Just when it looked like all seven AFC playoff teams might be decided before Thanksgiving, here come the Dolphins.
Just when it looked like the defending NFC champions were getting their act together after a slow start, here comes the 49ers.
Two teams with many similarities due to their overlapping coaching staffs are heading in very different directions.
The Dolphins have won three straight to move within a game and a half of a playoff spot and are feeling optimistic about making a playoff run as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa returns from a concussion. The 49ers have lost two straight games to move into last place in the tight NFC West and are wondering when quarterback Brock Purdy will take his next snap.
So where do these two teams — and 30 others — stand in the Post’s power rankings for Week 13?
1. Lions 10-1 (1)
The NFL’s best running back tandem combined to rush for three touchdowns – two by Jahmyr Gibbs and one by David Montgomery – in a 24-6 victory over the Colts. The Lions have won nine straight, mostly on offensive fireworks, but have also not allowed a touchdown in 10 straight quarters or a second-half touchdown in three straight games.
2. Bills 9-2 (2)
Josh Allen watched his AFC rivals Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson each win multiple MVP awards, but now it could be his turn. Allen has 18 passing touchdowns (compared to just five interceptions) and five rushing touchdowns as he enters the period following the bye week. Winners of six straight games, the Bills have the largest division lead in the NFL.
3. Chiefs 10-1 (3)
Released from the Jets’ practice squad, kicker Spencer Shrader kicked a 31-yard field goal to avoid the NFL’s biggest upset this year and seal a 30-27 victory over the Panthers. Patrick Mahomes passed for three touchdowns and set up the game-winning kick with a 33-yard run. The Chiefs improved to 8-0 in single-score games despite holding a 14-point lead.
4. Eagles 9-2 (6)
Saquon Barkley had one of the best offensive nights in NFL history, throwing for 302 yards from scrimmage (255 rushing) and two touchdowns in a 37-20 win over the Rams. He became the first player in NFL history to throw two touchdowns of 70+ yards in the second half of a game. The NFL’s top-ranked defense had five sacks.
5. Packers 8-3 (5)
Josh Jacobs did more than become the first rusher to surpass 100 yards against the 49ers defense in his final 55 regular season games. He also scored three touchdowns in a 38-10 rout. Jordan Love had two touchdowns. Midway through the second quarter, the Packers led 17-0 and had played just six defensive snaps against quarterback Brandon Allen.
6. Vikings 9-2 (7)
Sam Darnold shrugged off a foot injury and threw for 90 of his 330 yards in overtime to set up John Parker Romo’s game-winning 29-yard field goal that beat the Bears, 30-27. Jordan Addison and TJ Hockenson both rushed for over 100 yards receiving on a slow day for Justin Jefferson. The Vikings won by allowing an onside kick recovery.
7. Steelers 8-3 (4)
Playing in heavy snow, the Steelers made just two field goals in three quarters before scoring two fourth-quarter touchdowns just 102 seconds apart to take the lead. But the defense couldn’t get one last stop and the Browns pulled off a 24-19 upset. Russell Wilson was sacked three times by Myles Garrett, who sent a message to compatriot TJ Watt.
8. Ravens 8-4 (8)
The Ravens went 3-for-3 on fourth down and turned those conversions into 14 points — or the exact margin of victory in a 30-23 win over the Chargers. Derrick Henry bulldozed his way to 140 yards and Lamar Jackson threw two touchdown passes for an offense that averaged 7.1 yards per play early in the fourth quarter – before conservative play took over the top.
9. Chargers 7-4 (11)
Head coach Jim Harbaugh lost again to his older brother John, the head coach of the Ravens. Same result as Super Bowl 47, when John’s Ravens beat Jim’s 49ers in February 2013. Justin Herbert and Gus Edwards ran for touchdowns, but the Chargers certainly missed running back JK Dobbins after he left the injured match.
10. Broncos 7-5 (13)
The Broncos’ 29-19 victory was their first on the road against the rival Raiders since 2015. Bo Nix solidified his surprise Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign by throwing for 273 yards and two touchdowns, leading a second-half comeback. Courtland Sutton has five straight games with at least 70 receiving yards – the longest streak for this franchise since 2014.
11. Texans 7-5 (9)
12. Commanders 7-5 (10)
13. Seahawks 6-5 (14)
14. Cardinals 6-5 (12)
15. Falcons 6-5 (18)
16. Buccaneers 5-6 (16)
17. Dolphins 5-6 (21)
18. 49ers 5-6 (15)
19. Rams 5-6 (17)
20. Bengals 4-7 (20)
21. Colts 5-7 (19)
22. Saints 4-7 (22)
23. Cowboys 4-7 (24)
24. Bear 4-7 (23)
25. Browns 3-8 (29)
26. Titans 3-8 (30)
27. Jets 3-8 (26)
Quiet bye week for the Jets? Nothing like that. Lame Duck general manager Joe Douglas has joined former head coach Robert Saleh on unemployment, and reports have surfaced that quarterback Aaron Rodgers and meddlesome owner Woody Johnson are mutually seeking to part ways after the season. How long will it be before Tyrod Taylor plays the rope in place of a banged-up Rodgers?
28. Panthers 3-8 (27)
29. Patriots 3-9 (25)
30. Raiders 2-9 (28)
31. Giants 2-9 (31)
The Giants benched (and then cut) Daniel Jones, bypassed backup Drew Lock and turned to third baseman Tommy DeVito, who took four sacks in a 30-7 loss to the Buccaneers. After the match, the stars called the team’s performance “soft”, questioned the play and decried a lack of effort. Throw a modern NFL record with 10 consecutive games without a defensive interception.
