NFL Power Rankings: Examining League Outlook Ahead of Week 13

Parity is alive and well in the NFL heading into Thanksgiving weekend. 

Two-thirds of the NFC is still in the playoff hunt, and nine teams are separated by just one game in the race for the final AFC Wild Card spot through 12 weeks.

With a furious final month in store, let's take a look at where all 32 teams stand heading into Week 13.

*Top Super Bowl favorites are italicized, per Bovada.

1. Seattle Seahawks (10-1)

With both the Broncos and Chiefs stumbling in Week 12, the Seattle Seahawks are the clear No. 1 heading into Thanksgiving weekend. They've won six in a row and can reaffirm their status as Super Bowl favorite with a win over the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football.

Percy Harvin's return to the lineup adds another dimension to Seattle's offense, which has been almost unstoppable on the ground in 2013.

Defensively, the Seahawks have the personnel to shut down potent offenses in January. Seattle boasts a capable pass rush that has racked up 33 sacks this season. And the success of their secondary, better known as the "Legion of Boom," has been well-documented.  

2. New Orleans Saints (9-2)

The New Orleans Saints are one of only three teams in the NFC with a point differential above plus-100. Interestingly enough, the other two teams are the Saints' next two opponents, Seattle and Carolina. 

New Orleans has won three in a row, but we'll learn a lot about these Saints over the next two weeks.

3. Carolina Panthers (8-3)

Carolina's seven-game winning streak is the longest in the NFL heading into Week 13. The Panthers have completely flipped the switch after a sluggish start and are no longer being talked about as a potential playoff team but instead a potential championship squad. 

Having allowed just 151 points in 11 games (13.7 per game), the Panthers boast the league's top-ranked scoring defense. Carolina's dominant defensive play has been key to its turnaround, and if the Panthers continue to thrive in upcoming matchups with division rival New Orleans, then we'll know this team is a threat to reach Super Bowl XLVIII.

4. New England Patriots (8-3)

Following a controversial no-call on Monday night in Week 11, the football gods made it up to the New England Patriots in Week 12, as a mishap by Denver's punt return team late in overtime set up the Pats' game-winning field goal. 

What's more impressive, though, was the furious comeback that made the field goal possible. Tom Brady and the Pats' 31 unanswered points in the second half prove that this is a team capable of winning the AFC for the sixth time in 13 seasons. 

The Pats have the AFC East all but won and are in prime position to earn a first-round bye. 

5. Denver Broncos (9-2)

The Denver Broncos defense can be encouraged by what it was able to accomplish in the first half in New England. However, Peyton Manning will be searching for answers all week long ahead of this weekend's rematch with Kansas City.

While the Broncos were able to rush for 280 yards against New England, Manning appeared to be out of sync all night long, completing only 19 of 36 passes for 150 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. And he was lucky to only toss one pick. 

The weather is no excuse either as Brady was able to throw for 344 yards and three scores in the cold wind during the second half.

There's no reason to believe the Broncos won't be a factor in the AFC this January, but Week 12's collapse is certainly worrisome heading into the final five weeks of the regular season.

6. Kansas City Chiefs (9-2)

Kansas City has lost two straight following its impressive 9-0 start. On top of the Chiefs' recent struggles, injuries to defensive difference-makers Tamba Hali and Justin Houston have Andy Reid's club in trouble heading into Week 13's key matchup against the Denver Broncos.

7. Cincinnati Bengals (7-4)

Although the Bengals still enjoy a comfortable two-game lead in the AFC North, they must finish strong with upcoming matchups against San Diego, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh and Baltimore.

8. San Francisco 49ers (7-4)

After thumping the Redskins in Washington, the Niners appear to be back on track in the NFC and are a favorite to lock up a wild-card spot. 

Still, San Francisco could easily unravel with upcoming showdowns vs. St. Louis and Seattle.

9. Arizona Cardinals (7-4)

Arizona has won four straight and is suddenly in position to earn an NFC Wild Card berth. While the Cardinals still have three difficult division matchups on their schedule in December, their eighth-ranked defense and improving aerial attack make them legitimate contenders. 

Sunday's clash with Philadelphia could determine whether the Cards are suiting up in January. 

10. Philadelphia Eagles (6-5)

The NFC East-leading Eagles are flying high heading into Week 13. Chip Kelly's squad has won three in a row and five of its last seven following a 1-3 start. Philadelphia is coming off a bye last week but is facing a critical showdown against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. 

Arizona is hot right now, and Philly can't afford to lose with Dallas right on its heels.

11. Indianapolis Colts (7-4)

The Colts have been an average team over the past two months, having gone 3-3 in their last six games. Now, coming off a 40-11 shellacking in Arizona, Indianapolis is facing a huge matchup at home against Tennessee this weekend. 

A loss to the Titans would reduce the Colts' division lead to one game.

12. Dallas Cowboys (6-5)

If the Cowboys beat the Raiders at home on Thanksgiving, they'll be two games over .500 for the first time since Week 15 of last season.

13. Chicago Bears (6-5)

The Chicago Bears are 3-5 over their last eight games, and their porous defense is a big reason for that. The Bears rank 25th and 28th in fewest total yards and points allowed this season, respectively. 

With matchups against Dallas, Philadelphia and Green Bay late in the season, Chicago is facing a crucial contest with Minnesota in Week 13.

14. Detroit Lions (6-5)

The Detroit Lions are slumping, having dropped two straight games. A loss to the Aaron Rodgers-less Packers on Thanksgiving would be disastrous with upcoming matchups against Philadelphia, Baltimore and the New York Giants.  

With a win, though, Detroit would maintain control of the NFC North.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-6)

Pittsburgh has won three in a row and five of its last seven to join the AFC Wild Card pursuit. The Steelers will battle the Ravens on Thanksgiving night in a massive game that will propel the winner to .500 and sink the loser to 5-7.

A Steelers win would have them in excellent position to make the playoffs as three of their last four games are at home.

16. Baltimore Ravens (5-6)

The defending Super Bowl champions are a different team when they play at home, and with three of the Ravens' last five games at home, Baltimore will have an excellent opportunity to earn an AFC Wild Card berth this winter. 

It all starts on Thanksgiving night against Pittsburgh. 

17. Tennessee Titans (5-6)

Tennessee may be holding on to the final Wild Card spot in the AFC, but likely not for long. The Titans will play at Indianapolis in Week 13 and at Denver in Week 14 before hosting Arizona in Week 15. Each of those teams boasts at least seven wins this season. 

18. St. Louis Rams (5-6)

St. Louis has won two straight in dominant fashion, outscoring Indianapolis and Chicago by a combined mark of 80-29 in those games. 

However, a brutal five-game stretch to end the year would likely sink the Rams. In addition to games at San Francisco, at Arizona and at Seattle, St. Louis will host New Orleans and Tampa Bay.

19. Green Bay Packers (5-5-1)

The Packers appeared hopeless without Aaron Rodgers heading into the fourth quarter of Week 12's tie with Minnesota. But Matt Flynn was able to provide a spark, and if he can do it again on Thanksgiving in Detroit, Green Bay can buy Rodgers more time to heal.

20. San Diego Chargers (5-6)

San Diego's impressive last-minute victory at Arrowhead in Week 12 ended the Chargers' three-game losing streak and has them back in the wild-card mix. It goes without saying that Sunday's home game against Cincinnati will go a long way in determining whether San Diego gets back to the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

21. Miami Dolphins (5-6)

Like so many middle-of-the-pack teams in the AFC, missed opportunities have been the story of Miami's 2013 season. Week 12's home loss to Carolina was a microcosm of the Dolphins' year. So close yet so far.

With upcoming games at the Jets and Steelers, the Dolphins will need to be road warriors if they are to climb back above .500 for the first time since early October.

22. New York Giants (4-7)

The Giants came painfully close to winning their fifth straight game to pull within one game of the NFC East lead in Week 12. But instead, New York's first loss since Week 6 sets them back in the division. 

Big Blue will need to beat Washington this weekend and fire up another streak if they hope to make another memorable playoff run in January.

23. Buffalo Bills (4-7)

With a very favorable schedule down the stretch, Buffalo has a great shot to make a run at a Wild Card berth in the AFC in December. The Bills will play Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, Miami and New England to conclude the season. 

If Buffalo can finish 4-1, it'll be right in the mix for the final spot at 8-8. However, a loss to the Falcons this weekend will all but eliminate the Bills from the picture.

24. New York Jets (5-6)

The New York Jets have lost two in a row and are coming off a season-low three points scored in Week 12's loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Rex Ryan's curious ball club is still well within reach of an AFC Wild Card berth, but Geno Smith's struggles must be addressed and corrected if Gang Green is going to be competing in the postseason.

25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-8)

If the season started two weeks ago, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would be one of the best teams in the league and Greg Schiano would be an early candidate for Coach of the Year.

Sadly, the Bucs' three-game winning streak can only lift them in these power rankings as they are completely out of the NFC playoff picture.

26. Oakland Raiders (4-7)

The Oakland Raiders squandered a fantastic opportunity in Week 12, giving up a late touchdown to the Tennessee Titans in a game that would have propelled the Silver and Black into the final AFC Wild Card spot, at least for the time being. 

Oakland will try to rebound on Thanksgiving Day at Dallas. 

27. Cleveland Browns (4-7)

Cleveland is 1-5 since losing quarterback Brian Hoyer to a season-ending ACL injury. And if you take away the Browns' three-game winning streak with Hoyer from Weeks 3-5, they're a 1-7 football team. 

28. Minnesota Vikings (2-8-1)

The Vikings have done it all in November. They've won, lost and tied. Unfortunately, Minnesota is three-and-a-half games out of the NFC North lead with only five games to play.

29. Washington Redskins (3-8)

Losers of three in a row, the Washington Redskins are officially in free-fall mode and don't appear poised to turn things around anytime soon. Week 12's embarrassing 21-point home loss likely means that jobs are on the line down the stretch. 

30. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9)

The Jaguars are still bad, but at least they're winning. Jacksonville is 2-1 in the month of November and playing much-improved defense. However, the offense is still an unwelcome sight.

31. Atlanta Falcons (2-9)

It wasn't long ago that the Georgia Dome was almost an impossible place to win for visitors. Nowadays it seems that the Atlanta Falcons are a lock to lose wherever they play. The Dirty Birds have dropped five in a row heading into Week 13's matchup against Buffalo.

32. Houston Texans (2-9)

It's hard to believe the Houston Texans were 2-0 at one point this season. Their nine-game losing streak is currently the longest in the NFL.

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