2012 NFL power rankings
Bob Glauber
2012 NFL Power Rankings
Newsday football columnist Bob Glauber brings order to the NFL with his weekly power rankings.
(Updates every Tuesday around lunch time.)
Rank
Change
Team
Record
Comments
1.
-
Broncos
13-3
Peyton Manning makes his pitch for a fifth MVP, and Denver is in the driver’s seat for the Super Bowl. About as perfect as John Elway could have imagined when he signed Peyton on the dotted line.
2.
-
Falcons
13-3
And now we find out the only thing left to know about these Falcons: Are they finally ready to make a meaningful playoff run after an 0-3 record in the Mike Smith-Matt Ryan era?
3.
-
Seahawks
11-5
That’s Pete Carroll’s best coaching job at any level. Masterful work with a young team led by a rookie quarterback.
4.
-
49ers
11-4-1
Colin Kaepernick did about as well as anyone could have asked. But the stakes get higher now. It’s Super Bowl or bust. Earning the bye week could be the difference.
5.
-
Patriots
12-4
The Patriots sent the Texans into their late-season tailspin and take advantage by getting the No. 2 seed and the all-important playoff bye. A sixth Super Bowl appearance for Brady-Belichick?
6.
-
Packers
11-5
Terrifically entertaining game against Minnesota, even if the Packers lost. It’ll all be forgotten if Green Bay wins the rematch in the Wild Card round.
7.
1
Redskins
10-6
We knew RGIII would be special. But Alfred Morris? The sixth-round sensation sets the single-season franchise record for rushing yards and finishes it off with a flourish in a winner-take-all against Dallas. Brilliantly done.
8.
1
Vikings
10-6
Adrian Peterson with one of the greatest comebacks ever, and nearly breaks Eric Dickerson’s record on the way to clinching a playoff berth for the Vikes. A mind-boggling season after ACL surgery.
9.
2
Colts
11-5
The feel-good story of the year feels even better after Chuck Pagano returns and leads his Colts to victory in his first game back. #chuckstrong
10.
3
Texans
12-4
Just a stunning fall from grace with three losses in their last four. Plenty of doubts about Matt Schaub heading into the playoffs. Are the Texans one-and-done?
11.
1
Ravens
10-6
John Harbaugh backs off some key players in the meaningless regular-season finale, all in hopes of freshening up for a playoff run that starts against the Colts.
12.
-
Bengals
10-6
Marvin Lewis plays to win on the final weekend, hoping some momentum heading into the playoffs will make things turn out better this time around.
13.
2
Bears
10-6
Lovie Smith is still the Bears’ coach if the Packers beat the Vikings. His run ends in Chicago after a 10-6 season. Now the heat’s on GM Phil Emery.
14.
2
Giants
9-7
Giants play like champions in season-ending romp over the Iggles. Too late. No chance for first Super Bowl repeat in franchise history, thanks to four road losses since Nov. 11.
15.
3
Panthers
7-9
Plenty to like about the second half of the season. Now we’ll see if it’s enough for Ron Rivera to get another chance in 2013.
16.
2
Saints
7-9
Saints finally get some good news with the contract extension of suspended coach Sean Payton. He can’t get back soon enough. Plenty of work ahead, especially on defense.
17.
4
Cowboys
8-8
Tony "Turnover" Romo strikes again. His three picks against the Redskins matched his interceptions total from his previous eight games. More questions heading into a second straight offseason after losing out on the division the final game of the season.
18.
1
Steelers
8-8
Stillers avoid first losing season in a decade, but that’s small consolation for missing out on the playoffs. Time to re-tool the offensive line and get younger on defense.
19.
-
Rams
7-8-1
Plenty of optimism after a much-improved season under first-year head coach Jeff Fisher. Another step forward in 2013, and Sam Bradford gets to the playoffs.
20.
2
Buccaneers
7-9
Legitimate questions persist about Josh Freeman, but at least there was improvement until another late-season skid.
21.
1
Dolphins
7-9
Ryan Tannehill shows enough in a mostly promising rookie season to provide hope for the future.
22.
1
Chargers
7-9
The Norv Turner-A.J. Smith regime ends after another season of disappointment. Don’t expect an immediate turnaround from the next coach-GM combo. Still plenty of holes on the roster and plenty of questions about Philip Rivers.
23.
-
Bills
6-10
Chan Gailey is out after three seasons, and another coach search is on. Quarterback search, too.
24.
-
Titans
6-10
Mike Munchak gets a reprieve from team owner Bud Adams, but he could be in the same spot next year unless Jake Locker takes a big step forward.
25.
-
Cardinals
5-11
The Bidwills clean house after a disastrous season. Is Andy Reid the man to right the ship? And if so, will he trust Kevin Kolb to be his quarterback?
27.
1
Lions
4-12
Jim Schwartz goes from the playoffs one year to the coaching hot seat the next. Put him near the top of the list heading into 2013.
28.
1
Eagles
4-12
The curtain comes down on the Andy Reid era, and now Jeff Lurie finds a coach for the first time since 1999. Does he go high profile with Chip Kelly or Jon Gruden? Or pluck another coach out of obscurity like he did with Reid, a former quarterbacks coach?
29.
2
Jets
6-10
Mike Tannenbaum takes the fall for the Jets’ 6-10 season. Will Rex Ryan be next? Depends on Woody Johnson’s next GM.
30.
-
Raiders
4-12
Questions at quarterback and on defense. Same old same old for a Raiders team heading into the off-season after another losing record.
31.
-
Jaguars
2-14
Shad Khan is looking for a new GM and a new quarterback. Looks like Tim Tebow will be one of them.
32.
-
Chiefs
2-14
Too bad there isn’t another Andrew Luck or RGIII to take with the first overall pick this time around.
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