Week 13 Power Rankings
By Timothy An
32. New York Jets (0-11):
Last week: 32
Positions Moved: 0
After suffering another loss on Sunday, the Jets are now 11-0 in their attempt to draft QB Trevor Lawrence with the first overall pick. The only thing to focus on for this team now is whether they will pick Trevor or make a classic Jets move and end up going for someone else.
31. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-10):
Last week: 31
Positions Moved: 0
The Jaguars were able to play well against the Browns, only losing by two points. However, this team has just been awful this season. The one bright spot has been rookie RB James Robinson, but this team is going to need about twenty first-round picks if we expect to see a turn around any time soon.
30. Cincinnati Bengals (2-8-1):
Last week: 30
Positions Moved: 0
The Bengals suffered a narrow loss to the Giants on Sunday by only two points. Though this team lacks the talent to be a playoff team, this season has been an overall success in that they found a reliable franchise quarterback in Joe Burrow. Hopefully he can get healthy by next season and take this franchise back into the playoffs with the help of fellow standout offensive players in Tee Higgins, Joe Mixon, and Tyler Boyd.
29. Dallas Cowboys (3-8):
Last week: 25
Positions Moved: -4
The Cowboys have gone 1-5 in their last six games, and are coming off of an embarrassing loss to the Washington Football Team on Thanksgiving Day. To put it simply, this team has been disappointing. They have the big names (Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, Ezekiel Elliot, Jaylon Smith, Leighton Vander Esch), but simply cannot execute. They have a pretty soft schedule to end the year, but it will be an absolute nightmare to see this team get blown out in a playoff matchup.
28. Philadelphia Eagles (3-7-1):
Last week: 27
Positions Moved: -1
The Eagles suffered a loss to the Seahawks on Monday night, and showed us exactly why this team deserves to be near the bottom of our rankings. Though it was a close game, this offense could not get anything going. This is not a good team, by any means, but they still only find themselves half a game back from first place in the NFC East. This Eagles team has an extremely difficult schedule coming up and I expect them to see themselves at the bottom of the division by year’s end.
27. Detroit Lions (4-7):
Last week: 24
Positions Moved: -3
The Lions have now lost four out of their last five games and are looking like a mess. They have recently announced the firing of HC Matt Patricia and GM Bob Quinn. I expect this team to continue their downward spiral as they prepare to land a top pick in the upcoming draft.
26. New York Giants (4-7):
Last week: 29
Positions Moved: +3
The Giants were able to narrowly escape the Bengals without Joe Burrow by two points. Every victory matters in the NFC East, but this was not impressive whatsoever. However, the Giants still find themselves tied for the division lead and I would not be surprised to see them in the playoffs in January.
25. Denver Broncos (4-7):
Last week: 19
Positions Moved: -6
The Broncos’ loss on Sunday against the Saints was simply not fair. They were starting a practice squad wide receiver at quarterback and had no chance to even compete in this game. They looked awful and face the Chiefs next week. This performance had to warrant a major drop-off due to their poor performance, but I expect this team to work their way back up to the middle of the pack by year's end.
24. Carolina Panthers (4-8):
Last week: 22
Positions Moved: -2
The Panthers started the season pretty well, surprising many football fans. They came out to a 3-2 start, but have since gone 1-6. This team is continuing to trend downward and fall down our rankings every week.
23. Los Angeles Chargers (3-8):
Last week: 20
Positions Moved: -3
The Chargers suffered a close loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Every matchup this team has played has been close, no matter how good the opponent is, yet there comes a time when we have to stop blaming bad luck and start blaming the coaching staff and team. The Chargers’ only victories have come against the three worst teams in our power rankings, but we will keep them in this spot because they are able to compete in close games with the top teams in the league.
22. Atlanta Falcons (4-7):
Last week: 26
Positions Moved: +4
The Falcons easily dismantled a playoff contending Raiders team on Sunday, 43-6. While this was a very impressive victory, this game showed all the signs of a fluke game. This Falcons team was unstoppable in every aspect of the game. I don’t expect to see this offensive firepower and defensive domination again this season, but it was a promising sign of the potential the Falcons can play up to next season.
21. Washington Football Team (4-7):
Last week: 28
Positions Moved: +7
The Washington Football Team impressed on Thanksgiving, beating the Cowboys 41-16 at AT&T Stadium. This jump in the rankings may be an overreaction, but this team has truly found its bread-and-butter on defense and in the short passing game. I think this team will surprise us all and play well against some good teams in their upcoming matchups.
20. Chicago Bears (5-6):
Last week: 18
Positions Moved: -2
I was hoping the Bears would be able to put up a fight against the Packers, proving themselves to be as good as their record shows. However, they got absolutely dismantled and showed no signs of defense or offense in this game. This team has now lost five straight games and are showing no signs of turning it around. Don’t be surprised to see them continue to fall down these rankings to end the season.
19. Houston Texans (4-7):
Last week: 23
Positions Moved: +4
The Texans embarrassed the Lions on Thanksgiving day, dismantling them 41-25. They have gone 3-1 after their bye week and looked like they were finally starting to hit their stride. However, losing their top receiver, Will Fuller, and cornerback, Bradley Roby, is not a good sign for this team that was just starting to turn the corner. I’m expecting a drop off in the upcoming weeks, but the Thanksgiving day victory was good while it lasted.
18. Minnesota Vikings (5-6):
Last week: 21
Positions Moved: +3
The Vikings have been on a roll since their bye week in Week 7. They have gone 4-1 and look like a completely new team. This team is getting hot at the right time and could find themselves in the playoffs after starting the season 1-5.
17. San Francisco 49ers (5-6):
Last week: 17
Positions Moved: 0
The San Francisco 49ers pulled off an upset victory over the Rams, making the Rams offense look terrible. This was an impressive victory, but the 49ers have always played well against the Rams and Sean McVay’s offense. This team has been plagued by an unbelievable amount of injuries, but still finds themselves one game back from a playoff spot. If the 49ers are able to end the season strong and get into the playoffs, it will be a big testament to how great this coaching staff is.
16. New England Patriots (5-6):
Last week: 16
Positions Moved: 0
The Patriots had an impressive upset victory over the Cardinals, 20-17, this past Sunday. This is still a very dangerous team, as any Bill Belichick team would be, but with Cam Newton at quarterback, there is only so far this team can go.
15. Cleveland Browns (8-3):
Last week: 14
Positions Moved: -1
The Browns barely escaped with a narrow victory over the Jaguars. This team may be 8-3, but their record isn’t representative of how good this team is whatsoever. They have a -21 point differential, and are not nearly as talented as their record shows.
14. Las Vegas Raiders (6-5):
Last week: 13
Positions Moved: -1
The Raiders are coming off their most disappointing loss of the season, losing 43-6 to the Falcons. I’d like to think that this was a fluke game as the Falcons run defense looked absolutely unstoppable on Sunday. We’ll see if the Raiders can bounce back from this performance in the upcoming weeks and make a real push for an AFC Wild Card spot.
13. Miami Dolphins (7-4):
Last week: 15
Positions Moved: +2
The Dolphins had an easy victory over the Jets this week. They showed nothing out of the ordinary and have Tua Tagovailoa returning very soon. In two weeks they play the Chiefs, and we’ll see how this Dolphins team can hang with the best in the league.
12. Baltimore Ravens (6-5):
Last week: 12
Positions Moved: 0
The Ravens suffered a disappointing loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday night. However, they were without many key players due to COVID-19 and it was a tough situation for any team to go into. This team still boasts an elite defense and the former MVP Lamar Jackson at quarterback, but now sits at 6-5, outside of the playoff picture.
11. Arizona Cardinals (6-5):
Last week: 10
Positions Moved: -1
The Cardinals suffered a disappointing loss to the Patriots on Sunday. However, the Patriots are a tough matchup for any young quarterback, and the Cardinals have shown us the ability to consistently play every game close. This team may have suffered an upset loss, but they are still one of the most dangerous teams in the NFC.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5):
Last week: 7
Positions Moved: -3
The Buccaneers have hit a cold stretch, losing three out of their last four games. However, these losses have all come to playoff contenders as Tom Brady continues to adjust to his new weapons. The Buccaneers have too many weapons and will be fine come playoff time, they just need to worry about ending strong and hitting their stride at the right time.
9. Indianapolis Colts (7-4):
Last week: 4
Positions Moved: -5
The Colts suffered a major blow this Sunday getting absolutely blown out by the Titans. The Colts are supposed to be one of the best defenses in the league, and giving up 45 points to the Titans is not what a great defense does. Some may argue that this game was a fluke, but I think that teams are starting to figure out the Colts, and their defense will have to switch things up if they are looking to take over 1st place in the AFC South back from the Tennessee Titans.
8. Los Angeles Rams (7-4):
Last week: 6
Positions Moved: -2
The Rams suffered a disappointing loss to the 49ers this past Sunday. 49ers Defensive Coordinator Robert Saleh always gives Goff trouble in their matchups, and it was no surprise to see him fluster Goff once again. The Rams are still a great time and simply suffered a loss to another solid team that knows how to slow down this dynamic offense.
7. Buffalo Bills (8-3):
Last week: 5
Positions Moved: +2
The Bills were able to hold off the Chargers in Sunday’s matchup. Though it was a victory, it was not impressive by any means. The Bills’ drop-off in our power rankings is not so much about their play this past Sunday, but more about how impressive the Packers, Titans, and Seahawks’ performances have been as of late.
6. Tennessee Titans (8-3):
Last week: 11
Positions Moved: +5
The Titans absolutely destroyed the Colts on Sunday. Though they lost their first matchup against them, I think this is the start of a hot streak for the Titans to end the year. Derrick Henry got fewer carries to start the year for this very moment. Winter is coming… and it is time for Vrabel to unleash Henry and this powerful running attack.
5. Seattle Seahawks (8-3):
(CBS NFL)
Last week: 9
Positions Moved: +4
The Seahawks’ victory over the Eagles on Monday night was not pretty whatsoever. However, this defense has shown major signs of improvement in the past couple of weeks. If this defense is able to continue this upwards trend, we could see the Seahawks crack the top three by year’s end.
4. Green Bay Packers (8-3)
(USA TODAY Sports)
Last week: 8
Positions Moved: +4
The Packers were able to demolish this Bears team, warranting a big jump in our rankings. This Bears offense is awful, but their defense has been pretty strong this season. The Packers’ ability to move the ball downfield with ease, particularly in the run game, proved to me that this offense is no joke, and they will be a matchup nightmare in the playoffs.
3. New Orleans Saints (9-2)
(Jack Dempsey/AP))
Last week: 3
Positions Moved: 0
The New Orleans Saints got an easy victory against the Denver Broncos who were without any of their quarterbacks. The quarterback for the Broncos in Sunday’s game, Kendall Hinton, was a mess and this victory does not warrant any moves up or down our power rankings.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-0)
(Associated Press)
Last week: 2
Positions Moved: 0
The Steelers continue their win streak after Week 12, now sitting at 11-0 atop the AFC. This wasn’t the most impressive victory, as the Ravens were without a multitude of players, including starting QB Lamar Jackson and RBs Mark Ingram and RB JK Dobbins. However, they are still undefeated and proved themselves as worthy of being considered a top team in the NFL.
1. Kansa City Chiefs (10-1)
(USA TODAY Sports)
Last week: 1
Positions Moved: 0
The Kansas City Chiefs offense exploded in the first quarter of the game this past week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The score makes it seem like a closer game than it really was, as this team continues to show us why they are defending Super Bowl Champions and number one on our power rankings.
Follow Timothy on Twitter @timothyan1
