POWER RANKINGS: WEEK 12

Well, can't really say that we didn't see that coming. Dropping 52 for the second time though, was a statement to the rest of the league: You can come for them, but they will tear your kneecaps right off.

This is the best version of Josh Allen that we have ever seen. Without arguably his 2 top weapons, he beat the defending champs. He won that game. I don't know if this is the year for them, but the level of football Allen is playing at is worthy of an MVP trophy.

Well, I would say those apology letter's to Russell Wilson are due today. Well, actually when they won against the Ravens on Sunday. Sure, you could say the defense and special teams carried them to that win, and while that has mostly truth to it, the Offense still put up a TON of yards. The Ravens are one of the best redzone defenses despite being one of the worst defenses, and well let's be real, if Baltimore converts that 2-point, Wilson was leading that team down the field for a game winning drive regardless.

And down they go. It was a matter of time, and quite honestly, it was about as I thought it would go. I don't see any juice on offense, and the defense is solid, but it's not better than last season's. Will Pacheco help? It will, but I don't think they beat the Bills, nor do they beat the other 2 teams in front of them. They lost by two scores.

That's the AFC North for ya. Not a terribly bad look losing to a hot division rival on the road, but some tweaks are absolutely necessary, as this is definitely a team they could run into on their playoff path.

They are really figuring it out on both sides of the ball now. I don't have all my stock back in on them, but I am very close. I still feel like they are prone to being outcoached in a big game, despite their monster roster.

This was a bad win. They got outplayed by the Bears Sunday, and squeaked out a win. Realistically, if it was a win they should be proud of, there would be more turnovers and a larger margin of victory, but that wasn't the case.

I'm going to give the Commanders a little bit of a break. They played two top-6 teams in the league in 5 days, and lost by 9 points combined. Oh, and it was with a rookie QB. Daniels is still playing well, and so is the defense. Don't be shocked if they win round 2 against the Eagles.

Not really an impressive showing from the Texans, especially Stroud. I don't know what the issue is with him, but he is just missing throws more frequently, and doesn't feel like he is propelling the team to victories, rather the opposite. I'm not worried about him long term at all, as it is most likely some sort of sophomore slump.

A lot of people are talking about their dissapointment in the Bengals after Sunday Night, that they forgot to praise the Chargers. An all around good game on both sides of the ball, and Herbert looks smarter and more comfortable than ever.

I really do go back and fourth on this team quite a bit, and the main reason is Sam Darnold. Sometimes he looks great, and they should pay him, and then sometimes he has turnover issues that are hard to ignore. I think this team will make the playoffs, but Sam Darnold will have to play the best games of his career to win one.

bye week.

I'm shocked, but not sold yet. I know, I know, I sound like a hater, but I just see this team, and then I see their ceiling. And they are right at their ceiling right now. There isn't much weapons you should be worried about, and the defense is strong, but not unbreakable. There is a recipe to beat this team, yet it feels like they find ways. I don't see myself putting the Broncos higher than 13 unless a prominent weapon presents itself in a serious way.

So... just about everyone's healthy... where's the Niners? I didn't expect it to flip a switch magically, but it almost looks like it is regressing. The defense I feel has improved, but the offense looks rough to say the least. I'm not giving up just yet on this team, but it doesn't look great as of now.

bye week, plus get Mike Evans back.

Of all the NFC West teams, I have the least amount of faith in the Rams to win a playoff game. They barely beat the Patriots, and are fraudulent on defense.

Welp, the math doesn't help the Bengals. Most modules give them less than a 20% chance to make the playoffs as it stands. The offense can do it, but the defense can't. One small note here as well, I don't think Joe Burrow deserves to be in the MVP conversation. Not because of his record, but because his numbers are a little inflated. The way their offense works, he is throwing way more than other QB's, hence he gets more opportunities for yards and touchdowns.

Geno Smith is like a toxic ex-girlfriend. You see glimpses of something that you know isn't going to work long-time, and it shows if once you start to have hope in them. I'm not saying he's the only issue on the team, but I think a good majority of this roster is about ready to compete, so moves might have to be made before the window passes.

no comment.

Honestly, despite the loss, there is a ton to be happy about moving forward. The offense looked WAY better against a tough divisional opponent with a top 10 defense. They make that field goal, the narrative is completely different about both teams. I believe they outplayed Green Bay, which is a good sign.

Question: Why is the offense running through Jonnu Smith? Sure it worked this week, but there is probably 5 players on that offense alone more talented than Jonnu Smith that can make your offense way better. I'm definitely not calling for a new head coach, but questions will have to start being answered.

Interesting how the offense becomes more dynamic once the dynamic playmaker is back in at QB. Funny how that works. In all seriousness though, the Colts probably should have put this game away when they had the chance. A win is a win, but that was too close with the Jets.

The Texans let the Cowboys stay in the game for so long, yet the Cowboys stayed true to who they've been all season. On the bright side, and I said it last week and i'll say it again, this is a great opportunity to tank. It's a tough rest of the schedule, can get a new head coach in the offseason, and get a high draft pick. You won't get rid of Jerry Jones, but thats still pretty good.

The circus ride that is the Saints season continues. I expected them to beat the Browns, but not in a fashion where Taysom Hill has a career game. I still view them as a near bottom of the league team, but the reality is, the division is very winnable to them at this moment, record-wise.

bye week.

Drake Maye continues to shock me. Do the Patriots have ANY business being in that game against the Rams? Not at all, they were outmatched in almost every way. However, Maye took them to the end of the game. Seriously, if this guy gets some weapons, then he is an instant threat in the AFC, and I am so serious.

I mean, when you don't get a first down for the first 28 minutes of the game, is it all that surprising when you lose? The crazy part is, this team had a lead in this game, and still lost anyway. It's Aaron Rodgers. He has no pocket awareness, no mobility, and he's not taking any risks when throwing the football, something you could argue he made his living off of. If this is how Rodgers goes out, then he needs to provide more effort.

Of all the woes of the Browns season to this point, Nick Chubb's return may hurt the most. I understand that he is easing his way back, but he just doesn't look like the same guy, and it sucks. Curious to see where this franchise goes in terms of the QB position in the offseason, because I think Winston may be earning a spot to at least be a bridge guy for the franchise.

On one hand, Brock Bowers set the reception record for rookie tight ends with 13. On the other hand, Jakobi Meyers, a receiver who had one carry, was their leading rusher. This team is tanking for a top 3 pick, as they should.

This franchise is in a very bad place. Not a lot of cap space, not a lot of talent offensively, nor defensively on the back-end. At this point, what does a qb change ACTUALLY do for you, other than to have an excuse to fire Daboll and pin it all on him, although he has been a good coach?

Will Levis is keeping this Titans team in games against really good opponents. I don't know if Will Levis will be apart of the future of the Titans franchise, but he is playing for some sort of job, especially if he keeps it up.

Well, that went just about as worse as it could go. On the bright side, they hold the number 1 pick, and Belicheck has intrest in a potential head coaching vacancy.