NFL power rankings, Week 12: Cowboys make their move

The NFL power rankings for the NFC are tightening, with the Dallas Cowboys making their move in the past week.

16. Chicago Bears (LW: 16)

If Justin Fields has to miss time, there’s no point in watching the Bears. Nothing else is fun.

15. Carolina Panthers (LW: 14)

Carolina can’t score, regardless of who is playing quarterback. The Panthers have to muddle through the rest of the season and then find their future.

14. Los Angeles Rams (LW: 12)

This season couldn’t be a bigger disaster for the Rams. The worst title defense in the Super Bowl era.

13. New Orleans Saints (LW: 15)

New Orleans was hoping for a fun campaign, but injuries and poor coaching have the Saints fighting for second place in the NFC South.

12. Detroit Lions (LW: 13)

Detroit is playing hard and starting to see some results, but the defense remains a complete disaster without turnovers.

11. Arizona Cardinals (LW: 10)

There’s no reason to believe the Cardinals are going to start suddenly playing better. Kyler Murray is a huge question mark moving forward.

10. Green Bay Packers (LW: 9)

Time to rebuild in Green Bay. Whether Aaron Rodgers sticks around for another year remains to be seen.

9. Atlanta Falcons (LW: 11)

Losing Kyle Pitts is a brutal blow, but the Falcons deserve credit for overachieving to this point.

8. Washington Commanders (LW: 8)

The Commanders are back in the playoff picture. Nice job by Taylor Heinicke off the bench.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (LW: 7)

The Buccaneers are in control of the NFC South, but to become a contender, Tampa Bay has to find its game.

6. Seattle Seahawks (LW: 6)

Coming off the bye week, the Seahawks have a nice opportunity to get back into the win column against the Las Vegas Raiders at home.

5. New York Giants (LW: 5)

New York has lost two straight, and has t get it figured out before the season begins to unravel.

4. San Francisco 49ers (LW: 4)

Time for the 49ers to get rolling. Getting healthier, and perhaps the best roster in the league.

3. Minnesota Vikings (LW: 2)

The Vikings rebounded from a hideous loss to the Cowboys by handling the Patriots on Thanksgiving night.

2. Dallas Cowboys (LW: 3)

Dallas is the biggest threat to the Eagles right now. Excellent defense and an offense that’s scoring more than 33 points per game since the return of Dak Prescott.

1. Philadelphia Eagles (LW: 1)

Philadelphia remains the best team in the NFC, and could rack up another win with the Packers coming to town.