NFL Power Rankings - Week 12: Chiefs move into top 10; Buccaneers make massive jump
The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's NFL Editors, including Jack Browne, Caitlyn Holroyd, Arun Srinivasan, and Dan Wilkins.
1. New England Patriots
Browne | Holroyd | Srinivasan | Wilkins |
---|---|---|---|
2nd | 1st | 1st | 1st |
Previous Rank: 1st
It's a terrifying proposition that the Bills largely neutralized Chandler Jones and Rob Gronkowski and the Patriots won by seven. Up next for the defending champions is a hotly anticipated date with the Denver Broncos, and their No. 1-ranked scoring defense. - Arun Srinivasan
2. Carolina Panthers
Browne | Holroyd | Srinivasan | Wilkins |
---|---|---|---|
1st | 2nd | 2nd | 2nd |
Previous Rank: 2nd
Cam Newton and the Panthers dismantled the Redskins on Sunday, cementing their position as the best team in the NFC. Newton showed that he doesn't always need his legs to win, rushing for a season-low 16 yards, but throwing five touchdown passes. - Jack Browne
3. Arizona Cardinals
Browne | Holroyd | Srinivasan | Wilkins |
---|---|---|---|
3rd | 3rd | 3rd | 3rd |
Previous Rank: 4th
Carson Palmer is three touchdown passes away from tying Kurt Warner's single-season franchise record ... and he still has five games left to play. - Caitlyn Holroyd
4. Cincinnati Bengals
Browne | Holroyd | Srinivasan | Wilkins |
---|---|---|---|
4th | 5th | 4th | 4th |
Previous Rank: 3rd
There's no shame in losing a hard-fought road game to another Super Bowl contender, but at some point the Bengals will have to get it done under the bright lights. - Dan Wilkins
5. Denver Broncos
Browne | Holroyd | Srinivasan | Wilkins |
---|---|---|---|
5th | 4th | 5th | 6th |
Previous Rank: 6th
The Brock Osweiler era is off to a good start in Denver. He completed 20-of-27 passes for 250 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions against the Bears – a stat line eerily similar to the one Peyton Manning put up in his Broncos debut in 2012. - Caitlyn Holroyd
6. Green Bay Packers
Browne | Holroyd | Srinivasan | Wilkins |
---|---|---|---|
6th | 6th | 6th | 5th |
Previous Rank: 8th
Just when it appeared as though the Packers were going to surrender control of the NFC North, bounce-back performances from both Aaron Rodgers and Eddie Lacy led the way to a massive win over the Vikings. - Dan Wilkins
7. Minnesota Vikings
Browne | Holroyd | Srinivasan | Wilkins |
---|---|---|---|
8th | 8th | 7th | 7th |
Previous Rank: 5th
Their impressive winning streak came to an end after five strong weeks, but Minnesota shouldn't have much trouble getting another run started next week against an ice-cold Falcons team. - Dan Wilkins
8. Pittsburgh Steelers
Browne | Holroyd | Srinivasan | Wilkins |
---|---|---|---|
7th | 7th | 8th | 8th |
Previous Rank: 7th
Pittsburgh's bye week came at the perfect time, as Ben Roethlisberger should be set to go for the stretch run. All of a sudden, two straight losses from the Bengals even has the division within reach. - Dan Wilkins
9. Seattle Seahawks
Browne | Holroyd | Srinivasan | Wilkins |
---|---|---|---|
9th | 9th | 9th | 9th |
Previous Rank: 9th
The Seahawks may be without Marshawn Lynch for a second straight week because of an abdominal injury, but with rookie Thomas Rawls playing as well as he is, that shouldn't matter. - Caitlyn Holroyd
10. Kansas City Chiefs
Browne | Holroyd | Srinivasan | Wilkins |
---|---|---|---|
11th | 10th | 12th | 10th |
Previous Rank: 15th
Remember when the Chiefs were 1-5 and everyone thought their season was over? Well, they're now riding a four-game winning streak and sitting in the final playoff spot in the AFC. - Caitlyn Holroyd
11. New York Giants
Browne | Holroyd | Srinivasan | Wilkins |
---|---|---|---|
10th | 11th | 10th | 12th |
Previous Rank: 11th
New York comes out of its bye week with a pivotal contest against Washington. Luckily, the league's worst-ranked pass defense will be aided by the return of cornerback Prince Amukamara. - Arun Srinivasan
12. Buffalo Bills
Browne | Holroyd | Srinivasan | Wilkins |
---|---|---|---|
12th | 12th | 11th | 11th |
Previous Rank: 10th
The Bills played the Patriots as tough as any opponent this season, but it'll serve as little consolation, in trying to snap the NFL's longest playoff drought. Up next for the Bills are the ascendant Chiefs, who sport a four-game winning streak. - Arun Srinivasan
13. New York Jets
Browne | Holroyd | Srinivasan | Wilkins |
---|---|---|---|
13th | 14th | 15th | 15th |
Previous Rank: 14th
With the Jets' playoff bid quickly beginning to unravel, the team is in desperate need of a victory against the Dolphins on Sunday. - Arun Srinivasan
14. Indianapolis Colts
Browne | Holroyd | Srinivasan | Wilkins |
---|---|---|---|
16th | 13th | 13th | 16th |
Previous Rank: 21th
The victory over the Falcons came at a cost. With left tackle Anthony Castonzo, the Colts' only good offensive lineman, considered week to week with a knee injury, an already porous unit will now field an even weaker group to protect a 40-year-old Matt Hasselbeck. - Jack Browne
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Browne | Holroyd | Srinivasan | Wilkins |
---|---|---|---|
14th | 15th | 17th | 13th |
Previous Rank: 22nd
In a statement game from the Bucs, Jameis Winston and the offense had their best performance of the season against the Eagles. The playoffs might be a year too early for this team, but with their explosive talent, the future looks bright. - Jack Browne
16. Atlanta Falcons
Browne | Holroyd | Srinivasan | Wilkins |
---|---|---|---|
20th | 19th | 14th | 14th |
Previous Rank: 12th
Matt Ryan's pick-6 against the Colts while backed up in his own end zone might be the defining moment of the Falcons' season. Three straight losses have revealed that this team just isn't ready to contend right now, and despite being 6-4, it's hard to envision them playing in January. - Jack Browne
17. Houston Texans
Browne | Holroyd | Srinivasan | Wilkins |
---|---|---|---|
17th | 18th | 18th | 18th |
Previous Rank: 24th
DeAndre Hopkins didn't just enjoy his trip to "Revis Island," he picked a nice spot on the beach, had himself a few margaritas, and wondered to himself why everyone else was so scared to visit the place. The Texans are suddenly alive and kicking, not only for the AFC South title, but a wild-card spot. - Jack Browne
18. Dallas Cowboys
Browne | Holroyd | Srinivasan | Wilkins |
---|---|---|---|
15th | 16th | 24th | 17th |
Previous Rank: 27th
The Cowboys appear to be a completely different team with Tony Romo back in the lineup. With six games remaining, the Cowboys face an uphill battle in trying to hold the NFC East divisional title. - Arun Srinivasan
19. Oakland Raiders
Browne | Holroyd | Srinivasan | Wilkins |
---|---|---|---|
19th | 17th | 16th | 21st |
Previous Rank: 13th
The Raiders are looking like their old selves again after losing three straight. Amari Cooper was only targeted four times in their latest loss, something that will have to change if they're going to turn things around. - Caitlyn Holroyd
20. Chicago Bears
Browne | Holroyd | Srinivasan | Wilkins |
---|---|---|---|
18th | 20th | 19th | 19th |
Previous Rank: 16th
The Bears are a far more competitive team than many would have expected heading in, but they simply don't have the depth to overcome injuries. Chicago needs to get Alshon Jeffery and Matt Forte back to have a chance. - Dan Wilkins
21. Washington Redskins
Browne | Holroyd | Srinivasan | Wilkins |
---|---|---|---|
22nd | 22nd | 20th | 20th |
Previous Rank: 20th
In simple terms, the Redskins' season is on the line Sunday against the Giants, and Kirk Cousins could gain a contract extension with a strong performance. - Arun Srinivasan
22. Jacksonville Jaguars
Browne | Holroyd | Srinivasan | Wilkins |
---|---|---|---|
21st | 21st | 21st | 23rd |
Previous Rank: 23rd
The Jaguars' strength is their explosive talent on the outside, in standout receivers Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns. Despite an important win over the Titans, the Jaguars under-utilized their weapons and won despite questionable play-calling. Maximizing this offense is the only way they'll keep up with the Colts and Texans. - Jack Browne
23. St. Louis Rams
Browne | Holroyd | Srinivasan | Wilkins |
---|---|---|---|
24th | 24th | 22nd | 22nd |
Previous Rank: 17th
After showing promise early on, the Rams now look like they're heading towards another playoff-less season. These next five games – against the Bengals, Cardinals, Lions, Buccaneers, and Seahawks – will reveal just how good this team is. - Caitlyn Holroyd
24. Philadelphia Eagles
Browne | Holroyd | Srinivasan | Wilkins |
---|---|---|---|
23rd | 23rd | 23rd | 25th |
Previous Rank: 18th
DeMarco Murray's effort is openly being questioned by his teammates and the Eagles' high-octane offense is beginning to fall apart rapidly. - Arun Srinivasan
25. Miami Dolphins
Browne | Holroyd | Srinivasan | Wilkins |
---|---|---|---|
26th | 25th | 25th | 24th |
Previous Rank: 19th
Dan Campbell's hiring was a welcome distraction for a while, but the new head coach will need to fix the league's 26th-ranked scoring offense immediately if the Dolphins are to turn their season around. - Arun Srinivasan
26. Detroit Lions
Browne | Holroyd | Srinivasan | Wilkins |
---|---|---|---|
25th | 28th | 26th | 26th |
Previous Rank: 30th
Detroit's defense is finally starting to show flashes of the dominant unit that led the way to a playoff berth last season. It's far too late to make a difference this year, but it's certainly a positive sign nonetheless. - Dan Wilkins
27. New Orleans Saints
Browne | Holroyd | Srinivasan | Wilkins |
---|---|---|---|
27th | 26th | 27th | 27th |
Previous Rank: 25th
Coming off a bye, the Saints face a must-win game against the Texans. At 4-6, New Orleans is on the precipice of a lost season that is likely to ignite drastic changes in the offseason, a win keeps that at bay for another week and their faint playoff hopes alive. - Jack Browne
28. Baltimore Ravens
Browne | Holroyd | Srinivasan | Wilkins |
---|---|---|---|
30th | 27th | 28th | 28th |
Previous Rank: 26th
It's going from bad to worse for the Ravens. With Joe Flacco and Justin Forsett now lost for the season, the Ravens should end up with a top-five draft selection for the first time since 2000. - Dan Wilkins
29. San Francisco 49ers
Browne | Holroyd | Srinivasan | Wilkins |
---|---|---|---|
28th | 30th | 29th | 31st |
Previous Rank: 29th
If there was a silver lining in the 49ers' Week 11 loss to the Seahawks, it was the play of Blaine Gabbert. It's too early to know if he's the long-term answer at quarterback, but if he continues to play well, parting ways with Colin Kaepernick will become a lot easier for the 49ers. - Caitlyn Holroyd
30. Tennessee Titans
Browne | Holroyd | Srinivasan | Wilkins |
---|---|---|---|
29th | 29th | 32nd | 30th |
Previous Rank: 31st
A loss on Thursday night to the Jaguars has all but ended the Titans' season. Despite this, there should be optimism in Tennessee. The Titans should already be planning their offseason, and their main goal should be finding a head coach who can further nurture an impressive Marcus Mariota. (Hello, Hue Jackson.) - Jack Browne
31. San Diego Chargers
Browne | Holroyd | Srinivasan | Wilkins |
---|---|---|---|
31st | 31st | 31st | 29th |
Previous Rank: 28th
If Mike McCoy wasn't on the hot seat before, he definitely is now after the 33-3 pounding the Chargers took from the Chiefs. - Caitlyn Holroyd
32. Cleveland Browns
Browne | Holroyd | Srinivasan | Wilkins |
---|---|---|---|
32nd | 32nd | 30th | 32nd |
Previous Rank: 32nd
Cleveland was already in the running for the No. 1 overall pick, and now there isn't even a potential bright spot in seeing what Johnny Manziel can do down the stretch. The rebuilding never ends. - Dan Wilkins