NFL power rankings: 49ers, Ravens, Saints rank high in Week 12

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LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 17: Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets and Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Washington Redskins speak after the game at FedExField on November 17, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

NFL Power Rankings, Nos. 32-21

56. . 0-10. Previous: . Cincinnati Bengals. 32. team

L, 17-10 @ Raiders

At this point, the still-winless Bengals are thinking solely about the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

With Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffering a season-ending hip injury, perhaps the Bengals’ attention will shift more towards LSU quarterback Joe Burrow instead.

Previous: . Washington Commanders. 31. team. 58. . 1-9

L, 34-17 vs. Jets

The Redskins merely climb a spot in our NFL power rankings because the Bengals are notably worse. That’s it. You’re trading pebbles for rocks here.

. 2-8. Previous: . New York Giants. 30. team. 31

BYE

No change for the Giants in our NFL power rankings coming off their bye. They’ll look to essentially eliminate the Bears from playoff contention this week.

team. 59. . 2-8. Previous: . Miami Dolphins. 29

L, 37-20 vs. Bills

At least wide receiver DeVante Parker was fun to watch, as the Dolphins fell short at home against the Bills.

Heck, it sure seems like no one told Miami’s players the team is trying to tank this season.

48. . 3-7. Previous: . Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 28. team

L, 34-17 vs. Buccaneers

While the Buccaneers had zero business beating the Saints, it’s never a good look when quarterback Jameis Winston tosses four interceptions.

Sadly, that’s been his look for quite some time now, which makes a key reason to drop Tampa Bay in our NFL power rankings.

30. . 3-7. Previous: . New York Jets. 27. team

W, 34-17 @ Redskins

The Jets actually looked good playing the lowly Redskins, and the rest of the league should apologize to anyone who was forced to watch this hapless bout.

Quarterback Sam Darnold’s four touchdowns still count, though.

26. team. 45. . 3-7. Previous: . Denver Broncos

L, 27-23 @ Vikings

It’s crazy to think the Broncos had a 23-7 lead over the Vikings heading into the fourth quarter in Minnesota.

The eventual 27-23 loss tells you essentially everything you need to know about what’s happened to Denver this season. It’s been a sad, sad year for first-year head coach Vic Fangio.

Previous: . Arizona Cardinals. 25. team. 32. . 3-7-1

L, 36-26 @ 49ers

The Cardinals climb a spot in our NFL power rankings despite losing a tough one to the 49ers, in which the score was less indicative of how close the game was.

Arizona’s rookie quarterback, Kyler Murray, is looking like the real deal. And if there was a slightly better supporting cast on either side of the ball, the Cardinals would have managed to pull off an upset over San Francisco in Week 11.

Previous: . Atlanta Falcons. 24. team. 44. . 3-7

W, 29-3 @ Panthers

Suggesting the Falcons were capable of a two-game win streak over two of their NFC South division rivals would have been an asinine prediction only a few short weeks ago.

But after upsetting the Saints, then seriously thwarting the Panthers’ playoff hopes in Week 11, the Falcons appear to be embracing the “spoiler role” heading down the stretch.

Maybe it saves head coach Dan Quinn’s job.

. 3-6-1. Previous: . Detroit Lions. 23. team. 50

L, 35-27 vs. Cowboys

While quarterback Jeff Driskel looked much better in relief of the injured Matthew Stafford against Dallas, it’s pretty clear the Lions have zero chance getting back into the playoff picture in a tough NFC West until Stafford comes back.

Stafford remains week to week, although it’s looking to be too late now.

team. 57. . 4-6. Previous: . Chicago Bears. 22

L, 17-7 @ Rams

Bears head coach Matt Nagy replaced embattled quarterback Mitchell Trubisky with the veteran, Chase Daniel, during the team’s Sunday Night Football loss to the Rams.

Nagy insisted the move was because of a hip injury to Trubisky. But one could argue Nagy’s play calling bears a lot of the blame, too, pun intended.

Cleveland Browns. 21. team. 53. . 4-6. Previous:

W, 21-7 vs. Steelers

While the Browns managed to keep their oh-so slim playoff hopes alive, the bigger story from their Week 11 win over the Steelers was EDGE Myles Garrett and his literal helmet assault on Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Rudolph.

Garrett will appeal his indefinite suspension this week, but it seems a lock he’ll be done until well into 2020.

At least the Browns climb a couple of spots in our NFL power rankings after this must-have AFC North win.