NFL Power Rankings: Where Did ESPN Get It Right or Wrong?

ESPN's panel of experts released their Week 12 NFL power rankings on Tuesday, so let's run down their list to see where they got it right or wrong.

1-10

1. Green Bay Packers

2. San Francisco 49ers

3. New Orleans Saints

4. Pittsburgh Steelers

5. Baltimore Ravens

6. New England Patriots

7. Chicago Bears

8. Houston Texans

9. Dallas Cowboys

10. Detroit Lions

Comments

I hate that ESPN drops teams in the power rankings because of injuries. Yes, Jay Cutler's injury hurts the Bears moving forward. But they also won another big game against the Chargers last week to run their record to 7-3. If the Bears falter with Caleb Hanie (or Kyle Orton?), then drop them. The Cowboys going above the Lions doesn't make a whole lot of sense, especially considering the Lions beat them head-to-head already. The top six teams look like they'll remain there, in some order, for the rest of the regular season.  

11-20

11. Atlanta Falcons

12. New York Giants

13. Cincinnati Bengals

14. Oakland Raiders

15. New York Jets

16. Tennessee Titans

17. Denver Broncos

18. Philadelphia Eagles

19. Buffalo Bills

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Comments

I have no problems with the top four here, but how in the world can you have the New York Jets at No. 15? East Coast bias? The Broncos, who sit at No. 17, just beat the Jets straight up. And really, the Jets have had their chances to claim a spot in the top tier of the NFL and they blew it. The Eagles sneak in front of the Bills despite losing to Buffalo earlier in the season, but it's painfully obvious that the Bills are falling apart. 

21-32

21. San Diego Chargers

22. Kansas City Chiefs

23. Seattle Seahawks

24. Cleveland Browns

25. Miami Dolphins

26. Washington Redskins

27. Arizona Cardinals

28. Jacksonville Jaguars

29. Minnesota Vikings

30. Carolina Panthers

31. St. Louis Rams

32. Indianapolis Colts

Comments

ESPN's experts finally laid the hammer down on the Chargers, who have lost five straight games after starting 4-1. They need some big changes done at the top at the end of this season to turn it around. The Dolphins make a well-deserved climb to the top of the 3-7 teams after winning their third straight game on Sunday. Could they possibly make it four in a row when they travel to Dallas on Thanksgiving? This week might present the Colts their best chance to crack the win column when the Panthers visit Indianapolis.