2021 NFL power rankings, Week 12: Bills blasted, Titans tamed

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 21: Jonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts is tackled by Micah Hyde #23 of the Buffalo Bills during the third quarter at Highmark Stadium on November 21, 2021 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images) /

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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – NOVEMBER 21: Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings dives into the end zone for a touchdown as Eric Stokes #21 of the Green Bay Packers tries to tackle in the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 21, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

. 5-5. Previous: . Minnesota Vikings. 15. team. 60

Mike Zimmer’s squad had a chance to get back to the .500 mark if they could slay the first-place Packers. Dalvin Cook has a big way with 86 yards rushing and a score on 22 carries. But quarterback Kirk Cousins threw for 341 yards and three touchdowns, with Justin Jefferson hauling in eight passes for 169 yards and one score.

Cousins also drove the team 64 yards on eight plays in the final 2:08 and set up Greg Joseph’s 29-yard field goal at the gun.

. 5-4-1. Previous: . Pittsburgh Steelers. 14. team. 55

Mike Tomlin’s club had not lost a game since Week 4 when they took on the Chargers Sunday night at Los Angeles. Veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was back in the starting lineup after sitting out last week due to COVID-19 (via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor).

And trailing 27-10 in the fourth quarter, things looked a little bleak. The Steelers came roaring back to take a 37-34 lead. But the team’s battered defense gave up a late Justin Herbert touchdown pass.

team. 56. . 6-4. Previous: . Cincinnati Bengals. 13

Zac Taylor’s squad had some additional time to get ready for their clash with the Raiders in Sin City. And the Bengals came up with one of their best overall performances of the season despite gaining only 288 yards of total offense.

Running back Joe Mixon ran 30 times for 123 yards and two scores and controlled the football for 37:20. The Raiders managed only 278 yards, including just 72 on the ground, and Derek Carr turned over the ball twice.

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