NFL Power Rankings – Week 13, John Crowe

NFL Power Rankings – Week 13, John Crowe

As we turn the page into December and the final home stretch of the NFL season, it becomes more and more about winning games than how you win those games. But, until we get to the playoffs, there are still style points to be won and lost. It’s those style points that impact our weekly power rankings. We call it the eye test.

For the last five weeks, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been the rulers of the roost. It’s been deserving of course. They are still the only undefeated team in the league at 11-0. Now, we have to ask ourselves, are they the BEST team? What do our eyes tell us?

After struggling to beat Baltimore in game that was moved three times due to COVID-19 positive tests from both teams, the Steelers have shown a bit of weakness just as they have in earlier closer than expected wins over Dallas, Philadelphia, Houston and Denver.

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What does head coach Mike Tomlin credit the latest lackluster effort to this past Wednesday?

“It was really junior varsity to be quite honest with you. It was in all three phases,” said Tomlin about his team’s performance in the postgame press conference according to the team’s website.  Tomlin went one step further in explaining why the Steelers struggled in the red zone. “Us sucking.”

So, if not the Steelers, then who? Who should take the top spot if Pittsburgh isn’t the best team in football? Who looks the part of the top team in the NFL? We make the case in the latest edition of our NFL Power Rankings.

Best of rest: Indianapolis Colts (7-4, Last week: 7th), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5, Last week: ranked 9th)

Like Mike Tyson used to say, “everybody has a plan until you get punched in the face.” The Colts had everything in their favor with the Titans, who they just beat two weeks ago in Tennessee, coming to the RCA Dome last Sunday. That was, until Derrick Henry punched them in the face to the tune of 178 yards and 3 first half touchdowns.

The week 13 bye comes at a perfect time for the Bucs, now losers of two in a row and three of their last four games. Now, Tom Brady and company get two weeks to right the pirate ship heading into the final four games to cement their playoff push. PREDICTION: The Bucs will be fine. They’ll win their last four games and go into the NFC Playoffs rolling on the road with an 11-5 record at whoever wins the NFC East (Least).

10. Los Angeles Rams (7-4, Last week: 8th)

Just like the Colts, the Rams were on a high coming into last Sunday’s home game against the 49ers. And just like the Colts, the Rams blew a golden opportunity to solidify their first place standing, losing 23-20 on a last-second Robbie Gould field goal. Now, it’s a sprint against Seattle to see who wins the NFC West. This week, they take on the Cardinals, a team that head coach Sean McVay has never lost against.

9. Cleveland Browns (8-3, Last week: not ranked)

They may not be as prolific through the air now without Odell Beckham Jr. out for the season, but these Browns can run the rock. They’re #1 in rushing offense at 161 yards per game and 1775 overall yards. The dynamic duo of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are as good a 1-2 punch in the league and it should lead Cleveland back to the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

8. Miami Dolphins (7-4, Last week: ranked: best of rest)

Will there be more Fitz-magic in Miami’s future? With Tua Tagovailoa nursing a thumb and wrist injury that leaves him a game-time decision again this week, Ryan Fitzpatrick is back at the QB helm for the Dolphins. Miami better take care of the Bengals this week because the iron is coming in the form of the Chiefs and Patriots the next two weeks.

7. Tennessee Titans (8-3, Last week: ranked Best of Rest)

Just when you want to count Mike Vrabel’s crew out, they run right over Indianapolis 45-26 to reclaim the top spot in the AFC South. If nothing else, this team has grit. Having Derrick Henry as its workhorse gives Ryan Tannehill every opportunity to mix in that downfield aerial passing game with AJ Brown.  

6. Green Bay Packers (8-3, Last week: ranked 6th)

Aaron Rodgers just loves beating up on those Chicago Bears. Sunday’s 41-25 victory wasn’t nearly that close as Green Bay led 41-10 heading into the final 15 minutes. Now the Packers welcome the Philadelphia Eagles to Lambeau Field in what should be another somewhat easy victory for the Pack.

5. Seattle Seahawks (8-3, Last week: ranked 5th)

Monday night’s win 23-17 over Philly was anything but overly impressive, but it was very effective. No heavy lifting and Seattle’s back in first place in the NFC West. The Seahawks stay with the NFC East theme this Sunday, hosting the Giants who could be without QB Daniel Jones, who’s doubtful dealing with a hamstring injury.

4. Buffalo Bills (8-3, Last week: ranked 4th)

Back off a bye, the Bills contained the Chargers. This Sunday, Buffalo returns to the scene of their Hail Murray last-second loss to the Cardinals, this time facing the 49ers in Arizona after the COVID-19 pandemic forced them out of California.

3. New Orleans Saints (9-2, Last week: ranked 3rd)

The Saints won’t get as lucky this week as facing a team without a quarterback as they did last Sunday in Denver. The Falcons are much more offensive than the Broncos and Matt Ryan is no Ryan Hilton. Hard to believe that the Saints were 1-2 after three weeks. They haven’t lost since September and so far, even a Drew Brees injury isn’t slowing them down.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-0, Last week: ranked 1st)

For the first time in since week 7, the Steelers find themselves in a strange position in our rankings – not at the top. They still may be undefeated, but some of the shine is off as they’ve struggled to beat less teams like the Eagles, Cowboys, Broncos and now an out-manned Baltimore team this past Wednesday, 19-14. Pittsburgh needs to get its rhythm back if it wants to be the first undefeated regular season team since the 2007 Patriots. Losing linebacker Bud Dupree to a season-ending torn ACL makes that a tougher task.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (10-1, Last week: ranked 2nd)

Back in charge and back in first place are the Chiefs. What Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill did to demolish the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first quarter (203 yards, 2 touchdowns) was over-the-top impressive. They reminded me of the 1986 Boston Celtics who would toy with teams in the regular season, fully knowing the only thing that matters were the playoffs and an eventual championship.

Last week:
Best of Rest: Titans, Dolphins
10. Cardinals
9. Buccaneers
8. Rams
7. Colts
6. Packers
5. Seahawks
4. Bills
3. Saints
2. Chiefs
1. Steelers