2013 NFL Power Rankings Week 12

For the second week in a row there is a new number one atop the rankings. Halfway through Sunday night's game between the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots I would have bet the house on Denver winning. They were up 24-0. In his storied career Peyton Manning had never lost a lead so large. Conversely, Tom Brady and the Patriots have never come back from such a deficit. How on Earth could Denver lose this game you ask? Well, you should ask someone else. I turned it off at halftime.

That being said, Denver's loss still knocks them from the top perch. Even thought it was close. Even though it was on the road. Even though it was against the Golden Boy. You have to win to keep the top spot. Although, this week, you don't necessarily have to win to take it from someone.

1. Seattle Seahawks (10-1) ~ They didn't play last week but they didn't have to in order to assert themselves as top dog. The best record in the NFL will be put to the test this week however, against the surging New Orleans Saints. (Last Week's Ranking 2)

2. Denver Broncos (9-2) ~ Even though they blew a huge lead the game was on the road against the Golden Boy. Didn't I mention that before? Brady seems to own Manning head-to-head. (LWR 1)

3. New Orleans Saints (9-2) ~ Drew Brees takes the Saints' high-flying offense into Seattle to tango with a top defense coming off of a bye week. This could rival last week's Carolina-New England Monday night tilt. (LWR 4)

4. Carolina Panthers (8-3) ~ The longest win streak in the NFL continues on at seven as Carolina avoided the trap game in Miami after high profile wins against San Francisco and New England. (LWR 5)

5. New England Patriots (8-3) ~ In his last three games Tom Brady has thrown for 1,072 yards and eight touchdowns versus one interception which should not have counted due to a blown call in Carolina. He is hitting his stride at the right time. (LWR 6)

6. Kansas City Chiefs (9-2) ~ Back-to-back losses after starting the season 9-0 leaves KC in a precarious position. A home loss to Denver this week would severely damage their chances of winning the AFC West. (LWR 3)

7. Cincinnati Bengals (7-4) ~ I still believe the Bengals are the class of the AFC North but I have a feeling they could be in for an upset this weekend in San Diego. Falling to 7-5 will only make the winner of Thursday's Pittsburgh-Baltimore game lick their chops. (LWR 8)

8. San Francisco 49ers (7-4) ~ San Fran feasted early this week on the sad Washington Redskins' defense. That's one way to get back on track. (LWR 10)

9. Arizona Cardinals (7-4) ~ All year I have been asking them to show me something. Their 40-11 romp over the Indianapolis Colts was something. Carson Palmer has now gone two consecutive games without an interception after throwing at least one in every game this season. (LWR 13)

10. Indianapolis Colts (7-4) ~ Two weeks ago when the Colts went done got blowed out by the St. Louis Rams I called it an aberration. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, well, you know how it goes. (LWR 7)

11. Philadelphia Eagles (6-5) ~ It's official in Philly. Nick Foles is the starting quarterback. One assumed as much but now Chip Kelly has gone on record and made it official. Michael Vick will be looking for a new team this offseason. (LWR 12)

12. Chicago Bears (6-5) ~ Remember a time when the Bears played defense? It seems like such a thing of the past. Until this leaky D gets fixed the Bears won't scare anyone. (LWR 9)

13. Dallas Cowboys (6-5) ~ The Cowboys are making their wins count. Their road win against the Giants puts /Dallas at 4-0 in the NFC East. (LWR 15)

14. Detroit Lions (6-5) ~ Can someone explain to me how the Lions keep losing these games they should win? At home against Tampa Bay qualifies as one of those games especially when Darrelle Revis went down with an injury. (LWR 11)

15. San Diego Chargers (5-6) ~ Philip Rivers had his FOURTH game of the season with 390+ passing yards in Sunday's upset in Arrowhead. A huge win for the Chargers as they still have a pulse in the AFC playoff picture. (LWR 18)

16. St. Louis Rams (5-6) ~ To quote myself from last week "I can't put my finger on it but I have this weird feeling that the Rams are going to upset the Bears this week. I feel it in my bones. Mark it down." Thank you. (LWR 19)

17. Green Bay Packers (5-5-1) ~ Somehow I missed the fact that Matt Flynn is back in Green Bay. Too bad that isn't going to help much. Without Aaron Rodgers this team is dead in the water. (LWR 14)

18. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-6) ~ Pittsburgh has quietly won five of seven to creep back into things in the AFC. Three of their final five are against division foes. (LWR 20)

19. Baltimore Ravens (5-6) ~ Baltimore is 4-1 at home but are a woeful 1-5 in road games. Three of their final five are at home but if they don't win on the road they won't have enough to get into the playoffs and defend their title. (LWR 23)

20. Miami Dolphins (5-6) ~ Mike Wallace almost willed this game to the Dolphins. A last second heave near the goal line fell just incomplete in the 'Phins upset bid against the Panthers. (LWR 17)

21. Tennessee Titans (5-6) ~ The Titans and coach Mike Munchak won the battle of Scranton against the Oakland Raiders and rookie quarterback Matt McGloin. A win coupled with the Colts loss keeps them just barely alive for the division crown. (LWR 24)

22. New York Jets (5-6) ~ Geno Smith has been worse than awful lately. In his last three games he has completed a total of 25 passes with five interceptions and zero touchdowns. Yikes. (LWR 16)

23. New York Giants (4-7) ~ Their latest loss snapped their four-game win streak and just about put out any chance on their playoff hopes. After an 0-6 start those hopes weren't that great anyway. (LWR 21)

24. Cleveland Browns (4-7) ~ Josh Gordon set a franchise record with 237 yards receiving. Regardless of who is throwing him the ball Gordon flat our produces. (LWR 22)

25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-8) ~ The Bucs have won three straight after starting the year 0-8 and people are starting to wonder if Greg Schiano's head coaching job is safe. I'm not quite sure, but the Bucs are starting to win those close games now. (LWR 28)

26. Buffalo Bills (4-7) ~ This is the week where the Bills are the "home" team while the game is played in Canada. The Atlanta Falcons will fly way north for this stinkfest. (LWR 25)

27. Oakland Raiders (4-7) ~ Matt McGloin looked good again in his second start leading the Raiders to the go ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately for him the Raiders defense could nolt stop all that is Ryan Fitzpatrick. (LWR 26)

28. Washington Redskins (3-8) ~ For the first time in his pro career Robert Griffin III did not lead his team to an offensive touchdown. Things are bad in DC. (LWR 27)

29. Minnesota Vikings (2-8-1) ~ Well, they couldn't even beat the Packers with Scott Tolzien and Matt Flynn running the show. (LWR 31)

30. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9) ~ The Jags are on a roll winning two of their last three and have another winnable game against the Brandon Weeden led Browns on Sunday. (LWR 32)

31. Atlanta Falcons (2-9) ~ I truly don't know how it could get worse for Atlanta. I don't understand how this happened. (LWR 30)

32. Houston Texans (2-9) ~ They are in the same misery boat as the Falcons. Nobody saw this kind of season coming. (LWR 29)