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NFL Week 13 Power Rankings: Vikings put heat on shaky Steelers, Falcons look to close the gap

Sunday is moving day for the Vikings and Falcons in the NFC.

By Mark Craig

November 29, 2017 at 12:55PM

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum (7) celebrated Latavius Murray (25) third quarter touchdown run at Ford Field Thursday November 23, 2017 in Detroit .JERRY HOLT jerry.holt@startribune.com (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

MARK CRAIG'S POWER RANKINGS

Biggest jump: Cardinals No. 27 to No. 19

Biggest fall: Bears No. 18 to No. 26

1. Patriots, 9-2 (Last week: 1)

Say hello to the league's first 40-year-old MVP: Tom Brady.

2. Eagles, 10-1 (2)

Sorry, Carson. You'll win MVP(s) at some point, but, see Brady above.

3. Steelers, 9-2 (3)

It shouldn't take a last-second 53-yard field goal to beat the Packers, but I'll keep them above the Vikings.

4. Vikings, 9-2 (4)

Atlanta getting hot at the worst time, but the Vikings' defense takes a backseat to no team.

5. Rams, 8-3 (6)

Impressive that a young team didn't let the Vikings loss linger.

6. Saints, 8-3 (5)

Sunday's loss was a reminder of how badly the Saints need their home-dome advantage.

7. Panthers, 8-3 (7)

Trailing the Jets in the fourth quarter further evidence this team is very vulnerable.

8. Falcons, 7-4 (9)

Here come the defending NFC champs … and their gigantic receiver.

9. Seahawks, 7-4 (10)

They're shaky. In the third quarter against the 49ers, they led 7-6 with a Blair Walsh missed field goal.

10. Titans, 7-4 (12)

Also shaky. Trailed Indianapolis by 10 until the Colts fumbled inside their own 5-yard line late in the third.

11. Jaguars, 7-4 (8)

Jags are 5-23 in games Blaine Gabbert starts. 5-22 with him and now 0-1 against him.

12. Chargers, 5-6 (16)

Surging Chargers trying not to fall to 0-2 against Hue Jackson.

13. Ravens, 6-5 (15)

They've won three of four since looking so flat at U.S. Bank Stadium. All versus backup QBs.

14. Bills, 6-5 (19)

They held K.C. to one first-half first down. Next up: Brady.

15. Redskins, 5-6 (14)

They're either a good bad team or a bad good team.

16. Lions, 6-5 (11)

It might be too late for this allegedly easy schedule to save Detroit's playoff hopes.

17. Raiders, 5-6 (21)

A game out in the AFC Worst and a home game against the Giants on Sunday.

18. Chiefs, 6-5 (13)

From 5-0 to 6-5. Sound familiar?

19. Cardinals, 5-6 (27)

Gabbert should thank Jags coach Doug Marrone for some puzzling clock mismanagement.

20. Packers, 5-6 (20)

Puzzling. Brett Hundley follows worst outing in a home game with best half in a game at Pittsburgh.

21. Colts, 3-8 (23)

They compete hard, but they simply can't protect their QB.

22. Cowboys, 5-6 (17)

Outscored 92-22 during three-game losing streak. Bye-bye, Jerry.

23. Buccaneers, 4-7 (22)

NFC South could have three playoff teams. Everyone except these preseason darlings.

24. Bengals, 5-6 (24)

Unfortunately, NFL rules stipulate that teams can play the Browns only twice in one regular season.

25. Jets, 4-7 (25)

They handed Carolina a win on Sunday. Will they jumpstart the Chiefs this week?

26. Bears, 3-8 (18)

Wow. That first half against Philly was as weak as an NFL team can play. Cleveland included.

27. Texans, 4-7 (26)

Ugh. Deshaun Watson can't return quick enough.

28. Giants, 2-9 (28)

Something the Giants were thankful for last Thursday: That the NFL hasn't adopted an 18-game schedule.

29. 49ers, 1-10 (29)

For the few left who care, it's time to start Jimmy Garoppolo.

30. Dolphins, 4-7 (30)

Matt Moore? Jay Cutler? Does anyone care?

31. Broncos, 3-8 (31)

How can the team of John Elway have Paxton Lynch, Trevor Siemian and Brock Osweiler?

32. Browns, 0-11 (32)

This is your week, Cleveland! Hue might be 0-27 against everyone else, but he owns the Chargers (1-0)!

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).