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Jarrett Bailey

NFL Power Rankings, Week 13: NFC East populates top five

It may have been Thanksgiving weekend, but the Cowboys spent Thursday decking Washington’s halls, while the Eagles overcame an early deficit to continue their dominance atop the NFL landscape.

Where do they rank in comparison to the other 30 teams heading into the first weekend of December? Here are the Week 13 power rankings.

32. Carolina Panthers

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Last Week: 32

Head coach wanted. You have a very hands-on owner who expects immediate success, your receivers are cereal boxes, and you don’t have a first-round pick. Apply here!

31. New England Patriots

(Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports)

Last Week: 31

Bill Belichick is hot and he’s cold, he’s yes and he’s no. He’s in and he’s out, he’s up and he’s down when it comes to picking a quarterback. Will he finally just stick with Bailey Zappe? Or will Macorckle get the call once more?

30. New York Giants

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Last Week: 30

If you have watched a New York Giants game in its entirety this season, you could be entitled to financial compensation.

29. Tennessee Titans

(Syndication: The Tennessean)

Last Week: 29

Derrick Henry ran for a couple scores and Tennessee beat the worst team in the league. What else can we say about the Titans? They wear blue? Sure. Moving on.

28. Washington Commanders

(Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)

Last Week: 26

I mean, really Washington? A 35-point beatdown on Thanksgiving put the writing on the wall for Jack Del Rio, who was subsequently fired. This is a team that will likely be on the search for a new head coach this offseason, beginning a rebuild.

27. Chicago Bears

(David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports)

A win is a win, but good Lord. Chicago needs to clean house this offseason, and that may include the quarterback.

26. Arizona Cardinals

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Last Week: 24

I really have no idea what the future holds for Arizona. Is Kyler Murray going to be there next year, or will the Cardinals start a rebuild of their own?

25. New York Jets

(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Last Week: 22

Tim Boyle. El oh el.

This team is unwatchable.

24. New Orleans Saints

(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

Last Week: 21

What a disappointment the Saints have been. Well, sort of. Anyone with a level head knew they weren’t a Derek Carr away from being good.

23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

Last Week: 23

Whoever gave the Bucs the green light to where pewter while the Colts wore blue needs a demotion.

22. Atlanta Falcons

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Last Week: 25

What if we take the NFC South, and push it somewhere else? Spongebob fans will appreciate this. And NFL fans appreciated Bijan Robinson finally being utilized.

21. Green Bay Packers

(Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports)

Last Week: 27

Jordan Love looked like Weeks 1 and 2 Jordan Love. Three touchdown passes later, the Packers upset the Lions and stay in the thick of the NFC Wildcard race.

20. Cincinnati Bengals

(Albert Cesare-USA TODAY Sports)

Last Week: 11

Without Joe Burrow, their season is over. There isn’t much else to say.

19. Los Angeles Rams

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Last Week: 19

Golly gee, what a kick to the hindquarters the Rams gave Arizona. Are they a real player in the NFC playoff race? I’d still lean no.

18. Los Angeles Chargers

(Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports)

Last Week: 16

Why is Brandon Staley still the Chargers’ head coach? This vanity project has gone on long enough.

17. Las Vegas Raiders

Candice Ward/Getty Images)

Last Week: 16

The Raiders have lost their last two, but they haven’t looked like they were outmatched. Kudos to them for their fight. They are still in the Wildcard hunt, but they need wins.

16. Minnesota Vikings

(Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)

Last Week: 14

It appears Midnight has hit the clock for Josh Dobbs and his Cinderella story.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers

(Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports)

Last Week: 18

All it took was firing Matt Canada for the Steelers go get their first 400-yard performance since Week 2 of the 2020 season.

14. Seattle Seahawks

(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Last Week: 13

Remember in The Santa Clause 2 when Scott Calvin’s watch was running out of magic, meaning he couldn’t get back to the North Pole? That’s what’s happening with Geno Smith.

13. Cleveland Browns

(Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports)

Last Week: 12

It’s very evident how limited the Browns are. As great as their defense is, the ceiling is low.

12. Indianapolis Colts

(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Last Week: 15

I know, I can’t believe the Colts are this high, either. But right now, they hold a playoff spot, and their offense is putting up points. It’s very impressive how well Shane Steichen has them playing right now.

11. Denver Broncos

(Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)

Last Week: 20

The Colts and Broncos are doing the Sean Evans and Paul Rudd meme from Hot Ones– who would have thought they would be in the playoff race?

10. Buffalo Bills

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Last Week: 10

Sean McDermott needs to go. That was the third time this season the Bills’ defense has blown a lead with under two minutes to play. Their playoff hopes seem to fade more by the week, and they have their head coach to thank for it.

9. Houston Texans

(Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)

Last Week: 9

We are very lucky to get to see C.J. Stroud and Trevor Lawrence duel twice a year for the next decade. Houston may have lost, but they lost to a great Jaguars team- and they get the feisty Broncos on Sunday.

8. Detroit Lions

David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

Last Week: 4

The Lions got surprised by the Packers on Thanksgiving, and Jared Goff’s woes are becoming more frequent. Will they be fine? Probably, but they need to clean it up.

7. Miami Dolphins

Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Last Week: 8

The result was never in doubt for the Dolphins against the Jets. That pick-six off the Hail Mary by Jevon Holland was pretty rad, though, and gave the game much needed entertainment.

6. Jacksonville Jaguars

(Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)

Last Week: 7

Trevor Lawrence reminded people that he’s that dude, and the Jaguars look like they might be the best team in the AFC.

5. Dallas Cowboys

(Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)

Last Week: 6

What a whooping the Cowboys put on the Commanders. Dak Prescott finally got his Thanksgiving day turkey leg after four touchdowns, and has played his way into the MVP conversation.

4. San Francisco 49ers

(Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports)

Last Week: 5

The 49ers have the NFC West as close to locked up as they can at this point in the season. They play the Seahawks again in Week 14, which should wrap up the division.

3. Baltimore Ravens

(Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports)

Last Week: 3

Zay Flowers had his first career two-touchdown game, and the defense held the Chargers to just 10 points. Baltimore looks as good as they ever have in the Lamar Jackson era.

2. Kansas City Chiefs

Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)

Last Week: 2

The Chiefs made it harder on themselves, falling behind by two scores to the Raiders early. However, Isiah Pacheco powered them back into the game with a pair of touchdowns, and Patrick Mahomes tossed two more to get Kansas City to 8-3.

1. Philadelphia Eagles

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Last Week: 1

Even when they don’t play their best, the Eagles always find a way. And they did it in the Kelly greens, which is always a welcome sight.

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