It is Thanksgiving week, which means it is the perfect time for another look at our NFL Power Rankings. Let’s see what our top teams are most thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
1. Los Angeles Rams 9-2 (Last Week: 2)
That was a dominant win. The Bucs have a slew of injuries, but they are a solid team. The Rams showed everyone how far the distance is right now between them and the rest of the league.
Thankful For: Davante Adams. Adams has given the Rams the second threat at wideout they needed and a major red zone target to complement Puka Nacua. Adams has 12 touchdowns already.
2. Indianapolis Colts 8-3 (Last Week: 3)
The Colts won a road game on Sunday against a good team. Sunday was a step towards respect for the underestimated Colts.
Thankful For: Daniel Jones. Who knows where the Colts would be without the rejuvenated Jones? He is fourth in passing yards and provides needed balance to the Colts’ formidable rushing attack.
3. Seattle Seahawks 8-3 (Last Week: 5)
The Seahawks are unfortunately in the same division as the Rams. If they were elsewhere, it would be easier for more people to see that this is one of the league’s best teams and a Super Bowl contender.
Thankful For: The Vikings. The Vikings dealt Sam Darnold to Seattle, casting all of Minnesota’s hopes on J.J. McCarthy. Advantage – Seahawks.
4. New England Patriots 10-2 (Last Week: 4)
New England lacks flash, but they are just better every week than their opponent. After the Giants this week, the Pats will play Buffalo and Baltimore. Nonbelievers will have no choice but to get on board if the Pats sweep their next three.
Thankful For: Mike Vrabel. The Pats rapid rebuild and their turnaround has a lot to do with the leading candidate for coach of the year.
5. Philadelphia Eagles 8-3 (Last Week: 1)
The Eagles are reeling after throwing away a huge lead in Dallas. The first half was the answer the team wanted after struggling on offense for the two weeks prior. Now, Philly is left with more questions than they had going into Sunday’s game.
Thankful For: Vic Fangio. Fangio has architected a defense that has kept Philadelphia among the league’s leaders despite the struggles the Eagles have had on offense.
6. Detroit Lions 7-4 (Last Week: 6)
Things shouldn’t have been that tight for the Lions on Sunday. The overtime win did nothing to quiet worries that this team is not as strong as last season.
Thankful For: Jahmyr Gibbs. Gibbs is the constant in what has been an up-and-down season. Gibbs pushed his yards-per-carry average over six with his huge performance on Sunday.
7. Denver Broncos 9-2 (Last Week: 7)
The Broncos come out of their bye with a two-game lead on the Chargers and a three-game lead on KC. If the offense can improve, the playoffs might go through Denver.
Thankful For: Troy Franklin. Franklin leads the Broncos in receptions and touchdown catches. Franklin has been a godsend for the offensively challenged Broncos opposite Courtland Sutton.
8. San Francisco 49ers 8-4 (Last Week: 9)
The Niners won ugly Monday night. It is hard to win with style with so many injuries. San Francisco is a dark horse in the brutal NFC West. The Niners are quietly lurking just two games back in the division.
Thankful For: Mac Jones. Jones was very effective filling in while Purdy was injured. Jones helped keep the Niners close enough while the team fought numerous injuries.
9. Baltimore Ravens 6-5 (Last Week: 10)
The Ravens are still alive, much to the disappointment of their rivals. Baltimore is now tied atop the division after their fifth straight win.
Thankful For: The AFC North. Despite four straight losses, the Ravens are still tied for first. That takes some serious incompetence by the rest of the AFC North.
10. Chicago Bears 8-3 (Last Week: 11)
The Bears have won four straight games – none by more than five points. Chicago owes nobody an apology. They find ways to win and have the lead in the NFC North.
Thankful For: An opportunistic defense. Chicago leads the league in turnover margin at +16.
29. New York Jets 2-9 (Last Week: 28)
Tyrod Taylor wasn’t terrible against Baltimore. Taylor threw for more yards than Lamar Jackson, but the Jets could only amass ten points. Taylor can make the standard throws. He is just not capable of anything extraordinary. Taylor gives the Jets a fighting chance if New York can run the ball. Baltimore bottled up the Jets on the ground. New York only ran for 78 yards on the day. It was not a game that most people expected the Jets to win, and the team met those expectations.
This week, the Jets host the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta comes in at 4-7 after winning on the road Sunday in New Orleans. This is a game the Jets could win if they can play at their best. The oddsmakers have installed the Falcons as 2.5-point favorites over the Jets. That is not enough for me to get involved, but I do like the Jets in a teaser with the spread up over a touchdown. The straight line gets more interesting if the Jets are getting a field goal or more.
The post NFL Power Rankings Week 12: What Contenders Are Thankful For appeared first on JetNation.com – New York Jets Blog & Forum.