NFL power rankings: Breaking down where each team sits in Week 12

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 19: Jeremy Sprinkle #87 of the Washington Redskins celebrates with Josh Doctson #18 of the Washington Redskins after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 19, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

It took a crazy, high-flying effort from the red-hot Saints to tie things up against the Washington Redskins late in the fourth quarter — an effort that eventually led to New Orleans’ game-winning field goal in overtime by kicker Wil Lutz.

It’s hard to fault the Redskins for all that. Especially on the road at the Mercedes Benz Superdome. Especially when Washington managed to put up 31 points against a New Orleans defense ranked fifth in points against entering last week.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins was excellent, tossing three touchdowns and posting a passer rating of 132.6. And running back Samaje Perine was pretty thrilling too, picking up 117 yards and a touchdown of his own on the ground.

But losing running back Chris Thompson to a broken leg stinks.

Washington’s defense might not be good enough to prevent the always-potent NOLA offense from doing these kinds of things. But we should give at least some credit to the Redskins for hanging in there against the first-place Saints in their house.

Hence the NFL power rankings bump-up this week.