We’re cruising into the final byes and have wrapped up a good 62 percent of the season. That means teams are going to start clinching stuff, whether it be playoff spots or flat out division titles over the following weeks. There’s a lot of minor movement this week, with a handful of teams jumping a few spots here and there. The top and the bottom remain the same. It’s those middle teams that keep it interesting. Here are your Against the Spread Power Rankings for Week 12.
1. New Orleans Saints (9-1, ATS: 8-2): The Saints should have watched that Monday Night game between the Rams and Chiefs knowing they might have to face them both in January and February. Last week: 1
2. Los Angeles Rams (10-1, ATS: 5-6): The Rams get a much-needed bye to get healthy and make a final run at home field. Unfortunately for them, somebody has to beat the Saints for them to get it. Last week: 3
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-2-1, ATS: 7-3): After putting over 50 on the Panthers two weeks ago, the Steelers nearly dropped a stinker in Jacksonville. But they won and that’s what the good, championship teams do. Last week: 4
Related: NFL Betting Guide | Week 12 Odds
4. New England Patriots (7-3, ATS: 6-4): The Patriots had a bye week to think about how stupid it was to drop a game against the Titans. Now they’re the No. 3 seed and, as good as they’ve been, New England hasn’t won a road playoff game in a decade. Last week: 5
5. Kansas City Chiefs (9-2, ATS 8-3): There’s no shame in dropping that epic game against the Rams. Now just win out to make sure you get another shot at them. Last week: 2
6. Chicago Bears (7-3, ATS: 7-3): No Mitchell Trubisky this week, so the Bears will hang their hopes on Chase Daniel, who has started a total of two NFL games in nine seasons. Last week: 10
7. Houston Texans (7-3, ATS: 4-6): The Texans have won seven games in a row and no one is talking about them. Last week: 9
8. Los Angeles Chargers (7-3, ATS: 5-5): In the history of horrible losses, Chargers, that last-second defeat at the hands of the Broncos was the Charlie Brown-iest. Last week: 6
9. Minnesota Vikings (5-4-1,ATS: 5-5): If you have any chance at a playoff berth, you’ve got to beat the Packers on Sunday. The window is closing fast. Last week: 7
10. Washington Redskins (6-4, ATS: 7-3): Jay Gruden loves Colt McCoy so much he made no attempt at all to sign a back up quarterback that can push him. Last week: 8
11. Carolina Panthers (6-4, ATS: 5-5): Back-to-back horrible losses have suddenly made the Panthers look very mortal. Last week: 11
12. Baltimore Ravens (5-5, ATS: 4-6): Let’s not go too crazy over Lamar Jackson just yet. You won’t be facing the Marvin Lewis/Hue Jackson tandem every week. Last week: 15
13. Seattle Seahawks (5-5, ATS: 5-5): A loss to the Panthers Sunday and the Rams are officially the NFC West champions. Last week: 17
14. Indianapolis Colts (5-5, ATS: 5-5): Don’t look now, but Andrew Luck and the Colts are itching to make the AFC playoff race a lot more interesting. Last week: 19
15. Dallas Cowboys (5-5, ATS: 5-5): I’m not sure what Monkey’s Paw or Magic Lamp Jason Garrett found two weeks ago, but it’s working. Last week: 21
16. Detroit Lions (4-6, ATS: 6-4): Somehow the Lions are still in this thing and facing a Mitchell Trubsiky-less Bears team Thursday. Last week: 22
17. Cincinnati Bengals (5-5, ATS: 5-5): Yep. Hue Jackson still has his magic. Last week: 12
18. Tennessee Titans (5-5, ATS: 6-4): Last week I told you that if Mike Vrabel was a real coach, there’s no way the Titans wouldn’t beat the Colts. But since he’s not, I told you to take the Colts. See? Last week: 13
19. Green Bay Packers (4-5-1 ATS: 4-6): A loss to the Vikings Sunday should all but make the end of the Mike McCarthy era official. Last week: 14
20. Philadelphia Eagles (4-6 ATS: 3-7): I did not see this fall coming. Usually it’s the team that loses the Super Bowl that suffers the hangover. Last week: 16
21. Atlanta Falcons (4-6, ATS: 3-7): So, uh, when does that second-half run start, fellas? Last week: 18
22. Miami Dolphins (5-5, ATS: 5-5): Still no Ryan Tannehill. Adam Gase needs to make a hard call or he might be looking for a job himself. Last week: 20
23. Denver Broncos (4-6, ATS: 4-6): Look at that. Case Keenum ran a game-winning drive. In the old days, this would be the sum total of your NFL Yearbook video. Last week: 26
24. New York Giants (3-7, ATS: 4-6): It’s just like the Giants to start winning games when they’re all but mathematically eliminated from the postseason. Last week: 28
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-7,ATS: 3-7): There will be no more chances to save your season, Jags. Wrap it up and hit the sim button. Last week: 23
26. Cleveland Browns (3-6-1, ATS: 6-4): Gregg Williams vs Hue Jackson this week. Let the chess match commence! Last week: 25
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-7, ATS: 3-7): And we’re back to Jameis Winston again. Make this audition for your next head coach count. Last week: 27
28. Oakland Raiders (2-8, ATS: 3-7): Derek Carr said he wants to spoil the Raiders’ draft positioning. I mean, what a perfect way to end a horrible season. Last week: 30
29. Arizona Cardinals (2-8, ATS: 5-5): The last four head coaches fired after a single season were Chip Kelly, Jim Tomsula, Mike Mularkey and Hue Jackson. Steve Wilks may soon join that exclusive garbage fire club. Last Week: 24
30. San Francisco 49ers (2-8, ATS: 3-7): Nick Mullens is about to make his first career road start so you know what that means, we’re in store for another one of those classic Mullens vs. Winston quarterback duels. Last week: 29
31. Buffalo Bills (3-7, ATS: 4-6): Bills, it would be downright hilarious for you to embarrass the Jaguars Sunday. I’m not picking you, but I’m rooting for you. Last week: 31
32. New York Jets (3-7, ATS: 3-7): You have to sit here after your bye week, Jets. That loss to the Bills needs to hang around your neck like an albatross. Last week: 32
