The Chiefs' invincibility ended on Sunday! In Buffalo, Patrick Mahomes and his teammates tasted defeat for the first time this season. The Lions took advantage of this to move up to first place in the rankings after their demonstration against the very weak Jaguars.
In the AFC, the Steelers are asserting themselves more and more after their victory against the Ravens, while the Dolphins are starting to dream of the playoffs again.
As a reminder, this hierarchy is not only based on the number of successes, but also on current form. If two teams are close and haven't played each other recently, one wonders which one would win if the match were played today. Beating the strongest is not going to propel you to the top in the blink of an eye. Losing to one of the dunces won't plunge you into the abyss either. One can win and tumble, bow and climb. This is the merciless law of Power Ranking…
1. Detroit Lions (9-1) +1
The Lions had 8 possessions against Jacksonville. The first 7 ended with a touchdown, the eighth with a field goal. Leo does not associate with Jaguar.
Week 12: trip to the Colts
2. Buffalo Bills (8-2) +1
To beat the Chiefs, the Bills couldn't do things by halves. In 4&2, 2 minutes and 27 seconds from the end, Josh Allen got the message.
Week 12: bye week
3. Kansas City Chiefs (9-0) -2
By always being on the limit, the Chiefs were going to end up falling. It was in Buffalo that their dream of a perfect season ended.
Week 12: trip to the Panthers
4. Philadelphia Eagles (8-2) +1
The Eagles take the first round against the Commanders and can thank the Giants for Saquon Barkley.
Week 12: trip to the Rams
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-2) +2
The Steelers beat Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry without needing to score a single touchdown. Pittsburgh's defense is arguably the best in the league.
Week 12: trip to the Browns
6. Baltimore Ravens (7-4) -2
In a game lost by two points, the two field goals missed by Justin Tucker were very costly. At 35 years old, the Ravens kicker is no longer as reliable.
Week 12: trip to the Chargers
7. Minnesota Vikings (8-2) -1
The Vikings are now 5/5 against AFC teams this season and Justin Jefferson continues to break records. But they will have to do a lot more if they want to compete with the Lions.
Week 12: trip to the Bears
8. Green Bay Packers (7-3) +1
The Packers literally passed two fingers of the defeat in Chicago.
Week 12: 49ers reception
9. Los Angeles Chargers (7-3) +2
A much more complicated second half almost ruined the efforts of the first. With the help of the Bengals kicker and a final possession concluded by JK Dobbins, the Chargers continue to quietly climb in the AFC standings.
Week 12: Ravens reception
10. Washington Commanders (7-4) -2
Against teams with a positive record, the Commanders are 1 win for 3 losses. Against Philadelphia, Washington completely collapsed in the fourth quarter.
Week 12: Dallas reception
11. Arizona Cardinals (6-4) +1
The Cardinals are on a week off, before two very important trips in the race for the playoffs, to Seattle and Minneapolis.
Week 12: trip to the Seahawks
12. Houston Texans (7-4) +2
Despite CJ Stroud still struggling, the Texans were able to count on Joe Mixon, in great form, to easily win in Dallas.
Week 12: receiving the Titans
13. Denver Broncos (6-5) +5
The Broncos not only beat every team in the NFC South, they crushed them. In total, Denver won 123-37 against this division.
Week 12: trip to the Raiders
14. Seattle Seahawks (5-5) +3
Geno Smith went for victory in San Francisco with his legs and allows Seattle to stay in touch in the NFC West.
Week 12: Cardinals reception
15. San Francisco 49ers (5-5) -5
This season is definitely much more complicated than expected for the 49ers. The two losses at home against the Cardinals and the Seahawks could be very expensive when it comes time to do the accounts at the end of the year. As of today, San Francisco is in last place in its division.
Week 12: trip to the Packers
16. Los Angeles Rams (5-5)
123 yards for Nacua, 106 for Kupp, Stafford delighted his favorite receivers and the Rams found balance.
Week 12: Eagles reception
17. Atlanta Falcons (6-5) -4
In Denver, the Falcons have never competed and are falling from a very high point.
Week 12: bye week
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6) -3
A week of rest which will allow the Buccaneers to pause their negative series. Tampa Bay will have a simpler schedule, on paper, and must take advantage of this week to get its head back on track.
Week 12: trip to the Giants
19. Miami Dolphins (4-6) +1
Miami confirms its renewed form and can still dream of the playoffs. As long as Tua protects his head, the Dolphins will remain a difficult team to play against.
Week 12: Patriots reception
20. Indianapolis Colts (5-6) +1
A successful return for Anthony Richardson who revives his franchise in the race for the playoffs.
Week 12: reception of the Lions
21. Cincinnati Bengals (4-7) -2
Joe Burrow is statistically the best quarterback in the league, Ja'Marr Chase is the most prolific receiver in the NFL, Trey Hendrickson is number 1 in sacks and the Bengals will be on vacation on January 5th.
Week 12: bye week
22. Chicago Bears (4-6)
An ave maria against the Commanders, a field goal blocked against the Packers, the Bears always find a way to lose unlosable games.
Week 12: Vikings reception
23. New Orleans Saints (4-7) +2
It was Doctor Taysom and Mister Hill. After an interception and a fumble that could have condemned his franchise, the Swiss army knife of New Orleans scored three touchdowns, giving the Saints a comfortable victory against the Browns.
Week 12: bye week
24. New York Jets (3-8) -1
Zach Wilson may not have been the only problem with this franchise.
Week 12: bye week
25. Dallas Cowboys (3-7) -1
After the sun against the Eagles, the sky is now literally falling on the Cowboys' heads.
Week 12: trip to the Commanders
26. Carolina Panthers (3-7) +1
The Panthers are at rest. This allows them to go on for a third week without defeat. A first since November 27, 2022.
Week 12: bye week
27. New England Patriots (3-8) +1
Another encouraging defeat for New England. Facing the better-armed Rams, Drake Maye held on and already seems to show that the Patriots will be able to build their future around him.
Week 12: trip to the Dolphins
28. Cleveland Browns (2-8) -2
Despite a very good Thursday, the Browns had a bad Sunday.
Week 12: Steelers reception
29. Tennessee Titans (2-8)
The Los Angeles Olympics are only 4 years away, but the Titans have already had plenty of flag practice against the Vikings.
Week 12: trip to the Texans
30. Las Vegas Raiders (2-8)
In the doldrums that is the Las Vegas season, Brock Bowers appears as a beacon of hope for Raiders fans.
Week 12: Broncos reception
31. New York Giants (2-8)
The return trip from Munich must have been very long and this week of rest will not be too much to recover. Daniel Jones' starting place will not have survived.
Week 12: reception of the Buccaneers
32. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9)
At least they will have led the score for five minutes against the Lions.
Week 12: bye week
