The early Week 12 NFL power rankings are here, and after Sunday, the playoff situation is even more murky aside from the few top-ranked few teams.
There are 12 teams that are either 6-5, 5-5-1, or 5-6, meaning the playoff hunt is still wide open for many.
This list was compiled before the outcome of the San Francisco 49ers-Washington Redskins game on Monday night.
1. Seattle Seahawks (10-1) - The Seahawks had a bye this week but will play the Saints in Seattle on Monday night in what may be a preview of the playoffs.
2. Denver Broncos (9-2) - After jumping out to a 24-0 lead over the Patriots on Sunday night, the Broncos let Tom Brady and New England’s offense creep back into the game. The Broncos, however, proved they can run the ball after Knowshon Moreno carried for 224 yards and a touchdown.
3. New Orleans Saints (9-2) - The Saints’ offense played a somewhat below-average game, only scoring two touchdowns, but the defense was able to prevent Matt Ryan and the Falcons--who were operating in desperation mode--from scoring more than one touchdown. Of note, Drew Brees passed Warren Moon for fifth place for passing yardage with 49,566 yards in 13 seasons.
4. Carolina Panthers (8-3) - Cam Newton didn’t play his best game Sunday, but he and the Panthers made several fourth-down conversions to eke out a win over Miami. The Panthers also might have the best defense in the league.
5. Kansas City Chiefs (9-2) - There seemed to be an aura of inevitability surrounding the Kansas City Chiefs that this team wouldn’t be able to sustain its momentum after going 9-0. Over the past two games, the Chiefs’ defense hasn’t been able to produce an effective pass rush--which will worsen with defenders Tamba Hali and Justin Houston out.
6. New England Patriots (8-3) - The Patriots got a major break when Broncos receiver Wes Welker didn’t make a call on special teams, resulting in a fumble toward the end of overtime. New England then kicked an easy field goal. Coach Bill Belichick and his staff should get credit for making necessary adjustments at halftime when they were down more than three touchdowns.
7. Arizona Cardinals (7-4) - Welcome to the top-10, Arizona. The Cardinals’ offense has finally started to pick up over the past two games. If Carson Palmer can continue to play error-free, Arizona and its high-ranked defense will be a scary team to face come playoff time.
8. San Francisco 49ers (6-4) - The 49ers will play the listless Washington Redskins on Monday night. Of note, Colin Kaepernick made his first start for the 49ers 53 weeks ago on “Monday Night Football” against the Chicago Bears.
9. Cincinnati Bengals (7-4) - The Bengals had a bye and will play the Chargers next week. Linebacker Rey Maualuga and defensive tackle Devon Still got an extra week to recover from injuries and they’ll reportedly be expected to play.
10. Indianapolis Colts (7-4) - Another game, another first half deficit. But this time, Andrew Luck couldn’t bail his team out, and he turned in one of his worst games as a pro. Trent Richardson continued to be ineffective, and it’s a wonder why he was named the starter this week. The Colts are still a mystery.
11. Philadelphia Eagles (6-5) - Philadelphia had the week off but they’ll play the Cardinals next Sunday. Nick Foles will have his work cut out for him in facing Arizona’s stout defense.
12. Dallas Cowboys (6-5) The Cowboys’ defense stepped up in a penalty-riddled game against the Giants. In three trips to the red zone, the Giants could only score one touchdown and made a goal-line stand.
13. San Diego Chargers (5-6) - Philip Rivers had a career day, throwing nearly 400 yards and three touchdowns. But more importantly, he made several clutch plays--including a beautiful pass to Seyi Ajirotutu for a touchdown--in a victory over the now 9-2 Chiefs.
14. Detroit Lions (6-5) - Turnovers doomed the Lions once again, with Matthew Stafford leading the way with four interceptions. And even though the Buccaneers handed Detroit a few chances to take the game back, the Lions couldn’t make anything happen.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-6) - The Steelers are now surging after several vintage defensive performances. Nice punt, Ben Roethlisberger.
16. St. Louis Rams (5-6) The Rams have steamrolled two winning teams in a row. This time, they blasted the Bears for more than 250 yards rushing. It’s too bad they play in the stacked NFC West otherwise they would be a sure bet to make the playoffs.
17. Chicago Bears (6-5) - The Bears couldn’t handle the Rams’ rushing attack and gave up 300 yards on the ground, suggesting that the Bears are really missing middle linebacker Lance Briggs. As of late, the Bears have been entirely too inconsistent on both sides of the ball.
18. Baltimore Ravens (5-6) - Joe Flacco’s 66-yard touchdown pass to Jacoby Jones looked like it was straight out of last season. Holding the Jets to only 3 points helps, too.
19. Tennessee Titans (5-6) - Ryan Fitzpatrick should thank his offensive line, which stifled the Raiders’ pass rush all day, allowing him time to work in the pocket.
20. Miami Dolphins (5-6) - Mike Wallace showed his big-playmaking ability on Sunday--catching two passes for 57 and 53 yards--but his team couldn’t pull out a win. The Dolphins now face the rival Jets and Steelers in two consecutive games that have heavy playoff implications.
21. Green Bay Packers (5-5-1) - Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy’s decision to insert Matt Flynn into Sunday’s game may have come one quarter late. Bump this team up a few notches when Aaron Rodgers comes back.
22. New York Giants (4-7) - Despite the Giants making a valiant effort in a four-game winning streak after losing six to start the season, it looks like the playoffs are out of reach--unless they can win five in a row. One has to wonder why Tom Coughlin decided to go for it on fourth down near the goal line instead of kicking a field goal.
23. New York Jets (5-6) - The Jets are still in the playoff hunt but Sunday’s performance doesn’t give much to hope for. Geno Smith’s play has been in a freefall over the past few games, but the blame should be spread around the Jets’ offense, which has receivers prone to dropping balls and a mostly ineffective rushing game.
24. Buffalo Bills (4-7) - The Bills had a bye week; they'll play the Falcons on Sunday.
25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-8) This might be a scary thought to some Tampa Bay fans, but if the Bucs keep winning, coach Greg Schiano might get to keep his job next season.
26. Oakland Raiders (4-7) Rookie Matt McGloin played relatively well and appears to be primed to start next week. The usually reliable Sebastian Janikowski missed two crucial field goals, which ended costing the Raiders a win.
27. Cleveland Browns (4-7) The Browns are quickly fading out of the playoff hunt with a loss on Sunday. If quarterback Jason Campbell has a concussion, it means Brandon Weeden will start next week, continuing the Browns quarterback carousel.
28. Washington Redskins (3-7) The Redskins will play the 49ers on Monday.
29. Atlanta Falcons (2-9) The Falcons were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs and are now just playing for their pride.
30. Minnesota Vikings (2-8-1) On Sunday, Adrian Peterson surpassed Barry Sanders to have the third-most rushing yards in his first 100 games
31. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9) The Jacksonville Jaguars held the Texans to only 6 points in Sunday’s win, effectively removing the discussion as to whether this team is one of the worst of all time.
32. Houston Texans (2-9) - The Texans have lost nine straight times and it appears unlikely that Houston will bring coach Gary Kubiak back for another season. The Texans couldn’t even score a touchdown against the Jaguars, which features one of the worst defenses in the league.
