NFL Power Rankings - Week 14: Red-hot Cowboys break into top 10
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. Los Angeles Rams (11-1)
Previous Rank: 2
The Rams return to the top of the NFL thanks to the Saints' flop and Aaron Donald, who continues to make NFL linemen look like high schoolers. - Browne
2. New Orleans Saints (10-2)
Previous Rank: 1
New Orleans was bound to have an off night. If that ends up being a three-point loss on the road against the NFL's second-ranked scoring defense, the team will be OK. - Srinivasan
3. Kansas City Chiefs (10-2)
Previous Rank: 3
Peyton Manning should be getting nervous. With four games left, Patrick Mahomes has a great shot at breaking The Sheriff's single-season passing touchdown mark. - Browne
4. New England Patriots (9-3)
Previous Rank: 4
New England's dynamic backfield isn't getting enough credit. James White, Rex Burkhead, and Sony Michel combined for 229 total yards against the Vikings. And let's not forget career 1,000-yard rusher Tom Brady. - Alessandrini
5. Los Angeles Chargers (9-3)
Previous Rank: 5
Keenan Allen rarely gets the love other top receivers do, but with Melvin Gordon out, he's been the driving force of a scary Chargers offense. - Browne
6. Houston Texans (9-3)
Previous Rank: 7
Even on a day where they registered just one quarterback hit, the Texans' defense was still frightening, cooling off the red-hot Baker Mayfield. No one wants to see Houston on the schedule. - Srinivasan
7. Chicago Bears (8-4)
Previous Rank: 6
Even when the Bears lose, they win. They lost no ground in the NFC North race despite an upset loss to the Giants, and Mitchell Trubisky's expected back next week. - McClymont
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4-1)
Previous Rank: 8
Breathe, Steeler Nation. The Raiders are up next ... followed by the Patriots and Saints. - McClymont
9. Dallas Cowboys (7-5)
Previous Rank: 13
The rest of the NFL is officially on notice after the Cowboys shocked the Saints with an incredible defensive effort. Byron Jones, Demarcus Lawrence, and rookie Leighton Vander Esch are studs. - Alessandrini
10. Seattle Seahawks (7-5)
Previous Rank: 10
Seattle's slow start to the season has been forgotten. These aren't the Seahawks of old, but they could still make some serious postseason noise. - Browne
11. Minnesota Vikings (6-5-1)
Previous Rank: 9
Dalvin Cook averaged nine yards per carry on nine rushes Sunday. The Vikings probably should've stuck to the run. - McClymont
12. Baltimore Ravens (7-5)
Previous Rank: 14
Lamar Jackson is 3-0 as a starter. What's that, Joe Flacco? You're ready to come back? Wouldn't want you to aggravate your hip. Better sit this one out. - McClymont
13. Carolina Panthers (6-6)
Previous Rank: 11
Cam Newton was dreadful against the Buccaneers and the Panthers don't look nearly as intimidating as they did in the first half of the season. A game against the Browns might be the remedy for the team's ills. - Srinivasan
14. Indianapolis Colts (6-6)
Previous Rank: 12
A completely ineffective running game couldn't help Andrew Luck out during his worst game of the season, and the Colts were blanked. Next up on the schedule: the searing-hot Texans. - Srinivasan
15. Philadelphia Eagles (6-6)
Previous Rank: 15
The champs' season is on the line next week in Dallas. Lose, and they can essentially kiss their title defense goodbye. - Alessandrini
16. Denver Broncos (6-6)
Previous Rank: 18
Who will get to 1,000 yards first, Saquon Barkley or Phillip Lindsay? The fact that this is a question highlights how remarkable the undrafted free agent's season has been. - Browne
17. Tennessee Titans (6-6)
Previous Rank: 19
The Titans should be relieved that they escaped with a win, even though Marcus Mariota still hasn't returned to his peak form. - Srinivasan
18. Miami Dolphins (6-6)
Previous Rank: 22
Adam Gase's squad is on its way to yet another mediocre seven- or eight-win season. Ho hum. - Alessandrini
19. Washington Redskins (6-6)
Previous Rank: 16
Well, at least NFL fans were gifted with a Mark Sanchez appearance on Monday Night Football. - Alessandrini
20. Green Bay Packers (4-7-1)
Previous Rank: 17
Mike McCarthy was never going to win the power struggle with Aaron Rodgers. The Packers' season is shot, but at least they can get a jump on competing in 2019. - McClymont
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-7)
Previous Rank: 28
If James Winston was consistently as dominant as he was against the Panthers, the Buccaneers wouldn't resemble a full-scale Jekyll and Hyde production. - Srinivasan
22. Cleveland Browns (4-7-1)
Previous Rank: 20
Guess Baker Mayfield woke up feeling harmless Sunday. - McClymont
23. Cincinnati Bengals (5-7)
Previous Rank: 21
No Andy Dalton or A.J. Green. A once-promising season has gone down the drain fast. - McClymont
24. Atlanta Falcons (4-8)
Previous Rank: 23
A lost season continues to get uglier as the Falcons couldn't find any answers against Lamar Jackson and Co. - Srinivasan
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-8)
Previous Rank: 27
This was the terrifying Jaguars defense we had come to expect. However, it's too little, too late. - Srinivasan
26. New York Giants (4-8)
Previous Rank: 26
When the Giants' offense obtains a high-quality quarterback, look out. Right now, OBJ looks like New York's best one. - Alessandrini
27. Buffalo Bills (4-7)
Previous Rank: 24
Josh Allen isn't perfect, but he's improving with each game. Coming into the season, that's all Bills Mafia could've realistically asked for. - Alessandrini
28. Detroit Lions (4-8)
Previous Rank: 25
Just how bad are the Lions? We'll get a true gauge with their next two games against the Cardinals and Bills. - McClymont
29. New York Jets (3-9)
Previous Rank: 29
We're tired of watching Josh McCown. Hopefully, Sam Darnold is healthy enough to start this week. It's imperative for him to end his rookie campaign on a high note. - Alessandrini
30. Arizona Cardinals (3-9)
Previous Rank: 32
Steve Wilks' rookie season has been a struggle, but the Cardinals showed heart in their upset win over the Packers. - Browne
31. San Francisco 49ers (2-10)
Previous Rank: 30
The insane amount of injuries gives the 49ers' offense a pass, but what's the defense's excuse? The unit has too much talent to be producing this poorly. - Browne
32. Oakland Raiders (2-10)
Previous Rank: 31
The Raiders still have to play the Steelers, Broncos, and Chiefs. Jon Gruden should start looking at who he wants at No. 1 overall. - Browne