2013 Power Rankings - Week 13

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1) SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (11-1):  Change: 0 [1,3]  I feel so vindicated.  After all the crap I've taken for having the Seahawks at #1 while the Chiefs, Broncos, and Saints were in vogue, the Seahawks proved why I was right to keep them at #1 this whole time with a rout of the Saints.  This team could easily go 15-1 (although I think it'll be 14-2) and with home field advantage throughout the playoffs, it's hard to see anyone else representing the NFC in the Super Bowl.  Except maybe the...

2) CAROLINA PANTHERS (9-3): Change: 0 [2,14] Make it eight wins in a row.  The Panthers are the only team I see as a legitimate threat to beat the Seahawks in the NFC (unless Rodgers makes an amazing comeback and gets the Packers into the playoffs).  They had a great win against the Bucs this week, never letting them into the game.  Expect big things from them this postseason.

3) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (9-3): Change: 0 [2,8] It's so satisfying to be able to leave your top three intact.  The Patriots let the Texans be more competitive than they should have, but that was due to defensive ineptitude - the offense will put up enough points for this team to make a deep playoff run.

4) DENVER BRONCOS (10-2): Change: +1 [1,5]  Big win for the Broncos in KC as they reclaimed control of their division and will now likely land a first round bye.  Their defense is much improved, and this team has been even better in the time Jack Del Rio has been head coach.  I worry about them in the playoffs, but this is an outstanding regular season team.

5) NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (9-3): Change: -1 [2,6]  ROUGH loss on Monday Night Football in a game that will likely cost them the #1 seed (that is, if they can even win their division over Carolina).  Big game on Sunday Night Football this week against the Panthers, whom they will face in two of the next three weeks as the season moves to conclusion.

6) SAN FRANCSICO 49ERS (8-4): Change: 0 [2,7] They have the inside track to a wildcard berth in a very competitive NFC.

7) CINCINNATI BENGALS (8-4): Change: +1 [7,11] The Bengals are back on track, and are rallying together in spite of their injuries.

8) DETROIT LIONS (7-5): Change: +3 [8,13] An inspired performance on Thanksgiving proved that they are the class of the NFC North.

9) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (8-4): Change: 0 [1,14]  Another week, another narrow Indy win.  They're so hard to gauge, but I know that no one wants to face them in the postseason.

10) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (9-3): Change: 0 [8,22] Valiant effort against the Broncos, but this team is at least a year away.  However, they're looking at a playoff game in Cincy or Indy where they should be able to be competitive.

11) ARIZONA CARDINALS (7-5): Change: -4 [7,24] Yeah, so I moved these guys up a little too fast, but there is a lot of talent on this team and they're only a game out of the wildcard race.  Big test this week to see if they are contenders or pretenders.

12) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (7-5): Change: +1 [12,22] The Eagles continue to rise in my rankings.  Yes, I know they bear the Cardinals, but I think the Cards are a bit better and would win 3/5 times.

13) DALLAS COWBOYS (7-5): Change: +1 [12,18] A shaky win over an awful Raiders team, but they move up a slot since their peers have been playing so poorly.

14) BALTIMORE RAVENS (6-6): Change: +2 [14,20]  HUGE win for the defending champs on Thanksgiving night.  They're now back in the playoff picture with 4 games remaining, and look to be the best of the worst in a weak AFC.

15) PITTSBURGH STEELERS (5-7): Change: 0 [15,26] Tough loss to Baltimore, and the Steelers are now on the outside looking in.

16) NEW YORK GIANTS (5-7): Change: +1 [12,26]  Much like the Steelers, it's just too little too late for the Giants.  When Dallas ran out the clock and kicked that dinky field goal, it pretty much sealed the door on their season.  Two games behind both the Cowboys and the Eagles and with no games remaining against either, it's hard to see the Giants returning to the postseason.

17) CHICAGO BEARS (6-6): Change: -5  [8,17] his division has been theirs for the taking, but they keep squandering every attempt.  Losing to the Vikings....really?!

18) SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (5-7): Change: 0 [16,25]  They were competitive against the Bengals, but being competitive won't get you into the postseason.

19) ST. LOUIS RAMS (5-7): Change: +1 [14,29] They continue to stay competitive, and no one wants to see them on their schedule.

20) GREEN BAY PACKERS (5-6-1): Change: -1 [2,20]  It is time for Aaron Rodgers to come back yet?

21) TENNESSEE TITANS (5-7): Change: +3 [18,30]  Wow, the AFC is so bad.

22) MIAMI DOLPHINS (6-6): Change: +5 [19,31]  The AFC is....atrocious.

23) BUFFALO BILLS (4-8): Change: 0 [22,29] The AFC just has all these lousy teams that are still in the playoff hunt because the conference is so bad.

24) NEW YORK JETS (5-7): Change: -2 [13,30]  Case in point.

25) OAKLAND RAIDERS (4-8): Change: +1 [24,32]  And another case in point.

26) CLEVELAND BROWNS (4-8): Change: -5 [16,27] And another (I mean, they lost to the Jags!)

27) MINNESOTA VIKINGS (3-8-1): Change: +4 [23, 31]  A win and a tie in the last two weeks - look out!

28) ATLANTA FALCONS (3-9): Change: +1 [8,30]  Super Bowl pick?  Haha, those were the days.  Glad I was never on that bandwagon.

29) WASHINGTON REDSKINS (3-9): Change: +1 [17,27] RG3 and 9!  Aren't I so original!  Duh-huh!  (Please get your 4th win already so I don't have to hear the tiresome attempt at a joke anymore)

30) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (3-9): Change: -6 [30,32]  Embarrassing effort against the Panthers.

31) TAMPA BAY BUCS (3-9): Change: +3 [19,31]  Hottest 0-8 team I've ever seen - that's three wins in a row!

32) HOUSTON TEXANS (2-10): Change: 0 [6,32]  Sure, they were in the game with the Patriots, but this team was a playoff favorite (even a Super Bowl pick by many) and they have the worst record in the league.