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NFL Power Rankings Entering Week 13: Broncos Look Legit

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5 months ago

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Denver Broncos are one of the fastest moving teams up the NFL Power Rankings. Wilson is now a free agent. Could the New England Patriots be his next team?

The Philadelphia Eagles widened the gap between themselves and the rest of the NFL this week. The defending NFC Champions remain in the top spot on the NFL Power Rankings for the fifth week in a row. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Carolina Panthers are still stuck in the basement. The Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, and San Francisco 49ers are among this week’s biggest risers. Meanwhile, the New Orleans Saints, Washington Commanders, and Seattle Seahawks are among those moving in the wrong direction.

Two minor changes to this week’s edition of the NFL Power Rankings. First, the rankings will be done “entering” a week on Thursday, as opposed to “following” a week. Also, the order will begin with number one on top. So, when Carolina is referred to as being in the basement, that is where they will actually be. These changes will continue moving forward.

Once again, these NFL Power Rankings are not based on hypotheticals, potential or feelings. These rankings are based on reality. As Bill Parcells noted, “you are what your record says you are.” The three teams with fewer than three losses deserve to be up top, which they are. Likewise, the three teams with fewer than three wins should take up the rear, which they do.

With that in mind, the NFL Power Rankings from Patriots Football Now…

1. Philadelphia Eagles (10-1)

The first team to 10 wins keeps top billing. Once again the Eagles did not dominate, taking OT to knock off the Bills. Of the 84 NFL teams to begin a season with at least 10 wins, Philadelphia ranks 83 in point differential (+64). But winning is all that matters. QB Jalen Hurts made some history with his walk-off touchdown in overtime. It was Hurts second rushing touchdown of the game. He now has 12 games with multiple rushing touchdowns, a new NFL record. Philadelphia hosts San Francisco on Sunday.

2. Baltimore Ravens (9-3)

Ravens head into their bye week after a 10-point win over the Chargers. Baltimore has now won 5-of-6 games to sit atop a very competitive AFC North.

3. San Francisco 49ers (8-3)

Talk about a team of streaks. After winning their first five games of the season, the 49ers then dropped three straight. Following their bye, they have now won three in a row to get to 8-3 on the year. Their Week 13 game against the Eagles is a chance to show they are all the way back to the team people saw to start the season.

4. Detroit Lions (8-3)

Detroit certainly didn’t look like the NFL’s fourth best team in a 29-22 loss to the Packers on Thanksgiving. They should be well rested to try and turn things around this weekend against the slumping Saints. QB Jared Goff needs to get back to solid ball security, something. A week after throwing three interceptions, Goff lost three fumbles against Green Bay. Prior to Week 11 he had committed only five turnovers all season.

5. Kansas City Chiefs (8-3)

A victory over the Raiders was a nice rebound for the Chiefs after losing to the Eagles on Monday Night Football. QB Patrick Mahomes (AFC Offensive Player of the Week) and TE Travis Kelce were back to dominating and settling records in the 31-17 win. They will visit Green Bay for Sunday Night Football.

6. Miami Dolphins (8-3)

After their latest win over the New York Jets (34-13) WR Tyreek Hill declared that the Dolphins were better than the Super Bowl championship team he played with in Kansas City. In order to prove that to be the case, Miami will need to make some noise in the postseason. They are certainly looking impressive on their way there. They will travel to Washington to take on the Commanders Sunday afternoon.

7. Dallas Cowboys (8-3)

After a bye in Week 7, Dallas has won 4-of-5 games. Their lone loss came against the Eagles, losing by five. In those four wins, their average margin of victory has been 28.3 points. QB Dak Prescott passed for 331 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions in last weekend’s 45-10 win over Washington. They host Seattle on Thursday Night Football in Week 13.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-3)

Best Josh Allen in the NFL this season appears to be playing in Jacksonville. The defensive end had five tackles, two tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and 12 QB pressures in the Jaguars 24-21 win over Houston. Now in control of the AFC South, Jacksonville will play host to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football.

9. Cleveland Browns (7-4)

Cleveland joins Detroit as the only teams in the top 12 of the NFL Power Rankings to lose in Week 12. After three wins in a row, including victories over division rivals Pittsburgh and Baltimore, the Browns got demolished in Denver. QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson was injured in the game, and is likely out this coming weekend as well (concussion protocol). They will need PJ Walker, or newly signed Joe Flacco, to keep them in contention.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4)

After firing offensive coordinator Matt Canada, the Steelers racked up 421 yards of total offense. It only translated to one touchdown, but that was enough to beat the Bengals 16-10. T.J. Watt had 2.0 sacks and a forced fumble, as he continues to be among the favorites for NFL Defensive Player of the Year. TE Pat Friermouth had a huge game, with nine receptions for 120 yards. On paper, they have a favorable matchup on Sunday, when they host the Cardinals.

11. Denver Broncos (6-5)

Six weeks ago the Broncos were ranked 30 of 32 teams in the NFL Power Rankings. Now they are all the way up to 12 after their fifth win in a row. And the five teams they have beaten were all competitive. Denver has knocked off Green Bay, Kansas City, Buffalo, Minnesota and Cleveland. The Broncos were able to protect their quarterback, convert on third downs, and win the turnover battle in their 29-12 victory of the Browns.

12. Indianapolis Colts (6-5)

The Colts have won three games in a row, getting them over .500 for the first time since Week 3. Indianapolis beat Tampa Bay 27-20. RB Jonathan Taylor paced the offensive attack with 91 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Unfortunately, Taylor was also injured in the win, and will miss some time. WR Michael Pittman continued his excellent season, amassing 10 receptions for 107 yards. They hit the road to take on Tennessee on Sunday.

13. Houston Texans (6-5)

Houston slides down three spots in this week’s NFL Power Rankings, following a 24-21 home loss to the Jaguars. Despite the loss, Texans QB C.J. Stroud continued to impress. He became the first rookie quarterback in NFL history to pass for over 300 yards in four consecutive games. He also passed for two touchdowns, while rushing for 47 yards and another score. It is tough to imagine that NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year is not already wrapped up with five games to go.

14. Seattle Seahawks (6-5)

The Seahawks continue to trend in the wrong direction. A loss to the 49ers made it three losses in their past four games. After beginning the year 5-2, Seattle is now trying to keep their playoff hopes from fading. They take on the Ravens in Week 13 on Thursday Night Football.

15. Buffalo Bills (6-6)

One of the preseason Super Bowl favorites, Buffalo continues to come up a bit short. They battled the number one team in the NFL, taking them to overtime, but ultimately falling 37-34 to the Eagles. QB Josh Allen passed for 339 yards and two touchdowns, ran for 81 yards and two touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough for the win. Week 13 is their bye week.

16. Minnesota Vikings (6-6)

After winning five in a row, Minnesota has now lost two straight. The last two defeats have been by a total of three points. Monday Night Football saw the Vikings fall to the Bears 12-10. QB Joshua Dobb’s four interceptions were too much for Minnesota to overcome. They head into a bye, needing a quick regroup.

17. Atlanta Falcons (5-6)

Atlanta came out of their bye week by ending their three-game losing streak. The Falcons defeated the Saints 24-15. Rookie RB Bijan Robinson rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown. He also had 32 receiving yards, including a 26-yard TD reception in the fourth quarter. Safety Jessie Bates led the defense with 12 tackles and a 91-yard interception return for a touchdown. They will look to get to .500 on Sunday against the Jets.

18. Cincinnati Bengals (5-6)

Winning with an injured Joe Burrow was difficult. Winning without Joe Burrow altogether will be even tougher. With QB Jake Browning under center, Cincinnati dropped their first game. They lost 16-10 to Pittsburgh in an AFC North battle. The Bengals now find themselves two games behind all other teams in their own division. Their record against the NFC West this season was 4-0, but just 1-6 against the rest of the NFL. They visit the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday Night Football.

19. Green Bay Packers (5-6)

Two wins in a row have the Packers creeping toward .500. They got out to an early lead against the Lions, and held on to win 29-22. The Thanksgiving win was a national introduction to QB Jordan Love for many. He finished 22-of-32 for 268 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. DB Jonathan Owens led the defense with 12 tackles, one for loss, and returned a fumble recovery 27 yards for a touchdown. Next up: Hosting the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football.

20. Los Angeles Rams (5-6)

QB Matthew Stafford returned the Rams have knocked off consecutive divisional opponents. They are 2-0 after their bye week, yet another team that the week off seems to have helped considerably. After losing three straight before the bye, they look like playoff contenders once again. Obviously, playing against the Cardinals didn’t hurt. Los Angeles beat Arizona 37-14 behind Stafford’s four TD passes. Having RB Karen Williams (143 yards rushing) gave a big boost the L.A. offense as well. They’ll host Cleveland on Sunday.

21. New Orleans Saints (5-6)

New Orleans has neither won nor lost more than two in a row this season. That is good news for their hopes in Week 13, since the Saints are currently on a two-game losing streak. They lost an NFC South game on the road to Atlanta on Sunday 24-15. New Orleans failed to score a touchdown despite 444 yards of total offense. They settled for six field goal attempts, hitting five. Detroit visits New Orleans on Sunday afternoon.

22. Las Vegas Raiders (5-7)

After winning their first two games under interim head coach Antonio Pierce and QB Aidan O’Connell, the Raiders have now lost two straight heading into their bye. RB Josh Jacobs ran 20 times for 110 yards and a touchdown. The offense moved the ball effectively, but the Chiefs were too tough to slow down. Las Vegas will look regroup in the bye this weekend.

23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7)

Tampa Bay has lost 6-of-7 games after beginning the season 3-1. Despite some solid individual play, they continue to falter as a team. On Sunday it was Indianapolis beating them 27-20. The Buccaneers got the ball at their own 35-yard line with 2:21 remaining in the fourth quarter. But their final hopes fell to the turf when QB Baker Mayfield fumbled the ball while being sacked. Sunday is a good opportunity for them to turn things around when they host the Panthers.

24. Tennessee Titans (4-7)

The Titans ended their losing skid with a 17-10 win over the Panthers. Tennessee’s offense failed to generate much, but they also did not turn the ball over. Running back Derrick Henry had 76 yards rushing and two touchdowns in the win. They host their AFC South rivals from Indianapolis, trying to make it two in a row.

25. Los Angeles Chargers (4-7)

Los Angeles worked their way back to .500 at 4-4, but have since dropped three straight. On Sunday Night Football the Ravens handed the Chargers a 20-10 loss. WR Kennan Allen (14 receptions, 106 yards receiving) continues to be a bright spot in a disappointing season. They look to get back in the win column in New England this weekend.

26. New York Jets (4-7)

The Jets found out that Zach Wilson wasn’t the answer at quarterback. Tim Boyle isn’t either. A Black Friday blowout loss to the Dolphins (34-13) is their fourth straight loss. QB Aaron Rodgers returned to practice this week, but even if he were able to return immediately it might be too little too late for New York.

27. New York Giants (4-8)

Two wins a row for Tommy DeVito and company has hurt their draft position, but given Giants fans something to enjoy watching. Scoring 10 points is all they needed in a 10-7 win over New England. The defense picked off Patriots passers three times on the afternoon. New York gets to enjoy a win streak for at least one more week, as they head into their bye. It is possible they could be moving up the NFL Power Rankings without playing.

28. Chicago Bears (4-8)

Following an 0-4 start, Chicago has now won 4-of-8, including two of their last three. This includes Monday’s 12-10 win over Minnesota. The Bears have the luxury of playing to win, while still owning the Panthers first round pick. QB Justin Fields is playing to show he deserves to be surrounding by more help instead of being replaced. He had 217 yards passing, 57 yards rushing, and no interceptions. However, Fields also lost two fumbles. WR D.J. Moore hauled in 11 receptions for 114 yards. They enter their bye week with a win.

29. Washington Commanders (4-8)

Washington beat New England, but has since lost three straight. They are 0-5 vs. the NFC East, after getting blown out by the Cowboys on Thanksgiving. Commander QB Sam Howell passed for 300 yards, and added a rushing touchdown. But the Washington defense couldn’t stop anything in the 45-10 loss. It was only a 20-10 halftime deficit, but Dallas scored on their final four possessions of the afternoon.

30. New England Patriots (2-9)

The worst start for the franchise since 1993. New England continues to struggle moving the football, as they became the first NFL team since those 1993 New England Patriots to lose consecutive games while allowing 10 or fewer points. Can they turn things around against the Chargers?

31. Arizona Cardinals (2-10)

QB Kyle Murray gave the Cardinals a nice boost, winning in his return game. But Arizona has come back to earth, losing their last two. Last Sunday the offense wasn’t the primary problem in a 37-14 loss to the Rams. Their defense allowed 457 yards while registering no sacks. They will travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers on Sunday.

32. Carolina Panthers (1-10)

Carolina beat Houston in Week 8 coming out of their bye. Unfortunately, it is the only win the Panthers have registered this season. Usually being at the bottom of the NFL Power Rankings this late in the season would at least have the silver lining of a high draft pick, but their first rounder belongs to the Bears. The stats sheet was evenly matched against the Titans, but the only turnover of the game set up a Tennessee touchdown in their 17-10 win. Carolina will look to double their season win total when they travel to Tampa Bay.

With only six weeks remaining in the 2023 NFL regular season, the playoff picture is starting to come into clearer focus. But how much longer can the Philadelphia Eagles stay on top? And will the Carolina Panthers be able to work their way out of the basement? That’s why they play the games.

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