There will still be a few more shake-ups in these power rankings in the coming weeks, but the divide between the contenders and pretenders is starting to widen. In other words, it's starting to become crystal clear which AFC and NFC teams will be playing into December and January at this point.
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One team that has caught everyone by surprise the last two weeks is Atlanta. The Falcons thumped the Saints and Panthers in back-to-back weeks and are moving on up in the rankings. Unfortunately, their climb might end up being too steep. But, hey, who knows what will happen.
So, without further ado, it's time for the Week 12 edition of my Wildly Important NFL Power Rankings. Enjoy.
| 1. Ravens (8-2) | TABEEK'S TAKE | PREVIOUS |
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Did you see what they did to the Texans? They’re riding high and no one wants to face Lamar Jackson and Co. | 1 |
| 2. Patriots (9-1) | TABEEK'S TAKE | PREVIOUS |
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They blanked a decent Philly team in the second half and getting it done with defense. That’ll serve them well down the stretch. | 4 |
| 3. 49ers (9-1) | TABEEK'S TAKE | PREVIOUS |
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They’re the best team in the NFC still but drop a spot after nearly falling to the Cardinals – again. Good teams find a way to win, and they do. | 2 |
| 4. Seahawks (8-2) | TABEEK'S TAKE | PREVIOUS |
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They’re coming off a bye rested and head to Philly. They’ll go as far as Russell Wilson, an MVP candidate, can take them. | 3 |
| 5. Packers (8-2) | TABEEK'S TAKE | PREVIOUS |
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Can they knock off the 49ers and take the inside track for the top seed in the NFC? We’re about to find out. | 5 |
| 6. Saints (8-2) | TABEEK'S TAKE | PREVIOUS |
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Speaking of the top seed, the Saints will have plenty to say about that. They rebounded nicely from the beatdown the Falcons put on them. | 6 |
| 7. Vikings (8-3) | TABEEK'S TAKE | PREVIOUS |
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This team has so much talent yet is so inconsistent from week to week. Maybe the bye week will do them some good – and help their focus. | 7 |
| 8. Bills (7-3) | TABEEK'S TAKE | PREVIOUS |
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They took care of the Dolphins and next up are the Broncos. These are the games they should win if they want to stay in the mix. So far so good. | 9 |
| 9. Chiefs (7-4) | TABEEK'S TAKE | PREVIOUS |
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As nice as it is to see Patrick Mahomes back (unless you’re the team facing him), the bye will do him – and the Chiefs – some good. Big one vs. the Raiders in Week 13. | 10 |
| 10. Cowboys (6-4) | TABEEK'S TAKE | PREVIOUS |
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Speaking of guys that should be in the MVP conversation, add Dak Prescott to the list. He’s putting up some monster numbers. But where’s the D in Big D this season? | 11 |
| 11. Raiders (6-4) | TABEEK'S TAKE | PREVIOUS |
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Pssst. Don’t look now but the Raiders are a game out of first place in the AFC West. I’m still reluctant to push them into the top 10. Not yet. | 16 |
| 12. Rams (6-4) | TABEEK'S TAKE | PREVIOUS |
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The win over the Bears wasn’t exactly the prettiest, but it’s a win. What looked even better was Todd Gurley, who ran it 25 times for 97 yards and a TD. That’s what they need from their star. | 13 |
| 13. Texans (6-4) | TABEEK'S TAKE | PREVIOUS |
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It’s a good thing the Colts are up next. That should help them forget all about the whipping they suffered at the hands of the Ravens. That was ugly. | 8 |
| 14. Colts (6-4) | TABEEK'S TAKE | PREVIOUS |
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Life with Jacoby Brissett is better for the Colts, even though he didn’t put together the prettiest of stat lines. Big division game coming up vs. the Texans. | 19 |
| 15. Eagles (5-5) | TABEEK'S TAKE | PREVIOUS |
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They brawled the Patriots and lost a close one at home. They still have a chance to win the NFC East if the Cowboys stumble. | 15 |
| 16. Steelers (5-5) | TABEEK'S TAKE | PREVIOUS |
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Their four-game win streak came to a screeching halt in Cleveland. Up next is winless Cincy and then a rematch with those same Browns. | 12 |
| 17. Panthers (5-5) | TABEEK'S TAKE | PREVIOUS |
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They were 4-2 and 5-3 at one point. Now they’re sliding in the wrong direction and the questions are mounting. | 14 |
| 18. Titans (5-5) | TABEEK'S TAKE | PREVIOUS |
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They’re a .500 team coming off their bye with a chance to make up some group with the Jaguars up next. | 17 |
| 19. Jaguars (4-6) | TABEEK'S TAKE | PREVIOUS |
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Speaking of the Jaguars, Nick Foles wasn’t terrible, but someone put an APB out on Leonard Fournette, please. | 18 |
| 20. Lions (3-6-1) | TABEEK'S TAKE | PREVIOUS |
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I’ve said all season long that they’re better than their record – and even with Jeff Driskel behind center they had a chance to knock off the Cowboys. Reality: They’re a 3-6-1 football team. | 20 |
| 21. Cardinals (3-7-1) | TABEEK'S TAKE | PREVIOUS |
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Speaking of teams that are much better than their records indicates … boy, they had the Niners on the ropes and just couldn’t pull it off. Kyler Murray is fun to watch. I like what I’m seeing. | 23 |
| 22. Chargers (4-7) | TABEEK'S TAKE | PREVIOUS |
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It’s so easy to root for Philip Rivers but maybe it’s times to start thinking about the future as they prepare to move into a new stadium. I feel for this fan base. | 21 |
| 23. Falcons (3-7) | TABEEK'S TAKE | PREVIOUS |
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They jump two spots after completely dismantling the Panthers for their second straight win over an NFC South opponent. Dan Quinn made some bold changes and they’re paying off in a big way. Can they keep it going? Who knows, but it’s fun to watch. | 25 |
| 24. Bears (4-6) | TABEEK'S TAKE | PREVIOUS |
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Talk about a team that hasn’t lived up to expectations. It’s been a miserable season in Chitown. I said early on here that this team would go as far as Mitchell Trubisky would take them. | 22 |
| 25. Browns (4-6) | TABEEK'S TAKE | PREVIOUS |
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A disappointing season turned ugly after Myles Garrett’s meltdown vs. Pittsburgh. So much for all of that hope and optimism. Oh yeah, they beat the Steelers. Go figure. | 24 |
| 26. Jets (3-7) | TABEEK'S TAKE | PREVIOUS |
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The offense put up 34 points for the second week in a row, albeit against not-so-good teams. Still, they won both and I like that they’re still fighting and scrapping. | 29 |
| 27. Broncos (3-7) | TABEEK'S TAKE | PREVIOUS |
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A hot start against Vikings fizzled down the stretch. There’s been a lot of fizzling in the Mile-High City this season. | 26 |
| 28. Buccaneers (3-7) | TABEEK'S TAKE | PREVIOUS |
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Another week and another multi-interception game from Jameis Winston. The Falcons are up next and the Bucs always play them tight. | 27 |
| 29. Dolphins (2-8) | TABEEK'S TAKE | PREVIOUS |
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So much for that two-game win streak. Dolphins fans are probably more concerned about draft position right about now, as they should be. | 28 |
| 30. Giants (2-8) | TABEEK'S TAKE | PREVIOUS |
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Ouch. The G-Men had all bye week to think about their loss to New York’s other bad team, the Jets. If they lose to the Bears, the tabloid headlines could get even uglier. | 30 |
| 31. Redskins (1-9) | TABEEK'S TAKE | PREVIOUS |
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Redskins fans were chanting “Sell the team!” on Sunday. That about sums up where this team is right now. | 31 |
| 32. Bengals (0-10) | TABEEK'S TAKE | PREVIOUS |
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Oh boy. | 32 |
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