NFL Power Rankings: Week 13

Week 13 kicks off this Thursday as the playoffs are quickly approaching. Every game means more now for those in the playoff hunt, and those searching to lock up a division title.

1. Philadelphia Eagles

The 10-1 Eagles have been the best team in the NFL all season, and it’s becoming more difficult to deny that after they’ve defeated the Cowboys, Chiefs and Bills in their past three games. Quarterback Jalen Hurts has led a high-powered Eagles offense to the best record in the NFL alongside 1,000-yard receiver A.J Brown and one of the most productive running attacks in the league.

2. San Francisco 49ers

The best defense in the NFL resides in San Francisco, along with a dynamic offense that features an assortment of high-caliber scoring threats. All three losses in the 49ers' schedule came over a three-week period where they suffered losses to the Browns, Vikings and Bengals. Since then, they’ve been on a three-game winning streak including a 31-point win over the Jaguars.

3. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens have some of the most impressive wins in the NFL this year: a 32-point win over Detroit, a 25-point win over Cleveland and a 34-point win over Seattle. Baltimore’s only loss since week five came because of a last-second field goal at the hands of the Cleveland Browns in a game in which they once led by 14 points.

4. Kansas City Chiefs

After opening the season with a loss to Detroit, the Chiefs have once again found their stride but have appeared shaky at times in recent weeks. Losses to the Broncos and the Eagles within the last month have dropped the Chiefs to an 8-3 record, but still good enough for second in the AFC.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars

At one point the hottest team in the league, The Jaguars have only suffered one loss since September 24th and are atop the AFC South with an 8-3 record. Trevor Lawrence commands one of the most electric offenses in the league alongside running back Travis Etienne Jr. and one of the most talented receiving cores in the league. Jacksonville’s only three losses came to the Chiefs, 49ers and the Texans, all very good teams.

6. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys have looked great at times, and they have looked bad at times. A loss to the Cardinals in week three stands out as one of the worst losses in the NFL this season, and it looks even worse when paired with a 32-point loss to the 49ers in week five. Dallas has yet to prove they can compete with the best in the NFL with consistency.

7. Miami Dolphins

MVP candidate Tua Tagovailoa has led the most effective passing offense in the NFL to an 8-3 record. With a stranglehold on the AFC East, the Dolphins are hoping that the return of Jalen Ramsey will provide a much-needed spark for the Dolphins defense going forward.

8. Detroit Lions

Similar to the Miami Dolphins, the Lions have one of the most productive offenses in the league but suffer on the defensive side of the ball. No.2 in the NFL in total offense, the Lions are determined to live by their offense and die by their offense. They proved against the Packers that when the offense hits a wall, the Lions are in trouble.

9. Denver Broncos

The hottest team in the NFL right now, the Denver Broncos. Winners of five straight, including victories over the Chiefs, Bills and Browns, the Broncos have looked like a playoff team over the past two months. With the defense being the heart of this team, they’ve found themselves now second in the AFC West.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers

Sometimes all you need is a change. In week 12, the Steelers offense looked functional for the first time all season. Perhaps you could correlate the offensive production to the firing of former offensive coordinator Matt Canada. If the Steelers can pair an effective offense with that prolific defense, they could pose a dreadful matchup come playoff time.

Sketch Morton is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. You can contact him at Sam7539@psu.edu.