Arizona Sports NFL Power Rankings Week 12: Steelers reign, Cards drop

The Pittsburgh Steelers got to 10-0 with a one-sided win over the Jacksonville Jaguars and remain atop the Arizona Sports NFL Power Rankings for another week.

Yet, we’re not so sure the 1972 Miami Dolphins should be concerned about their status as the only undefeated Super Bowl champs in history. The Steelers have four tough games (vs. Baltimore, at Buffalo, vs. Indianapolis and at Cleveland) before the 2020 regular season is over. But they have been remarkably consistent, scoring at least 24 points in every game this season.

The Kansas City Chiefs remain on their heels after picking up a revenge win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday night. The New Orleans Saints cemented their claim as the NFC’s best with an impressive 24-9 win — one earned without the services of starting quarterback Drew Brees or corner Marshon Lattimore.

And the Arizona Cardinals squandered an opportunity to create some space between themselves and the rest of the NFC West by dropping a 28-21 decision to the Seattle Seahawks last Thursday night. Kliff Kingsbury’s team falls six spots as a result.

Arizona Sports NFL Power Rankings Week 12

1. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-0) —
Ben Roethlisberger hasn’t been sacked in three games.

2. Kansas City Chiefs (9-1) —
Patrick Mahomes made that game-winning drive against Las Vegas look a little too easy, didn’t he?

3. New Orleans Saints (8-2) —
The Saints are now 6-0 over the last two years without Drew Brees at quarterback.

4. Buffalo Bills (7-3) ▲1
Had to stew over the Hail Murray during the bye.

5. Los Angeles Rams (7-3) ▲4
Despite two picks, Jared Goff looked really good in the win over Tampa Bay.

6. Seattle Seahawks (7-3) ▲8
Defense is showing signs of life over its last six quarters.

7. Indianapolis Colts (7-3) ▲5
Philip Rivers has a 99.4 passer rating over their last five and the Colts are 4-1.

8. Tennessee Titans (7-3) ▲5
They’ve been a hard team to figure out over the last month, but the OT win over Baltimore could very well right the ship.

9. Green Bay Packers (7-3) ▼5
Four turnovers vs. Indianapolis — the most the Packers have had in a game since 2017.

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-4) ▼4
They’re just not good in prime-time games.

11. Las Vegas Raiders (6-4) ▼1
After a tough week of preparation, they hung tough with the Super Bowl champs.

12. Cleveland Browns (7-3) ▲3
Seven wins looks good, but the combined record of the six teams they’ve beaten is 21-37-2.

13. Miami Dolphins (6-4) ▼6
Not a big fan of the move to bench Tua Tagovailoa. You gave him the keys. Let him drive.

14. Arizona Cardinals (6-4) ▼6
Another missed opportunity to make a statement following an improbable win. They’re a Hail Murray away from being on a three-game losing streak.

15. Baltimore Ravens (6-4) ▼4
The 2019 swagger appears to be completely gone.

16. San Francisco 49ers (4-6) ▲2
They managed not to suffer any serious injuries during their bye week, so that’s a start.

17. Chicago Bears (5-5) ▲2
After a trip to Lambeau, they’ve got a four-game stretch that looks very manageable — even for them.

18. New England Patriots (4-6) ▼1
Now 0-3 when they run for less than 100 yards and 0-2 when Cam Newton passes for 300-plus.

19. Minnesota Vikings (4-6) ▼3
Looked to be getting their act together, then fall at home to the punchless Cowboys.

20. Carolina Panthers (4-7) ▲3
P.J. Walker did an admirable job of filling in for Teddy Bridgewater on short notice, and it helps that his defense pitched only the second shutout of the NFL season.

21. Denver Broncos (4-6) ▲3
Defense was solid, giving up only 223 yards to Miami.

22. Los Angeles Chargers (3-7) ▲4
Justin Herbert is the likely NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, but we can make fun of his haircut still, right?

23. Atlanta Falcons (3-7) ▼2
I don’t think Matt Ryan is taking his offensive line out for dinner after that Saints game.

24. Houston Texans (3-7) ▲4
Deshaun Watson has completed almost 71% of his passes with 11 touchdowns and no picks over Houston’s last five games.

25. New York Giants (3-7) —
They’ve actually played better, but let’s see if they can get by the Joe Judge-Marc Colombo situation.

26. Philadelphia Eagles (3-6-1) ▼4
Carson Wentz’s decision making continues to confound.

27. Dallas Cowboys (3-7) ▲3
Ezekiel Elliott had his first 100-yard game of the season and the offense had its highest output since the Dak Prescott injury vs. Minnesota.

28. Washington Football Team (3-7) ▲1
Pretty cool to see Alex Smith win his first game in a couple of years.

29. Detroit Lions (4-6) ▼9
Just a dog of a performance against Carolina. Shut out after scoring at least 20 points in every other game this season.

30. Cincinnati Bengals (2-7-1) ▼3
The Joe Burrow injury is just a major bummer.

31. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-9) —
How in the world did this team ever beat Indy?

32. New York Jets (0-10) —
Their last chance to win a game might be Week 17 at New England.

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