2012 Power Rankings - Week 13

By Dylan Ehle (@PaleEhle on Twitter)

Week 13 was an interesting one alright.  We saw a few teams take care of business and continue to ascend in the rankings, while others (Giants, 49ers, Saints, Bears, Ravens), just forgot to show up. Three of my four dark horse teams won (Cowboys, Bengals, Bills), while only the Saints lost.  Anyway, here are my power rankings, updated to reflect the new information we learned in week 13.  Each team is followed by a quick summary of their change with  {Season high, Season low}.  Here we go!

1) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (10-3):  The Dolphins game was .5 points closer than I would have liked, and Pats were nowhere near as solid as they should have been, but they are far more consistent that anyone else in the NFL right now, and will maintain the top spot on these rankings until they lose again.

Change: 0 {1,6}.

2) HOUSTON TEXANS (11-1): They took care of business against the Titans, and the defense didn't look as bad as in past weeks.  It's better to get the kinks worked out now than in January.

Change: +1 {1,3}.

3) DENVER BRONCOS (9-3): They had this won in the third quarter.  After a lackluster half, the defense and special teams stepped up in a big way for Denver.  Also, after a shaky start to the year, the AFC elite are hitting their stride, and now take up the top three spots in these rankings.

Change:  +1 {3,7}.

4) ATLANTA FALCONS (11-1): As I said in my article last week, I give them props for their win over the Saints.  I think they'd get destroyed by any of the teams above them, but right now I will grudgingly admit that the Falcons may be the best team in the NFC.  It's not that the Falcons are all that special, but because no one else seems to want to take charge of the conference (Giants, Bears, and 49ers all took huge steps back this week...)

Change: +2 {2,6}.

5) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (8-3-1):https://twitter.com/NFL_Memes/status/276175871369412608/photo/1

That pretty much sums up my feelings about the 49ers right now.  Thanks for all the laughs this season, @NFL_Memes.  Go follow them on Twitter.

Change:  -3 {2,8}.

6) GREEN BAY PACKERS (8-4): The Packers take care of business against a divisional foe, and, while it was nothing flashy, they move up by virtue (or lack of virtue, I should say) of the poor performances of their conference rivals.

 Change: +2 {2,8}.

7) CHICAGO BEARS (8-4): This team is so hard to figure out right now.  They have so many weapons on offense, but just can't score points.  You blame a bunch of losses on Campbell, and then feel vindicated when they trounce the Vikings on Cutler's return...only for the Seahawks to beat them in Solder Field.  The Seahawks don't win on the road.  Get it together, Bears.  You were my preseason Super Bowl pick...don't let me down.

Change:  -2 {3, 7}.

8)  NEW YORK GIANTS (7-5): The Giants' performance over the last few weeks has been similar to the Bears, but on a much larger scale.  They had those awful losses, but rallied back to destroy Green Bay...then they laid an egg against the Redskins and declared it open season in the NFC East again.  The Giants have had a few games this year where they could have put significant distance between themselves and the rest of the NFC East, but each time they've failed to deliver.  We'll see what magic Coughlin has left over these next four weeks.

Change: +2 {7,9}.

9) PITTSBURGH STEELERS (7-5):  An upset win while starting your 3rd string QB will always move you up a bit in my rankings.  With Big Ben coming back this week, the Steelers are definitely a top 10 team.  I'll give them one more spot for good measure.

Change:  +1 {9,12}.

10) BALTIMORE RAVENS (9-3): What an awful performance.  I've been writing here for weeks that the Ravens aren't as good as advertised, but I didn't think they were so bad to lose such a winnable game against their bitter rival.  They simply don't know how to use Ray Rice, a top-3 RB.  How does he not get more touches in the 4th quarter? 

Change:  -1 {7,10}.

11) NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (5-7): That loss to the Falcons killed their season, but they still are one of the strongest teams in the league.  That rough start held them back, but they will win several more games before the end of the year.

Change: -1 {10,17}.

12) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (8-4):  A signature win for Luck.  That was simply amazing.  He is the spark that will likely send the Colts into the playoffs.  I've never been more impressed with a rookie QB.

Change: +1 {11,13}.

13) CINCINNATI BENGALS (7-5): Another week, another win for the Bengals, who I have been calling to make a playoff push for several weeks now. It will be tough with the resurgence of the Steelers and the emergence of the Colts, but I think they can do it.

Change:  +1 {13,19}.

14) SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (7-5): The Seahawks drop this week, but it's through no fault of their own - I applaud them for a huge road win in Chicago.  They are serious contenders for a wildcard spot.

Change:  -1 {12,15}.

15) TAMPA BAY BUCS (6-6): The Bucs don't deserve to fall this far; against, it's only because of the emergence of the teams beneath them.  They played Denver well except for the 3rd quarter, and I think they can contend for a wildcard berth in the NFC over the coming weeks.

Change:  -3 {11,15}

16) WASHINGTON REDSKINS (6-6): What a HUGE win for RG3.  I didn't think he could do it.  He gave his home crowd a game for the ages on MNF, making smart plays and doing enough to beat a very good Giants front four.  It will be interesting to see if they can keep this momentum going over the coming weeks.

Change 0 {16,25}.

17) MINNESOTA VIKINGS (6-6): They needed that game against Green Bay.  A win would have left both teams at 7-5; with the loss, GB takes a 2-game lead that no one sees them relinquishing, leaving the Vikings to contend with several much better teams for the final NFC wildcard spot.  Good luck with that.

Change:  0 {15,17}.

18) DALLAS COWBOYS (6-6):  They get a win against an Eagles team that they were expected to beat.  I'm surprised that the defense gave up so many points.  Contrary to what Tex will try to tell you, I don't think the 'Boys are playoff-bound this year.  If anyone snags the East from the Giants, it will be the Redskins, and, as I said above, there are better teams vying for that last wildcard slot.

Change:  0 {16,18}.

19)  DETROIT LIONS (4-8): Another week, another heartbreaking loss.  At least they're not going 0-16....

Change:  0 {11,19}.

20) ST. LOUIS RAMS (5-6-1): A really nice win over a divisional rival moves the Rams up this week in my rankings.  They are the toughest team to gauge right now.  I have no idea which team will show up every week.

Change:  +3 {20,27}.

21) SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (4-8): This nightmare just gets worse every week.

Change:  1 {15,21}.

22) BUFFALO BILLS (5-7): A win over the Jags doesn't impress me much.  I'm just glad that I didn't drive out to this game in Buffalo and watch my team get dominated in the cold and rain.

Change:  -1 {21,26}.

23) CLEVELAND BROWNS (4-8): Two in a row for the Brownies!  They move up another slot this week, and will try to make it three in a row for the first time since Bernie Kosar was their QB with a very winnable Chiefs game ahead on the schedule.

Change:  +1 {23,29}.

24) CAROLINA PANTHERS (3-9): I just can't get over how disappointing this team is.  They lost to the worst team in the NFL.  Is there anyone they can beat?

Change:  -1 {22,24}.

25) MIAMI DOLPHINS (5-7): They move up a spot for playing New England tough, but that's about it.

Change:  +1 {20,26}.

26) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (3-9): It astounds me just how many teams I can find that are legitimately worse that the Eagles.  The Eagles are horrible.

Change: 0 {22,27}.

27) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (2-10): Despite being routed by the Bills, the Jags move up because the Cardinals can't even beat the Jets.

Change: +1 {27,32}.

28) TENNESSEE TITANS (4-8): Looks like it's time for a regime change.

Change: +1 {28,30}.

29) NEW YORK JETS (4-8): It's not often that you only score 7 points and win.  I can think of two 6-3 games I've witnessed in 15 years of watching football, but that's about it.

Change:  +1 {24,30}.

30) ARIZONA CARDINALS (4-8): That was horrible.  You lost to the Jets.  Welcome to the bottom 3.

Change: -5 {21,30}.

32) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (2-10): I'll move them out of the cellar for a big victory in the face of tragedy. 

Change: +1 {31,32}.

32) OAKLAND RAIDERS (3-9): Welcome to the cellar, Oakland.

Change:  -1 {28,32}.