NFL Power Rankings Week 13: Separating Top Contenders from Pretenders

Here's a quick look at the top teams in the NFL right now and whether they are pretenders or contenders.

By pretender and contender, I mean the Super Bowl. These are obviously great teams and contenders for the playoffs, but we are talking about chances to make the championship in February. 

Green Bay Packers (No. 1)

Do the Packers sometimes struggle on defense? Yes. Does it really matter when Aaron Rodgers is the quarterback? Not in the slightest.

Contender.

New England Patriots (No. 2)

The Patriots have looked good as of late, but their pass defense still needs work. This is a similar case to the Packers, but for whatever reason, the Patriots offense hasn't been quite as dominant. 

It's hard to bet against Tom Brady in the playoffs, but I just don't trust this defense.

Pretender.

Baltimore Ravens (No. 3)

They can be painfully inconsistent at times, but when the Ravens offense is clicking, the team will beat anyone in the league.

Joe Flacco tends to show up in big games, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him finally get them to the Super Bowl.

Contender.

San Francisco 49ers (No. 4)

The 49ers have quite possibly the best defense in the league, and as a result, they will likely never get more than a touchdown behind.

Of course, they have Alex Smith running the offense and that means they won't get more than a touchdown ahead. Smith has done a great job this season, but he's nothing more than a game manager.

The Niners are right on the brink of being a contender, but I want to see Alex Smith in the playoffs first.

Pretender.

New Orleans Saints (No. 5)

Another case of explosive offense and struggling defense. The Saints dominated the New York Giants last night, but they were hardly able to slow down Eli Manning.

If the Saints don't score on every possession, and that will be tough against a good defense, they will struggle to win.

Pretender. 

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