The NFC seems to have its power trio. The Cardinals, Buccaneers and Packers have played well all year and one should finish the season as the No. 1 seed in the conference.
The AFC, though, is still wide open. The Patriots and Chiefs look good, but the Bills can’t be counted out, and it’s actually the Ravens who currently hold the top seed.
What to make of it all? Here are my power rankings heading into Week 13. Odds courtesy of DraftKings on Nov. 30.
1. Arizona Cardinals (9-2)
Last week: 1
Week 12 result: Bye
Week 13: Cardinals (-7.5) at Bears
Super Bowl odds: +800
The Cardinals have the best record in the NFL and are expected to get quarterback Kyler Murray and wideout DeAndre Hopkins back from injury on Sunday. Arizona isn’t getting the same national publicity as the other contenders, but make no mistake, this has been the most impressive team in the NFL thus far.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-3)
Last week: 2
Week 12 result: 38-31 win over the Colts
Week 13: Buccaneers (-11) at Falcons
Super Bowl odds: +500
The Buccaneers rallied for a win over the Colts. Quarterback Tom Brady wasn’t super sharp but others helped make up for it. Tampa Bay needs to keep winning to have a shot at tracking down Arizona in the race for the No. 1 seed.
3. New England Patriots (8-4)
Last week: 4
Week 12 result: 36-13 win over the Titans
Week 13: Patriots (+2.5) at Bills
Super Bowl odds: +1000
The Patriots are on a tremendous tear, with six consecutive wins in dominant fashion. They are staking their claim as the team to beat in the AFC, but that will be put to the test on Sunday against the Bills.
4. Kansas City Chiefs (7-4)
Last week: 5
Week 12 result: Bye
Week 13: Chiefs (-10) vs. Broncos
Super Bowl odds: +700
The Chiefs are playing well lately and are as dangerous as anyone in the AFC. It would be impressive if they can snag the top seed in the conference after a dismal start.
5. Buffalo Bills (7-4)
Last week: 7
Week 12 result: 31-6 win over the Saints
Week 13: Bills (-2.5) vs. Patriots
Super Bowl odds: +750
The Bills’ Jekyll-and-Hyde season continued on Thanksgiving when they dominated against the Saints. Buffalo can once again be in the conversation as the AFC favorite if it beats New England at home on Sunday.
6. Green Bay Packers (9-3)
Last week: 8
Week 12 result: 36-28 win over the Rams
Week 13: Bye
Super Bowl odds: +750
The Packers picked up a solid win at home on Sunday over the Rams, as both sides of the ball excelled. Green Bay holds the tiebreaker over the Cardinals for the No. 1 seed, which could be pivotal down the stretch.
"We're hoping to avoid surgery obviously but it'd be so minor that I wouldn't miss any time.. I could have surgery on Monday or Tuesday & play on Sunday" ~@AaronRodgers12#PatMcAfeeShowLIVE pic.twitter.com/CN2r5cFioY
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 30, 2021
7. Los Angeles Rams (7-4)
Last week: 3
Week 12 result: 36-28 loss to the Packers
Week 13: Rams (-12.5) vs.Jaguars
Super Bowl odds: +1200
The Rams have lost three consecutive games, and now seem likely to enter the postseason as a wild card. Not the regular season they wanted after investing so many resources in winning a championship this year.
8. Baltimore Ravens (8-3)
Last week: 9
Week 12 result: 16-10 win over the Browns
Week 13: Ravens (-3.5) at Steelers
Super Bowl odds: +1200
Lamar Jackson threw four interceptions last week but Baltimore still managed to beat the Browns. The Ravens are not yet a well-oiled machine but they do have the best record in the AFC.
9. Dallas Cowboys (7-4)
Last week: 6
Week 12 result: 36-33 loss to the Raiders
Week 13: Cowboys (-4) at Saints
Super Bowl odds: +1000
The Cowboys have lost two consecutive games, as their chances of finishing atop the NFC have dwindled. They should still win the NFC East comfortably but may have to be road warriors for much of the postseason.
10. San Francisco 49ers (6-5)
Last week: 12
Week 12 result: 34-26 win over the Vikings
Week 13: 49ers (-3) at Seahawks
Super Bowl odds: +4000
The 49ers are coming on strong, and now sit comfortably as the No. 6 seed in the NFC. San Francisco could be a scary team to face in the wild card round, but needs to keep winning to wrap up a playoff berth
11. Cincinnati Bengals (7-4)
Last week: 14
Week 12 result: 41-10 win over the Steelers
Week 13: Bengals (-3) vs. Chargers
Super Bowl odds: +2800
The Bengals continue to impress this season. The offense is flying high and the defense has played much better than expected. Cincy is right on Baltimore’s heels in the AFC North.
Updated odds to win AFC North at @BetMGM @Ravens -175
Bengals +230
Browns +800
Steelers +3000• Highest Ticket%: Browns 36%
• Highest Handle%: @Browns 64%
• Biggest liability: Bengals— John Ewing (@johnewing) November 30, 2021
12. Los Angeles Chargers (6-5)
Last week: 10
Week 12 result: 28-13 loss to the Broncos
Week 13: Chargers (+3) at Bengals
Super Bowl odds: +2800
The Chargers are one of the most talented seven teams in the AFC so it would be nice to see them in the playoffs, but the group is also very inconsistent. Los Angeles has a lot of competition for a wild card spot.
13. Tennessee Titans (8-4)
Last week: 11
Week 12 result: 36-13 loss to the Patriots
Week 13: Bye
Super Bowl odds: +2800
The Titans are still in good shape to win the AFC South but they have been ravaged by injuries and do not look like a true contender. Running back Derrick Henry, wide receiver Julio Jones and wide receiver A.J. Brown are all currently on the shelf with injuries.
14. Indianapolis Colts (6-6)
Last week: 16
Week 12 result: 38-31 loss to the Buccaneers
Week 13: Colts (-8.5) at Texans
Super Bowl odds: +5000
The Colts just missed out on impressive back-to-back wins over the Bills and Bucs. Quarterback Carson Wentz played pretty well against Tampa Bay but had a costly third-quarter turnover.
15. Minnesota Vikings (5-6)
Last week: 13
Week 12 result: 34-26 loss to the 49ers
Week 13: Vikings (-7) at Lions
Super Bowl odds: +6000
The Vikings fell behind Washington in the playoff race after losing to San Francisco this week. Minnesota is better than the rest of the No. 7 seed postseason hopefuls, but does not have much room for error.
16. Las Vegas Raiders (6-5)
Last week: 21
Week 12 result: 36-33 win over the Cowboys
Week 13: Raiders (-2.5) vs. Washington
Super Bowl odds: +10000
Las Vegas has been hard to figure out this year. The Raiders picked up a nice win over the Cowboys on Thanksgiving to stay in the thick of the playoff race, but still doesn’t look like that good of a team.
17. Denver Broncos (6-5)
Last week: 22
Week 12 result: 28-13 win over the Chargers
Week 13: Broncos (+10) at Chiefs
Super Bowl odds: +9000
The Broncos grabbed a solid win over the Chargers last time out and are sniffing a postseason spot. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has a shin bruise, which could affect his performance this week against Kansas City.
18. Philadelphia Eagles (5-7)
Last week: 15
Week 12 result: 13-7 loss to Giants
Week 13: Eagles (-6.5) at Jets
Super Bowl odds: +10000
All of the good vibes in Philly came to a screeching halt on Sunday in a bad loss to the Giants. The Eagles are still alive in the NFC wild card hunt but can’t afford many more missteps like that.
19. New Orleans Saints (5-6)
Last week: 17
Week 12 result: 31-6 loss to the Bills
Week 13: Saints (+4) vs. Cowboys
Super Bowl odds: +10000
The Saints are reportedly switching to Taysom Hill at quarterback on Thursday. More importantly, running back Alvin Kamara and right tackle Ryan Ramczyk might be back from injury this week in a crucial showdown against Dallas.
20. Cleveland Browns (6-6)
Last week: 18
Week 12 result: 16-10 loss to the Ravens
Week 13: Bye
Super Bowl odds: +5000
Baker Mayfield has been awful recently, and despite all of their talent, the Browns sit in 12th place in the AFC.
21. Washington Football Team (5-6)
Last week: 24
Week 12 result: 17-15 win over the Seahawks
Week 13: Washington (+2.5) at Raiders
Super Bowl odds: +20000
Washington has won three straight games, and somehow, is the current holder of the No. 7 seed in the NFC wild card chase. It seems doubtful they hold onto it, but stranger things have happened.
The Washington Football Team have won 3 straight games and currently hold an NFC Wild Card spot.
*own tiebreaker pic.twitter.com/y8VHhy5Z78
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) November 30, 2021
22. Carolina Panthers (5-7)
Last week: 19
Week 12 result: 33-10 loss to the Dolphins
Week 13: Bye
Super Bowl odds: +50000
The Panthers really tried to accelerate their rebuild this season, but poor offensive line play and key injuries have hurt their playoff odds. With running back Christian McCaffrey now done for the year, Carolina might be, too.
23. Miami Dolphins (5-7)
Last week: 26
Week 12 result: 33-10 win over the Panthers
Week 13: Dolphins (-3) vs. Giants
Super Bowl odds: +50000
The Dolphins picked up their fourth consecutive win on Sunday but would need to leapfrog a bunch of teams to sneak into the postseason. Seems far-fetched, but at least Tua Tagovailoa is playing better.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-5-1)
Last week: 23
Week 12 result: 41-10 loss to the Bengals
Week 13: Steelers (+4) vs. Ravens
Super Bowl odds: +15000
Ben Roethlisberger has been one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL this season, and when the Steelers’ defense falters, the team has no answers.
25. Seattle Seahawks (3-8)
Last week: 20
Week 12 result: 17-15 loss to Washington
Week 13: Seahawks (+3) vs. 49ers
Super Bowl odds: +50000
One of the most impressive NFL dynasties of the past decade is officially done. Now we wait to see what happens this offseason with quarterback Russell Wilson and coach Pete Carroll.
26. Chicago Bears (4-7)
Last week: 25
Week 12 result: 16-14 win over the Lions
Week 13: Bears (+7.5) vs. Cardinals
Super Bowl odds: +50000
The Bears squeaked out a win over the lowly Lions on Thanksgiving. Riveting stuff.
27. New York Giants (4-7)
Last week: 27
Week 12 result: 13-7 win over the Eagles
Week 13: Giants (+3) at Dolphins
Super Bowl odds: +50000
The Giants picked up an upset victory over the Eagles, but unless quarterback Daniel Jones shows something the rest of the way, this will be a team in flux this offseason.
28. Atlanta Falcons (5-6)
Last week: 29
Week 12 result: 21-14 win over the Jaguars
Week 13: Falcons (+11) vs. Buccaneers
Super Bowl odds: +50000
The Falcons are still hanging around in the NFC wild card race, somehow.
29. New York Jets (3-8)
Last week: 31
Week 12 result: 21-14 win over the Texans
Week 13: Jets (+6.5) vs. Eagles
Super Bowl odds: +100000
New York has managed to pull ahead of the other terrible NFL teams with three wins, and since it owns Seattle’s first-round pick this year, should have two premium draft picks in April. Things are looking up!
30. Houston Texans (2-9)
Last week: 28
Week 12 result: 21-14 loss to the Jets
Week 13: Texans (+9) vs. Colts
Super Bowl odds: +100000
The Texans followed up their shocking upset of the Titans with a dud against the Jets.
31. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9)
Last week: 30
Week 12 result: 21-14 loss to the Falcons
Week 13: Jaguars (+12.5) at Rams
Super Bowl odds: +100000
Even in a winnable game on Sunday against the Falcons, the Jaguars were a mess.
32. Detroit Lions (0-10-1)
Week 12 result: 16-14 loss to the Bears
Week 13: Lions (+7) vs. Vikings
Super Bowl odds: +100000
Another last-second loss to the Bears on Thanksgiving. For Dan Campbell’s sake, hopefully this team gets a win soon.
