NFL Power Rankings: Top 10 for Week 13

I sort of jumped into the week early after watching Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry had huge games on Sunday and Monday nights.

But Saquon’s was more than huge. It puts him on pace for both the single season rushing record and the single season total yards from scrimmage record.

It also catapulted him into the MVP conversation, which is where I put my focus. Because as it turns out, the RBs who currently hold those records… didn’t win the MVP the year they got them.

More on that in my article from earlier this week. But you’re not here for that. You’re here for the power rankings.

As always, may all your teams win or your coaches find out Saquon is their real father.

1. Detroit Lions (10-1)

There are so many positive things happening on the Lions and I can’t believe I’ve barely talked about Jahmyr Gibbs this season. That bizarre 2023 Lions draft will be remembered for a long, long time. Gibbs and LB Jack Campbell were picked in the 1st round, despite widely being considered 2nd round picks. Then they picked Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch in the 2nd round despite widely being seen as 1st round picks. At the end of it all, none of that matters because all of them are really good.

Gibbs has 1,151 yards from scrimmage already and averaging 5.8 yards per carry and Campbell is quietly one of the better all-around ILBs in the league. LaPorta has had a down year compared to his rookie season, but part of that is just too many mouths to feed with Jameson Williams being more available and Gibbs having an expanded role. Branch is one of the best DBs in the league.

This week they get the Bears at home for their traditional pre-Thanksgiving dinner game. And this time, Lions fans get to go into it with confidence.

2. Buffalo Bills (9-2)

Absolutely on fire and coming off their bye week. They get the Niners, in desperate need of a win but not knowing who their QB will be, on Sunday night. Not a game to take lightly.

3. Philadelphia Eagles (9-2)

Saquon is just silly. I don’t know how else to even describe this man. Him going to the Eagles is such a perfect storm of a extraordinary back getting to run behind what might be the best offensive line in the league.

Last Sunday, Saquon ran for 255 yards and added 47 yards receiving for a total of 302 yards from scrimmage. That’s the 9th-most rushing yards in a single game and tied for the 10th-most yards from scrimmage. He’s currently on pace for 2,151 yards rushing and 2,548 yards from scrimmage. Both would be records.

I finally found a comp I kinda love for him. Dominique Wilkins. Circle Button and the Human Highlight Film. Both immense talents with otherworldly skills that make jaws drop, all while playing for teams unable to put a proper team around them. Except Saquon got out and is now breaking out with a team that could win the Super Bowl.

4. Kansas City Chiefs (10-1)

The 2024 Chiefs are the 2023 Eagles and I can’t be talked out of this anymore.

They’re 10-1, but they don’t feel 10-1. After their first loss in week 11, they followed it up with what should’ve been a gimme against the Panthers… who took them down to the wire. Admittedly, when the Panthers tied them with 1:46 left, I think every football fan collectively chuckled cause Andy Reid pulled out his Second Set of Playbooks™️.

Still though, in a league where other teams are beating others down, this constant last minute stuff can’t possibly be sustainable. It’s almost like they don’t trust themselves to win unless they have to do it in the last minute. They’re 10-1 with a +52 point differential… not only is that 11th in the NFL, it’s also 3rd in their own division.

5. Baltimore Ravens (8-4)

Lamar Jackson’s numbers are just absurd, and still he’s considered to be behind Josh Allen in the MVP race. I don’t get it.

Wait, no, I do get it.

6. Minnesota Vikings (9-2)

After an injury scare to Sam Darnold, after which backup Nick Mullens immediately converted a 3rd and long, the Vikings decided to upgrade the backup position with Daniel Jones.

That wasn’t meant sound passive-aggressive… it really is an upgrade. More importantly, it gives Kevin O’Connell another option if Darnold had too high of a price tag this offseason.

The Vikings can now get a look at how Jones would fit and decide if they can match this season’s output with him.

7. Green Bay Packers (8-3)

Despite the size of the Packers win last week, something still didn’t feel right.

The blowout had to happen going against a Niners team without Purdy, Trent Williams, or Nick Bosa. What was more troubling was how close the Niners were to hanging in the game multiple times.

A blowout win is sometimes a complete beatdown, but other times it’s the result of a few midgame circumstances that force one team to change how they’re playing.

8. Los Angeles Chargers (7-4)

Tough loss to the Ravens, but it is, you know, the Ravens.

Yes, yes, get all your jokes in about how the Ravens coach’s dad slept with the Chargers coach’s mom. It was hilarious once or twice.

9. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)

The few extra days to get their bearings is probably a good thing for the Steelers after their loss last Thursday.

But really, there was no way they were beating Jameis Winston in that weather. That man was a kid in a candy store.

10. Washington Commanders (7-5)

I can’t quite quit them. But also, no one else is stepping up.

Commanders get what should be a couple freebies against the Titans and Saints, with their bye week sandwiched between. This is the time to clean things up and get healthy before the final 3-game stretch that will determine if, or where, they fall in the playoff seeding.