NFL Rankings: Week 12
By Ben Almquist
As we begin the stretch leading to the postseason, the NFL rankings continue to see some big time mix ups. As we move forward, we are seeing several teams having their seasons defined. While there isn’t any team that is technically out of the playoff picture just yet, there are a number of teams that are already teetering on the edge. Over the next couple of weeks, we can expect several teams to have their playoff hopes officially ended, which will likely bring some stability to things around the league.. For now though, the NFL rankings continue to show some big changes week to week.
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There’s an interesting tie for the title of top riser this week with three teams jumping up four spots. The Chiefs have certainly earned some credit for turning around their season, but the Jaguars and Saints rise this week has more to do with the teams ahead of them losing than anything they did on the field. On the other end, the 49ers own the title of biggest drop by sliding five spots back down into the bottom of the rankings.
The Kansas City Chiefs have been on quite a run as of late. They had fallen as far as number 26 in the rankings, but have now managed to climb their way back into the top 10 by knocking off their last four opponents. That has placed them squarely into the thick of the playoff hunt, and Andy Reid’s team now controls their own destiny. Win and they are in.
| Team | Status | Lst Wk | Lst Result | Streak | W-L | ||
| 1. | Patriots | — | 1 | W 20-10 vs BUF | W10 | There was no way that Belichick was going to let a perfect season be ended by Rex Ryan | 10-0 |
| 2. | Panthers | — | 2 | W 44-16 vs WAS | W10 | This team just finds ways to win…including epic blowouts. | 10-0 |
| 3. | Cardinals | +1 | 4 | W 34-31 vs CIN | W4 | That was a “game of the year” candidate, and the Cards ended it on the right side. | 8-2 |
| 4. | Broncos | +2 | 6 | W 17-15 vs CHI | W1 | Some folks are hyping up Brock Osweiler…but they still only scored 17 points. | 8-2 |
| 5. | Packers | +3 | 8 | W 30-13 vs MIN | W1 | The Packers picked the perfect time to turn things around. Huge division win. | 7-3 |
| 6. | Bengals | -1 | 5 | L 31-34 vs ARI | L2 | In a nail-biter, the Bengals continue to come up short in prime time games. | 8-2 |
| 7. | Vikings | -4 | 3 | L 13-30 vs GB | L1 | Still looking up to the big brother in Green Bay. | 7-3 |
| 8. | Steelers | -1 | 7 | BYE | W2 | The Steelers BYE came at a great time as they saw most of the Wild Card field falter. | 6-4 |
| 9. | Chiefs | +4 | 13 | W 33-3 vs SD | W4 | Chiefs have won their last 4 games by a score or 130-39…look out for KC! | 5-5 |
| 10. | Giants | +1 | 11 | BYE | L1 | With the rest of the NFC East losing, this was already a productive BYE week. | 5-5 |
| 11. | Bills | -1 | 10 | L 10-20 vs NE | L1 | Buffalo is going to have to find some offense after this season. | 5-5 |
| 12. | Falcons | -3 | 9 | L 21-24 vs IND | L3 | There is something very wrong in Atlanta right now. | 6-4 |
| 13. | Jets | -1 | 12 | L 17-24 vs HOU | L2 | The Jets have watched their playoff ticket become very much in question. | 5-5 |
| 14. | Seahawks | +3 | 17 | W 29-13 vs SF | W1 | The Seahawks have rebounded well, but can that continue without Lynch? | 5-5 |
| 15. | Texans | +3 | 18 | W 24-17 vs NYJ | W3 | A strong win highlights a big turnaround for this team. | 5-5 |
| 16. | Colts | +3 | 19 | W 24-21 vs ATL | W2 | That was the Colts best win of the season. | 5-5 |
| 17. | Buccanneers | +3 | 20 | W 45-17 vs PHI | W2 | Jameis Winston looks better every week. | 5-5 |
| 18. | Raiders | -4 | 14 | L 16-18 vs DET | L3 | The Raiders were in control of their own destiny. Now another 10 loss season seems very possible. | 5-5 |
| 19. | Rams | -4 | 15 | L 13-16 vs BAL | L3 | The Rams were once poised for the playoffs. Now on the outside looking in. | 4-6 |
| 20. | Eagles | -4 | 16 | L 17-45 vs TB | L2 | Is Chip Kelly on the hot seat? He should be. | 4-6 |
| 21. | Saints | +4 | 25 | BYE | L2 | Firing Rob Ryan was the best use of the BYE the Saints could have had. | 4-6 |
| 22. | Bears | -1 | 21 | L 15-17 vs DEN | L1 | The Bears look like a team that has a strong future with John Fox. | 4-6 |
| 23. | Redskins | -1 | 22 | L 14-44 vs CAR | L1 | Cam Newton just threw another TD. | 4-6 |
| 24. | Jaguars | +4 | 28 | W 19-13 vs TEN | W2 | Those mustard orange uniforms may force any opponent into submission. | 4-6 |
| 25. | Cowboys | +1 | 26 | W 24-14 vs MIA | W1 | The season is likely over for the Cowboys, but getting Romo back makes them big time spoilers. | 3-7 |
| 26. | Dolphins | -3 | 23 | L 14-24 vs DAL | L1 | Miami is in need of an overhaul, but it probably won’t happen. | 4-6 |
| 27. | Ravens | +2 | 29 | W 16-13 vs STL | W1 | Losing Joe Flacco is just the cherry on top for this nightmare season. | 3-7 |
| 28. | Lions | +2 | 30 | W 18-16 vs OAK | W2 | Back to back wins for the Lions. Maybe giving some folks the ax was the right call. | 3-7 |
| 29. | 49ers | -5 | 24 | L 13-29 vs SEA | L1 | The 49ers have made it clear they are in the market for a QB in 2016. | 3-7 |
| 30. | Chargers | -3 | 27 | L 3-33 vs KC | L6 | The question now may be whether LA is even willing to take this team. | 2-8 |
| 31. | Titans | — | 31 | L 13-19 vs JAX | L2 | Oddly enough, the Color Rush uniforms weren’t the ugliest thing on the field. Horrible game. | 2-8 |
| 32. | Browns | — | 32 | BYE | L5 | The good news is they didn’t lose. | 2-8 |
Well that’s it for this week’s NFL rankings, Addicts! This week went a long way towards shaping up the Chiefs playoff hopes, and now they control their own destiny. Making the postseason is now a very real scenario, and KC should have a lot of momentum if the season plays out like that.