Brock’s 2023 NFL Power Rankings – Week 13
1. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (9-1)
The Eagles moved to 9-1 after a thrilling overtime win against Buffalo. The Eagles were able to pull out the “W” despite falling behind by 3 in OT to a desperate Bills team. They have really put themselves in a class of their own over these past 2 weeks.
2. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (8-3)
The Chiefs got back on track against the Raiders on Sunday. They will take on Green Bay this week. This is a game that the Chiefs shouldn’t take lightly. The Packers have been playing much better football, and the Broncos are currently trying to run down the Chiefs in the division standings.
3. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (8-3)
San Francisco jumped all over Seattle in the 1st half, taking a 24-3 lead into the locker room, but after Brock Purdy threw a pick-6 early in the 3rd quarter it felt like the Seahawks were going to climb back into the game. Ultimately, however, the 49ers clamped down with their superior skill and rolled to an 18-point victory over the Seahawks. San Francisco now has the NFC West in a vice grip.
4. BALTIMORE RAVENS (9-3)
The Ravens’ defense was able to limit the Chargers to just 10 points, as Baltimore earned a 20-10 road win over LA. This was a good win to enter their bye week with, as they will face some challenging opponents over the final weeks of the season.
5. MIAMI DOLPHINS (8-3)
Tua didn’t put forth his best effort, but it was more than enough for the Dolphins to take down the Jets 34-13. Jaylen Waddle & Tyreek Hill both had 100 receiving yards, with Hill scoring a TD. On the ground, Raheem Mostert racked up 94 yards and hit pay-dirt twice, helping the Dolphins inch closer to the AFC East title.
6. DALLAS COWBOYS (8-3)
DaRon Bland had yet another pick-6 this week against Washington. It was the final score of the game after Dallas had pulled away from Washington in the 4th quarter to turn the game into a rout. Dallas entered the 4th quarter up 10 and it felt like they were in control all night in yet another impressive Cowboys performance.
7. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (8-3)
The Jags were able to cool down CJ Stroud and the Texans. Trevor Lawrence threw for 364 yards, as his team snapped their division rival’s 3-game win streak.
8. DETROIT LIONS (8-3)
The Lions fell behind early against the Bears last week, but were able to make a stunning comeback in the final minutes to steal a win. They almost did the same this week. They fell behind early to the Packers but were unable to make a comeback, as they fell to the Packers at home on Turkey Day in a stunning loss.
9. DENVER BRONCOS (6-5)
Russ was hardly cooking when he threw for just 134 yards and 13 completions, but it was more than enough to take down the Browns 29-12. The Broncos have now ripped off 5 straight wins. It’s hard to believe this after their 1-5 start, but this team could find themselves playing in the postseason before this season concludes. This team’s turnaround has been astounding. I once had them ranked dead last in these power rankings. Now, considering their record, win streak, and the teams that they have beaten, they are in my Top 10.
10. BUFFALO BILLS (6-6)
That was just a gut wrenching loss for the Bills. As a team who is currently on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff picture, you just cannot blow a 10-point 2nd half lead. It doesn’t matter if you’re playing an elite team on the road, you have to find a way to come away with the win in that spot, especially when you find yourself with a lead in overtime, as well.
11. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (7-4)
The Steelers’ first game without Matt Canada as the OC was a 6-point win over the Bengals. Of course, the Bengals were without Joe Burrow, and the Steelers only put up 16 points, but Pickett looked much better. The young QB gained 278 yards through the air, his highest total this season.
12. HOUSTON TEXANS (6-5)
The Texans win streak was snapped, as they weren’t able to sweep both games from the Jags. It’s nothing to fret about, though. They played them closely and CJ Stroud added another 300-yard passing day to his resume.
13. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (6-5)
The “12th Man” tried to will their team back into the game in the 2nd half, but it was too little, too late as the Seahawks dropped an important division game. They are also in a brutal stretch of their schedule, so a bounce back game this week will be crucial for their playoff chances.
14. CINCINNATI BENGALS (5-6)
The Bengals’ first game with Jake Browning starting did not go well. They fell to the Steelers, who have their own problems on offense. After that loss, a playoff spot leaks bleak, to say the least. For Bengals fans, it might be time to start thinking about how happy you’ll be when Cincy wins the Super Bowl… next year.
15. CLEVELAND BROWNS (7-4)
The Browns just fell by 17 to Denver. That is a troubling result. Despite losing Deshaun Watson, the Browns are still in a spot where they could find themselves in the postseason. If the playoffs started today, they’d be in. Also, their remaining schedule isn’t exactly intimidating. However, if what we saw on Sunday is all Dorian Thompson-Robinson has to offer then Browns fans will once again be feeling a painful season.
16. LOS ANGELES RAMS (5-6)
On Sunday, the Rams gave Arizona a 37-14 thrashing. When you see the Rams scored 37 points, you probably assume that the combo of Kupp & Nacua had a big receiving day. In this case you would be wrong, as it was the rushing combo of Kyren Williams & Royce Freeman who racked up nearly half of the Rams’ total yards.
17. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (6-5)
The Colts earned an important home win on Sunday. By defeating Tampa Bay, 27-20, they hold the final wild card spot in the AFC. Their remaining schedule isn’t exactly what you would call “daunting”, so it wouldn’t be a shocker to see a Colts playoff appearance.
18. ATLANTA FALCONS (5-6)
The Falcons won a huge home game on Sunday. They defeated their divisional foes, the New Orleans Saints, 24-15. This allowed the Falcons to even their record with New Orleans, and since they have a better record in divisional games, it also put them atop the NFC South for now. Despite being outgained by the Saints, the Falcons played a “bend, don’t break” type of defense, culminating in missed opportunities for New Orleans. Among these missed opportunities was a 92-yard pick-6 by Jessie Bates, as he picked off a Derek Carr pass while the Saints were in the red zone.
19. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (6-6)
The Vikings injuries at the QB & WR positions really showed up this week, as the Vikes only managed to score 10 points at home. Josh Dobbs’ streak of competent play came to an end, as he threw for only 185 yards and and a whopping 4 INT’s.
20. GREEN BAY PACKERS (5-6)
The Pack are heating up! They were able to take down the Lions on Detroit’s annual Thanksgiving Day game. I’m not sure if the version of the Packers we have seen over these past couple weeks are the true Packers team, but they’ve been playing well and have been exciting to watch. They have now won 2 straight games, and 3 of their last 4, so let’s see if the team, and especially Jordan Love, can keep things going.
21. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (4-7)
Brandon Staley gotta go. He just does. With the home loss to Baltimore, the Chargers will need a miracle to find the postseason. Staley has wasted prime years for the Chargers, as some roster moves will have to be made once Justin Herbert’s pay raise kicks in. Staley has already wasted these prime years where Herbert’s salary was team friendly, so there’s no reason to think he will be able to do more with less.
22. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (5-7)
The Raiders fell to Kansas City on Sunday. The loss dropped the team to 5-7 two weeks after they managed to get to .500, and it also has crushed what slim playoff hopes the team had left.
23. NEW YORK JETS (4-7)
No surprise here – Tim Boyle didn’t fare much better than Zach Wilson. In fact, the QB play for the Jets may have worsened. Boyle threw a TD and 2 INT’s as the Jets lost at home to Miami, 34-13.
24. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (5-6)
The Saints put up 444 yards against Atlanta on Sunday, but only managed to produce 15 points. Atlanta scored 24. The Saints failed to put up points in the red zone. One of their red zone trips ended with an interception by Jessie Bates, which he returned for a 92-yard TD. The Saints & Falcons have the same record, but Atlanta currently holds the tie breaker.
25. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (4-7)
With their loss to the Colts on Sunday, the Bucs may have witnessed their season slip away from them. This drops them to 4-7. They play in a weak division, so a playoff berth as a division champ isn’t out of the picture. That task would need to start with a win against Carolina this week, who they fortunately will play twice before the season concludes.
26. TENNESSEE TITANS (4-7)
The Titans got back into the win column with a victory at home, as you probably could have guessed. Their 7-point victory over Carolina is hardly anything to brag about, but a loss would have marked a season low for this struggling group.
27. NEW YORK GIANTS (4-8)
The Giants won a rock fight in New England, 10-7. Tommy DeVito got his 2nd straight win, as the Giants try to salvage what has been an abysmal season.
28. CHICAGO BEARS (4-8)
The Bears earned themselves a primetime victory in Justin Fields’ 2nd game since his return. They took down Minnesota 12-10 via a Cairo Santos FG in the waning seconds. When you only put up 12 points, it’s obviously not an offensive performance to be proud of, but Fields outplayed his counterpart, Josh Dobbs, and when you have the better QB, it typically bodes well for your outcome.
29. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (4-8)
The Commanders fell to Dallas on the road on Thanksgiving. They entered the 4th quarter with the game still within reach, but throughout the game you could feel that this team was outmatched by a superior Dallas squad.
30. ARIZONA CARDINALS (2-10)
Arizona got slammed by the Rams 37-14. The inability to put up points was noticeable against a Rams defense that typically doesn’t do itself any favors.
31. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (2-9)
How far can the Pats fall? This was the 2nd consecutive game where the Patriots only gave up 10 points at home… and lost. That’s just unacceptable at this level.
32. CAROLINA PANTHERS (1-10)
I’m still trying to figure out how Bryce Young was able to outplay CJ Stroud back in October.
