NFL power rankings, Week 12: Commanders rise, Giants fall
In our Week 12 NFL power rankings, the Washington Commanders continue to ascend while the New York Giants take an ugly step backwards.
. 1-8-1. Previous: . Houston Texans. 32. team. 10
It’s possible, if not probable, the Texans don’t win another game this season.
team. 45. . 3-6. Previous: . Denver Broncos. 31
If there has ever been a true season from hell, this is it.
57. . 3-8. Previous: . Chicago Bears. 30. team
Justin Fields has been fun to watch, but the defense can’t get a stop.
Carolina Panthers. 29. team. 87. . 3-8. Previous:
The Panthers played the Ravens much closer than most expected, but couldn’t generate enough offense.
28. . 3-7. Previous: . Las Vegas Raiders. 28. team
The Raiders finally, mercifully, won a one-score game this season.
. 3-6. Previous: . Pittsburgh Steelers. 27. team. 55
Pittsburgh isn’t going to win games when the Steelers are giving up more than 30 points.
team. 51. . 3-7. Previous: . Los Angeles Rams. 26
This is the worst Super Bowl defense in NFL history. Literally.
25. team. 52. . 3-7. Previous: . Jacksonville Jaguars
Coming off the bye week, Jacksonville needs to see Trevor Lawrence continue to improve. That’s the main thing at this juncture.
53. . 3-7. Previous: . Cleveland Browns. 24. team
Cleveland could have beaten Buffalo on Sunday, but did everything imaginable to beat itself.
team. 15. . 4-7. Previous: . New Orleans Saints. 23
The Saints were able to handle the Rams at home, but it feels too late to make a real playoff push.
. 4-6-1. Previous: . Indianapolis Colts. 22. team. 46
Indianapolis has been much better with Jeff Saturday, but the Colts couldn’t hold the late lead against Philadelphia.
32. . 4-7. Previous: . Arizona Cardinals. 21. team
And with that disaster, good night.
4-7. Previous: . Green Bay Packers. 20. team. 49.
It’s over for the Packers. Time to start thinking about what the future looks like.
Previous: . Detroit Lions. 19. team. 50. . 4-6
The Lions had never won a road game under Dan Campbell before this month. Now, they’ve won two straight.
5-6. Previous: . Atlanta Falcons. 18. team. 44.
Atlanta is keeping itself in the NFC playoff picture. The Falcons aren’t impressive, but they are well-coached and can pound the rock.
. 6-4. Previous: . New York Jets. 17. team. 30
Zach Wilson needs a hug. Actually, he needs a scolding. The defense needs a hug.
. 6-4. Previous: . New England Patriots. 16. team. 47
The Patriots aren’t moving up in the power rankings for that tire fire of an offensive showing.
. 5-5. Previous: . Los Angeles Chargers. 15. team. 13
Once again, the Chargers put the Chiefs on the ropes … and got knocked out.
48. . 5-5. Previous: . Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 14. team
Coming out of the bye, this feels like an inflection point. Either the Bucs get rolling, or they’re a bad division winner who exits the postseason quickly.
. 6-5. Previous: . Washington Commanders. 13. team. 58
Washington is playing really well with Taylor Heinicke at the helm. The Commanders have a real shot at getting into the dance.
Previous: . Seattle Seahawks. 12. team. 36. . 6-4
Seattle needs to keep the momentum it had before losing in Germany. The Seahawks have been one of the feel-good stories of the year.
7-3. Previous: . Tennessee Titans. 11. team. 35.
Tennessee has been much-maligned for its offensive limitations, but no team knows who it is more than the Titans.
Cincinnati Bengals. 10. team. 56. . 6-4. Previous:
The Bengals have an absurd upcoming schedule, so beating the Steelers was a must.
9. team. 31. . 7-3. Previous: . New York Giants
Brutal loss. Yes, the Giants have maybe earned the right to have a clunker, but getting blown out by the Lions is rough.
8-2. Previous: . Minnesota Vikings. 8. team. 60.
Burn the tape. Immediately.
42. . 6-4. Previous: . San Francisco 49ers. 7. team
The 49ers are starting to put things together as the group has gotten healthier. Tied for first place in the NFC West.
Previous: . Dallas Cowboys. 6. team. 123. . 7-3
Phenomenal effort after losing to the Packers. Complete dominance from start to finish over the Vikings.
team. 26. . 7-3. Previous: . Baltimore Ravens. 5
Nothing pretty about beating the Panthers, but a win is all that matters.
Buffalo Bills. 4. team. 16. . 7-3. Previous:
Buffalo still has issues to clean up, but the Bills snapped their two-game losing skid.
7-3. Previous: . Miami Dolphins. 3. team. 59.
Coming out of the bye, Miami gets another with a game against the Texans at home.
Previous: . Philadelphia Eagles. 2. team. 54. . 9-1
Ugly, ugly offensive performance most of the afternoon, but the Eagles found a way to sneak past the Colts.
1. team. 124. . 8-2. Previous: . Kansas City Chiefs
Right now, the Chiefs have the best team in football. Patrick Mahomes is the MVP by a wide margin, Chris Jones is in the running for Defensive Player of the Year, and Travis Kelce is having an all-time season. Again.