Week 13 Power Rankings: Thanksgiving in Review

Written by Ben Slavin

Multiple late game-winning field goals highlighted the Week 12 action. A few rivalries were renewed and one game was intense enough for an all-out brawl. While there were a lot of fun games this week, many fans likely missed having two of the most explosive teams in the league play. Scheduling the Rams and Chiefs for the same bye week was an unfortunate coincident for the league. Spoiler alert: a bye week didn’t affect either team’s ranking. 

Real quick, let’s reiterate. Now that we’re into the season, teams will move up or down a lot based on trades, injuries, or big wins or losses. Who the opponent was, how close of a game it was, and in general how good the team looked will be considered more than just getting the victory.


32. Arizona Cardinals (2-9, Same)


It looks like Arizona have firmly cemented themselves as the worst team in the league. A loss to their top competitor in the Raiders followed by a horrific showing will do it. The Cardinals were pulling an upset bid early on as they jumped out to a 10 point lead. Then the Chargers got it going and Arizona rolled over — if allowing 45 straight points even counts as rolling over.


31. Oakland Raiders (2-9, Same)


This was a really good showing by the Raiders. Despite the reports, this team still hasn’t given up. Oakland scores first and would have led at half of not for a punt return touchdown allowed. A late fumble returned for a touchdown sealed their fate as well. The only thing holding them back this week was talent, not effort or coaching.


30. San Francisco 49ers (2-9, Same)


That was not a great showing for the Niners. Nick Mullens has looked like the undrafted quarterback he is ever since his great debut. The defense underwhelmed against the Giants two weeks ago and continued that trend this week against Tampa Bay. Being the only defense that can’t turn over Jameis Winston isn’t a great look.


29. New York Jets (3-8, Same)


New York was the unfortunate victim of the Patriots bounce back game. They kept it close for a while, but the second half was all Patriots. Unsurprisingly, Josh McCown didn't play particularly well. The coaching staff deserves a lot more blame than McCown, though. In a competitive game with Tom Brady on the other sideline, the Jets coaching staff decided to run it just 12 times. That’s not how you beat New England. Or keep your job.


28. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-8, Down 4)


You know you’re bad when you get the ball at the one after an overturned touchdown and score zero points on the possession. Jacksonville did that Sunday in Buffalo after a fight and penalties pushed them into a field goal attempt they missed. At least Leonard Fournette proved his toughness by throwing punches at a helmeted Shaq Lawson. Or maybe it was stupidity.


27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7, Same)


The Buccaneers quarterbacks follow a clear pattern. Their first game starting, they ball out. The next game or two, they blend beauty and hideousness. The game after that, they implode and the backup takes over. Then the cycle repeats. Jameis Winston had his great game this week, throwing for two touchdowns with zero turnovers and propelling the Bucs over the 49ers. Get ready for the ugly ones.


26. New York Giants (3-8, Same)


For a while, it looked like the Giants were going to get revenge on a division rival who embarrassed them earlier in the season. Then they went back to being the Giants. The offensive line went matador mode and Eli Manning became a scared child at the sight of pass rushers. Jake Elliott was able to hit a kick to win the game. Remember when he did that last year too, Giants fans?


25. Miami Dolphins (5-6, Same)


Ryan Tannehill’s return clearly energized the Dolphins. Apparently Tannehill can look like a good quarterback ... when everyone has a lasting image of Brock Osweiler in the same uniform. Late in the game, Miami led 24-14 and was on their way to an upset. Then Andrew Luck went to work. You can’t fault a team when they lose on a last-second drive by a great quarterback like Luck.


24. Buffalo Bills (4-7, Up 4)


Nobody wants to go into Buffalo. For a while it’s been because it’s cold and there’s nothing to do there, but Sean McDermott has built a team that defends home turf. In Josh Allen’s return, the Bills bounced Jacksonville. That bullet he threw right before getting sandwiched by defenders was special.


23. Detroit Lions (4-7, Up 1)


With Golden Tate in Philadelphia, Marvin Jones Jr. injured, and a fierce defense across the field, the Lions looked to a short passing game to find success. No success was found. The Lions couldn’t get much going as an offense, but hung around in the game. That likely had more to do with the Bears’ self-inflicted wounds than the Lions successes, though.


22. Cincinnati Bengals (5-6, Down 3)


Hopefully Sunday’s blowout home loss to Cleveland is rock bottom for the Bengals. But with AJ Green and now Andy Dalton injured, this may only be the beginning. You never know, though, maybe Jeff Driskel will save their season. Then again, any team that is (reportedly) contemplating replacing Marvin Lewis with Hue Jackson doesn’t deserve saving.


21. Atlanta Falcons (4-7, Up 1)


Atlanta had chances to win against the Saints, or at the very least keep it close. The Falcons moved the ball down the field consistently, but killed themselves with turnovers in the red zone. Calvin Ridley fumbled as he crossed the goal line. Matt Ryan was stripped by an unblocked rusher inside the 5. In the same game. That’s the stuff of a 4-6 (make that 7) team.


20. Washington Redskins (6-5, Same)


Colt McCoy’s first start in a while didn’t go too well. You have to give him credit for throwing the ball down the field and taking more chances than his predecessor. The problem was his shots downfield were wobbly, inaccurate, and often intercepted. Plus, for some reason, the Redskins decided tackling Amari Cooper was illegal.


19. Philadelphia Eagles (5-6, Down 1)


Things were looking bleak for the Eagles in the first half. Eli Manning sat untouched in the pocket while Carson Wentz got hit on almost every play. At one point, the Giants led 19-3. In the second half, the Eagles defense got it going, only allowing 3 points and Wentz was able to put his kicker in position for a game winner.


18. Cleveland Browns (4-6-1, Up 3)


In emphatic fashion, the Browns put a couple of the more pathetic streaks in NFL history. With a 35-20 win in Cincinnati, Cleveland won their first road game in 26 tries and their first back-to-back wins since 2014. Baker Mayfield and Nick Chubb have been on fire and highlight a nearly perfect rookie class.


17. Tennessee Titans (5-6, Down 1)


Hopefully Titans fans enjoyed the first few minutes of this game because after that, things got ugly. They went up 10-0 early on and then proceeded to be dominated. The Titans offensive line showed shades of their 11 sacks allowed performance against Baltimore and you had to feel bad for Marcus Mariota. If he didn’t throw it quickly, he was going to regret it.


16. Green Bay Packers (4-6-1, Down 3)


The majority of the Packers games against good opponents have gone the same this season. Aaron Rodgers would make a few great throws and the game would be close in the third quarter. After that, the better team would capitalize on the simple Green Bay offense and pull away. That’s why Green Bay is now 4-6-1 and distant in the wild card race.


15. Denver Broncos (5-6, Up 2)


Denver’s 5-6 record may be underwhelming, but their play has been a lot more impressive than many of the teams surrounding them in the standings. They have close losses to the Chiefs twice and Rams as well as victories over the Chargers and Steelers. A team everyone gave up on a few weeks ago is now red hot in time for a playoff push.


14. Indianapolis Colts (6-5, Up 1)


Before everyone gets too carried away by 5 straight wins for the Colts, try to remember a streak against the Bills, Raiders, Jaguars, Titans, and Dolphins isn’t exactly murderous. Especially when three of those games were very close, including the most recent one against Miami. Still, Andrew Luck is amazing and the offensive line just allowed their first sack in weeks.


13. Baltimore Ravens (6-5, Up 1)


Lamar Jackson certainly makes the Ravens look different. For the longest time, Baltimore’s poor offense was carried by a dominant defense. With Joe Flacco starting, this year was no different. Since Jackson took the reigns, there have been more mistakes, but many more dynamic plays.
Jackson has cut out the failed long balls to John Brown and formed a dominant rushing attack with Gus Edwards.


12. Carolina Panthers (6-5, Down 2)


That was a tough game for the Panthers. There were missed opportunities all throughout the game and if the Panthers had converted any of them, they likely would have won. Instead, they lost their second straight heartbreaker and third straight game. With three straight losses, Carolina now sits outside the playoff picture.


11. Dallas Cowboys (6-5, Up 1)


Thanksgiving Amari Cooper is worth a first round pick. Shockingly, he’s looked much more motivated now that he’s out of Oakland and burned the Redskins with crisp route running and yards after the catch. His skill set fits perfectly with Dak Prescott and the Cowboys run first offense.


10. Seattle Seahawks (6-5, Up 1)


I wasn’t all that impressed by Seattle’s win. Their league-leading rushing attack couldn’t get much going against an inconsistent rush defense. The majority of their success throwing the ball was against backup cornerbacks after Donte Jackson got injured. Carolina also moved the ball up and down the field and just pulled a Plaxico. A convincing argument could be made Seattle was lucky to win.


9. Minnesota Vikings (6-4-1, Down 1)


The Vikings are going to need to find some offensive balance to take their team to the next level. They have one of the worst rushing attacks in the league and rely too much on the pass. On the bright side, Dalvin Cook looked much more explosive than he has in a while. With a few more weeks of play, he could transform the offense.


8. Houston Texans (8-3, Up 1)


Outside of a 61 yard Jonnu Smith — who’s freakishly fast for a tight end — touchdown, the Texans defense shut down the Titans. On every drop back, Mariota either had to evade rushers or went down to them. Half the time Tennessee ran the ball the carrier was hit in the backfield. With a fully healthy JJ Watt, Houston’s defense is in consideration for the best in the league.


7. Los Angeles Chargers (8-3, Same)


With an early 10-0 deficit, it looked like the Chargers might lay an egg in back-to-back weeks. Then they scored 45 straight points and everyone remembered why Los Angeles is scary. Unfortunately, Melvin Gordon went down with an injury that could jeopardize both his and the team’s playoff run.


6. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3-1, Down 2)


The Steelers had more than 200 yards more than Denver and lost. That's not ideal. A minus-4 turnover ratio makes the picture clearer. Sloppy play by Pittsburgh spoiled a massive day by JuJu Smith-Schuster that includes a 97 yard touchdown.


5. Chicago Bears (8-3, Up 1)


On a ridiculously short week (their SNF game ended about 11:30 p.m. and they played again Thursday at 12:30 p.m.), the Bears were unfazed. Nobody has been able to do anything against the defense since Khalil Mack returned from injury, and the Lions were no different. Without Mitchell Trubisky, the offense was less-dynamic, but less-volatile.


4. New England Patriots (8-3, Up 1)


This wasn’t the emphatic and reassuring win Patriots fans were probably hoping for after their loss to Tennessee two weeks ago. Tom Brady played better than he has the past few weeks, but still missed his share of throws. The defense played well, though that’s not hard to do against the Jets. Regardless, good teams take care of business against inferior opponents and that’s what New England did.


3. Kansas City Chiefs (9-2, Same)


Kansas City has only lost games to the Patriots and Rams. Hopefully they used their bye week to figure out what they need to do to propel themselves past the best teams in the playoffs. They shouldn’t have to worry too much about a post-bye week stumble as a trip to Oakland awaits.


2. Los Angeles Rams (10-1, Same)


When the Rams return from their bye, I’d expect Sean McVay to figure out some great ways to get his tight ends more involved now that Cooper Kupp is done for the year. If he does, the Lions in Detroit will be the first team to feel it.


1. New Orleans Saints (10-1, Same)


The Saints are looking unbeatable right now, mainly because of their defense. The unit sparked worry after an extremely underwhelming start to the year. In recent weeks, though, Cam Jordan and friends have piled up the sacks and turnovers. In a year where the best teams are all-offense and little defense, the Saints’ defensive resurgence gives them an edge.

Think your team is ranked too low? Or just in general think I know nothing about football? Go crazy in the comments.