NFL Power Rankings, Week Twelve

November 18, 2008

NFL Power Rankings, Week Twelve

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1. New York Giants (9-1)

The G-men ran all over the Ravens last week in a very impressive performance, which helps to make them early favorites in postseason play.

2. Tennessee Titans (10-0)

Just like Ol' Man River, Kerry Collins and the Titans keep rolling on. Their average margin of victory is eleven points per game.

3. Carolina Panthers (8-2)

The Panthers are very quietly having a great season. They should continue to be a force as the schedule continues heading into the postseason.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3)

The Steelers defense is playing tough. If Ben Roethlisberger and Willie Parker get healthy, watch out.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-3)

Can Jon Gruden take the Bucs to the promised land again? They're playing better than their talent says they should.

6. Washington Redskins (7-3)

They've dropped a few spots after losing to the Cowboys but they still have the hosses to win, if Clinton Portis is healthy.

7. Arizona Cardinals (7-3)

The Cards are running away with the NFC West and Kurt Warner may be having another MVP year.

8. Indianapolis Colts (6-4)

Peyton Manning is starting to get back on track and the rest of the Colts' schedule shouldn't be that hard. Despite their slow start, they're definitely in the hunt for a wildcard berth and anything can happen then.

9. Philadelphia Eagles (5-4-1)

OK, maybe I'm being generous here. Maybe I should drop the Iggles to 27th place, in a tie with the Bungles, but their QB says there can't be any ties in the NFL. I hear you, Donovan. No sister-kissing ties here.

10. New York Jets (7-3)

Brett Favre is playing like he's ten years younger and has the Jets in first place in the AFC East. Who would've predicted the Jets would be leading the Pats at this point in the season?

11. New England Patriots (6-4)

The Pats have had injuries to a few key stars but still have the veteran experience to make an impact in the postseason. They're looking up at another team in the standings for the first time in a while.

12. Atlanta Falcons (6-4)

The Dirty Birds have made one of the biggest turnarounds in the league. They host the division-leading Panthers this week and Matt Ryan can boost his credentials for Rookie of the Year honors. The Falcons keep winning games that nobody thought they could win.

13. Baltimore Ravens (6-4)

The Giants showed them who their daddy was last week; otherwise they'd be ranked higher.

14. Green Bay Packers (5-5)

If they played every week the way they manhandled the Bears last week, they would be a Top Ten team.

15. Dallas Cowboys (6-4)

Despite their problems in the last several weeks, they should be back on track to make a push for the playoffs, now that Tony Romo is back.

16. Chicago Bears (5-5)

Kyle Orton has returned and Da Bears are still in good position to win the NFC North. Still, the lopsided loss to the Packers last week has to be disturbing.

17. Minnesota Vikings (5-5)

With a three-way tie for the lead in the NFC North, ~~the Vikes have a good a chance as anyone~~, with Adrian Peterson. Scratch that -- they have a pretty tough schedule the rest of the way.

18. Denver Broncos (6-4)

The Broncos have had more than their fair share of injuries but remain in the driver's seat in the AFC West. But if Jay Cutler struggles, Denver doesn't have much of a chance.

19. Miami Dolphins (6-4)

Tony Sparano has to be in the running for Coach of the Year. The Fins have already won five games more than they did last year.

20. Buffalo Bills (5-5)

The Bills are reeling after getting off to a great start. Leading their division earlier in the season, they're now in last place, two games behind.

21. San Diego Chargers (4-6)

Perhaps the most disappointing team in the league this year. The Bolts were strong favorites to make a run deep into the playoffs; instead, they're two games out of the lead in the AFC West and have virtually no chance of a wildcard spot.

22. New Orleans Saints (5-5)

It's a shame when your quarterback throws for 400 yards and your team still loses.

23. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-6)

They're giving the Chargers a run for their money to be the most disappointing team. Jack Del Rio is fortunate that he was signed to an extension in the offseason.

24. Cleveland Browns (4-6)

Can anyone figure this team out? They look great one week, as when they humiliated the Giants, and then stink up the joint the next week.

25. Houston Texans (3-7)

The most talented 3-7 team in the league seems to be comfortable in their usual last place standing in the AFC South.

26. Seattle Seahawks (2-8)

Matt Hasselbeck has been sorely missed and the team which has dominated the division is now five games out of first. Mike Holmgren is a lame-duck coach and the team which looked to be on a good track has imploded.

27. St. Louis Rams (2-8)

After winning two games, Jim Haslett looked to be the answer. He's not, and the Lambs are looking at having another top-five draft pick.

28. Cincinnati Bengals (1-8-1)

This was a tough one to call. Should I have dropped the Eagles down into a tie with Cincy after the sister-kissing tie last week? Or moved the Bengals up into a tie with Philly? Easy decision, when you consider that game was just one of those flukes.

29. San Francisco 49ers (3-7)

Mike Singletary's shock tactic of mooning the team hasn't paid dividends. He needs to win a few games if he wants to be the head coach next year.

30. Kansas City Chiefs (1-9)

If Herm Edwards wasn't tight with the owners and GM, he would have already been told not to let the door hit him in the arse.

31. Oakland Raiders (2-8)

The Raiders will never be good again until Al Davis relinquishes control of personnel and stops telling his coaches what to do.

32. Detroit Lions (0-10)

The team that Matt Millen built. Can the Lions have a perfect season?

Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, NFL, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins

Discussion

4 Comments on "NFL Power Rankings, Week Twelve"

Posted by chris Ant, November 19, 2008 9:47 PM

the bronco's are ranked ahead of the dolphins yet the dolphins beat them... how is that logical?

Posted by Travis McCellan, November 20, 2008 3:09 PM

The same way its logical to rank the Panthers ahead of the Buccaneers who down right molested them in the first meeting of the season.

Posted by Your Niner Reality Check, November 21, 2008 12:01 PM

If it wasn't for shit for brains, you wouldn't have any at all.
Niners below the Rams? We just kicked their ass, dumbass.
Below the Bengals?
Nice to know even idiots can figure out how to hit the submit button.
Now you can look forward to trying and making some sense.
Then again, maybe not.

Posted by Corey, November 23, 2008 12:32 PM

As a Skins fan it pains me to say this but Washington is 6-4, not 7-3 as listed unfortunately.