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NFL Power Rankings – Week 12
Team of the Week – N.O. Saints
Player of the Week – Drew Brees
Photo – QB Drew Brees - Saints
The Saints’ Drew Brees had a near perfect performance vs the Patriots on Monday night in leading New Orleans to a key 38-17 victory. Brees threw for 371 yards on 18 of 23 passing for 5 TDs and no interception in one of the most impressive performances of the season. He is having an MVP type of season with over 3000 yards passing for 27 TD passes and just 9 interceptions on 343 passing attempts.
The Saints remaining five games includes only two playoff contenders, Dallas and Atlanta that gives them a strong chance to challenge the Dolphins perfect season in the early ‘70s.
Rank / Team / Record
1. Indianapolis Colts (11-0)
Colts made a great second half comeback that breaks the Texans heart.
2. New Orleans Saints (11-0)
The Saints behind Drew Brees will be very difficult to beat moving forward.
3. Minnesota Vikings (10-1)
The Vikings’ and Brett Farve are hitting stride and prepped to cause damage this postseason.
4. San Diego Chargers (8-3)
Chargers won a key game vs the Giants that keeps them just behind the Broncos with the critical second half of the season starting.
5. Dallas Cowboys (8-3)
Cowboys are peaking as the second half begins with many key NFC games on the agenda.
6. New England Patriots (7-4)
Patriots and QB Tom Brady are hitting stride and could be the best in the league in time.
7. Cincinnati Bengals (8-3)
The Bengals are looking to get healthy for the stretch run.
8. Philadelphia Eagles (7-4)
Eagles just got by the Redskins and face a tough close vs five playoff contenders.
9. Green Bay Packers (7-4)
Packers won Thanksgiving and prepare for critical Monday night clash with the Ravens.
10. Arizona Cardinals (7-4)
Cards are into Titans buzz saw and now jump in the arena with hot Vikings coming to town.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5)
Steelers lost a heartbreaker to the Ravens but get Big Ben back for Raiders and Browns up next.
12. Denver Broncos (7-4)
The Broncos beat the lifeless Giants on Turkey day and are prepped for a fairly soft finish that bodes well for their playoff chances.
13. Baltimore Ravens (6-5)
Ravens came up big vs the Steelers and travel to Green Bay for another critical must win situation this week.
14. Tennessee Titans (5-6)
Titans have won five in a row and are capable of running the table from here.
15. Atlanta Falcons (6-5)
Falcons face a critical game vs the Bucs on 4th quarter rally.
16. New York Giants (6-5)
The Giants never even showed up for key Thanksgiving game and probably have to run the table to make the playoffs.
17 .Jacksonville Jaguars (6-5)
Jags face a steady stream of contenders from here.
18. Houston Texans (5-6)
Texans can not get past the Colts with another two losses this season that most likely ends their playoff chances.
19. San Francisco 49ers (5-6)
The 49ers won a big game vs Jaguars that puts them in a good position to make a playoff run with soft schedule ahead.
20. New York Jets (5-6)
Jets face Buffalo in Toronto on Thursday night with hopes of getting a streak for longshot at playoffs.
21. Miami Dolphins (5-6)
The Dolphins lost a horrible game to the Bills that puts an end to their slim playoff chances.
22. Seattle Seahawks (4-7)
Seahawks beat the weak Rams and face a soft stretch here that could produce a few wins.
23. Chicago Bears (4-7)
Bears have lost four in a row and six of the last seven in a total collapse.
24. Carolina Panthers (4-7)
Panthers are dead in the water with expected wholesale changes this offseason.
25. Buffalo Bills (4-7)
Bills may have ruined the Dolphins season last week.
26. Kansas City Chiefs (3-8)
Chiefs are not ready to run with the big dogs like the Chargers just yet.
27. Washington Redskins (3-8)
Skins are playing hard weekly. They’re just not that good or know how to win.
28. Oakland Raiders (3-8)
The Raiders are thinking about joining the UFL this season.
29. Detroit Lions (2-9)
Lions move out of the basement mainly due to so many bad clubs in the NFL this season.
30. Cleveland Browns (1-10)
Browns are simply inept and probably start a major house cleaning as soon as the season terminates.
31. Tampa Bay Bucs (1-10)
The Bucs have started their rebuilding by starting rookie QB Josh Freeman.
32. St. Louis Rams (1-10)
The Rams are simply awful and may not win another game this season.