Nolan Anderson’s NFL Power Rankings: Post Week 12
Twelve weeks in and the Contenders are starting to pull ahead of the pack, but the league remains as competitive as ever. Let’s break down the updated power rankings:
CONTENDERS
- Chiefs (last week #1)
The Chiefs absolutely dismantled last year’s Super Bowl champion (Rams) this week. Even with the loss of Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs have the most explosive offense in the NFL. Behind Mahomes and weapons like TE Travis Kelce, the Chiefs are in line to secure the number one seed in the AFC.
- Eagles (last week #2)
On Sunday, the Eagles rushed for the most yards in team history. Jalen Hurts set a record for most yards on the ground in a single quarter. This team has the formular to win in January.
- Dolphins (last week #3)
How dominant are the Dolphins becoming? With a quarter and a half to go in the game against the Texans, the Dolphins pulled their starters! They are in business.
- Bills (last week #4)
An eye needs to be kept on Josh Allen’s lingering elbow issue, but Two weeks in Detroit seemed to be the recipe to get this team on track.
- Cowboys (last week #5)
Since the return of Dak Prescott, the Cowboys have the third most effective offense in the league only behind the Dolphins and the Chiefs.
- 49ers (Last week #6)
Defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans has the 49ers defense playing at an elite level. Pitching a shutout against the Saints, the 49ers defense is a true force in the league.
- Bengals (last week #11)
In a rematch of the AFC divisional playoff game, the Bengals again got the better of the Titans. Even without Ja’Marr Chase, the offense is clicking and looking a lot like the offense that galvanized the 2021 Super Bowl run.
- Vikings (last week#8)
The Vikings needed this game after such a dismal showing against the Cowboys. When Kirk Cousins has the offense humming, the Vikings are dangerous.
- Ravens (last week #6)
The Ravens have all the talent but cannot close out games. In their four losses this season, they have at one point led each game by double digits in the fourth quarter.
PLAYOFF HOPEFULS
- Commanders (last week 11)
Off the field, the Commanders are a mess. (See their disastrous attempt at the Sean Taylor memorial). But on the field, the Commanders keep winning.
- Titans (last week #9)
The Titans are well coached, but when Derrick Henry is shutdown, the Titans don’t really have a plan B.
- Jets (last week #15)
The Jets turned to backup QB Mike White, and with a competent quarterback behind center, the Jets looked like a dominant team. White may not be the next Mahomes, but he is miles above Zach Wilson at the moment.
- Chargers (last week #17)
The Chargers are wracked with injuries on both sides of the ball, but with Justin Herbert at quarterback, they have a chance every week.
- Seahawks (Last week #12)
The offense on this team is still good, maybe even elite, but the defense is near the bottom of the league.
- Giants (last week #13)
The Giants might have hit the end of their scrappy ‘feel-good team’ run. With one of the tougher schedules for the remaining of the season, the Giants will need to recapture the early season magic to get to the playoffs.
PLAYOFF HOPEFULS (that I don’t feel good about)
- Patriots (last week #10)
The Patriots are truly the good bad team this year. They will beat every team they are supposed to beat, but that’s about it.
- Buccaneers (last week #16)
The Buccaneers looked washed on Sunday against the Browns. Brady was missing throws that he usually makes, and there was no cohesion. The only good news is that the Bucs paly in the worst division in the league.
- Jaguars (last week #18)
This may have been the best game of Trevor Lawrence’s career. The 4th quarter comeback he engineered was at top ten QB levels.
- Falcons (last week #20)
The Falcons may have lost to the Commanders but are only half a game back from leading the division.
MAYBE NEXT YEAR
- Lions (last week #21)
The Lions had their win streak snapped, but gave America something they haven’t done in years, a competitive thanksgiving game.
- Browns (last week #22)
In Jacoby Brissett’s swan song as the Browns starting quarterback, he led the team to an overtime win against Tom Brady. Not a bad way to cap of his year.
- Packers (last week #19)
I think its finally Jordan Love time for the Packers. In limited action against the eagles, Love looked more than serviceable, and would have an easy matchup next week against the porous Bears defense.
- Bears (last week #23)
Without Justin Fields in the game, this team is practically unwatchable.
- Steelers (las week #31)
Kenny Pickett showed flashes on Monday that highlighted why he was the only quarterback taken in the first round of last years draft. Things might be starting to click for him.
- Cardinals (last week 28)
Please refer to Kyler Murray’s press conference regarding the state of the Cardinals.
- Colts (last week #25)
It’s not a good sign when special teams accounts for half your touchdowns. Matt Ryan looked dead in the water on Monday against the Steelers, struggling to push the ball through the air over ten yards.
- Saints (last week #26)
I am not sure why the Saints are set in putting out Andy Dalton as their starter week after week. Jameis Winston might not be as careful with ball security as Dalton, but at least he can push the ball down the field.
- Raiders (last week #29)
We are a long way away from Josh Jacobs being played in the final preseason game as trade bait. On Sunday Jacobs had one of the most dominant offense outputs in Raider’s history.
- Panthers (last week #28)
The Panthers got a win. But it was against the Broncos, so is it really a victory? They’ll take anything in Carolina.
- Rams (last week #27)
That’s a wrap on the Ram’s season. Cooper Rush is out, Allen Robinson is out, Matt Stafford is out. It’s time to start looking forward to next year’s draft… Oh wait…
- Broncos (last week #30)
Blowups on the sidelines, the head coach acting oblivious. At least the Broncos are entertaining in their absolute dysfunction.
- Texans (last week #32)
Just ask wide receiver Brandin Cooks about the state of the Texans. When a reporter on Sunday asked Cooks when he knew they were outmatched, Books replied “as soon as we got off the bus.”
