NFL Week 12 Power Rankings: Ravens fly into the top three

Join BetAmerica Extra columnist Zack Rhodes as he fearlessly slices and dices all 32 teams and ranks them in order according to their Week 11 performance and Week 12 outlook.

1. New England Patriots (9-1 SU and 7-3 ATS)

After losing to the Ravens, the Patriots got back on track with their win over the Eagles last week. The toughest stretch in their schedule continues this week as New England welcomes Dallas to town before heading to Houston and returning to Foxborough to take on the Chiefs. Really looking forward to Sunday and seeing if the Cowboys can get over the hump and actually beat an elite team. However, the coaching match-up is a total mis-match.

Next up: Dallas Cowboys 

2. New Orleans Saints (8-2 SU and 7-3 ATS)

We didn’t overreact from the Saints’ stunning loss to the Falcons, and New Orleans rewarded us with a commanding victory over the Bucs. Looking ahead, besides games against the 49ers and Colts, it looks like New Orleans may be on cruise control the rest of the regular season.

Next up: Carolina Panthers

3. Baltimore Ravens (8-2 SU and 4-5-1 ATS)

We all need a hype man like Mark Ingram. Whether it’s postgame press conferences or sideline celebrations, it’s clear that this Ravens team loves Lamar Jackson as their quarterback. The former Heisman winner has taken the league by storm and personally, I’m loving every minute of it.

Next up: Los Angeles Rams

4. San Francisco 49ers (9-1 SU and 5-4-1 ATS)

Despite the close loss to the Seahawks, the Niners continue to find ways to win games. But if they’re going to be at their best, they need the energy and passion that tight end George Kittle brings to the field. He and Emmanuel Sanders raise the level of this 49ers offense.

Next up: Green Bay Packers

5. Green Bay Packers (8-2 SU and 7-3 ATS)

After enjoying a bye last week, Aaron Rodgers & Co. will be rested and rather healthy as they travel to San Francisco to take on the 49ers on Sunday night. Despite a stumble against the Chargers, Rodgers has seemingly found a nice rhythm in Matt LaFleur’s new system.

Next up: San Francisco 49ers

6. Minnesota Vikings (8-3 SU and 6-5 ATS)

After their impressive comeback win against the Broncos, the Vikings have now won six of seven as they enjoy a bye week this week. I’m sure you’ve probably seen the stat, but it’s worth repeating: NFL teams were 0-99 over the past five seasons after trailing by at least 20 points at halftime. Minnesota made it 1-99. Pretty impressive.

Next up: Seattle Seahawks (Week 13)

7. Kansas City Chiefs (7-4 SU and 6-5 ATS)

It’s great to see Patrick Mahomes back to being must-watch TV every week. Hopefully Tyreek Hill gets healthy in time for the marquee showdown in two weeks in New England.

Next up: Oakland Raiders (Week 13)

8. Seattle Seahawks (8-2 SU and 5-5 ATS)

Russell Wilson just continues to find a way to gut out wins and he’ll need every bit of that determination as the Seahawks prepare to play the Eagles, Vikings, and Rams over the next three weeks.

Next up: Philadelphia Eagles

9. Houston Texans (7-4 SU and 5-6 ATS)

We all know how much I appreciate the greatness of Deshaun Watson and watching him throw balls to DeAndre Hopkins is like poetry in motion. If you haven’t read the story of Hopkins and his Mom, do yourself a favor and get out your reading glasses. It’s a special story and a special bond. The Texans have a ton of holes, but Watson and Hopkins are two of the best in the game at their respective positions.

Next up: New England Patriots (Week 13)

10. Los Angeles Rams (6-4 SU and 7-3 ATS)

The Rams have now won three of four and are certainly in the playoff picture, but there’s something about them that’s still hard to trust. And for me, it’s Jared Goff. Dude just doesn’t inspire a ton of confidence. But the Rams will need to play their best this week as the hottest team in the league, the Ravens, are coming to town for a Monday night showdown.

Next up: Baltimore Ravens

11. Dallas Cowboys (6-4 SU and 6-4 ATS)

Dallas has fallen short against the elite teams this season, as three of the Cowboys’ four losses have come against the Saints, Packers and Vikings. This week they get another shot to prove themselves as they travel to New England to take on the Patriots.

Next up: New England Patriots

12. Philadelphia Eagles (5-5 SU and 4-6 ATS)

The Eagles have been tested in every way this season and if they can pick up a win at home against the Seahawks this week, it would be huge as they finish with an easy schedule that features the Giants twice, the Dolphins, and the Redskins.

Next up: Seattle Seahawks

13. Oakland Raiders (6-4 SU and 6-4 ATS)

The Raiders continue to just win, baby, as they’ve now won three in a row and will look to make it four as they head to the East Coast this week to take on the Jets. It looks like Jon Gruden and Derek Carr are going to be good together for years to come in Vegas.

Next up: New York Jets

14. Buffalo Bills (7-3 SU and 6-3-1 ATS)

Even though major questions remain unanswered about this Bills offense, Buffalo continues to be right in the thick of it in the AFC. After a home game against the Broncos this week, we’ll start to get a few more answers as Buffalo faces the Cowboys, Ravens, Steelers and Patriots in consecutive weeks.

Next up: Denver Broncos 

15. Indianapolis Colts (6-5 SU and 6-4-1 ATS)

After an exciting start to the season, the Colts have regressed to the mean in losing three out of their last four, including the big loss last night to the Texans. But we know Frank Reich’s club is going to continue to scratch and claw for every win they can get over the season’s final five weeks.

Next up: Tennessee Titans (Week 13)

16. Carolina Panthers (5-5 SU and 5-5 ATS)

With Kyle Allen cooling off considerably as the Panthers have now lost three out of their last four, maybe we haven’t seen the last of Cam in Carolina. It’s going to be fascinating to see that all play out in the off-season, but in the meantime, it’s not getting any easier as the Panthers travel to New Orleans this week.

Next up: New Orleans Saints

17. Tennessee Titans (5-5 SU and 5-5 ATS)

Fresh off a bye and their big win over the Chiefs two weeks ago, the Titans can still make a run at the playoffs and they have to like their chances this week as they face a Jaguars D that’s been getting killed on the ground.

Next up: Jacksonville Jaguars 

18. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-5 SU and 5-4-1 ATS)

Emotions have to running extremely high in Pittsburgh as the Steelers continue to deal with the fallout from the end of their game against the Browns last week. You have to wonder if they’re completely invested this week against the Bengals, especially with a home date with the hated Browns looming next week.

Next up: Cincinnati Bengals 

19. Arizona Cardinals (3-7-1 SU and 7-3-1 ATS)

If it weren’t for a ridiculous play at the end of the 49ers game, Arizona would have cashed for the sixth time in its last seven games. Clearly, this team has improved as the season has gone along and now they settle in for a three-game home stand that features games against the Rams, Steelers, and Browns.

Next up: Los Angeles Rams (Week 13)

20. Denver Broncos (3-7 SU and 6-4 ATS)

With the surprising quality play from quarterback Brandon Allen, the Broncos are playing solid football as they’ve now cashed in five of their last six games. Although it seems bookmakers have adjusted, as the Broncos are only a four-point dog at Buffalo this week.

Next up: Buffalo Bills 

21. Los Angeles Chargers (4-7 SU and 3-7-1 ATS)

Old Man Rivers looked every bit of 37 as he shot-putted his way to four interceptions in the Chargers’ back-breaking loss to the Chiefs on Monday night in Mexico City. It’s time for the Chargers to move on from both Rivers and Anthony Lynn.

Next up: Denver Broncos (Week 13)

22. Atlanta Falcons (3-7 SU and 4-6 ATS)

This Falcons team made no sense when they lost seven out of its first eight to start the season, and they make no sense now after easily beating the Saints and Panthers in consecutive weeks. The divisional tour continues this week for Atlanta as they welcome in Tampa Bay.

Next up: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

23. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-6 SU and 5-5 ATS)

To my surprise, the Jaguars showed little life in getting blown out by the Colts in Nick Foles’ return. Teams have been running wild on the Jags D and it’s hard to imagine that trend slowing down this week with Jacksonville heading to Nashville to take on the Titans and Derrick Henry.

Next up: Tennessee Titans 

24. Chicago Bears (4-6 SU and 3-7 ATS)

The Bears can say Trubisky has a hip injury all they want and try to convince themselves that they still want the former UNC back-up to be their franchise quarterback, but actions speak louder than words and his benching late in the fourth quarter is all you need to know. It’s truly amazing how Matt Nagy has gone from NFL Coach of the Year to totally incompetent in the span of a year.

Next up: New York Giants

25. Cleveland Browns (4-6 SU and 3-6-1 ATS)

Despite the two wins a row, it feels like the Titanic finally hit the iceberg with the Myles Garrett debacle last week. Outside of a game against the Ravens, their schedule is incredibly soft the rest of the way, but it’s hard to imagine any positivity being generated by this very dramatic Browns team. I’m thinking it all falls apart when Cleveland visits Pittsburgh next week in what will be an electric atmosphere.

Next up: Miami Dolphins 

26. New York Jets (3-7 SU and 4-6 ATS)

The Jets have been rewarded with consecutive wins after giving their incompetent coach Adam Gase a vote of confidence. Congratulations, you beat two of the worst teams in the league in the Redskins and Giants. We’ll see how much these ghostbusters have actually improved with the Raiders coming to town this week.

Next up: Oakland Raiders

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-7 SU and 2-8 ATS)

Man, how good is Jameis Winston at throwing the ball to the opposing team? Now with a league-leading 18 interceptions, it’s looking more and more like the former Florida State star just isn’t a guy you can depend on at the quarterback position and build a franchise around. His decision-making has always been questionable off the field, and now it’s become just as questionable on the field as well.

Next up: Atlanta Falcons 

28. Detroit Lions (3-6-1 SU and 4-6 ATS)

Even with their franchise quarterback still out, the Lions are continuing to fight, but they’ve now lost six of seven and haven’t cashed a ticket since October 14. Unfortunately, it’s going to be another all too familiar losing season for Detroit fans again this year.

Next up: Washington Redskins

29. Miami Dolphins (2-8 SU and 5-5 ATS)

After a rather stunning two-game win streak and five straight weeks of cashing at the counter, reality set back in last week for the Dolphins as they were handled easily by the Bills. However, they’re 10.5-point dogs this week as they face a Browns team standing on very shaky ground.

Next up: Cleveland Browns

30. New York Giants (2-8 SU and 3-7 ATS)

Between his high ankle sprain, his rookie quarterback who can’t seem to stop giving the ball to the other team, and the continued losses, it’s been a trying season for the great Saquon Barkley. However, he’s trying to make the best of it and has vowed to “just ball and have fun” over the last six weeks. It’s the right attitude, but he may be in for another frustrating game this week as New York travels to Chicago.

Next up: Chicago Bears 

31. Washington Redskins (1-9 SU and 3-7 ATS)

Well, Dwayne Haskins is not exactly rewarding my faith in him, but he did show glimpses against the Jets in throwing two touchdown passes. But let’s face it, the Redskins are a rudderless ship lost at sea, as Dan Snyder oversees another lost season in our nation’s capital.

Next up: Detroit Lions

32. Cincinnati Bengals (0-10 SU and 4-6 ATS)

Since 1944, only five NFL teams have gone winless in a season. The Bungals have six more weeks to avoid becoming the sixth member of that embarrassing club. And with Ryan Finley showing us he shouldn’t start in the CFL, it’s hard to imagine how Cincinnati is going to finally get in the win column. Maybe they catch a break by playing Pittsburgh and Cleveland over the next two weeks as both teams deal with the aftermath of the Myles Garrett meltdown.

Next up: Pittsburgh Steelers

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