Week 13 NFL Power Rankings

Creator: Mark Zaleski | Credit: AP

Despite the widespread uncertainty across the league regarding playoff format and penalties for covid affecting games and players safety, we’re starting to see a clear top tier of the NFL emerge. The AFC is definitely starting to round itself out as all current potential playoff teams won their matchup besides the Las Vegas Raiders & Indianapolis Colts, realistically there are 3 bottom playoff spots being fought for by 6 teams in the AFC. The NFC on the other hand is still wide open. The Saints and Packers look to be in clear contention for the #1 and #2 seed, the rest is obtainable for all teams as the NFC West & NFC East can still be taken by any team within those respected divisions.

This week saw some critical upsets and more movement downward than teams climbing. The Hinton Project was an absolute disaster, he went 1/13 on passing attempts and the Broncos overall only had 13 yards through the air on the day in their 31-3 loss. The Cardinals late game kicking struggles continued as Zane Gonzalez missed another crucial field goal down the stretch and rookie Isaiah Simmons got called for a controversial late hit on Cam Newton which set up the Pats for a Nick Folk Game Winner. The Titans took advantage of the Colts who were missing defensive leader DeForest Buckner as Derrick Henry torched them for 178 yards and 3 TD’s.

Climbing: The winter is here, and the Titans become an absolute wagon in the winter. Derrick Henry the past couple years has been a man amongst boys once December hits and he started a little early this year, torching the Colts defense in a 45-26 blowout on the road. QB Ryan Tannehill has also had a great year as he has 23 TD’s and just 4 INT’s, his career low interception % has helped the Titans rank 2nd in turnover differential at +11 on the year. Tennessee’s defense has had its ups and downs but Mike Vrabel has his guys ready to run through a brick wall when it gets close to playoff time, the Titans are not a team you want to see across from you in the winter.

Crashing: The Las Vegas Raiders had the ugliest loss of the week, which is almost impressive considering the Broncos completed one pass on sunday and only scored 3 points. The Raiders got blown out 43-6 on the road in Atlanta in a game that saw them turn the ball over 5 times including 4 fumbles lost. Their offensive line was non-existent allowing 5 sacks, as well as the run game only mustering up 40 yards on 14 attempts. The 43 points is all on their defense as they continuously had great field position due to the turnovers and mistakes, but applying pressure on opposing QB’s needs to step up if they want to earn a playoff spot.

NFL Power Rankings || Top 16:

#1 Kansas City Chiefs -- (10-1) / 27-24 @ Buccaneers (W)

#2 Pittsburgh Steelers -- (10-0) / N/A vs Ravens (TBD)

#3 New Orleans Saints -- (9-2) / 31-3 @ Broncos (W)

#4 Green Bay Packers -- (8-3) / 41-25 vs Bears (W)

#5 Tennessee Titans +3 (8-3) / 45-26 @ Colts (W)

#6 Buffalo Bills +1 (8-3) / 27-17 vs Chargers (W)

#7 Seattle Seahawks +2 (8-3) / 23-17 @ Eagles (W)

#8 Indianapolis Colts -3 (7-4) / 26-45 vs Titans (L)

#9 Tampa Bay Buccaneers +1 (7-5) / 24-27 vs Chiefs (L)

#10 Los Angeles Rams -4 (7-4) / 23-20 vs 49ers (L)

#11 Baltimore Ravens -- (6-4) / NA @ Steelers (TBD)

#12 Arizona Cardinals -1 (6-5) / 17-20 @ Patriots (L)

#13 Cleveland Browns +1 (8-3) / 27-25 @ Jaguars (W)

#14 Miami Dolphins +1 (7-4) / 20-3 @ Jets (W)

#15 Las Vegas Raiders -2 (6-5) / 6-43 @ Falcons (L)

#16 San Francisco 49ers +3 (5-6) / 23-20 @ Rams (W)

On The Edge: Vikings (5-6), Patriots (5-6), Chargers (3-8)

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* Cover Photo: Creator: Mark Zaleski | Credit: AP | Copyright 2020 The Associated Press.