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

NFL Power Rankings, Nos. 20-11

L, 24-17 vs. Chiefs

Gosh, the Chargers continue to commit self-inflicted woulds, which have destroyed their chances to get into the playoffs.

Quarterback Philip Rivers’ four interceptions tossed in a “home” game in Mexico City against the Chiefs were only the latest example here, as each of Los Angeles’ seven losses this season have come by one score.

L, 33-13 @ Colts

No one is running away with the AFC South, so the Jaguars are still very much in the playoff picture and are still just two games behind the Colts, to whom Jacksonville lost in rather decisive fashion.

Still, the Jags’ inability to handle business in what could be a vital divisional bout could wind up being awfully painful by season’s end.

L, 21-7 @ Browns

Perhaps Mason Rudolph bears a good chunk of the blame for his altercation with Myles Garrett. But it doesn’t change the fact the Steelers coughed up an excellent opportunity to improve their playoff positioning in a less-competitive AFC.

Rudolph’s four interceptions tossed in the game should have been reason enough to stay quiet when Garrett took him down late in the fourth quarter.

BYE

No change for the idle Titans in our NFL power rankings, who will have a chance to assert themselves in the AFC South with back-to-back matchups against the Jaguars and Colts in Weeks 12 and 13, respectively.

Keep an eye out on a Week 16 bout against the Texans, too.

L, 17-10 vs. Patriots

The NFC East is still up for grabs, but the Eagles sure seem to be a couple of tiers below the Cowboys, and that was made apparent by a tough loss to the Patriots in Week 11.

Philadelphia’s running game being absent doesn’t help matters at all.

L, 29-3 vs. Falcons

Wow, it seems like the Panthers are starting to fall apart again in the second half, just like they did last year. This loss to the Falcons was about as ugly as it could get.

Carolina, losers of two in a row and three of its last four, suddenly finds itself back at the .500 mark with no quick fixes in sight. Quarterback Kyle Allen looked awful and hasn’t been the same since the 49ers kicked off a run of interceptions a few weeks ago.

L, 41-7 @ Ravens

The Texans are no longer AFC South leaders after their completely lopsided loss to the Ravens, in which Houston looked more like a team content with trying not to lose its grasp on a playoff berth, while Baltimore looked hungry to compete for a Super Bowl.

Quarterback Deshaun Watson taking seven sacks suggests Houston’s offensive line remains problematic, and that could remain an issue going forward.

W, 33-13 vs. Jaguars

The Colts climb a bit in our NFL power rankings, thanks to two things: their crucial win over the Jaguars and the return of quarterback Jacoby Brissett to action after his MCL injury, which sidelined him, previously.

Brissett is enough to push Indianapolis back towards the playoff picture, which was aided by the Texans losing in Week 11, too.

W, 17-7 vs. Bears

The Rams arguably kept their playoff hopes alive by beating the Bears on Sunday Night Football. And while Los Angeles is still on the outside, looking in, on the NFC playoff picture, the competitive nature of the conference means a 6-4 record is oh-so important when compared to being 5-5.

Good thing head coach Sean McVay got running back Todd Gurley involved again, and the Rams defense looks much better with EDGE Clay Matthews back from his jaw injury and cornerback Jalen Ramsey contributing nicely.

W, 35-27 @ Lions

The Cowboys won twice in Week 11, first by beating the Matthew Stafford-less Lions, then watching the Eagles fall to the Patriots.

With no one else contending in the NFC East, the Cowboys can look to put behind the scuffling stretch they endured not long ago, especially if quarterback Dak Prescott plays as well as he did in Detroit on Sunday.