NFL Power Rankings – Week 12

1. San Francisco 49ers (9-1): The 49ers have played well to this point. But the last six weeks will be challenging. They get the Packers at home, then are at Baltimore, at New Orleans, the Falcons at home, followed by a rematch with the Rams and ending the season in Seattle to play the Seahawks. Very challenging schedule. Next: -3.5 vs Green Bay Packers – Sun, Nov. 24

2. Baltimore Ravens (8-2): For those who have wondered what it would have been like to see Gale Sayers playing quarterback, the answer is, watch Lamar Jackson. There has never been a quarterback with his open field moves. Next: -3 at Los Angeles Rams - Sun, Nov. 24

3. New England Patriots (9-1): There are several so-called experts that think the Patriots are in trouble, with their struggles on offense and recent issues stopping the run. The experts need to remember that the Pats still have the best record in the AFC. Next: -6.5 vs Dallas Cowboys - Sun, Nov. 24

4. New Orleans Saints (8-2): The NFL record for receptions in a season is 143, set by Marvin Harrison in 2002, while playing for the Indianapolis Colts. Wide Receiver Mike Thomas has 94 receptions thru 10 games and at his current pace will break Harrison's record. Next: -9.5 vs Carolina Panthers - Sun, Nov. 24

5. Seattle Seahawks (8-2): Wide receiver Josh Gordon made crucial contributions in his first game as a Seattle Seahawk, catching two passes for 27 yards, both key first downs late in the game in the Seahawks victory over the 49ers. Next: -1.5 at Philadelphia Eagles - Sun, Nov. 24

6. Green Bay Packers (8-2): Sunday Night football will be entertaining when the Packers visit the 49ers in Santa Clara. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers stated that: "We're all aware of where we're at in the seeding going into Week 12 and what's in front of us and the opportunities." Should be an interesting game. Next: +3.5 at San Francisco 49ers - Sun, Nov. 24

7. Minnesota Vikings (8-3): According to Pro Football Focus, defensive end Danielle Hunter leads the NFL with 71 total quarterback pressures. In 2018, Hunter was named to the Pro Bowl and was second team All-Pro. He just keeps getting better. Next: N/A at Seattle Seahawks - Mon, Dec. 2

8. Buffalo Bills (7-3): Quarterback Josh Allen continues to improve each week. In week 11, Allen was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week, throwing for 256 yards and three touchdowns, and rushing for 56 yards and one touchdown. Next: -4 vs Denver Broncos - Sun, Nov. 24

9. Los Angeles Rams (6-4): Todd Gurley is back, for at least for one week. In the Rams victory over the Bears, Gurley ran 97 yards on 25 carries and caught three passes for 36 yards. The 28 targets were a season high for Gurley. Expect to see more of Gurley for the remainder of the season, as the Rams cannot afford to lose many games in the final six weeks of the season. Next: +3 vs Baltimore Ravens - Sun, Nov. 24

10. Houston Texans (6-4): The Texans started a tough stretch of games by getting boat-raced in Baltimore. In the 41-7 loss to the Ravens, quarterback Deshaun Watson was sacked six times. He has now been sacked 31 times for the season. Next: -3.5 vs Indianapolis Colts - Thu, Nov. 21

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-4): The Chiefs got a huge win in Mexico City, thanks to the erratic quarterback play of Philip Rivers. The Chiefs still have problems with stopping the run and they need to address that issue with the Raiders and Josh Jacobs coming to town in Week 13. Next: N/A vs Oakland Raiders - Sun, Dec. 1

12. Dallas Cowboys (6-4): Quarterback Dak Prescott was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week 11. Prescott completed 29 of 46 passes for 444 yards and three touchdowns in a much-needed win over the Lions on the road. Next: +6.5 at New England Patriots - Sun, Nov. 24

13. Oakland Raiders (6-4): Rookie defensive end Maxx Crosby was selected the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 11. The 2019 fourth round pick from Eastern Michigan had four sacks and a forced fumble on Sunday in the Raiders win over the Bengals. Next: -3 at New York Jets - Sun, Nov. 24

14. Indianapolis Colts (6-4): The Colts welcomed back quarterback Jacoby Brissett in their blowout win over the Jags. Brissett had help from running back Jonathan Williams, who rushed for 113 yards on 16 carries and caught one pass for 31 yards. Williams had not rushed for 100 yards in his three-year career before Sunday's game and had one reception for one yard in three seasons. Next: +3.5 at Houston Texans - Thu, Nov. 21

15. Carolina Panthers (5-5): Panthers owner David Tepper voiced his concerns recently, stating that he is concerned over the "long-term mediocrity" of his football team. This is not a good sign for Head Coach Ron Rivera, who has been in his position since 2011. Next: +9.5 at New Orleans Saints - Sun, Nov. 24

16. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-5): The brawl at the end of the Steelers loss has turned into an incredibly ugly affair. Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey was suspended for two games for his role the brawl, which was a response to protecting his quarterback. It is now been learned that Myles Garrett has accused quarterback Mason Rudolph of a racial slur during the brawl, which Rudolph has denied. Next: -6.5 at Cincinnati Bengals – Sun, Nov. 24

17. Philadelphia Eagles (5-5): Against the Pats, Carson Wentz had a completion rate of 69% when he got rid of the ball in less than 2.5 seconds. That fell to a 42% completion rate when he held on to the ball for more than 2.5 seconds. Holding on to the ball for a bigger play was obviously not the right way to go for Wentz against the Pats. Next: +1.5 vs Seattle Seahawks - Sun, Nov. 24

18. Tennessee Titans (5-5): Wide receiver Adam Humphries leads the Titans in receptions with 33 through ten games. That is tied for 69th in the NFL. Humphries averages 10.3 yards per reception. The Titans need an upgrade at wide receiver. Next: -3 vs Jacksonville Jaguars - Sun, Nov. 24

19. Chicago Bears (4-6): The Bears rank 29th in rushing yardage per game and 30th in passing yardage per game. Their anemic offense is leading the Bears to a losing record and a high first round draft pick for the Raiders in 2020. Next: -6 vs New York Giants - Sun, Nov. 24

20. Atlanta Falcons (3-7): The Falcons have rolled through the Saints at New Orleans (26-9) and the Panthers at Charlotte (29-3). This is the Falcon team that many expected to see. The Falcons did not give up a touchdown the past two weeks in their amazing turn-around. Next: -4 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Sun, Nov. 24

21. Cleveland Browns (4-6): As the saying goes, "That is not something you see every day." Defensive end Myles Garrett was suspended indefinitely or for at least the rest of the season for his part in the end-of-the game brawl against the Steelers. Garrett was suspended for the season for taking Mason Rudolph's helmet and hitting him in the head with it. Next: -10.5 vs. Miami Dolphins - Sun, Nov. 24

22. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-6): The Jaguars rushed for 29 yards on nine attempts in their loss to the Colts. The Jaguars had 49 passing attempts. The return of quarterback Nick Foles may have encouraged the emphasis on passing, as well as falling behind, but the Jags will not win with that imbalance on offense. Next: +3 at Tennessee Titans - Sun, Nov. 24

23. Arizona Cardinals (3-7-1): The Cardinals jumped to a quick 16-0 lead against the 49ers on the road, before the 49ers got serious and mounted a comeback. The encouraging sign for the Cardinals is that they have been competitive. The NFC West is on notice. Next: N/A vs Los Angeles Rams - Sun, Dec. 1

24. Detroit Lions (3-6-1): The injuries are mounting in Detroit. Quarterback Mathew Stafford is out with back issues. Also out is Tracy Walker (knee), Da'Shawn Hand (ankle), Trey Flowers (concussion) and Frank Ragnow (concussion). Running back Kerryon Johnson is on injured reserve. Next: -3.5 at Washington Redskins - Sun, Nov. 24

25. Denver Broncos (3-7): The Broncos continue to compete each week. They are 2-5 in games decided by eight points or less, with the latest loss coming after the Broncos took a 20-0 halftime lead in Minnesota. They lost to the Vikings 27-23. Next: +4 at Buffalo Bills - Sun, Nov. 24

26. Los Angeles Chargers (4-7): Quarterback Philip Rivers has thrown seven interceptions in the past two weeks. It would be easy to say he is done, that he will turn 38 in December and maybe it is time for Rivers to retire. The Chargers could draft a quarterback in the first-round next season, but do they want to start a rookie at their new stadium or go another season with the veteran Rivers? Next: N/A at Denver Broncos - Sun, Dec. 1

27. New York Jets (3-7): Quarterback Sam Darnold threw for a career high four touchdowns in the Jets victory over the Redskins. The Jets have dominated the NFC east this season, with a 3-1 record against NFC East teams. Next: +3 vs Oakland Raiders - Sun, Nov. 24

28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-7): Each week, the discussion regarding the Bucs centers around Jameis Winston. Winston threw four interceptions in the loss to the Saints, giving him a career high and league leading total of 18 interceptions in 10 games. Winston is a free agent in 2020 and there are a lot of questions as to what to do with this key position in 2020. Next: +4 at Atlanta Falcons - Sun, Nov. 24

29. Miami Dolphins (2-8): Running back Mark Walton was released by the Dolphins this week after he was arrested, with police accusing him of repeatedly punching a woman pregnant with Walton's child. Next: +10.5 at Cleveland Browns - Sun, Nov. 24

30. New York Giants (2-8): The Giants are rebuilding and need to use the next six games to develop their young players, principally quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley. The Giants need to find help on the offensive line to help these key players. Next: +6 at Chicago Bears - Sun, Nov. 24

31. Washington Redskins (1-9): Running back Derrius Guice returned on Sunday and caught a swing pass from quarterback Dwayne Haskins and took it 45 yards for a touchdown. Guice should get about twenty touches per game for the rest of the season. Next: +3.5 vs Detroit Lions – Sun, Nov. 24

32. Cincinnati Bengals (0-10): The Bengals hung with the Raiders on Sunday before falling, 17-10 in Oakland. With the Raiders leaving Las Vegas next year, this was the last time the Bengals will travel to Oakland. They will not miss it. The Bengals were 1-11 in games played in Oakland. Next: +6.5 vs Pittsburgh Steelers - Sun, Nov. 24