Here are my NFL Power Rankings through Week 13, with last weeks rankings in parentheses:
Week: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
1. New York Giants (11-1) (1)
The Giants look pretty tough right now. It's almost like it doesn't matter who they put out on the field, because that player will perform well and get the job done. They definitely look like the best team in the NFL. The only thing that could trip them up is if Eli Manning starts to play poorly again, but so far this season he has been excellent.
2. Tennessee Titans (11-1) (2)
The Titans whooped up on the Lions as expected and will try to do the same to the Browns in Week 14.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3) (4)
The Steelers put a hurting on the Patriots, but I'm not as impressed as most people are. The Patriots dropped a ton of passes and most of the the turnovers they had weren't really forced by the Steelers(dropped passes, muffed return). I do like the Steelers defense, but I think their offense will let them down at some point and I wouldn't be surprised if Dallas comes to Pittsburgh and beats them this week.
4. Dallas Cowboys (8-4) (5)
I'm still aggressive ranking the Cowboys, because I feel like they have more talent then most teams in the NFL. Romo has played great since he returned from his injury and it looks like the Dallas offense is back on track. The defense is not as bad as people have made it seem and ranks 9th overall in yard allowed, 10th in rushing yards allowed, and 11th in passing yards allowed. Certainly a capable defense.
5. Carolina Panthers (9-3) (6)
Carolina finally played a decent game on the road, even if it was against the struggling defense of the Packers. The Panthers still have plenty of work to do to make the playoffs though, because they finish up against TB, DEN, at NYG, and at NO. It's certainly possible they drop 3 of those 4 games and only get to 10 wins. This week's game at home against TB is almost a must win.
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-3) (8)
Tampa Bay's defense is still strong. I still have my doubts about their offense if they make the playoffs though, especially if they have to play on the road.
7. New York Jets (8-4) (3)
The Jets blew a chance to grab a two game lead in the AFC East by losing to Denver. I still think they will win the division, but it could come down to a tie breaker.
8. Atlanta Falcons (8-4) (12)
The Falcons have a relatively tough schedule the next three weeks: at NO, TB, at MINN. It will be interesting to see how this team performs and if they hold on to that last wild card spot.
9. Indianapolis Colts (8-4) (9)
The Colts are pretty much a lock for the playoffs right now with games coming up against CIN and DET, unless the football gods claim Indy as the team Detroit wins it's first game of the season against.
10. Baltimore Ravens (8-4) (13)
The Ravens are at WASH, PIT, at DAL the next three weeks, which will make or break their season.
11. New England Patriots (7-5) (10)
The Steelers have stopped a lot of teams this year, so Matt Cassel should go back to putting up big numbers once he goes up against the dreadful defense of the Seahawks this week.
12. Washington Redskins (7-5) (11)
The Redskins might become the victims of a tough schedule and get squeezed out of the playoffs. The Redskins are one of the better teams in the NFC statistically, but they had a killer schedule and can't seem to beat the elite teams in the NFC. Their loss to the Rams might come back to haunt them, but there is still a chance the Redskins win their last 4 games(at BAL, at CIN, PHI, at SF) and claim a wild card spot.
13. Arizona Cardinals (7-5) (7)
I have to drop the Cardinals after the Eagles crapped all over them, because they haven't proven they can beat anyone on the road outside of the crappy teams in the NFC West.
14. New Orleans Saints (6-6) (14)
The Saints loss to Tampa Bay means they will probably be out of the playoffs even if they run the table to finish 10-6. It's starting to look like the wild card teams in the NFC might need 11 wins to get a playoff berth.
15. Minnesota Vikings (7-5) (16)
The Vikings have stepped up as the best team in the NFC North right now and should have no problem reaching 8-5 against the winless Lions.
16. Miami Dolphins (7-5) (15)
Miami has 3 of their last 4 games on the road, which could put an end to their playoff chances.
17. Philadelphia Eagles (6-5-1) (19)
Good to see Donovan McNabb respond this week with a strong game. I still think the Eagles will fall short of the playoffs though, mostly because of a costly loss to the Bears and that tie to the Bengals. If they won those two games they would be sitting at 8-4 and would be right in the thick of the playoff race.
18. Denver Broncos (7-5) (21)
I'm given up trying to figure out this team who has lost to Kansas City and Oakland, but also has beaten the Falcons and now the Jets on the road.
19. Buffalo Bills (6-6) (17)
Buffalo blew a huge chance to get to 7-5 and then try to squeeze themselves into the playoff picture. They'd have to win out at this point and I don't see that happening.
20. Chicago Bears (6-6) (18)
The Bears have a manageable schedule to finish the season with 3 games at home(JAX, NO, GB) and one road game(HOU), so it looks like they still have a chance to win the division, but they need to play better before that happens.
21. Green Bay Packers (5-7) (20)
The Packers are struggling defensively right now. Going into this season I really thought the defense was going to carry them, but right now it's the reason they are losing.
22. Houston Texans (5-7) (23)
I really like this Texans squad and they are probably one of the few teams with a losing record that has a lot of upside.
23. San Diego Chargers (4-8) (22)
I never would have imagined the Chargers would be 4-8 right now. It's amazing how horrible they have been this season.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-8) (24)
Jacksonville's season is not officially lost. This team was flawed going into the season, but even I didn't think they would be this bad. On a side note, they way he's played this year, this could be Fred Taylor's last season.
25. Cleveland Browns (4-8) (25)
The Browns need to let Joshua Cribbs play some QB this week or else I will be moving them even further down my power rankings.
26. San Francisco 49ers (4-8) (27)
The 49ers defense played well against Buffalo on the road. I was pretty shocked they won that game.
27. Oakland Raiders (3-9) (26)
Just when you think the Raiders have turned the corner somewhat, they lose a stinker to the Chiefs at home..
28. Seattle Seahawks (2-10) (28)
Seattle got blown out by Dallas on Thanksgiving and will now try to play spoiler for the Patriots playoff chances.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (2-10) (30)
The Chiefs have a couple more winnable games on their schedule, so it's possible they could actually get to 3 or maybe 4 wins.
30. Cincinnati Bengals (1-10-1) (29)
The Bengals are getting worse and worse each week. I'm still trying to figure out how they managed to not lose to the Eagles a few weeks back.
31. St. Louis Rams (2-10) (31)
The Rams were more competitive this week against the Dolphins that usual, but they still lost and will travel to Arizona for another potential drubbing.
32. Detroit Lions (0-12) (32)
Detroit must win one of these 4 games to avoid having a winless season: Minnesota, at Indy, New Orleans, at Green Bay. Can you see them beating any of these teams? I certainly can't, so I still think they finish the season without a victory.
Week: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
1. New York Giants (11-1) (1)
The Giants look pretty tough right now. It's almost like it doesn't matter who they put out on the field, because that player will perform well and get the job done. They definitely look like the best team in the NFL. The only thing that could trip them up is if Eli Manning starts to play poorly again, but so far this season he has been excellent.
2. Tennessee Titans (11-1) (2)
The Titans whooped up on the Lions as expected and will try to do the same to the Browns in Week 14.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3) (4)
The Steelers put a hurting on the Patriots, but I'm not as impressed as most people are. The Patriots dropped a ton of passes and most of the the turnovers they had weren't really forced by the Steelers(dropped passes, muffed return). I do like the Steelers defense, but I think their offense will let them down at some point and I wouldn't be surprised if Dallas comes to Pittsburgh and beats them this week.
4. Dallas Cowboys (8-4) (5)
I'm still aggressive ranking the Cowboys, because I feel like they have more talent then most teams in the NFL. Romo has played great since he returned from his injury and it looks like the Dallas offense is back on track. The defense is not as bad as people have made it seem and ranks 9th overall in yard allowed, 10th in rushing yards allowed, and 11th in passing yards allowed. Certainly a capable defense.
5. Carolina Panthers (9-3) (6)
Carolina finally played a decent game on the road, even if it was against the struggling defense of the Packers. The Panthers still have plenty of work to do to make the playoffs though, because they finish up against TB, DEN, at NYG, and at NO. It's certainly possible they drop 3 of those 4 games and only get to 10 wins. This week's game at home against TB is almost a must win.
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-3) (8)
Tampa Bay's defense is still strong. I still have my doubts about their offense if they make the playoffs though, especially if they have to play on the road.
7. New York Jets (8-4) (3)
The Jets blew a chance to grab a two game lead in the AFC East by losing to Denver. I still think they will win the division, but it could come down to a tie breaker.
8. Atlanta Falcons (8-4) (12)
The Falcons have a relatively tough schedule the next three weeks: at NO, TB, at MINN. It will be interesting to see how this team performs and if they hold on to that last wild card spot.
9. Indianapolis Colts (8-4) (9)
The Colts are pretty much a lock for the playoffs right now with games coming up against CIN and DET, unless the football gods claim Indy as the team Detroit wins it's first game of the season against.
10. Baltimore Ravens (8-4) (13)
The Ravens are at WASH, PIT, at DAL the next three weeks, which will make or break their season.
11. New England Patriots (7-5) (10)
The Steelers have stopped a lot of teams this year, so Matt Cassel should go back to putting up big numbers once he goes up against the dreadful defense of the Seahawks this week.
12. Washington Redskins (7-5) (11)
The Redskins might become the victims of a tough schedule and get squeezed out of the playoffs. The Redskins are one of the better teams in the NFC statistically, but they had a killer schedule and can't seem to beat the elite teams in the NFC. Their loss to the Rams might come back to haunt them, but there is still a chance the Redskins win their last 4 games(at BAL, at CIN, PHI, at SF) and claim a wild card spot.
13. Arizona Cardinals (7-5) (7)
I have to drop the Cardinals after the Eagles crapped all over them, because they haven't proven they can beat anyone on the road outside of the crappy teams in the NFC West.
14. New Orleans Saints (6-6) (14)
The Saints loss to Tampa Bay means they will probably be out of the playoffs even if they run the table to finish 10-6. It's starting to look like the wild card teams in the NFC might need 11 wins to get a playoff berth.
15. Minnesota Vikings (7-5) (16)
The Vikings have stepped up as the best team in the NFC North right now and should have no problem reaching 8-5 against the winless Lions.
16. Miami Dolphins (7-5) (15)
Miami has 3 of their last 4 games on the road, which could put an end to their playoff chances.
17. Philadelphia Eagles (6-5-1) (19)
Good to see Donovan McNabb respond this week with a strong game. I still think the Eagles will fall short of the playoffs though, mostly because of a costly loss to the Bears and that tie to the Bengals. If they won those two games they would be sitting at 8-4 and would be right in the thick of the playoff race.
18. Denver Broncos (7-5) (21)
I'm given up trying to figure out this team who has lost to Kansas City and Oakland, but also has beaten the Falcons and now the Jets on the road.
19. Buffalo Bills (6-6) (17)
Buffalo blew a huge chance to get to 7-5 and then try to squeeze themselves into the playoff picture. They'd have to win out at this point and I don't see that happening.
20. Chicago Bears (6-6) (18)
The Bears have a manageable schedule to finish the season with 3 games at home(JAX, NO, GB) and one road game(HOU), so it looks like they still have a chance to win the division, but they need to play better before that happens.
21. Green Bay Packers (5-7) (20)
The Packers are struggling defensively right now. Going into this season I really thought the defense was going to carry them, but right now it's the reason they are losing.
22. Houston Texans (5-7) (23)
I really like this Texans squad and they are probably one of the few teams with a losing record that has a lot of upside.
23. San Diego Chargers (4-8) (22)
I never would have imagined the Chargers would be 4-8 right now. It's amazing how horrible they have been this season.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-8) (24)
Jacksonville's season is not officially lost. This team was flawed going into the season, but even I didn't think they would be this bad. On a side note, they way he's played this year, this could be Fred Taylor's last season.
25. Cleveland Browns (4-8) (25)
The Browns need to let Joshua Cribbs play some QB this week or else I will be moving them even further down my power rankings.
26. San Francisco 49ers (4-8) (27)
The 49ers defense played well against Buffalo on the road. I was pretty shocked they won that game.
27. Oakland Raiders (3-9) (26)
Just when you think the Raiders have turned the corner somewhat, they lose a stinker to the Chiefs at home..
28. Seattle Seahawks (2-10) (28)
Seattle got blown out by Dallas on Thanksgiving and will now try to play spoiler for the Patriots playoff chances.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (2-10) (30)
The Chiefs have a couple more winnable games on their schedule, so it's possible they could actually get to 3 or maybe 4 wins.
30. Cincinnati Bengals (1-10-1) (29)
The Bengals are getting worse and worse each week. I'm still trying to figure out how they managed to not lose to the Eagles a few weeks back.
31. St. Louis Rams (2-10) (31)
The Rams were more competitive this week against the Dolphins that usual, but they still lost and will travel to Arizona for another potential drubbing.
32. Detroit Lions (0-12) (32)
Detroit must win one of these 4 games to avoid having a winless season: Minnesota, at Indy, New Orleans, at Green Bay. Can you see them beating any of these teams? I certainly can't, so I still think they finish the season without a victory.
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