NFL Power Rankings

It was an enjoyable week of football. Thanksgiving provided some good moments (well, at least the first two games), and the weekend was a nice encore. I loved that my Bears and my Colts both won, and I loved that the Packers lost! Here are the up to date power rankings:

NFL Power Rankings

Through Week 12

Andrew – 975 Points (112-63-1)

Greg – 928 Points (108-67-1) – Winner of Week 12

NOTE: Last week’s rank is noted in the first parenthesis. Current team record noted in the second parenthesis.

1. (1) Houston Texans (10-1) – In the most exciting Thanksgiving game, the Texans won in OT at Detroit. I was very impressed with their balanced offensive attack and the poise they showed in pulling that game out. – Andrew

2. (4) New England Patriots (8-3) – They showed the NFL last week that they are in a different league than most teams on the offensive side of the ball. Their defense is still iffy when they play good teams though. – Andrew

3. (2) Atlanta Falcons (10-1) – They won another close game on Sunday. But as impressive as that is, I feel they play to the level of their competition instead of at an elite level all the time. – Andrew

4. (6) Baltimore Ravens (9-2) – The have essentially clinched their division already but they still play with passion. Their 4^th and 29 conversion on a dump off to Ray Rice is the epitome of the heart they possess as a team. – Andrew

5. (7) Denver Broncos (8-3) – On Sunday they won with defense. Peyton and company had a rare off day but their defense proved they are a great unit. That’s now six wins in a row so look out! – Andrew

6. (3) San Francisco 49ers (8-2-1) – I personally hate the QB questions and controversy that is going on in San Francisco. If the 49ers are legit Super Bowl contenders, they shouldn’t be in this situation. Alex Smith should be the starter if healthy, end of story. What he did last year in the playoffs is something I trust over a running, rookie QB. – Andrew

7. (8) Chicago Bears (8-3) – What a difference a quarterback can make. After losing two straight games essentially without Cutler, he returns and they played like an elite team once again. Injuries to Hester, Forte, Tillman, and some lineman is a concern though moving forward. – Andrew

8. (11) New York Giants (7-4) – Sunday night was a great bounce back performance after playing some bad football of late. Eli looked like himself again, and the defense looked like it did in the playoffs a year ago. – Andrew

9. (5) Green Bay Packers (7-4) – The Packers looked extremely mediocre this week. The injuries on offense and their terrible offensive line lead me to question the unit’s effectiveness against elite defenses. And thinking about their defense makes me want to vomit. – Andrew

10. (14) Indianapolis Colts (7-4) – For the first time in a long time, I was more impressed with the Colts defense on Sunday than the offense. That’s a scary thought considering how much I like Andrew Luck. – Andrew

11. (17) Cincinnati Bengals (6-5) – Cincinnati continues to pile up wins against inferior competition. That’s not a bad thing though because now they are firmly in the mix for a playoff spot. – Andrew

12. (19) Washington Redskins (5-6) – Thanksgiving showed us one sure thing: RGIII is very, very good. The playoffs are in reach in a crowded AFC, but a huge game against the Giants looms large. – Andrew

13. (9) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-5) – Losing the Atlanta isn’t a bad thing, except that it was at home, and they have a brutal road schedule coming up. All of a sudden their playoff chances are in serious jeopardy. – Andrew

14. (12) New Orleans Saints (5-6) – I would blame their defense for their loss to San Francisco but their offense only scored 21 points, and gave up 14 points on pick-6’s. That’s not beating anyone. – Andrew

15. (10) Seattle Seahawks (6-5) – With the likely suspensions of their CB’s, I don’t see how this team will be able to survive. I don’t like their chances at all this week at Chicago. – Andrew

16. (13) Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5) – Bad news: they had eight turnovers on Sunday and are playing some very ugly football. Good news: Big Ben is on track to return which means they can right the ship. – Andrew

17. (15) Minnesota Vikings (6-5) – Without Percy Harvin they truly have a stagnant offense. This week in Green Bay could be as ugly as it was in Chicago. – Andrew

18. (16) Dallas Cowboys (5-6) – Dallas needs to learn to play 60 minutes. They dig themselves too big of holes early in games and it’s why they are under .500. I say quit trying to run and unleash Romo immediately… he is on two of my fantasy teams after all. – Andrew

19. (18) Detroit Lions (4-7) – Now losers of three straight games, this one goes on the coach for his challenge blunder. Although it was also karma since Suh kicked a guy in the nuts. That never goes well. – Andrew

20. (23) Miami Dolphins (5-6) – Just when I finally gave up on this team, they go out there and win. I still can’t grasp how good or bad this team really is. – Andrew

21. (21) San Diego Chargers (4-7) – One play can sum up there season: ahead on Sunday by 3, they gave up a first down on 4^th and 29 first without committing a penalty. It led to a FG as time expired and they lost in OT. Classic. – Andrew

22. (25) St. Louis Rams (4-6-1) – Can’t give them too much credit for winning on Sunday… it was against the Cardinals with somebody Lindley at QB. – Andrew

23. (22) Buffalo Bills (4-7) – Despite have loads of talent, the Bills haven’t done much this season. It’s time to look to the future. – Andrew

24. (20) Tennessee Titans (4-7) – See what I said about Miami at #20, then think the opposite here. – Andrew

25. (29) Carolina Panthers (3-8) – It can’t be that hard to beat the Eagles, but Cam sure was impressive doing it. – Andrew

26. (30) Cleveland Browns (3-8) – After starting 0-5, the young Browns are 3-3 since then. They have some good things going for sure. – Andrew

27. (24) New York Jets (4-7) – I can’t way anything good about this team, their management, and their coaches. – Andrew

28. (26) Arizona Cardinals (4-7) – Opposite of Cleveland, this team started out well (4-0), but have fizzled of late (0-7). – Andrew

29. (27) Oakland Raiders (3-8) – Palmer didn’t have the homecoming he wanted. But it has been hard for this team without a healthy McFadden. – Andrew

30. (31) Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9) – With Chad Henne at QB, Jacksonville suddenly has life. I think they have the potential to play spoiler over the next few weeks. – Andrew

31. (28) Philadelphia Eagles (3-8) – Who would have thought the Eagles would be this bad? They are seriously in the running for the top pick in the upcoming draft. – Andrew

32. (32) Kansas City Chiefs (1-10) – I was actually somewhat impressed with their loss to Denver this past weekend. They kept it close and contained Manning better than most have. But they still lost and are seriously terrible. – Andrew

By: The Sports Guys