NFL Week 13 Power Rankings

The Packers lead the league in point differential after 11 games (San Diego is 2nd), and no team that ultimately led the league in that category has ever missed the playoffs since the merger.  I see no reason to drop them down much for losing a close game in a hostile environment where every little thing, from spots on slides to fumbles on kickoffs to fourth down conversions, went against them.

1. New England Patriots (9-2). That was a ruthlessly efficient second half by the Patriots after a slow start.
2. Atlanta Falcons (9-2). I’m not sold on this team as the second best, but they have the second best resume’.  Well-coached, and maximizing their talent.
3. Green Bay Packers (7-4). Failures on third and short and at the goal line were the difference, as they otherwise had plenty of success at Atlanta.
4. New York Jets (9-2). The Jets finally put away an inferior opponent.
5. Philadelphia Eagles (7-4). The defense gave up some big plays with Asante Samuel out.
6. New Orleans Saints (8-3). Reggie Bush looked less than stellar in his return to action, dropping a sure touchdown and fumbling a punt.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3). They drop because they are really lucky that Steve Johnson dropped a game winning touchdown after their coverage was beat, and they failed to put Buffalo away after having a two score lead.
8. San Diego Chargers (6-5). Shaun Phillips is playing at an elite level, and lost in Rivers’ performances is how good the defense has been when they don’t have major special teams gaffes and turnovers.
9. Baltimore Ravens (8-3). Todd Heap somehow caught the slowest looking long touchdown I have ever seen.
10. Chicago Bears (8-3). Bears will get a chance to shut up people who bring up Calvin Johnson.  This is a big tiebreaker game in the division.
11. New York Giants (7-4). The Giants are starting Jacobs over Bradshaw now, which raises an interesting question of turnovers vs. production.
12. Indianapolis Colts (6-5). Manning is missing on more deep throws than I have ever seen.
13. Kansas City Chiefs (7-4). Dwayne Bowe has 14 touchdowns, and only 3 more would tie him for 5th all-time with several others.  If he continues his current pace, he would be behind only Jerry Rice and Randy Moss.
14. Miami Dolphins (6-5). The Tyler Thigpen era was short-lived.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-4). Still need a signature win.  They get their best opportunity this week at home against Atlanta.
16. Houston Texans (5-6). Andre Johnson will play Thursday night, proving that the league approves of violence against people named Cortland.
17. Tennessee Titans (5-6). Rusty Smith may have had the single-worst QB performance ever once you account for how bad the Texans D is.
18. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-5). This team needs to add another hyphenated name in the draft, preferably another first round defensive line bust, because their status as premier hyphenated name team has been challenged by the Cardinals this year.
19. Oakland Raiders (5-6). Bruce Gradkowski came in and re-injured his shoulder, preventing people from actually watching him play and preserving his status as most popular man in Oakland.
20. Cleveland Browns (4-7). Jake Delhomme sucks.
21. Washington Redskins (5-6). I hope that all Eagles, Giants, and Cowboys fans gave thanks for Daniel Snyder.
22. St. Louis Rams (5-6). One of the highlights of my Sunday is announcers botching a Hoomanawanui touchdown.  Unfortunately, he is out with a boo-boo-wanui.
23. Minnesota Vikings (4-7). Leslie Frazier is only slightly less funny than Leslie Nielsen.
24. Dallas Cowboys (3-8). These conspiracy theories about Garrett holding back are absurd.  Do we just have to come up with something to talk about?
25. San Francisco 49ers (4-7). The Niners can lose at Green Bay and San Diego (likely) and still win the division by winning out against the division.
26. Buffalo Bills (2-9). If this team could make a play in overtime, they could be 5-6.
27. Seattle Seahawks (5-6). All six losses are by more than 14 points.  Let that sink in as they make a “playoff push”.
28. Denver Broncos (3-8). So, which coach wants to inherit Tim Tebow?
29. Detroit Lions (2-9). The Lions gave us three quarters of football on Thanksgiving, which is more than normal.
30. Cincinnati Bengals (2-9). Carson Palmer continues to make really bad throws into coverage.
31. Arizona Cardinals (3-8). I was laughing at that performance, but I take these rankings serious.
32. Carolina Panthers (1-10). Jake Delhomme kept the Panthers in the game.

[photo via Getty]