2013 NFL Power Rankings Week 13

The carousel atop the Power Rankings has come to a screeching halt. The Seattle Seahawks dismantled the New Orleans Saints Monday night to be sure of that. Seattle plays tough at home and the Saints don't play all that well on the road but this was a massacre. Drew Brees and the high powered Saints offense mustered a single touchdown against the Legion of Boom and certainly did not look like a team that could knock off the Seahawks in Seattle during the playoffs. This win almost guarantees the Seahakws homefield throughout the playoffs and did guarantee them the first official playoff spot in the NFL this year. As of right now they appear to be the class of the NFL.

1. Seattle Seahawks (11-1) ~ If you want to talk about a statment game how about a 34-7 beatdown of the New Orleans Saints. I haven't seen Drew Brees and Sean Payton look that inept in a game since they have been together. (Last Weeks Ranking 1)

2. Denver Broncos (10-2) ~ Round two of the Denver-K.C throwdown again went Peyton Manning's way. He made sure of that by throwing another five touchdowns, four of which went to Eric Decker who was undoubtedly on my fantasy bench. (LWR 2)

3. Carolina Panthers (9-3) ~ Isn't this juicy? The scorching hot Panthers take their top scoring defense to the Big Easy next week in a battle for first place in the NFC South. After their 1-3 start who saw this coming? (LWR 4)

4. New England Patriots (9-3) ~ Rob Gronkowski scored for the fourth straight game and Tom Brady once again was over 300 yards passing on the day. These two were made for each other. (LWR 5)

5. New Orleans Saints (9-3) ~ After their drubbing in Seattle things don't get easier for the Saints as the Panthers come to town. Two of their final four are against Carolina. To say the division is wide open is an understatement. (LWR 3)

6. Cincinnati Bengals (8-4) ~ The Bengals will put their perfect home record (5-0) on the line against the Indianapolis Colts in a game that could determine playoff seeding. (LWR 7)

7. San Francisco 49ers (8-4) ~ Michael Crabtree is back and that can only mean good things for the lackluster passing game the Niners have trotted out most of the year. Colin Kapernick has his favorite target on the field once again. (LWR 8)

8. Kansas City Chiefs (9-3) ~ The season has already been an overwhelming success with a winning record after last year's 2-14 campaign. That being said, after a 9-0 start these fans are thirsty for more. (LWR 6)

9. Indianapolis Colts (8-4) ~ With their win over the Tennessee Titans the Colts all but salted away the division crown. Not bad for year number two under Andrew Luck. (LWR 10)

10. Philadelphia Eagles (7-5) ~ Nick Foles may have gotton away with an interception due to a defensive penalty but his streak still stands. He now has 19 touchdowns on the year to zero interceptions. One more TD toss ties the record set this year by Peyton Manning. (LWR 11)

11. Arizona Cardinals (7-5) ~ Carson Palmer threw for over 300 yards and three scores against a soft Philly D but he also threw two interceptions, lost a fumble and threw incomplete on fourth down and short with two minutes left to clinch the game. (LWR 9)

12. Dallas Cowboys (7-5) ~ The good news for Dallas? Star linebacker Sean Lee is expected back to anchro their porous defense on Monday night after missing the last two games with an injury. (LWR 13)

13. Detroit Lions (7-5) ~ They finally got one. The Lions beat the stuffing out of the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving Day for their first turkey day win in a decade. Hats off to ya Detroit. (LWR 14)

14. Baltimore Ravens (6-6) ~ Don't look now but if the playoffs started today the Ravens would be in to defend their title. Three of their final four are against potential playoff teams as well, so they cannot overlook this week's cupcake game against the Minnesota Vikings. (LWR 19)

15. Chicago Bears (6-6) ~ This loss falls squarely on the shoulders of Marc Trestman. There was zero reason to try and kick that field goal in overtime on 2nd down. It was 47 yards out. Run another play and try to get your kicker closer. (LWR 12)

16. San Diego Chargers (5-7) ~ Is anything more San Diego than this lackluster letdown against the Bengals after a huge win over the Chiefs? I mean, really. C'mon. (LWR 15)

17. Miami Dolphins (6-6) ~ Miami got back to .500 with their win over the sloppy New York Jets. That's about all I have for the Dolphins. (LWR 20)

18. St. Louis Rams (5-7) ~ OK, who had the NFC West as the NFL's toughest division top to bottom? Anyone? I didn't think so. (LWR 16)

19. Green Bay Packers (5-6-1) ~ They haven't won since Aaron Rodgers went down and as of right now the team is unsure if he will be able to play this week. If he misses any more time rumor has it he will be shut down for the year. That might not be a bad idea at this point. (LWR 17)

20. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-7) ~ I can't wait to see what punishment Roger Goodell dishes out to Mike Tomlin for his being on the field during a kick return and possibly slowing down Jacoby Jones just enough to save the touchdown. I really can't. (LWR 18)

21. New York Giants (5-7) ~ One really has to wonder where the Giants could have been at this point in the season if they didn't start 0-6. But they did start 0-6 and that is why they are here. (LWR 23)

22. Tennessee Titans (5-7) ~ They have nobody to blame but themselves. They lost two close games to the Colts and are 0-4 in their division. That just isn't going to get it done. (LWR 21)

23. New York Jets (5-7) ~ Geno Smith was benched for Matt Simms. Simms put up a ghastly 3.1 quarterback rating for the game which was nearly double that of Smith (1.6). It doesn't get much worse than that. (LWR 22)

24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-9) ~ The fact that Tampa is coming in at number 24 has to let you know that what follows is almost the definition of pure garbage. (LWR 25)

25. Cleveland Browns (4-8) ~ The team's quarterback this week might be the recently signed Caleb Hanie. Need I say more? (LWR 24)

26. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-9) ~ Because, well, why not? The Jags have won three of four and no longer have the worst record in football after starting the year 0-8. (LWR 30)

27. Minnesota Vikings (3-8-1) ~ Adrian Peterson rushed for a season high 211 yards and almost single-handedly willed the Vikings to the win Sunday. (LWR 29)

28. Oakland Raiders (4-8) ~ Matt McGloin will get the start again this week. Could it be his job to lose? (LWR 27)

29. Buffalo Bills (4-8) ~ CJ Spiller's maddening season continues as he goes off for nearly 150 yards and a score. Go figure. (LWR 26)

30. Atlanta Falcons (3-9) ~ The Falcons are undefeated in Canada. (LWR 31)

31. Wahsington Redskins (3-9) ~ Last year the Skins won the NFC East. This year they are the doormat of the NFC. (LWR 28)

32. Houston Texans (2-10) ~ Is anyone's job in Houston safe? (LWR 32)