Week 13 NFL Power Rankings

Not too much has changed this week besides the Saints showing that they just might be the best team in the league after their beatdown of the Patriots. The Colts are still undefeated and at #2 while the Vikings threaten them and the Saints at #3. The Chargers and Bengals round out the top 5 and the Browns stay in the last spot.

2009 Power Rankings (going into Week 13):
1.(1) Saints (11-0): They definitely took a big step in showing that they are the top team this season dismantling the Patriots.
2.(2) Colts (11-0): The Texans gave them a fight early. Now the surging Titans loom ahead to challenge Indy’s perfect season.
3.(3) Vikings (10-1): They continue to look stronger each week and keep the pressure on the Saints to remain perfect.
4.(5) Chargers (8-3): They are in the middle of their second half surge of recent years and have risen near the top once again.
5.(7) Bengals (8-3): This team continues to win and has postseason aspirations in sight.
6.(9) Cowboys (8-3): December looms along with a tough schedule and past failures. They ended November on a great note so let’s see if things change.
7.(4) Patriots (7-4): They looked like a shell of their old selves in New Orleans and continue to struggle on the road.
8.(6) Cardinals (7-4): It took a last minute drive to do them in. Getting QB Kurt Warner back will help immensely.
9.(10) Eagles (7-4): The young talent on offense has given this team new depth and aided QB Donovan McNabb’s success.
10.(12) Broncos (7-4): They looked to be back on track taking care of another struggling team on the decline after a strong start.
11.(13) Packers (7-4): They are on a nice winning streak aided by better protection of QB Aaron Rodgers.
12.(15) Ravens (6-5): A crucial win Sunday night against a Steelers team in trouble. They need to put together a few wins now to secure their postseason.
13.(8) Steelers (6-5): A three game losing streak has the defending champions a bit worried about making the playoffs.
14.(11) Giants (6-5): The team started 5-0. Since they are 1-5. They have back to back division games that are essentially must wins.
15.(16) Falcons (6-5): The injuries to top players is not helping their run to the playoffs.
16.(19) Titans (5-6): They are 5-0 after their 0-6 start and are gaining confidence each week with QB Vince Young under center.
17.(14) Jaguars (6-5): This team shows up some weeks and them takes other ones off. This was an off week with a series of miscues.
18.(18) Texans (5-6): They had a nice start that has been erased and their struggles against the Colts continues.
19.(21) 49ers (5-6): A nice win against the Jaguars has them staying alive in the NFC West.
20.(17) Dolphins (5-6): They aren’t out of the AFC playoff race and a win against the Patriots will open things up some more.
21.(22) Jets (5-6): They looked to be back playing like did in September; when QB Mark Sanchez wasn’t turning the ball over.
22.(20) Panthers (4-7): The season struggles continued and the offense might be in store for a change down the stretch.
23.(23) Bears (4-7): QB Jay Cutler wasn’t what the Bears thought he was. 20 interceptions were not part of the trade, I think.
24.(27) Bills (4-7): They are playing some inspired football under their interim coach and could end the season on a winning note.
25.(24) Redskins (3-8): They loss again, but played much better. Still in need of a lot of help.
26.(25) Seahawks (4-7): Beating up on the Rams doesn’t erase a second bad season in Seattle.
27.(26) Chiefs (3-8): Their recent success came down like a thud against the Chargers.
28.(28) Raiders (3-8): They again showed why they are one of the worst teams in the NFL getting destroyed by Dallas on Thanksgiving.
29.(29) Lions (2-9): This team is still a work in progress and in danger of losing their Thanksgiving game.
30.(31) Buccaneers (1-10): Raheem Morris needs to makes some major adjustments in the game plan as the team struggles to score points and stop teams.
31.(30) Rams (1-10): A once powerful offense is littered with backups.
32.(32) Browns (1-10): This offense just might be the worse in the NFL as they are lucky to get field goals.

December is here and that usually brings with it teams sorting themselves out each week as teams are slowly eliminated from playoff contention and others clinch spots.