NFL Power Rankings 2014: Predicting Post Week 12 Standings

The 2014 NFL season has been a shining example of the kind of fantastic, wacky results that can result from a league devoted to sharing the wealth and creating parity.

In Week 11, you have the lowly St. Louis Rams beating the Denver Broncos, the Cincinnati Bengals holding the New Orleans Saints to just 10 points in Louisiana and the Arizona Cardinals' Drew Stanton putting one over on his old team and outdueling Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford.

All of these surprising results mean the standings heading into Week 12 tell us very little about the possible playoff picture. According to CBS Sports' Joe Ferreira, 21 teams are within one game of a playoff spot. Just about every game in Week 12 is charged with meaning, as teams jockey for position in divisions both excellent (AFC North) and execrable (NFC South).

Here are picks for Week 12, followed by rankings for all 32 teams.

Date	Time (ET)	Away	Home	Pick
Nov. 20	8:25 p.m.	Kansas City Chiefs	Oakland Raiders	Kansas City
Nov. 23	1 p.m.	New York Jets	Buffalo Bills	Buffalo
Nov. 23	1 p.m.	Cleveland Browns	Atlanta Falcons	Cleveland
Nov. 23	1 p.m.	Tampa Bay Bucaneers	Chicago Bears	Chicago
Nov. 23	1 p.m.	Cincinnati Bengals	Houston Texans	Houston
Nov. 23	1 p.m.	Detroit Lions	New England Patriots	New England
Nov. 23	1 p.m.	Green Bay Packers	Minnesota Vikings	Green Bay
Nov. 23	1 p.m.	Jacksonville Jaguars	Indianapolis Colts	Indianapolis
Nov. 23	1 p.m.	Tennessee Titans	Philadelphia Eagles	Philadelphia
Nov. 23	4:05 p.m.	St. Louis Rams	San Diego Chargers	San Diego
Nov. 23	4:05 p.m.	Arizona Cardinals	Seattle Seahawks	Arizona
Nov. 23	4:25 p.m.	Miami Dolphins	Denver Broncos	Denver
Nov. 23	4:25 p.m.	Washington Redskins	San Francisco 49ers	San Francisco
Nov. 23	8:30 p.m.	Dallas Cowboys	New York Giants	Dallas
Nov. 24	8:30 p.m.	Baltimore Ravens	New Orleans Saints	Baltimore

Week 12 Power Rankings (Current Standings)

32. Oakland Raiders (0-10)

San Diego hardly resembles the team that it was at the beginning of the season, and yet the lowly Raiders could still only muster six measly points in front of a Qualcomm Stadium crowd that featured plenty of supporters. Derek Carr and company only have six more chances to avoid infamy.

31. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-9)

The Jaguars mercifully had a bye in Week 11 and come back to face the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12. A win is likely out of the question here, but it could be a good showcase for running back Denard Robinson, whose development is now almost as closely tracked as that of Blake Bortles. The Michigan product is averaging 5.4 yards per carry over his last four outings with has four rushing touchdowns. Perhaps he can take some pressure off Bortles so the latter can cut down on the turnovers.

30. Tennessee Titans (2-8)

Wade Payne/Associated Press

Rookie quarterback Zach Mettenberger had a fine outing in Week 11, throwing for 263 yards and two touchdowns against one pick. That's not bad for a sixth-round pick. It's good news for the Titans, but bad news for Jake Locker, who has seemingly missed his chance to develop into a full-blown NFL starter. He's made just 22 starts in three-plus seasons, which could see him finding chances elsewhere.

The Titans will likely soldier on with Mettenberger, but it won't be fun to watch for quite some time.

29. New York Jets (2-8)

Expect to see plenty of frustration in the Jets' Empire State battle with the Buffalo Bills in Week 12. According to TeamRankings.com, the Jets are converting just 46.67 percent of red-zone opportunities into touchdowns, while the Bills are dead last in the league at 38.89 percent.

The Jets would be wise to stick the ball in the gut of Chris Ivory a bit more often; the power back carried the ball just 13 times in the Jets' Week 8 loss to the Bills and yet still managed to score twice. New York actually has a chance in this one with a surprisingly stout defense. 

28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-8)

The Bucs, despite playing in the wretched NFC South, really should just start preparing for the future, which looks plenty bright with rookie wide receiver Mike Evans. The 21-year-old was phenomenal in Week 11, recording seven catches for 209 yards and two touchdowns.

NFL.com's Gil Brandt pointed out no rookie pass-catcher has had a three-week stretch like the one Evans just enjoyed:

It's strange to see a rookie making a first-rate wideout like Vincent Jackson look like a second fiddle. Either this rookie wide receiver class is truly special, or the rules shifting in favor of passing offenses just make it that much easier for young, freakish athletes to flourish at the position.

27. Washington Redskins (3-7)

Robert Griffin III was dreadful in the Skins' 27-7 loss to the Bucs. Coach Jay Gruden had no problem coming up with few things for his beleaguered quarterback to work on, per The Washington Post's Mike Jones:

"

His footwork was below average. He took three-step drops when he should have taken five. He took a one-step drop when he should have taken three on a couple of occasions. That can’t happen. He stepped up when he didn’t have to step up, stepped into pressure, he read the wrong side of the field a couple of times. So, from his basic performance just critiquing Robert, it was not even close to being good enough to what we expect from that quarterback position.

"

RG3's once-promising career is seemingly on the brink after so many injuries and poor performances. 

26. New York Giants  (3-7)

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

The Giants didn't get torn apart by the San Francisco 49ers, but the result does little to inspire confidence in the team for the rest of this season. Eli Manning doesn't have much help around him, but his inconsistent play has been a huge detriment. It wouldn't be surprising if this team did some major retooling this offseason.

25. Carolina Panthers (3-7-1)

The Panthers offense could only muster 17 points against the lowly Atlanta Falcons defense in Week 11. Cam Newton has quickly established a rapport with rookie receiver Kelvin Benjamin but has struggled to get into a groove with any of his other options this year. The running back corps is finally healthy, but DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart aren't going to turn things around for this team.

24. Minnesota Vikings (4-6)

The Vikings had Week 11 off and run smack-dab into the ultra-hot Green Bay Packers. Considering the Vikings are averaging just 18.1 points per game, they should be playing catch-up quite early. This could be yet another game in which Teddy Bridgewater slings the football plenty. He already has three games this year in which he's thrown at least 35 passes. He won't have any shortage of film to watch after a rookie season with this struggling team.

23. Chicago Bears (4-6)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

The Chicago Bears finally resembled a functioning franchise in Week 11 against the Minnesota Vikings. Jay Cutler tossed three touchdowns, with Brandon Marshall snagging two and Alshon Jeffery reeling in the other. That was a common box-score sight last season, but not so much this year as ESPN Stats and Info points out:

The Bears have a fine opportunity to build on that success against the Buccaneers in Week 12.

22. Atlanta Falcons (4-6)

The Falcons are two games below .500 and yet are in first place in the NFC South. The fact that this team, or the next one in the power rankings, could very well make the playoffs is an insult to competent franchises everywhere. Matt Ryan will need to stay sharp down the stretch if this team is to hold off the New Orleans Saints.

21. New Orleans Saints (4-6)

The Saints scored just 10 points in the well-regulated confines of the Superdome in Week 11. Luckily, this team still has three home games to work with this season, including a Sunday tilt against the Baltimore Ravens. The Saints don't have to play spectacularly down the stretch to make the playoffs. Drew Brees is far and away the best quarterback in the division and could very well be the difference-maker in the coming weeks.

20. St. Louis Rams (4-6)

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

The Rams, despite averaging just 18.5 points per game and having very little to play for other than respect, have some very impressive wins this season. They've defeated both teams that appeared in last year's Super Bowl and managed to eke out a 13-10 win over a very good San Francisco 49ers team in Week 9. Their ability to play up to the competition bodes well for them in Week 12 against the San Diego Chargers.

19. Buffalo Bills (5-5)

Veteran quarterback Kyle Orton struggled against an aggressive Miami Dolphins defense in Week 11, but he should fare much better against the Jets. Last time these two teams met, Orton threw four touchdown passes. Look for wide receiver Sammy Watkins to fare much better against the Jets secondary than he did against 'Fins cornerback Brent Grimes, who is having an excellent 2014 campaign.

18. Houston Texans (5-5)

I shudder to think where this team might be without J.J. Watt in the fold. The league's best defensive player made waves with a stunningly smooth over-the-shoulder touchdown catch on a short fade route against the Cleveland Browns. SportsCenter provided a look at the play:

Eat your heart out, Mike Vrabel.

17. San Diego Chargers (6-4)

A win is a win is a win, and sometimes that's all it is. This is especially true in the case of the Chargers' rickety, uninspiring 13-6 home victory over the Raiders in Week 11. The only truly encouraging signs for the Bolts were the returns of several key injured players.

Rookie linebacker Jerry Attaochu recorded a sack in what was only his fifth appearance of the season thus far. Ryan Mathews returned to the backfield, and linebacker Melvin Ingram played for the first time since September 14. They will have to start making bigger and better contributions down the stretch if the Bolts are to keep pace with the Kansas City Chiefs.

16. Cleveland Browns (6-4)

Every time it seems like the Browns will finally shed all the baggage that comes with being a longtime doormat team from a championship-starved city and just play stellar football, they come up with a true clunker of a performance. Perhaps the return of wide receiver Josh Gordon can inspire this franchise to reach greater heights. The explosive wideout should be raring to go after being reinstated following a 10-game suspension, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport:

"No question that he's hungry. He's told me that numerous times over the last 10 weeks," Browns receiver Andrew Hawkins said of his erstwhile teammate, via USA Today's Lindsay H. Jones and Jim Corbett. "This is a time he's been counting down the minutes to."

15. Baltimore Ravens (6-4)

Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Joe Flacco may never prove to be worth the massive contract he signed with the Ravens in 2013, and he certainly hasn't been a $120 million man as of late. He's thrown just five touchdowns against five interceptions in the past four games. Considering the Ravens are averaging just 3.4 yards per carry this season, the offense could grind to a disastrous halt down the stretch.

14. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4)

The Steelers are benefiting from some superlative individual performances this season. For a couple of weeks, it was Ben Roethlisberger and passing touchdowns galore. In Week 11, it was the speedy, svelte Le'Veon Bell propelling the Steelers to victory. He rushed for 204 yards and one touchdown against the Titans, and his graceful running style prompted this tweet from Rapoport:

The Steelers finally get their bye in Week 12. It's an excellent opportunity to sit back and assess which teams from the AFC North will prove to be a threat down the stretch. (Hint: it's all of them.)

13. Seattle Seahawks (6-4)

The Seahawks seem to be settling in as a team just below the top tier of franchises in 2014. Marshawn Lynch leads a strong rushing game, but the defense isn't nearly as dominant as it was last season, and quarterback Russell Wilson has few options in the passing game beyond Doug Baldwin. They are still very capable of snagging an NFC playoff spot, but it doesn't seem like this team will be able to catch the Arizona Cardinals.

12. Cincinnati Bengals (6-3-1)

The Bengals have a strong defense and a refined running game, but the shocking inconsistency of Andy Dalton makes them tough to peg. 

Week	Result	CMP/ATT	YDS	TD	INT
7	IND 27-0 CIN	18/38	126	0	0
8	CIN 27-24 BAL	21/28	266	0	1
9	CIN 33-23 JAX	19/31	233	2	2
10	CLE 24-3 CIN	10/33	86	0	3
11	CIN 27-10 NO	16/22	220	3	0

If he can play as well as he did in Week 11, the Bengals should win the AFC North and grab one of the top playoff seeds. If Week 10 Dalton shows up, this team is toothless.

11. Miami Dolphins (6-4)

Joel Auerbach/Getty Images

The Dolphins actually look like they have a good chance at upsetting the Broncos in Week 12. They have the pass-rushing personnel to put plenty of pressure on Peyton Manning, while Grimes and safety Louis Delmas lead an excellent secondary. They would also be wise to put the ball in the hands of Lamar Miller more often. Daniel Thomas is mostly ineffectual when he plays, and Miller averaged 6.7 yards per carry against a staunch Bills defense in Week 11.

10. San Francisco 49ers (6-4)

The 49ers did just enough to beat the Giants in Week 11 and will have to scrap the rest of the way if they are to snag an NFC wild-card playoff spot. Frank Gore averaged five yards per carry against New York, and the 49ers would be wise to keep feeding him the ball and controlling the clock in their upcoming contests.

9. Indianapolis Colts (6-4)

The Colts are definitely the best 6-4 team in the league. Their four losses have come to teams with a combined record of 29-11. Back-to-back games against the Jaguars and Redskins give this squad just the opportunities it needs to make sure its record reflects its true level of play.

8. Philadelphia Eagles (7-3)

Tom Lynn/Associated Press

The Eagles did give up 53 points to the Packers in Week 11, but honestly, not too many teams could have come up with a better result against the legion from Lambeau. What was truly worrying was the way the Eagles gave up those points. A large part of the problem was the unfortunate return of silly, bumbling Mark Sanchez. He threw for more than 330 yards for the second straight week but tossed two picks and lost a crucial fumble. ESPN's Skip Bayless couldn't help but poke fun:

LeSean McCoy, your team needs you to score now more than ever.

7. Kansas City Chiefs (7-3)

The Chiefs still don't have a passing touchdown to a wide receiver this season, but that hardly seems to matter at this point. Jamaal Charles is a major threat out of the backfield, and tight end Travis Kelce is an emerging star at his position. This team has a strong chance of fending off the likes of San Diego.

6. Detroit Lions (7-3)

Matthew Stafford had a disappointing performance against the Arizona Cardinals, failing to record a passing touchdown after three straight games with two such tosses. The Lions could take yet another step back in the rankings should they lose to the Patriots in Week 12, but their staunch defense could be the unit that finally tames the Pats offense.

5. Dallas Cowboys (7-3)

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

DeMarco Murray, Dez Bryant and company should have no problem steamrolling the Giants in Week 12 and putting the Cowboys right back in the discussion of top teams in the NFC. With the Packers and Cardinals putting in stellar performances as of late, the Cowboys have taken a bit of a dip in the rankings. This team is a legitimate contender and should get back to proving that right away after getting the week off.

4. Denver Broncos (7-3)

Broncos fans (and fantasy owners everywhere) will be keeping close tabs on tight end Julius Thomas' ankle injury in the coming days and weeks. ESPN's Chris Mortensen gave this encouraging update on Monday:

Thomas has 40 catches for 426 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. He is a red-zone menace and a crucial component of the Broncos' magnificent offense—one that is highly unlikely to falter again like it did against the Rams.

3. Green Bay Packers (7-3)

Aaron Rodgers has 28 touchdowns against just three interceptions this season. With their veteran leader playing at such a high level, it's tough to see the Packers falling to the Vikings in Week 12, but it's quite possible they could be looking forward to an epic showdown with the Pats in Week 13. At this point, that contest looks like it could very well be a Super Bowl preview.

2. Arizona Cardinals (9-1)

The Cardinals are 4-0 on the season when Drew Stanton starts at quarterback, because logic and reason do not apply to the NFL in 2014. This team continues to defy expectations behind a defense that has played incredibly well despite suffering injuries to key players at various points in the season.

The rest of the campaign could be very tough on this team. Arizona still has to play the Seahawks twice, host the Chiefs and play away games against the opportunistic Rams and division-rival 49ers.

1. New England Patriots (8-2)

AJ Mast/Associated Press

Just when you thought the Patriots couldn't get any more dangerous, a new hero emerges in the form of running back Jonas Gray. He carried the ball 37 times for 201 yards and four touchdowns in the Pats' 42-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Few players have burst onto the scene quite like Gray, a sentiment supported by this tweet from ESPN Stats and Info:

The Patriots don't need a dangerous workhorse back to go along with the likes of Rob Gronkowski and Tom Brady, but it seems they now have one. They are the best team in the league and will be fighting the Denver Broncos for the top seed in the AFC for the remainder of the regular season—a fight they could very well win.