NFL Football Power Ratings For Week 13
Each week during the heart of the NFL season, and once or twice during the NFL Preseason, we’ll gather the troops around the roundtable and hash out the NFL Power rankings. We check out the stats, looks at the records, and, most importantly, we take a close, close look at the heart of each team.
Best performance from Week 12
New Orleans – On Monday night the Saints offense looked unstoppable. Drew Brees had his best game of the year but more importantly the running game came to life. The Saints rushed for more than 200 yards and averaged almost 7 yards per carry. When they can run this offense is impossible to stop.
Worst performance from Week 12
San Francisco – With the whole world watching they laid an egg scoring just 6 points against the Ravens. Yes the defense is very good but only 170 yards is pathetic. They also killed themselves with penalties (97 yards) which was uncharacteristic. Maybe this team isn’t ready for prime time just yet.
Best game of Week 13 – I was tempted to go with Pittsburgh vs Cincinnati which might mean more but I think Detroit vs. New Orleans should be very important as well. On top of that we should see some very entertaining football.
The Rankings
Green Bay (11-0) – I thought the Lions would give them more of a game this week. It wasn’t their best game of the year but it was good enough to make the outcome never be in doubt.
Baltimore (8-3) – The Ravens were focused on defense against the visiting 49ers who came in on a roll. I couldn’t place the Niners ahead the week thereafter. Baltimore is in god shape to earn top seed in AFC.
New England (8-3) – I am jumping up the Pats this week because they are starting to look like they are finding their stride. For all the criticism thrown their way this team still has just three losses and you know they will be tough to beat in the playoffs.
New Orleans (8-3) – It is looking more and more like a showdown between the Packers and the Saints for NFC supremacy. Too bad for New Orleans that game is likely to be plaid at Lambeau Field instead of the SuperDome
San Francisco (9-2) – Losing on the road at Baltimore is nothing to be ashamed of but it made it look like this team is not quite as good as its record. Playoff success might depend on matchups.
Pittsburgh (8-3) – They got the job done but weren’t very impressive against Kansas City. Cincinnati will have revenge in their minds this weekend so the Steelers will need a better effort to maintain their lead on the Bengals.
Detroit (7-4) – I was hoping for a better showing on Thanksgiving but the Packers are tough to beat, especially if you beat yourself. Really looking forward to the Lions visit to the Superdome this week. I wouldn’t say it is must win, but if they did, it would be very exciting.
Cincinnati (7-4) – If the season ended right now the Bengals would be in the playoffs. If they can beat Pittsburgh this weekend then they might not have to sweat it out to the final week in an AFC that is getting bunchy.
Dallas (7-4) – The Cowboys may have eked out a win but this team is definitely trending upward right now. They have two games left against the Giants. With a game lead now all they have to do is split…and win at Arizona this week.
Atlanta (7-4) – The Falcons have the lightest schedule of the three 7-4 teams gunning for the Wild Card in the NFC. They are at Houston this week but given their QB situation they are catching them at a perfect time.
Houston (8-3) – This team is hard to gauge because who knows who will be playing quarterback for them next week. Their two game cushion over Tennessee should be enough with games against Carolina and Indy remaining.
Oakland (7-4) – Could this team actually be developing some consistency? They have won three in a row and have a great chance to make it four at Miami. They need to because at Green Bay is next and they only have a one game cushion in the AFC West.
New York Jets (6-5) – The Jets needed a victory to keep their playoff hopes alive. It will be nice to go a week without stories about how Mark Sanchez is the devil – he actually had a pretty nice game.
New York Giants (6-5) – Things are looking bleak for the G-Men right now. They just got whooped and are now behind the Cowboys in the standing too. Up next Green Bay. Yikes.
Tennessee (6-5) – I still don’t like this team but when Chris Johnson plays well they have a good chance to win. They need a lot of teams to stumble to really get into the race but they have a great schedule if they keep winning.
Denver (6-5) – The Tebows are on a four game winning streak and face a new challenge…a game they are actually supposed to win. Minnesota is a mess and they have to have this one.
Chicago (7-4) – Unlike Houston above who has a lead and no QB, the Bears are in a dog fight and have no QB. It was a nice run but until they win without Cutler I am going to doubt them. Even against KC this weekend. Maybe that is too much doubt.
Philadelphia (4-7) – The only reason these guys are this high is because I have a hunch they have an upset still in them. There should be some value with them this week at the Seahawks.
Buffalo (5-6) – They still have a chance to have a better season than people expected but that window is closing. Memo to Stevie Johnson. If you are going to poke fun, make sure your team wins the game by not dropping touchdown passes.
Arizona (4-7) – They don’t have a lot of talent but this team is trending up having won three of their last 4. They host Dallas and if they can run the ball like they did last week they should be able to stay in the game. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
San Diego (4-7) – How do these guys look at themselves in the mirror right now. One more loss and coach Norv Turner is history. Maybe this is the kind of job to bring Cowher back. Lot’s in place, or so it seems.
Tampa Bay (4-7) – I don’t know what to write about the Bucs any more. They had their chances last week against Tennessee and blew it. Now all they can hope for is to spoil someone else’s season.
Miami (3-8) – The run had to end sometime. Miami came up just short at Dallas on Thanksgiving. They kicked four gimme FGs. Why not take a shot to punch it in at some point is my question. They were playing not to lose for the first time in a few weeks and it cost them.
Cleveland (4-7) – These guys fight hard but I am not sure what there is to like about this team. I want to give Colt McCoy a chance but I don’t think he has what it takes. Until they upgrade at QB this team will be limited.
Seattle (4-7) – Can you tell I really don’t like the Redskins? Marshawn Lynch is OK but their leading receiver is a rookie undrafted wideout. I can’t remember that ever happening. Tavaris Jackson is horrible.
Washington (4-7) – They just announced that Roy Helu is their starting running back. Duh? This team still is weak in so many areas but Helu is a nice guy to root for and he can help your fantasy team.
Carolina (3-8) – Beating Indianapolis is hardly a feat but it is a good win for Carolina as they try to build for next year. Cam Newton showed us the team can win without him having to steal the show.
Kansas City (4-7) – This team is dead in the water right now and bringing in Kyle Orton is not going to change that. I don’t think they will win another game the rest of the way.
Jacksonville (3-8) – They just turfed coach Jack Del Rio. This team is going nowhere fast but I never understand what is gained from getting rid of a coach mid-season unless you have their long term replacement ready to go.
Minnesota (2-9) – Coaches are starting to get turfed so you have to wonder how much longer Leslie Frazier will be around. Playing without Adrian Peterson doesn’t help but this team was plenty bad with him too.
St. Louis (2-9) – It wasn’t just that they lost to Arizona. It was that they let a team that struggles to run the ball do so so effectively with Beanie Wells having a record setting day. There is no pride left for this team.
Indianapolis (0-11) – It is hard to see where the Colts team is going to get a win to avoid an historic season. Makes you wonder what would happen if Peyton calls it a career.
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