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NFL Power Rankings: Stay tuned for 'great' December

Updated Nov. 28

This weekend is the first of December, usually a time when playoff teams start taking shape in the NFL. So why is it that we have more teams going in the opposite direction?

Can Steve McNair help bump the Ravens up to great? Check back in December. (US PRESSWIRE)  
Can Steve McNair help bump the Ravens up to great? Check back in December. (US PRESSWIRE)    
The last weekend of November saw the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars all lose. The San Diego Chargers, who looked like the best team in the league their past two games, suddenly were pushed to the limit at home by a bad Oakland Raiders team, needing a questionable fumble call to help win.

So what's happening? There just is not much separation between good and bad teams. A bad break here or there and a good team can lose -- to anybody.

That's what makes the NFL so good; that's what makes the NFL so frustrating.

The good news is that the NFL playoffs will be as wide open as ever. Last season, we had a sixth seed win three road games to get to the Super Bowl and then win it; the Steelers' run was unprecedented.

It can happen again. No team is without flaws.

 The Colts can't stop the run.
 The Bears can't throw it well enough.
 The Cowboys have an inexperienced quarterback, even if he is playing well.
 The Chargers have secondary issues.
 The Ravens are still uncertain on offense.

They all have warts and that's what makes this league so unpredictable.

However, there are two certainties about this week's kinetic rankings:

  1. The Steelers, thanks to their no-show job at Baltimore on Sunday, are officially dead. There will be no repeat.
  2. The other definite is that the Detroit Lions look like they will be staying in the bottom spot for a long, long time. They really do stink.

Matt Millen, the TV booth is calling you back. Of course, he might not have a choice.

Let's just be thankful we're on to December ... and the rankings for Nov. 28:

Power Rankings
CurrentTeamPrevious
Colts1Colts · Trends1
They didn't look great against the 49ers, but they found a way. That's what good teams do. It has to be good having Bob Sanders back again.
Saints2Saints · Trends2
It was a little bit of a struggle against the Falcons, but the schedule is favorable the rest of the way, to say the least. Is an undefeated season possible?
Vikings3Vikings · Trends4
They have a real hold on the division after sweeping the Packers. They really are a balanced team and Brett Favre is coming off a big game. There, I said it. Aside from the Steelers game, he is playing well.
Broncos4Broncos · Trends3
After their first loss, here come the champions. The Pittsburgh Steelers will provide another stiff test for the Broncos. They need to throw it better. Period.
Patriots5Patriots · Trends5
They come off the bye with a chance to take a real hold of the division by beating Miami. You know they'll be ready for the Wildcat.
Bengals6Bengals · Trends6
At 5-2 after their bye, they get a rematch with the Ravens this week. They can throw it better now than when they beat them the first time, which should help.
Steelers7Steelers · Trends7
They can show they are back with a road victory at Denver. The bye week gives them a little edge heading into that one, although Denver will be angry coming off its first loss.
Eagles8Eagles · Trends8
We get Eagles-Cowboys this week for first place in the NFC East. That should be fun. The Eagles are rolling after that Oakland disaster two weeks ago.
Cowboys9Cowboys · Trends11
Is it time to stop ripping on Tony Romo? He's playing some of his best football. The defense, which was a problem much of the season, is playing better.
Ravens10Ravens · Trends14
They had to beat Denver to save their season, but now they get a big one against the Bengals on the road. To have a real chance to win the division, they need that one.
Cardinals11Cardinals · Trends9
Can anybody figure this team out? They play well on the road and stink it up at home. Good thing they're on the road this week.
Giants12Giants · Trends10
They are an example of how fast things can go bad in the NFL. If that defense doesn't play better soon, they could be playoff-less.
Texans13Texans · Trends16
The improvement of the defense to go with that passing game has really helped this team. They do have a lot of premium talent on the defensive side of the ball.
Chargers14Chargers · Trends17
They seemed to right things the past two weeks, but now must head east to play a desperate Giants team. That won't be easy.
Falcons15Falcons · Trends12
They played well at New Orleans, especially in the second half, and the schedule gets easier now. They are a good 4-3 team.
Packers16Packers · Trends13
Boy that offensive line is bad. If they don't improve there, Aaron Rodgers doesn't stand a chance.
Bears17Bears · Trends19
Nothing like the Cleveland Browns to provide the perfect potion for all that ails a team. Facing Arizona at home this week won't be as easy.
Dolphins18Dolphins · Trends22
That wasn't pretty against the Jets, but they found a way. Now they have to go to New England, with a chance to get back into the race. Playing two consecutive road games is tough.
Jets19Jets · Trends15
There is no way they should have lost to the Dolphins at home, but at 4-4 they have been way too inconsistent. How about some special-teams work this week?
Jaguars20Jaguars · Trends18
They will be a .500 team at best. The defense isn't very good, so they will play a lot of high-scoring games. The good news is they have a winnable game against Kansas City this week.
Panthers21Panthers · Trends24
Was that a job saver for coach John Fox and a season saver last week in Arizona? It was a big win, but those two things are still to be decided.
49ers2249ers · Trends20
Playing close isn't good enough. They have to start winning those kinds of games. It's hard when they're limited on offense.
Bills23Bills · Trends21
The run defense is really bad and they don't have the offense to make up for it. Did you ever think they would long to get Trent Edwards back so much?
Seahawks24Seahawks · Trends23
They've been a major disappointment in a lot of people's minds. But the injuries have crippled this team. It's a tough first year for Jim Mora Jr.
Raiders25Raiders · Trends25
At least they showed up and competed against the Chargers. It's more than they did the previous week. Wonder how Tom Cable's troubles will affect the team?
Chiefs26Chiefs · Trends26
They come off their bye with the Larry Johnson saga hanging over their heads. Something they need more of: Better play from Matt Cassel.
Redskins27Redskins · Trends27
Did they fix things during the bye? Is Jim Zorn safe now that he made it through the week off? Can they turn it around? Doubtful.
Rams28Rams · Trends31
They won. They won. They won. After 17 consecutive losses, they should celebrate. Steven Jackson is having a good year for a bad team.
Titans29Titans · Trends32
The move to Vince Young paid off. Yeah, as long as Chris Johnson runs for 228, it paid off. They did show more life coming off their bye in winning for the first time.
Lions30Lions · Trends28
Losing to the Rams drops them down a few spots. They are competing, which is a good sign for this young team.
Browns31Browns · Trends29
Does this team need a bye or what? Do they really have to play out the season with that offense?
Buccaneers32Buccaneers · Trends30
The Josh Freeman Era begins, and it's the right thing to do. They have to get him going for the future. Why wait?
 
For more from Pete Prisco, check him out on Twitter: @PriscoCBS
 

 
 
 
 
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