NFL Power Rankings - Week 12: Colts skyrocket, Cardinals sink to new low

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's football editors, including Mike Alessandrini, Jack Browne, Michael McClymont, and Arun Srinivasan.

1. New Orleans Saints (9-1)

Previous Rank: 1

Sean Payton definitely wanted to beat the defending champion Eagles in humiliating fashion and show what his team could have done in last year's NFC Championship Game. - Browne

2. Los Angeles Rams (10-1)

Previous Rank: 2

The Rams emerged victorious in the highest-scoring game in Monday Night Football history, and they may be unstoppable offensively, even when Todd Gurley has a down night. We can ignore the leaky secondary for an evening. - Srinivasan

3. Kansas City Chiefs (9-2)

Previous Rank: 3

Patrick Mahomes threw an MNF-record six touchdown passes, and the Chiefs still lost. Don't count on any team toppling the high-powered Chiefs for the rest of the season. - Srinivasan

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-2-1)

Previous Rank: 5

Revenge on the Jaguars? Check. With the Le'Veon Bell saga officially over (for now), Pittsburgh looks poised for a run at the Lombardi Trophy. - Alessandrini

5. New England Patriots (7-3)

Previous Rank: 6

Though he appears to be a shell of his former self, the Patriots desperately need a healthy Rob Gronkowski for the stretch run. - McClymont

6. Los Angeles Chargers (7-3)

Previous Rank: 4

The Chargers were bound to lose again at some point, but it stings even more have that loss come through a last-second field goal against a divisional rival. - Srinivasan

7. Houston Texans (7-3)

Previous Rank: 8

For Houston, it's been better to be lucky than good. But with the Colts reborn, the Texans can't afford to keep testing the football gods. - Browne

8. Chicago Bears (7-3)

Previous Rank: 9

The Monsters of the Midway control the NFC North after a big Sunday Night Football win. The Bears' defense is legit, and there are striking similarities between this team and last year’s Super Bowl champs. - Alessandrini

9. Carolina Panthers (6-4)

Previous Rank: 10

Carolina sits firmly in the NFC's second tier. Whether they have the talent to bridge the gap remains to be seen after another confounding loss, this time to Detroit. - Browne

10. Minnesota Vikings (5-4-1)

Previous Rank: 7

Who are these Vikings? Minnesota is a top-five team in terms of talent that just hasn’t fully clicked in 2018. The Vikings have taken a shocking step back from last year's dominance. - Alessandrini

11. Seattle Seahawks (5-5)

Previous Rank: 14

It hasn't always been pretty, but don't sleep on the Seahawks making a late surge while in the mix for a wild-card spot. - Srinivasan

12. Indianapolis Colts (5-5)

Previous Rank: 21

The Colts' offense has been the star of the show for the past month, but don't forget about Darius "Maniac" Leonard, who needed just nine games to break the 100-tackle mark. - Browne

13. Washington Redskins (6-4)

Previous Rank: 11

What awful luck for Alex Smith. The Redskins have a capable backup in Colt McCoy, but he has a career 7-18 record and very little margin for error. - McClymont

14. Cincinnati Bengals (5-5)

Previous Rank: 13

The Bengals' defense didn’t allow 51 points this week, so that’s a start. With two winnable games upcoming, we'll know shortly whether Marvin Lewis' squad will contend for a playoff spot, or if his team will spiral toward the AFC North basement. - Alessandrini

15. Baltimore Ravens (5-5)

Previous Rank: 19

Lamar Jackson isn't Peyton Manning, but he’s a lot more fun than Joe Flacco. The Ravens are better off rolling with their rookie QB. - Alessandrini

16. Dallas Cowboys (5-5)

Previous Rank: 16

Just as everyone predicted, the Cowboys are the favorites to win the NFC East. Their recipe for success? Feed Zeke. - McClymont

17. Green Bay Packers (4-5-1)

Previous Rank: 12

After a gut-wrenching loss in Seattle on Thursday, Mike McCarthy supporters have never been fewer in numbers. - Alessandrini.

18. Tennessee Titans (5-5)

Previous Rank: 15

Another injury to Marcus Mariota, and another head-scratching result for Tennessee. An MNF loss to the Texans in Week 12 will kill the Titans' AFC South title hopes. - Browne.

19. Philadelphia Eagles (4-6)

Previous Rank: 17

The defending champs were embarrassed on Sunday, but they still control their own destiny. The Eagles are two games back in the NFC East, and they have four games left against division opponents. - McClymont.

20. Miami Dolphins (5-5)

Previous Rank: 20

A playoff spot is right there for the taking. Will Ryan Tannehill return with enough time left to lead a late charge? - McClymont

21. Atlanta Falcons (4-6)

Previous Rank: 18

The Falcons are on life support, and they look set to waste an All-Pro year from the underrated Matt Ryan. - Browne

22. Denver Broncos (4-6)

Previous Rank: 23

Denver was elated after knocking off Los Angeles on a last-second field goal. Is it too little, too late? - Srinivasan

23. Detroit Lions (4-6)

Previous Rank: 25

Let's recap Detroit’s season thus far. The Lions have lost to the Jets, 49ers, and Seahawks, and recorded victories against New England, in Miami, and versus Carolina. We can't get a grip on this team. - Alessandrini

24. Cleveland Browns (3-6-1)

Previous Rank: 22

Just when we thought the Browns couldn’t get any more Browns, they're connected to Condoleezza Rice. - Alessandrini

25. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-7)

Previous Rank: 24

Maybe, just maybe, don't consider trading a cornerback who can do this. - Browne

26. New York Giants (3-7)

Previous Rank: 30

The Giants are 2-0 since Odell Beckham Jr. said they could run the table 👀. - McClymont

27. Buffalo Bills (3-7)

Previous Rank: 26

Let's go on a win streak, why don't we, Bills Mafia! - McClymont.

28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-7)

Previous Rank: 27

Tampa Bay should just embrace the chaos and have Jameis Winston and Ryan Fitzpatrick rotate series for the rest of the season. - Browne

29. New York Jets (3-7)

Previous Rank: 29

The Jets would pick fourth in the updated 2019 NFL Draft order, but two dates with the Patriots could help move them up to first overall. - McClymont.

30. San Francisco 49ers (2-8)

Previous Rank: 31

If the season ended today, the 49ers would hold the first overall pick. It's not too early to start watching Nick Bosa highlights. - Srinivasan

31. Oakland Raiders (2-8)

Previous Rank: 32

Derek Carr and Jon Gruden may have downplayed their sideline spat, but that argument could be the everlasting image of this seemingly cursed partnership. - Srinivasan

32. Arizona Cardinals (2-8)

Previous Rank: 28

Although he threw a season single-game best three touchdown passes, Josh Rosen's rookie status isn't a good excuse for losing to the tire-fire Raiders. - Srinivasan