Tag: nfl power rankings week 13

NFL Power Rankings Week 13: Steelers a potential sleeping giant without Matt Canada

The Steelers might be a contender, the Broncos are no longer a joke, and more in our weekly power rankings.

When push comes to shove, Mike Tomlin will usually know what his team needs.

After another bumbling offensive performance, the legendary Pittsburgh Steelers head coach finally cut the cord on former coordinator Matt Canada. Tomlin had no choice, even though his decision did come a little late. The Steelers offense was simply too talented to never throw the ball downfield and to make throwing the forward pass seem like an impossible challenge. It was obvious Canada’s coaching was a major culprit.

While the numbers might not say it outright, Tomlin was rewarded for his cutthroat thought process immediately. Against a stout Cincinnati Bengals defense, the Steelers amassed their first game of at least 400 yards of offense in almost four seasons — before Canada was the coordinator. All of a sudden, Kenny Pickett looked relatively comfortable throwing the ball downfield, a smash-and-dash duo of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren had ample running room, and Pat Freiermuth flat-out dominated the middle of the field. Who would’ve thought?

If this is the offense the Steelers could potentially bring to the AFC playoffs, everyone better watch out. Pittsburgh already owned a bona fide top 10 defense littered with a constellation of stars. If it finally has an offense to match, maybe, just maybe, the Black and Gold are about to enjoy their first successful postseason run since 2016. Complementary football reigns supreme, and no one understands that better than Tomlin’s Steelers.

As the 2023 NFL season gets set for the stretch run, here are For The Win‘s Week 13 power rankings featuring the Steelers and a postseason push that is starting to look beyond chaotic.

NFL Power Rankings Week 13: The Cowboys are getting red hot at the perfect time

The Cowboys are starting to fire on all cylinders. The rest of the NFL better watch out.

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.

Tennessee Titans power rankings round-up going into Week 13

The Titans are still getting a fair amount of respect despite two losses in a row.

The Tennessee Titans are once again moving backwards in the NFL power rankings of experts after losing their second straight contest on Sunday against the New England Patriots.

USA TODAY’s Nate Davis is our leadoff hitter for the round-up this week. He puts Tennessee at No. 8, dropping them one spot from where they were last week. He writes:

8. Titans (7): QB Ryan Tannehill’s presence (6 INTs, 73.3 passer rating) has been quite a problem in RB Derrick Henry’s four-game absence. In fairness to Tannehill, Tennessee also has significant health issues at receiver, but he’s got to step up.

The health issues have been all over the roster, and Tannehill has been trying to operate with an unheralded receiving group, something that has proven to be a major problem.

Regardless, Tannehill isn’t absolved of all blame for his struggles. The Titans signal-caller has thrown 13 interceptions this season, which ties his combined total from 2019 and 2020.

Now, on to the rest of our round-up, which shows that the Titans are still getting a fair amount of respect despite their recent losses.

Week 13 NFL Power Rankings: Redemption stories

The Cleveland Browns and the Indianapolis Colts are rising. The Seattle Seahawks are falling. That and more in this week’s Power Rankings.

Sports fans love redemption stories.

The past few weeks in the NFL have provided more than a few redemption stories. Last week Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Chad Beebe fumbled a punt late against the Carolina Panthers, and it looked like the Vikings would endure a brutal loss. Instead they overcame the late deficit and it was Beebe who caught the game-winning touchdown from Kirk Cousins.

This week, it was rookie Henry Ruggs III. Moments after fumbling away the football he is on the end of another game-winning touchdown in a stunning turn of events against the New York Jets.

Then there is a pair of quarterbacks, Baker Mayfield and Jared Goff. Young passers on talented teams who might be the biggest question marks on both rosters. Goff in particular was challenged by his head coach after a tough loss a week ago.

Both passers provided their own redemption stories on Sunday.

And you cannot forget Alex Smith. With blood oozing out of one leg and a titanium rod in the other, the Washington passer helped deliver perhaps the most stunning outcome of the entire weekend.

Here are the Touchdown Wire Week 13 Power Rankings. Note that Baltimore and Dallas have yet to play, so the Rankings will be finalized on Tuesday evening.