NFL Power Rankings Week 13: Do Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons Rise to the Top?
The landscape of the NFL is always changing. This season we have more parity than ever and the distinction between the elite teams and the not-so-elite teams is even harder to make.
One thing's is for sure though, the Carolina Panthers are definitely earning a place at the bottom.
Who though, will rise to the top?
We currently have three 9-2 teams in the NFL: the New England Patriots, the New York Jets and the Atlanta Falcons.
Will it be one of them? Or will a surprise team be number one?
Read on to find out.
32. Carolina Panthers (1-10)
1 of 32
Last Week: 23-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns
Whenever the quarterback carousel has swung from Matt Moore, to Jimmy Clausen, to Brian St. Pierre and back to Jimmy Clausen, you know the team is in for a rough season.
Clausen just isn't ready yet to be the starting quarterback, especially without a consistent ground game.
The Panthers recent four game slide has proved that they are the bottom feeders in the NFL. So too has the fact that they've been outscored by an astounding 136 points this season.
31. Arizona Cardinals (3-8)
2 of 32
Last Week: 6-27 loss to the San Francisco 49ers
Derek Anderson may actually be more effective from this position.
The Cardinals were absolutely inept against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football. They looked like a Division II college football team trying to take on an NFL team.
But we know that Anderson puts his heart and soul into the football team every single week. It's a shame he had to tell us during an irate press conference for us to know that.
30. Cincinnati Bengals (2-9)
3 of 32
Last Week: 10-26 loss to the New York Jets
The Bengals looked awful on Thanksgiving, bringing their losing streak to a staggering eight games, the longest in the league.
The sad part is, there's so much talent on this team. It's hard to believe that we're just a few seasons removed from considering Carson Palmer an elite quarterback.
Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco are still two of the best wideouts in this league and Palmer can also throw to two young talents, Jermaine Gresham and Jordan Shipley.
With New Orleans, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, San Diego and Baltimore still on the schedule, a 2-14 finish is not out of the question.
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29. Detroit Lions (2-9)
4 of 32
Last Week: 24-45 loss to the New England Patriots
The Lions' record could easily be better than 2-9, but there's no chance that they could have beaten the Patriots on Thanksgiving.
Unfortunately for Detroit fans, they've been plagued by injuries all season. Jahvid Best and Matthew Stafford could have made this team much better.
If the NFL reduced their games to just three quarters, this would be a very competitive team. But as it stands, the Lions just aren't good enough to compete for four quarters.
28. Buffalo Bills (2-9)
5 of 32
Last Week: 16-19 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers
The picture says it all. This season has been marred by close losses.
Just last week, Steve Johnson dropped a perfectly thrown pass in the end zone. It would have been the game-winning touchdown in overtime against the heavily favored Steelers.
It marked their fifth loss by less than a touchdown this season.
Things could definitely get better in Buffalo.
27. Denver Broncos (3-8)
6 of 32
Last Week: 33-36 loss to the St. Louis Rams
After a disappointing loss to the Rams this past week, the Broncos slip down pretty far in the power rankings.
That, coupled with the new episode of Spygate, are just the latest unfortunate events in this letdown of a season.
Kyle Orton is having a career year at the quarterback position, but with the team now essentially out of playoff contention, it may be time to start giving Tim Tebow a little bit more playing time.
26. Minnesota Vikings (4-7)
7 of 32
Last Week: 17-13 win over the Washington Redskins
The Vikings won the game for interim head coach Leslie Frazier, but that's not really going to make a difference for their season as a whole.
Brett Favre is most assuredly regretting his decision to come back.
For Minnesota, this season has been a huge disappointment and there aren't too many signs that it's going to get better.
25. San Francisco 49ers (4-7)
8 of 32
Last Week: 27-6 win over the Arizona Cardinals
It's only because they play in the NFC West, but the 49ers could still make the playoffs. They looked like a playoff team against the Cardinals on Monday Night Football.
But there is a very important caveat. They were playing the Cardinals.
The team, led by Troy Smith now, has won three out of their last four. They may have found a keeper in Smith.
Mike Singletary may yet save his job.
24. Seattle Seahawks (5-6)
9 of 32
Last Week: 24-42 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs
The Seahawks got absolutely shelled by the Chiefs last week, but they remain tied for the lead in the putrid NFC West.
It's a travesty that this could somehow be a playoff team.
They have, after all, been outscored by 66 points this season.
There is some talent on the team, but still. . .
23. Dallas Cowboys (3-8)
10 of 32
Last Week: 27-30 loss to the New Orleans Saints
The picture shows you one of the Cowboys' main reasons for struggling, the absence of quarterback Tony Romo.
A positive though is that interim head coach Jason Garrett has motivated the team into playing much better. When he took over they reeled off back-to-back wins and had every opportunity to take down the Saints on Thanksgiving.
Things are looking up in Dallas and at least they'll definitely be a part of the Super Bowl this year.
Well, they won't be playing in it. But they will be hosting it.
22. Washington Redskins (5-6)
11 of 32
Last Week: 13-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings
It still boggles my mind how the Redskins signed Donovan McNabb to a lengthy contract extension. He hasn't really been that great for them at all.
The latest slip-up in this season was a pretty bad loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Playing in a tough division, the Redskins need to be better than this.
21. Oakland Raiders (5-6)
12 of 32
Last Week: 17-33 loss to the Miami Dolphins
Now that Bruce Gradkowski has tried and failed at the quarterback position, the Raiders have lost two straight games. They now trail both the Chargers and the Chiefs in their own division.
I just don't see this team having enough talent to compete with either of those teams.
It seems as though the Raiders will be left out of the playoffs once more.
20. Tennessee Titans (5-6)
13 of 32
Last Week: 0-20 loss to the Houston Texans
Getting shut out by the Houston Texans is never a good thing. They don't exactly have the most stellar defense in the league.
Having Rusty Smith at quarterback isn't exactly good either.
And where has Chris Johnson been this year? Is he running at half speed?
This team is dropping fast.
19. Cleveland Browns (4-7)
14 of 32
Last Week: 24-23 win over the Carolina Panthers
After Colt McCoy went down with a high ankle sprain, the third Cleveland quarterback to do so this season, Jake Delhomme got the start.
He led, well actually Peyton Hillis led, the Browns to a nail-biter of a win against the terrible team from Carolina.
I would expect for McCoy to continue to start when he regains full strength in his ankle. The Browns have nothing to lose and need to see if he can truly be a franchise quarterback for them.
18. Houston Texans (5-6)
15 of 32
Last Week: 20-0 win over the Tennessee Titans
Despite boasting a historically bad pass defense, the Texans still held Rusty Smith and the Tennessee Titans scoreless on Sunday.
They're also only one game back in the AFC South, which seems to be coming back to their level.
This team has a boatload of offensive talents and is playing with confidence right now.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-5)
16 of 32
Last Week: 20-24 loss to the New York Giants
This team is currently leading the AFC South thanks to an early-season win over the Indianapolis Colts, but that seems to be a fluke.
They have after all been outscored by 54 points this season and have gotten a couple late wins.
The magic ran out against the Giants, but there's still hope in Jacksonville.
16. St. Louis Rams (5-6)
17 of 32
Last Week: 36-33 win over the Denver Broncos
Count me in among the believers in Sam Bradford. This rookie has all the tools to be a superstar in the NFL.
He also gets to throw to some receivers with pretty awesome names.
The Rams lead the NFC West at 5-6 and I feel like it's pretty safe to say they'll end up in the playoffs. They probably hold the only shot the West has at sending a .500 or better team to the playoffs.
15. Miami Dolphins (6-5)
18 of 32
Last Week: 33-17 win over the Oakland Raiders
After a convincing win on Sunday, it appears as if the Dolphins may still be for real.
Chad Henne finally had the game everyone expected him to have and his time as starting quarterback in Miami may not yet be over.
There's talent on this team, but they play in a murderous division, one they have no shot at winning.
14. Indianapolis Colts (6-5)
19 of 32
Last Week: 14-36 loss to the San Diego Chargers
Peyton Manning has been in a huge slump of late. Just this Sunday he had one of the worst days of his career, throwing four picks, two of which were returned for touchdowns.
The Colts have been plagued all season by injuries, and there's no guarantee that the trend ends.
Could it be that the Colts have finally fallen from the rank of elite teams?
I don't think so.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-4)
20 of 32
Last Week: 10-17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens
The Bucs played a tough, hard-fought game against the Ravens last week but couldn't come out on top.
This is still a great team. Josh Freeman, one of this year's breakout players, makes them very dangerous.
Their only tough games left are within the division, against the Saints and the Falcons. That gives them the possibility of winning the NFC South, but I wouldn't bet on that happening.
12. Kansas City Chiefs (7-4)
21 of 32
Last Week: 42-24 win over the Seattle Seahawks
The Chiefs won their second game in a row, this time in blowout fashion.
But lets not get carried away here. The game was after all against the Seahawks.
Matt Cassel was incredibly dominant, throwing for four touchdown passes.
The Chiefs may lead their division, but that lead is in jeopardy with the Chargers charging from behind. I'm not a full believer yet.
11. San Diego Chargers (6-5)
22 of 32
Last Week: 36-14 win over the Indianapolis Colts
It's amazing how the Chargers never lose at this time of year. This year may not be any different.
Philip Rivers is a definite MVP candidate and the team will only get better with the return of Vincent Jackson and a healthy Antonio Gates.
Plus, Ryan Mathews may yet prove to the team that they were correct in drafting him.
Say hello to the team that no one wants to play right now.
10. New York Giants (7-4)
23 of 32
Last Week: 24-20 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars
The Giants overcame an 11-point halftime deficit against Jaguars to get the win and move into a tie for the division lead.
They also lay claim to one of the best offenses in the entire NFL. Plus their defense is pretty good as well.
I wouldn't want to play the Giants right now.
9. Philadelphia Eagles (7-4)
24 of 32
Last Week: 26-31 loss to the Chicago Bears
MIchael Vick threw his first interception since 2006 on Sunday, but he should remain an MVP front-runner.
He's been that good this season.
The Eagles with their loss slipped to the same record as division rival New York, but I do still think they're the better team.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)
25 of 32
Last Week: 19-16 win over the Buffalo Bills
The Steelers should have lost the game to the Bills. If it wasn't for the drop in the end zone by Steve Johnson, they'd be 7-4 and trailing the Ravens in their division.
Also, Big Ben slightly hurt himself in the win and may not be at full strength for the next one.
That's got to drop them a little bit.
7. Green Bay Packers (7-4)
26 of 32
Last Week: 17-20 loss to the Atlanta Falcons
The Green Bay Packers marched down the field and tied up the game against the Falcons late in the fourth quarter, but then allowed Atlanta to kick a game-winning field goal as time expired.
This team has all the potential in the world, but needs to get accustomed to winning close games against elite teams.
They still may be one of the best teams in the NFC.
6. Chicago Bears (8-3)
27 of 32
Last Week: 31-26 win over the Philadelphia Eagles
The Bears' win over the Eagles impressed me on some many different levels.
One, they managed to hold Michael Vick in check, something that no other team has been able to do yet.
Two, Jay Cutler.
Cutler threw four touchdowns and somehow avoided making any mistakes. Remember that he's become known for making those mistakes around the league.
5. Baltimore Ravens (8-3)
28 of 32
Last Week: 17-10 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Joe Flacco proved that he could be Joe Cool in a win against a tough Tampa Bay team.
They currently hold the division lead over the Steelers in the AFC North thanks to a tiebreaker.
This week's game at home against those Steelers is going to decide the division.
Oh, and they're 5-0 at home.
4. New Orleans Saints (8-3)
29 of 32
Last Week: 30-27 win over the Dallas Cowboys
The Saints flat-out dominated during the first half of their Thanksgiving game, but got complacent and let the Cowboys back into the game.
Regardless, they're starting to look like the team that won the Super Bowl last year.
Unfortunately for them, they're still the second-best team in their own division.
3. New York Jets (9-2)
30 of 32
Last Week: 26-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals
With a 9-2 record now, the Jets are tied with the Patriots and the Falcons for the best record in the NFL.
They'll have a chance to knock off the hated Patriots this week.
To do that, Mark Sanchez will have to continue playing like the Jets' "Sanchize" quarterback. He very well could.
2. New England Patriots (9-2)
31 of 32
Last Week: 45-24 win over the Detroit Lions
Tom Brady had a perfect 158.3 passer rating against the Lions. And they won.
The Patriots now stand at 9-2 and will make the playoffs regardless of whether or not they win a tough game against the Jets this week.
Enough said.
1. Atlanta Falcons (9-2)
32 of 32
Last Week: 20-17 win over the Green Bay Packers
It's strange to think about, but the Falcons are now the NFL's best team after a convincing last-second win over the Green Bay Packers.
Matt Ryan has put his sophomore slump behind him and has been incredible this season. He went 24-for-28 last week.
With Roddy White and Michael Turner helping him out on offense, they're always dangerous.
Congratulations Atlanta, and as Samuel L. Jackson says in your commercial, "Falcons rise up!"
This time though, he's referring to your spot in the power rankings.
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