The final third of an NFL season usually makes for built-in excitement. Desperate teams are chasing playoff spots. Legit Super Bowl contenders are jockeying for seeding. And seemingly every major game holds extra weight as the weather turns frigid. But after a wild Thanksgiving weekend bonanza of football, this season remains unpredictable.
Five separate three-win teams came out on top in Week 12. Meanwhile, five teams who started the week in this winter’s upcoming playoffs — including two division leaders — fell in respective heartbreakers, hitting both ends of the spectrum. But amidst all the rubble in the aftermath, a few squads stand tall through adversity.
There are the Cowboys, who have won four of five games since Dak Prescott’s return. Barring a grave misstep from the head coach, Dallas looks like a postseason force destined to continue gaining steam. Then you have the Eagles, who, amidst a host of unfortunate defensive injuries, have weathered the storm as the NFC’s unquestioned top seed. On the AFC side of the matter, Tua Tagovailoa’s self-assured Dolphins haven’t lost a game since late October or any games he’s started and finished.
As the quicksand of this NFL campaign starts to envelop teams not built to stay afloat, it’s clear some will be able to withstand any unforeseen pitfalls. And who’s left standing by that fateful second weekend of January is anyone’s best guess. The suspense is terrible. We hope it lasts.
Here are For The Win’s Week 13 power rankings for the 2022 NFL season — featuring those surging Cowboys — as we set the table for the next six weeks.