Mark Craig's power rankings

December 19, 2018 at 2:12PM
New Orleans Saints' Drew Brees (9) looks to pass under pressure from Carolina Panthers' Mario Addison (97) in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Dec. 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
New Orleans' Drew Brees looked to pass under pressure from Carolina's Mario Addison in the second half Monday. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Biggest jump: Steelers, 16 to 7

Biggest fall: Cowboys, 4 to 14

1. Saints, 12-2 (Last week: 3)

Sometimes, it's the ugliest win that shows a team's true beauty.

2. Chargers, 11-3 (8)

Trying not to be the NFL's first 13-3 fifth seed.

3. Chiefs, 11-3 (1)

Win two and the AFC goes through Kansas City.

4. Bears, 10-4 (5)

Twenty-six picks more than past three years combined.

5. Rams, 11-3 (3)

Goff's passer ratings the past two weeks: 19.1, 66.8.

6. Colts, 8-6 (9)

Shutout moves Colts' scoring 'D' into top 10 (21.4).

7. Steelers, 8-5-1 (16)

Look who woke up in time to drop Pats to third seed.

8. Patriots, 9-5 (6)

The last time they didn't have a first-round bye: 2009.

9. Texans, 10-4 (10)

Must play Foles in Philly before Jags in Jacksonville.

10. Ravens, 8-6 (11)

Jackson's five starts: 4-1. Flacco's past five: 1-4.

11. Seahawks, 8-6 (7)

Beat 49ers by 27. Lose to them in OT 14 days later.

12. Titans, 8-6 (13)

December gifts: Jets, Jags, Giants. Thank you, Santa.

13. Vikings, 7-6-1 (14)

Dear, Kevin. Did you get the Dolphins I sent you? Love, Santa.

14. Cowboys, 8-6 (4)

Dear, Jerry. Did you get the Coalts I sent you? Love, Santa.

15. Eagles, 7-7 (17)

Wentz's past 11 starts: 5-6. Foles' past 11: 8-3.

16. Browns, 6-7-1 (19)

Hue's win total in 40 games: 3. Gregg Williams' in 6: 4.

17. Redskins, 7-7 (23)

Unfortunately, they're done playing Cody Kessler.

18. Dolphins, 7-7 (12)

They say miracles tend to last about six days.

19. Bills, 5-9 (26)

Ran for 117 yards vs. Lions after weeks of 198, 176.

20. Broncos, 6-8 (15)

Are the Broncos going to settle for Case again in '19?

21. Giants, 5-9 (18)

Sunday's score: Stefanski 41, Shurmur Doughnut.

22. Buccaneers, 5-9 (20)

Winston's completions Sunday: 13. Incompletions: 12.

23. Packers, 5-8-1 (22)

Rodgers' rating Sunday: 68.9. Trubisky's: 120.4.

24. 49ers, 4-10 (29)

Take a bow, Richard Sherman. You're 4-10.

25. Lions, 5-9 (21)

Upon further review, Jim Caldwell wasn't so bad.

26. Falcons, 5-9 (32)

For one week, they partied like it was 2016.

27. Bengals, 6-8 (31)

Need two wins to avoid third straight losing season.

28. Jaguars, 4-10 (24)

Kessler's career record 1-10. But still better than Blake?

29. Panthers, 6-8 (28)

Forty-five days ago, this team was 6-2.

30. Jets, 4-10 (25)

Why coaches on hot seats hate starting rookie QBs.

31. Raiders, 3-11 (27)

They have as many wins as '19 first-round picks.

32. Cardinals, 3-11 (30)

Josh Rosen maintains his one pick-six lead (4-3) over Kirk Cousins.

about the writer

about the writer

Mark Craig

Sports reporter

Mark Craig has covered the NFL nearly every year since Brett Favre was a rookie back in 1991. A sports writer since 1987, he is covering his 30th NFL season out of 37 years with the Canton (Ohio) Repository (1987-99) and the Star Tribune (1999-present).

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