NFL Power Rankings: Assessing League's Hierarchy Heading into Week 13

With only a game between the Washington Redskins and San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football separating us from turning the page to Week 13, the entire league is a jumbled mess. 

The way I see it, there are three tiers of teams. We have the cream of the crop with seven wins or more. That includes nine teams. Conversely, there are the bottom feeders with three wins or less. There are six of those teams. 

That leaves the mediocre group...and it is massive. There are 17 teams with between four and six wins. 

The late, great Pete Rozelle can rest easy knowing his grand vision for parity worked. 

This all sets the stage for a number of teams to get hot and make a surprise run into the postseason and perhaps even the Super Bowl. After all, that is what the current trend of the NFL tells us will happen. 

Look at the last three Super Bowl winners. The Baltimore Ravens, New York Giants and Green Bay Packers each had at least six losses during their respective Super Bowl years, yet they ended up hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. 

I need to stop talking about this before I psych myself out of doing these power rankings. 

Note: All team rankings and season stats via TeamRankings.com on Monday prior to Week 12's Monday Night Football contest. 

1. Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks watched the craziness of this past week unfold while relaxing on their bye week. They will return to action as the only team in the NFL with double-digit wins. They are also expecting Percy Harvin to increase his role on the team after making his Seahawks' debut in Week 11. 

On top of all of that, Seattle is finally getting its offensive line healthy, and that group had been this team's only real Achilles heel in the past month or two. 

2. New England Patriots

I've been touting the New England Patriots all season. The strategy for this season was sound. New England looked to help solidify the defense in the offseason while neglecting the wide receiver position.

When Tom Brady is the quarterback of the team, this is a good move.

Brady will always make his receivers better. All great quarterbacks do.

It's taken some time, but the Patriots' passing offense is rounding into form.

New England is averaging 245 passing yards per game for the season. Over their last three, the Pats average 340 passing yards per game.

3. Carolina Panthers

As a sign of just how murky things are in the power rankings, I have the Panthers directly behind the Patriots. The same Patriots they beat just two weeks ago.

However, the Panthers played that game at home, and the Patriots had a shot to win on the final play. Combine that with the fact that New England's victory over the Broncos was more impressive than the Panthers' dramatic win over the Dolphins this week, and I'm sticking the Panthers in third. 

4. Denver Broncos 

The Denver Broncos aren't going to win the Super Bowl. That much became clear last night. 

It wasn't that Broncos blew a 24-point halftime lead to the Patriots that convinces me of this, it is the fact that Peyton Manning threw for just 150 yards in the game in Foxborough. 

It was cold and windy for the game. With this stat surfacing before the game, it is fair to wonder about Manning's ability in the cold:

However, I'm not going to attribute this to cold. Prior to Sunday's game, the Denver Post's Mike Klis higlighted these stats:

"

As Manning's last four games in which the temperature at the opening kickoff was 40 degrees or colder, he's averaged 29-of-40 passing (72.5 percent) for 327 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

"

It's not the cold. It's the wind!

Manning has never thrown the tightest spiral, and that has been even more noticeable since he's returned from his neck surgery.

With the Super Bowl being played in MetLife Stadium in New Jersey this year, it is almost sure to be breezy. 

Also, I'm not convinced Denver's 30th-ranked pass defense is good enough to get them there in the first place. 

5. New Orleans Saints

Admittedly, fifth is a bit harsh for the 9-2 Saints. After all, I have them below a Panthers team that is staring up at them in the standings.

However, I have concerns about New Orleans being 29th in yards allowed per carry and the inconsistencies of the offense on the road.

Those inconsistencies were on display this past weekend, as New Orleans mustered just 17 points on the road against an Atlanta Falcons team that hasn't been able to stop anyone.

Both of the aforementioned concerns will be severely tested this week as the Saints travel to take on the Seahawks in what is likely the most important game in the NFC this season. 

6. Kansas City Chiefs

If Justin Houston and Tamba Hali aren't healthy, the Chiefs will be in trouble—just like they were while losing to the San Diego Chargers this past Sunday.

What can't be overlooked about Sunday's loss is the fact the Chiefs put up 38 points. For an offense that has lacked explosiveness, it was a good sign to see the Chiefs show the ability to score points in bunches. 

7. Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals had their bye this past week and remain alone in first place in the AFC North at 7-4.

That's the good news. The bad news is that this team has lost two of its last three games, and the offense has struggled.

Sure, their last time on the field, the Bengals put up 41 points on the Cleveland Browns. However, they did so after gaining just 224 yards.

What is most concerning is that Andy Dalton has thrown nine interceptions in his last four games.

8. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers will travel to take on the Washington Redskins on Monday in a game this team can't afford to lose.

The Niners have lost two straight, sit at 6-4 and the Arizona Cardinals just passed them for second in the division. On top of this, after playing the Redskins, three of San Francisco's final five games will come against NFC West foes, and the 49ers are the only team in that division not in the midst of an impressive winning streak.

9. Arizona Cardinals

Speaking of the streaking NFC West, the Cardinals have won four straight and absolutely dominated the Indianapolis Colts this past weekend. 

In victory, quarterback Carson Palmer enjoyed his second consecutive interception-free game. Those are his only two such games this season. 

The Cardinals, who are fourth in the league in yards allowed per play, will be able to beat anyone if Palmer continues to limit his turnovers. However, with a suspect offensive line, that remains a big if. 

10. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts have not looked good since losing receiver Reggie Wayne for the season due to injury.

They have lost two of three and the two losses came by an average of 29.5 points. Everything is headed in the wrong direction for this team right now. 

However, it is still too early to write off a team that just month ago some considered to be the best in the AFC.

11. Philadelphia Eagles

While on bye, the Eagles watched the Dallas Cowboys pull even with them at the top of the NFC East. Still, I wouldn't expect that to dampen the mood in Philly.

The Eagles have won three straight and have made tremendous strides with quarterback Nick Foles at the helm.

Just as importantly, the Eagles haven't allowed an opponent to score more than 21 points since Week 4.

12. St. Louis Rams

The St. Louis Rams have won their last two games by the combined score 80-29, and both wins came over teams division leaders (Colts and Bears). 

With three road games in their final five contests and four of those games coming against teams with winning records, it is probably too much to ask for this 5-6 squad to slip into the playoffs. 

However, with the defense playing up to its potential, and the offense succeeding far more than could have reasonably been expected, an end-of-the-season run is not out of the question. 

13. Chicago Bears

The Bears are tied for first in the NFC North, which is fairly remarkable given the number of injuries this team has suffered. 

I'm not a big fan of any team in the NFC North, so I won't rule this team out of winning the division.

Let me just say, however, that after a few slightly improved performances from the defense, allowing 42 points to the Rams this Sunday was a big setback. It proves this Chicago team can't be trusted. 

14. San Diego Chargers

Prior to beating the Chiefs on Sunday, the Chargers had lost three straight. The losing streak was enough for me to write them off in terms of making the postseason. I spoke prematurely. In the wide open AFC, this 5-6 team is still very much in the postseason hunt. 

Still, what led me to writing them off was their schedule. The Chargers have games against three teams that look like locks for the postseason (Broncos, Chiefs and Bengals), one against the resurgent Giants and another against an Oakland Raiders team that already beat them this year. 

However, with Philip Rivers looking as good as ever, the Chargers have the firepower to beat anyone. 

15. New York Jets

The Jets are who we thought they were! After victories over the Patriots and Saints in Weeks 7 and 9, the Jets were looking like a legitimate contender. 

However, since beating the Saints, New York has lost two straight, and both have been ugly losses to teams under .500 (Bills and Ravens). In those games, the Jets have scored a combined 17 points. 

This limited offense appeared destined to doom this team at the start of the season. It's taken a while, but that finally appears to be becoming a reality. 

16. Detroit Lions

In a season where little has played out to expectations, it is comforting to know the Detroit Lions are still the Lions. 

Two weeks ago, this team was in a position to take command of the NFC North. Instead, it's blown two straight games in the fourth quarter against teams with losing records. 

The Lions have yet to mature or find the fortitude needed to win close games when it matters most. 

17. Green Bay Packers

How did coach Mike McCarthy not clear this up for his players? 

Never assume anything! 

At any rate, the Packers walked away with a tie against the Vikings this Sunday. That is a completely lackluster result. However, as this team tries to weather the storm of Aaron Rodgers' injury, lackluster results aren't that ugly of an option. 

18. Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins have been playing solid football, but they are struggling to score points.

Miami hasn't scored more than 23 points since Week 3. Behind a bad offensive line, the Dolphins are 26th in rushing and 20th in passing.

Big-time offseason free-agent acquisition Mike Wallace has caught just two touchdowns on the season and has just 49 receptions.

The Dolphins are in the thick of the playoff race at 5-6, but with these offensive struggles, this team is going nowhere. 

19. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys have now won two consecutive close games against the New York Giants. In past years, the Giants have used close wins over the Giants to capture the NFC East.

The Cowboys are now in a position to turn the tables.

Of course, with the Cowboys ranking 30th in rushing defense and 31st in passing defense, the Philadelphia Eagles could leave both the Giants and Cowboys in the dust. 

20. New York Giants

I am so glad the Giants lost to snap their four-game win streak. I am sick and tired of this franchise proving that I know nothing about football by winning the Super Bowl after I've written them off. 

Maybe I shouldn't say anything yet. At 4-7, the Giants could get hot, I suppose, and prove me wrong twice in the same season. 

21. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers have won three straight games and only have one game remaining against a team with a winning record. After all the talk about what is wrong with this franchise, this 5-6 team has a very realistic shot at the postseason. 

Still, Pittsburgh suffers from poor offensive-line play and an almost nonexistent run game. 

The Steelers are averaging just 3.3 yards per carry for the season, and the number has actually been lower over the past three games (2.8).

22. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens are locked with the Steelers at 5-6. The two will play this week in Baltimore. These two rivals have played in games with far better combined records, but this should still be another worthy installment of this rivalry. 

This game is vital for the playoff chances of both. The Steelers beat the Ravens by three points earlier in the season, so it is especially important for the Ravens to pull out the win. 

Like the Steelers, the Ravens also have been struggling along the offensive line. Baltimore's ground game is actually ranked one spot lower at 31st in yards per carry. 

This game may end in a 0-0 tie. 

23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Who didn't see the Buccaneers current three-game win streak coming? Oh, none of you? Good, because I certainly didn't. 

I'm shocked that not only have the Bucs, a team that was winless three weeks ago, found ways to win but didn't give up on the season altogether. 

Quarterback Mike Glennon is a big reason why. In his past six games, the third-round rookie has thrown eight touchdowns and one interception.

24. Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns will flash some intimidating defense. This team is first in the NFL in yards allowed per play. 

However, the Browns still have a long ways to go when it comes to figuring out how to win. That is especially true whenever Brandon Weeden is forced to play. 

25. Tennessee Titans

The Titans edged out the Oakland Raiders on Sunday to improve to 5-6 and sit in the thick of the playoff race in the AFC. However, it's not exactly time to celebrate in Tennessee yet. 

The Titans' next three games come against teams with winning records.

If the Titans are going to have a shot in this stretch, they will need Chris Johnson and the run game to take over. However, averaging 4.0 yards per carry over their last three games and ranked 17th for the season at 4.1 yards carry, the Titans offense has given no indication that it can make that happen.   

26. Buffalo Bills

The Bills had their bye this past week, and will return to action without a realistic shot at the postseason sitting at just 4-7. However, it will be important for this team to close out the year strong. 

Rookie quarterback EJ Manuel looked good by throwing for 245 yards and two touchdowns in his last start. The Bills will hope to keep him healthy for the remainder of the season and build some momentum under first-year coach Doug Marrone. 

27. Washington Redskins

If things keep progressing as they have been, the Washington Redskins could look drastically different next season.

It's hard to know exactly where things stand between coach Mike Shanahan and his quarterback Robert Griffin III. It's also hard to know where things stand between RG3 and his teammates.

I'll just say that with this much smoke, I have to believe there's a fire brewing somewhere.

28. Oakland Raiders

A week after the Raiders shut down the Houston Texans late in the game to secure a victory, they allowed the Titans to march right down the field and score the winning touchdown with 10 seconds left. 

Oakland is not the most talented team, but head coach Dennis Allen has done a nice job of keeping this team in games. 

My guess is that if he can keep this team playing solid football to the end of the season, he will be back for a third year. 

29. Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings earned a tie with the Packers on Sunday. Considering this team has just two wins on the season, a tie might be enough to have had some champagne popped in the locker room. 

The Vikings remain a disaster in the passing game—both on offense and defense. 

Adrian Peterson can atone for some serious weaknesses in the offensive passing game, but that doesn't do much good if the defense can't stop anyone. 

30. Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons played the Saints tough this past weekend to lose by just four on their home field. That can be considered a moral victory for this two-win team.

However, the fact that that is a moral victory for a team that entered the season with Super Bowl aspirations creates a level of depression that destroys any value gained. At this point in this season, real victories aren't even enough to cheer up the Falcon fanbase.  

31. Jacksonville Jaguars

Can the Jaguars do anything right? This team, which has been an NFL laughingstock all season, is trying to play its way out of the basement. 

A victory over the Houston Texans in Houston has this team in the driver's seat to finish ahead of their division rivals and perhaps miss out on the No. 1 draft choice. 

I kid, at least in part. The Jaguars have impressed by not giving up on the season. Now they have the chance to build up at least some momentum for next season. 

32. Houston Texans

Figured I'd just let Andre Johnson agreeing with me take us home.