Top 15 Teams in the NFL Power Rankings: Week 12

Top 15 Teams in the NFL Power Rankings for Week 12

The best teams in the National Football League always seem to find a way to win close football games. They may not dominate their opponent like they are expected to, but at the end of the day, getting the victory is more important. The Minnesota Vikings rallied from being down 20-0 for the majority of the football game to defeat the Denver Broncos 27-23.

The Viking’s perseverance showed what separates great teams from a ball club that’s just good at the moment. Sports Talk 365’s number one ranked team; the Baltimore Ravens dominated the Houston Texans 41-7 in what was featured as the Week 11 Game of the Week. The top 15 teams in the NFL Power Rankings for Week 12 are as follows.

1. Baltimore Ravens: 8-2

They continue to dominate their opponent and never allow an opportunity for a potential second-half letdown.

2. San Francisco 49ers: 9-1

Last week against the Arizona Cardinals, quarterback Jimmy Garrapolo showed that he could lead his team without the defense being proficient at what they do. The Niners defeated the Cardinals 36-26 after being down 16-0 in the first half.

3. New England Patriots: 9-1

The Patriots defense is the strong point for this football team right now. Their next opponent has wide receivers that can catch the football and make explosive plays, unlike the Philadelphia Eagles.

4. New Orleans Saints: 8-2 (Previous Ranking 6th)

They swept the season series with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by defeating them 34-17. The Saints can wrap up the NFC South title by defeating their next two opponents in the Carolina Panthers and the Atlanta Falcons. The next goal will be the fight for home-field advantage throughout the postseason.

5. Seattle Seahawks: 8-2 (Previous Ranking 4th)

They could very well take over as division leader of the NFC West if the 49ers stumble on their brutal stretch of the season that starts this Sunday against the Packers.

6. Green Bay Packers: 8-2 (Previous Ranking 5th)

Outside of facing the 49ers and Vikings, the Packers have the path of least resistance when it comes to securing a top playoff seed in the NFC.

7. Minnesota Vikings: 8-3 

Let’s face it, the Vikings will win the NFC North, or they will become the 5th seed in the NFC playoff picture as a wild card. Kirk Cousins becoming inconsistent down the road may be their only stumbling block.

8. Kansas City Chiefs: 7-4 (Previous Ranking 9th)

The Chiefs have a great offense that can keep an opposing defense on their heels for all four quarters. But if their defense does not fix their miscues, they will be going home early once the postseason starts.

9. Dallas Cowboys: 6-4

Dak Prescott has transformed from a guy that can only make plays with his feet, to the Cowboys field general on offense. He will have to continue playing this way for the remainder of the season if they want to wrap up the NFC East.

10. Buffalo Bills: 7-3 (Previous Ranking 12th)

The Bills will make the playoffs this season, no doubt, but they will not be a threat to no one once the postseason starts.

11. Oakland Raiders: (Previous Ranking 14th)

After defeating the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, the Raiders are only one game behind the Kansas City Chiefs for control of the AFC West. Not too many analysts expected the Raiders to be where they are right now.

12. Los Angeles Rams: 6-4 (Previous Ranking 10th)

Around this time last season, the Rams were a projected Super Bowl contender. In 2019 it has been the complete opposite. Their defense has gotten better over the past few weeks. They are still a dangerous team despite their 6-4 record.

13. Indianapolis Colts: 6-4 

The Colts have done an outstanding job with Jacoby Brissett under center this season. The fight for their division will be on the line this Thursday Night against the Houston Texans.

14. Philadelphia Eagles: 5-5 (Previous Ranking 11th)

We completely overvalued the talent that is on the Philadelphia Eagles roster back in August. This team does not have an identity on offense at all. 

15. Pittsburgh Steelers: 5-5

After what occurred in last week’s 21-7 defeat by the Cleveland Browns, the Pittsburgh Steelers better look for Ben Roethlisberger’s successor immediately. Mason Rudolph is not that answer going forward. These are your top 15 teams in the NFL Power Rankings for Week 12.

Photo courtesy of Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports.