NFL Power Rankings Week 12: Are the Lucky Jets the Best Team in the NFL?
NFL Power Rankings Week 12 are here for you to pour over and dissect. With just one game remaining in Week 12, we can safely say where all the football giants fall. The Patriots and Falcons both made claims to the throne.
The real question is whether another close call is enough to keep the Jets at the top of the heap.
Meanwhile, the Vikings slink closer to oblivion, and the Cowboys get renewed energy from their new head coach.
It's just another week in the NFL and I'm all over it.
No. 32-21: The Bottom Feeders
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32 (32). Panthers (1-9) lost to the Ravens
The poor Panthers lost yet again this weekend. At least it was to one of the best teams in the NFL. That should make the loss somewhat palatable.
31 (28). Bengals (2-8) lost to the Bills
The Bengals are reeling. They simply can't put a consistent effort together. One a day that saw the offense clicking, the defense could not stop the Bills.
30 (31). Bills (2-8) beat the Bengals
Did you think that the Bills would ever be better than two teams?
29 (30). Cardinals (3-7) lost to the Chiefs
The Cardinals could do little more than kick some field goals today. I guess that may be considered success in some really macabre way. You need to find the silver lining anywhere you can get it if you are the Cards.
28 (29). Lions (2-8) lost to the Cowboys
If life weren't already difficult, the Lions suffer a loss to the Cowboys. A couple of weeks ago, Detroit probably penciled in a win this week.
27 (27). Vikings (3-7) lost to the Packers
Someone should ask the Vikings if they even want to play the season out. This bunch is a coach-less mess.
26 (26). Browns (3-7) lost to the Jaguars
The Peyton Hillis fantasy train was not enough to pull the Browns a win today. There is still a lot to like in this young team. We just need to wait until next year for them to make any moves.
25 (24). Broncos (3-6) idle till Monday Night
The Broncos are idle until they match up with their division rivals the San Diego Chargers.
24 (23). 49ers (3-7) lost to the Buccaneers
It looks like Troy Smith wasn't the answer. Alex Smith and his mediocrity are sorely missed.
23 (25). Cowboys (3-7) beat the Lions
They call that a winning streak folks. It was against the Lions so I won't plan a parade just yet.
22 (22). Rams (4-6) lost to the Falcons
The Rams stayed in the game for a bit there today. Commendable considering the Falcons are a top tier team.
21 (19). Seahawks (5-5) lost to the Saints
Getting blown out is never good, but at least the Saints looked terrific.
20. Redskins (5-5) Beat the Titans
2 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 21
Why they move up:
The Redskins showed grittiness today against a formidable Titans team. Donovan was being sent out to pasture by many people, including myself.
Today he looked like the McNabb of old, the Redskins were on the move and for at least one week, they were not the team with chemistry issues on the field.
19. Texans (4-6) Lost to the Jets
3 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 18
Why they move down:
The Texans just can't catch a break. They might be the one team that weekly takes their opponent to the edge and comes up with the short end of the stick in the end. Last week, it was the Jaguars doing it to them—this week it was the Jets.
Mark Sanchez and the Jets had to drive their entire team the length of the field in 55 seconds to secure the literally last minute come from behind win.
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18. Chargers (4-5) Idle Till Monday Night
4 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 20
Why they move up:
The Chargers are idle until tomorrow night. For now they move up simply because the teams ahaead of them have faltered. Now all they have to do is beat those pesky Broncos.
17. Raiders (5-5) Lost to the Steelers
5 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 15
Why they move down:
The Raiders were befuddled out there today by the much better Pittsburgh Steelers. It is one thing to be befuddled, I know I have succumbed to such confusion at times, but the Raiders also lost their cool.
Raiders defensive back Richard Seymour slapped Ben Roethlisberger when he could not handle what ever Big Ben was dishing out. Now there are the Raiders I have been looking for. I have missed your malfunctions for the past few weeks.
16. Titans (5-5) Lost to the Redskins
6 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 13
Why they move down:
The Titans are another team that lost a bit of cohesion in team chemistry today. After quarterback Vince Young was sidelined with a thumb injury, Jeff Fisher refused to put him back in the game. Instead of acting like a millionaire athlete, he threw a temper tantrum.
Young stormed out and threw his pads to the fans. Now Fisher says that the troubled QB may have lost the starting job.
15. Dolphins (5-5) Lost to the Bears
7 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 12
Why they move down:
The Dolphins are in danger of falling out of the playoff race. It is clear that they have issues with their third string quarterback Tyler Thigpen who was forced to take over the QB position due to injuries. More than that the offensive line was porous and the Dolphins were stagnate all day.
This team better turn things around in a hurry or they will slink to the bottom of the pack.
14. Jaguars (6-4) Beat the Browns
8 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 17
Why they move up:
A few weeks ago the Jaguars were considered a team dead to the world. Then came the emergence of David Garrard as a promising young solution the the Jaguars woes.
The Jaguars have beaten teams with grit and with a side of miraculous effort. I can still recall the Hail Mary that stunned us all last weekend. The Jags continued the momentum this week with a huge win against the Browns.
13. Chiefs (6-4) Beat the Cardinals
9 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 16
Why they move up:
The Chiefs took care of the Cardinals today. That is not a great feat in of itself. It was the way their offense was moving all day that had me hopeful that the Chiefs have themselves back on track.
The Chiefs were also stout on defense for the most part. That is until the Cardinals bored them into susceptibility.
12. Buccaneers (7-3) Beat the 49ers
10 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 14
Why they move up:
The NFL is now listening. If Josh Freeman's success thus far was unheralded, then maybe now pundits will take notice. The Bucs went into Candlestick and dominated both sides of the ball.
What has me extremely optimistic is the balance of this team. They did it in the air with two touchdowns by Josh Freeman. But they are always deadly on the ground. Cadillac Williams punched the first score in all on his own.
11. Packers (7-3) Beat the Vikings
11 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 11
Why they stay the same:
The Packers put a whopping on the Vikings. But as you will see, there is not much in the way of fluidity in the top ten. Good teams will win on a weekly basis. So close to the end of the season, the Packers should just be thankful they are still in the hunt.
10. Giants (6-3) Lost To The Eagles
12 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 9
Why they moved down:
The Giants held their own in Philadelphia tonight. In the end the Eagles just had too many weapons for the Giants to deal with. At the very least we got a decent game to watch on Sunday night. Thank you New York.
9. Bears (7-3) Beat the Dolphins
13 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 10
Why they move up:
The Bears have me confused. Granted that is not a hard thing to accomplish but nevertheless they have done so. They have big wins against good teams, yet have dropped miserable contests to the Seahawks and Redskins.
I have no idea where to pit the Bears in my chart of elite teams. My guess is that they will slide out if the top ten before the year is out. Their balanced win against the Dolphins on Thursday keeps them here for now.
8. Colts (6-4) Lost to the Patriots
14 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 6
Why they move down:
When you lose a game, you get bumped down. But when you lose to the Patriots in the final moments on a last second mistake, you get bumped down only three spots.
The Colts are the real deal. By that I mean that they are a great team that has the ability to go far in the playoffs. Today was an example of two equally talented teams doing battle. I am not sure either one was far and away the better team in this contest.
The Colts will be back in the top five before the year is out.
7. Ravens (7-3) Beat the Panthers
15 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 8
Why they stay the same:
The Ravens had the equivalent of a bye week this Sunday. I can't reward them for beating up on the Panthers with more than one spot.
6. Steelers (7-3) Beat the Raiders 7
16 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 7
Why they stay the same:
The Raiders were on a bit of a tear as of late. The Steelers showed them what it really takes to be an elite team in the NFL. The Steelers outclassed Oakland in every way possible.
Then Ben Roethlisberger had to go and run his mouth. He jawed off to the wrong defensive back. Before you knew it, Roethlisberger was on his butt and his linemen were just staring at him. I'm guessing he will keep his gloating to a minimum now.
5. Saints (7-3) Beat the Seahawks 4
17 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 4
Why they move down:
Such is the life of the top five team's in the NFL. For the next few weeks these teams will build momentum by continually beating their lesser opponents.
The Saints had a great win this week, but so did the four teams ahead of them. It just so happens that the Patriots had a bigger win. I apologize but beating the Seahawks is no great feat.
4. Patriots (8-2) Beat the Colts
18 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 5
Why they move up:
The Patriots received a huge win Sunday at the hands of the equally impressive Colts. A win like that has to bump the team up at least one spot.
I do find some cause for concern that the Colts were allowed back in the game. Manning was himself in this one late as he drove the Colts to score two fourth quarter touchdowns. But the Pats defense quieted the upheaval with a late interception. This was truly the game of the week.
3. Eagles (6-3) Beat The Giants
19 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 5
Why they move up:
Michael Vick was not otherwordly tonight. But he did enough to get the win against a very good Giants team.
The Eagles are more than just a superstar QB. LeSean McCoy and Desean Jackson also showed that they are ready to put the Eagles on their backs.
2. Falcons (8-2) Beat the Rams
20 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 2
Why they stay the same:
The Falcons showed today that they are among the top two teams in the NFL. They completely outclassed the Rams in an away game.
The Rams are a tough foe when they are on their home turf, but the Falcons made themselves at home. Matt Ryan was comfortable again this week in the pocket and Michael Turner was phenomenal on the ground. When these two are at their best, there are not many defenses that can stop them.
1. Jets (8-2) Beat the Texans
21 of 21
Last Week's Ranking: 1
Why they stay the same:
The Patriots had a great win today. Some may argue that they should get the bump as the greatest in the NFL this week. I submit to you that there is something special at work for the Jets this year. For yet another week, the Jets put together a last minute rally to secure the win.
There is truly a higher power at work here. It could be god, Yahweh, Buddha, or Rex Ryan's belly. Either way, there is no denying that the Jets are a chosen team. I mean just look at Rex Ryan's belt line and tell me otherwise.
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