Week 13 NFL Power Rankings: Who’s Rising, Who’s Falling, and What Every Team Does Best
Welcome to Week 13 of the 2024 NFL season, where the action is heating up, and the Power Rankings are shaking like a snow globe in December. This past weekend delivered jaw-dropping finishes and shocking upsets that left fans buzzing. The Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Commanders, and Houston Texans all stumbled in surprising losses, while the Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, and Seattle Seahawks came out swinging with impressive wins.
So, who’s climbing the ladder, and who’s sliding down? Let’s dive into the updated rankings, where our NFL Nation reporters break down ESPN Analytics’ Football Power Index (FPI) rankings for offense, defense, and special teams. What’s each team’s superpower? Where do they need to step up? Below, we unpack the story behind the rankings.
Our power panel of more than 80 writers, editors, and TV personalities evaluates how NFL teams stack up against one another, ranking them from 1 to 32.
1. Detroit Lions (10-1)
Week 12 result: Beat the Colts 24-6
Week 12 ranking: 1
Offense: 2
Defense: 2
Special teams: 1
The Lions are roaring into Week 13 with their best start in 90 years. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has this unit firing on all cylinders, scoring 20 or more points in nine straight games. Meanwhile, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn’s squad hasn’t allowed a touchdown in 10 consecutive quarters, even after losing Pro Bowl edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson to a serious injury in Week 6. Detroit’s balance across all phases makes them the team to beat. — Eric Woodyard
2. Kansas City Chiefs (10-1)
Week 12 result: Beat the Panthers 30-27
Week 12 ranking: 2
Offense: 5
Defense: 12
Special teams: 25
The Chiefs are efficient but not flashy on offense, leading the league in third-down conversions (52.7%) but ranking 23rd in big pass plays. Their defense is solid, ranking ninth in scoring, but struggles in clutch moments. Special teams? Let’s just say they’ve had their moments, including a walk-off blocked field goal to beat the Broncos. — Adam Teicher
3. Philadelphia Eagles (9-2)
Week 12 result: Beat the Rams 37-20
Week 12 ranking: 4
Offense: 7
Defense: 4
Special teams: 19
With MVP candidate Saquon Barkley leading the charge, the Eagles’ offense is a juggernaut. Their defense, bolstered by rookies Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, has been a revelation. Special teams, however, remain a weak spot. — Tim McManus
4. Buffalo Bills (9-2)
Week 12 result: Bye
Week 12 ranking: 3
Offense: 3
Defense: 10
Special teams: 18
The Bills are riding a six-game win streak, thanks to quarterback Josh Allen and a league-leading turnover margin. But kicker Tyler Bass has struggled, missing four extra points. — Alaina Getzenberg
5. Minnesota Vikings (9-2)
Week 12 result: Beat the Bears 30-27 (OT)
Week 12 ranking: 6
Offense: 14
Defense: 1
Special teams: 30
The Vikings’ defense is the backbone of their success, leading the league in takeaways and sacks. The offense has been steady despite losing rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy to a season-ending injury. — Kevin Seifert
6. Green Bay Packers (8-3)
Week 12 result: Beat the 49ers 38-10
Week 12 ranking: 8
Offense: 4
Defense: 9
Special teams: 6
With 22 forced turnovers, the Packers’ defense is making up for its flaws. Their FPI ranking of fourth solidifies their status as a Super Bowl contender. — Rob Demovsky
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)
Week 12 result: Lost to the Browns 24-19
Week 12 ranking: 5
Offense: 20
Defense: 3
Special teams: 9
The Steelers’ defense is elite, but their offense remains inconsistent. Despite their flaws, they’ve managed to stay competitive. — Brooke Pryor
8. Baltimore Ravens (8-4)
Week 12 result: Beat the Chargers 30-23
Week 12 ranking: 7
Offense: 1
Defense: 14
Special teams: 23
Quarterback Lamar Jackson is an MVP frontrunner, but the Ravens’ pass defense and special teams need work. — Jamison Hensley
9. Los Angeles Chargers (7-4)
Week 12 result: Lost to the Ravens 30-23
Week 12 ranking: 9
Offense: 15
Defense: 15
Special teams: 14
The Chargers’ defense is statistically the best in the league, but their easy schedule raises questions. — Kris Rhim
10. Denver Broncos (7-5)
Week 12 result: Beat the Raiders 29-19
Week 12 ranking: 14
Offense: 25
Defense: 7
Special teams: 5
Rookie quarterback Bo Nix is making waves, but the Broncos need more consistency on offense. — Jeff Legwold
And that’s just the top 10! The rest of the rankings feature plenty of drama, from the surging Seahawks to the struggling Giants. Check out the full list here.
- Biggest Movers: The Broncos jumped four spots to No. 10, while the Cardinals fell three spots to No. 14.
- Key Takeaway: Defense wins games, but balanced teams like the Lions and Eagles are dominating the rankings.
Stay tuned as the playoff picture continues to take shape!
Originally Written by: Eric Woodyard
