Four of the six reigning division champions lost in Week 12. And the order near the top of the NFL Power Rankings continues to shift.
A dozen weeks into the season and a number of teams that got off to solid starts are having their issues. There was a coming of age moment in Cincinnati, a continued resurgence in Foxborough and a healthy helping of yellow flags on Thanksgiving Day at Dallas.
So how did another set of surprising results affect the NFL Power Rankings?
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NFL Power Rankings: Week 13
32
Houston Texans 2-9
Last week: L, 21-14 vs NYJ
Last rank: 30th
Off a stunning win over the Titans at Nashville, David Culley’s club looked to make it two straight victories as it hosted the Jets. The Texans owned a 14-3 lead in the second quarter thanks to a pair of touchdown passes from Tyrod Taylor.
But Houston had its issues the rest of the way and New York scored the final 18 points of the game. Taylor threw one interception and was sacked five times. And Houston’s defense allowed 157 yards rushing.
31
Detroit Lions 0-10-1
Last week: L, 16-14 vs CHI
Last rank: 29th
It’s a Thanksgiving Day tradition that began in 1934. And the Lions were hoping to finally get in the win column for the first time this season. Jared Goff hit on 21 of his 25 throws and finished with two scores. But he threw for only 171 yards and did lose a fumble.
The Detroit offense managed a mere 239 total yards. But the Lions couldn’t get off the field for the majority of the fourth quarter and the Bears won it on a field goal on the final play of the game.
30
Jacksonville Jaguars 2-9
Last week: L, 21-14 vs ATL
Last rank: 28th
It’s been another rough year for this franchise but Urban Meyer’s team has shown signs of improvement over the last two months. But they would fall behind the visiting Atlanta Falcons, 21-3, in the third quarter.
Rookie Trevor Lawrence threw for 228 yards and one scores but had one of the team’s two turnovers. Jacksonville’s defense gave up 149 yards rushing in this latest loss. The Jaguars have been limited to 17 or fewer points in five straight games.
29
New York Jets 3-8
Last week: W, 21-14 at HOU
Last rank: 32nd
Rookie quarterback Zach Wilson was back at the controls as the Jets headed south to Houston in a battle of 2-8 teams. The second overall pick in April’s draft finished the afternoon with 145 yards through the air, threw one picks and was sacked four times.
Robert Saleh’s team overcame a 14-3 deficit in the second quarter. And defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers came up with quite the nifty interception of Texans’ quarterback Tyrod Taylor.
