot.

10. New England Patriots (7-4) (10)

It's amazing how this Patriots season has turned out. After Tom Brady got hurt and Matt Cassel was named the starter, I wrote about how the Patriots defense needs to step things up or else the Patriots won't be able win with Cassel at QB. Now it looks like Cassel is carrying the team and the defense is what might hold them back. Who would have ever thought that?

11. Washington Redskins (7-4) (11)

The Redskins have a huge game this week against the Giants at home. At 7-4, they are tied with the Cowboys and Falcons for the last playoff spot in the NFC and can't afford to lose ground on either one.

12. Atlanta Falcons (7-4) (12)

The Falcons beat down the Panthers at home in Week 12 and now must travel to San Diego to face a struggling Chargers squad. I think the Falcons will have a good chance to win this game as long as their defense shows up.

13. Baltimore Ravens (7-4) (14)

The Ravens might find themselves tied for first after Week 13. The Steelers have to travel to New England, while the Ravens get to travel to Cincinnati, which is a much easier matchup.

14. New Orleans Saints (6-5) (18)

The Saints demolished the Packers on Monday Night and still have a legitimate chance to make the playoffs if they can win the rest of their divisional games.

15. Miami Dolphins (6-5) (15)

Miami is the lucky team that gets to play the Rams this week, which should leave them at 7-5 after Week 13.

16. Minnesota Vikings (6-5) (20)

The Vikings play the Bears in Week 13 at home and I think they will win that game and take control of the NFC North.

17. Buffalo Bills (6-5) (21)

Buffalo blasted the Chiefs and now will try to do the same to the 49ers. These last two games against the Chiefs and 49ers will keep them in the playoff picture for now, but I still think they will come up short.

18. Chicago Bears (6-5) (19)

The Bears face off with the Vikings in Week 13 in a game that could decide the eventual winner of the NFC North.

19. Philadelphia Eagles (5-5-1) (13)

The Eagles are a mess right now and that is pretty obvious for just about anyone to see.

20. Green Bay Packers (5-6) (16)

The Packers too a beating on Monday Night against the Saints. They now face a must win game against Carolina.

21. Denver Broncos (6-5) (17)

I have no idea how the Broncos go into Atlanta and beat the Falcons, but then turn around and got crushed by the Raiders at home. It makes absolutely no sense and it's a shame that a team from the AFC West is going to make the playoffs.

22. San Diego Chargers (4-7) (22)

The Chargers had the perfect chance to pick up ground on the Broncos after they lost to the Raiders, but they werne't able to beat the Colts and now look to be in real danger of missing the playoffs.

23. Houston Texans (4-7) (25)

The Texans remain a competitive team despite their poor record and will look to pick up another win in Week 13 against Jacksonville.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-7) (23)

Jacksonville is one of this seasons most disappointing teams. Going into the season, many people had them reaching the Super Bowl, but at this point they will be lucky to finish at 8-8.

25. Cleveland Browns (4-7) (24)

The Browns are out of the playoff picture now and the GM and head coach Romeo Crennel could be in trouble if the Browns continue to lose.

26. Oakland Raiders (3-8) (29)

Darren McFadden did get more touches against Denver and ended up scoring 2 TDs for the Raiders. He'll have a good chance to score some more with the Chiefs visiting in Week 13..

27. San Francisco 49ers (3-8) (26)

The 49ers head for Buffalo this week and will try to avoid getting stomped like the Chiefs did by the Bills.

28. Seattle Seahawks (2-9) (27)

The Seahawks have been a little more competitive since Hassleback returned, but it hasn't translated in to the win column yet.

29. Cincinnati Bengals (1-9-1) (28)

Not much you can say about the Bengals at this point, except that they are part of a group of 4 or 5 teams that are just awful.

30. Kansas City Chiefs (1-10) (30)

The Chiefs got blasted by Buffalo in Week 12 and now will head out to play the Raiders.

31. St. Louis Rams (2-9) (31)

The Rams lost for the 8th time this season by more than 2 touchdowns and I'm sure it won't be the last.

32. Detroit Lions (0-11) (32)

Detroit is so bad that even when I saw they were up 17-0 against Tampa Bay, I figured they would find a way to blow that lead and they did.