Happy Thanksgiving Week! Welcome to the Week 12 NFL Power Rankings. Our hosts Brandon & Erick have debated and determined the NFL power structure. All teams have been divided into different tiers.
Each tier is a quote that we believe fans of these teams are saying.
- Tier 1 – “See you in the Super Bowl!” (1-4)
- Tier 2 – “Playoffs? We’re talking about Playoffs!” (4-10)
- Tier 3 – “If this AND THIS happens, we are in!” (11-27)
- Tier 4 – “We’re a dumpster fire, aren’t we” (28-32)
Click here for last weeks power rankings.
Current Playoff Match-ups
Full NFL Standings
1. New England Patriots (8-2) 1st Rd Bye
2. Oakland Raiders (8-2) 1st Rd Bye
3. Houston Texans (6-3) vs. 6. Denver Broncos (7-3)
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-5) vs. 5. Kansas City Chiefs (7-3)
1. Dallas Cowboys (9-1) 1st Rd Bye
2. Seattle Seahawks (7-2-1) 1st Rd Bye
3. Atlanta Falcons (6-4) vs. 6. Washington Football Team (6-3-1)
4. Detroit Lions (6-4) vs. 5. New York Giants (7-3)
Tier 1: “See you in the Super Bowl!”
1. Dallas Cowboys 
Record: 9-1
Last Game: W, 27-17 @ Ravens
Last Week: 1
Brandon: Cowboys continue to impress, winning nine in a row. Dak continues to shine and is really giving Zeke a run for ROY & MVP.
Erick: They keep impressing.
2. New England Patriots
Record: 8-2
Last Game: W, 30-17 @ 49ers
Last Week: 2
Brandon: A get-right game against the 49ers helps the Pats stay on top the AFC. Gronk’s injuries are still concerning.
Erick: Does Tom Brady age?
3. Oakland Raiders 
Record: 8-2
Last Game: W, 27-20 vs Texans
Last Week: 4
Brandon: Raiders have leaped into the top tier of NFL teams this season. Derek Carr is quickly moving into the top tier of NFL Qb’s as well.
Erick: Carr to Cooper is scary!
4. Seattle Seahawks 
Record: 7-2-1
Last Game: W, 26-15 vs. Eagles
Last Week: 3
Brandon: Russell Wilson is getting healthier with every snap and the defense is getting back into form. Should be smooth sailing for the Seahawks until the postseason.
Erick: They seem to be clicking at the right time, they are on track to get to the NFC Championship.
Tier 2 – “Playoffs?! Yes, we’re talking about Playoffs!”
5. Atlanta Falcons
Record: 6-4
Last Game: L, 15-24 @ Eagles (Week 10)
Last Week: 8
Brandon: Falcons need to put away a fading Cardinals team on Sunday to solidify their place among the top teams in the NFC.
Erick: JULIO!!!!
6. Denver Broncos
Record: 7-3
Last Game: W, 25-23 @ Saints (Week 10)
Last Week: 7
Brandon: A huge division game against the Chiefs is up next. Big test for Siemian and this offense against KC’s D. Both teams needs to keep up with the division-leading Raiders.
Erick: I don’t know how much longer they can stay a top 10 team with Siemian at QB, but they keep winning games.
7. Kansas City Chiefs
Record: 7-3
Last Game: L, 17-19 vs. Buccaneers
Last Week: 6
Brandon: A bad loss at home to the Bucs puts them behind the Raiders, with a SNF game at Denver looming. This is make or break time for KC.
Erick: Not flashy, but overall a solid team.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers
Record: 5-5
Last Game: W, 24-9 @ Browns
Last Week: 5
Brandon: Steelers got back in the win column, but it’s the Browns. Le’Veon Bell finally had a Le’Veon Bell game. Thanksgiving night awaits for Big Ben and Crew.
Erick: They’re not the Steelers of old, but I wouldn’t want to be facing Big Ben come playoff time.
9. Washington Football Team
Record: 6-3-1
Last Game: W, 42-24 vs. Packers
Last Week: 10
Brandon: Kirk Cousins (4th in yards, 10th in Td’s) has this team in the playoff picture with huge back to back wins against Min & GB.
Erick: Kirk Cousins is a top 5 QB In yards, “ You like that ? “.
10. New York Giants
Record: 7-3
Last Game: W, 22-16 vs Bears
Last Week: 9
Brandon: Landon Collins (T-1st in INT, 16th in tackles, 5 int in the last 4 games) is having himself a DPOY season. Giants offense struggles at times, but the defense will keep them in games.
Erick: Anything can happen with an Eli-lead team.
Tier 3 – “If this and this happens, we are right there!”
Welcome to .500 (or close to it). Literally every single one of these teams could either make or miss the playoffs. 27 teams in playoff contention.
11. Detroit Lions
Record: 6-4
Last Game: W, 26-19 @ Vikings
Last Week: 13
B: Lions are taking advantage of the rest of the NFC North struggling. Thanksgiving game against the Lions
E: They have to capitalize on the fact that the Packers, and Vikings have fallen apart, and win this division.
12. Miami Dolphins
Record: 6-4
Last Game: W, 14-10 @ Rams
Last Week: 18
B: The Dolphins are coming off an ugly win on the road. This defense keeps them in games, and as long as Tannehill can keep the turnovers down, this team should be playing postseason football.
E: Don’t look now but the Dolphins are making a push for a playoff spot.
13. Baltimore Ravens
Record: 5-5
Last Game: L, 17-27 @ Cowboys
Last Week: 12
B: Ravens had their shots, but clearly showed where they stand against the top teams in the league. Now tied with the Steelers for 1st, Ravens must win to keep pace.
E: Someone has to win the AFC North, so why not the Ravens.
14. Minnesota Vikings
Record: 6-4
Last Game: W, 30-24 vs. Cardinals
Last Week: 15
B: Vikings were able to stop the losing streak against the Cards, but were not impressive. They have a shot to take hold of first on Thanksgiving in Detroit.
E: Still in it, but maybe not for long.
15. San Diego Chargers
Record: 4-6
Last Game: L, 24-31 vs Dolphins (Week 10)
Last Week: 23
B: Keep your eye on them. Chargers should be healthy coming off the bye, but need to win out to make the playoffs…which they could do. Three winnable games on deck.
E: They have the best record for a team that is in 4th place in their division. Tough break.
16. Philadelphia Eagles
Record: 5-5
Last Game: L, 15-26 @ Seahawks
Last Week: 14
B: Eagles have a shot on MNF to show the world if they belong in the playoff discussion. Downfall might be wide receivers and not running backs, after all.
E: Not a bad team.
17. Buffalo Bills 
Record: 5-5
Last Game: W, 16-12 @ Bengals
Last Week: 19
B: A good ugly win on the road for this Bills team to stay within two losses of the Chiefs. If Sammy Watkins can return (fully) healthy, they can make a run. Jags at home on deck.
E: They’re better than I thought they were.
18. Tennessee Titans
Record: 5-6
Last Game: L, 17-24 vs Colts
Last Week: 16
B: Bad, bad loss against the Colts. Titans could had really put some pressure on Houston. Mariota still has not thrown a red-zone INT.
E: Bad Loss this week, but hey they play in the AFC south, so they can still win the division.
19. Houston Texans
Record: 6-4
Last Game: L, 20-27 @ Raiders (In Mexico)
Last Week: 17
B: Hung in there against the Raiders. This team is ultimately slowed by their QB and Head Coach. No JJ Watt doesn’t help.
E: I can’t trust this team to hold on to first place in the division, as long as Brock is still the starting QB.
20. Carolina Panthers
Record: 4-6
Last Game: W, 23-20 vs Saints
Last Week: 22
B: Road game against the Raiders is looming. Win, or risk joining the “Dumpster Fire” tier.
E: Oh how the mighty have fallen.
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Record: 4-5
Last Game: W, 19-17 @ Chiefs
Last Week: 27
B: Key win on the road to stay alive…however I think that game hurt KC more than it helped the Bucs. Nice to see Doug Martin back out there.
E: Surprisingly still in it.
22. Arizona Cardinals
Record: 4-5-1
Last Game: L, 24-30 @ Vikings
Last Week: 11
B: Cardinals are a very confusing team. Watching Bruce Arians turn as red as the jerseys is amusing and frightening.
E: Carson used up all the gas he had left in the tank last year, they need to find their QB of the future.
23. New Orleans Saints
Record: 4-6
Last Game: L, 20-23 @ Panthers
Last Week: 24
B: I don’t see the Saints making the playoffs. This team is close, but one wonders how long Drew Brees can sling it.
E: The Saints won’t be marching in… to the playoffs this season.
24. Indianapolis Colts
Record: 3-5-1
Last Game: W, 24-17 vs. Titans
Last Week: 25
B: Colts are not thankful for this: Andrew Luck entering concussion protocol and is out on Thanksgiving.
E: This team is not good, but they definitely can still win their division.
25. Cincinnati Bengals
Record: 3-6-1
Last Game: L, 12-16 vs. Bills
Last Week: 20
B: The division is weak, but losing AJ Green might just do it for the Bengals in 2016.
E: They were already out of it in my eyes, but losing AJ Green should be the nail in the coffin.
26. Green Bay Packers
Record: 4-6
Last Game: L, 24-42 @ Washington
Last Week: 21
B: Green Bay slipping fast. Nothing from the Rb position. Rodgers had lead the Pack in rushing yards last week with 32.
E: You mean to tell me that calling out his team was not a good move by Aaron Rodgers?
27. Los Angeles Rams
Record: 4-6
Last Game: L, 14-10 vs. Dolphins
Last Week: 26
B: Rams are walking a fine line between bad team and dumpster fire. Stay tuned. Note: Goff isn’t a complete train wreck.
E: The bad first year in L.A continues.
Tier 4 – “We’re a dumpster fire, aren’t we?”
Welcome to the bottom of the barrel. No new teams added, yet. A few are awfully close! You do not want to be a fan for one of these teams. Take our advice and trust us on this one.
28. New York Jets
Record: 3-7
Last Game: L, 6-9 vs Rams (Week 10)
Last Week: 28
B: Bye weeks are meaningless when you stink. Brady and the Pats on deck, so….yeah.
E: Dumpster Fire.
29. Chicago Bears
Record: 2-8
Last Game: L, 16-22 @ Giants
Last Week: 28
B: Cutler is out for the season, which is probably the best thing Bears fans have heard in a long time.
E: Looks like they are finally done with Cutler.
30. Jacksonville Jaguars
Record: 2-8
Last Game: L, 19-26 @ Lions
Last Week: 28
B: This team is tough to watch.
E: Free Allen Robinson!
31. San Francisco 49ers
Record: 1-9
Last Game: L, 17-30 vs. Patriots
Last Week: 31
B: This team showed improvements on D, and by improvements I mean they did not allow 100+ yards on the ground (first time in 8 weeks!).
E: Glad we’re not the Browns, but everyone else is glad they’re not the 49ers.
32. Cleveland Browns
Record: 0-10
Last Game: L, 9-24 vs. Steelers
Last Week: 32
B: If you are hoping Cody Kessler is healthy, you’re in for a shit season.
E: Nothing changes here, Browns still suck, and still haven’t won a game.
RosenthalSports.com 