NFL Power Rankings - Week 13: What each team should be thankful for
The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's football editors.
With Thanksgiving on the horizon, we take a look at what each team should be thankful for.
1. Baltimore Ravens (9-2)
Previous Rank: 1
Thankful for Ozzie Newsome: The former Ravens general manager should never be allowed to buy his own drinks in Baltimore again after his parting gift of Lamar Jackson.
2. San Francisco 49ers (10-1)
Previous Rank: 3
Thankful for great coaching: San Francisco controls the NFC thanks in large part to its elite staff. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has the 49ers ranked second in scoring offense, while defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has his unit ranked second in scoring defense.
3. Seattle Seahawks (9-2)
Previous Rank: 2
Thankful for Russell Wilson: He may no longer be the league's MVP favorite, but his mere presence makes Seattle a perennial title contender. He's the only quarterback in NFL history to lead his team to a winning record in each of his first eight seasons.
4. New Orleans Saints (9-2)
Previous Rank: 5
Thankful for He Who Can't Be Guarded: Michael Thomas is on pace for 151 receptions, which would break the NFL single-season record, and over 1,800 yards. @CantGuardMike is the only Saints receiver whose numbers didn't dip when Teddy Bridgewater filled in for Drew Brees.
5. New England Patriots (10-1)
Previous Rank: 4
Thankful for Jules: Julian Edelman has fought through shoulder and chest injuries since Week 4 to remain a reliable target for Tom Brady. The ever-dependable slot man has had to come up big given all the turnover within the Patriots' receiving corps.
6. Minnesota Vikings (8-3)
Previous Rank: 7
Thankful for adversity: Minnesota could've overreacted to Stefon Diggs' unhappiness, but the team instead made it the turning point of its season. Since trade rumors involving his name surfaced, the receiver has had games of 167, 142, 143, and 121 yards.
7. Kansas City Chiefs (7-4)
Previous Rank: 8
Thankful for a clean MRI: Kansas City's season flashed before its eyes in Week 7 when Patrick Mahomes dislocated his kneecap. Thankfully, the star quarterback avoided any other damage and only missed two games before returning.
8. Green Bay Packers (8-3)
Previous Rank: 6
Thankful for a reality check: Sometimes a team needs one, and Green Bay got it, courtesy of the 49ers. Now, Aaron Rodgers and Matt LaFleur can put their heads together and figure out how to get their offense rolling again in time for the playoffs.
9. Houston Texans (7-4)
Previous Rank: 10
Thankful for a first-class QB: The Texans should be grateful for Deshaun Watson on Thanksgiving and every other day. By all accounts, he's both one of the best signal-callers and human beings in the NFL.
10. Buffalo Bills (8-3)
Previous Rank: 12
Thankful for that schedule: Bills Mafia doesn't want to talk about it, but Buffalo's eight wins have come against teams with a combined 21-67 record. The Bills have all but clinched a playoff spot because of it.
11. Dallas Cowboys (6-5)
Previous Rank: 9
Thankful for Dak's breakout: Where would the Cowboys be without Dak Prescott? He leads the league in passing yards, ranks third in passing touchdowns, and would be an MVP candidate if Dallas had a more impressive record.
12. Tennessee Titans (6-5)
Previous Rank: 16
Thankful for the QB change: The rise of Ryan Tannehill has been a pleasant surprise for the Titans, who've won four of the five games he's started. He's thrown 10 touchdowns against three interceptions since taking over for Marcus Mariota as Tennessee's quarterback.
13. Oakland Raiders (6-5)
Previous Rank: 11
Thankful for Raider Nation: The Raiders' playoff hopes took a major hit in Week 12, but they've received incredible fan support throughout their farewell season in Oakland, making it one to remember.
14. Indianapolis Colts (6-5)
Previous Rank: 13
Thankful for their O-line: Jacoby Brissett wouldn't be able to hold the ball nearly as long as he typically does if he had anything other than an elite offensive line in front of him.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5)
Previous Rank: 19
Thankful for Coach T: Pittsburgh has been beset by injuries to vital pieces like Ben Roethlisberger, James Conner, and JuJu Smith-Schuster, yet Mike Tomlin has the Steelers on track for the playoffs a year after many in the Steel City called for his firing.
16. Los Angeles Rams (6-5)
Previous Rank: 14
Thankful for Week 13: Following their Monday Night Football embarrassment, the Rams should be thankful that Week 12 is in the past. Sean McVay's squad can reset, make necessary alterations, and plan a final playoff push.
17. Cleveland Browns (5-6)
Previous Rank: 18
Thankful for a dismal AFC: The Browns, and in particular embattled head coach Freddie Kitchens, are lucky that this year's AFC wild-card race is one of the worst in recent memory. In most years, they'd be playing for pride by now.
18. Philadelphia Eagles (5-6)
Previous Rank: 15
Thankful for the Cowboys' stumbles: Philadelphia must be stoked that Dallas hasn't pulled away in the NFC East race. Despite their issues and a litany of injuries, the Eagles are just one game back in the division and continue to own realistic hopes for a playoff berth.
19. Carolina Panthers (5-6)
Previous Rank: 17
Thankful for Christian McCaffrey's health: In a year where Cam Newton went down early, the Panthers have had to rely excessively on their versatile running back. McCaffrey has kept Carolina from imploding and has stayed healthy while racking up a league-high 289 touches.
20. Chicago Bears (5-6)
Previous Rank: 20
Thankful for the rookie wage scale: Under previous labor agreements, the Bears would probably be stuck with a more expensive Mitchell Trubisky beyond 2020. Thanks to the current collective bargaining agreement, Chicago can decline his fifth-year option and cut ties with him after next season without putting the Bears in a financial bind.
21. Los Angeles Chargers (4-7)
Previous Rank: 22
Thankful for Derwin James' impending return: It's been a rough year for the Bolts, but they do appear set to activate their stud safety off injured reserve. Los Angeles' defense simply hasn't been the same without him.
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7)
Previous Rank: 26
Thankful for family and friends: Let's be honest, the Buccaneers don't have much going for them. They can finally move on from Jameis Winston after the season, but there's no guarantee they'll pick the right replacement - in fact, given their history, they probably won't.
23. New York Jets (4-7)
Previous Rank: 27
Thankful for a top-10 defense: Jamal Adams and Co. have kept the Jets airborne while the offense has been finding its way. The unit has scored a touchdown in two of New York's last three games and currently ranks first in the league against the run.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-7)
Previous Rank: 21
Thankful for rookie contracts: The cheap deals of budding stars Josh Allen and DJ Chark will come in handy next year, as Jacksonville's current roster, which contains many expensive veterans, projects to challenge the 2020 salary cap.
25. Arizona Cardinals (3-7-1)
Previous Rank: 24
Thankful for Chandler Jones: Since joining the Cardinals in 2016, no player has amassed more sacks than Jones, who has 53.5. He simply doesn't get enough credit and is one of the few bright spots on Arizona's defense.
26. Detroit Lions (3-7-1)
Previous Rank: 23
Thankful for disguised blessings: Matthew Stafford being sidelined is bad for the present, but now the quarterback won't be able to win enough games for the Lions to justify giving Matt Patricia another year as head coach, and that could be a long-term win.
27. Atlanta Falcons (3-8)
Previous Rank: 25
Thankful for Julio Jones: No matter how dire the situation in Atlanta gets, the Falcons will always have No. 11, who's on pace to finish in the top five for receiving for the sixth consecutive campaign.
28. Denver Broncos (3-8)
Previous Rank: 28
Thankful for the upcoming QB draft class: Likely slated for a top-five selection in 2020, the Broncos should have multiple top-tier quarterback prospects to pick from. Perhaps John Elway will finally stop passing on pivots with his top-five picks.
29. Miami Dolphins (2-9)
Previous Rank: 29
Thankful for a sliver of Fitzmagic: Though he likely cost Miami the first overall pick in next year's draft, Ryan Fitzpatrick has kept the Dolphins from being the league's laughingstock. The veteran gunslinger has led them to a pair of wins and has had Miami knocking on the door in other contests.
30. New York Giants (2-9)
Previous Rank: 30
Thankful for winnable games on the horizon: Losers of seven straight, the Giants have little to celebrate. Fortunately for them, they have dates with the Dolphins and Redskins remaining on their schedule.
31. Washington Redskins (2-9)
Previous Rank: 31
Thankful for road trips: The Redskins' next two games will be on the road, and three of their last five are away from home, where attendance has been embarrassingly sparse.
32. Cincinnati Bengals (0-11)
Previous Rank: 32
Thankful for Joe Burrow's emergence: In the wake of the injury to Tua Tagovailoa, Cincinnati should thank its lucky stars that LSU's quarterback has come out of nowhere to become a legitimate option at the top of the draft. Even better is that Burrow hails from Athens, Ohio, which is a three-hour drive from Cincinnati, so he may be excited to land with the Bengals.