NFL Power Rankings Week 12: The Giants Annual Second Half Swoon Has Begun, Patriots Surge Could be Coming

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15. Denver Broncos (Previously Detroit Lions)

This seems much too high for the Broncos, but I think I felt bad putting all of the A.F.C. West teams in the bottom 20 so I didn’t. I’m shocked they are playing well so on defense. It’s strange it’s like Tebow being in the game injected live into the defense. If the defense continues to play they way they have the past few weeks. The Broncos are now 5-5 and real contenders in the playoff hunt.

14. Cincinnati Bengals (previously same)

The Bengals should battle with the Jets the rest of the season for the second wilcard playoff berth. I give the Jets the slight edge because the Jets have been there before and Andy Dalton and the Bengals are trying to get there. Also the loss of leon Hall for the season potentially a huge loss. The fact that A.J. Green might miss some time doesn’t help anything either. Very costly loss for the Bengals in terms of divisional standings. The Bengals are one of the upcoming teams in the league.

13. New York Jets (Previously Dallas Cowboys)

I know Broncos fans might be made that the Jets are ahead of the Broncos despite the fact that the Broncos just beat the Jets, but I think the Jets are still the better team.

12. Detroit Lions (previously New York Jets)

I broke my rule for power rankings here by having too many N.F.C. teams and not enough A.F.C. teams in this section. The Bears have been awesome as of late, but I wanted to reward the Lions for their 7-3 record. This slot should probably go to the Jets, Broncos, or Bengals because on of those teams is going to make the playoffs.

All of the teams from this point forward either won or were on a bye so the power rankings aren’t going to adjust much from here on out.

11. Atlanta Falcons (Previously New York Jets)

Big time win by the Falcons in what I thought could be a trick game. Chris Johnson looked like he was about to break out after weeks of improving performances, but the Falcons really came out and contained him. With the Giants big loss and the Bears loss of Jay Cutler for the season, the Falcons look like a lock for the playoffs.

10. Chicago Bears (previously Bengals)

A really good, but costly win for the Bears. Jay Cutler was really playing well as of late making a lot of plays out of nothing while the defense had gotten back to its roots of turning people over. The loss of Cutler could be huge though.

9. Baltimore Ravens (previously Lions)

A big win by the Ravens, essentially wrapping up a playoff spot. A schedule without many good teams lies ahead which could be bad for the Ravens considering how much they have played down to their competition this year.

I would accept the argument that the Steelers should be switched here with the Ravens because the Ravens hold the tiebreaker.

8. Oakland Raiders (previously San Diego Chargers)

The Raiders have “control of their own destiny”. Carson Palmer has added some stability to the quarterback position and is really helping the young wide receivers develop. The team is playing well without it’s best player, Darren McFadden and have a real good shot at making their first playoff appearance in a long time.

7. Dallas Cowboys (previously New York Giants )

The Cowboys have really only three important games left on their schedule. If they beat the Giants twice and the Eagles once they will make the playoffs and win the division. That’s it, the only games they have to win, the rest of the games don’t matter at all. They are not getting the second seed so don’t pay attention to what happens in those games. They didn’t look great vs the Redskins but pretty good is all you need to be in the N.F.C. East this year.

6. New Orleans Saints (previously New Orleans Saints)

The Saints are on a bye this week. The last time they were on a bye and then played The Giants the next week in New Orleans they absolutely thrashed the Giants through the air. I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see similar results.

5 Pittsburgh Steelers (Previously Pittsburgh Steelers)

The Steelers were on a bye here’s what I said about them last week

Right now it’s hard to know what to make of this division. The Steelers are owned by the Ravens, but the Ravens can beat the drudges of the leagues like Jacksonville and Seattle. What an odd season.

4. New England Patriots (previously New England Patriots)

The Patriots should handle the Chiefs tonight. They have a big game in Philadelphia next week, but after that they could win out (Colts, Washington, Denver, Miami, Buffalo).

3. San Francisco 49ers (49ers)

Unlike the lame stream media-I’ve been high on the 49ers for almost two months. Why? They can run the ball well, they can stop the run well (the most consistent run stopping defense in the league), They have good special teams and Alex Smith is playing the clock manager job well. They also play in a weak division. The 49ers have a realistic chance at winning 11 or 12 games this year based on their schedule. The 49ers WILL end up with a bye.

Remaining schedule:

Washington

Giants

Arizona

, Baltimore, STL, Arizona, Pittsburgh, Seattle, St. Louis

They should be favorites in every game except MAYBE Baltimore and Pittsburgh.

Seriously, the 49ers could end up with a bye in the playoffs. Who saw that coming?

The best thing about the 49ers is they have not shown any let-down all season. On Sunday vs the Cardinals they had the perfect opportunity to have a let down after an emotional victory vs the Gaints, but they came out and put the game away early.

2. Houston Texans (Previously Texans)

The Texans were on a bye here’s what I said about them last week

The Houston Texans defense is among the best in the league (at least statistically) and this team keeps winning despite the losses of their best offensive (Andre Johnson) and defensive player (Mario Williams) over the last month. They’ve won big games on the road, at home and just keep winning. This team is going to wrap up its division soon and could be on it’s way to a playoff bye. When the Texans get to the playoffs they will be at a disadvantage because of their lack of experience, but this team is going to make the playoffs for the first time barring an epic collapse.

Well, with the news that Matt Schuab will miss the rest of the season it’s possible I suppose the Texans have an epic class, but until they lose at least one game I’ll stick with them here.

1. Green Bay Packers (previously Packers)

Until they are unseated they remain King. Their pass defense has looked poor though this season and that bears watching as the playoffs approach. But when you have Aaron Rodgers, their offensive weapons, and a bright offensive minded coach you can win a lot of games by out scoring people.

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