Foxboro Blog Top 12: Week 14
Surprising wins and losses abounded in Week 13 and the Top 12 reflects that with some decent activity up and down the board. For now, though, the Patriots continue to reign supreme. Monday Night's game will determine how long they stay at the top.
#1 - New England Patriots
Sunday's game wasn't the prettiest, but the Patriots beat a team they notoriously struggle with on the road to capture yet another AFC East title. With the division wrapped-up, the Patriots will have back-to-back playoff-caliber tests against Houston and San Fran.
Last Week: 1 Change: 0 Record: 8-3 Next Game: vs. Texans
#2 - Atlanta Falcons
Nobody won too pretty in Week 13, which is why the Pats got to hold onto the top spot Atlanta continued its streak of not-overly-convincing wins by downing the Saints, but taking 10 out of 11 is nothing to sneeze at.
Last Week: 3 Change: +1 Record: 10-1 Next Game: @ Panthers
#3 - Denver Broncos
The only reason Denver doesn't scare me as a potential Patriots playoff foe is that they're racking up their wins by picking on bottom feeders. Losses to New England, Houston, and Atlanta, the other teams in the Top 4, make me question how well they'll do in January.
Last Week: 4 Change: +1 Record: 9-3 Next Game: @ Raiders
#4 - Houston Texans
After that last Denver comment, you might be wondering why Houston is ranked #4. Well, the same holds true for them when it comes to picking on the non-elite. The Texans will likely need to beat New England or sweep Indy to hold onto the top spot. Time to see what they're really made of.
Last Week: 5 Change: +1 Record: 10-1 Next Game: @ Patriots
#5 - Green Bay Packers
I won't hold the debacle that was Week 12 against the Pack and force them under the Giants yet again. Green Bay has its issues, but so does every other team on this board.
Last Week: 7 Change: +2 Record: 8-4 Next Game: vs. Lions
#6 - San Francisco 49ers
When you fail to beat the Rams twice, you're gonna drop.
Last Week: 2 Change: -4 Record: 8-3-1 Next Game: vs. Dolphins
#7 - New York Giants
The Giants had a chance to secure the NFC East on Monday Night. Instead, the left the door WIDE open for RGIII.
Last Week: 6 Change: -1 Record: 7-5 Next Game: vs. Saints
#8 - Seattle Seahawks
If Seattle start being able to win on the road, they may quickly become the playoff team that nobody wants to face in the Wild Card Round.
Last Week: 12 Change: +4 Record: 7-5 Next Game: vs. Cardinals
#9 - Indianapolis Colts
After watching the end of the Colts' victory over Detroit, there's no denying that Andrew Luck is able to make magic happen.
Last Week: 11 Change: +2 Record: 8-4 Next Game: vs. Titans
#10 - Chicago Bears
Chicago is slowly but surely playing themselves out of a division title.
Last Week: 10 Change: 0 Record: 8-4 Next Game: @ Vikings
#11 - Baltimore Ravens
I'm almost tempted to knock them off the board, given how awful they've looked the past several weeks, and now they may have lost Suggs again. If they can't beat the Skins, the Ravens may just be the only divison leader not part of the Top 12.
Last Week: 9 Change: -2 Record: 9-3 Next Game: @ Redskins
#12 - Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are clawing their way back into the hunt. Surprisingly, the AFC North is not completely out of the question at this point.
Last Week: N/A Change: N/A Record: 7-5 Next Game: vs. Cowboys
