NFL Power Rankings Week 13: AFC, NFC Standings and Pre-MNF Predictions

Another NFL week is almost in the books, but the playoff picture isn't any clearer. 

In the AFC, three teams have separated from the pack but are trailed by seven others with 6-5 or 5-6 records. 

On the NFC side, the playoff picture currently features the 5-6 Washington Redskins, who lead the NFC East, while other struggling teams such as the 5-6 Chicago Bears are just one game out of the race. 

Here's a look at the jumbled-up mess that is the current NFL power rankings, followed by a breakdown of a few notable teams. 

Rank	Team	W-L
1	Carolina Panthers	11-0
2	New England Patriots	10-1
3	Cincinnati Bengals	9-2
4	Denver Broncos	9-2
5	Arizona Cardinals	9-2
6	Green Bay Packers	7-4
7	Minnesota Vikings	8-3
8	Seattle Seahawks	6-5
9	Kansas City Chiefs	6-5
10	Pittsburgh Steelers	6-5
11	New York Jets	6-5
12	Buffalo Bills	5-6
13	Indianapolis Colts	6-5
14	Houston Texans	6-5
15	Oakland Raiders	5-6
16	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	5-6
17	Chicago Bears	5-6
18	Washington Redskins	5-6
19	New York Giants	5-6
20	Atlanta Falcons	6-5
21	Miami Dolphins	4-7
22	Jacksonville Jaguars	4-7
23	Philadelphia Eagles	4-7
24	New Orleans Saints	4-7
25	St. Louis Rams	4-7
26	Detroit Lions	4-7
27	San Diego Chagers	3-8
28	Dallas Cowboys	3-8
29	San Francisco 49ers	3-8
30	Baltimore Ravens	3-7
31	Tennessee Titans	2-9
32	Cleveland Browns	2-8

Notable Teams

2. New England Patriots

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

It may have only been an overtime loss without every offensive weapon Tom Brady typically relies on, but it's time to drop the Patriots from No. 1. 

All that matters to Patriots fans, however, is Rob Gronkowski's health. 

Gronk left the game with an apparent knee injury, but according to NFL Network's Albert Breer, it sounds as though he will eventually return this season:

"

Per source, Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski's injury is not believed to be serious. More tests coming.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) November 30, 2015"

Ultimately, the Denver loss will mean nothing if the Patriots take care of business. New England still controls its own destiny for the No. 1 seed in the AFC and remain among the few elite Super Bowl contenders. 

8. Seattle Seahawks

Ted S. Warren/Associated Press

Sunday was a day of mixed emotions for Seattle. 

Winning a shootout with the Steelers kept Seattle's playoff hopes alive, as it clings to the sixth seed in the NFC playoff picture. However, the Seahawks also lost Jimmy Graham to a torn patellar tendon, according to head coach Pete Carroll:

"

We are all sad to lose such an amazing teammate and competitor in Jimmy. Get well soon @TheJimmyGraham!

— Pete Carroll (@PeteCarroll) November 30, 2015"

After a slow start to the season, Graham had developed into Russell Wilson's go-to receiver with 65 targets and had also been the team's big-play receiver with his team-high 10 receptions of 20 or more yards. 

The Seahawks had been trending up, but Graham is the type of player who simply can't be replaced. It will be on the coaching staff to adjust the game plan to make up for his absence. 

9. Kansas City Chiefs

Ed Zurga/Associated Press

After a 1-5 start, the Chiefs have rattled off five straight victories and just might run the table, given the ease of their remaining schedule.

The Chiefs have two potentially difficult games against the Raiders remaining, but the rest of their schedule is made up of the lowly Browns, Ravens and Chargers.

While Kansas City is on the fringe of playoff contention at 6-5, it's difficult to imagine the team not finishing with at least nine or 10 victories and a playoff spot, considering its remaining opponents. 

The most encouraging sign from Sunday's victory over Buffalo was the performance of Spencer Ware, who was a third-string running back just a few weeks ago.

Filling in for the injured Charcandrick West, who had replaced Jamaal Charles, Ware carried the ball 19 times for 114 yards against the Bills. It was just the second time this season that the Bills had allowed a running back to top 100 yards on the ground.

14. Houston Texans

Eric Christian Smith/Associated Press

For the second consecutive season, quarterback Brian Hoyer has an overachieving team flirting with playoff contention. A season ago, Hoyer led the Browns to a 7-4 start before eventually being replaced by Johnny Manziel.

The Texans have won four of Hoyer's last five starts, and he's posted a total QBR over 60 in each victory. 

When Houston won in Cincinnati in early November it was written off as a fluke, but as the Texans are now riding a four-game win streak it may be time to start taking them serious. 

We'll find out just how dangerous the Texans are in the coming weeks when they face Buffalo, New England and Indianapolis in their next three games. 

24. New Orleans Saints

Eric Christian Smith/Associated Press

The Saints are sinking fast, and it might be time for New Orleans to start thinking about life without Drew Brees. 

Brees managed a total QBR of just 15.5 against Houston on Sunday, the third time this season he's been below 30 (the Saints are 0-3 in those games). 

There have been some ups and downs during Brees' tenure, but the issues have never stemmed from Brees himself until now. 

The 36-year-old Brees clearly has something left in the tank, but maybe this will be the year that the front office drafts his eventual replacement. Brees is set to become a free agent after the 2016 season, which would allow the Saints to groom a young quarterback for a season before allowing him to take over.