Week 12 is in the books. Here are all 32 teams ranked from worst to first ahead of Week 13.
We are officially two-thirds through the NFL season, and teams are really starting to separate themselves at the top.
Here are all 32 teams ranked, worst to first, ahead of Week 13.
32. New York Giants (2-9)
Last Week: 30-7 (L) Vs. Buccaneers
This Week: @ Cowboys
The Giants are a complete dumpster fire. They were uncompetitive on Sunday, and departed players Saquon Barkley and Xavier McKinney continue to play at an All-Pro level. It’s DEFCON 4 for the franchise.
31. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9)
Last Week: Bye
This Week: Vs. Texans
Trevor Lawrence should be back after the Bye Week. The Jaguars were unwatchable with Mac Jones under center.
30. Las Vegas Raiders (2-9)
Last Week: 29-19 (L) Vs. Broncos
This Week: @ Chiefs
Gardner Minshew is going to miss the rest of the season with a broken collarbone. While Aidan O’Connell might be back this week, meaning that Desmond Ridder won’t have to start, there’s not much other than Brock Bowers that’s positive about this Las Vegas season
29. New England Patriots (3-9)
Last Week: 34-15 (L) @ Dolphins
This Week: Vs. Colts
It’s clear that the New England Patriots need to move on from Jerod Mayo after just one year as head coach. The team is frequently unprepared. The problem is, such a move seems unlikely.
28. New York Jets (3-8)
Last Week: Bye
This Week: Vs. Seahawks
Somehow, the Jets lost their Bye Week, with negative headline after negative headline coming out. They will need to win out to save the season and make the playoffs.
27. Tennessee Titans (3-8)
Last Week: 32-27 (W) @ Texans
This Week: @ Commanders
The Titans have been more competitive this season than their record suggests, and they finally got a big win to show for it. Head Coach Brian Callahan has the Titans moving in the right direction. The rest of the season is about finding out whether Will Levis is the guy to build around..
26. Carolina Panthers (3-8)
Last Week: 30-27 (L) Vs. Chiefs
This Week: Vs. Buccaneers
Yes, it was a loss. But, Bryce Young and the Panthers confirmed they’re making huge strides by playing the Chiefs so tough. They could play spoiler down the stretch.
25. Dallas Cowboys (4-7)
Last Week: 34-26 (W) @ Commanders
This Week: Vs. Giants
Credit to Dallas for not totally quitting on the season and finding a way to get a road win. After the way they played the last few weeks, quitting on the season seemd like a definite possibility.
24. Cleveland Browns (3-8)
Last Week: 24-19 (W) Vs. Steelers
This Week: @ Broncos
Of course Jameis Winston won a snow game. One of the NFL’s most mercurial players played a stellar game in hilarious conditions to upset the rival Steelers. The Browns are still pretty bad, but they’re a lot more fun with Winston under center.
23. New Orleans Saints (4-7)
Last Week: Bye
This Week: Vs. Rams
The Saints will look to keep their two-game winning streak going following the bye.
22. Indianapolis Colts (5-7)
Last Week: 24-6 (L) Vs. Lions
This Week: @ Patriots
Anthony Richardson continues to be unable to string quality performances together, and the Colts were significantly outclassed by the Lions. They’re pretty far down the AFC pecking order.
21. Chicago Bears (4-7)
Last Week: 30-27 (L) Vs. Vikings
This Week: @ Lions
At least Caleb Williams and the offense is showing improvement. But, Bears fans continue to be tormented by a team that continually finds ways to lose.
20. Washington Commanders (7-5)
Last Week: 34-26 (L) Vs. Cowboys
This Week: Vs. Titans
Always bet on regression to the mean. That’s exactly what we’re seeing with the Washington Commanders. This roster isn’t all that talented, and stellar play by Jayden Daniels propped it up. He’s come back to earth, and so has their win-loss record.
19. Cincinnati Bengals (4-7)
Last Week: Bye
This Week: Vs. Steelers
The Bengals can afford, at most, one more loss if they want to find a way to get this exceptional Joe Burrow season a playoff berth. A potentially improbable run starts this weekend.
18. Los Angeles Rams (5-6)
Last Week: 37-20 (L) Vs. Eagles
This Week: @ Saints
The Rams were physically dominated by the Eagles. That showed that there is still considerable work to do rebuilding the depth of this roster after going all-in and winning a Super Bowl three seasons ago.
17. San Francisco 49ers (5-6)
Last Week: 38-10 (L) @ Packers
This Week: @ Bills
Brock Purdy didn’t play, and should be back this week. But, that’s not a big enough to excuse for both sides of the ball looking totally dysfunctional for the 49ers. They haven’t been quite right as a team all year, and they better figure it out fast.
16. Houston Texans (7-5)
Last Week: 32-27 (L) Vs. Titans
This Week: @ Jaguars
The Texans, like the 49ers, have not looked right for a long time. That finally caught up with them in a terrible loss to the Titans. Yes, a missed kick should’ve tied the game. But, CJ Stroud isn’t playing well, the defense has been leaky, and the vibes are not good. Thankfully, the division is very week.
15. Atlanta Falcons (6-5)
Last Week: Bye
This Week: Vs. Chargers
We never know what kind of Falcons team we will get from week to week. A game against the Chargers will tell us a lot about what to expect as we head down the stretch.
14. Arizona Cardinals (6-5)
Last Week: 16-6 (L) @ Seahawks
This Week: @ Vikings
All is not lost for the Cardinals, as they still are tied for the division lead. But Sunday’s performance was a clunker. Now, they have a very difficult test against the Vikings.
13. Miami Dolphins (5-6)
Last Week: 34-15 (W) Vs. Patriots
This Week: @ Packers
The Dolphins took care of business against the Patriots. Now, they need to change the narrative about the way they play in the cold. Tua Tagovailoa claims they’re going to do just that.
12. Seattle Seahawks (6-5)
Last Week: 16-6 (W) Vs. Cardinals
This Week: @ Jets
The Seahawks defense played its best game of the season on Sunday. That has them atop the NFC West. If Geno Smith can limit the turnovers, there’s no reason that they can’t win the division.
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6)
Last Week: 30-7 (W) @ Giants
This Week: @ Panthers
The Giants have quit on the season. But, the Buccaneers handled business, and Mike Evans looked great in his return from injury. I think the smart pick to win the NFC South is still Tampa Bay.
10. Denver Broncos (7-5)
Last Week: 29-19 (W) @ Raiders
This Week: Vs. Browns
Bo Nix continues to shine, and people are taking notice. They may also notice that Denver has the inside track to a playoff berth.
9. Los Angeles Chargers (7-4)
Last Week: 30-23 (L) Vs. Ravens
This Week: @ Falcons
The Chargers got off to a hot start against Baltimore, but ultimately faded. They’re not in that upper-echelon of teams, but they may be the best of the rest.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)
Last Week: 24-19 (L) @ Browns
This Week: @ Bengals
The weather was a big factor, and AFC North divisional games always get a bit weird. But, it was a really bad loss for Pittsburgh, and it stemmed from their inability to block Myles Garrett. They need to rebound this weekend against Cincinnati.
7. Baltimore Ravens (8-4)
Last Week: 30-23 (W) @ Chargers
This Week: Vs. Eagles
The roster definitely has some pretty big holes, especially in pass coverage. But, the offense is so good when clicking that they can beat anybody. Derrick Henry is now getting overshadowed by Saquon Barkley, but he still has a shot at 2000 yards on the season.
6. Green Bay Packers (8-3)
Last Week: 38-10 (W) Vs. 49ers
This Week: Vs. Dolphins
The Packers caught a break, getting to play the 49ers without Brock Purdy. But, they still dominated the line of scrimmage, and that’s something that could take them pretty far down the stretch.
5. Minnesota Vikings (9-2)
Last Week: 30-27 (W) @ Bears
This Week: Vs. Cardinals
The Vikings tried to find a way to lose on Sunday. But, what separates this Vikings teams from past editions is that they frequently find a way to win. They’re 9-2, no one is talking about them, and I’m not sure why.
4. Kansas City Chiefs (10-1)
Last Week: 30-27 (W) @ Panthers
This Week: Vs. Raiders
They find ways to win. But, against inferior opponents like the Panthers, you’d like to think this team can find ways to put teams away and win convincingly. We all know it can click for the Chiefs in the playoffs. But, will it click? That remains to be seen.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (9-2)
Last Week: 37-20 (W) @ Rams
This Week: @ Ravens
The Brandon Graham injury will hurt. But, they’re dominating on both lines of scrimmage, the secondary is much-improved, and Saquon Barkley is probably the best player in the NFL this year. They have reestablished themselves as top-tier Super Bowl contenders.
2. Buffalo Bills (9-2)
Last Week: Bye
This Week: Vs. 49ers
The Bills will look to stay hot coming off of the Bye Week. Josh Allen could win the MVP with a strong finish.
1. Detroit Lions (10-1)
Last Week: 24-6 (W) @ Colts
This Week: Vs. Bears
There’s not much to say about the Detroit Lions other than that they’re mauling teams in every facet of the game, week after week. Remember all the terrible Lions teams we’ve watched on Thanksgiving? Enjoy this team, because it could end up as one of the best NFL teams of all-time.