NFL Rankings Week 12 2017-2018

The New York football Giants are the latest team to become ineligible for the post season and also fall from the rankings. Three teams are now one loss from being eliminated from the playoffs (Bears, Broncos, and Colts) and two of the bottom four teams play this week (Dolphins and Broncos).

The Cowboys continue to sink in the ratings, something that started before Zeke finally began his six game suspension. The Chiefs have hit a slide they may not recover from. Having said that, they are still in first place in a very bad AFC West division.

Rankings

1. Philadelphia Eagles (9-2)

The Eagles remain the class of the NFL. They face a stern test this week traveling to Seattle. Seattle is one of the, if not the, toughest place to play in the NFL. Having said that the Seahawks have been beaten at home this year, so at the very least it should be a close game.

​Last week: Defeated the Bears 24-3

Up next: at Seattle

2. Minnesota Vikings (9-2)

The Vikings appeared to have some kinks in their armor the last two weeks but have managed to win. This week they travel to Atlanta and their new stadium. The Falcons have been resurgent as of late so expect a good game.

​Last week: Defeated the Lions 30-23

Up next: at Atlanta

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-2)

The Steelers have continued to win and rise despite having some real questions on both sides of the ball. They escaped Green Bay this past week despite their attempts to lose. They SHOULD have an easy Monday night game against the Bengals this week, which is every reason to expect either an upset or a much closer game than expected.

​Last week: Defeated the Packers 31-28

Up next: at Cincinnati (Monday 12/4)

4. New England Patriots (9-2)

The Patriots are beginning to resemble the Patriots. They easily took care of the Dolphins this past week and are up against a Buffalo team that suddenly started a quarterback controversy where none was needed.

Last week: Defeated the Dolphins 35-17

Up next: at Buffalo

	Last Week	This Week
5. Carolina Panthers (8-3)	​Defeated the NY Jets 35-27	at New Orleans
6. Los Angeles Rams (8-3)	Defeated the Saints 26-20	at Arizona
7. New Orleans Saints (8-3)	​Lost to the LA Rams 26-20	at home against Carolina
8. Atlanta Falcons (7-4)	Defeated the Bucs 34-20	at home against Minnesota
9. Tennessee Titans (7-4)	Defeated the Colts 20-16	at home against Houston
10. Seattle Seahawks (7-4)	Defeated the 49ers 24-13	at home against Philadelphia
11. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-4)	Lost to the Cardinals 27-24	at home against Indianapolis
12. Baltimore Ravens (6-5)	Defeated the Texans 23-16	at home against Detroit
13. Buffalo Bills (6-5)	Defeated the Chiefs 16-10	at home against New England
14. Detroit Lions (6-5)	Lost to the Vikings 30-23	at Baltimore
15. Kansas City Chiefs (6-5)	Lost to the Bills 16-10	at home against NY Jets
16. Los Angeles Chargers (5-6)	Defeated the Cowboys 28-6	at home against Cleveland
17. Washington (5-6)	Defeated the NY Giants 20-10	at Dallas (Thursday 11/30)
18. Oakland Raiders (5-6)	Defeated the Broncos 21-14	at home against NY Giants
19. Cincinnati Bengals (5-6)	Defeated the Browns 30-16	at home against Pittsburgh (Monday 12/4)
20. Green Bay Packers (5-6)	Lost to the Steelers 31-28	at home against Tampa Bay
21. Dallas Cowboys (5-6)	Lost to the LA Chargers 28-6	at home against Washington (Thursday 11/30)
22. Arizona Cardinals (4-7)	Beat the Jags 27-24	at home against LA Rams
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7)	Lost to the Falcons 34-20	at Green Bay
24. New York Jets (4-7)	Lost to the Panthers 35-27	at home against Kansas City
25. Houston Texans (4-7	Lost to the Ravens 23-16	at Tennessee

Bottom Four

26. Miami Dolphins (4-7)

The Dolphins started out strongish but have fallen back to their losing ways led by a quarterback who should have stayed retired. They could eliminate the Broncos from playoff contention this week or just as likely fall into contention to be eliminated next week. My money's on the Broncos.

​Last week: Lost to the Patriots 35-17

Next week: at home against Denver

27. Chicago Bears (3-8)

The Bears could be good in the future. They seem to have found their quarterback for the future, but this year just is not their year. They could be eliminated this week but they are playing the 49ers so expect them to stick around for the week.

​Last week: Lost to the Eagles 24-3

Up next: at home against San Francisco

28. Denver Broncos (3-8) ​

The Broncos lost to the Raiders despite Oakland's best attempts to lose the game. The Broncos travel to Miami this week and could finally get a win in their pocket. If they lose they are eliminated from the playoffs.

Last week: ​​Lost to the Raiders 21-14

Up next: at Miami

29. Indianapolis Colts (3-8) ​

​​​The Colts made a good run despite having to go with a back up for the season. They still have a slim chance of making some moves but they just cannot seem to get over that final hump and escape with a win. Lose this week and they are out of playoff contention.

Last week: Lost to the Titans 20-16​

Up next: at Jacksonville

​Byes: None

​Eliminated: New York Giants (San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns)

​Standings

I have decided to add the standings to this blog. It does not look pretty but gives you an idea of where the teams are currently sitting.

If the playoffs began today the Eagles and Vikings would have Byes in the NFC and the Patriots and Steelers in the AFC

The Saints and Rams would play the Wild Card teams of the Panthers and Seahawks to fill out the NFC, while the Titans and Chiefs would play the Jags and Ravens in the AFC.

NFC East	NFC North
Eagles 10-1	Vikings 9-2
Cowboys 5-6	Lions 6-5
Washington 5-6	Packers 5-6
Giants 2-9	Bears 3-8

NFC South	NFC West
Saints 8-3	Rams 8-3
Panthers 8-3	Seahawks 7-4
Falcons 7-4	Cardinals 5-6
Bucs 4-7	49ers 1-10

AFC East	AFC North
Patriots 9-2	Steelers 9-2
Bills 6-5	Ravens 6-5
Jets 4-7	Bengals 5-6
Dolphins 4-7	Browns 0-11

AFC South	AFC West
Titans 7-4	Chiefs 6-5
Jags 7-4	Chargers 5-6
Texans 4-7	Raiders 5-6
Colts 3-8	Broncos 3-8