FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Despite six teams being on bye, the NFL delivered another exciting slate of games in Week 12, including a dizzying run of points in the late portion of the early window.
The Atlanta Falcons are set to return to action on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers, who are coming off a tough Monday night loss to the Baltimore Ravens. This figures to be another challenging opponent for Atlanta.
Here are my updated NFL power rankings after Week 12.
(10-1)
1
Detroit Lions
Detroit's only loss came in Week 2 against Tampa Bay by four points. They have defined this season so far.
(9-2)
2
Buffalo Bills
The last time Buffalo scored fewer than 30 points was Week 6. And yet, it feels like the Bills' offense can still improve.
(10-1)
3
Kansas City Chiefs
It's honestly impressive how much the Chiefs like to play with fire.
(9-2)
4
1
Philadelphia Eagles
Saquon Barkley had more yards of offense by himself than the Rams did on Sunday night.
(8-4)
5
3
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are more Jekyll-and-Hyde than I'd like, but they are good enough to beat anyone.
(9-2)
6
Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota doesn't look like the juggernaut it was to start the year, but it's got another 4-game win streak going.
(8-3)
7
3
Green Bay Packers
Yes, the 49ers were missing some key players, but that was an impressive all-around win by Green Bay.
(8-3)
8
3
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh dominated turnovers, third down and time of possession and still lost to Cleveland.
(7-4)
9
2
Los Angeles Chargers
Monday night was not a bad loss for a Chargers team still in Year 1 under Jim Harbaugh.
(7-5)
10
3
Denver Broncos
The Broncos have scored the ninth-most points the last four games, and Bo Nix looks great.
(7-5)
11
1
Houston Texans
When Houston gets hot, it can play with anyone. Unfortunately, the Texans go cold far too often.
(6-5)
12
3
Seattle Seahawks
Honestly, they should be ranked a spot or two higher based solely on Coby Bryant's touchdown homage.
(6-5)
13
2
Arizona Cardinals
That was a sobering loss after Arizona rode a four-game win streak into the bye. Minnesota is up next.
(7-5)
14
2
Washington Commanders
The late-season performance of Kliff Kingsbury's offenses is under scrutiny. Losing a third straight won't help.
(6-5)
15
2
Atlanta Falcons
Any bye-week adjustments Atlanta made will be tested quickly by a tough Chargers team.
(5-6)
16
3
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs have played well in their losses and looked like a team ready for the home stretch on Sunday.
(5-6)
17
4
Miami Dolphins
Since Tua's return, the Dolphins have scored the fourth-most points in the league. They are dangerous.
(4-7)
18
Cincinnati Bengals
Can they start closing out more wins coming out of the bye week?
(5-6)
19
5
Los Angeles Rams
Giving up 302 total yards to Saquon Barkley was tough. So was the offense going 0 of 8 on third down.
(5-6)
20
4
San Francisco 49ers
That loss by San Francisco can't be solely pinned on missing players. There are issues to address.
(5-7)
21
1
Indianapolis Colts
Anthony Richardson's play has been boom or bust, and the Colts' offensive penalties have been crushing.
(4-7)
22
1
New Orleans Saints
The Saints are 2-0 under interim Darren Rizzi thanks in part to a stingy red zone and third-down defense.
(4-7)
23
4
Dallas Cowboys
KaVontae Turpin's kickoff return got the attention, but Cooper Rush and the Dallas defense also played well.
(3-8)
24
5
Tennessee Titans
Poor start and turnovers aside, the Titans were impressive on Sunday and play teams tough.
(4-7)
25
3
Chicago Bears
The close nature of the Bears' losses only makes their five-game skid more painful.
(3-8)
26
Carolina Panthers
Bryce Young has played fairly well since returning as starter and he took another step Sunday.
(3-8)
27
1
Cleveland Browns
The Browns won despite three turnovers and going 1 of 10 on third down. That won't happen often.
(3-8)
28
3
New York Jets
This season has gone as poorly as the Jets could have imagined. What kind of fight will they have after the bye?
(3-9)
29
5
New England Patriots
At this point, Drake Maye looks like a long-term solution. But he needs much more help around him.
(2-9)
30
Las Vegas Raiders
Gardner Mindshew's season-ending injury is a bummer, plain and simple.
(2-9)
31
1
Jacksonville Jaguars
After a brutal four-game stretch before the bye, the Jags have an easier schedule the rest of the way.
(2-9)
32
1
New York Giants
The Giants have more problems than just the QB position.
