NFL Power Rankings: Playoff picture takes shape before Week 12

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - NOVEMBER 22: Running back Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans and wide receiver Kalif Raymond #14 celebrate after Henry scored the game winning touchdown in overtime against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on November 22, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - NOVEMBER 22: Running back Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans and wide receiver Kalif Raymond #14 celebrate after Henry scored the game winning touchdown in overtime against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on November 22, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Nov 7, 2020; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) watches warmups before the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2020; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) watches warmups before the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

Week 12 NFL Power Rankings

For the first time this season, the NFL Power Rankings now have less to do with what happened with the team this weekend, and they are more about what these teams look like as we enter the final stretch of the season.

With the playoff picture finally taking real shape at the top. In fact, there is sort of a hierarchy at this point. From bottom to top it goes:

-Teams angling for a top-3 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft

-The winner of the NFC East

-Average teams

-In the hunt teams

-Playoff teams

-Super Bowl favorites

So let’s start at the bottom.

32. New York Jets (+0)

Adam Gase is terrible. Sam Darnold isn’t very good which is why the offense looks the same or better with Joe Flacco. Poor Quinnen Williams.

What else is there to say at this point?

31. Jacksonville Jaguars (-1)

For Titans, Colts, and Texans fans, there are two big results you look for each week: Did your team win, and did the Jaguars take themselves out of the hunt for Trevor Lawrence. So far, they remain firmly in the hunt and AFC South fans are pulling for them to finally win a game against someone outside the AFC South.

If Josh Allen is out for any length of time, this team has very little talent on either side of the ball and the question isn’t who is going to win each game, but how bad will the loss be for the Jags?