NFL Power Rankings Week 13: Major Playoff Implications

 

At this point in the season, every game matters.

No playoff spot is safe, and the top NFC and AFC teams are duking it out for position as we reach the final five weeks of the regular season.

Here are the HOF Experiences Power Rankings for Week 13 of the 2020 NFL season.

WEEK 13 POWER RANKINGS

1. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (10-0)

LAST WEEK RANKING: 1

WEEK 13: VS. WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM (4-7)

Week 12 Game Vs. Baltimore Ravens rescheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 2

The Steelers’ absence from the field this weekend was not scheduled.

Due to a COVID-19 outbreak among the Baltimore Ravens, the matchup between the two sides that was originally scheduled for Thanksgiving Day will take place Wednesday.

The hefty delay gives the Steelers more time to prepare for an important divisional matchup, but the repercussions will be felt in the following weeks as their schedule is forced to become tighter due to the late postponement.

2. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (10-1)

LAST WEEK RANKING: 2

WEEK 13: VS. DENVER BRONCOS (4-7)

The Chiefs might need to win out to claim the top spot in the AFC, but the road ahead is much less treacherous than the one they already have trekked.

Kansas City earned its 10^th win of the season Sunday with a 27-24 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Patrick Mahomes got another win over Tom Brady, outperforming the six-time Super Bowl winner by throwing for 462 yards and three touchdowns.

While Mahomes’ performance was noteworthy, Tyreek Hill stole the show. He destroyed the Tampa Bay defense with 269 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 13 receptions. 

3. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (9-2)

LAST WEEK RANKING: 3

WEEK 13: @ ATLANTA FALCONS (4-7)

The Saints continue to thrive without Drew Brees.

While Taysom Hill proved to be a quality passer in the previous week’s win, his arm was underutilized in New Orleans’ 31-3 throttling of the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

The Saints opted to smash the Broncos on the ground, with Latavius Murray going for 124 yards and two touchdowns and Alvin Kamara and Hill adding 54 and 44 yards on the ground, respectively.

Brees’ return timetable is still unknown, but the Saints have proved they can carry on without their star quarterback — at least temporarily. 

4. GREEN BAY PACKERS (8-3)

LAST WEEK RANKING: NR

WEEK 13: VS. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (3-7-1)

Following Green Bay’s 41-25 victory over the Chicago Bears on “Sunday Night Football,” the Packers have now scored 40-plus points against all three NFC North opponents this season.

Aaron Rodgers continued his MVP campaign by tossing four touchdowns and 211 passing yards in the win at Lambeau Field. The aerial attack was supplemented well by a combined 163 rushing yards from Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams.

With a three-game lead in the NFC North, the Packers now turn their eyes to chasing down the Saints for the top seed in the conference.

5. TENNESSEE TITANS (8-3)

LAST WEEK RANKING: 5

WEEK 13: VS. CLEVELAND BROWNS (8-3)

Tennessee took back command of the AFC South with a dominant 45-26 win over the Indianapolis Colts behind 178 rushing yards and three touchdowns from Derrick Henry.

The win pushes the Titans a full game ahead of the Colts in the division, but the upcoming month will not be a cakewalk for Mike Vrabel’s side. With AFC seeding extremely tight at this juncture, this week’s game against the Browns has serious implications for the playoffs as well as the Titans’ divisional race.