2013 NFL Power Rankings, Week 13

It stinks.

Well, maybe "stink" is the wrong word for it.  At any rate, things are not so rosy at the moment, though the Rankings seem pretty strong.

I'm disappointed in New Orleans' complete and utter lack of effort.  They weren't in that game from the opening whistle.  Also, I believe I called it about Arizona not being a contender.  So how do I explain Cincinnati and Carolina?  I mostly throw my hands into the air and walk away sulking.

I still have no clue how Pittsburgh managed to give away that game on Thanksgiving.  And as far as the supposed story with Tomlin goes: nothing happened.  He didn't touch Jacoby Jones or the side judge who was following the play.  Nothing should happen to him as a result, especially this ridiculous nonsense about draft picks.  That said, the NFL will probably fine him.  I don't think it's deserved, but as you probably already know...I wasn't consulted.

Here are the Rankings for Week 13:

1.) Seattle (11-1) [no change]
 A nice win, I guess, but it's rather obvious that the Saints can be had on the road.  I still have a problem trusting Seattle on the road, as they are much closer to mediocre than great outside of whatever they call that architectural marvel.  They put teams away at home, though.  And that will serve them well as they run off to the Super Bowl.

2.) Denver (10-2) [+1]
 It's probably just me, but with Peyton Manning's performances the last couple weeks, I could see someone else sneak into winning the MVP.  True, he tossed four TD's to Eric Decker (he who couldn't catch a cold through most of the season), but the sharpness we were accustomed to seeing through the first half of the season is starting to wear off.  It's nothing huge, really, unless his current play continues into the postseason.  But with a first-round bye and a home game to follow, they have no excuses anyway.

3.) Carolina (9-3) [+2]
 I've been wrong on this team so far.  And now they go to New Orleans; the winner is the favorite to win the division...until the next meeting.

4.) New England (9-3) [+2]
 I love how beating a crappy team could somehow be turned into accusations of cheating.  Incredible.

5.) New Orleans (9-3) [-3]
 A tough road to hoe, perhaps, especially with Carolina coming up.  But Drew Brees was bad from beginning to end and they never looked like they were in the game.  A concern.

6.) Kansas City (9-3) [-2]
 The darlings of the first half of the season have fallen on hard times, losing twice to Denver and once to no-account bums San Diego.  Even with Alex Smith playing slightly better (he still doesn't throw it down the field enough for my taste, but no matter) and putting up points, all of a sudden the defense is sagging.  Talk about yards all you want, it's scoring defense that really matters.  The Chiefs are now hemorrhaging points and can't get pressure on the opposing QB.  Not a good combo.

7.) San Francisco (8-4) [no change]
 They won and Crabtree is back.  Yippie.  Now do us all a favor and beat Seattle, okay?  Or at least try to compete this time around.

8.) Indianapolis (8-4) [+1]
 The Colts have to be concerned.  By all accounts, they're an shoe-in for the playoffs, but boy, do they look confused.  I'm not sure how Andrew Luck will do in the postseason.  Maybe it doesn't matter.  But right now it looks like one win in the Wild Card round and then out to a significantly better team in Denver or New England.  Ouch.

9.) Dallas (7-5) [+1]
 November has ended and December begun, which usually doesn't bode well for the Cowboys.  The division is eminently winnable.  How they'll do in the playoffs is anyone's guess.  Assuming they get there.

10.) Arizona (7-5) [-2]
 "Dude, I called it".

Three Games to Watch (Week 14):
Indianapolis @ Cincinnati (CBS)
Seattle @ San Francisco (FOX)
Carolina @ New Orleans (NBC)

That's all for this week.  See you next week.