Six games to go and we’ve got a lot of teams either vying for a wild card berth or vying for mediocrity. And there’s only one team with a guaranteed losing record. How many times has that been the case in Week 12?
1. New England Patriots – (10-0) Another week, another sub-par opponent. Barring a catastrophe, the road to the Super Bowl goes through New England. Let’s just hope they don’t make it down that road. Last week: No. 1
2. Carolina Panthers – (10-0) Cam Newton continues to make his NFL MVP case and doesn’t care how many busybody soccer moms he pisses off in the process. Last week: No. 2
3. Arizona Cardinals – (8-2) Two straight weeks of quality wins suddenly puts the Cardinals not only in complete command of the NFC West, but also makes them a legit Super Bowl contender. Last week: No. 4
4. Denver Broncos – (8-2) Brock Osweiler gets the start and plays fantastic, looking like the perfect quarterback for Gary Kubiak’s offense. Peyton Manning may want to play next season, but the Broncos look like they’ll be moving on with Brock. Last week: 5
5. Cincinnati Bengals – (8-2) Two straight losses for a Bengals team that looked like the best club in the world just a month ago. Never fear, Cincy. Jeff Fisher is bringing the Rams to tow to help you get back on track. Last week: No. 3
6. Green Bay Packers – (7-3) Aaron Rodgers didn’t lose four games in a row. Now can he win two in a row? The dangerous Bears will be a real obstacle to that Thanksgiving night. Last week: No. 6
7. Pittsburgh Steelers – (6-4) The Seahawks in Seattle after the bye may not be the best draw, but if this team is going to be a real contender, this is the kind of game they have to win. Last week: No. 8
8. New York Giants – (5-5) No team in the NFL needed a bye more than the Giants and they’ve needed it since Week One. The rest of the NFL might want to gird themselves for a nice little run here. Last week: No. 9
9. Minnesota Vikings – (7-3) There’s no shame in losing to the Packers. The Vikings have played way over their heads for weeks. A trip back to reality was always on the horizon. Last week: No. 7
10. Seattle Seahawks – (5-5) Before you get too excited at seeing the Seahawks at No. 10 after their “big” win over the Fightin’ Gabberts, there’s really no team to put above them and their offensive line is still a group of matadors. Last week: No. 14
11. Buffalo Bills – (5-5) The fact that the Bills kept it close, within a score, with New England in both games shows they’re going to be dangerous. Next season. Last week: No. 10
12. Indianapolis Colts – (5-5) Matt Hasselbeck is 3-0 as a starter for the Colts, showing the value that older quarterbacks have, especially as back ups. If the Colts make the playoffs, and they probably will, Hasselbeck should be their MVP. Last week: No. 16
13. Atlanta Falcons – (6-4) The bye week didn’t help and the Falcons are still on their skid after a hot start. There was a time when we all thought Matt Ryan was the next great NFL quarterback. I’m not sure anyone thinks that anymore. Last week: No. 11
14. Houston Texans – (5-5) The Texans got a solid performance at quarterback from T.J. Yates and with their schedule, that’s all they need. This week, the Saints come to town with the worst defense in the world. Last week: No. 20
15. Kansas City Chiefs – (5-5) Andy Reid is almost as excited about his team being back in the playoff hunt as he is that the McRib is back at McDonald’s for a limited time. Last week: No. 23
16. New York Jets – (5-5) The Jets are swooning, but they aren’t out of the hunt yet. They will be, but get at least a week’s reprieve by hosting the Dolphins. Last week: No. 15
17. Oakland Raiders – (4-6) Am I the only person that thinks this upcoming Raiders – Titans game is going to be a barn burner? Two years from now this might be for the AFC Title. Last week: No. 12
18. Chicago Bears – (4-6) The Bears hung in to until the end against a superior Broncos team, even with Brock Osweiler starting. Now they get to lose to the Packers, but good things are happening in Chicago. No reason to blow this thing up yet. Last week: No. 17
19. Philadelphia Eagles – (4-6) Mark Sanchez performed as expected and now it’s all but certain that Chip Kelly will be taking his gimicky offense back to the college ranks at the end of the year. He will not be missed. Last week: No. 18
20. New Orleans Saints – (4-6) Unless the Saints replaced their entire defense, along with firing Rob Ryan, their defensive coordinator, I still expect them to give up 50 or so every week. Last week: No. 19
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – (5-5) The Bucs make the biggest jump in the poll and they deserve it. I never dreamed Jameis Winston would have this team .500 by Thanksgiving. Crab legs for everybody! Last week: No. 28
22. St. Louis Rams – (4-6) It’s not the quarterback, Jeff Fisher. It’s you. No reason to dodge those calls from USC alums, buddy. Look on the bright side. You’ll be coaching in L.A. next year no matter what. Last week: No. 13
23. Baltimore Ravens – (3-7) There’s no such thing as a big victory for the Ravens at this point, but losing both Joe Flacco and Justin Forsett in the same game for the season takes any pleasure out of last Sunday’s win. Last week: No. 25
24. Dallas Cowboys – (3-7) I’ve got a bold prediction for you. The Cowboys are going to win out. It’s Romo-Mania! Last week: No. 31
25. Jacksonville Jaguars – (4-6) The Jaguars have used their Madden 16 roster to actually be in the hunt this season. It’s going to end at around seven wins, but considering their recent history, that’s plenty to celebrate. Last week: No. 29
26. Detroit Lions – (3-7) Two straight wins for the Lions and the worst has happened. Jim Caldwell has some job security. It’s a disaster. Last week: No. 30
27. San Francisco 49ers – (3-7) Just go ahead and stay home, 49ers. The Cardinals are coming and we really don’t need to know how many times Blaine Gabbert can be sacked or picked off in a single game. Trust me. Last week: No. 21
28. Miami Dolphins – (4-6) Remember a month ago when it looked like Dan Campbell might get to keep the Dolphins job? That now feels like a hulking, human growth hormone-fueled dream. Last week: No. 22
29. Tennessee Titans – (2-8) The Titans and the Jagaurs came down to the wire last week in a surprisingly fun game between two teams that will be fantastic three years from now. Last week: No. 24
30. San Diego Chargers – (2-8) Another week, another Power Rankings poll where I have to google if Mike McCoy has been fired since I started writing it. Last week: No. 26
31. Washington Redskins – (4-6) That Panthers defense is a little different monster than the Saints crew, eh, Redksins? Almost felt like a real NFL team there for a minute, huh? Last week: No. 27
32. Cleveland Browns – (2-9) Johnny Football returns. Don’t let the door hit you where you keep your head, moron. Last week: No. 32
