GRIDIRON POWER RANKINGS: WEEK 13
Welcome to Gridiron’s Week 13 power ranking as the season moves into the Thanksgiving weekend with one of its holiday stalwarts in top spot.
GRIDIRON POWER RANKINGS: WEEK 13
1 Detroit Lions (10-1) =
Another comfortable win over mediocre opposition suggests that the Lions have another gear to hit if needed, even if this week’s Thanksgiving match up with Chicago might not be that game. Even though QB Jared Goff is playing his part, and the defense is making plays, keeping Sonic and Knuckles rolling (and healthy) will be key for the franchise’s hopes of finally going all the way in the postseason.
2. Buffalo Bills (9-2) =
Even though they were on their bye after beating the Chiefs in Week 11, the Bills have shown enough to keep this spot — thanks, in part, to KC’s own performance last Sunday. With a crucial tiebreaker already in their favour, but the Chiefs and Ravens still looking potent, Josh Allen and Co will have no time to rest, beginning this weekend against the dormant-but-still-dangerous 49ers..
3. Kansas City Chiefs (10-1) =
Needing a last-gasp field goal to see off the lowly Panthers was not a good look for a Chiefs team still licking its wounds from the Buffalo game, but a win is a win and KC’s Week 12 stop on its kicker carousel, Spencer Shrader, did what was required to keep the reigning champs in AFC pole position. The Chiefs appear to be riding their luck in a lot of their games, but isn’t that the KC way to win Super Bowls?
4. Philadelphia Eagles (9-2) +1
The Rams could have been a tricky proposition for Philly in Sunday’s late game but, with Saquon Barkley in full flow (and then some), the Eagles made it look relatively easy as they kept up the pressure on Detroit in the race for the NFC’s playoff bye. Week 13 in Baltimore should be a bigger test for Nick Sirianni’s flock, but the outcome should not cloud judgement on what will be a definite contender should injuries not derail them.
5. Baltimore Ravens (8-4) +1
Like this week’s opposition, the Ravens had a tricky trip to SoFi Stadium on Monday night, but overcame the threat posed by the hometown Chargers once Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry hit their stride. Penalties and defensive frailties remain, however and Thanksgiving weekend’s game of the week will be a bigger test of the Ravens’ mettle. Are they who we think they are?
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) -2
Vaulting six places to sit at #4 in last week’s rankings may have been a bit much for a Steelers team that has yet to dominate anyone despite ensuring another winning record for HC Mike Tomlin. The excuses were flying as thick as the snow in Cleveland last Thursday night, but a similar divisional slip-up against Cincy this weekend could precipitate another tumble.
7. Green Bay Packers (8-3) =
The enigmatic Packers went from needing a walk-off field goal block to beat the Bears to cruising past the 49ers in the space of a week, so who (or what) are they? Remember this was a 49ers team with Brandon Allen under center, and looked it, but Jordan Love got backup from RB Josh Jacobs and a defense that keeps on ballin’ as the Pack remains firmly in the hunt.
8. Minnesota Vikings (9-2) +2
Putting the Vikes below Green Bay may seem churlish, but they had their own troubles in putting Chicago away after Caleb Williams and Co took them to overtime at Soldier Field. The arrival of Daniel Jones may provide some comfort should Sam Darnold succumb to injury, but can he get Justin Jefferson back into the endzone to complement a defense that keeps on keepin’ on?
9. Denver Broncos (7-5) +2
Yes, we know that the Chargers currently lead the, well, charge behind KC, but losing to Baltimore on Monday kinda makes it hard to push Jim Harbaugh’s team upward. Instead, with Bo Nix emerging as potentially the best of this year’s rookie QBs and Courtland Sutton enjoying something of a renaissance because of it, the Broncos could yet make a playoff push of their own.
10. Seattle Seahawks (6-5) +2
The NFC West remains wide-open as a division that seemingly no-on wants to win. Arizona had the chance to stake a claim to the title but fluffed their lines in a dour struggle in Seattle, allowing the Seahawks to nip in and pinch their place in the top ten. If QB Geno Smith can find some offensive consistency to provide balance to an emerging defensive unit, this could be the West’s rep come January.