NFL Power Rankings - Week 13: Seahawks reach top 10, Bengals plummet
The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's football editors, including Mike Alessandrini, Jack Browne, Michael McClymont, and Arun Srinivasan.
1. New Orleans Saints (10-1)
Previous Rank: 1
It's not even December, but New Orleans can clinch a playoff berth on Thursday with a win over the Cowboys. - McClymont
2. Los Angeles Rams (10-1)
Previous Rank: 2
Aqib Talib's imminent return from IR should help a Rams defense that's allowed an average of 42.3 points over its last three games. - Alessandrini
3. Kansas City Chiefs (9-2)
Previous Rank: 3
Patrick Mahomes and KC's high-flying offense were on a bye in Week 12, briefly sparing the rest of the league. - Alessandrini
4. New England Patriots (8-3)
Previous Rank: 5
Sony Michel shook off an injury scare to record a 133-yard, two-touchdown performance as the Patriots rolled over the Jets. They're not dominating the headlines, but look out for Tom Brady and Co. - Srinivasan
5. Los Angeles Chargers (8-3)
Previous Rank: 6
Here's hoping Melvin Gordon - the heartbeat of the Bolts' offense - can return before the end of the regular season and continue his incredibly productive campaign. - Alessandrini
6. Chicago Bears (8-3)
Previous Rank: 8
Ryan Pace should be firmly in the conversation for GM of the Year after building a roster that can lose its starting quarterback on a short week and keep on winning. - Browne
7. Houston Texans (8-3)
Previous Rank: 7
Eight straight victories after an 0-3 start is an incredible feat. At this point, the Texans are looking to host a playoff game. - McClymont
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3-1)
Previous Rank: 4
Once again, Pittsburgh played down to its opponent, losing to Denver and handing New England the inside track to home-field advantage in the AFC. - Browne
9. Minnesota Vikings (6-4-1)
Previous Rank: 10
They won't say it, but killing the Packers' season must have felt so good. Next, Mike Zimmer's squad will look to hunt down Chicago. - Browne
10. Seattle Seahawks (6-5)
Previous Rank: 11
It appears that writing the Seahawks off prior to the season was premature. This team is squarely in the playoff hunt, and Pete Carroll deserves a ton of credit. - Alessandrini
11. Carolina Panthers (6-5)
Previous Rank: 9
The Panthers have lost three straight games at an inopportune time and must fix their defense to reach the playoffs. - McClymont
12. Indianapolis Colts (6-5)
Previous Rank: 12
Nobody wants to face the Colts, who are brimming with so much confidence right now that they're using their franchise quarterback with a rebuilt shoulder as a wideout on trick plays. - McClymont
13. Dallas Cowboys (6-5)
Previous Rank: 16
The Cowboys are thankful for the Amari Cooper trade, which - after drawing much derision - appears to be paying dividends with the 24-year-old thriving in his new offense. - Srinivasan
14. Baltimore Ravens (6-5)
Previous Rank: 15
Baltimore's impending choice between Joe Flacco and Lamar Jackson under center is the biggest remaining wild-card factor in the AFC. - Browne
15. Philadelphia Eagles (5-6)
Previous Rank: 19
Contrary to popular belief, the defending champs aren't dead in the water just yet. However, they'll need to be more consistent to usurp the Cowboys and Redskins in the NFC East. - Srinivasan
16. Washington Redskins (6-5)
Previous Rank: 13
It's unfair to expect a carbon copy of Alex Smith, but Colt McCoy must curb his costly picks for the Redskins to survive in the playoff race. - Srinivasan
17. Green Bay Packers (4-6-1)
Previous Rank: 17
Green Bay's mathematically alive in the NFC, but it's probably time to look ahead and consider major changes for 2019. - Browne
18. Denver Broncos (5-6)
Previous Rank: 22
Don’t look now, but Vance Joseph's squad has won two straight games and will face the hurting Bengals before the struggling 49ers. A playoff berth isn't out of the question. - Alessandrini
19. Tennessee Titans (5-6)
Previous Rank: 18
Memo to the Titans: Consider using your 250-pound back in key 4th-and-short situations. - McClymont
20. Cleveland Browns (4-6-1)
Previous Rank: 24
Cleveland continues to provide the league's juiciest drama, and Baker's snub of Hue could be hard to top. - Browne
21. Cincinnati Bengals (5-6)
Previous Rank: 14
Andy Dalton - who's done for 2018 - can be cut in the offseason with no cap hit. Jeff Driskel might be auditioning for the 2019 starting job. - Browne
22. Miami Dolphins (5-6)
Previous Rank: 20
Ryan Tannehill submitted an efficient performance against Indy, but it wasn't enough for the Dolphins, who appear to be sinking at the worst time. - Srinivasan
23. Atlanta Falcons (4-7)
Previous Rank: 21
Dan Quinn got the ol' vote of confidence from Falcons owner Arthur Blank - the surest sign that a season is going badly. McClymont
24. Buffalo Bills (4-7)
Previous Rank: 27
Josh Allen showed off his rocket arm while silencing Jalen Ramsey, perhaps once and for all. The Bills could close out the year on an unexpectedly positive note. - Srinivasan
25. Detroit Lions (4-7)
Previous Rank: 23
Marvin Jones is finished for the year, which couldn't come at worse time for Matt Stafford, whose future in Detroit is - rightfully - being questioned. - Browne
26. New York Giants (3-8)
Previous Rank: 26
Odell Beckham Jr. scrutinized the Giants' offensive game plan again after dropping another winnable contest. You have to feel for the uber-talented star at this point. - Srinivasan
27. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-8)
Previous Rank: 25
The Jaguars haven't won a game since September. Let's hope they've been scouting college QBs. - McClymont
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7)
Previous Rank: 28
The Bucs' defense somehow held a team under 10 points. That team was the Nick Mullens-led Niners, but still. - McClymont
29. New York Jets (3-8)
Previous Rank: 29
Remember when the 3-3 Jets were promising and full of life? Yeah, neither do we. - Srinivasan
30. San Francisco 49ers (2-9)
Previous Rank: 30
The Mullens magic has worn off, and Niners fans are surely counting down the days until 2019. - Alessandrini
31. Oakland Raiders (2-9)
Previous Rank: 31
His offensive weapons resemble that of an unranked college team, but Derek Carr hasn't played nearly well enough to instill confidence for next year. - Alessandrini
32. Arizona Cardinals (2-9)
Previous Rank: 32
New OC, same result. Arizona's averaged fewer than 16 points per game since Byron Leftwich took over the offense. - Alessandrini