JetNation NFL Power Rankings (Top 10) — Week 13

1. Arizona Cardinals (10-2)
   Last Week: 1

Arizona had little trouble with the woeful Bears.  This week’s game against the Rams is the biggest game of the season for the Cards.  A win would give the Cards a stranglehold on the division.  A loss would put the NFC West up for grabs down the stretch.

2. Green Bay Packers (9-3)
   Last Week: 2

The Packers bye week went very well.  The late timing will help several banged up players, and the Vikings loss all but clinched the division for Green Bay.  The Packers sit just off the pace in the NFC with what may be the softest remaining schedule of any of the contenders.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-3)
   Last Week: 3

Somehow Rob Gronkowski is surging.  His connection with Brady is bringing back memories of New England’s heyday.  Brady has looked to Gronk at least eight times over the last three weeks.  This is very bad news for the rest of the league.  If Godwin and Evans can stay healthy, it will be next to impossible to stop the Bucs offense with Gronk roaming the middle.

4. New England Patriots (9-4)
   Last Week: 4

The Patriots made it seven straight Monday night in stormy Buffalo. The Pats have the league’s best point differential and now sit in the driver’s seat in the division and the conference.  With their remaining schedule it’s not hard to envision the playoff going through New England and a possible Super Bowl matchup between Belichick and Brady.

5. Kansas City Chiefs (8-4)
   Last Week: 5

Sunday made it five straight wins for KC.  The defense’s turn around is startling.  The Chiefs have not given up more than 17 points over the current winning streak and they have held three of those opponents under 10 points.

6. Los Angeles Rams (8-4)
   Last Week: 6

The Rams rebounded from the Packer game nicely with a blowout win over the lowly Jags.  Nobody cares.  It’s time for the Rams to beat someone of note.  The Rams travel to Arizona this week for their biggest game of the season.  The Rams haven’t been impressive since week three.  A loss would put the Rams on the edge of missing the playoffs.  It’s time for Los Angeles to show us something.

7. Dallas Cowboys (8-4)
   Last Week: 10

The Cowboys were once in the conversation for home field, but a loss this week would put the division in the balance for the stretch run – a development that was unthinkable not that long ago.  The Cowboys and Redskins play twice over the next three weeks.  We will see if Dallas can get its grove back or if they will be afterthought for the post-season.

8. Los Angeles Chargers (7-5)
   Last Week: Unranked

The Chargers are the very definition of an “up and down team” alternating wins and losses over the last six games.  The win in Cincy was impressive, but can we expect two good games in a row?  This team seems reluctant to take that next step.

9. Washington Football Team (6-6)
   Last Week: Unranked

The Redskins have notched four straight wins and made this week’s game against the Cowboys meaningful in the NFC East.  The WFT doesn’t do anything particularly impressive, but they have learned how to find ways to win.  That just might be enough to sneak into the playoffs.

10. Indianapolis Colts (7-5)
    Last Week: Unranked

The Colts have won four of their last five and are 7-2 after a disastrous start to the season.  The Colts catch the Patriots this week on a possible let down game.  A win puts the Colts squarely in the post-season race, while a loss may finish things for Indy.

Nick Ferraro

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