With December and the stretch run of the season here, now is a good time to take a good look at the NFL power rankings for Week 13 in 2022.
With just six weeks left to play, we should have a good handle on the best NFL teams currently, as well as the Super Bowl favorites this season. After all, we’ve seen enough of every team to know who’s a pretender and who’s a contender.
NFL Week 13 Power Rankings 2022
Obviously, the NFL power rankings right now are still subject to change.
It’s possible for a team to catch fire late in the year or for an injury to change the outlook of a team. Nevertheless, with 12 weeks in the books and six weeks left to play, let’s take a look at the top 10 of our NFL power rankings in Week 13 of 2022.
10. Titans
The Titans are an undoubtedly flawed team, but they sneak into the top 10 because there aren’t that many quality teams in the NFL. Two things the Titans have are a good defense and a running back who can literally carry the team on his back at times.
That’s been enough to get to the top of the AFC South and it’ll be more than enough to get the Titans to the playoffs. Of course, if you take away Tennessee’s three division wins this year, the Titans are just 4-4 and haven’t done anything that impressive this season.
9. Ravens
Last week’s loss to the Jaguars surely hurts Baltimore’s positioning in our power rankings. In their defense, the Ravens had just won four in a row, so they earned themselves a little bit of slack.
However, there are still serious questions about the Ravens outside of Lamar Jackson’s legs, which can admittedly do a lot.
There are also questions about the passing game while the Baltimore defense is good but not great. That’s enough to keep the Ravens a safe distance from the top teams in the AFC.
8. Dolphins
When Tua Tagovailoa both starts and finishes a game, the Dolphins are undefeated. The only caveat is the Browns are the best team that Miami has beaten since their starting quarterback returned from injury.
Until lopsided wins over Cleveland and Houston over the last couple of weeks, the Dolphins weren’t exactly blowing out weak opponents, escaping close wins against the Steelers, Lions, and Bears. The Miami defense is creating some uncertainty about the Dolphins, as is the team’s rushing attack. The 8-3 record looks good, but the Dolphins still have a lot to prove.
7. Vikings
Even with a 9-2 record, it’s hard to buy the Vikings as one of the elite teams in the NFL. They aren’t even among the top 10 teams offensively and they aren’t anywhere close to the top 10 defensively. They followed up that impressive but somewhat fortunate win in Buffalo by getting crushed by the Cowboys 40-3.
Yet, they responded to that loss with a win over the Patriots. Road wins over Miami and Washington also give the Vikings some credibility. Minnesota’s manageable schedule down the stretch should ensure a playoff spot and a high seed. But Kirk Cousins isn’t having a great season and the Vikings are averaging under 100 rushing yards per game. In short, there are a lot of factors that make Minnesota’s 9-2 record look a little like fool’s gold.
6. Bengals
Forget about the early part of the season because right now the Bengals look like one of the better teams in the league. Despite their 0-2 start and playing seven of their first 11 games, the Bengals have found a way to get to 7-4.
They’ve also won a few games without Ja’Marr Chase, as Joe Burrow is making the offense run without its top playmaker. Even the offensive line is starting to come along, conceding just four sacks in Cincinnati’s last three games. The Bengals now have a top-five offense and look like a team that could be dangerous in December and January.
5. Cowboys
This team won games without Dak Prescott early in the season and they continue to win games with their starting quarterback. They certainly made a statement with a 40-3 road win over the Vikings a couple of weeks ago.
Micah Parsons is leading the DPOY odds and leads a unit that’s conceding just 17 points per game, which ranks second in the NFL. If it’s true that defense wins championships, the Cowboys need to be taken seriously. Don’t forget that Dallas also has a top-10 rushing attack and usually has no problem scoring points as long as Prescott can avoid mistakes.
4. 49ers
With four straight wins, the 49ers look like they might be the second-best team in the NFC. They’ve allowed 40 total points over those four wins, giving them the best defense in the NFL, as San Francisco is conceding just 15.7 points per game this year.
With Christian McCaffrey, the 49ers have solidified their rushing attack, giving them a balanced offense. Granted, the San Francisco offense isn’t particularly explosive, but when Jimmy Garoppolo plays mistake-free football, the 49ers have the playmakers to score enough points to win games given their outstanding defense. At this moment, the 49ers are surely a better team than their 7-4 record indicates.
3. Bills
The Bills are not without some question marks after November losses to the Jets and Vikings. There has to be some lingering concern about the health of Josh Allen’s elbow. But it’s impossible to ignore the fact that the Bills have outscored their opponents by 110 points after 11 games.
That’s the most of any team in the NFL. Buffalo has a top-five offense and a top-five defense, which isn’t something a lot of teams can say. Even the running game is starting to come along with James Cook working his way up the OROY odds. All things considered, the Bills might be the most balanced team in the league, which goes a long way.
2. Eagles
Thanks to this being a 17-game season, the Eagles have a chance to tie the record for the most regular season wins of all time if they can finish 16-1. Whether that actually happens or is that important is another question. But even with a few close games and some flaws popping up, Philadelphia keeps winning games.
Jalen Hurts is leading one of the most balanced offenses in the NFL while the Philadelphia defense remains a little underrated. When all is said and done, it’s going to be Hurts who needs to carry the Eagles when games matter the most. But he’s answered just about every question there was heading into the season and has a great supporting cast around him. Nevertheless, Philly’s 10-1 record still isn’t enough to get to the top of our power rankings.
1. Chiefs
Record aside, the Chiefs deserve to be at the top of our NFL power rankings in Week 13 of 2022.
Patrick Mahomes has the shortest NFL MVP odds and looks close to running away with the award for the second time in his career. As he’s done in past years, Mahomes is playing well enough to offset some of the flaws on Kansas City’s roster.
The Chiefs don’t have an ideal rushing attack, their leading receiver is a tight end, and their defense is average at best. But none of that matters when Mahomes is playing his best.
He’s leading the top-ranked offense in the league and looks unstoppable at times. On the heels of five straight wins that have put Kansas City in complete control of the AFC West, the Chiefs must be considered the best team in the NFL right now.
