By now we know who the pretenders and contenders are. Teams are starting to position themselves for playoff contention. MVP discussions are heating up with Jalen Hurts and Pat Mahomes being Vegas favorites to this point. Josh Jacobs, in a contract year, rushed for a season high 229 yards and two touchdowns. For Fantasy football implications, that was 48.3 points – the second highest from a running back this year.
Here are my week 13 NFL Power rankings.
1. Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles have eyes on the Number 1 seed in the NFC, but there are some concerns regarding their run defense. The Eagles will be tested in the next four contests, which feature hosting the Titans, at the Giants, at Chicago, and at Dallas. A lot will transpire within the division before Christmas.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs have it all offensively. Who do you matchup with Travis Kelce that doesn’t leave your defensive backs on a island with 4.3 speed receivers on both ends? The run game, that features Isiah Pacheco, has started to flourish with 258 rushing yards in three weeks. Pat Mahomes has a viable argument for NFL MVP.
3. Buffalo Bills
Obviously Josh Allen hasn’t been himself since his elbow injury two weeks ago, but the Bills are staying afloat in the AFC East and are in a statistical tie with the Dolphins (Miami leads head to head tie breaker). Tyler Bass has been a weapon for the Bills’ specials teams kicking game – making eight field goals in the last two games.
4. Dallas Cowboys
How about them Boys? Ezekiel Elliot look refreshed on Thanksgiving against division rival New York Giants – finishing with 92 yards on 16 carriers and a touchdown. Every team in the NFC East division is at least two games above .500, which demonstrates how tough it will be during the home run stretch.
5. Miami Dolphins
Up 30-0 at the half against the Texans, Miami had little issue handling business and not looking forward to a Sunday evening matchup in the Bay against San Francisco. Can Tua Tagovailoa avoid the blitz, and hurry uptempo against a stingy Niners defense on a 4-game win streak?
6. Minnesota Vikings
Justin Jefferson’s impactful plays on Thursday night were the difference against Bill Belicheck and company, with Jefferson securing nine catches for 139 yards and one touchdown. It was nice bounce back game after getting obliterated by the Dallas Cowboys a week prior. Up next is match up against the red hot New York Jets’ rookie corner Sauce Gardner.
7. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers’ defense had another shutout win Sunday against Andy Dalton and the Saints. Deebo Samuel is nursing an injury and Elijah Mitchell enduring a MCL sprain will hurt in the backfield. The defense will be tested against the high octane Miami Dolphins next week.
8. Cincinatti Bengals
No Joe Mixon, who was out due to concussion protocol. No Jamar Chase, due to hip surgery. Yet the Bengals got a tough road win at Tennessee and are on a 3-game win streak. Up Next the Bengals host Kansas City at home. Get your popcorn ready.
9. Tennessee Titans
The Titans were one infraction on special teams away from a chance to take the lead and it cost them Sunday. The identity of the Titans will extensively lean on Derrick Henry, and Ryan Tannehill not turning over the rock in pivotal game situations.
10. Baltimore Ravens
Another blown fourth quarter lead. Lamar Jackson visibly frustrated post game, which led to a twitter exchange . Contract negotiations yet solved. Defensively the worst in over 10 years. The Ravens are still in charge of the AFC North, but the Cincinnati Bengals are on their heels.