Week 12 NFL Power Rankings: The NFC Reigns Supreme

Another week, another blow to several of the projected Super Bowl contenders. The Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans were both handled by inferior competition, leaving more AFC chaos in its wake. The NFC, though, has some teams that continue to flex their muscles.

Here is where things stand in my power rankings heading into Week 12. Odds courtesy of DraftKings on Nov. 23.

1. Arizona Cardinals (9-2)

Last week: 1

Week 11 result: 23-13 win over the Seahawks

Week 12: Bye

Super Bowl odds: +900

The Cardinals went on the road and demolished the Seahawks with backup quarterback Colt McCoy under center. The score was only this close because Matt Prater missed a pair of field goals and an extra point. Arizona has an elite defense and an elite offense when quarterback Kyler Murray is healthy. He should be back after the bye, as the Cardinals remain the team to beat.

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-3)

Last week: 4

Week 11 result: 30-10 win over the Giants

Week 12: Buccaneers (-3) at Colts

Super Bowl odds: +600

It’s pretty clear that the two best teams in the NFL reside in the NFC. Tom Brady is the MVP favorite for good reason, as Tampa Bay has the most potent passing game in the league. The Bucs demolished the Giants on Sunday, but will need the Cardinals to slip up in order to claim the all-important No. 1 seed heading into the playoffs.

3. Los Angeles Rams (7-3)

Last week: 5

Week 11 result: Bye

Week 12: Rams (+1) at Packers

Super Bowl odds: +900

The Rams haven’t been particularly crisp of late, so this is more of an indictment of the other contenders failing to perform. Los Angeles has a good head coach, a talented quarterback and two elite defensive pieces, which is enough to make it a viable contender even if there have been some hiccups this year. 

4. New England Patriots (7-4)

Last week: 8

Week 11 result: 25-0 win over the Falcons

Week 12: Patriots (-6) vs. Titans

Super Bowl odds: +1400

The Patriots are on a serious roll, winners of five straight games in impressive fashion. They now lead the NFL in point-differential and just may be the team to beat in the AFC, even with a rookie quarterback at the helm.

5. Kansas City Chiefs (7-4)

Last week:

Week 11 result: 19-9 win over the Cowboys

Week 12: Bye

Super Bowl odds: +750

The Chiefs have won four straight games, and while Patrick Mahomes has shown flashes of dominance, it’s been the stark turnaround of the defense that is most impressive. Kansas City has the second-best Super Bowl odds again, and while there are flaws, it would not be a surprise to see the Chiefs come out of the AFC.

6. Dallas Cowboys (7-3)

Last week: 3

Week 11 result: 19-9 loss to the Chiefs

Week 12: Cowboys (-7.5) vs. Raiders

Super Bowl odds: +900

The Dallas offense was stuck in neutral against the Chiefs, although injuries played a big part in that. The Cowboys still have all the makings of an upper echelon squad but will need to prove they are a true contender down the stretch.

7. Buffalo Bills (6-4)

Last week: 2

Week 11 result: 41-15 loss to the Colts

Week 12: Bills (-5.5) at Saints

Super Bowl odds: +800

OK, it’s time to stop giving the Bills the benefit of the doubt. They were thoroughly outclassed by the Colts on Sunday and have failed to play like the juggernaut that was expected. Buffalo is still a contender, but cannot be considered the favorite in the AFC at this point.

8. Green Bay Packers (8-3)

Last week: 6

Week 11 result: 34-31 loss to the Vikings

Week 12: Packers (-1) vs. Rams

Super Bowl odds: +1000

The Packers fell from the perch of the No. 1 seed with the loss to Minnesota and it’s unlikely they will regain it. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is currently dealing with a toe injury, the latest ailment to one of Green Bay’s stars. 

9. Baltimore Ravens (7-3)

Last week: 10

Week 11 result: 16-13 win over the Bears

Week 12: Ravens (-4) vs. Browns

Super Bowl odds: +1400

Baltimore escaped with a victory in Chicago despite the absence of star quarterback Lamar Jackson. The Ravens haven’t been as dominant this season as in years past but still have to be considered a threat in the conference.

10. Los Angeles Chargers (6-4)

Last week: 11

Week 11 result: 41-37 win over the Steelers

Week 12: Chargers (-3) at Broncos

Super Bowl odds: +2000

The Chargers survived a wild game against Pittsburgh, which was critical for their playoff hopes. Justin Herbert was phenomenal in the contest, and his continued ascension could make Los Angeles a tough out if it makes the postseason.

11. Tennessee Titans (8-3)

Last week: 7

Week 11 result: 22-13 loss to the Texans

Week 12: Titans (+6) at Patriots

Super Bowl odds: +1800

The Titans knocked off some of the NFL’s best teams in recent weeks but injuries caught up to them in a shocking loss to the Texans on Sunday. Tennessee might have the best record in the AFC but it is decidedly not the team to beat.

12. San Francisco 49ers (5-5)

Last week: 12

Week 11 result: 30-10 win over the Jaguars

Week 12: 49ers (-3) vs. Vikings

Super Bowl odds: +5000

The 49ers are back in the playoff hunt with back-to-back impressive wins. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is playing well, but must prove he can keep it up. San Francisco could be a dangerous low seed if it makes the playoffs.

13. Minnesota Vikings (5-5)

Last week: 13

Week 11 result: 34-31 win over the Packers

Week 12: Vikings (+3) at 49ers

Super Bowl odds: +5000

The Vikings, like the 49ers, have played well of late and are now in line to qualify for the postseason. Quarterback Kirk Cousins is quietly having a solid year. Minnesota has a lot of toss-up games left, including Sunday in San Francisco, that will ultimately determine its fate.

14. Cincinnati Bengals (6-5)

Last week: 14

Week 11 result: 32-13 win over the Raiders

Week 12: Bengals (-4) vs. Steelers

Super Bowl odds: +4000

The Bengals picked up a key win over Las Vegas on Sunday and did so easily. Cincy certainly has the look of a playoff team, though the standings are quite muddled in the AFC.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (5-6)

Last week: 19

Week 11 result: 40-29 win over the Saints

Week 12: Eagles (-3.5) at Giants

Super Bowl odds: +6000

The Eagles have turned it on of late. They have won three of four behind an offense that has really figured things out. Philadelphia looks like a fringe playoff team.

16. Indianapolis Colts (6-5) 

Last week: 20

Week 11 result: 41-15 win over the Bills

Week 12: Colts (+3) vs. Buccaneers

Super Bowl odds: +4000

The Colts made a big statement by crushing the Bills and have to be taken seriously moving forward. Running back Jonathan Taylor is having a phenomenal season, and the Indy offensive line is paving some serious holes.

17. New Orleans Saints (5-5)

Last week: 15

Week 11 result: 40-19 loss to the Eagles

Week 12: Saints (+5.5) vs. Bills

Super Bowl odds: +8000

New Orleans is already without quarterback Jameis Winston for the rest of the season, and the rest of the roster is being ravaged by injuries. The Saints are good enough to claim a wild card but the competition will be fierce down the stretch.

18. Cleveland Browns (6-5)

Last week: 16

Week 11 result: 13-10 win over the Lions

Week 12: Browns (+4) vs. at Ravens

Super Bowl odds: +4000

The Browns won on Sunday, but it felt like a loss, barely beating the woeful Lions. Things are not going well in Cleveland.

19. Carolina Panthers (5-6)

Last week: 18

Week 11 result: 27-21 loss to Washington

Week 12: Panthers (-2) at Dolphins 

Super Bowl odds: +25000

It’s been such an inconsistent season for Carolina. It lost to Washington on Sunday, delivering a blow to the Panthers’ playoff chances one week after a win over the Cardinals

20. Seattle Seahawks (3-7)

Last week: 20

Week 11 result: 23-13 loss to the Cardinals

Week 12: Seahawks (+1) at Washington

Super Bowl odds: +15000

Russell Wilson did not look like himself against Arizona, and the loss to a backup quarterback may have been the death knell to a disappointing season. The Seahawks need to be nearly perfect the rest of the way to have a shot at the playoffs. 

21. Las Vegas Raiders (5-5)

Last week: 19

Week 11 result: 32-13 loss to the Bengals

Week 12: Raiders (+7.5) at Cowboys

Super Bowl odds: +10000

Three straight losses for the Raiders, who are regressing to their normal level after a deceivingly hot start.

22. Denver Broncos (5-5)

Last week: 23

Week 11 result: Bye

Week 12: Broncos (+3) vs. Chargers

Super Bowl odds: +10000

Big game this week for the Broncos against divisional foe Los Angeles. Both teams could really use the win.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4-1)

Last week: 21

Week 11 result: 41-37 loss to the Chargers

Week 12: Steelers (+4) at Bengals

Super Bowl odds: +10000

The Steelers almost stole one against Los Angeles but the defense let down. Pittsburgh needs to get healthy on that side of the ball or risk falling out of playoff contention.

24. Washington Football Team (4-6)

Last week: 24

Week 11 result: 27-21 win over the Panthers

Week 12: Washington (-1) vs. Seahawks

Super Bowl odds: +25000

As if there aren’t enough teams vying for the playoffs, Washington could actually get in the conversation with a win over Seattle this week.

25. Chicago Bears (3-7)

Last week: 24

Week 11 result: 16-13 loss to the Ravens

Week 12: Bears (-3) at Lions

Super Bowl odds: +50000

Matt Nagy is on the hot seat, with reports that he will be fired after Thanksgiving. It’s a good idea so the Bears can get a jump on finding a coach who pairs well with rookie quarterback Justin Fields.

26. Miami Dolphins (4-7)

Last week: 27

Week 11 result: 24-17 win over the Jets

Week 12: Dolphins (+2) vs. Panthers

Super Bowl odds: +50000

Three straight wins for Miami, but it’s too little, too late.

27. New York Giants (3-7)

Last week: 25

Week 10 result: 30-10 loss to the Buccaneers

Week 11: Giants (+3.5) vs. Eagles

Super Bowl odds: +50000

The Giants looked terrible on Monday night and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett was fired on Tuesday. It feels like the Daniel Jones era is also winding down.

28. Houston Texans (2-8)

Last week: 32

Week 11 result: 22-13 win over the Titans

Week 12: Texans (-2.5) vs. Jets

Super Bowl odds: +100000

The Texans pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the season on Sunday, knocking off the Titans. Houston actually looks like an NFL team when Tyrod Taylor is the quarterback.

29. Atlanta Falcons (4-6)

Last week: 28

Week 11 result: 25-0 loss to the Patriots

Week 12: Falcons (-1) at Jaguars

Super Bowl odds: +100000

Atlanta’s illusion of being a decent team has crumbled. The Falcons are clearly among the league’s worst.

30. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-8)

Last week: 29

Week 11 result: 30-10 loss to the 49ers

Week 12: Jaguars (+1) vs. Falcons

Super Bowl odds: +100000

At this point, it’s simply a battle to see which also-ran finishes at 32. The Jags are in contention.

31. New York Jets (2-8)

Last week: 30

Week 11 result: 24-17 loss to the Dolphins

Week 12: Jets (+2.5) at Texans

Super Bowl odds: +100000

Zach Wilson will start this week as the New York quarterback merry-go-round continues.

32. Detroit Lions (0-9-1)

Last week: 32

Week 11 result: 13-10 loss to the Browns

Week 12: Lions (+3) at Bears

Super Bowl odds: +100000

Give the Lions this: they are pretty good at staying close, and thus, covering spreads.

We're proud to have appeared in:

  • logo-Express Logo
  • logo-Mirror Logo
  • logo-GiveMeSport Logo
  • logo-Daily Star Logo
  • logo-YAHOO_WHITELOGO
  • logo-AS_WHITELOGO
  • logo-GOAL_WHITELOGO
  • logo-MAILONLINE_WHITELOGO
  • logo-MSN_WHITELOGO
  • logo-TALKSPORT_WHITELOGO