Causion's NFL Power Rankings: Pre - Week 12
Today I reveal my weekly NFL power rankings heading into week 12 of the season. I will take into account everything I know about these teams, and give heavy consideration to what was displayed on the field so far this season. This gives an accurate assessment of where teams are at in my opinion.
This Week's Rankings
1. Carolina Panthers
The way Cam Newton is playing, they have a real chance to finish the overall number 1 seed and he is the front runner for MVP.
The way Cam Newton is playing, they have a real chance to finish the overall number 1 seed and he is the front runner for MVP.
2. New England Patriots
It wasn't pretty against Buffalo, and injuries are hurting them and knocks them down a peg in my book. That will be challenged in a big way by the Denver defense this week.
It wasn't pretty against Buffalo, and injuries are hurting them and knocks them down a peg in my book. That will be challenged in a big way by the Denver defense this week.
3. Arizona Cardinals
They scored 78 points the past two weeks on the top two scoring defenses in the league. They can throw it on anybody.
They scored 78 points the past two weeks on the top two scoring defenses in the league. They can throw it on anybody.
4. Cincinnati Bengals
They've lost two straight, but they played hard at Arizona. This is a team that has a deep playoff look about it.
They've lost two straight, but they played hard at Arizona. This is a team that has a deep playoff look about it.
5. Denver Broncos
Brock Osweiler did a nice job in place of Peyton Manning, and will start this week against the Patriots. That won't be easy.
Brock Osweiler did a nice job in place of Peyton Manning, and will start this week against the Patriots. That won't be easy.
6. Green Bay Packers
They got back in gear against the Vikings and now sit atop the division. They have to get Lacey back on track consistently.
They got back in gear against the Vikings and now sit atop the division. They have to get Lacey back on track consistently.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers
They come off their bye with a tough one at Seattle. It's a must-win for both teams.
They come off their bye with a tough one at Seattle. It's a must-win for both teams.
8. Minnesota Vikings
They come off their loss to the Packers with a challenging road game at Atlanta. Now they are chasing the Packers.
They come off their loss to the Packers with a challenging road game at Atlanta. Now they are chasing the Packers.
9. Seattle Seahawks
They got back on track against the 49ers, a perfect tonic to heal their ailing ways. Now comes a real challenge with the Steelers.
They got back on track against the 49ers, a perfect tonic to heal their ailing ways. Now comes a real challenge with the Steelers.
10. New York Giants
They come off their bye with a division road game at Washington. They are in first place, but the schedule gets tough down the stretch.
They come off their bye with a division road game at Washington. They are in first place, but the schedule gets tough down the stretch.
11. Buffalo Bills
They aren't good enough on offense to win consistently against good teams.
They aren't good enough on offense to win consistently against good teams.
12. Kansas City Chiefs
Back 2 back wins has them back in the playoff chase. The defense has really impressed. Can it continue against the Bills?
Back 2 back wins has them back in the playoff chase. The defense has really impressed. Can it continue against the Bills?
13. Indiannapolis Colts
Matt Hasselbeck is now 3-0 and the Colts got a nice comeback victory at Atlanta. Suddenly this week's game with the Bucs is an interesting one.
Matt Hasselbeck is now 3-0 and the Colts got a nice comeback victory at Atlanta. Suddenly this week's game with the Bucs is an interesting one.
14. Houston Texans
They are tied for first place as we head down the stretch. That defense has really come alive.
They are tied for first place as we head down the stretch. That defense has really come alive.
15. St. Louis Rams
They don't have a quarterback who can make plays. It's a shame because they have other talent that can win games.
They don't have a quarterback who can make plays. It's a shame because they have other talent that can win games.
16. Chicago Bears
They just don't have the talent yet, and injuries have crippled the offense. But they are competing against good teams, which is a good sign.
They just don't have the talent yet, and injuries have crippled the offense. But they are competing against good teams, which is a good sign.
17. New York Jets
It's gone sour quickly. The early-season optimism has waned and they have problems.
It's gone sour quickly. The early-season optimism has waned and they have problems.
18. Oakland Raiders
They have lost three straight games to put an end to any 2015 playoff talk. It's more about next season now.
They have lost three straight games to put an end to any 2015 playoff talk. It's more about next season now.
19. Atlanta Falcons
Matt Ryan has to pick up his play. He made a couple of major mistakes against the Colts. They have problems at running back now too. Smh.
Matt Ryan has to pick up his play. He made a couple of major mistakes against the Colts. They have problems at running back now too. Smh.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars
At 4-6, they're one game out of the division lead. That's hard to believe after their start.
At 4-6, they're one game out of the division lead. That's hard to believe after their start.
21. Philadelphia Eagles
They don't have much time to get past their horrible loss to the Bucs. They have a trip to Detroit in a few days.
They don't have much time to get past their horrible loss to the Bucs. They have a trip to Detroit in a few days.
22. Tampa Bay Bucs
Jameis Winston is playing good football and this team is 5-5 and in the playoff chase. Can you believe it?
Jameis Winston is playing good football and this team is 5-5 and in the playoff chase. Can you believe it?
23. Washington Redskins
At some point, Kirk Cousins will string together two good games. Of course, it wasn't close to being his fault in Carolina.
At some point, Kirk Cousins will string together two good games. Of course, it wasn't close to being his fault in Carolina.
24. Detroit Lions
They've won two consecutive games and the defense is much improved. We'll see what happens this week against the Eagles on Thanksgiving Day.
They've won two consecutive games and the defense is much improved. We'll see what happens this week against the Eagles on Thanksgiving Day.
25. Dallas Cowboys
They are 3-7, which is why they are down this low. But with Tony Romo back, they are dangerous. They have a big one against the Panthers on Thursday.
They are 3-7, which is why they are down this low. But with Tony Romo back, they are dangerous. They have a big one against the Panthers on Thursday.
26. Miami Dolphins
Ryan Tannehill hasn't played very well this season, which has to be a concern moving forward.
Ryan Tannehill hasn't played very well this season, which has to be a concern moving forward.
27. New Orleans Saints
Will firing Rob Ryan matter? Not really. The talent on defense isn't very good. But Dennis Allen can't do any worse.
Will firing Rob Ryan matter? Not really. The talent on defense isn't very good. But Dennis Allen can't do any worse.
28. Baltimore Ravens
With Joe Flacco gone for the season, their season is done. It's been a big disaster since opening kickoff.
With Joe Flacco gone for the season, their season is done. It's been a big disaster since opening kickoff.
29. Tennessee Titans
At 2-8, their season is basically done. It's all about Marcus Mariota's growth the rest of the way.
At 2-8, their season is basically done. It's all about Marcus Mariota's growth the rest of the way.
30. San Diego Chargers
Their season has gone rotten in a hurry. They just don't have enough good healthy players.
Their season has gone rotten in a hurry. They just don't have enough good healthy players.
31. San Francisco 49ers
This season is lost, but Blaine Gabbert did some good things against Seattle. Now the question is what to do with Colin Kaepernick.
This season is lost, but Blaine Gabbert did some good things against Seattle. Now the question is what to do with Colin Kaepernick.
32. Cleveland Browns
It's Johnny Manziel's team the rest of the way. He has to show he is the quarterback of the future, or they will be drafting one.
It's Johnny Manziel's team the rest of the way. He has to show he is the quarterback of the future, or they will be drafting one.