NFL Power Rankings - Week 13: Cowboys, Eagles return to top 5; Lions, Chiefs fall

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's NFL Editors, including David P. Woods, Michael Amato, Caitlyn Holroyd and Gino Bottero.

1. New England Patriots

Previous Rank: 1st

The Patriots travel to Lambeau Field to play the Green Bay Packers in a potential Super Bowl preview Sunday. Try to think about that and not salivate. - David P. Woods

2. Green Bay Packers

Previous Rank: 2nd

The Packers have the Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the schedule over the next month, making it a very realistic possibility they will earn the NFC's No. 1 seed. Having to travel to Lambeau in January is going to be no easy task for playoff opponents. - Michael Amato

3. Denver Broncos

Previous Rank: 4th

The Broncos had a little more trouble with the Miami Dolphins than they probably should have, but the win improved the team to 22-3 in Denver since Peyton Manning came to town. They'll probably have to go back to New England if they want to return to the Super Bowl, though. - Gino Bottero

4. Dallas Cowboys

Previous Rank: 6th

Dallas survived a surprisingly tough test by the New York Giants on Sunday, as its offensive line proved it is one of the best in the business. The unit gave Tony Romo tons of time on a game-winning drive and they'll need to do the same on Thursday against an aggressive Philadelphia Eagles defense. - Michael Amato

5. Philadelphia Eagles

Previous Rank: 8th

The Eagles have beaten just one team with a winning record all season. They'll be put to the test over the next three weeks, with two games against the Cowboys and one versus the Seahawks. - Michael Amato

6. Seattle Seahawks

Previous Rank: 9th

The Seahawks needed a victory over the Arizona Cardinals to get back into the NFC West playoff race and achieved exactly that. Consistency remains an issue for Seattle and the team has a tough stretch of games ahead. - Caitlyn Holroyd

7. Arizona Cardinals

Previous Rank: 3rd

The Cardinals had their six-game winning streak snapped by the Seahawks in Week 12 and were held to a season-low 204 total yards. They still hold the best record in the NFC and will have an opportunity to rebound against the Falcons on Sunday. - Caitlyn Holroyd

8. Indianapolis Colts

Previous Rank: 10th

If the Colts are serious about being Super Bowl contenders, they need to swallow their pride and admit the Trent Richardson trade was a complete failure. Dan Herron should carry the load. - David P. Woods

9. Baltimore Ravens

Previous Rank: 13th

A great win for the Ravens on Monday night in New Orleans – one they needed to keep pace in the ridiculously tough AFC North. The team's offensive line deserves a ton of credit for Justin Forsett's career night, they dominated at the point of attack. - Gino Bottero

10. Kansas City Chiefs

Previous Rank: 5th

The Chiefs were guilty of looking past a cupcake matchup in advance of a date with the Broncos for the second time this season when they fell to the Raiders on Thursday. They host the Broncos on Sunday night and would fall out of the AFC West race with a loss. - Gino Bottero

11. Cincinnati Bengals

Previous Rank: 14th

The Bengals have gotten back on track in a big way with back-to-back road wins. It's no coincidence that the team's bounce back has coincided with A.J. Green's return to form. Even though it's their third consecutive road game, the Bengals can't afford to let Sunday's game against the Buccaneers get away from them if they hope to keep pace in the AFC North. - Gino Bottero

12. San Francisco 49ers

Previous Rank: 12th

Like the Seahawks, the 49ers are a talented team that could find themselves on the outside looking in when the dust settles in the NFC. That should make for an interesting Thanksgiving Day clash between the two teams. - Caitlyn Holroyd

13. Pittsburgh Steelers

Previous Rank: 11th

The team's bye week came in the nick of time after a pair of shaky performances against AFC bottom feeders. The team's playoff fate figures to be decided by how they fare against the Cincinnati Bengals, who they'll face twice in the final four weeks of the season. - Gino Bottero

14. Detroit Lions

Previous Rank: 7th

Detroit hasn't scored a touchdown in two games as the offense continues to sputter. The Lions' upcoming schedule is friendly, but if they hope to make the postseason and compete with teams like Philadelphia and Green Bay, they need to start scoring some points. - Michael Amato

15. San Diego Chargers

Previous Rank: 15th

With back-to-back wins since their bye, the Chargers have quietly snuck back into AFC West contention, moving level with the Chiefs and one win back of the Broncos. Their schedule is too tough the rest of the way to imagine them making much of a run, though. - Gino Bottero

16. Cleveland Browns

Previous Rank: 17th

So much for easing Josh Gordon back into game action. Brian Hoyer targeted him 17 times on Sunday and Gordon brought in eight of those passes for 120 yards. The Browns have been guilty of letting winnable games slip away. They can't let that happen again in Buffalo this weekend. - Gino Bottero

17. Miami Dolphins

Previous Rank: 16th

The Dolphins gave the Broncos all they could handle but couldn't steal a win. They have three winnable games remaining against the Jets (twice) and Vikings, but must beat either the Ravens or Patriots to have a realistic shot at the playoffs. - David P. Woods

18. Buffalo Bills

Previous Rank: 19th

It would be a great story if a record snowfall and a week of uncertainty was the moment that galvanized the Bills for a playoff push, but the sad reality is that it's probably too little, too late. - David P. Woods

19. Chicago Bears

Previous Rank: 23rd

The Bears have won two straight, but the latest victory came in unconvincing fashion over the lowly Buccaneers. With as much talent as Chicago has on the roster, it remains a mystery why they can't play with more consistency. - Michael Amato

20. St. Louis Rams

Previous Rank: 22nd

The Rams put up a good fight against the Chargers, but found themselves on the wrong side of a 27-24 loss after a late interception from Shaun Hill. This team is one quarterback away from becoming a playoff contender. - Caitlyn Holroyd

21. Houston Texans

Previous Rank: 18th

Oh, oh, oh, Fitzmagic! You know ... who keeps letting this guy throw? Oh, oh, oh, Fitzmagic! You know ... 'cause Mallett tore his pectoral. - David P. Woods

22. Atlanta Falcons

Previous Rank: 21st

Mike Smith's clock mismanagement was on display once again in Week 12. The result? A last-second field goal and another narrow loss for the Falcons. - Caitlyn Holroyd

23. New Orleans Saints

Previous Rank: 20th

The Saints can't win at home or on the road, yet, somehow, they're still tied for first place in the NFC South. - Caitlyn Holroyd

24. Minnesota Vikings

Previous Rank: 24th

Minnesota put up a good fight against one of the league's best on Sunday, but concern has to be growing over Teddy Bridgewater. The rookie quarterback doesn't appear to be making enough strides as a passer and continues to miss some easy throws. - Michael Amato

25. Carolina Panthers

Previous Rank: 25th

The Panthers had a week to rest up and remain alive in the playoff race thanks to losses by the Saints, Falcons and Buccaneers. They have several winnable games down the stretch, but with the way the division has been playing this season, that may be easier said than done. - Caitlyn Holroyd

26. New York Giants

Previous Rank: 27th

The Giants have now lost six straight games and are struggling to close things out in the fourth quarter. If only they could throw it to Odell Beckham Jr. every single play. - Michael Amato

27. Tennessee Titans

Previous Rank: 28th

The Titans' offensive line, which boasts two first-round draft picks and two highly paid free agents, is so bad that it may be impossible for the team to properly evaluate what it has in rookie quarterback Zach Mettenberger. - David P. Woods

28. New York Jets

Previous Rank: 26th

Rex Ryan says he doesn't think he'll be fired before the end of the season. He's an astute guy, though. He knows the axe is coming within minutes of the final whistle in Week 17. - David P. Woods

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Previous Rank: 29th

Getting a win on the road against Lovie Smith's old team would have been huge for the Bucs. Instead, they practically handed the game to the Bears, guaranteeing themselves a losing record for the fourth consecutive season. - Caitlyn Holroyd

30. Washington Redskins

Previous Rank: 30th

It was reported that head coach Jay Gruden wouldn't hesitate to pull Robert Griffin III if he played poorly against the 49ers. Griffin did just that, but managed to avoid a benching during the game. However, the team is reportedly turning to Colt McCoy as its starter this week.  - Michael Amato

31. Oakland Raiders

Previous Rank: 32nd

Now that the Raiders have that elusive win out of the way, they can focus on evaluating their young players and looking forward to next season. Task one needs to be figuring out exactly what they've got in running back Latavius Murray. - Gino Bottero

32. Jacksonville Jaguars

Previous Rank: 31st

The Jaguars forced six fumbles and sacked Andrew Luck five times, yet they still got blown out. That takes a special level of ineptitude. - David P. Woods