Nolan Anderson’s NFL Power Rankings: Post Week 13
What a wild week! We lost some quarterbacks and saw some comebacks, lets see how that affected this week’s ranking.
CONTENDERS
- Eagles (last week #2)
The Eagles are proving with each win that they can win in multiple ways. Dominant through the air? Check. Dominant on the ground? Double check.
- Bills (last week #4)
After a tough November, the Bills started December with their first win over a divisional opponent this season, and with the win find themselves back as the #1 seed in the AFC. With each passing week Josh Allen’s elbow looks less like a concern.
- Bengals (last week #7)
The Bengals have played the Chiefs three times in the last calendar year, and they have won every single time.
- Cowboys (last week #5)
Any doubts the Cowboys had about their ability to put away teams was gone on Sunday with the fourth quarter drumming of the Colts.
- Chiefs (last week #1)
Mahomes lost only the second game of his career in the month of December. The Bengals may have the Chiefs number, but Mahomes is still the favorite to win MVP.
- 49ers (last week #6)
The loss of Jimmy G is devastating. Losing two starting quarterbacks in the first 12 games of the season may be too much for this team to overcome, despite all the talent on both sides of the ball.
- Dolphins (last week #3)
The Dolphins lacked some of their field stretching speed on Sunday with WR Waddle missing plays, and the results were evident. Without a full stable of weapons, Tua looked like his 2021 self.
- Vikings (last week #8)
Justin Jefferson may be one of the most impactful non-quarterback players in the league. As long as he is healthy, the Vikings have a high ceiling.
PLAYOFF HOPEFULS
- Ravens (last week #10)
The Ravens last three games, two tight wins against the Panthers and Broncos, and a loss to the Jaguars. Add-on a Lamar Jackson injury and the Ravens arrow is trending downwards.
- Commanders (last week 11)
No one plays for a tie, but on Sunday Ron Rivera and the Commanders coaching staff certainly coached for one.
- Jets (last week #12)
Mike White is legit. Having a component passer behind center truly cements the Jets as a post season contender.
- Giants (last week #14)
The Giants are losing players left and right, with the most injured team in the league. The tie may signal the beginning of the end from this once promising season.
- Titans (last week #11)
When King Henry can only muster 33 yards, you’re not going to win many games.
- Seahawks (Last week #14)
The season of Geno Smith continues. With a top five rating of balls thrown down the field of 20 yards plus. The passing game for the Seahawks is emerging as one of the tops in the league.
- Chargers (last week #13)
Another loss puts the Chargers behind the 8 ball, making every game from here out a must win.
PLAYOFF HOPEFULS (that I don’t feel good about)
- Lions (last week #20)
The Lions dropped 40 (40!) points on the Jaguars. When this offense clicks, the points follow.
- Buccaneers (last week #17)
What a difference a quarter makes. At the end of the third quarter, Tom Brady was yelling at everyone on the sidelines. By the end of the game, he was all smiles as he led the Bucs to another comeback win.
- Patriots (last week #16)
I think it was a good sign to see QB Mac Jones yelling on the sidelines at the coaching staff about the play calls. In a loss, Jones showed his leadership.
- Falcons (last week #19)
There are rising calls to see rookie Desmond Ridder take the reigns over Mariota, and bases on the continued poor offensive performance, that change should come sooner than later.
MAYBE NEXT YEAR
- Packers (last week #22)
Playing the Bears is basically a bye week for the Packers. Aaron Rodgers and company still own the Bears.
- Browns (last week #21)
Its fitting that in Deshaun Watson’s return, all the touchdowns scored were by the defense and special teams.
- Steelers (last week #24)
The offense is young and building, but the defense is a top five unit in the league. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick sealed the win with an interception, and the Steelers D looks to play spoiler for the rest of the year.
- Jaguars (last week #18)
We should have seen the loss for the Jaguars coming. It’s been literal years since the Jags have won back-to-back games.
- Cardinals (last week #25)
With the bye under their belts, hopefully the Cardinals regrouped, as it’s been a tough season so far for the Cards.
- Saints (las week #27)
The Saints looked an awful like the ‘Aints’ this past Sunday.
- Raiders (last week 28)
The Raiders have quietly put together 3 consecutive wins, and the Raiders are starting to look like they believe in their coaching staff.
- Bears (last week #23)
If I am a Bears fan, these past few weeks have been a dream. Justin Fields is looking like one of the most dangerous runners in the league, but the Bears keep losing and are in line for a top five draft pick.
- Colts (last week #26)
The Jeff Saturday experiment is not looking to great four games in. Matt Ryan is throwing like a corpse and the offense is floundering.
- Panthers (last week #29)
The most interesting thing to happen to the Panthers was that they released Baker Mayfield
- Rams (last week #30)
The season from hell continues. Stafford was placed on IR, and the Rams are fielding a team of nobodies.
- Broncos (last week #31)
Another week, another game where the Broncos couldn’t even muster 12 points. This team is one of the most disappointing in recent memories.
- Texans (last week #32)
Some Houston beat reports on Sunday thought the Texans might be piping in boos through the speakers on Sunday. The state of the Texans is so bad they don’t have enough fans to boo.
