After months of being atop the Power Rankings, the Patriots are in a free fall that’s downright heartwarming. Let’s see who else has made a move.
1. Carolina Panthers – (12-0) The Panthers just keep rolling and probably faced their biggest obstacle to an undefeated season last week, coming back from 14 points down to stay perfect. It’s time of the ’72 Dolphins to start sweating. Last week: No. 1
2. Arizona Cardinals – (10-2) A win this week probably realistically locks up the No. 2 seed in the playoffs for the Cardinals, who have improved every season under Bruce Arians. It makes you wonder why it took so long for a team to hire him as its head coach. Last week: No. 2
3. Denver Broncos – (10-2) Boomer Esiason thinks the Broncos will hand the keys back to Peyton Manning when he’s healthy. I’m not so sure. Last week: 3
4. Cincinnati Bengals – (10-2) The Bengals can clinch the AFC North this week with a win over the Steelers, but no Bengals fan is worried about that. The playoffs loom and that’s where all Cincinnati’s questions await. Last week: No. 5
5. Green Bay Packers – (8-4) The Rodgers to Rogers Hail Mary put the Packers back in charge of the NFC North and may have changed the complexion of the postseason in the NFC. Last week: No. 8
6. New England Patriots – (10-2) “Freefall” may have been too strong a word. Rob Gronkowski returned to practice this week with a brace on his leg and there’s a chance he’ll take the field Sunday against the Texans. Maybe my conspiracy theory was off after all. Last week: No. 4
7. Seattle Seahawks – (7-5) Not only are the Seahawks in the playoff race, they look like they might be a real factor in it. Last week: No. 7
8. Pittsburgh Steelers – (7-5) The Steelers are probably right outside the wild card race and facing the Bengals this week doesn’t help. Last week: No. 9
9. Minnesota Vikings – (8-4) The Vikings can’t seem to lead the NFC North for more than a week at a time. Last week: No. 6
10. Kansas City Chiefs – (7-5) Back in October the Chiefs looked like they were headed for a Top Five pick and Andy Reid was heading to the unemployment line after a quick stop at the drive through at Long John Silver’s. Now the Chiefs are a couple of games away from clinching a playoff spot and Reid sends interns to pick up his fried fish treats. Last week: No. 12
11. New York Jets – (7-5) The Jets are holding onto the final AFC wild card but to keep it they’ll have to beat the Bills and the Patriots. Last week: No. 16
12. New York Giants – (5-7) I wasn’t a big proponent of firing Tom Coughlin when the question seems to come up every other year, but with the cluster-effs that have cost the Giants all seven of their losses this season, maybe it’s time for a change. Last week: No. 10
13. Indianapolis Colts – (6-6) Matt Hasselbeck is beat up now too as the team waits for Andrew Luck’s organs to regrow. The Jaguars coming up on the schedule this week may present more of a problem than everyone thinks. Last week: No. 11
14. Buffalo Bills – (6-6) The Bills can take control of their own playoff destiny, but they’ll have to win out. The math is just that easy and the challenge just that difficult. Last week: No. 14
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – (6-6) If you’d told me the Buccaneers would still be alive in the playoff race come December back in August I would have spit crab legs all over your face. Last week: No. 21
16. Houston Texans – (6-6) The Texans teased their fans with a nice little run there before screwing it up last week with a loss to the Bills. It’ll take more than a tease to beat the Patriots this week. Last week: No. 13
17. Atlanta Falcons – (6-6) The Falcons have lost five straight now and with the Panthers on the schedule this week, there’s no reason not to go ahead and count six. Last week: No. 15
18. Oakland Raiders – (5-7) The Raiders are primed to be more a spoiler than a playoff contender this year. This week they can ruin Brock Osweiler’s streak with the Broncos. Last week: No. 17
19. Chicago Bears – (5-7) The Bears followed up a huge win over the Packers with their worst loss of the season to the 49ers. It’s too late in the season to crap the bed so thoroughly. Last week: No. 18
20. Washington Redskins – (5-7) On the bright side, Redskins, you’re still leading the NFC East. Last week: No. 19
21. New Orleans Saints – (4-8) Good try against the Panthers, Saints. I like the effort, but it’s not going to keep Sean Payton in town next season. Last week: No. 20
22. Miami Dolphins – (5-7) The Dolphins are a great mystery under Dan Campbell. Luckily for us, unemployment will solve that mystery come January. Last week: No. 26
23. Philadelphia Eagles – (5-7) A surprising and pretty inspiring win over the Partriots is the kind of victory that can change a season for a team. Why does no one feel that way about the Eagles? Last week: No. 27
24. Baltimore Ravens – (4-8) Four games and then the nightmare’s over, Ravens. Every team has been there, but luckily for you, you have the coach and the front office in place to fix it. Last week: No. 22
25. Dallas Cowboys – (4-8) The Cowboys are just trying to stay alive in the playoff race, hoping that Tony Romo can come back again. Crazier things have happened. Last week: No. 23
26. Jacksonville Jaguars – (4-8) The Jaguars can’t really make the playoffs realistically, but their next four games are against the Colts, the Saints, the Falcons and the Texans so 8-8 is a real possibility and after their recent history, a real accomplishment. Last week: No. 24
27. San Francisco 49ers – (4-8) The Fightin’ Gabberts have some real fight in them and with the Browns coming up on the docket this week, there’s real reason to expect back-to-back wins for the first time this season. Last week: No. 30
28. Detroit Lions – (4-8) A heartbreaking end to the Packers game all but folded up the Lions’ tents last week. But not to worry. The Rams will make it all better Sunday. Last week: No. 25
29. St. Louis Rams – (4-8) Speaking of the Rams, time to secure that fourth consecutive losing season, Jeff Fisher. You suck. Last week: No. 29
30. Tennessee Titans – (3-9) The Titans remain dangerous and can screw up the Jets’ postseason plans. Marcus Mariota and the emergence of Dorial Green-Beckham make anything possible. Last week: No. 31
31. San Diego Chargers – (3-9) The Chargers got the inglorious honor of being the third team in the NFL this season to secure a losing record with their loss to the Broncos last Sunday. Congratulations. Last week: No. 30
32. Cleveland Browns – (2-10) The Browns are locking up the first pick in April’s draft and don’t even need to, as the Titans and Chargers already have their quarterbacks. The Browns screw up everything. Last week: No. 32
