NFL Power Rankings Week 13: Giants Plummeting, Saints Rising
#15 Denver Broncos
The real “tebow” of the Denver Broncos is Von Miller. Lost in the shuffle of Tebow’s last season magic is how dominating Von Miller is turning out to be. This guy bulldozes offensive linemen who have 60 pounds on them and there is now way they can stop is speed rush when he can run right through them on other plays. Many thought Miller was miscast in the 43, but they were, scratch that, we were all wrong.
I think Tebow’s real test will come next year when coaches have a whole off-season to plan for the Broncos kind of goofy N.F.L. offense, if it’s still successful next year, then you know it’s not a fade and it has a legitimate chance of working long term.
#14 Detroit Lions
The Lions have a potentially brutal finish to the regular season including trips to New Orleans and another meeting with the Packers. They also have to travel out to Oakland. They are down to walk-ons at the running back position with all the injuries there and that could really cost them the playoffs. Early this year the playoffs looked like a lock, now it’s a definitive possibility they are watching the playoffs from home.
#13 New York Jets
The Jets are in a familiar position, needing some help to get into the playoffs for the third year in a row, and you know what they’ll probably get it somehow. No matter how much this team beats itself throughout the year they seem to find a way to sneak into the playoffs and create some havoc, but they have virtually no tiebreakers and must finish a game ahead of the Broncos and hope the Bengals lose two conference games to get in.
#12 Chicago Bears
Because I have no faith in the Giants the Bears are the leader for the last wild card spot in the N.F.C. The Eagles aren’t going to make the playoffs now with that loss the Cowboys should win the N.F.C. East the Buccaneers can’t turn it around now the Lions still have games with the Packers, Saints, Oakland and San Diego which is a pretty brutal schedule, perhaps too much to overcome.
#11 Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are a game ahead of the other wild card contenders, but they don’t have a favorable schedule comign up: with Pittsburgh, Houston and Baltimore still remaining. The Texans game looks less daunting than it did before. If they take care of their business and win the game with either Pittsburgh or Baltimore (and the Ravens game is the last game of the season and could mean nothing to the Ravens) they should be playoff bound.
#10 Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons are really coming on strong here and are probably the best N.F.C. Wild card team with the struggling Detroit Lions and the injury to Jay Cutler they are probably the best N.F.C. playoff team. I’d feel much better about their superbowl chances if the road ran through Atlanta and their defense was a little better (it’s better than last year, I think). But with that running game and good quarterback play they could conceivably beat anyone.
#9 Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are #9 because I like to put the division leaders 1 through 8 and the Steelers are the best wild card team.It wouldn’t shock me at all if they are playing in the Superbowl, but right now they are in an uphill battle to win the division.
#8 Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys hold all the cards, now if the Giants sweep the Cowboys and beat the Redskins they will likely win the division, but I don’t see that happening. As the Giants will continue their late season collapse.
#7 Oakland Raiders
The Raiders might not be the 7th best team in the league, but they are in the 7th best position. They are probably going to win their division as long Carson Palmer keeps playing pretty well. The return of Darren McFadden definitely won’t hurt.
#6 San Fran 49ers
Sorry, 49ers I didn’t intend on dropping you so far after one good loss, but the Saints looked impressive. The 49ers should still end up with the second bye though with how many division games they have left. The Saints have a lot more playoff experience though and clealry the better quarterback, still no one wants to play the 49ers in the playoffs especially if it’s cold and windy.
#5 Baltimore Ravens
If the Ravens could beat the bad teams they may have been able to waltz into the #1 seed in the A.F.C. Instead they have put forth some pitiful efforts and might not have the luxury of going through the playoffs at home which hurts because they are good at home.
#4 Houston Texans
I didn’t move the Texans down after last week and said I’d wait a week until they lost (I had them at #2) to move them off the #2 spot, but forging ahead with a late round rookie quarterback…yikes. It’s not like Leinart was setting the world on fire, but this team can’t possibly keep it’s pace up, can they? I really hope they win a few more games and make the playoffs for the first time ever.
#3 New Orleans Saints
No one, Green Bay included looks forward to playing the Saints with their deep array of wide receiving options. Their defense is vulnerable, but they are well coached, agressive and a terrific offense.
#2 New England Patriots
This defense is really over-achieving as of late like the Buffalo Bills defense early in the season. They are creating some turnovers, and are generating a fair pass rush with some no-names and over the hill types. Still they are winning a lot of games have an easy schedule to finish up and have Tom Brady and Bill Belichick they have to be the favorites to represent the A.F.C in the Superbowl right now.
#1 Green Bay Packers
The only other ranking other than the Colts that comes without any controversy. Their defense looks much better than it did at the beginning of the season, but it still is a sieve against the pass and the defense doesn’t look Superbowl Champion caliber even though the offense might overcome that.
Follow us on twitter @NFLmocks and if you’re looking for more to read take a look at our scouting report page. We have been working hard to give you information on all of the top prospects and have made a 150+ scouting reports