NFL Power Rankings Week 13: The AFC Playoff Logjam
By Dean Holden
SLR’s Week 12 NFL Power Rankings: 32-25 Nov 21, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) and Atlanta Falcons punter Matt Bosher (5) and place kicker Matt Bryant (3) react after a missed field goal late in the game during the second half at the Georgia Dome. The Saints defeated the Falcons 17-13. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
32. Atlanta Falcons (2-9) ▼1
Is it January yet? The Falcons want to go home. They’ve had enough football for 2013. Frankly, I’m pretty sure everyone else has had enough of watching them, too.
31. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9) ▲1
How can I keep the Jaguars in the basement when they’ve won two of their last three? Give head coach Gus Bradley a lot of credit here. It’s hard to find fight in an 0-8 team, but he’s done just that, and kept off-field distractions to a minimum. Normally you hear about dysfunction on a team this bad (see: Greg Schiano, Bucs), but you’re getting none of that here. They just go out and play every week.
30. Houston Texans (2-9) ▼2
At this point, even Gary Kubiak is probably wondering who’s going to coach the Texans next season.
29. Minnesota Vikings (2-8-1) NC
So, they were able to beat the Packers with Scott Tolzein at the helm, but not Matt Flynn? That’s probably a bad sign for the future. Still, anything that isn’t an outright loss is a positive outcome for this team.
28. Washington Redskins (3-8) NC
It’s hard to drop the Redskins any lower after a game everyone expected them to lose. They were exactly the same team on Monday they have been the rest of the season. Ineffective offense, atrocious defense, and just a general feeling of “something’s not right here.”
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-8) ▲3
It’s almost too bad they dug an eight-game hole before they decided to find themselves, because the Bucs are playing pretty decent football right now. Ignore the 3-8 record; this team is not an easy out for anybody right now. Mike Glennon might just be for real.
26. Cleveland Browns (4-7) ▼5
No matter how hard they try, they just can’t seem to get rid of Brandon Weeden, despite the fact that just about everyone they dig up has played better in the Browns’ offense than Weeden. Whoever plays quarterback next season will be thankful to have Josh Gordon as a target.
25. Oakland Raiders (4-7) NC
So does this mean Matt McGloin isn’t the Raiders’ long-term answer at quarterback? Huh. Go figure.