NFL Power Rankings - Week 12: Chiefs slip out of top 10, Broncos hit new low

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's NFL Editors, including Jack Browne, Michael McClymont, Mitch Sanderson, and Arun Srinivasan.

1. Philadelphia Eagles (9-1)

Previous Rank: 1st

Even when Carson Wentz isn't at his dynamic best, the Eagles can still steamroll opponents. Can anyone in the NFC take them down?

2. New England Patriots (8-2)

Previous Rank: 2nd

Bill Belichick won his 270th career game in Week 11, the third-most in NFL history. Let's take a second to appreciate the staggering achievement. - Browne

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-2)

Previous Rank: 4th

Should Antonio Brown be considered for MVP? He's putting an end to discussions about the league's best wide receiver while the Steelers pull away from the division. - Srinivasan

4. New Orleans Saints (8-2)

Previous Rank: 5th

It's been so long since the Saints have lost, they've forgotten how to. They snatched victory from the jaws of defeat Sunday and now have their sights set on the top seed in the NFC. - McClymont

5. Minnesota Vikings (8-2)

Previous Rank: 7th

The Vikings should be thankful that Case Keenum has surpassed expectations and that they've been able to withstand a host of injuries to run away with the NFC North. - Srinivasan

6. Los Angeles Rams (7-3)

Previous Rank: 3rd

Playing in tough games against strong teams with the expectation of winning is still new to these Rams. Let's give them another go before writing off their Super Bowl chances. - Sanderson

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-3)

Previous Rank: 10th

This is an important time for the Jags. They own a one-game lead in the AFC South and the biggest obstacle standing in the way of a return to the playoffs may be themselves. - McClymont

8. Atlanta Falcons (6-4)

Previous Rank: 11th

It's still right there in front of them. If the Falcons sweep their five remaining division games, they could retain the NFC South crown. - McClymont

9. Seattle Seahawks (6-4)

Previous Rank: 8th

As the Seahawks continue to not completely fall apart despite their injury issues, Russell Wilson's case for MVP gets progressively stronger. - Sanderson

10. Carolina Panthers (7-3)

Previous Rank: 9th

The NFC South race figures to be the most exciting the rest of the way, and, good or bad, the Panthers will be appointment viewing. - McClymont

11. Kansas City Chiefs (6-4)

Previous Rank: 6th

After losing to the Giants on Sunday, the Chiefs need to refocus and take care of business as they do not face a team with a winning record for the remainder of the season. - Sanderson

12. Detroit Lions (6-4)

Previous Rank: 14th

Detroit will certainly be thankful if it can catch a runaway Minnesota club on Thanksgiving, a sneaky good matchup between two potential playoff teams. - Srinivasan

13. Tennessee Titans (6-4)

Previous Rank: 13th

The Titans proved Thursday that they aren't ready to compete with the AFC's elite, but they don't need to be elite to win the AFC South. - McClymont

14. Dallas Cowboys (5-5)

Previous Rank: 12th

Maybe steer clear of Jerry Jones for a little bit. He might not be in the best of moods. - Browne

15. Baltimore Ravens (5-5)

Previous Rank: 18th

Don't look now but this Ravens defense is quietly carrying the team into playoff position. This team may be closer to yesteryear than previously imagined. - Srinivasan

16. Washington Redskins (4-6)

Previous Rank: 15th

Seriously, how did the Redskins blow a 15-point lead with less than five minutes to go? The loss to the Saints effectively ends Washington's season. - Browne

17. Los Angeles Chargers (4-6)

Previous Rank: 22nd

A blowout win over the Bills doesn't mean a whole lot right now, but the Chargers are actually making a case to be their division's best team as the AFC West begins to implode. - Sanderson

18. Oakland Raiders (4-6)

Previous Rank: 17th

All the laser pointers in the world couldn't have helped the Raiders slow down the Patriots in Mexico last Sunday, but the lackluster AFC is actually keeping them in the wild-card hunt. - Sanderson

19. New York Jets (4-6)

Previous Rank: 21st

Thanks to the Bills' punting on the season and the Patriots destroying the Raiders last weekend, the Jets are still very much alive in the wild-card hunt coming off their bye. - Browne

20. Buffalo Bills (5-5)

Previous Rank: 16th

Tom Brady has thrown one less interception over the last two seasons than Nathan Peterman did in Week 11. If you know a Bills fan, give them a much-needed hug. - Browne

21. Houston Texans (4-6)

Previous Rank: 25th

The injuries keep on coming for the Texans, who lost promising rookie D'Onta Foreman on a touchdown scamper. - McClymont

22. Arizona Cardinals (4-6)

Previous Rank: 19th

With Blaine Gabbert and his QB coach Byron Leftwich facing their former team, the Jaguars, the Cardinals remain watchable this week. Also, Larry Fitzgerald is about to break some more records. - Sanderson

23. Green Bay Packers (5-5)

Previous Rank: 20th

Borrowing a concept from baseball, how many wins above replacement is Aaron Rodgers? All of them? - Srinivasan

24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6)

Previous Rank: 29th

The Bucs have beaten the woeful Dolphins, Jets, Giants, and Bears. This season can't end soon enough for Tampa Bay. - McClymont

25. Cincinnati Bengals (4-6)

Previous Rank: 27th

Beating the Broncos doesn't provide any accurate indication of how the Bengals' season is going, unfortunately; nor will a win against the Browns on Sunday. - Srinivasan.

26. Chicago Bears (3-7)

Previous Rank: 28th

The Bears are always competitive, but spirit doesn't count in the standings. They're in for a tough day against a red-hot Eagles team. - Srinivasan

27. Miami Dolphins (4-6)

Previous Rank: 23rd

The Ajayi trade is still questionable, but the Dolphins have to be ecstatic with the play of Kenyan Drake and Damien Williams. The rest of the team on the other hand ... - Browne

28. Indianapolis Colts (3-7)

Previous Rank: 26th

So what's the plan for the rest of this season? The Colts don't appear to have one. - McClymont

29. New York Giants (2-8)

Previous Rank: 31st

An upset of the Chiefs isn't enough to cool off Ben McAdoo's red-hot seat, but it gives the head coach a chance at saving his job over the last six games. - Browne

30. Denver Broncos (3-7)

Previous Rank: 24th

Remember when the Broncos ran up the score against the Cowboys in Week 2 and everyone thought they were Super Bowl favorites? Week 2 was a long time ago. - Sanderson

31. San Francisco 49ers (1-9)

Previous Rank: 30th

The bye week is over and it is officially time to start relentlessly bugging Kyle Shanahan about when Jimmy Garoppolo is going to play. Ready? Go. - Sanderson

32. Cleveland Browns (0-10)

Previous Rank: 32nd

We wonder if Browns fans are imagining shaking Roger Goodell's hand, while wearing a draft cap and posing awkwardly. That fleeting moment is the only thing to look forward to. - Srinivasan