Week 13 Power Rankings
The heat is on! December is here, and that means only one thing. PLAYOFF PUSH. The NFL is known for having parity from year to year, and this season is no different. If the season were to end today, we would have 5 new playoff teams from the turnover last season. In the AFC, it seems like the divisions are in firm control, but with a month to play, anything is possible. In the NFC, the East and South are anyone’s game. The Wild Card spots may come down to Week 18. For this week, we will break down the categories in terms of playoff chances. If you don’t like where your team lies…too bad!
100% Chance - There is no doubt!
Philadelphia Eagles (-) A thrilling win over the Buffalo Bills last week tested the Eagles a little bit. But there is no doubt that this week the favorite of the NFC will be revealed as they take on the 49ers. Let’s see what happens when Brock Purdy doesn’t get hurt in the first half…
San Francisco 49ers (-) The niners continue to dominate off their bye. Now, their biggest game of the season against a team who sen them home last year. It’s definitely interesting that they are favored in Philly. I’m sure that’s going over well in the Eagles locker room.
Baltimore Ravens (-) They played with a little bit of fire in LA last weekend, but the Ravens continue to find ways to win. The Steelers remain on their heels and can climb to one game back with a win over Arizona this weekend. There is a chance that the division may come down to Week 18. Either way, the Ravens will make the postseason.
Kansas City Chiefs (+1) After going down 14-0, Patrick Mahomes said enough is enough. The Chiefs outscored the Raiders 31-3 after that and now are in firm position for another AFC West title. Will Mahomes carry his receivers this year in the postseason? Or is this the defenses year to shine?
90 -95% - We are feeling PRETTY CONFIDENT
5. Jacksonville Jaguars (+1) After the Jags debacle against SF, they proved that was a just a hiccup as they dismantled Tennessee and then won a huge game on the road in Houston. The Jaguars now have an 8-3 record and have an essential 3 game lead over second place Indianapolis in the division. They are also 4-1 in the division with their last division game being in Week 18 against the Titans. With teams such as the Burrow-less Bengals, the Bucs and the Panthers left on the schedule, the Jags may fool around and end up with the one seed in the AFC.
6. Dallas Cowboys (+2) So the Cowboys feast on teams that they are better then. That’s a fact. Let’s see what they do with a desperate Seattle team on Thursday night.
7. Miami Dolphins (+2) The fins took care of the Jets on the first Black Friday game. One thing to note here - Tua has struggled a tad lately, including throwing a pick six on Friday and another bad INT against a good Jets defense. Miami takes on another struggling team in Washington this weekend.
8. Detroit Lions (-4) A very disappointing loss on Thanksgiving in front of the national crowd. The Lions defensive struggles have become a topic of conversation over the past month as to whether they can defeat the elite teams in the conference. They will get their chance as the division seems in hand.
60-65% - The Odds are in your Favor
9. Denver Broncos (+3) Denver just keeps on winning. If you ask me right now who the first wildcard in the AFC is going to be, I would say the Broncos - their remaining schedule is Houston, LAC, Detroit, NE, LAC, and LV. 5-1 is not off the mark. That would put that at 11-6. Even 4-2 puts them at 10-7, which gives them a legitimate shot. What Sean Payton has done to turnaround this team is incredible. And Old Russ is back.
10. Houston Texans (-3) The Texans are relevant again - which is great. What’s not great is how they thoroughly got outplayed at home in a game they needed to have against Jacksonville. The Texans are an upstart team but we got a stark reminder they aren’t there yet. Their pass defense got gashed all game and were not able to slow down the Jags passing attack. However, CJ Stroud gives this team as good a chance as any to garner a wild card spot.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers (+4) Matt Canada out, 400 yard offense in. Funny how that works right? The Steelers are 7-4 with a favorable schedule the rest of the way. This team is looking more and more playoff bound and if they keep winning, they could have a division title on the line in Week 18.
12. Cleveland Browns (-2) A stark reminder that without a legitimate QB this team won’t make any noise. Now there is a chance Joe Flacco starts for them this week. Big yikes. If there is one team where the wheels could fall off, this one is it.
13. Indianapolis Colts (+3) The Colts would be in the playoffs if the season ended today. Everyone is talking about Demeco Ryans for COTY, but what about Shane Steichen? He lost his QB early, his RB didn’t play for the first month, and they just cut the face of their defense. And guess what? They keep winning.
50% - The Pendulum continues to Swing
14. Green Bay Packers (+5) The Packers have suddenly won two in a row, with the latest one coming in a big way on Thanksgiving over the Lions. Green Bay is sitting at 5-6 and has a chance for that last wild card spot. They have a tough matchup against the Chiefs this weekend, but after that they have the Giants, Bears and Vikings as three of their remaining games. They would need to sweep those to have a chance of getting. 9-8 is not out of the question.
15. Los Angeles Rams (+5) The Rams continue to confuse us. Here is the reality though. They swept the Seahawks. Right now, they are a half game back of that last playoff spot. If they can beat Cleveland on Sunday, they would be in at 6-6. How crazy is that? This offense is starting to find itself. Kyren Williams has been a crowned jewel for this offense. Remember when we all asked why McVay wasn’t playing Cam Akers - lets not question this guy again.
16. Seattle Seahawks (-3) The Seahawks are in a free fall. After going to 6-3, they have now lost two in a row to divisional opponents and face a Cowboys team on Thursday Night who has yet to lose at home this year. Seattle can find itself on the outside looking in after this weekend.
17. Buffalo Bills (-) A tough, tough loss to the Eagles this past weekend. Buffalo is now 6-6. Von Miller is facing domestic abuse charges. It has been a nightmare season for the Bills. Can they still get in? Yes. They can catch fire like no other team in the NFL. But the chances are looking bleaker week by week with all the good teams in the AFC.
18. Minnesota Vikings (-4) I think the Josh Dobbs experience might have run its course. There is a reason this guy has jumped around teams in the NFL. The Vikes are 6-6 and still have the playoffs in front of them, but the QB questions in December don’t bode well for their chances. I am selling high on Minnesota right now.
40-45% - The NFC South and the Bengals
19. Atlanta Falcons (+5) Desmond Ridder is back. And threw two more INTs. But, the Falcons beat the Saints and are in the drivers seat for the NFC South crown. This team has the best defense in the division so I give them the best chance, but lets not pretend they wouldn’t get thumped in the first round of the playoffs.
20. Cincinnati Bengals (-9) It was confirmed Sunday this teams season is over. Jake Browning is not 2017 Nick Foles. The Bengals are still talented and can make the playoffs, but they won’t be a real threat. If they want any kind of chance, a MNF win in Jacksonville is necessary. But if you ask Bengals fans, they may want the team to lose out and get a higher draft pick.
21. New Orleans Saints (-3) This team man. What a disappointment. The offense cannot get out of its own way, and Derek Carr has clearly lost something. I would not be surprised if the Saints were movers in the draft to pick up a QB. This team is not going anywhere in the postseason.
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-) I like them on paper but they can’t win a game they need to. Losing to the Colts 27-20 in a game you needed to have is unacceptable. Wildly enough, they are a game back in the NFC South because it’s a terrible division. Has anyone ever been back to back 8-9 division champs?
30% - A lot of things Need to Go Right
23. Los Angeles Chargers (-) The Chargers need a new regime running things. This cast of characters is over. Being 4-7 with Justin Herbert is actually incredible.
24. Las Vegas Raiders (-3) Another bad football team. But a lot of teams vying for playoff spots are on their schedule. One more loss and they are cooked.
15-20% - Start thinking about Free Agency and the Draft
25. Chicago Bears (+1) Maybe the most uninspiring win of the NFL season. The Bears are a bad football team and won a game without scoring a touchdown. Just Fields did everything he could to lose that game in the 4th quarter, but Minnesota wouldnt allow it. The play calling is terrible. How many throws are going to be behind the LOS? I think this team can’t wait to pick another QB.
26. New York Jets (-1) The Jets are 4-7 and realistically can’t really afford another loss this season. With Atlanta and Houston up next that seems unlikely. But the big news: Aaron Rodgers possibly coming back. Why you may ask? Simply for Rodgers ego. We now know who runs that team.
27. New York Giants (+3) Technically speaking, the Giants are only two games out of the playoffs, so I put them in here for shits and giggles, but the season is over. Tommy Devito has been a cute story, but this team is killing its draft stock. It’s nice though that the guys haven’t given up on the season. Credit Daboll for that much.
0% - The Season is Over
28. Tennessee Titans (+1) The Titans struggled to beat the Panthers Sunday. That tells you all you need to know about where this team is. They should absolutely field calls on Henry in the offseason. They need a facelift.
29. Washington Commanders (-1) After getting embarrassed by losing to the Giants, it got worse by getting gashed by the Cowboys in front of the whole country. Jack Del Rio lost his job, but Ron Rivera will soon be following him after the season. I still think Sam Howell is a fine NFL QB - he just needs a line and the right OC.
30. Arizona Cardinals (-3) The Kyler Murray energy juice is out of service. This team is back to being terrible. It's widely rumored they won’t draft a QB. If they have a top two pick, Marvin Harrison Jr. is seriously in play.
31. New England Patriots (-) Every week you think it can’t get worse, but it does. I’m now on the bandwagon that this team will have a new QB and a new HC next season. Bill Belichick switching organizations will dominate the off-season headlines.
32. Carolina Panthers (-) Frank Reich is gone. Good for him to get out of there. David Tepper is the old grandpa sitting on his front porch yelling at the kids for playing in the snow. Someone needed to replace Dan Snyder.