It only took 11 weeks into the season, but we finally have a new No. 1 in the NFL power rankings. After the Chiefs lost on Sunday, a shuffling in and around the top 10 has ensued. Without further ado, here are the rankings.
32. Jacksonville Jaguars
Last week’s ranking: 31
Week 11 result: 52-6 loss vs Lions
Week 12 opponent: Bye
I am shocked when I say I am appalled that the Jacksonville Jaguars didn't decide to part ways with Doug Pederson after a game like this. We all know that he will not be the coach of the future for the Jaguars, let alone be the coach at the end of the season. I don't get why the Jaguars fired him as they enter a bye week and try to figure it out as they go. This is a team that quit on the field vs the Lions. This type of loss deserves a coaching change. The Jaguars are the first team in the NFL with nine losses this season. They have given up 316 points this season, which ranks last in the NFL. Not a winning recipe
31. Las Vegas Raiders
Last week’s ranking: 30
Week 11 result: 34-19 loss vs Dolphins
Week 12 opponent: Home vs Broncos
Undoubtedly, Antonio Pierce and the Las Vegas Raiders are dealing with some talent limitations, especially at the quarterback position. Gardner Minshew cannot be a starting quarterback in the league and will be replaced in the offseason. Some may wonder if Antonio Pierce will have a job in the offseason and if he deserves to return. The thing with me comes as the Raiders never stop fighting for their head coach. They will always go out there and give it their all, which is a sign that he has not lost the locker room. The thorn in the side for the Raiders has been them trying to run the football. They had just 60 yards on Sunday, with 20 coming from a wide receiver.
30. Tennessee Titans
Last week’s ranking: 28
Week 11 result: 23-13 loss vs Vikings
Week 12 opponent: Away vs Texans
You have to feel slightly optimistic about Will Levis and the Titans' offense, which has been their apparent weakness this season. In his last two games, he's put up 470 yards, three touchdowns, one interception, and a 103.2 passer rating. It is not perfect, but it is a significant improvement from what we have seen from the beginning of the season. If they are able to build off the strong performance from the second-year quarterback, the Titans could win some games in the second half of the season. The question now becomes how many games they will want to win or if they will try and remain in the top five or so in the NFL draft—decisions in Tennessee.
29. Cleveland Browns
Last week’s ranking: 29
Week 11 result: 35-14 loss vs Saints
Week 12 opponent: Home vs Steelers
We can understand why the Browns offense has struggled this season. They had to replace Nick Chubb for the first half of the season. They had terrible quarterback play from Deshaun Watson and Jameis Winston, but my biggest concern with this team is the defense. They were ranked as one of the top defenses in the league last season, and they have taken a massive step back. What has happened to them? Every team deals with injuries, but they haven't had any significant ones that could explain their struggle. Jameis Winston and the offense didn't have a bad day, as Jameis was 30 for 46 for 395 yards and two touchdown passes. The problem with that is that the Browns still lost by 21 points. It's going to be a long season for Cleveland.
28. New York Giants
Last week’s ranking: 32
Week 11 result: Bye
Week 12 opponent: Home vs Bucs
The Daniel Jones era in New York has supposedly come to an end. Brian Daboll has seen enough and benched his quarterback in favor of Tommy Devito for the foreseeable future. Does the quarterback change the spark that the Giants need? They have talent on the offensive side of the ball but have not had any sort of consistency this season, and they have been costly for them. This all but ends the tenure of Daniel Jones in a New York Giants uniform. It could be one of the worst contracts in NFL history, especially if you look at the Giant's choice to pay him instead of Saquon Barkley, who is having a career year for the Eagles.
27. New York Jets
Last week’s ranking: 24
Week 11 result: 28-27 loss vs Colts
Week 12 opponent: Bye
What is the Jets' record since they fired Robert Saleh in favor of Jeff Ulbrich? 1-5. This may be a shocker for some people, but taking over a team where you were the defensive coordinator earlier in the season is incredibly difficult. Things are a complete mess right now for the Jets. The offense has its own problem with Aaron Rodgers, and Father Time seems to catch up to him, but the defense for the Jets has not been good since the coaching change. Did the players not want Saleh fired? I would be very shocked if Aaron Rodgers wanted to play for this mess again next year, but it was the mess he had created. Maybe the next time, the Jets shouldn't put all their eggs in a quarterback nearing 41 years old. People are paying for these decisions, as Joe Douglas was fired because of it.
26. New England Patriots
Last week’s ranking: 27
Week 11 result: 28-22
Week 12 opponent: Away vs Dolphins
I have been very impressed by what we have seen from Drake Maye and this youth presence on the New England Patriots offense. When Maye took over as the starting quarterback, I had doubts about the Patriot's ability to protect their franchise quarterback, but they have figured it out, and Maye is getting better every week. A game like this for a rookie quarterback is perfect. It was an intense game for the offense and a chance at the end to win. This is a team that goes out there and fights for their head coach, Jerod Mayo, which is always a good sign to see. Things are trending up for New England.
25. Carolina Panthers
Last week’s ranking: 26
Week 11 result: Bye
Week 12 opponent: Home vs Chiefs
Things looked bleak at the beginning of the season for Bryce Young and Dave Canales, as both guys seemed to be in over their heads to be in the positions they are in, but a few inspiring wins have completely turned around the season for the Panthers. With the Panthers being out of the playoff hunt, the biggest thing that they need to do for the remainder of the season is to find out if Bryce Young is the true answer to be their franchise quarterback and if they will need to address the position in the offseason. They host the Chiefs at home, who are coming off their first loss of the season. Could this be a signature win for the Panthers?
24. Dallas Cowboys
Last week’s ranking: 23
Week 11 result: 34-10 loss vs Texans
Week 12 opponent: Away vs Commanders
What a mess of a season it has been for the Dallas Cowboys. This team has no sense of urgency as they have seen their season slip from their hands over the last month. The question now becomes whether Jerry Jones will give Mike McCarthy and his staff another chance next season because of all of the injuries Dallas has had this season, especially in losing their quarterback Dak Prescott for the season. I would be shocked if Mike McCarthy had a job at the end of the season for the Dallas Cowboys, but we have seen Jerry remain loyal before. Why did Jason Garrett have a job for so long? Also, not winning a game at home this season is beyond ridiculous.
23. Chicago Bears
Last week’s ranking: 21
Week 11 result: 20-19 loss vs Packers
Week 12 opponent: Home vs Vikings
This is a Bears' loss, but it may rank far and above some that you are considering. If the Bears were able to make the field goal, they would have been 5-5 and in an excellent spot to make a playoff push in the second half of the season with everything still in front of them. Instead, it was blocked, and now they are 4-6. Why does Matt Eberflus still have a job in Chicago? The Bears got a boost with the offense with offensive coordinator Shane Waldron being fired, and Caleb Williams looked the best in about a month. What is stopping the Bears organization from making the move that we all know will happen, making it mid-season and getting an early start on the head coaching search? About that head coaching search, this is one that the Bears cannot mess up. They have to get it right.
22. New Orleans Saints
Last week’s ranking: 25
Week 11 result: 35-14 win vs Browns
Week 12 opponent: Bye
It is no secret that the Saints have gotten a big spark from special teams coach Darren Rizzi, which has extended to all the guys in the locker room. The Saints rattling off a few wins here in the middle part of the season just makes me more frustrated about them. This team has talent, and it was just getting wasted by a guy named Dennis Allen, who was clearly in over his head as a head coach. For the Saints to overcome all of the odds and make a playoff appearance, they will likely have to win out, but their goals are still in front of them. Also, is there another player in the NFL quite like Taysom Hill? The things that guy can do week in and week out are incredible. He is one particular football player.
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last week’s ranking: 17
Week 11 result: Bye
Week 12 opponent: Away vs Giants
Is there a team In the NFC that has been as unlucky as the Tampa Bay Bucs this season? In the same game, their top two receivers suffered long-term injuries, and they have lost four straight games after losing those guys. After all, they are still right in the mix of the NFC South and the wild card in the NFC. This is a talented team with a defense and a lot of young talent, and Baker Mayfield is playing some of the best football of his young career. A soft schedule will help the team get back on its feet, but the thing that needs to happen to this team is to get healthy. They will be in it if they become healthy and can be at full strength. They are still alive in the NFC South.
20. Cincinnati Bengals
Last week’s ranking: 15
Week 11 result: 34-27 loss vs Chargers
Week 12 opponent: Bye
Is it wrong that I still believe in the Cincinnati Bengals? I watch this team on a week-in, week-out basis and see their talent on the offensive side of the ball. Joe Burrow is playing the best ball of his young career, and that is saying something, but they haven't been able to show anything for it. Things have gotten bleak for the Bengals, as they have hit loss number seven and have dug themselves a big hole in the AFC. With the wide-open wild card in the AFC, the Bengals will always have a chance to make a run to the playoffs. For that to happen, though, they must figure out something about defense. They can't seem to stop anybody. I thought the Bengals could go on a run and make a playoff push, but I could be wrong. If they were able to sneak in, though, they would be one dangerous team.
19. Miami Dolphins
Last week’s ranking: 19
Week 11 result: 34-19 win vs Raiders
Week 12 opponent: Home vs Patriots
Seemingly, with Tua back as the quarterback, the Dolphins offense looks like a brand new offense, which is very hard to stop. They have life in an AFC that has struggled this season, so they should have a legit chance at the Wild Card. The Dolphins play the Patriots and the Jets in two of the next three weeks, so they should be able to get back around .500. This is a talented team, and a team that missed their starting quarterback for half of the season. With him back, they have to rally around him to try and make a run.
18. Atlanta Falcons
Last week’s ranking: 14
Week 11 result: 38-6 loss vs Broncos
Week 12 opponent: Bye
After turning the corner off of a slow start to the season, the Falcons looked like they were one of the top contenders in the NFC. Fast forward to this week, and they don't even look like a playoff team. What the heck happened to this team? You thought they were turning a corner on defense when they were playing good football, but they were absolutely torched by Bo Nix and the Broncos' passing attack. They are getting too complacent with things in their own division, a bit like the Texans. The bye week comes at a good time for the team as they can regroup, but they had better fix it fast, or they will struggle in the second half of the season.
17. Indianapolis Colts
Last week’s ranking: 22
Week 11 result: 28-27 win vs Jets
Week 12 opponent: Home vs Lions
After some quarterback controversy, it seems as if it is Anthony Richardson from here on out for the Indianapolis Colts. He played a very solid game on Sunday vs the Jets and looked much better than what he looked like at the beginning of the season. The move paid off. The challenge gets much more complicated for Richardson and the Colts as they face the Lions this week. So far, the time off looks to have helped Anthony Richardson. He still has all the talent in the world, but he must develop it. You don't want to see a guy like that fall off the face of the earth. It is easy to root for Richardson.
16. Los Angeles Rams
Last week’s ranking: 18
Week 11 result: 28-22 win vs Patriots
Week 12 opponent: Home vs Eagles
It wasn't pretty for Sean Mcvay and Matthew Stafford, but they made enough plays to pull out a road win against the Patriots. The Rams completed a long road trip and now return home to face the Eagles in a prime-time game. We know what the Rams are capable of on offense and how they have two of the very best receivers in the league, Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua; the question for this team was going to come with the defense. It is a relatively young unit on that side, and they have gone through their ups and downs on the season. This team is too talented and too well-coached to miss the playoffs. The schedule gets a lot harder for the Rams though, as they have the Eagles, Bills, and 49ers in three of the next four weeks. Time to see what this team is made of.
15. San Francisco 49ers
Last week’s ranking: 10
Week 11 result: 20-17 loss vs Seahawks
Week 12 opponent: Away vs Packers
Is it time to start worrying about the San Francisco 49ers? They had this game in the bag and let Geno Smith drive down the field and win. They don't look like the same team that went to the Super Bowl last season. The schedule doesn't get much more manageable for San Francisco, so there is an actual reason to worry about them missing the playoffs. What has been the difference between this year and last? People will point and say injuries, but it can't all be blamed on injury. Something looks off about this season for the Niners, and I can't quite get a good read on what it is. If they are able to make the playoffs, they have the team to beat anyone. The problem for them will be whether they can win enough games to make the playoffs.
14. Seattle Seahawks
Last week’s ranking: 20
Week 11 result: 20-17 win vs 49ers
Week 12 opponent: Home vs Cardinals
First-year head coach Mike Macdonald got his signature win on the road against the San Francisco 49ers. It was all about Geno Smith in this one, as he put his team on the back on the final drive and drove them down the field to win the game. This is a gritty bunch and a team that plays very hard. The defense has improved over the last couple of weeks, and they are finally starting to play good football. A win like this against a team on the road, a division rival nonetheless, could have saved the Seahawks season very well. Now they go back home, where they have a 2-4 record. Maybe they are a better team when they play on the road.
13. Houston Texans
Last week’s ranking: 12
Week 11 result: 34-10 win vs Cowboys
Week 12 opponent: Home vs Titans
I mentioned last week how I thought this would be a good spot for the Houston Texans to have a get-right game and change their season. That's precisely what happened. A 34-10 thumping of the Dallas Cowboys will do that for you, but the running attack and the defense carried the way in this one. Joe Mixon went off on Monday night and could not be stopped, and the defense was flying around against a backup quarterback in Cooper Rush. We've mentioned how Niko Collins adds another dynamic to this offense, and he made his presence felt early and often in Jerry's world on Monday night. The Texans will have another get-right game against the Titans this week. Anything other than a thumping that goes Houston's way will surprise me.
12. Denver Broncos
Last week’s ranking: 16
Week 11 result: 38-6 win vs Falcons
Week 12 opponent: Away vs Raiders
In what might possibly be the most impressive win of the weekend, Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos might have to be taken seriously as contenders in the AFC. They are winning games with their defense, and they have a top unit in the league, but Bo Nix is getting better every week, which gives this team a chance to do big things in the playoffs. The style that the Broncos want to play is very simple. They play good defense and make enough plays on offense with their rookie quarterback. So far, it is working, and you have to give credit where credit is due to Sean Payton. After a performance like this, Bo Nix has propelled himself into the NFL Rookie of the Year conversation.
11. Arizona Cardinals
Last week’s ranking: 11
Week 11 result: Bye
Week 12 opponent: Away vs Seahawks
A bye week for the Arizona Cardinals, and it is one that we can now look at the Cardinals as contenders in the NFC. What a great job that Jonathan Gannon has done with this football team to turn things around. You saw them building on the things last year; they were always in competitive games with teams and always fought hard; it is nice to see them finally transition into the win column. With Kyler Murray at offense and the dynamic of Marvin Harrison Jr. at the receiving core, Arizona is now an actual threat. If the season ended today, the Cardinals would be the third seed. Pretty good.
10. Washington Commanders
Last week’s ranking: 7
Week 11 result: 26-18 loss vs Eagles
Week 12 opponent: Home vs Cowboys
They were beaten when the commanders played two legit opponents, the Steelers and the Eagles. What is a gripe that can be held against the Washington Commanders is that they are still looking for their signature win. Another worry that comes to my mind is we have not seen the same Jayden Daniels over the past two weeks. Is the rib injury finally catching up to him? He gets a good break and extra days off with the mini-bye after playing on Thursday night, but the time is now for Washington. They must start winning games. A big game at home against the Cowboys this week. It should be a good test against a good Dallas defense.
9. Green Bay Packers
Last week’s ranking: 9
Week 11 result: 20-19 win vs Bears
Week 12 opponent: Home vs. 49ers
The Packers sure escaped against the Bears with a blocked field goal as time expired, but the win wasn't very pretty for Green Bay. Jordan Love still has glimpses where he throws a stupid interception and makes a mistake, and the defense is falling apart in the second half. Green Bay put a drive together and won the game, but you have to worry if you are this team. What kind of Jordan Love will we get week in and week out? They'll have a good test this week, having the 49ers at home. A win is a win.
8. Los Angeles Chargers
Last week’s ranking: 13
Week 11 result: 34-27 win vs Bengals
Week 12 opponent: Home vs Ravens
I think we should start taking the Los Angeles Chargers and Jim Harbaugh for real. They put on a show on Sunday night against the Bengals, and Justin Herbert played like a top quarterback in the league. While they don't wow you with the names of their weapons at the receiver position, they are very effective. Ladd McConkey has been one of the better route runners in the league this season, and Quentin Johnston has had a much better sophomore season after a disappointing rookie year. You get what you get with a Harbaugh-led team, and it will be a team that will, first and foremost, try to dominate the line of scrimmage. What they have been able to do with the running game has been truly outstanding. Not to mention, the defense is one of the best in the leagues. This is a scary team.
7. Baltimore Ravens
Last week’s ranking: 3
Week 11 result: 18-16 loss vs Steelers
Week 12 opponent: Away vs Chargers
No matter what type of team they have, the offense, or how prolific it may be, the Ravens cannot seem to get anything against the robust Pittsburgh Steelers defense. I don't think it is a Lamar problem or a Derrick Henry problem. The offense was all out of place on Sunday in Pittsburgh, having had a lot of pre-snap penalties and self-inflicted errors. What is a sign that the Ravens can take away from this game is how well the defense, especially the secondary, played. We say this every year every time the Steelers play the Ravens. Lamar can't seem to figure it out. I don't get it. They didn't allow a touchdown and still lost. Welcome to the Steelers Ravens.
6. Minnesota Vikings
Last week’s ranking: 8
Week 11 result: 23-13 win vs Titans
Week 12 opponent: Away vs Bears
After the Vikings, there was some inconsistency in the quarterback position, and Sam Darnold had an excellent game against the Titans, hopefully turning things around for the offense. We know what the defense will be week in and week out with Flores leading the charge, the question will always be how the Vikings will find their scoring. At 8-2, they are now poised to make a playoff appearance and clinch home-field advantage. The Vikings are in a good spot. Whether I think this is a team that can win the Super Bowl, I don't know yet. It all depends on how Sam Darnold plays.
5. Philadelphia Eagles
Last week’s ranking: 5
Week 11 result: 26-18 win vs Commanders
Week 12 opponent: Away vs Rams
Do Eagles fans still want to fire Nick Sirianni now? This looks like one of the top teams in the NFL when they play at their best, and there is little that any team can do to stop them. Another dynamic to this team is the addition of Saquon Barkley. He's given this Philadelphia offense an explosiveness we have not seen since LeSean McCoy. The offense has weapons everywhere, Jalen Hurts is playing much better after cutting back on the turnovers, and the defense is finally catching its stride under Vic Fangio. After six straight wins, Philly fans might start thinking about a statue for Nick Sirianni.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
Last week’s ranking: 6
Week 11 result: 18-16 win vs Ravens
Week 12 opponent: Away vs Browns
I have been impressed with how Mike Tomlin handled things in Pittsburgh this season. So far, it seems like he has pushed all the right buttons, and it all has come out to an 8-2 record. Pittsburgh didn't look great against the Ravens; in fact, they didn't even score a touchdown, but their defense was unreal in containing this prolific Baltimore Ravens offense and was able to hold them to just 16 points. They now are a game and a half up in the AFC North. We need to see more from what we saw from Russell Wilson and the offense, but you must give credit to the Baltimore defense. In winning this game, Pittsburgh cemented themselves as a true contender in the NFL.
3. Kansas City Chiefs
Last week’s ranking: 1
Week 11 result: 30-21 loss vs Bills
Week 12 opponent: Away vs Panthers
You mean, it finally happened? They finally lost? Indeed, the Kansas City Chiefs lost a football game for the first time since December 25, 2023. It's a pretty impressive streak if you ask me, but it was one that we knew would end soon. They were in the game against Buffalo but didn't make the plays we are used to seeing Chiefs players make. They just ran into a better team that day in the Buffalo Bills. The same thing happened last year, and the Chiefs won the one that really mattered. Getting Xavier worthy going will be a good thing for Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes, as he will give Kansas City another speedster in the playoffs.
2. Buffalo Bills
Last week’s ranking: 4
Week 11 result: 30-21 win vs Chiefs
Week 12 opponent: Bye
We've seen them win these games before, and I'm sure Sean McDermott and Josh Allen would rather win the one in January than November, but this is a good sign that the Bills are still a legit contender in the AFC. What I like about this win better than the past years is that Sean McDermott put the game in the hands of Josh Allen. When he could have kicked the field goal and gone up five with three minutes left, Sean McDermott opted to go for it and put the ball in the face of the franchise hans. That's what should happen. He finally learned after all these years. The defense has been playing lights out, and they held Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense to just 21 points. This is a legit team.
1. Detroit Lions
Last week’s ranking: 2
Week 11 result: 52-6 win vs Jaguars
Week 12 opponent: Away vs Colts
It finally happened! We finally have a new number one in the power rankings. It just took 11 weeks to get to this point, but the Detroit Lions are the number one team in the NFL. Do I even have to explain why I put them at number one? Not only do they have one of the most well-liked coaches in the league, Dan Campbell, but what they can do on offense with Ben Johnson and Jared Goff is spectacular. They have two great backs in Montgomery and Gibbs, a star receiver in Amon-Ra St. Brown, a stud tight end in Sam Laporta, and a quarterback who is in the MVP conversation in Jared Goff. Oh, and a top 3 offensive line in the league. Combine that with the creativity of Ben Johnson and the things he can do, and you get the makings of a great football team. Not to mention, the defense is as ever after losing Aidan Hutchinson to a season-ending injury. This is the best team in football.
HN’s NFL Power Rankings: Week 12
