2022 NFL Power Rankings – Week 12

1. Kansas City Chiefs (8-2): Quarterback Patrick Mahomes just keeps on rolling each week. This week Mahomes completed 20 of 34 passes for 329 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 23 yards. Just another week for a great quarterback in a come-from-behind win over the Chargers, 30-27. Next: -15.5 vs Los Angeles Rams - Sun, Nov. 27 – O/U: 43 (ATS: 4-6 – O/U: 5-5)

2. Philadelphia Eagles (9-1): It took all sixty minutes, but in the end the Eagles were able to pull out a tough and hard-fought victory over the Colts, 17-16, on a 7-yard Jalen Hurts touchdown run with 1:20 left in the game. These Eagles are not flying as high as they were earlier in the season. Next: -6.5 vs Green Bay Packers – Sun, Nov. 27 – O/U: 46.5 (ATS: 5-5 – O/U: 6-4)

3. Dallas Cowboys (8-3): The Cowboys lead the NFL in sacks with 42 and lead the NFL in defensive passing yardage allowed. Their Achillies heel was their rush defense. The Packers ran for 207 yards in their 31-28 victory over the Cowboys in Week 10... In Week 12, the Giants ran for only 90 yards on Turkey Day against the Cowboys, allowing Dallas to win their second consecutive game. Next: N/A vs Indianapolis Colts - Sun, Dec. 4 – O/U: N/A (ATS: 7-4 – O/U: 5-6)

4. Minnesota Vikings (9-2): The Vikings were on top of the world after beating the Bills in Buffalo to move to 8-1. Then the Cowboys came in for a visit. The Cowboys gave the Vikings a 37-point soul-crushing beatdown. They barely survived Thanksgiving dinner with the Patriots but still only have two losses through Week 12. Next: N/A vs New York Jets – Sun, Dec. 4 – O/U: N/A (ATS: 5-5-1 – O/U: 6-5)

5. Buffalo Bills (8-3): Quarterback Josh Allen has reverted to some bad habits he once had this season. Allen has thrown 10 interceptions this season, which is second in the NFL to Texan quarterback Davis Mills, who was benched for his 11 interceptions. Yet, they somehow managed to eek out a Turkey over the entertaining Lions when they had to. Next: N/A at New England Patriots - Thu, Dec. 1 – O/U: N/A (ATS: 5-5-1 – O/U: 3-8)

6. Miami Dolphins (7-3): Justin Herbert and Matthew Stafford would love to have the speed on the outside that is available to Dolphin quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill has 4.29 forty speed and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle has run the forty in 4.37. The speed of both has made the Dolphins explosive and entertaining. Next: -14 vs Houston Texans - Sun, Nov. 27 – O/U: 47 (ATS: 5-5 – O/U: 5-5)

7. Tennessee Titans (7-3): The return of Quarterback Ryan Tannehill to the lineup has turned the Titans offense around. Tannehill threw for 333 yards and two touchdowns in the win over the Packers. Combined with running back Derrick Henry, the Titans could be tough to deal with in the playoffs. Next: +2.5 vs Cincinnati Bengals – Sun, Nov. 27 – O/U 43.5 (ATS: 8-2 – O/U: 3-7)

8. San Francisco 49ers (6-4): The 49ers lead the NFL in total defensive yards allowed per game with an average of 283.9 yards per game. They also allow a league best 81.1 yards rushing per game and lead the league in average yards allowed per carry at 3.4 yards per carry. They also have a very good offense. Next: -9.5 vs New Orleans Saints – Sun, Nov. 27 – O/U: 43 (ATS: 5-5 – O/U: 4-6)

9. Seattle Seahawks (6-4): The Seahawks are starting rookies at left and right tackle, with first round draft pick Charles Cross and third round pick Abraham Lucas starting at right tackle. They also have a rookie starting at running back, two rookies starting in the secondary and a rookie at defensive end who has started three games. An impressive draft. Next: -3.5 vs Las Vegas Raiders - Sun, Nov. 27 – O/U: 47.5 (ATS: 6-4 – O/U: 5-5)

10. Baltimore Ravens (7-3): The Ravens escaped with a win at home, beating the Panthers 13-3. This game was tied after three quarters at 3-3. A very unimpressive offensive performance at home against a team that is ranked 22nd overall on defense and 27th against the run. Next: -3.5 at Jacksonville Jaguars – Sun, Nov. 27 – O/U 43.5 (ATS: 4-5-1 – O/U: 3-7 )

11. New York Giants (7-4): The Giants are ranked 17th in total defensive yardage allowed per game and are 19th in total offensive yardage per game. The Lions held running back Saquon Barkley to 22 yards rushing and 35 yards in total offense in the easy 31-18 win over the Giants on the road. The Cowboys only allowed Barkley 39 rushing yards to hand the Giants their second consecutive loss. Next: N/A vs Washington Commanders – Sun, Dec. 4 - O/U: N/A (ATS: 8-3 – O/U: 4-7)

12. New York Jets (6-4): The Jets have lost 14 straight games to the Pats and have not beaten the Pats in almost seven years. Yes, the Pats and head coach Bill Belichick own the Jets. Next: Bye – Following week: -6 vs Chicago Bears - Sun, Nov. 27 – O/U: 38.5 (ATS: 6-4 – O/U: 3-7)

13. Cincinnati Bengals (6-4): The Bengals have a tough schedule ahead with back-to-back games against the Titans and Chiefs, followed by games against the Bucs, Pats, Bills, and Ravens. Getting to ten wins may be difficult. Next: -2.5 at Tennessee Titans - Sun, Nov. 27 – O/U: 43.5 (ATS: 7-3 – O/U: 4-5-1)

14. New England Patriots (6-5): The Patriots are always tough defensively and this season is no exception. The Pats are second in the NFL with 36 sacks, led by linebacker Matthew Judon who has 13 sacks and is having a pro bowl type of season for the Pats. But somehow, the Vikings managed to score 33 points against them in the Thanksgiving nightcap while their red zone offense failed once again, going 0-for-3 in what should have been a win. Next: N/A vs Buffalo Bills – Thu, Dec. 1 – O/U: N/A (ATS: 6-4-1 – O/U: 5-6)

15. Washington Commanders (6-5): The Commanders have won five of their last six games behind the running attack duo of Antonio Gibson and Brian Robinson. Against the Texans, the Commanders ran for 153 yards and held the Texans to 21 total rushing yards. Next: -4 vs Atlanta Falcons – Sun, Nov. 27 – O/U: 41 (ATS: 6-4-1 – O/U: 4-7)

16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-5): Quarterback Tom Brady had a good time in the Bucs 21-16 win over the Seahawks in Munich. "That was one of the great football experiences I have ever had," Brady said. "It was very electric from the time we took the field." The singing by the fans of "Sweet Caroline" at the end of the game probably brought back some good memories as well. Next: -3 at Cleveland Browns - Sun, Nov. 27 – O/U: 42.5 (ATS: 3-6-1 – O/U: 2-8)

17. Los Angeles Chargers (5-5): No matter what happens this season for the Chargers, General Manager Tom Telesco needs to focus in the offseason on adding depth and speed among the receiving group. In losing to the Chiefs, Herbert threw and completed one pass to a tight end. The depth at that position needs to be improved in the offseason. Herbert needs some help. Next: -3 at Arizona Cardinals, Sun, Nov. 27 – O/U: 48 (ATS: 7-3 – O/U: 5-5)

18. Indianapolis Colts (4-6-1): Rookie interim head Jeff Saturday is off to a 1-1 start after a win over the Raiders and a close loss to the Eagles. They are competing and that is always a good sign. The Colts are tied for the league lead in sacks allowed with 40. That is always a bad sign. Next: -2.5 vs Pittsburgh Steelers – Mon, Nov. 28 – O/U: 39 (ATS: 5-6 – O/U: 2-9)

19. Green Bay Packers (4-7): The Packers impressively defeated the Cowboys in Week 10 in overtime but looked very ordinary in their 27-17 loss to the Titans. The Packers need to make a decision on quarterback Jordan Love in the offseason and need to use their inevitable high draft pick in 2023 on a wide receiver. Next: +6.5 at Philadelphia Eagles - Sun, Nov. 27 – O/U: 46.5 (ATS: 4-7– O/U: 5-6)

20. Atlanta Falcons (5-6): Tight end Kyle Pitts has been placed on injured reserve this week with a torn MCL knee injury. The Falcons passing game has struggled and losing Pitts, a first-round draft pick in 2021 out of Florida, will not help. Pitts will miss the next four games at a minimum. Next: +4 at Washington Commanders – Sun, Nov. 27 – O/U: 41 (ATS: 7-4 – O/U: 6-5)

(21. Arizona Cardinals (4-6): The Cardinals cut starting running back Eno Benjamin in a surprise move after their win over the Rams. Benjamin had rushed for 92 yards and a touchdown against the Saints, while adding 21 yards in receptions. He was picked up on waivers by the Texans. Benjamin played his college football at ASU and was a local favorite. Next: +3 vs Los Angeles Chargers - Sun, Nov. 27 – O/U: 48 (ATS: 5-6 – O/U: 6-4-1)

22. Detroit Lions (4-7): The Lions were on a roll! They had a three-game winning streak after their easy win over the Giants. The red-hot Lions were at home on Thanksgiving Day to greet the Buffalo Bills. Due to the inclement weather in Buffalo, the Bills played in Detroit this past Sunday and to thank the team, the Bills sent the Lions Tim Hortons coffee and donuts. If this was an effort to slow the Lions down, it did not work. The Lions thanked the Bills for the breakfast and said, "See you soon!" The Lions lost another one on a Thursday in late November. Next: N/A vs Jacksonville Jaguars – Sun, Dec. 4 – O/U: N/A (ATS: 7-4 – O/U: 7-4)

23. New Orleans Saints (4-7): The struggling Saints found an opponent that was equally as bad, as the Saints defeated the Rams 27-20. Saints' rookie wide receiver Chris Olave beat Rams All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey on a 52-yard bomb for a touchdown in the game. Next: +9.5 at San Francisco 49ers, Nov. 27 – O/U: 43 (ATS: 4-7 – O/U: 6-5)

24. Cleveland Browns (3-7): Quarterback Jacoby Brissett is making what appears to be his last start of the season with the return from suspension of DeShaun Watson. The Browns have lost six of their last seven games, so any change would be good for the team. Next: +3 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Sun, Nov. 27 – O/U: 42.5 (ATS: 4-6 – O/U: 7-2-1)

25. Chicago Bears (3-8): Running quarterback Justin Fields has thrown for 1,642 yards this season and rushed for 834 yards. Fields is last in passing yardage per game at 149.3 yards per game and is second in the NFC in rushing yardage with 834 yards, behind only running back Saquon Barkley. Even Lamar Jackson must think those stats are wacky for an NFL quarterback. Next: +6 at New York Jets - Sun, Nov. 27 – O/U: 38.5 (ATS: 4-6-1 – O/U: 7-4)

26. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-7): The Steelers are finally getting running back Najee Harris going. Harris has rushed for 189 yards in the past two games and is finally looking like the Najee Harris of 2021. This is not a playoff team, but they can still be tough to beat. Next: +2.5 at Indianapolis Colts – Mon, Nov. 27 – O/U: 39 (ATS: 4-5-1 – O/U: 4-6)

27. Los Angeles Rams (3-7): The Rams are fading fast as the injuries pile up, but they are not tanking for themselves and a high draft pick. The Rams, who prefer free-agents over draft picks, traded next year's first-round pick to the Lions as a part of the Matthew Stafford trade. So they are actually "Tanking for the Lions" and don't really have a choice in the matter on the field or off. Next: +15.5 at Kansas City Chiefs – Sun, Nov. 27 – O/U: 43 (ATS: 2-7-1 – O/U: 4-6)

28. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-7): The Jaguars had a bye last week and probably needed it. The Jags have lost six of their last seven games, with the lone win being against the hapless Raiders. The Jags are too young to make the playoffs and need one more good draft before they can contend for a division title. Next: +3.5 vs Baltimore Ravens - Sun, Nov. 27 – O/U: 43.5 (ATS: 3-7 – O/U: 4-6)

29. Las Vegas Raiders (3-7): The Raiders beat the Broncos in Denver in overtime to sweep the season series from the Broncos. Beating the Broncos twice is something head coach Josh McDaniels certainly enjoyed. The Raiders are last in sacks in the NFL with 13. That needs to be addressed in the offseason. Next: -3.5 at Seattle Seahawks - Sun, Nov. 27 – O/U: 47.5 (ATS: 4-6 – O/U: 5-4-1)

30. Denver Broncos (3-7): The Broncos waived running back Melvin Gordon after his latest lost fumble against the Raiders. Gordon claims that a "wide variety" of teams are showing interest in him. He must mean the Rams and the Buccaneers, the two worst running teams in the NFL. Next: -1.5 at Carolina Panthers - Sun, Nov. 27 – O/U: 36 (ATS: 3-7 – O/U: 1-9)

31. Carolina Panthers (3-8): Quarterback Sam Darnold will start this week for the Panthers and Baker Mayfield will be his backup. The Panthers are so bad that they can tank it for the draft by just playing their best players. Next: +1.5 vs Denver Broncos - Sun, Nov. 27 – O/U: 36 (ATS: 5-6 – O/U: 4-7)

32. Houston Texans (1-8-1): Texan head coach Lovie Smith has finally decided to make the decision to bench quarterback Davis Mills after the Texans lost to the Commanders. Kyle Allen, who played his high school football at Desert Mountain high school in Scottsdale, is not going to be able to turn the season around, but he will give Mills a chance to rest his weary and battered body for a few weeks. Next: +14 at Miami Dolphins – Sun, Nov. 27 – O/U 47 (ATS: 4-5-1 – O/U: 4-6)