NFL Power Rankings: Predicting Post-Week 13 Standings

With Thanksgiving on the horizon, all of the NFL's 32 teams fully realize that the regular season's home stretch is near. Since only a few teams are eliminated from playoff contention at this point, almost every franchise in the league has a huge game on tap in Week 13.

Playoff positioning is tight in both conferences, and there are plenty of intriguing matchups that figure to shake things up significantly. With that in mind, Week 13 could very well be looked back upon as a pivotal point in the season.

Here is a full breakdown of how the NFL's pecking order should look following Week 13's slate of contests.

*All records projected post-Week 13

32. Houston Texans (2-10)

The Texans were supposed to be Super Bowl contenders this season, but that obviously hasn't come to fruition. Inconsistent play on offense has been an issue, and even though backup quarterback Case Keenum has done an admirable job, he doesn't have what it takes to be a full-time starter at the NFL level.

Houston is coming off an embarrassing loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, and things get much tougher in Week 13 against the New England Patriots. Unless the Texans can pull off one of the season's biggest upsets, they'll find themselves with 10 losses come Sunday.

31. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10)

The aforementioned Jaguars have a couple wins under their belt in recent weeks, but it doesn't change the fact that they're still among the league's worst teams. In addition to a defense that gets shredded by both the run and the pass, the Jags offense is a mess. Quarterback Chad Henne isn't the answer, and running back Maurice Jones-Drew isn't the same player he once was.

Jacksonville has a chance to build its first winning streak of the season when it faces the Cleveland Browns in Week 13, but the Jaguars are unlikely to get the job done on the road.

30. Atlanta Falcons (2-10)

If the Texans aren't the most disappointing team in the NFL this year, then the Falcons certainly are. Atlanta came extremely close to reaching the Super Bowl last season, but it won't even be in the playoffs this year. Injuries have ravaged the team, the defense has given up points at will, and quarterback Matt Ryan has really struggled over the past month.

The Falcons technically have a road game against the Buffalo Bills this week, but it will take place in Toronto, so it's closer to a neutral-site affair. Even so, Buffalo has a solid defense that should give the turnover-prone Falcons fits in Week 13.

29. Minnesota Vikings (2-9-1)

After a hard-fought tie against the Green Bay Packers in Week 12, the Minnesota Vikings will have an opportunity to play the spoiler role in the NFC North once again this week. The Vikes will host the Chicago Bears in a game that Chicago absolutely needs to have, but Minnesota clearly isn't going to go quietly.

The big key will be the play of Vikings running back Adrian Peterson against Chicago's porous run defense. Although Peterson will almost certainly have a big game, the shaky play of quarterback Christian Ponder and Minnesota's defense will prevent it from scoring the upset win.

28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-9)

The Buccaneers looked like they were dead in the water after starting 0-8, but Greg Schiano's team has found new life after winning three straight. There have been plenty of contributing factors to the Bucs' success in recent weeks, but there is little doubt that rookie quarterback Mike Glennon, who is on a huge roll according to NFL on ESPN, has been key:

Glennon will face perhaps his toughest test of the year in Week 13, though, when Tampa travels to Carolina to take on the Panthers. Carolina is dominant in every defensive facet and is the league's hottest team. The Bucs won't lie down for the Panthers, but Carolina will prove to be too much.

27. Oakland Raiders (4-8)

Oakland has shown plenty of signs of progress this season, but the Raiders clearly have a lot of growing to do. Dual-threat quarterback Terrelle Pryor has done some impressive things for the team, but his status is currently uncertain. He returned from injury to back up rookie Matt McGloin in Week 12, but he wasn't used in the game.

Regardless of whom head coach Dennis Allen decides to start under center on Thursday, it's tough to love Oakland's chances. The Raiders will face the Dallas Cowboys on the road, and Dallas is coming off a big win in its own right. The Cowboys generally win the games that they're supposed to win, and they should come away victorious.

Despite getting out to a 21-7 lead in the second quarter, Oakland couldn't get it done on Thursday. Matt McGloin threw for 255 yards and a touchdown, but it was the defense that ultimately let the Raiders down. The Cowboys ran for 144 yards as a team and received three first downs as a result of penalties on Oakland.

26. Washington Redskins (4-8)

As magical as last season was for the Redskins, this season has been equally frustrating. Quarterback Robert Griffin III clearly isn't the same as he was last year, which has led to plenty of criticism thrown in his direction. Although he clearly hasn't had a great campaign, Washington has lost as a team.

The Redskins defense is brutal, and that was once again on display in Week 12 against the San Francisco 49ers. With that said, the 'Skins will host the New York Giants on Sunday night, and with the G-Men coming off a demoralizing loss, they'll be ripe for the picking.

25. New York Giants (4-8)

The Giants had all kinds of momentum heading into their Week 12 clash against the Cowboys, but things didn't exactly go according to plan. New York did manage to storm back from a two-touchdown deficit, but Tony Romo and the Cowboys reached down deep to pull out a game-winning drive, so the Giants now find themselves in a precarious position at 4-7.

New York isn't yet out of the NFC East race, but a loss to the Redskins in Week 13 would make a comeback incredibly difficult. Washington is clearly struggling right now, but the G-Men seem poised to fall back into their early-season funk.

24. New York Jets (5-7)

While the Jets have been a tough team to figure out this season, they've been a bit more transparent in recent weeks. The defense is solid, but rookie quarterback Geno Smith is clearly holding back the offense. He has completed nine or fewer passes in three straight games, and it is no coincidence that the Jets have struggled mightily during that time frame.

Even so, the Jets find themselves in a tie with several teams for the AFC's final wild-card spot. They will host the division-rival Miami Dolphins in Week 13, and a win would be huge for their playoff hopes. Based on how poorly the Jets are playing, though, they don't look like they can beat a team at home, on the road or even on Mars, so another loss is in the cards.

23. St. Louis Rams (5-7)

The Rams deserve a huge amount of credit for the way they have responded since starting quarterback Sam Bradford went down for the season. Rather than giving up on the year, the Rams have become a pesky opponent. They have beaten the Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears in consecutive weeks, and they gave the Seattle Seahawks everything they could handle as well.

St. Louis has a very tough game on its hands this week on the road against the San Francisco 49ers, although the Rams have given the Niners a lot of problems last year. Even so, San Francisco appears to be back on track, and this is a game that it must and will win.

22. Buffalo Bills (5-7)

Don't look now, but the Bills are far from out of contention in the AFC. Their 4-7 record doesn't look great, but Buffalo has an easy schedule down the stretch that starts with the Falcons in Week 13. There are no guarantees in the NFL, but if the Bills can beat the Falcons, Buccaneers and Jaguars over the next three weeks, they will find themselves with a .500 record.

The Bills must take it one game at a time, so Atlanta is the primary focus. Rookie quarterback EJ Manuel seemed to reach the next level of his progression two weeks ago against the Jets, and he'll face an Atlanta defense that is struggling. Add in the fact that Buffalo is coming off the bye, and the Bills should be able to prevail.

21. Cleveland Browns (5-7)

The Browns have seemingly performed beyond their means this season with a record of 4-7, but that doesn't mean that they should be content with that. They are one game out of the final AFC Wild Card spot, and a late-season run could land them an improbable playoff spot. They have what looks like an easy matchup on paper against the Jaguars this week, but Brandon Weeden will start at quarterback for Cleveland, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal:

Weeden isn't totally incompetent, but Jason Campbell has clearly been the better quarterback this season. Even so, the Browns have home-field advantage, and this is the type of game they absolutely must win to stay in contention.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-7)

Most left the Steelers for dead after an 0-4 start, but with five wins over their past seven games, they are very much in the AFC playoff hunt. Not only has the defense tightened up since allowing 55 points to the New England Patriots a month ago, but the offense has been excellent as well thanks to the play of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Pittsburgh has a huge game in terms of playoff positioning on Thursday night against the AFC North rival Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers have already beaten the Ravens this season; however, this week's game will take place on the road. Baltimore has been playing better in its own right, and it figures to knock off the Steelers in a slugfest.

Pittsburgh fell, 22-20, to Baltimore on Thanksgiving. Despite out-gaining the Ravens 329-311, the Steelers couldn't overcome a poor first half.

19. Tennessee Titans (5-7)

When the Titans lost to the Jaguars a couple weeks ago, most probably figured that their season was over—but they bounced back in a big way in Week 12 by beating the Raiders with a last-second touchdown courtesy of Ryan Fitzpatrick and Kendall Wright. With that victory, the Titans seized the sixth and final playoff spot in the AFC with a record of 5-6, but their hold on that spot is tenuous to say the least.

Tennessee will face the struggling Indianapolis Colts on the road this week, which is the same team they blew a big lead against in Week 11. The Titans clearly have what it takes to beat the Colts, but Indy realizes that it needs to right the ship, and it will do so against the Titans.

18. Green Bay Packers (5-6-1)

A win over the Vikings in Week 12 clearly would have been quite beneficial to the Packers' playoff hopes, and while that didn't happen, they did manage to scratch out a tie thanks to the play of quarterback Matt Flynn in relief. Rather than coming in as a backup in Week 13, Flynn will start for Green Bay, according to Weston Hodkiewicz of PackersNews.com.

“Matt Flynn will be the starter tomorrow,” head coach Mike McCarthy said. “He’s taken all the starter reps this week and he’s ready to go.”

McCarthy had good things to say about both Flynn and Scott Tolzien, per the Packers' official Twitter account, and he seems confident in both of his options in the absence of Rodgers.

Green Bay will face the Detroit Lions on Thursday in what some might view as an ideal matchup for Flynn. After all, Flynn famously threw for 480 yards and six touchdowns against Detroit two seasons ago. With the Lions on the road and needing a bounce-back win, though, Flynn won't be enough to push the Pack over the hump.

As it turned out, Flynn wasn't anywhere near enough to get the job done. He finished just 10-of-20 passing for 139 yards, one interception and zero touchdowns against the Lions on Thursday. The Packers would go on to lose 40-10.

17. Miami Dolphins (6-6)

Miami appears to be a team in disarray due to the bullying scandal that has taken the league by storm, but the Dolphins can't allow that to distract them from the task at hand. They are tied for the final playoff spot in the AFC, and they have a chance to play bonus football this season. In order to do that, though, a win over the Jets this week is paramount.

Not only would it get the Dolphins to 6-6, but it would really knock New York down a peg. The Dolphins are just 2-6 over their past eight games, but based on how poorly Smith has been playing for the Jets, Miami should be in the driver's seat here.

16. Baltimore Ravens (6-6)

The defending Super Bowl champions have had their issues this season. However, the Ravens are very much in the thick of the AFC playoff race, which is something that can seemingly be said for just about every team. Baltimore has the benefit of big-game experience, though, especially at the quarterback position.

Reigning Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco has a tough test on his hands in Week 13 against the rival Steelers, but Baltimore is starting to gain its footing. It has won two of its past three games, and it could have been three in a row had it not surrendered a couple leads against the Chicago Bears. The play of running back Ray Rice will be key against the Steelers, and based on how much Pittsburgh has struggled to stop the run, he should be able to get back on track.

Rice ended up being a non-factor against the Steelers, running for 32 yards on 12 carries and making six receptions for 38 yards. Flacco threw for 251 yards and a touchdown in the Ravens' 22-20 win.

15. San Diego Chargers (6-6)

It's hard to point to one of the 5-6 teams in the AFC and definitively call them the best of the bunch, but the Chargers can make a pretty good case for themselves. San Diego has been a pleasant surprise due to the resurgence of quarterback Philip Rivers, and although the defense appears to be the team's Achilles' heel, it has found a way to work around that.

The Bolts scored a massive win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 12, and they have also beaten the Dallas Cowboys and Indianapolis Colts this year. The Chargers have a tough game on tap in Week 13 as they'll host the Cincinnati Bengals, but their recent play suggests that they should be able to get the job done. If they do, then they may be viewed as the favorites to grab that No. 6 spot in the AFC.

14. Arizona Cardinals (7-5)

Bruce Arians worked his magic last season as the Indianapolis Colts' interim head coach while Chuck Pagano was out, and he has taken his act to the desert this year. The Cardinals are a flawed team, but Arians has managed to lead them to a 7-4 mark, which is good for a tie with the San Francisco 49ers for the final NFC Wild Card spot. Unfortunately for Arizona, it must keep pace with the Niners and the Carolina Panthers moving forward.

That means that the Cards pretty much have to win every week, but they have a tough task in Week 13 against the Philadelphia Eagles on the road. Although quarterback Carson Palmer should be able to continue his recent run of stellar play, it's difficult to imagine Arizona knocking Philly off on the road, especially with the Eagles in the middle of the NFC East race.

13. Chicago Bears (7-5)

The Bears seemed ready to take control of the NFC North early in the season, but injuries and inconsistent play have knocked them down a few pegs. They are still tied for the NFC North lead with the Detroit Lions, but they're fighting for their playoff lives. To make matters worse, the Bears will likely be without starting quarterback Jay Cutler once again in Week 13, according to the team:

Josh McCown has performed well in Cutler's absence, but the offense is far more dynamic with Cutler under center. Even so, the Bears are favored on the road against the Vikings. It will be a tough game since Minnesota isn't going to give up, as evidenced by its tie against the Packers last week, but Chicago should still escape with a victory.

12. Philadelphia Eagles (7-5)

The Eagles grabbed sole possession of first place in the NFC East with their win in Week 11, but the Dallas Cowboys pulled even with Philly on the bye in Week 12. Now the Eagles and Cowboys seem poised to go shot for shot over the next five weeks. One slip-up from either team could change the complexion of the race significantly, so every game is of the utmost importance.

Philadelphia will take on the upstart Cardinals in what should be a tough clash this week. Arizona has one of the best run defenses in the league, which could slow down Eagles running back LeSean McCoy. Quarterback Nick Foles will rise to the occasion, though, and help the Eagles score a huge win.

11. Dallas Cowboys (7-5)

There had to be a "here we go again" feeling among Cowboys fans in Week 12 when they blew a two-score lead against the Giants, but Tony Romo and Co. showed that this year's version of the team might be different. Romo and stud wide receiver Dez Bryant made huge plays down the stretch, and they won to recapture the NFC East lead while essentially burying the G-Men as well.

The Cowboys are 4-0 in the NFC East this season, and they have already beaten the Eagles. That gives them the tiebreaker advantage for now. Dallas has a very winnable game at home on Thanksgiving against the Raiders, and based on the way they performed against the Giants, there is little doubt that they'll come out on top.

Although they left it a little closer than they would've liked, the Cowboys beat the Raiders 31-24 on Thanksgiving. Tony Romo had 225 yards and a touchdown, but Lance Dunbar and DeMarco Murray were the standout performers. Dunbar had 82 yards on 12 carries, while Murray added 63 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries.

10. Detroit Lions (7-5)

The Lions are a tough team to figure out. After scoring huge consecutive wins over the Cowboys and Bears, Detroit has since lost two straight to the Steelers and Buccaneers. Sunday's loss to Tampa at home was especially disheartening since the Lions let a golden opportunity to put a stranglehold on the NFC North slip away.

Another opportunity will present itself this week, however, when the Lions host the Packers on Thanksgiving. Beating Green Bay would put the Pack in a very difficult spot, and it would solidify Detroit's place atop the division. Quarterback Matthew Stafford made far too many poor decisions in throwing four interceptions this past week, but as long as he cleans that up in Week 13, the Lions should be fine.

Stafford turned things around on Thanksgiving, throwing 330 yards, three interceptions and two touchdowns in Detroit's 40-10 victory over the Packers. It was arguably Reggie Bush and Joique Bell who proved to be the catalysts. The combination ran for 211 yards and two touchdowns, adding another 99 combined yards of receiving.

It's the Lions' first win on Thanksgiving since 2003.

9. Cincinnati Bengals (7-5)

There are times when the Bengals look like Super Bowl contenders, but they play down to their competition far too often. That shouldn't be an issue in Week 13, however, as Cincinnati will face a tough Chargers team on the road. Even so, the Bengals are in danger of potentially letting their AFC North lead drop to one game.

The Bengals certainly have one of the best defenses in the league, and that goes for no matter where they're playing, but there are some questions on offense—chief among them is the play of quarterback Andy Dalton. He has had his moments of greatness, but he makes far too many poor decisions. Based on how well Rivers is playing for the Chargers right now, San Diego figures to outdo Cincinnati.

8. Indianapolis Colts (8-4)

Since beating the Denver Broncos several weeks ago, the Colts haven't been the same team. The fact that star wide receiver Reggie Wayne was lost for the season has plenty to do with that, but there are other issues as well. The defense has allowed at least 24 points in five straight games, including a combined 78 in blowout losses to the Rams and Cardinals. With that in mind, Indy is in desperate need of a statement win.

The Colts still have a two-game cushion over the Titans in the AFC South, but a loss to Tennessee in Week 13 would change things significantly. Even though the Colts have had their issues, quarterback Andrew Luck will prove why he is developing into an elite player in the league by rising to the occasion and vanquishing the Titans.

7. San Francisco 49ers (8-4)

Although the Seattle Seahawks have established themselves as the best team in the NFC West, the defending NFC champion 49ers may still have something to say about that. San Francisco has had its ups and downs this season, but all four of its losses have come against potential Super Bowl contenders. The 49ers obviously need to start beating those types of teams, but they should be fine.

The Niners' win over Washington on Monday night allowed them to move back into sixth place in the NFC, and another win should be on the horizon as they host the Rams in Week 13. St. Louis has been a pain to play against in recent weeks; however, the Niners are playing great defense, and quarterback Colin Kaepernick finally appears to be rounding into form.

6. Kansas City Chiefs (9-3)

After a 9-0 start, the Chiefs suddenly find themselves in the middle of a two-game losing streak. Kansas City was pretty well outclassed by the Denver Broncos in Week 11, and then it was outgunned in a 41-38 shootout against San Diego in Week 12. Andy Reid's squad will have another chance to take down Denver in Week 13, but it may have to do so without two of its most important defensive players, according to Sports Illustrated:

Beating Peyton Manning is difficult enough without a consistent pass rush, but doing so without Houston and Hali may be an impossible task for the Chiefs. Although Kansas City may not be as good as its 9-0 start suggested, the fans shouldn't panic when they lose their third straight on Sunday; the Chiefs are still a solid team.

5. Carolina Panthers (9-3)

The Panthers may not quite be viewed among the NFL's elite teams, but they are quickly reaching that level. Carolina has won a league-best seven straight games, and it has done so against some impressive competition such as the 49ers and New England Patriots. Not only is quarterback Cam Newton playing the best football of his career, but the Panthers defense is good enough to keep Carolina in games against pretty much anyone.

Carolina is seventh against the pass and third against the run, and it hasn't allowed more than 20 points in a game since Week 5. The Panthers can't afford to take the surging Buccaneers lightly this week, but based on how well the team has been operating as of late, Carolina should exit Week 13 with a 9-3 record and a chance to usurp the New Orleans Saints in the NFC South come Week 14.

4. New Orleans Saints (9-3)

Speaking of the Saints, they have been in control of the NFC South all season long, but their grip could be slipping. After blowing out the Cowboys a few weeks ago, the Saints beat the 49ers and Falcons by a combined seven points. The competition gets even tougher this week. New Orleans will exit the friendly confines of the Superdome when it faces the 10-1 Seattle Seahawks on the road Monday night.

Many believe this could be a preview of the NFC Championship Game. Both teams will make the playoffs regardless of the result, but it's hugely important due to home-field advantage. The Saints can't be counted out with Drew Brees under center, but the Seahawks will prove too difficult to knock off in Seattle.

3. New England Patriots (9-3)

Despite the Patriots' ability to win amid turmoil this season, many questioned whether they were truly contenders. The Pats answered those questions emphatically in Week 12 by erasing a 24-point deficit against the Denver Broncos and beating them in overtime. Quarterback Tom Brady continues to get more and more comfortable on a weekly basis, and the defense stepped up in a big way by stifling Manning.

Having beaten the Broncos and the Saints, New England can no longer be denied. After such a tough stretch of games, the Patriots should conceivably get a bit of a break in Week 13 when they face the struggling Texans. New England won't be able to sleepwalk into Houston and win, but it's very tough to imagine the Patriots losing this one.

2. Denver Broncos (10-2)

Some might argue that the Broncos should be behind the Patriots in the rankings after Sunday's loss, but Denver has one less loss, and it's unlikely the Broncos would have blown that lead had they been at home. With that in mind, Denver maintains a slight lead over New England in the league hierarchy. Many are concerned about the Broncos' ability to go all the way after their Week 12 loss, but they should be just fine.

If Denver can beat the Chiefs for the second time in three weeks, it will have a firm grasp on the AFC West and the No. 1 seed in the AFC. The Broncos may not go to Kansas City and roll the Chiefs since playing at Arrowhead is no easy task, but they will be inspired to put last week's loss behind them. Expect Manning to return to form in a statement victory for the Denver Broncos.

1. Seattle Seahawks (11-1)

The Seahawks haven't always been dominant this season, but it's tough to argue with success. They enter Week 13 with a 10-1 record, and they have a chance to firmly establish themselves as the class of the league if they can beat New Orleans. The Saints arguably represent Seattle's biggest test of the season, but the fact that the game is occurring on the Seahawks' home field will obviously help Seattle significantly considering how hostile the environment will be for the visitors.

Monday's encounter will match Seattle's elite defense against New Orleans' elite offense, so something has to give. At the same time, the Seahawks offense is as underrated as the Saints defense. With that said, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has played extremely well in recent weeks, and with wide receiver Percy Harvin now healthy, Seattle should be able to do enough offensively to win.

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