NFL power rankings: 49ers, Steelers, Commanders fading; Eagles, Vikings belong in top five for Week 13 | Sporting News

Thanksgiving is always a pivotal point in the NFL season. With November getting closer to its end, the home stretch ahead of the playoffs is just around the corner.

The contenders across the league are trying to flex a little more at the right time, but some of the struggling teams looking ahead to next year are trying to play spoiler, as we saw in Week 12. 

Here’s once again checking on how all 32 teams stack up against each other with a busy holiday slate of games coming in Week 13.

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NFL Power Rankings Week 13

1. Detroit Lions 10-1 (previous ranking: 1)

The Lions raced past the Colts, but more injury concerns popped up in Indy. Health seems to be the only thing that can derail the NFC title run now.

MORE: David Montgomery injury update

2. Buffalo Bills 9-2 (2)

The Bills enjoyed a bye week but couldn’t make up any more ground on the Chiefs after Josh Allen came through big time with big support from the defense in Week 12.

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3. Kansas City Chiefs 10-1 (3)

The Chiefs had a little trouble in Carolina, but their offense kicked into extra high gear with Patrick Mahomes heating up with TD passes at the right time to rebound well from Buffalo.

4. Philadelphia Eagles 9-2 (5)

The Eagles rode Saquon Barkley to big things in Los Angeles, and their defense keeps improving under Vic Fangio to make sure the NFC stays at least a two-team race with the Lions.

MORE: Saquon Barkley runs into MVP conversation

5. Minnesota Vikings 9-2 (6)

The Vikings are cruising with their defense and offense complementing each other well, and they won’t relent while staying right behind the Lions in the NFC North.

6. Green Bay Packers 8-3 (7)

The Packers got a welcome break vs. the Brock Purdy-less 49ers but still brought what was needed at home, with the defense and running game helping Jordan Love chill.

7. Pittsburgh Steelers 8-3 (4)

The defense had one of its best games vs. the run in Cleveland, but the offense didn’t quite make enough big plays in the snow. Russell Wilson will need to help the Steelers pick up the pieces fast with the Ravens still on their heels.

MORE: George Pickens blasts Browns after loss | Best pictures from Steelers-Browns snow game

8. Baltimore Ravens 8-4 (8)

The Ravens lost to the Steelers in Week 11 but can keep putting pressure on them by winning the battle of Harbaughs on Monday night. They got a big night again from Lamar Jackson and the passing game to help Derrick Henry to win the HarBowl to end Week 12.

9. Los Angeles Chargers 7-4 (10)

The Chargers need to worry a little bit about seeding with the Broncos staying hot behind them after the home loss to the Ravens, but Justin Herbert and Jim Harbaugh have done enough remind everyone they’re AFC contenders, too.

10. Denver Broncos 7-5 (13)

The Broncos are feeling it with Bo Nix and getting it done with a committee of offensive playmakers around him. Their reliable pass defense offers great support, especially at home.

11. Washington Commanders 7-5 (9)

Jayden Daniels is game, but he’s still on a rookie roller-coaster. Now, the defense is breaking down for Dan Quinn at the wrong time.

MORE: Commanders playoff outlook | Brian Robinson Jr. injury update | Austin Ekeler injury update

12. Arizona Cardinals 6-5 (11)

Kyler Murray had a weird off-game on the road in Seattle, and when Arizona can’t run the ball well enough to support the defense, it doesn’t win.

MORE: NFC West standings after Cardinals loss to Seahawks

(Joe Camporeale, USA Today)

13. Houston Texans 7-5 (12)

What was that? The Texans’ pass defense and pass protection concerns continue to be big-picture bugaboos.

MORE: C.J. Stroud pulls a ‘Dan Orlovsky’ on game-sealing safety vs. Titans

14. Seattle Seahawks 6-5 (16)

The Seahawks can be both gritty and pretty, often at the same time. Their sudden hot streak in the NFC West has them back and ready to believe again, thanks to Geno Smith and Mike Macdonald’s defense.

MORE: NFC West standings after Seahawks beat Cardinals

15. San Francisco 49ers 5-6 (14)

The 49ers had little chance to win at Green Bay without Brock Purdy (shoulder), but now the revolving injuries and defensive holes are catching up to them to the point of believing the Super Bowl hangover is full on.

MORE: How loss to Packers impacts 49ers’ playoff outlook

16. Los Angeles Rams 5-6 (15)

The Rams have been playing better with their pass defense and passing offense, giving hope they can make a late surge into the playoffs — but not if that run defense keeps stinking up front.

MORE: Nick Sirianni’s late penalty decision vs. Rams creates controversy

17. Atlanta Falcons 6-5 (17)

The Falcons saw the NFC South race get a little closer during their bye, and they need to play better, stat, even with the sweep of the Buccaneers in hand.

18. Miami Dolphins 5-6 (19)

Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins are feeling it again offensively with Mike McDaniel getting his playmakers to expand as needed and making life a lot easier on the defense.

MORE: Dolphins’ playoff outlook after win vs. Patriots

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5-6 (21)

The Buccaneers keep showing the fight expected by a Baker Mayfield-led team, and they will keep making the Falcons — and NFC wild-card teams — sweat.

MORE: Baker Mayfield pays ‘tribute’ to Tommy DeVito with TD celebration vs. Giants

20. Indianapolis Colts 5-7 (18)

The Colts’ offense cannot run with Jonathan Taylor well, and the defense cannot stop the run — not a good formula to stay in the AFC wild-card race.

21. Cincinnati Bengals 4-7 (20)

The Bengals had a bye to try to figure out how to win close, high-scoring games. If they can get hot and win out after the bye, they would be in the playoffs.

22. Dallas Cowboys 4-7 (24)

The Cowboys found something deep inside to get their backups going vs. archrival Washington to suddenly resuscitate their playoff hopes.

MORE: Cowboys playoff outlook after win vs. Commanders | Highlights from Commanders-Cowboys wild ending

23. Chicago Bears 4-7 (22)

The Bears cannot figure out how to mesh offense with defense, and that will lead to a big coaching change after the season.

MORE: Jonathan Owens pays tribute to Simone Biles with celebration | Bears fans boo injured chain-gang member

24. New Orleans Saints 4-7 (23)

The Saints are hanging in there with an interim coach and a rash of injuries, but they are just setting up for big change themselves.

25. Cleveland Browns 3-8 (30)

Nick Chubb and Myles Garrett threw it back to 2023 against the Steelers, giving some hope for better times with a better QB situation in 2025.

MORE: Jameis Winston caps memorable night with snowball fight | Myles Garrett declares himself ‘No. 1’ defensive player

26. Tennessee Titans 3-8 (29)

The Titans are seeing plenty of good from Will Levis with his best weapons — enough to evaluate whether they have found their franchise QB.

27. Carolina Panthers 3-8 (25)

The Panthers should be pleased about the second-year resurgence of Bryce Young. He might be a keeper after all for Dave Canales.

MORE: Ja’Tavion Sanders injury update after scary fall

28. New York Jets 3-8 (26)

The Jets have fired everyone, and the coup de grace would be benching the quarterback who made that all possible.

MORE: Is Aaron Rodgers dodging medical testing to avoid missing time?

29. New England Patriots 3-9 (27)

Drake Maye is doing what he can with the weapons he has, which need a major upgrade in 2025.

30. Jacksonville Jaguars 2-9 (32)

The Jaguars need to finish strong to feel more confident around Trevor Lawrence for whoever their coach might be in 2025.

31. New York Giants 2-9 (28)

The Giants can expect to have a new coach with that Daniel Jones-less disaster for Brian Daboll vs. Tampa.

MORE: Is Brian Daboll on hot seat ahead of Cowboys game?

32. Las Vegas Raiders 2-9 (31)

The Raiders need to blow up plenty, and Antonio Pierce might end up being collateral damage.

MORE: Raiders QB depth chart after Gardner Minshew’s season-ending injury