2022 NFL power rankings, Week 13: Dolphins, Chiefs stay hot
Two one-point decisions and a pair of overtime thrillers had some bearing on the latest edition of the NFL Power Rankings.
It was certainly a festive week in the NFL. All 32 teams were in action for the first time since mid-October. The slate saw half of the 16 contests clashes between AFC and NFC teams.
There were quite a few backup quarterbacks making their first starts of the season. And a few division leaders took it on the chin. When it was all said and done, it was quite a Week 12. And it all added up to some changes near the top of the NFL Power Rankings.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Click to jump directly to that point in the article.
- Nos. 32-29: Slide 1
- Nos. 28-25: Slide 2
- Nos. 24-22: Slide 3
- Nos. 21-19: Slide 4
- Nos. 18-16: Slide 5
- Nos. 15-13: Slide 6
- Nos. 12-10: Slide 7
- Nos. 9-7: Slide 8
- Nos. 6-4: Slide 9
- Nos. 3-1: Slide 10
Previous: . Houston Texans. 32. team. 10. . 1-9-1
Head coach Lovie Smith opted to sit down quarterback Davis Mills. Kyle Allen got the start at Miami and things did not go well as Houston was down 30-0 at the half and was outgained 287-32 after two quarters.
The Dolphins basically shut it down in the second half and that allowed Smith’s undermanned team to make the final score a bit respectable. But the Texans dropped their sixth straight game and secured a third consecutive losing season.
3-8. Previous: . Denver Broncos. 31. team. 45.
The Broncos were in Charlotte for the second time in three seasons still looking to get their offense on track. But Russell Wilson and company were shackled by the Panthers’ defense.
Denver finished with 246 total yards, was 4-of-14 on third down (0-for 1 on fourth down) and had the football for 22:57. Wilson was sacked three times, lost a fumble and hit on just 19-of-35 throws for 142 yards and one TD. The Broncos dropped their third straight game.
team. 51. . 3-8. Previous: . Los Angeles Rams. 30
Quarterback Bryce Perkins made his first NFL start as Sean McVay’s club clashed with the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The Rams dropped their fifth consecutive game and the team’s season-long issues on offense continued.
The club was limited to 198 total yards and the inexperienced Perkins threw for only 100 yards (1 touchdown), was picked off twice and sacked three times. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles’ defense gave up 437 total yards in the loss.
team. 57. . 3-9. Previous: . Chicago Bears. 29
Quarterback Justin Fields was nursing a shoulder injury so veteran Trevor Siemian got the nod on the road against the Jets. 40 seconds into the second quarter, the Bears owned a 10-7 lead via a Siemian TD pass to Byron Pringle.
But the Jets scored the final 24 points of the game and once again the Chicago defense had no answers. Matt Eberflus’ club gave up 466 total yards. The Bears have allowed 172 points in their last five games – all losses.