NFL Week 13 Power Rankings

Week 13 officially signaled the start of the end of the 2021 NFL season as December football, with all its mayhem, got underway. 

Yet again, as we should expect, we saw everything. Be it the Pittsburgh Steelers' tight upset of their bitter rivals the Baltimore Ravens, the Los Angeles Chargers' shock smackdown of the Cincinnati Bengals, or the New England Patriots' bulldozing win against the Buffalo Bills.

The playoff picture is tightly packed, with many teams still surprisingly in contention, but as we move through December and the stakes of these games increases, we’ll quickly see those who belong separate themselves from the pack.

It’s the most exciting time of the year, read on to see how the NFL stands heading into crunch time.

1.       Green Bay Packers (9-3)

Green Bay had the bye, at a very good time, allowing some extra rest for a roster preparing for a deep postseason run. The Packers have a game to make up on the Cardinals for the number one seed, but even so, I like them as the strongest team in the NFL right now.

2.       Arizona Cardinals (10-2)

It is a little tough to keep the Cardinals out of the top spot, particularly as they were so close to beating the Packers and being 11-1 right now. With Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins back, and Chase Edmunds hopefully returning this week, I want to see them finish the season as they started it with tough matchups upcoming against the LA Rams, Indianapolis Colts, and Dallas Cowboys.

3.       Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-3)

There isn’t much to say about the Buccaneers. They’re just rolling along and biding their time until the playoffs. They face the Buffalo Bills this coming week which looks to be the only threatening game remaining on their schedule. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Bucs finished the season without another loss, piling the pressure on the Packers and Cardinals above them.

4.       New England Patriots (9-4)

The weather conditions for the Pats' 14-10 victory over the Buffalo Bills were unquestionably a factor in the game plan and execution of both teams, but the Pats have now won seven straight and again showed there is really nothing that can be done to faze them. Bill Belichick is putting on a coaching masterclass, beating the Bills by running the ball 46 times and passing just thrice. This matchup couldn’t have been much better suited to the Pats, but they deserve a ton of credit for executing it to perfection.

5.       Buffalo Bills (7-5) +2

It may seem strange to move a team up two spots after losing in the fashion they did this week, but it is more a testament to my faith in them as a team versus their immediate conference rivals – and some team had to be fifth. The Bills were undone by the weather, they are just not a team built for those conditions and the style of play they call for. This defense has been bludgeoned on the ground twice recently and has failed to build a ground game of their own, which left them pretty much hopeless against the Patriots. Josh Allen played well but was let down by his pass-catchers. Nevertheless, I’d take the Bills at their best over most any team in the AFC, at least.

6.       Kansas City Chiefs (8-4) +2

The Chiefs are right back where we’d expect them to be atop the AFC West and in the hunt for the AFC’s number one seed. However, they’re not doing it how we would expect. The defense has stepped up enormously, covering for a mightily struggling offense. Drops are an issue, big plays are hard to come by, and there isn’t a reliable ground game to lean on. Much like every team in the AFC, there are serious issues the Chiefs must deal with, but their track record puts my trust in them higher than their competition.

7.       Dallas Cowboys (8-4) +2

Dallas must hope their Thursday Night Football victory over the New Orleans Saints is a springboard for them to get back to how they started the season. However, concern remains. Ezekiel Elliot’s health isn’t improving, and while Tony Pollard is capable of filling in the Cowboys haven’t run the ball well for some time now. Without the ground game this team isn’t as dangerous. At least the defense bounced back, though, forcing four turnovers in New Orleans.

8.       Cincinnati Bengals (7-5) -3

I’m never putting my faith in the Bengals again. A week after demolishing Pittsburgh they gave up 41 points at home, losing by 19 points to the LA Chargers – fresh off a loss to the Denver Broncos. The game started horribly, got better, then turned horrible again. Joe Burrow didn’t necessarily play that badly and fell victim to a truly preposterous interception – the play should have been a touchdown and Burrow did everything right only to see Ja’Marr Chase bobble the ball right into the trailing defender's hands. The Bengals missed a great opportunity to stamp their authority on the playoff race.  

9.       Baltimore Ravens (8-4) -3

Never has an 8-4 record felt so bad. The Ravens’ loss on Sunday was horrible and any number of moments and aspects of the game can be highlighted to illustrate that. Lamar Jackson is playing badly, there is no avoiding it. He is trying to make every play a big play and is hurting the team as a result. There was nothing wrong with the decision to go for two, nor with the play call, the issue was execution which is a troubling and wildly frustrating recurring theme. Most importantly, though, the loss of Marlon Humphrey for the season is a hurdle far too big for this team to overcome.

I’m really trying to not overreact to the Ravens result this week, but looking ahead at the schedule with where this team is right now, I’m struggling to see the team finish out the season any better than 2-3.

— Rémy Cabache (@RemyCabache) December 7, 2021

10.   Tennessee Titans (8-4)

Tennessee had a bye, affording the team more time to figure something out on offense. Julio Jones has been designated to return from injured reserve and they need him to step up when he returns to keep the surging Colts at bay. 

11.   Los Angeles Rams (8-4)

The Rams got an important win to stop their recent slide, but not too much credit can be given for beating the Jacksonville Jaguars. They did what they needed to, which deserves credit, and this performance was far more of what we expect, but they have to do it against a far more competent team for it to mean much.

12.   Los Angeles Chargers (7-5) +1

Sunday was an important win for LA. Like most teams, their performances have been up and down and wildly unpredictable, but Sunday once again highlighted what this team can do. Justin Herbert played very well as the Chargers allowed him to be more aggressive again. There was some sloppy play but the defense was opportunistic and the offense overcame a mid-game lull to finish off Cincinnati. The Chargers need to finally capitalize on a win and build some momentum.

13.   Indianapolis Colts (7-6) -1

As of now, the Colts are on the outside looking in at the playoffs. However, of any team currently outside the playoffs, this is the squad I’m most confident to make it. When they get Jonathan Taylor going there isn’t much to stop them. What’s more, Carson Wentz is playing well, the defense is really playing well, and they’ve shown recently how capable they are of competing with good teams and blowing out poor teams, all good signs of a team ready to make a serious playoff push. The division is still not out of the question.

14.   Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5-1) +1

What a win for Pittsburgh. Powered by T.J. Watt and Chris Wormley, the Steelers defense didn’t allow a struggling Jackson to do much of anything. Until the fourth quarter, the offense was a mess, they produced very little of anything, but thankfully for them neither did the Ravens. The Steelers are hanging about and the defense will always keep them relevant.

15.   San Francisco 49ers (6-6) -1

Just as the 49ers seem as though they’re figuring it out they lay an egg. There were multiple factors in San Francisco failing to extend their winning streak to four. Special teams was a severe issue, Jimmy Garoppolo didn’t play very well, and the ground game was woefully inefficient. Add those up and it’s hard to win a game. The 49ers still sit in a playoff spot, but they missed a chance to add a little security to their position.

16.   Cleveland Browns (6-6) +1

The Browns had their bye week to lick their wounds from their tight Week 12 loss. They now face the team they most recently played, the Ravens, coming off a disastrous and demoralizing performance. The Browns have little time to salvage their season, this coming week is a golden opportunity to get that started.   

17.   Washington Football Team (6-6) +6

It is rarely pretty but Washington is finding ways to win games and have worked themselves into the NFC’s number six seed. While he may not be lighting it up every week, Tyler Heinicke has a knack of coming through in the biggest moments while rarely doing anything to severely hurt the team. All of their remaining games are against the NFC East, so, like the Philadelphia Eagles, they’re poised to really take charge of their playoff destiny.

18.   Las Vegas Raiders (6-6)

Another week, another frustrating loss for the Raiders. Despite moving the ball pretty well at times they failed to turn drives into touchdowns, which ultimately cost them. This season has been so promising at times for the Raiders, and despite still being well in the mix for a playoff berth, it just feels like the juice has gone from this team and it will only end in disappointment.  

19.   Philadelphia Eagles (6-7)

No Jalen Hurts? No matter. The Eagles have Gardner Minshew. Is this the return of Minshew Mania? Likely no, but he showed why he is a valuable commodity to have as a backup QB. Minshew was efficient, completing 20/25 passes, and he protected the ball, allowing the Eagles to lean on their ground game and ice the game away. The Eagles finally get a bye week and face only NFC East rivals the rest of the way – they’re positioned to make a real postseason push.  

20.   Miami Dolphins (6-7) +2

Inexplicably, the Dolphins have won five straight games and seem to have found a recipe to make a late, desperate push for the playoffs. The odds are against them, but they are starting to get the best from their roster. Three rookies lead the way, safety Jevon Holland, edge defender Jaelan Phillips, and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. They have built the offense around Tua Tagovailoa’s strengths and it is getting the job done, if unspectacularly. This team is becoming frisky.

21.   Minnesota Vikings (5-7) -5

Can we be done with the Vikings, now? How they managed to lose in Detroit is beyond me. Kirk Cousins played well and was statistically very impressive, Justin Jefferson had a career day, and they ran the ball pretty well. The defense, however, completely capitulated down the stretch and their execution on the game’s final play was shameful. Time to revamp.

22.   New Orleans Saints (5-7) -2

The Saints were finally able to make the long-overdue move to Taysom Hill at QB but the results were far from desirable. Hill threw four interceptions and a bunch of incompletions. He ran the ball well, but it wasn’t nearly enough to make up for the mistakes. The Saints are also desperately lacking offensive playmakers, and it shows.  

23.   Denver Broncos (6-6) -2

With a win on Monday night the Broncos would have been, improbably, sat atop the AFC West. Though that never seemed a likely reality. Teddy Bridgewater was poor, throwing two interceptions, and the offense was left to Javonte Williams alone. Williams is awesome to watch, but the rest of the offense isn’t. The defense actually played well, but not enough to overcome the Chiefs. The Broncos are clearly not on the level of the teams above them in the standings. 

24.   Carolina Panthers (5-7)

The Panthers had a bye week which saw the departure of offensive coordinator Joe Brady after being fired by the team, less than a year since he was being interviewed for head coaching jobs. I’m not certain it will make much of a difference, but the Panthers aren’t out of it yet, so I guess it is worth a shot.

25.   Chicago Bears (4-8)

Not that it should be any surprise, but the Bears could not keep up with the Cardinals. It definitely doesn’t help when you throw two first-quarter interceptions, both of which handed the Cardinals the ball in field goal range, and both turned into touchdown drives. Andy Dalton eventually threw four interceptions and left the Cardinals little to do to keep the game in hand.

26.   Seattle Seahawks (4-8) +2

Regardless of the form of either team, Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks find a way to be successful against the 49ers. This game was far from perfect, but it showed some of the potential in this squad. Wilson played his best since his return from injury and the defense came up with huge plays several times. They still have a chance to make the playoffs, however slim, but they appear to be fighting for it.

27.   Atlanta Falcons (5-7)

Despite lingering on the periphery of the playoff hunt in the NFC, Sunday further proved how far the Falcons are from belonging in that conversation. The offense managed just ten points – none after the eight-minute mark in the second quarter. If not for a gift of a pick-six from Tom Brady the scoreline likely would have been even less flattering.

28.   New York Giants (4-8) -2

If Mike Glennon is starting a game for you in 2021 it’s not a very good omen. The Giants just weren’t able to convert when they most needed to. The Dolphins didn’t exactly run up the score, nor completely stifle the offense, but three field goals, with another missed, just isn’t enough to win a game. It gets worse, too, as it appears the Giants will now turn to third-string QB Jake Fromm for their Week 14 game.  

29.   New York Jets (3-9)

Early on, the Jets Week 13 game against the Eagles showed promise after Zach Wilson led the team to three touchdowns on their opening three drives. However, even then it wasn’t perfect. Two missed extra points effectively left the team with no kicker, and after those early touchdowns the Jets didn’t manage a point. The defense is awful, just to make matters worse.  

30.   Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10)

The lack of development shown by Trevor Lawrence is alarming. That isn’t an indictment on just him, however, but rather the coaching staff. Lawrence is unquestionably talented and has everything needed to be a successful NFL quarterback, apart from the support from his own team. No player is immune to landing in the wrong place, and I hope that isn’t the case for Lawrence.  

31.   Detroit Lions (1-10-1) +1

The Lions actually won… Just a week after I said I felt this team was destined to not win a game they did exactly that. The Vikings absolutely let it happen, but Detroit has fought in every game and how much it meant to win was evident immediately. They deserved to win a game at some point and they finally have.

32.   Houston Texans (2-9) -1

The Texans never stood a chance against the Colts. They were thoroughly beaten by a considerably better team, and I don’t see much chance of any real improvement before the end of the season. I’m sorry, Houston, this is just going to be a rough time.