Week 12 in the NFL dialed back the craziness quite a bit. In fact, the only really nutty result occurred on Thursday, when 0-10 Oakland suddenly became 1-10 Oakland. They're still eliminated from the playoffs (along with the New York Jets), but hey, it's nice to beat a team that could be a division winner (well, it's possible, but not likely).
Here are the Rankings for Week 12:
1.) New England (9-2) [+1]
What a surprise, huh? The Patriots are hitting their stride as the season wanes and now look like the best team in the NFL. I know it was hard to believe after that Monday night a couple of months ago when they were blown out and fell to 2-2. The secret is that Rob Gronkowski has gotten healthy and the healthier he is, the more impact he has on the game. Right now, that impact is prodigious. He presents such a problem for defenses every week that peripheral guys like LaFell and Edelman are getting single coverage and whoever's running the ball doesn't have to go up against eight men in the box.
Next opponent: at Green Bay (11/30)
2.) Green Bay (8-3) [+1]
While they technically have a worse record than Arizona, without Palmer the team is clearly not the same. Meanwhile, Green Bay has Rodgers, Lacy, and Nelson all playing at above-average level. In that sense, it was an easy decision to make. And more importantly, the right one.
Next opponent: vs. New England (11/30)
3.) Arizona (9-2) [-2]
So going up to Seattle wasn't pleasant. Fine, let's move on, shall we? The Cardinals head to Atlanta next and I find it difficult to believe that Stanton will continue to play like he has no clue what he's doing out there.
Next opponent: at Atlanta (11/30)
4.) Dallas (8-3) [+1]
There isn't much to say about the win other than that the O-line was great down the stretch and Romo's throw to Dez Bryant was very satisfying. Honestly, the game was a lot closer than it should have been. I guess the Giants are just pesky that way despite not being any good. And despite the gift of extended protection the O-line afforded Romo, he still ended up running around like he had no idea what the hell he was doing...until he suddenly found a receiver and threw a bullet in his direction. It's a strategy that makes fans' hearts jump into their throats, but it has been effective in 2014.
Next opponent: vs. Philadelphia (11/27)
5.) Philadelphia (8-3) [+1]
Putting up 43 on a team like Tennessee probably isn't praise-worthy. But at least Philly is dealing with teams worse than they are in exactly the way they should. And maybe this whole Mark Sanchez experiment isn't destined to be such a huge failure after all. At least, not when the Eagles are playing bad teams.
Next opponent: at Dallas (11/27)
6.) Denver (8-3) [+2]
People have wondered aloud about the Broncos in the last couple of weeks. I won't say they "righted the ship" by beating Miami, as they certainly looked vulnerable for much of the game and the defense was porous in giving up 36 points. They have an opportunity to pretty much salt away the division in Week 13.
Next opponent: vs. Kansas City (11/30)
7.) Indianapolis (7-4) [+3]
It's not a good sign when you struggle in the first half against a team that you should beat (AT HOME, no less) and have already beaten this season. And yet that's exactly what happened against Jacksonville. I'm not sure what the problem was, but there were turnovers galore. And then Indy started playing better and voila, it looks like a beatdown by the end of it. It wasn't quite as good as the score makes it look.
Next opponent: vs. Washington (11/30)
8.) Kansas City (7-4) [-4]
Losing to Oakland brings a precipitous fall. Their record is still good and their chances of making the playoffs aren't completely damaged. That said, their performance last Thursday was nothing to write home about. It angers me when a team that should win goes out and plays like KC did and ends up losing on a comeback when that should never happen.
Next opponent: vs. Denver (11/30)
9.) Pittsburgh (7-4) [no change]
Good time for a bye? Maybe not, since the other three teams in the AFC North were winners in Week 12.
Next opponent: vs. New Orleans (11/30)
10.) Detroit (7-4) [-3]
0-16 on the road against winning teams. That's Matt Stafford in a nutshell.
Next opponent: vs. Chicago (11/27)
That's all for this week. See you next week.
