2021 NFL power rankings, Week 12: Bills blasted, Titans tamed
6. team. 47. . 7-4. Previous: . New England Patriots
Bill Belichick’s surging squad took a four-game winning streak into their Thursday night clash with the Falcons at Atlanta. And while rookie quarterback Mac Jones hit on 22 of his 26 throws for 207 yards and one touchdown (1 interception), it was New England’s defense that ruled the night.
Kyle Van Noy had eight tackles, a pair of sacks and an interception. Matt Judon continued his impressive year and the Patriots limited Atlanta to 165 total yards.
123. . 7-3. Previous: . Dallas Cowboys. 5. team
The NFC East leaders rolled the Falcons by 40 points last Sunday. But now the Cowboys headed to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Chiefs. Mike McCarthy’s team was limited to 116 total yards and a field goal in the first half.
All told, Dallas finished with a season-low 276 yards of offense and never reached the end zone. And quarterback Dak Prescott was sacked five times and had all three (2 interceptions, 1 lost fumble) of the Cowboys’ turnovers.
team. 124. . 7-4. Previous: . Kansas City Chiefs. 4
Winners of three straight games, the defending AFC champions looked to cool off the explosive Cowboys. And an aroused Kansas City defense held Mike McCarthy’s club to just three field goals. That offset the fact that Patrick Mahomes turned over the ball two more times.
This game really belonged to defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s unit and in particular Chris Jones, who had 3.5 of his team’s five sacks and recovered a fumble.