Week 12 Power Rankings

Hi NFLers

Welcome to my weekly NFL Power Rankings – a look at how I rank the 32 NFL teams after the Monday Night Football fallout. The figures to the right of the logo denote each team’s current record while the number to the left in brackets is where I had them placed last week.
At a time when the jostling for playoff spots is hotting up, you’d think there might be a few position changes at the top of the order (Green Bay are exempt from such thoughts). No, for the first time this season, my top eight remain the same as last week, although that wasn’t helped by the fact that the Saints (2), Steelers (3) and Texans (6) were on their bye week.

Big love for: Eagles, Seahawks

No love for: Giants, Rams

1. (1) 10-0 The ’72 Dolphins say they’d welcome the Packers into the undefeated club. Don’t be fooled, but they are now serious pretenders to such greatness. Detroit on the road on Thanksgiving promises much for all of us and the Pack do have to lose at some stage…

2. (2) 7-3 Drew Brees leads Tom Brady in the race to surpass Dan Marino’s 5,084 yards. He’s rested heading into Monday night and what could be a weary Giants team.


3. (3) 7-3 The defense gets to have its wicked way with Tyler Palko this week while the Ravens face the Niners. ‘Tis a good week in Steel Town.

4. (4) 9-1 They could’ve afforded to almost take a week off against Arizona, but were having none of it. They won’t go away, but aren’t making my top two just yet. Jim Harbaugh goes up against brother John’s Ravens on Thanksgiving in an absolute belter.

5. (5) 7-3 An absolute lock for the playoffs and, with a favourable schedule, homefield advantage throughout January is not out of the question. Good luck, AFC.

6. (6) 7-3 Matt Leinart’s had an extra week to get used to those big shoes he has to fill. A trip to the 3-7 Jags is first up, but not so fast Matthew. You circumnavigate their 4th ranked pass defense and that’s a big test passed.

7. (7) 7-3 Kept the upstart Bengals at bay last week before the Thanksgiving of unbrotherly love.

8. (8) 7-3 Just as the Bears were thinking NFC Championship Game, they now have to do it with Caleb Hanie directing the offense. Matt Forte doesn’t deserve this!

9. (13) 7-3 Another crazy second half comeback won’t be good enough against the Pack this week.

10. (12) 6-4 Almost slipped on the banana skin that was the Redskins…another one awaits with the visit of the Dolphins on Thanksgiving.

11. (11) 6-4 Harbouring hopes of catching the Saints and hosting a home playoff game. Their schedule makes it difficult, but they’re not shy on offense when they put their minds to it.

12. (10) 6-4 The AFC North retains its status quo…the Bengals hope to write a successful script in 2012.

13. (15) 6-4 They would’ve viewed their matchup with the Bears this week with trepidation…until Jay Cutler goes down. Al Davis is working in mysterious ways.

14. (9) 6-4 They’re angry at themselves for the slip against the Eagles and they now face a brutal stretch of games. They may need to beat the Cowboys twice.

15. (22) 4-6 They outfought the Giants when it was most required. Their hosting of the Patriots this week makes for a humdinger.

16. (19) 3-7 A 3-7 team in the top half of the Power Rankings? You bet. They should’ve won their last five straight. OK, they didn’t, but they’re playing like a top 16 team.

17. (18) 5-5 Another ridiculous win for the Broncos Tim Tebow.

18. (14) 5-5 A ridiculous loss to the Broncos Tim Tebow.

19. (16) 4-6 Coach Norv Turner’s a nice guy and that seems to translate to the waste of talent in San Diego.

20. (20) 5-5 Jake Locker is further proof of history showing this to be a possible rich quarterback draft class.

21. (17) 5-5 How did this happen? Outscored 106-26 in their last three.

22. (28) 4-6 Virtue of a wonderful quirk in the schedule, Washington will visit Washington this Sunday. The Seahawks as favourites? Heady days in Seattle.

23. (24) 4-6 Fought the good fight in Green Bay and scored their most points of the season.

24. (21) 3-7 Looked woefully under prepared in San Fran, which is unforgivable. Living off past glories like winning in Philadelphia means they’re not to be trusted to cover the spread. Yes, they did let me down. And themselves.

25. (25) 2-8 This year is a steep learning curve for the Panthers and Cam Newton and they don’t come much steeper than losing a 24-7 lead. Oh, and yes, they did let me down by somehow failing to cover the spread.

26. (23) 2-8 When Adrian Peterson goes down, Christian Ponder becomes the leading rusher. Over to you, Vikings fans.

27. (31) 3-7 A proud franchise saved their best recent form for the Cowboys. That’s exactly how it should be, but it promises to be their last hurrah this season.

28. (30) 4-6 Up against the Rams and Jags the last two games…uninspiring on paper, but close finishes ensure the Browns remain exciting to watch. Honestly(!)

29. (29) 3-7 I say this every week…please can somebody get Blaine Gabbert a wide receiver or two?

30. (27) 4-6 Tyler Palko took to primetime better than most expected. He gets a second chance this Sunday.

31. (26) 2-8 Sam Bradford is disillusioned at how this season’s transpired. Injuries haven’t helped, but they really struggled against the Seahawks last week. Not good at home against a division rival.

32. (32) 0-10 Colts fans will see Andrew Luck from next season. This week they’ll get in the rookie QB mood when Cam Newton displays his talents.

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