Week 12 NFL Power Rankings

The Lions are back on top, the 49ers continuing to tumble, and the Ravens showing weakness

For more info you can find the archive of previous Power Rankings posts, including the initial offseason rankings that detail much of the methodology of coming up with the Week 1 rankings, which only carry roughly 2% weight at this point in the season.

TEAM OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE STRENGTH

*Downloadable power ratings/rankings available in the paid subscriber Google sheet.

I revamped this plot below to only factor in 2024 numbers. It’s a clearer delineation of how teams have performed so far this year, knowing that I also add in some 2023 priors and injury adjustments, primarily at quarterback.

A bit of a shakeup up at the top, with the Detroit Lions and their 52-point beatdown in Week 11 helping close the gap with the Baltimore Ravens in offensive efficiency, while maintaining a much better defense. The Ravens struggled in both phases of offense against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a team that’s still viewed somewhat skeptically by the adjusted efficiency numbers.

The Minnesota Vikings have emerged a clear tier above the rest of the NFL in defensive strength, which is combined with their solidly above-average offense to make them a formidable competitor for the Super Bowl - a statement I wouldn’t have considered possible pre-season.

The shakeup in the bottom-half of the top-tier teams has the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers joining the club, with the San Francisco 49ers possibly on their way out, thereby joining the fallen Washington Commanders.

UNEXPECTED POINTS POWER RANKINGS