NFL Power Rankings: Updated Outlook for All 32 Teams Heading into Week 12

The Denver Broncos beat Kansas City on Sunday night to end the Chiefs’ undefeated streak and secure their own spot at the top of the NFL power rankings heading into Week 12.

There is a logjam of talent at the top of the rankings this week. With several marquee teams vying for a position at the top of the list, this is where all 32 teams stand heading into this week’s matchups.

1. Denver Broncos (9-1)

The Denver Broncos and Peyton Manning have been the cream of the NFL crop for several weeks. It wasn’t until the team beat the Kansas City Chiefs this weekend, though, that the Broncos franchise erased all doubt that it deserved the No. 1 spot.

2. Seattle Seahawks (10-1)

As if the Seattle Seahawks weren’t dangerous enough as the league’s first team to reach 10 victories, the return of versatile wide receiver Percy Harvin to the lineup in Week 11 makes them even more of a Super Bowl threat. That’s bad news for the rest of the NFC.

3. New Orleans Saints (8-2)

Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints are still one of the most explosive offensive teams in the league. The biggest question for the rest of the season and heading into the playoffs will be how well Rob Ryan’s defense will hold up as injuries and pressure take their toll.

4. Kansas City Chiefs (9-1)

The Kansas City Chiefs have fallen down the rankings after a tough loss to the Denver Broncos, but there is no shame in losing to Manning. Kansas City still boasts an incredible defense and a potent running game that makes the team a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

5. Indianapolis Colts (7-3)

The Indianapolis Colts have not looked sharp since beating the Broncos and losing wide receiver Reggie Wayne (knee) for the season, but the franchise continues to grind out close victories. If Andrew Luck can protect the football, the Colts will continue to be a force in the AFC.

6. Carolina Panthers (7-3)

A strong defense and consistent rushing attack can win a Super Bowl. While the Carolina Panthers may not be ready to win a championship right now, the stingy performance Monday night against the New England Patriots proved Carolina is the real deal.

7. New England Patriots (7-3)

The tough loss to Carolina hurts, but there is no time to sulk for the New England Patriots as the team prepares to play Denver in Week 12. This potential AFC Championship preview has all the earmarks of an instant classic.

8. Cincinnati Bengals (7-4)

The Cincinnati Bengals have experienced abysmal play from quarterback Andy Dalton over the last three weeks but still managed to secure a win in Week 11 against the lowly Cleveland Browns. The bye week couldn’t have come at a better time for a franchise struggling to find any rhythm.

9. San Francisco 49ers (6-4)

After winning five games heading into the bye, the San Francisco 49ers have failed to regain that momentum, losing each of the last two weeks. Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers must find a remedy for their offensive woes immediately.

10. Detroit Lions (6-4)

The Detroit Lions have all the talent to make the postseason, but fundamental mistakes on the field and costly decisions on the sidelines have plagued the team in the past and will continue to be an issue moving forward.

11. Chicago Bears (6-4)

Most fans wrote off the Chicago Bears as quarterback Jay Cutler continues to deal with injuries, but backup Josh McCown has performed admirably. If the Bears miss the postseason, it won’t be a result of McCown’s performance.

12. Arizona Cardinals (6-4)

If the Arizona Cardinals can continue to find chemistry on the offensive side of the ball to compliment the elite play of the defensive unit, there is a chance this team could sneak into the playoffs as the NFC Wild Card.

13. Philadelphia Eagles (6-5)

The Philadelphia Eagles don’t look like a rebuilding team. With six victories already in the lackluster NFC East, there is a chance that new head coach Chip Kelly continues to exceed expectations and leads the team to a divisional title.

14. Green Bay Packers (5-5)

The injury to Aaron Rodgers (collarbone) has been devastating to the Packers. As if three losses in a row weren’t bad enough, there is a legitimate chance Green Bay suffers a home loss to the lowly Minnesota Vikings this week.

15. Dallas Cowboys (5-5)

The Dallas Cowboys needed the bye week to reevaluate the team’s game plan and move into the second half of the season with confidence. The Cowboys still have a very realistic chance of winning the NFC East if they can beat the New York Giants Sunday.

16. Baltimore Ravens (4-6)

Remember when the Baltimore Ravens won the Super Bowl in 2012? This is a shell of that team.

17. New York Jets (5-5)

The New York Jets will continue to deal with the growing pains of rookie quarterback Geno Smith, but the franchise must ride out the storm. Smith has shown glimpses of elite talent, and the franchise must be patient as he continues to learn on the job.

18. San Diego Chargers (4-6)

The high-powered offense of the San Diego Chargers led by Philip Rivers returned to elite form to start the season, but three losses and three mediocre performances later, the team finds itself on life support in the AFC West.

19. New York Giants (4-6)

After losing the first six games of the season, the New York Giants have now won four in a row and are legitimate threats to win the NFC East. I don’t know if that’s good news for the Giants or bad news for NFL fans. Maybe both.

20. St. Louis Rams (4-6)

The St. Louis Rams stunned the Colts in Week 10 and entered the bye week on cloud nine. With a tough matchup against the Chicago Bears in Week 12, the team must come out playing hard to stand a chance on Sunday.

21. Tennessee Titans (4-6)

The Tennessee Titans have a talented roster that took Indianapolis to its limit Sunday but weren’t able to pull off the win. Losing a close game like that will hurt the team now but should build character for the next time that situation arises.

22. Cleveland Browns (4-6)

The defensive unit of the Cleveland Browns is one of the most dangerous in the NFL, but the lack of support from the offense continues to leave the defenders out to dry. Cleveland needs a quarterback and fast.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-6)

The Pittsburgh Steelers pulled out a close win over the Lions in Week 11, but the credit for the victory should go the horrible play-calling of Detroit head coach Jim Schwartz. Pittsburgh will continue to struggle with injuries and inconsistent play.

24. Miami Dolphins (4-6)

With controversy swirling around the franchise, lackluster play on offense and a stingy defense trying to hold it all together, the Miami Dolphins are a much better team than their 4-6 record indicates. The team will continue to struggle, though.

25. Buffalo Bills (4-7)

The Buffalo Bills have played well at times and showcased the raw skill on the roster, but inconsistency in every facet of the game has resulted in a mediocre record. Expect more of the same to close the regular season.

26. Oakland Raiders (4-6)

A hard-fought win over the Houston Texans should give the Oakland Raiders confidence heading into Week 12, but a matchup against a Titans team looking to avenge a heartbreaking loss will result in yet another loss.

27. Washington Redskins (3-7)

While Robert Griffin III and the Washington Redskins offense continue to find their rhythm, the defensive unit has been flat-out awful this season. No matter how well the offense performs, it means nothing if the defense can’t make any key stops.

28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-8)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have not played like a team that deserves a spot in the playoffs, but the two victories prove the franchise is slowly but surely moving forward. Head coach Greg Schiano is still on the hot seat, but the team looks to be turning a corner.

29. Houston Texans (2-8)

There is trouble in paradise. Despite having Super Bowl dreams, the Houston Texans are falling apart at the seams. With all playoff hope gone, the franchise must begin building for 2014 by finding chemistry on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.

30. Atlanta Falcons (2-8)

Key injuries and lackluster play have doomed the Atlanta Falcons from returning to elite form, but few expected the season to get this far off the tracks. Instead of repeating the 13-3 record from 2012, the Falcons could invert that record in 2013 and finish 3-13.

31. Minnesota Vikings (2-8)

Whether it’s Christian Ponder, Matt Cassel or Josh Freeman under center, the Vikings are still one of the worst teams in the league this season. Adrian Peterson needs to get out of Minnesota while he still can.

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-9)

The Jacksonville Jaguars may have won a game, but they’re still the worst team in the NFL.

*All stats are via NFL.com.

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