Nine Straight Threes' NFL Power Rankings: Week 13

The Battle of the Birds yields a shakeup near the top

We are through 13 weeks of the NFL season, and yes, it goes fast. Why, I remember a few short months ago when we were saying things like, “The Falcons just look like a good football team,” and “Sure, Houston hasn’t looked great yet, but they’re probably going to turn it on any day now.”

Well, we aren’t saying those things anymore. Surely not about the Falcons, and not about the Texans, who are of course going to make the playoffs, but have the look of a one-and-done.

I don’t really know what I was saying about the NFC West two months ago, but it was probably something like “the 49ers are going to figure this out sooner rather than later, and then everyone else is in trouble.” Need a mulligan there, too. Though, in fairness to me, I’ve also been on Fraud Watch for San Francisco for several weeks now.

Week 13 brought a definitive result in a powerhouse matchup, while other teams at or near the top made less convincing statements. There is much to discuss, and still many more pivotal games ahead.

As always, NST’s power rankings take two factors into account: Performance and watchability. Away we go.

Trash

32. New York Giants (2-10)

LW: 31

They stunk against the Giants. Drew Lock stunk, Tyrone Tracy stunk, Devin Singletary stunk, Malik Nabers was okay, I suppose. Maybe Theo Johnson, too. Where is the direction for this team? All they need is a new quarterback, probably a new coach, and a whole lot of help on the offensive side of the ball. I’m sure it’ll be fine.

Week 14: vs. New Orleans

31. Las Vegas Raiders (2-10)

LW: 30

They played the Chiefs hard, as they frequently do, and then they crapped the game away late with a horrible fumbled snap that snatched defeat from the jaws of potential victory. Like the Giants, they need a quarterback. Also like the Giants, they might need a new coach. More help on offense, too? You betcha! Move along, nothing else to see here.

Week 14: at Tampa Bay

30. Jacksonville (2-10)

LW: 32

Give them this, I guess: They fought hard for Trevor Lawrence after a truly ugly, dirty hit from Azeez Al-shaair. Unlike the rest of the teams near the bottom, they were supposed to be pretty good. They are not! That’s a problem. Also a problem: Lawrence appears much closer to “just a guy” than “$50 million quarterback” most weeks. Changes? They’re needed.

Week 14: at Tennessee

29. New York Jets (3-9)

LW: 29

Absolute dog-vomit trash. They should rid themselves of Aaron Rodgers after this year. It’ll be much cheaper that way. There are pieces to like on this roster. Several of them. But they have proven this year that, beyond a shadow of a doubt, they are still very much the Jets.

Week 14: at Miami

28. Tennessee Titans (3-9)

LW: 24

Tennessee being up at 24 last week just didn’t seem right, did it? Of course not. That’s why what happened against Washington was just the universe course correcting. The New York teams will always have some juice because they play in the country’s biggest market. The Raiders are a huge NFL brand, despite sucking. The Jaguars have, in theory, a franchise quarterback. What do the Titans have? What’s there to build on?

Week 14: vs. Jacksonville

Headed in the Right Direction