Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! We all have plenty to be thankful for in life. If you’re crazy for football like we are, you’re especially grateful for the annual tripleheader of the NFL Thanksgiving Games.
Six weeks to go. The races are heating up. Here’s where all 32 NFL teams stand in our Week 13 edition of the power rankings.
Which teams are at the top of the NFL rankings after week 12?
32. New York Giants (29)
Ladies and gentlemen, your new front-runners for the NFL first overall pick.
The Giants mercilessly ended the Daniel Jones era by granting his requested release before Sunday’s humiliating 30-7 beatdown at the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Giants have one more win on their schedule MAX, but losing out is also a highly likely scenario. At least Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter would look good in Giants’ uniforms.
31. Jacksonville Jaguars (32)
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The Jaguars were on a bye week, giving Trevor Lawrence valuable time to rest up his shoulder. The bad news for Jaguars fans is that after hosting Houston in Week 14, all of their remaining games will take place against teams with losing records.
So, Jags fans hoping for a TANK job…hold your horses. The Jags could actually go on a hot run to finish the year.
30. Las Vegas Raiders (30)
Don’t look now, but that’s now seven straight losses for the Raiders following a 2-and-2 start. And with the Chiefs, Buccaneers, and Falcons next on the schedule, the push for the first overall pick is looking really promising in Las Vegas’ favor.
This team needs a quarterback, so what’s the point of a couple more meaningless wins? On a side note, we hope Tom Brady is working extensively to bring Bill Belichick aboard.
29. New England Patriots (27)
A 34-15 road loss to the Miami Dolphins doesn’t look good on paper, but rookie QB Drake Maye made some big-time plays despite being under duress all day long. That’s a positive for the Patriots.
While most other bottom-feeders lack a suitable QB option, it already looks like the future of the Patriots has arrived. The Maye-DeMario Douglas tandem is really coming together, and the Pats figure to be a tough spoiler team over the final stretch.
28. New York Jets (26)
The hapless Jets were on a bye week, so at least they weren’t able to embarrass themselves much further.
At this point, the Jets have little to play for but pride. With the Seahawks next on the schedule and two games with Miami still ahead, aging NFL QB Aaron Rodgers and company still have a golden opportunity to play spoiler.
27. Tennessee Titans (31)
The Titans came into Houston and pulled out an ugly albeit thrilling 32-27 road win over the Texans. That’s despite Will Levis taking eight sacks, but luckily, Calvin Ridley and Tony Pollard were able to save the day.
In a lost season, few things can feel better than beating a bitter division rival on the road. The Titans have been playing their opponents tough, so don’t bet against the upsetting Washington when they come to town next Sunday.
Also Read: Ranking All 32 NFL Teams After Week 11 Games
26. Cleveland Browns (28)
Because football is weird, the sluggish Browns offense picked it up after snow invaded Huntington Bank Field in their Thursday night win over Pittsburgh.
Jameis Winston and Nick Chubb willed the Browns to a 24-19 victory against the AFC North leaders. And don’t forget these guys beat the Ravens back in Week 8. Of course, they won’t be pushovers over these final six weeks.
Another chance to play spoiler with a road contest against the Denver Broncos on Monday night.
25. Carolina Panthers (24)
A last-second loss to the heavily favored Chiefs is nothing to be ashamed of. Bryce Young hung in there and traded blow-for-blow with Patrick Mahomes before the defending champs kicked a last-second field goal to avoid the upset.
Young has three touchdowns and one pick over his last three games, finishing with a passer rating above 86 in consecutive games. It’s a noticeable improvement from last year, and he’s certainly playing his way toward another year as the starter for 2025.
24. Chicago Bears (23)
The Bears nearly pulled off a miracle for the ages against the Minnesota Vikings, scoring twice in the final 22 seconds to force OT. But the visitors prevailed by the skin of their teeth, dropping the Bears — now losers of five straight — to 4-7.
Caleb Williams has been a bright spot, but it’s clear a new coaching staff is needed to maximize his potential. It’s a shame that Matt Eberflus and the defense have wasted Williams’ superb rookie year.
23. Dallas Cowboys (25)
Well, that’s something to feel good about.
Amid a disastrous season for the Cowboys, they came into Washington and stunned Jayden Daniels Commanders with a 34-26 victory. Chalk this up as a top-five game of the year, folks.
No, the Dak Prescott-less Cowboys won’t make the playoffs, but beating a heated division rival on their own field had to feel good. With the Giants, Bengals, and Panthers next on the schedule, Dallas can inch themselves that much closer to .500.
22. New Orleans Saints (22)
The Saints come out of their bye week as winners of two straight. Four of their final six games are against teams in the playoff picture, so Darren Rizzi’s squad has a fun chance here to cause chaos in the NFL postseason chase.
First up, a home tilt against Matthew Stafford’s Los Angeles Rams, who are officially in must-win territory.
21. Cincinnati Bengals (21)
Coming out of their Week 12 bye, every game is now a mandatory victory for the 4-7 Bengals — and they’re going to need some help along the way. The Denver Broncos hold the final playoff spot in the AFC with a 7-5 record, so Cincy must win out and hope Sean Payton’s group drops at least two more games.
Important to note that the Bengals host the Broncos in Week 17.
20. Indianapolis Colts (19)
Shane Steichen’s Colts were no match for the visiting Detroit Lions, who pummeled them into submission with a 24-6 victory.
Indy has to be kicking themselves for dropping four of their last five. The AFC South-leading Texans are inexplicably unraveling, but the Colts have played their way out of the race for the division crown.
Like Cincy, Indy’s gotta win out to have any hope at the NFL postseason. They visit the New England Patriots on Sunday before heading into their bye week.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (20)
Mike Evans’ return powered the Bucs to a 30-7 dismantling of the Giants, ending a four-game losing skid and putting Todd Bowles’ squad right back into the playoff mix.
The Bucs are still, essentially, two games behind the Atlanta Falcons for the NFC South crown since Kirk Cousins and company own the head-to-head tiebreak. Tampa isn’t done, but they need a lot of help if they’re to steal the division from Atlanta.
18. San Francisco 49ers (17)
Sunday’s lopsided road loss to the Green Bay Packers wasn’t a surprise. The 49ers were without Brock Purdy, Trent Williams, and Nick Bosa, after all.
That doesn’t mean the 49ers are okay with the result, though.
A second straight loss drops them to 5-6 — yet only one game out of first in the NFC West. But the 49ers are also in a spot where every game is a must-win, and it doesn’t get any easier with a road game against the Buffalo Bills next on the schedule.
Put up or shut up time for Kyle Shanahan’s squad. Let’s see how they respond.
17. Miami Dolphins (18)
Well, the Dolphins aren’t going down without a fight.
Now, the winners of three straight, the 5-6 Dolphins, suddenly have a bit of life in the playoff race. Thursday’s Thanksgiving clash with Green Bay at Lambeau Field is a must-have, but regardless of what happens, it’s at least encouraging to see this offense regain its elite form with a healthy Tua Tagovailoa.
And if anything else, they too can cause havoc in the NFL postseason rate over these final six weeks.
16. Los Angeles Rams (14)
The “Jekyll and Hyde” theme of the Rams continued in Sunday’s humiliating home loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The 5-6 Rams just can’t find any consistency whatsoever.
If the Rams want to take the wide-open NFC West throne, they’ll need to stop alternating wins and losses. They still face each of their division foes one more time, but all of those add up to a must-win as well.
But first, they have a get-right road game against New Orleans on Sunday.
15. Atlanta Falcons (15)
Losers of two straight, the Falcons got a much-needed bye week to reset and regroup with two tough opponents next on the slate: A home clash with the Chargers followed by a road tilt against the Vikings — with Kirk Cousins visiting his old team.
Time to refocus and get back on track with the NFC South right in their grasp.
14. Houston Texans (12)
If there’s one playoff contender that feels like a safe bet to go one-and-done, it might be the Texans…
They’ve now lost three of four, with the only win coming against a sorry Dallas team with a backup NFL quarterback. Will Levis’s Titans drop 32 points on a Houston team that’s supposed to have a championship-level defense? Yikes.
CJ Stroud has been sacked 17 times over the last four games. If the o-line doesn’t get it together soon, Houston’s once-promising season will end with a whimper of a wild-card round loss. Just saying.
13. Arizona Cardinals (11)
The Cards must be kicking themselves for letting an opportunity get away. With the Rams and 49ers also losing, a Week 12 road win in Seattle would have put Arizona two games clear of first place in the NFC West.
But it wasn’t to be. An ugly 16-6 loss in a rain-filled affair keeps this division as a four-way horse race. With the Vikings and Seahawks next on the schedule, Kyler Muray and company need to quickly regroup.
12. Seattle Seahawks (16)
The Seahawks’ big win over Arizona has them in sole possession of first in the NFC West. What a bonus that the Rams and 49ers also lost.
But with games against Arizona, Green Bay, Minny, and the Rams still on the schedule, there’s a long way to go toward locking the division down. The Seahawks need to first avoid an upset by Aaron Rodgers and the Jets in Gotham on Sunday.
11. Washington Commanders (10)
Now it’s panic time in Washington. The biggest surprise of the first half went from 7-2 to 7-5, this time falling to a hapless Dallas Cowboys team at home.
The Commanders’ special teams let them down, with Austin Seibert missing the game-tying extra point after Jayden Daniels’ miracle touchdown to Terry McLaurin in the waning seconds.
The Titans come to town on Sunday. We can’t even call this a “get right” game after the performances of both teams in Week 12, but Dan Quinn and company really can’t let another W slip away with the playoff race heating up.
10. Denver Broncos (13)
Sean Payton’s Broncos just keep on cruising…
The Broncos strengthened their playoff push with a 29-19 road win over the Raiders. Now at 7-5, with a manageable schedule down the stretch, the Broncos look poised to end their nine-year playoff drought.
Bo Nix for offensive rookie of the year, anyone? He’s up to 2,548 yards passing yards, 16 passing touchdowns, 300 rushing yards, and four rushing scores.
9. Los Angeles Chargers (9)
Jim Harbaugh fell to older brother John and the Ravens in an ugly home loss on ‘Monday night football.’ Now, at 7-4, the Chargers need to self-reflect and figure out how to beat legitimate competition.
They’re still a safe bet to make the playoffs, but the Broncos have a real shot at leapfrogging the Chargers in the wild-card standings. With road contests against Atlanta and KC next, the Bolts need to get back to basics and regroup quickly.
8. Baltimore Ravens (8)
John and the Ravens thoroughly dominated the Bolts on Monday, moving the elder Harbaugh to 3-0 against his brother. And this one was a statement.
With the Steelers also losing, the 8-4 Ravens still have a real shot at this division crown. Another encouraging note: The D has allowed under 20 points in three of the last four weeks.
In a potential Super Bowl preview, the Ravens will head back home to welcome the red-hot Eagles. Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry vs. Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley? Inject it in our veins!!!
7. Green Bay Packers (7)
The Packers had no issues dismantling the banged-up 49ers at Lambeau Field to improve to 8-3 on the year. Winners in six of their last seven, Green Bay looks awfully dangerous with the NFL postseason looming. Surely, a wild-card team nobody wants to face.
NFL Thanksgiving football returns to Lambeau Field, with the Dolphins visiting the Cheeseheads in the third game on Thursday.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (4)
The Steelers oughta be sick after putting up a bit of a stinker in Thursday’s road loss to the Browns. The L takes them out of the running for the AFC’s top seed, and it leaves the door open for the Ravens to push for the division crown.
With the Ravens winning in Week 12, it’s back to “Game on” for the AFC North. The Steelers face the Eagles, Ravens, and Chiefs over a three-game stretch in December, so they may wanna take advantage of a weaker opponent like the Bengals this Sunday.
5. Minnesota Vikings (6)
The Vikings nearly choked it away against the rival Bears, but Sam Darnold and company had no issue adding some OT theatrics in a nailbiting OT victory at Soldier Field.
Now, 9-2, the Vikings need some help to unseat the Lions for the NFC North crown. A three-game homestand begins on Sunday against another playoff contender, the Cardinals.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (5)
Feel free to hop on the #SaquonForMVP bandwagon. What a show by the star running back in La La Land.
A franchise-record 255 rushing yards and 302 yards from scrimmage in a 37-20 blowout win over the Rams. Oh, and the Eagles have won seven in a row and have the NFC East on cruise control.
See you guys in the NFL postseason. The “Fire Nick Sirianni” crowd is surely quiet these days.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (3)
It was very ugly, alright, but the Chiefs barely snuck past the heavy underdog Panthers on a last-second field goal to avoid a second straight loss.
The Chiefs are playing with fire by waiting until the waning seconds to win all these games — especially against weaker opponents. We understand why KC fans might grow concerned, but the defending champs just always have a way. No need to worry…yet.
2. Buffalo Bills (2)
The Bills got to enjoy a well-deserved bye week after their monumental Week 11 home win against the Chiefs. With the Steelers and Texans losing in Week 12, the Bills basically have a top-two seed locked up.
Up next, the Bills try to put a dagger in the 49ers’ season on Sunday Night Football.
1. Detroit Lions (1)
Dan Campbell’s Lions came into Indianapolis and crushed the Colts without issue to extend their win streak to nine. At 10-1, the Lions have already clinched a third straight winning NFL season — the first time they’ve done so since 1993 to ‘95.
Up next, pop your turkeys in the oven and bake the pumpkin pie. The Lions are hosting the Bears in the first Thanksgiving game.
Also Read: Ranking All 32 NFL Teams’ Offenses From WORST To FIRST After Week 11 Of The 2024 Season
