Week 12 NFL Power Rankings

Happy Friday! The power rankings are back from a relatively lengthy hiatus, as I’m sure much to the relief of the sports blogging community.

I think I speak for everyone when I say I’m still catching my breath from that Monday Night game! I had zero problems with Luke Kuechly starting the celebrations early by giving Gronk a bro-hug on the last play. Kuechly knew the Cardiac Cats were gonna win, so it proved to be something of a preemptive sportsmanship move, and he should be applauded for it! Gronk didn’t seem too bothered by the hug either. I don’t know if it was because Gronk got lost in Luke’s eyes, or he was asking him if he wanted to hit the town after. “Bro, I know we’re supposed to be mortal enemies and all, but the two of us? We could clean up!” I’ll concede that the play should have been defensive holding at the very least. All I’m gonna say on it.

1.     Denver (9-1) – The power rankings have been waiting for the Den/KC game for a while, because we knew that justice would reign supreme. This game finally told us what we already knew: KC is a fraud, and Denver is the best team in the league.

2.     Seattle (10-1) – Who knows how far this team can go when Harvin gets up to speed. Have a bye week to prepare for the gauntlet against the Saints and Niners.

3.     New Orleans (9-2) - Thursday night games basically don't count, so not reading into the close win over the Falcons at all.

4.     Carolina (7-3) – Where to begin? 6 wins in a row? Beating Tom America Brady on Monday Night? Three things: 1) If Steve Smith doesn’t land a color commentary job after the league, I will never watch another NFL game. 2) This runhappened. 3) There’s still room on the CAMwagon, so here’s a handy guide to loving the Panthers… Tuesday morning, all that America could talk about was the pass interference call that was not, which will give this team even more of a chip on its shoulder to prove itself.

Steve Smith weekly greatness:

5.     Kansas City (9-1) – Okay, fraud was a little harsh. I was actually very impressed by the defense and running game against Denver. Peyton was, and is, just more impressive.

6.     New England (7-3) – Oh, Tom. I wish I were you for so many reasons, but most of all so that when I lost a flag football game, I could run the refs off the field, while calling them all sorts of mean names along the way. And that would also mean that I had my own personal minion, Ryan Mallett.

7.     San Francisco (6-4) – Great toughness against the Saints, just got hosed on the call. It’s not their fault that Drew Brees is 5 foot 7. Gonna get to 8-4 before a huge showdown against Seattle.

8.     Indianapolis (7-3) – We can’t forget that this team beat San Fran, Seattle, and Denver, but just was too many WTF losses or WTF close wins. Also, I’ve always wondered why players punch someone wearing a helmet, so head butting someone without a helmet is kinda the polar opposite of that.

9.     Chicago (6-4) – Bold, mostly unfounded prediction: Cutler won’t get a contract and the Bears will go with Josh McCown.

10. Philadelphia (6-5) – Saw a stat that so far this season Marcus Mariota had 25 TDs, 0 INTs and Nick Foles had 16 TDs, 0 INTs. I think Chip Kelly’s offense works. 

11. Cincinnati (7-4) – Pretty hard to figure out this team. We’re not used to seeing inconsistent “good teams”, but this team is maybe like a better version of the Chargers? No idea, but good win over the Browns.

12. Arizona (6-4) – I can’t believe Carson Palmer is actually working out there: 30-42, 419 yards, 2 TDs. And, I’m sure Andre Ellington has been pulling his hair out wondering why Mendenhall keeps getting carries, but Jason Babin did that for him. Wait for it… Just a dreadful tackle.

13. Detroit (6-4) – This team seems like it has more flair than substance, but no shame in losing to a much improved Pittsburgh team.

14. NY Giants (4-6) – I mean this can’t actually be happening again, can it? If there is a division that they can pull this off in, they’re in it.

15. Pittsburgh (4-6) – Big Ben may want to invest in one of those lower back support belts, because the man has literally put the team on his back. They just dug way too big of a hole.

16. Dallas (5-5) – I’m with everyone when I say that this Dallas team is no different than any other year. They’re ranked 16^th because that is the most average position you can be in.

17. Green Bay (5-5) – Gotta get #12 back ASAP to salvage the season. This team is really freaking good when he is under center.

18. St. Louis (4-6) – Bye week to recoup, but somehow this team is playing much better. Huge WTF win over the Colts is most likely an anomaly, but we weren’t all dreaming: it happened.

19. NY Jets (5-5) – The Jets are alternating wins and losses in such puzzling way that they could put out a high school quarterback next week and win. It's destiny that they will follow up a loss with a win. Bet the house on them beating the Ravens next week.

20. Miami (5-5) – Aside from the ongoing Incognito circus, this team is decent.

21. San Diego (4-6) – How does 450 yards of offense only get you 16 points? Only the Chargers.

22. Buffalo (4-7) – Good to have EJ back.

23. Baltimore (4-6) – This team is so terrible compared to last year, I have no idea how they have won 4 games.

24. Cleveland (4-6) – Finally something normal happens: The Bengals put a beating on the Browns.

25. Tampa Bay (2-8) – Are these guys rallying around Schiano? Glennon looking more and more like a franchise guy they could build around. NCSU is QB U.

26. Tennessee (4-6) – Can’t let the Colts come back like that. Apparently Luck gave some epic halftime speech to ignite the comeback.

27. Minnesota (2-8) – Ouch.

28. Washington (3-7) – Lots of locker room muttering going on about RG3. If it seems too good to be true…

29. Houston (2-8) – Time to mail it in on this season. This team wasn’t as bad as the record at first, and then became as bad as it.

30. Oakland (4-6) – Is Oakland’s second string better than their first? Their starting QB was Matt McGloin from Penn State if anyone was wondering, and what’s more is that he played pretty well. Their resume is better than #30, but I can't buy into them yet.

31. Atlanta (2-9) – I mean seriously this team is the polar opposite of the Chiefs. From great to terrible. They’re baaaaad. Not reading into the Thursday night game at all.

32. Jacksonville (1-9) –Still bad.