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NFL teams continue to rise and fall in the Power Rankings. The NFC remains top-heavy, with the top five teams standing tall above the rest. Now is the time for teams to make a move and establish themselves as playoff contenders. Here's how all NFC teams stack up in the Week 12 Power Rankings of the 2021 NFL season.
NFC Power Rankings: Teams struggling the most
#16 - Detroit Lions (0-9-1)
Last week: #16
Next Week: vs. Chicago Bears
The Detroit Lions continue to play tough under head coach Dan Campbell but have still not found a way to get their first victory of the season. Unless they do, they have no chance of moving higher in the Power Rankings.
On Thanksgiving Day, the Lions have an opportunity to try and earn their first win. They face the struggling Chicago Bears, who are also one of the worst teams in the NFL.
#15 - Chicago Bears (3-7)
Last week: #15
Next Week: vs. Detroit Lions
The Chicago Bears have the longest active losing streak in the entire NFL. They have now lost five consecutive games after losing this week to the Baltimore Ravens, who were without Lamar Jackson.
Even worse news for the Bears than their losing streak is the injury to their rookie quarterback Justin Fields. He injured his ribs and is unlikely to play in Week 12 against the Lions.
#14 - Seattle Seahawks (3-7)
Last week: #13
Next Week: vs. Washington Football Team
The Seattle Seahawks continue to drop down the Power Rankings with another loss this week. The return of Russell Wilson from injury has not given them the boost they were hoping for, losing both games since.
If the Seahawks can't turn things around quickly, their season could soon be over. Their chances of making the playoffs are slipping away with each passing week. They have an opportunity to rebound on Monday Night Football against Washington.
#13 - New York Giants (3-7)
Last week: #12
Next Week: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The New York Giants finally got running back Saquon Barkley back from injury this week but unfortunately it didn't help spark their offense. They only managed to score ten points in their loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Giants entered the 2021 NFL season with hopes of competing for a playoff spot. It has not yet worked out that way at all. They sit towards the bottom of the NFC Power Rankings and have not won consecutive games this year.
Also check out: Complete Monday Night Football Schedule 2021
NFC Power Rankings: Teams that need to do better
#12 - Washington Football Team (4-6)
Last week: #14
Next week: vs. Seattle Seahawks
The Washington Football Team have finally climbed out of the bottom four in the NFC Power Rankings after winning consecutive games for the first time this season. They defeated the Panthers this week and the Buccaneers last week.
Their two consecutive wins followed a four-game losing streak. They will try to build some momentum and make one last push for a shot to return to the playoffs again.
#11 - Atlanta Falcons (4-6)
Last week: #11
Next week: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Atlanta Falcons have been one of the most inconsistent teams in the NFL this year. They are ranked as high as sixth in the NFC Power Rankings and as low as 14th depending on the week.
The Falcons were blown out last week against the hottest team in the NFL, the New England Patriots. They have a better opportunity this week to move back up the Power Rankings against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
#10 - Carolina Panthers (5-6)
Last week: #8
Next week: vs. Miami Dolphins
The Carolina Panthers have moved on from quarterback Sam Darnold, and Cam Newton is projected to be the starter for the rest of the season. The Panthers hope he can bring new energy and help them make a playoff push.
Cam Newton brought the energy this week but unfortunately it didn't lead to a victory. He struggled to get much going against the Washington defense. His next opportunity to get things moving back in the right direction comes against the Miami Dolphins.
#9 - Philadelphia Eagles (5-6)
Last week: #10
Next week: vs. New York Giants
The Philadelphia Eagles enter Week 12 with their new highest spot in the Power Rankings so far in the 2021 NFL season. They have won consecutive games and are gaining momentum behind quarterback Jalen Hurts.
They will look to keep things rolling against the struggling New York Giants. The Eagles have been running the ball as well as any team in football lately. They ran for nearly 250 yards against the Saints' top three rushing defenses last week.
NFC Power Rankings: Teams that are close
#8 - New Orleans Saints (5-5)
Last week: #6
Next week: vs. Buffalo Bills
The New Orleans Saints have the second-longest losing streak in the NFC after they suffered their third straight defeat. Their normally excellent rushing defense could not slow down the Philadelphia Eagles' ground game.
The Saints have remained in the top half of the NFC Power Rankings for the entire 2021 NFL season so far. They are in danger of falling out of it if they lose to the Buffalo Bills this week and drop below .500 on the season.
#7 - San Francisco 49ers (5-5)
Last week: #9
Next week: vs. Minnesota Vikings
The San Francisco 49ers are having a bumpy year in the Power Rankings. They started the 2021 NFL season by winning their first two games but followed it up with four straight losses.
Since then they have won three of their last four games and are climbing the Power Rankings. They could be getting hot at the right time as they continue their quest towards earning a wild card spot in the playoffs.
#6 - Minnesota Vikings (5-5)
Last week: #7
Next week: vs. San Francisco 49ers
The Minnesota Vikings are the highest they have been all season in the Power Rankings after a huge upset victory over the Green Bay Packers. The much-needed victory got them back to .500 this year.
The Vikings have also been up and down in the Power Rankings this year. They have an important matchup with the 49ers this week that could have a major impact on the NFC playoff picture.
#5 - Dallas Cowboys (7-3)
Last week: #3
Next week: vs. Las Vegas Raiders
The Dallas Cowboys reached a season-best third-place ranking in the NFC Power Rankings last week. They dropped to 5th in Week 12 Power Rankings after a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Cowboys still have one of the best offenses in the NFL, and Dak Prescott is a candidate for the NFL MVP award. They have a favorable matchup on Thanksgiving Day against the vulnerable Las Vegas Raiders.
NFC Power Rankings: The top teams
#4 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-3)
Last week: #5
Next week: vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are back in the top four of the NFC Power Rankings after a dominant victory over the New York Giants on Monday Night Football. They ended a two-game losing streak against the New Orleans Saints and the Washington Football Team with Tom Brady getting back on track.
The Buccaneers have a challenging game in Week 12 against the surging Indianapolis Colts. An impressive win could get them back to the top three in the NFC Power Rankings.
#3 - Los Angeles Rams (7-3)
Last week: #4
Next week: vs. Green Bay Packers
The Los Angeles Rams have lost two consecutive games but remain in the top three of the NFC Power Rankings. Hopefully they used their last week to make some necessary adjustments.
The Rams will be without Robert Woods for the remainder of the season, so Odell Beckham Jr. and Van Jefferson will both have to step into larger roles in the offense. The Rams will also look to get newly acquired pass rusher Von Miller healthy and rolling.
#2 - Green Bay Packers (8-3)
Last week: #1
Next week: vs. Los Angeles Rams
After just one week on top of the NFC Power Rankings, the Green Bay Packers fell back down to second place. They lost a close battle against the Minnesota Vikings last week. It was Aaron Rodgers' first loss since Week 1 against the Saints.
The Packers have an important clash with the Los Angeles Rams in Week 12. The game could be extremely important for the playoff standings as well as the NFC Power Rankings.
#1 - Arizona Cardinals (9-2)
Last week: #2
Next week: BYE
The Arizona Cardinals have the best record in the NFL and have moved back into the top spot in the Power Rankings after one week away from it. They have a much needed bye in Week 12.
The Cardinals will use their bye week to recover from key injuries to players such as quarterback Kyler Murray and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Murray is an NFL MVP candidate and Hopkins is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL.
