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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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