NFL power rankings: Pats slip, Seahawks surge, Falcons flail
1. Panthers (12-0)
Previous rank: 1. Result: Won 41-14 at Cowboys. Next: Sun. at Falcons.
They opened as a 6 1/2 point favorite over the Falcons and the line quickly moved to 7 1/2. If it's a shootout the Falcons have no chance.
2. Broncos (10-2)
Previous rank: 3. Result: Won 17-3 at Chargers. Next: Sun. vs. Raiders.
They are 3-0 with Brock Osweiler and the defense is elite.
3. Cardinals (10-2)
Previous rank: 4. Result: Won 27-3 at Rams. Next: Thurs. vs. Vikings.
They appear to be the only NFC team capable of stopping Carolina.
4. Bengals (10-2)
Previous rank: 5. Result: Won 37-3 at Browns. Next: Sun. vs. Steelers.
They can clinch the AFC North by beating the Steelers.
5. Patriots (10-2)
Previous rank: 2. Result: Lost 35-28 vs. Eagles. Next: Sun. at Texans.
They have a lot of injuries and the Eagles scored two special teams TDs but how can they lose to that team at home? Now they are the No. 3 seed in the AFC.
6. Chiefs (7-5)
Previous rank: 8. Result: Won 34-20 at Raiders. Next: Sun. vs. Chargers.
That's six Ws in a row. It's almost as if they stole the Falcons' mojo.
7. Seahawks (7-5)
Previous rank: 9. Result: Won 38-7 at Vikings. Next: Sun. at Ravens.
They won't catch the Cardinals in the NFC West but they'll be a dangerous wild card opponent.
8. Steelers (7-5)
Previous rank: 10. Result: Won 45-10 vs. Colts. Next: Sun. at Bengals.
QB Ben Roethlisberger needed a game to knock off the rust in return from injury. Since them, the offense is humming.
9. Packers (8-4)
Previous rank: 11. Result: Won 27-23 at Lions. Next: Sun. vs Cowboys.
They needed a controversial facemask call and a Hail Mary pass to beat the Lions. In two plays they went from out of the playoff picture to the No. 3 seed.
10. Vikings (8-4)
Previous rank: 6. Result: Lost 38-7 vs. Seahawks. Next: Thurs. at Cardinals.
The defense collapsed and the offensive didn't score a TD against the Seahawks.
11. Jets (7-5)
Previous rank: 13. Result: Won 23-20 (OT) at Giants. Next: Sun. vs. Titans.
They rallied from 10 points over the final nine minutes of regulation to beat the Giants. Houston's loss puts them in the driver's seat for the final AFC wild card.
12. Bills (6-6)
Previous rank: 14. Result: Won 30-21 vs. Texans. Next: Sun. at Eagles.
They beat the Texans to leapfrog them in the wild card race.
13. Buccaneers (6-6)
Previous rank: 19. Result: Won 23-19 vs. Falcons. Next: Sun. vs. Saints.
QB Jameis Winston isn't polished but he's certainly a competitor.
14. Colts (6-6)
Previous rank: 11. Result: Lost 45-10 at Steelers. Next: Sun. at Jaguars.
The Matt Hasselbeck magic finally wore off.
15. Texans (6-6)
Previous rank: 12. Result: Lost 30-21 at Bills. Next: Sun. vs. Patriots.
Realistically, they need to beat the Pats to keep their playoff hopes alive.
16. Raiders (5-7)
Previous rank: 20. Result: Won 34-20 vs. Chiefs. Next: Sun. vs. Broncos.
They also can't be trusted to win when they absolutely must.
17. Eagles (5-7)
Previous rank: 22. Result: Won 35-28 at Patriots. Next: Sun. at Patriots.
Go figure: After two straight blowout losses they go and win at New England.
18. Giants (5-7)
Previous rank: 15. Result: Lost 23-20 vs. Jets. Next: Sun. at Dolphins.
Coach Tom Coughlin is under fire for going for it on fourth down but the decision is defensible.
19. Falcons (6-6)
Previous rank: 17. Result: Lost 23-19 at Buccaneers. Next: Sun. at Panthers.
The real problem with the loss at Tampa is that it was an all-systems failure, not just Matt Ryan's.
20. Washington (5-7)
Previous rank: 16. Result: Lost 19-16 vs. Cowboys. Next: Sun. at Bears.
Washington blew it in the final minute against the Cowboys.
21. Bears (5-7)
Previous rank: 18. Result: Lost 26-20 (OT) vs. 49ers. Next: Sun. vs. Redskins.
They can't be trusted to win when they absolutely must.
22. 49ers (4-8)
Previous rank: 25. Result: Won 26-20 (OT) at Bears. Next: Sun. at Browns
Say what you want about Blaine Gabbert but that's twice now he's rallied the 49ers to a victory.
23. Dolphins (5-7)
Previous rank: 29. Result: Won 15-13 vs. Ravens. Next: Mon. vs. Giants.
They are 4-4 under interim coach Dan Campbell.
24. Jaguars (4-8)
Previous rank: 21. Result: Lost 42-39 at Titans. Next: Sun. vs. Colts.
The offense finally erupted against the Titans so of course the defense collapsed.
25. Lions (4-8)
Previous rank: 23. Result: Lost 27-23 vs. Packers. Next: Sun. at Rams.
For some reason coach Jim Caldwell was more worried about laterals than a Hail Mary pass.
26. Cowboys (4-8)
Previous rank: 28. Result: Won 19-16 at Redskins. Next: Sun. at Packers.
They are just one game out of first in the awful NFC East.
27. Saints (4-8)
Previous rank: 24. Result: Lost 41-38 vs. Panthers. Next: Sun. at Buccaneers.
Their defense remains awful but they still can put up points, which gives them a leg up on the Falcons.
28. Chargers (3-9)
Previous rank: 26. Result: Lost 17-3 vs. Broncos. Next: Sun. at Chiefs.
Denver's defense is great but no touchdowns scores at home is embarrassing.
29. Rams (4-8)
Previous rank: 27. Result: Lost 27-3 vs. Cardinals. Next: Sun. vs. Lions.
They had just 212 yards and nine first downs against the Cardinals.
30. Titans (3-9)
Previous rank: 32. Result: Won 42-39 vs. Jaguars. Next: Sun. at Jets.
They've got something with QB Marcus Mariota.
31. Ravens (3-9)
Previous rank: 30. Result: Lost 15-13 at Dolphins. Next: Sun. vs. Seahawks.
A miserable season can be made a bit better with a W against Seattle.
32. Browns (2-10)
Previous rank: 31. Result: Lost 37-3 vs. Bengals. Next: Sun. vs. 49ers.
They suffered their league-high seventh straight defeat with no end in sight.
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