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NFL Power Rankings Entering Week 14: NFC Is 1-2-3

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5 months ago

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San Francisco 49ers center Ben Garland (63) prepares to snap the ball at the line of scrimmage against the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

The San Francisco 49ers beat the Philadelphia Eagles in a Week 13 heavyweight battle. Despite the loss, Philadelphia remains atop the NFL Power Rankings heading into Week 14, but gap has closed between the Eagles and the field. Meanwhile, the Carolina Panthers remain at the bottom of the pack. The Bengals, Cowboys, and Rams are among this week’s biggest risers. Meanwhile, the Seahawks, Bills, and Browns are among those moving in the wrong direction.

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 only team with fewer than three losses deserves to be up top, which they are. Likewise, the 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 (10-2)

Despite being blown out by San Francisco, the Eagles keep their spot in at No. 1 for at least one more week. But there are now a group of teams ready move up should they stumble again. They travel to Dallas to play the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.

2. San Francisco 49ers (9-3)

A 42-19 beatdown of the Eagles has the 49ers on the verge of regaining the top spot they once owned. Since their bye week, San Francisco has won four games in a row. They will try to keep it going on Sunday afternoon against the Seahawks.

3. Dallas Cowboys (9-3)

Dallas has a chance to really shake up the top of these standings on SNF against Philadelphia. Last Thursday they beat Seattle 41-35, behind an MVP-caliber performance from QB Dak Prescott. They’ll need a few more stops of they want to take down the Eagles.

4. Miami Dolphins (9-3)

Miami is the top team from the AFC in this week’s NFL Power Rankings. Their offense is good enough to beat anybody. The real question with Miami is whether they can step up against good competition. Their three losses this season were against, arguably, their only three tough opponents. They play the early Monday Night Football game against the Titans.

5. Baltimore Ravens (9-3)

Baltimore enjoyed a bye in Week 13 following consecutive wins. They play host to the surging Rams on Sunday afternoon.

6. Detroit Lions (9-3)

The Lions remain a tough team to figure out. But when they don’t turn the ball over, they are tough to beat. That was the case against New Orleans, with Detroit prevailing 33-28. They visit NFC North rival Chicago on Sunday.

7. Kansas City Chiefs (8-4)

Packers QB Jordan Love outplayed Patrick Mahomes on Sunday Night Football, and the Chiefs lost an opportunity to gain control of the AFC in the process. A fourth quarter interception put an end to their comeback bid. They will look to rebound against the Bills, when Buffalo comes to Arrowhead Stadium.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4)

Jacksonville was another team with the potential to grab hold of the AFC, but came up short on Monday Night Football, losing to the Bengals in overtime. The big story was the injury to QB Trevor Lawrence, and how long the Jaguars will have to play without him.

9. Indianapolis Colts (7-5)

Somehow the Colts have won four games in a row. Now they are at the heels of the Jaguars in both the NFL Power Rankings, and the AFC South. QB Gardner Minshew played very good (312 yards, two touchdowns). He hit Michael Pittman, Jr. for the game winning touchdown in OT for a 31-28 win over Tennessee. Next up: at Cincinnati.

10. Houston Texans (7-5)

Like Indianapolis, Houston is right in the mix of the AFC South hunt. They round out the top ten after an impressive win over the Denver Broncos, who had won five in a row. The defense was the star of this game, picking off Russell Wilson three times. Darryl Stingley, Jr. snagged two, with Jimmie Ward hauling in the game-clinching pick to end the game. They will look to do the same against Zach Wilson and the Jets on Sunday.

11. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5)

The Steelers remain over .500, but Sunday was doubly difficult. They lost at home to the Arizona Cardinals, and QB Kenny Pickett suffered an injury that will require surgery. After the surprising 24-10 loss, they’ll try to get back on against the Patriots on Thursday Night Football.

12. Cleveland Browns (7-5)

Cleveland had a new quarterback in Joe Flacco, but the same result for the second week in a row, a loss. But it was the Browns usually reliable defense that let them down against the Rams. After getting out to a 7-0 lead on their opening drive, the Browns failed to slow down the Rams in the second half. Los Angeles won 36-19. Cleveland will try to regroup on Sunday when the Jaguars come to town.

13. Cincinnati Bengals (6-6)

Jake Browning stepped in for his second start and walked away with the AFC Offensive Player of the Week. Browning finished 32-of-37 passing, for 354 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. WR Ja’Marr Chase caught 11 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown. If Browning can keep this up, the Bengals season will still have some life.

14. Denver Broncos (6-6)

The Broncos five-game win streak came to a close with a 22-17 loss in Houston. QB Russell Wilson threw three interceptions, including one of their final offensive drive. Playing that poorly and still haven’t a chance to win is encouraging for a team that was once 1-5. They will try to start up a new street on Sunday afternoon, when they visit their AFC West rivals, the Los Angeles Chargers.

15. Minnesota Vikings (6-6)

Minnesota had a bye week. They have lost two straight, after having won their previous five. QB Joshua Dobbs will remain the starter this weekend against the Raiders. The Vikings need to avoid turnovers.

16. Los Angeles Rams (6-6)

The Rams are one of the NFL’s hottest teams. They are riding a three game win streak into Sunday’s road game against the Ravens. Last weekend they gave the Browns a 36-17 beatdown, QB Matthew Stafford spearheaded a versatile attack with 279 yards passing, three touchdowns, and no turnovers.

17. Atlanta Falcons (6-6)

Two wins in a row for Atlanta has them back to .500. The Falcons offense struggled moving the ball just as much as their Jets counterparts. However, New York turned the ball over three times, while Atlanta had no turnovers. LB Bud Dupree keyed the defensive effort with seven tackles, 2.0 sacks, and a forced fumble.

18. Green Bay Packers (6-6)

Sunday Night Football looked like Jordan Love’s national coming out party. The quarterback threw for three touchdowns and no interceptions, out dueling Patrick Mahomes. Green Bay is now on a three game win streak. Their last two wins were over the Lions and Chiefs, both in the top seven of the NFL Power Rankings this week. They will try to keep their win streak alive against the Giants in the late Monday Night Football Game.

19. Buffalo Bills (6-6)

Despite being down to No. 19 in this week’s rankings, Buffalo still has a chance to make some noise this season. With QB Josh Allen and WR Stefon Diggs, they have enough talent to get hot if they can stay healthy and avoid turnovers. They will visit Kansas City on Sunday afternoon, coming out of their bye.

20. Seattle Seahawks (6-6)

Three straight losses for Seattle have the Seahawks trending in the wrong direction. On Thursday Night Football they got outgunned by the Dallas Cowboys in a 41-35 loss. DK Metcalf had a huge game in a losing effort. The wide receiver finished with six receptions for 134 yards and three touchdowns. Sunday afternoon is a big opportunity for them to turn things around against San Francisco.

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-7)

A three-point victory over the hapless Panthers was not the most impressive victory of Week 13, but it was a victory nonetheless. They will be visitors in Atlanta on Sunday to take on their NFC South rivals. WR Mike Evans continued his phenomenal season with seven receptions for 162 yards and a touchdown.

22. Las Angeles Chargers (5-7)

The Chargers were not overly impressive in beating an unimpressive Patriots team, but they did enough to get the job done. A shutout for the defense is always good, no matter who the opponent is. And Los Angeles shutout New England 6-0. Punter J.K. Scott helped L.A. win the battle of field position, and was honored as AFC Special Teams Player of the Year. They host the Broncos on Sunday in a crucial game for both teams.

23. Las Vegas Raiders (5-7)

Las Vegas just had their bye week. After the firing of Josh McDaniels and demotion of QB Jimmy Garoppolo, their replacements (Antonio Pierce and Aidan O’Connell) won two in a row, followed by two straight losses. They’ll try to get back in the win column when Minnesota comes to town on Sunday.

24. New Orleans Saints (5-7)

New Orleans has not won in a month, with a bye week sandwiched between three losses. Their statistics were even across the board with Detoit on Sunday. The only exception was the turnover battle, which the Saints lost 2-0. Had ball security been better, the outcome of their 33-28 loss might have been reversed. They have a solid opportunity for a win when the Carolina Panthers visit NOLA.

25. Tennessee Titans (4-8)

Tennessee won only once in their last five games, with that win coming over Carolina. Most recently, Indianapolis handed them another loss. After the Titans tied the game with 4:19 to play in regulation, the Colts responded with a game-winning touchdown drive. Things won’t get any easier when they head to Miami to play on Monday Night Football.

26. New York Jets (4-8)

Five losses in a row have the Jets on the verge of clinching a losing record. QB Tim Boyle started for New York on Sunday, but has since been released. The Jets couldn’t get anything going in their 13-8 loss to Atlanta. Zach Wilson gets another chance at the starting quarterback job on Sunday when the Texans visit.

27. New York Giants (4-8)

UDFA rookie quarterback Tommy DeVito led the Giants to consecutive wins prior to their bye week. They’ll try to keep the positive momentum going on Monday Night Football against the Packers.

28. Chicago Bears (4-8)

Chicago also had a bye following a win. They have won 2-of-3 and have been looking like a competitive NFL team once again. They play Detroit on Sunday, who beat them by five points just three weeks ago.

29. Washington Commanders (4-9)

After beating the Patriots, the Commanders lost their next four. They now head into a bye looking to regroup.

30. Arizona Cardinals (3-10)

The Cardinals are only 3-10 in 2023, but they are now a respectable 2-2 since QB Kyler Murray returned. But on Sunday it was RB James Conner who was the star of the show. He rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns against his former Pittsburgh team. Arizona fell behind 3-0 on the opening drive before going on to win 24-10. They now get their bye week before attempting to make it two in a row.

31. New England Patriots (2-10)

Possibly the only silver lining for the Patriots at this point (aside from a high draft selection in the 2024 NFL Draft) is they don’t have much further they could fall in the NFL Power Rankings. They take on the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football in Bailey Zappe’s second start. They were shutout 6-0 in his first.

32. Carolina Panthers (1-10)

For a while it looked like the Panthers might pull off the upset win over the Buccaneers, and propel the Patriots into the top draft position. They clearly looked like a better team, with three returning starters on defense. Carolina also has nothing to ‘tank’ for since they don’t own their own first round pick. Tampa Bay pulled out a 21-18 win on Sunday, handing Carolina their fifth straight loss. They head to New Orleans next.

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