It was another tumultuous week in the National Football League and below we reveal the Top 10 teams on our Power Rankings list. Remember, it’s not only what a team did last week that counts but their overall performance leading up to, and including, Week 12 of the regular season.
Remember you can go over our nifty tool explanation with our Week 1 post and remember to check back every Tuesday for analysis of the adjustment in the positions.
Now, let’s review our Top 10 teams and see if you agree.
Top 5
1. Tampa Bay Bucs (8-3 SU, 5-6 ATS) Next: at Falcons – The defending Super Bowl champs have moved back into the penthouse after beating the Indianapolis Colts, 38-31, and covering as three-point road chalk. The Bucs get what should be a cupcake this week when they travel to Atlanta to meet the Falcons.
2. New England Patriots (8-4 SU, 8-4 ATS) Next: at Bills – Many are saying this is Bill Belichick’s finest coaching job in a career that has already eclipsed any other in the history of the league. The Patriots’ defense continues to bend but will not break while the Big Mac Attack keeps racking up the points. We will see what this team is really made of when they enter the realm of the Bills’ Mafia to take on Buffalo in Orchard Park in the first of two in the series. Contender or pretender? We shall see.
3. Buffalo Bills (7-4 SU, 7-4 ATS) Next: vs. Patriots – The question is, which version of the Bills will show up? This is a team that lost, 9-6, to the Jacksonville Jaguars and then destroyed the Jets the following week, only to get waxed by the Colts the next week. And right on cue, they were firing on all cylinders last week when they crushed the Saints, 31-6, which means if this show-up/no-show pattern continues they are likely to melt like butter in a blast furnace on Monday night when they welcome the Patriots to Highmark Stadium.
4. Indianapolis Colts (6-6 SU, 7-5 ATS) Next: at Texans – If there is one word to describe this year’s edition of the Colts it would be gritty. They never get blown out and always give a game effort as they did last week when they lost, 38-31, to the Bucs, and led throughout much of the game. They should walk through the Texans next week and remain in contention for a playoff berth.
5. Kansas City Chiefs (7-4 SU, 4-7 ATS) Next: vs. Broncos – The Chiefs had reeled off four consecutive wins, with their most recent being a 19-9 victory over the Cowboys, before their bye week. They return well-rested to welcome the Broncos to Mile High as they try to break the logjam in the AFC West.
It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)
6. Arizona Cardinals (9-2 SU, 8-3 ATS) Next: at Bears – The Cardinals were a team in desperate need of a bye and they got it at exactly the right time. Kyler Murray (ankle) and his lethal weapon, DeAndre Hopkins (hamstring), were both ailing at the same time but backup Colt McCoy did a yeoman’s job in holding down the fort and keeping the wheels on the wagon spinning. The Redbirds could be the true powerhouse in the NFC this year.
7. Green Bay Packers (9-3 SU, 10-2 ATS) Next: BYE – The Pack is most definitely back with a solid 36-28 win over the Rams. Not only is LA one of Green Bay’s chief rivals in the conference but the victory was made even more impressive due to Aaron Rodgers being hindered by an injured toe and his offensive line made up of a patchwork of backups due to so many injured starters. The Packers have been positively smokin’ at the betting windows as well, covering 10 of their 12 contests this season.
8. San Francisco 49ers (6-5 SU, 5-6 ATS) Next: at Seahawks – The 49ers are one of those under-the-radar squads that escape public acclaim due to their pedestrian record. But this is a team that is putting it all together at the right time, winning three straight and four of their last five after rebounding from four consecutive losses. Do you think the Niners at No. 8 is too high? Let us know in your comments.
9. Baltimore Ravens (8-3 SU, 5-6 ATS) Next: at Steelers – Don’t look now but the Ravens just dropped into our Top 10 and are right at home after defeating the Browns, 16-10, and wresting the top spot in the AFC North. Although their division is tightly packed, it’s beginning to feel like a two-horse race between the Ravens and Bengals. Baltimore gets their first crack at the Steelers this season on Sunday.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (5-7 SU, 6-6 ATS) Next: at Jets – The Eagles have built the most formidable rushing attack in the league with the help of the fleet-footed Jalen Hurts.
However, their passing attack was more of a mild affront last week in their loss to the Giants in which Hurts passed for only 129 yards. Nevertheless, we see plenty to like in this team and even if their record doesn’t fit a Top 10 profile, we believe it will manifest in the coming weeks. Wait for it!
For the complete list of the OddsTrader Power Rankings click here. And remember to check back for more betting strategy at the OddsTrader blog. Happy betting!
