NFL Power Rankings Week 13: Are The Ravens Peaking At The Right Time?
Another week in the books, and another exciting one, at that:
New England destroyed the "pobre" Lions; New Orleans edged out Dallas; the Jets predictably beat down Cincinnati; and Atlanta edged out Green Bay; Brett Favre won a game; Buffalo lost to "God;" Oakland disappointed against Miami; Jay Cutler outshined Michael Vick in Chicago; Peyton Manning imploded against San Diego; and there was even a Brian Westbrook appearance (a good one, at that).
Shaping up to be a fine stretch run.
Here are my NFL Power Rankings Week 13.
Looking Up From the Grave
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32. Carolina Panthers: After their 24-23 defeat to the Cleveland Browns, the Carolina Panthers are now the NFL's only 1-10 team. Quarterback Jimmy Clausen is clearly not the answer, with one touchdown and five interceptions in eight games, and coach John Fox might actually be yearning for Jake Delhomme.
31. Cincinnati Bengals: Dallas and Minnesota seemed to have straightened some things out. That leaves Cincinnati as the NFL's biggest disappointment this year. Couldn't have predicted they would do anything against the Jets though.
Kicking and Screaming (in the Grave)
2 of 26
30. Detroit Lions: The Lions were actually beating New England before the second half started in Week 12. Then the second half started. They were outscored 35-7 in the last two quarters, yielding four TD passes to Tom Brady. Well, can't say you couldn't see that coming.
29. Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals succeeding in breaking Frank Gore's right hip against San Francisco, effectively leaving him with just five carries. So, Brian Westbrook trots out there...la la la...and explodes for 136 yards rushing and a touchdown. It was fitting that Early Doucet was the Cards' top receiver...because they're likely done, very early.
Kicking Those Who Kick and Scream in The Grave
3 of 26
28. Denver Broncos: The Broncos should feel lucky they have three wins. And that's not a good sign. Before their 36-33 loss against the St. Louis Rams in Denver, they almost came back. But they didn't. Against the Rams. Poor Kyle Orton, he tries so hard.
27. Buffalo Bills: The Bills actually moved up in my rankings this week despite a loss. That's more a testament to the sludgy mediocrity of the teams behind them. But they also could have easily beat the vaunted Pittsburgh Steelers. Receiver Steve Johnson actually blamed God for a potential game-winning touchdown slipping through his fingers. "Why so serious Steve Johnson?"
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Crawling Up From The Grave
4 of 26
26. San Francisco 49ers: A big win against the Cardinals Sunday. You can only hope Brian Westbrook can fill Frank Gore's shoes. Gore is out for the season after breaking his right hip. The Niners, despite a 4-7 record, are one game out of first place.
25. Seattle Seahawks: I expected the game not to be close against Kansas City on Sunday, but a 42-24 loss is beyond anything coach Pete Carroll could have expected. The Seahawks are fading fast, and Pete likely won't be singing any carols come the holidays.
Teetering on the Edge Of the Grave
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24. Minnesota Vikings: Big win against Washington on Sunday. But the Vikings can only hope Adrian Peterson isn't out for very long. Despite a win largely without him against a fast-falling Redskins team, the Vikings have demonstrated that simply relying on Brett Favre won't get them anywhere.
23. Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys showed a lot of heart against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. They are clearly playing much better ball behind Jason Garrett. But the fact of the matter is they are still 3-8.
Out Of the Grave
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22. St. Louis Rams: The Rams defense didn't exactly do Sam Bradford any favors Sunday, giving 33 points to Denver. But luckily for them, he's already a very good quarterback. He completed 22-of-37 passes Sunday, for 308 yards and three touchdowns. Ya, good draft pick, St. Louis.
21. Tennessee Titans: It didn't take a rocket scientist to predict the Titans would free fall without Vince Young and rookie Rusty Smith under center. Their 20-0 loss against Houston was the least shocking part of Week 12. Chris Johnson rushing for five yards isn't exactly a confidence-booster, either. They are out of the grave for now, but could fall into it soon.
20. Washington Redskins
7 of 26
A loss to the Minnesota Vikings can't feel very inspiring. Scoring 13 points with Donovan McNabb under center can't feel good either. Rushing for 29 yards? Ya, that's not good either.
19. Houston Texans
8 of 26
A 20-0 win is always a good thing, even if it's against a reeling Tennessee team. But the Texans can't afford another Andre Johnson blow-up. They are just lucky he wasn't suspended. Their offense is all they have.
And no, I don't consider shutting out Rusty Smith a game for the defense to hang their hat on.
18. Miami Dolphins
9 of 26
Maybe this is where Miami starts finding a way to win. Either their victory against Oakland on Sunday was the sign of some evolving play or a sign the Raiders just didn't play well. The jury's still out on that.
I'm still a little skeptical of this team. But Chad Henne is clearly a better option than Tyler Thigpen.
17. Oakland Raiders
10 of 26
Starting Bruce Gradkowski in favor of Jason Campbell was a very strange decision on coach Tom Cable's part.
Well, don't worry about that now, Raiders fans. Gradkowski injured his shoulder in the loss.
But what worries me the most about their loss to Miami is their defense giving up 33 points to a then-struggling team.
That is not Oakland football! Or is it...
16. Cleveland Browns
11 of 26
The Browns' 24-23 win to Carolina wasn't exactly a convincing victory, but I continue to think this team is better than their record (4-7).
They've had losses against very good teams, and Peyton Hillis is just a beast, accounting for 131 yards rushing and three TDs Sunday. Ya, keep giving the ball to that guy.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars
12 of 26
The Jaguars' 24-20 loss against the New York Giants hurt. That would have surely a big win for this team, now at 6-5.
QB David Garrard had a bad game, there's no question, but I still believe in him as Jacksonville's starting quarterback.
Maurice Jones-Drew continues to be a star.
14. Kansas City Chiefs
13 of 26
The Chiefs surely don't show any signs of simply giving the division away to San Diego, with a 42-24 win against Seattle last week. I like Matt Cassel a lot this year as well as their running game, and the division could indeed be determined when the Chiefs face San Diego in two weeks time.
But you can't ignore what San Diego is doing right now. Four straight wins and they just blew up Peyton Manning.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
14 of 26
The Buccaneers can't exactly feel bad about their loss against Baltimore. The Ravens have proven they're an elite team this year.
Tampa Bay has strengthened their team probably more than any other team in one year's time. They are up near the elites, but not quite, getting edged out by Atlanta and now Baltimore.
12. San Diego Chargers
15 of 26
It's actually hard for me to decide who to put here, San Diego or Chicago.
San Diego blew up Peyton Manning last week, Chicago had a huge win against Philly.
But, for now, I'm placing San Diego slightly lower than Chicago.
But the Chargers are surely on one of their trademark second half pushes.
They returned two of four Manning interceptions for touchdowns, their offense is igniting, and Philip Rivers looks great.
Watch out National Football League, here comes San Diego. They are now one game behind KC for the division lead.
11. Chicago Bears
16 of 26
Well, didn't see this coming.
I didn't expect the Bears to beat the Eagles, and I certainly didn't see Jay Cutler playing better than Michael Vick, throwing for 247 yards and four touchdowns.
Is this the start of a new chapter for Cutler?
We shall see.
And this defense is getting mighty scary.
10. Indianapolis Colts
17 of 26
The San Diego Chargers marched right into Indianapolis and absolutely dominated that football game.
The Colts can't just let that happen.
Sure, the Chargers are charging, but Indianapolis absolutely got embarrassed Sunday.
Look for them to get back on track, as Manning won't rest until they do, but this loss seriously bothers me.
9. New York Giants
18 of 26
Solid win for the Giants against a solid team in Jacksonville.
Their run defense is still suspect, but the rest of the D is coming together.
Eli Manning had a strong game Sunday, unlike his brother. He passed for 226 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner with 3:15 to play.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers
19 of 26
Sure, Pittsburgh won, but it was against Buffalo, and it could have easily gone the other way if "God" hadn't intervened when Steve Johnson flubbed the last-second touchdown catch.
This team's plethora of injuries is starting to bother me. Scoring 19 points against the Bills is deplorable.
7. New Orleans Saints
20 of 26
I had a feeling the Saints-Cowboys Thanksgiving game was going to be a close one with the way the resurgent Cowboys have been playing lately.
I don't look at it as if the Saints almost got beat by a 3-7 team coming into the game, I look at this win as resilience.
Here come Drew Brees and the Saints everybody.
6. Philadelphia Eagles
21 of 26
Boy, I'm harsh, aren't I?
I had the Eagles at No.1 last week, and then I drop them to No. 6 with one loss?
In a word, "Yes."
Chicago's defense was the true test for Vick on Sunday, and it was a game that absolutely had to be won.
Sure, his numbers weren't bad, but he looked vulnerable for the first time Sunday.
And the Eagles defense was atrocious. How do you let Jay Cutler pick you apart like that? Coach Andy Reid has a lot to talk about this week to his team.
5. Green Bay Packers
22 of 26
Can't really fault the Packers for losing to an exceptional Atlanta team.
The three-point loss came only after Aaron Rodgers led the Packers down the field for a game-tying touchdown with 56 seconds left.
But Atlanta just can't be beat right now. They came back and won the game, like they have all season long.
A field goal with nine seconds left iced the game.
But the Packers are a legitimate elite team.
4. Baltimore Ravens
23 of 26
A tough 17-10 win against a rising Tampa Bay team was big for the Ravens.
They mostly bullied Buccaneers QB Josh Freeman throughout the game, holding him to 17 completions on 37 attempts.
The offense was decent, but the Ravens have to feel much better about their pass defense after this one.
Good win going up against Pittsburgh next week.
3. New York Jets
24 of 26
The Jets took care of business against a horrible Cincinnati team.
They did what they were expected to do, but there was definitely some questionable play-calling against the Bengals.
Big game at New England next week. Should be a good one.
2. Atlanta Falcons
25 of 26
What QB Matt Ryan and the Falcons did to Green Bay on Sunday was mighty impressive.
It was their biggest test of the season, and they passed it with flying colors.
Despite Roddy White being held to under 50 yards receiving, the Falcons got it done.
Matt Ryan took what the defense gave him, with some big completions to Tony Gonzalez, and he is starting to mature as a quarterback. He is already giving defenses fits.
Holding Green Bay to 17 points is a big win for the Atlanta defense.
1. New England Patriots
26 of 26
Not really a shocker, the Patriots blew out the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving.
Down 17-10 after the first half, Tom Brody showed why he's the best quarterback in the league in the second half, throwing for four touchdowns.
Big game against the Jets next week.
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