Simply when it seemed just like the seven playoff groups within the AFC is perhaps set earlier than Thanksgiving, right here come the Dolphins.
Simply when it seemed just like the defending NFC champions had been getting their act collectively after a gradual begin, there go the 49ers.
Two groups with a number of similarities due to their overlapping teaching staffs are headed in starkly completely different instructions.
The Dolphins have gained three straight to maneuver to inside 1 ½ video games of a playoff spot and are feeling optimistic about mounting a playoff push as a result of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is again from a concussion. The 49ers have misplaced two straight to drop to final place within the tightly packed NFC West and have questions on when quarterback Brock Purdy will take his subsequent snap.
So, the place do these two groups — and 30 others — slot in The Put up’s energy rankings for Week 13?
1. Lions 10-1 (1)
The NFL’s greatest working again tandem mixed to hurry for 3 touchdowns — two by Jahmyr Gibbs and one by David Montgomery — in a 24-6 win in opposition to the Colts. The Lions have gained 9 straight largely with offensive fireworks but additionally haven’t allowed a landing in 10 straight quarters or a second-half landing in three straight video games.
2. Payments 9-2 (2)
Josh Allen has watched his AFC rivals Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson win a number of MVP awards apiece, however now it is perhaps his flip. Allen has 18 passing touchdowns (in comparison with simply 5 interceptions) and 5 dashing touchdowns as he enters the post-bye-week stretch. Winners of six straight, the Payments have the largest division lead within the NFL.
3. Chiefs 10-1 (3)
Poached from the Jets apply squad, kicker Spencer Shrader kicked a walk-off 31-yard discipline objective to keep away from the largest upset within the NFL this yr and seal a 30-27 win in opposition to the Panthers. Patrick Mahomes handed for 3 touchdowns and arrange the game-winning kick with a 33-yard scramble. The Chiefs improved to 8-0 in one-score video games regardless of blowing a 14-point lead.
4. Eagles 9-2 (6)
Saquon Barkley had probably the greatest offensive nights in NFL historical past, with 302 yards from scrimmage (255 on the bottom) and two touchdowns in a 37-20 win in opposition to the Rams. He turned the primary participant in NFL historical past with two 70-plus-yard landing runs within the second half of a recreation. The NFL’s top-ranked general protection tallied 5 sacks.
5. Packers 8-3 (5)
Josh Jacobs did greater than grow to be the primary rusher to high 100 yards in opposition to the 49ers protection of their previous 55 regular-season video games. He additionally scored three touchdowns in a 38-10 rout. Jordan Love handed for 2 touchdowns. Halfway via the second quarter, the Packers led 17-0 and had performed solely six defensive snaps in opposition to injury-fill-in quarterback Brandon Allen.
6. Vikings 9-2 (7)
Sam Darnold shrugged off a foot harm and threw for 90 of his 330 yards in time beyond regulation to arrange John Parker Romo’s game-winning 29-yard discipline objective that beat the Bears, 30-27. Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson each went over 100 yards receiving on a quiet day for Justin Jefferson. The Vikings overcame permitting an onside kick restoration.
7. Steelers 8-3 (4)
Taking part in in heavy snow, the Steelers managed simply two discipline objectives via three quarters earlier than scoring two fourth-quarter touchdowns solely 102 seconds aside to take the lead. However the protection couldn’t get one last cease and the Browns pulled a 24-19 upset. Russell Wilson was sacked 3 times by Myles Garrett, who despatched a message to fellow pass-rusher T.J. Watt.
8. Ravens 8-4 (8)
The Ravens went 3-for-3 on fourth down and turned these conversions into 14 factors — or the precise margin of victory in a 30-23 win in opposition to the Chargers. Derrick Henry bulldozed his solution to 140 yards and Lamar Jackson tossed two landing passes for an offense that was averaging 7.1 yards per play early within the fourth quarter — earlier than conservative play-calling took over.
9. Chargers 7-4 (11)
Head coach Jim Harbaugh misplaced once more to his older brother John, the top coach of the Ravens. Identical outcome as Tremendous Bowl 47, when John’s Ravens beat Jim’s 49ers in February 2013. Justin Herbert and Gus Edwards ran for touchdowns, however the Chargers actually missed working again J.Okay. Dobbins after he left the sport injured.
10. Broncos 7-5 (13)
The Broncos’ 29-19 win was their first on the street in opposition to the rival Raiders since 2015. Bo Nix boosted his shock Offensive Rookie of the 12 months marketing campaign by throwing for 273 yards and two touchdowns, main a second-half comeback. Courtland Sutton has 5 straight video games with a minimum of 70 receiving yards — the longest streak for this franchise since 2014.
11. Texans 7-5 (9)
12. Commanders 7-5 (10)
13. Seahawks 6-5 (14)
14. Cardinals 6-5 (12)
15. Falcons 6-5 (18)
16. Buccaneers 5-6 (16)
17. Dolphins 5-6 (21)
18. 49ers 5-6 (15)
19. Rams 5-6 (17)
20. Bengals 4-7 (20)
21. Colts 5-7 (19)
22. Saints 4-7 (22)
23. Cowboys 4-7 (24)
24. Bears 4-7 (23)
25. Browns 3-8 (29)
26. Titans 3-8 (30)
27. Jets 3-8 (26)
Quiet bye week for the Jets? No such factor. Lame duck GM Joe Douglas joined former head coach Robert Saleh on unemployment, and experiences surfaced that quarterback Aaron Rodgers and meddling proprietor Woody Johnson mutually will search a break up after the season. How lengthy till Tyrod Taylor is enjoying out the string rather than a banged up Rodgers?
28. Panthers 3-8 (27)
29. Patriots 3-9 (25)
30. Raiders 2-9 (28)
31. Giants 2-9 (31)
The Giants benched (after which reduce) Daniel Jones, bypassed backup Drew Lock and turned to third-stringer Tommy DeVito, who took 4 sacks in a 30-7 loss to the Buccaneers. After the sport, stars described the workforce’s personal efficiency as “soft,” questioned play-calling and known as out a scarcity of effort. Throw in a contemporary NFL-record-tying 10 consecutive video games and not using a defensive interception.
