By Bill Seals - Fred Altieri
Sports Reporters - PFWA Members 

2020 NFL Power Rankings – Week 12

Rams' Stock Rises to #3 - Chargers Penny Gain to #24

 

November 26, 2020

LA Rams

Rams defensive front line set tone this past Monday Night Football vs. the Buccaneers

1. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-0): The only question left for the Steelers is, can they stay ahead of the Chiefs for the overall best record in the AFC? The Chiefs may be the best team in the NFL, but it is always tough to win on the road in the Playoffs. Next: -4 vs Baltimore Ravens – Tue, Dec. 1 – O/U: 44.5 (ATS: 8-2 – O/U: 4-4-2)

2. Kansas City Chiefs (9-1): The Chiefs survived the Raiders in an exciting Sunday Night win over the Raiders, 35-31. They may see the Raiders again in the Playoffs, but it will not be in Las Vegas and as long as the Chiefs have Patrick Mahomes, they will be tough to beat. Next: -3.5 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Sun, Nov. 29 – O/U: 56 (ATS: 6-4 – O/U: 5-5)

3. Los Angeles Rams (7-3): Wide Receiver Robert Woods has been named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in the win over the Buccaneers on Monday Night Football. Woods caught 12 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown in the 27-24 victory. Next: -7 vs San Francisco 49ers - Sun, Nov. 29 – O/U: 45.5 (ATS: 6-4 – O/U: 3-7)


4. New Orleans Saints (8-2): Quarterback Taysom Hill played the entire game as the starter on Sunday and looked like an NFL starting quarterback. Hill completed 18 of 23 passes for 233 yards and rushed for 51 yards and two touchdowns in the Saints 24-9 victory over the Falcons. Next: -6 at Denver Broncos – Sun, Nov. 29 – O/U: 43.5 (ATS: 5-5 – O/U: 7-3)

5. Indianapolis Colts (7-3): Wide receiver Ty Hilton has 29 reception for 327 yards and no touchdowns through nine games this season. This will likely be his last season with the Colts, as rookie wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. has caught 14 passes for 223 yards and one touchdown in the past three games and is slowly becoming a favorite target of Philip Rivers. Next: -3.5 vs Tennessee Titans - Sun, Nov. 29 – O/U: 51 (ATS: 6-4 – O/U: 6-4)


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6. Green Bay Packers (7-3): The Packers suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Colts in overtime after a fumble by wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling set up the winning field goal. In a sign of the times, Valdes-Scantling received death threats on social media in the aftermath of Green Bay Packers' 34-31 overtime loss. Next: -8.5 vs Chicago Bears – Sun, Nov. 29 – O/U: 45 (ATS: 6-4 – O/U: 6-4)

7. Tennessee Titans (7-3): The Titans went into Baltimore and showed that their Playoff win over the Ravens in January was no fluke, defeating the Ravens 30-24 in overtime. The Titans have a huge challenge on the road this week. Next: +3.5 at Indianapolis Colts – Sun, Nov. 29 – O/U: 51 (ATS: 4-6 – O/U: 7-2-1)


8. Buffalo Bills (7-3): The Bills primary goal at this point of the season should be with locking down the AFC East Division title and assuring themselves of a home game in the first round of the Divisional Playoffs. The Bills have a one-game lead over the Dolphins and beat the Dolphins in Miami earlier this season. Next: -5.5 vs Los Angeles Chargers - Sun, Nov. 29 – O/U: 53.5 (ATS: 5-5 – O/U: 7-2-1)

9. Seattle Seahawks (7-3): The Seahawks held the Cardinals to 57 yards rushing, including only 15 yards from Kyler Murray, in defeating the Cardinals 28-21 at home. The win kept the Seahawks tied with the Rams for first place in the NFC West and moved them one game ahead of the Cardinals. Next: -5 at Philadelphia Eagles – Mon, Nov. 30 – O/U: 50 (ATS: 6-4 – O/U: 6-4)


10. Las Vegas Raiders (6-4): The Raiders lost a heartbreaker in Las Vegas to the Chiefs but proved that they can play with anybody. Now they need to take care of business on the road against the Falcons and Jets over the next two weeks. Next: -3 at Atlanta Falcons - Sun, Nov. 29 – O/U: 55.5 (ATS: 7-3 – O/U: 7-2-1)

11. Cleveland Browns (7-3): Defensive end Oliver Vernon earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his three-sack performance last weekend in the victory over the Eagles. The Browns have been riding their rushing attack and defense this season to a 7-3 record. Next: -6.5 at Jacksonville Jaguars - Sun, Nov. 29 – O/U: 49 (ATS: 4-6 – O/U: 5-5)


12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-4): Despite a roster full of talent, the Bucs have been on a roller-coaster ride this season, with up-and-down performances each week from quarterback Tom Brady. This week brings another challenging opponent for the aging quarterback. Next: +3.5 vs Kansas City Chiefs - Sun, Nov. 29 – O/U: 56 (ATS: 5-6 – O/U: 7-4)

13. Miami Dolphins (6-4): The Dolphins five-game winning streak ended in Denver with a loss to the Broncos, 20-13. Rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was sacked six times and benched after throwing for only 83 passing yards. In four starts, Tagovailoa is averaging 148 passing yards per game. Next: -7 at New York Jets - Sun, Nov. 29 – O/U: 44.5 (ATS: 7-3 – O/U: 4-6)


14. Arizona Cardinals (6-4): The Cardinals are giving up an average of 31.5 points per game over the past four games. They are 2-2 in the four games, which were all decided by seven points or less. Outscoring your opponents is one way to make the Playoffs, that becomes more difficult with the quality of the defenses in post-season. Next: -2.5 at New England Patriots - Sun, Nov. 29 – O/U: 49.5 (ATS: 5-5 – O/U: 3-7)

15. Baltimore Ravens (6-4): The Ravens game against the Steelers at Pittsburgh has been moved from Thursday night to Sunday afternoon, due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the Ravens organization. This gives the Ravens a few more days to prepare for the Steelers in a game that they need to win to stay in the playoff race. Next: +4 at Pittsburgh Steelers – Tue, Dec. 1 – O/U: 44.5 (ATS: 4-6 – O/U: 4-6)


16. Chicago Bears (5-5): The Bears still have a shot at making the playoffs, but they need to start winning games. The Bears leading rusher, David Montgomery, cleared the NFL's concussion protocol and is expected to play on Sunday. They will need him and more against their next Division rival. Next: +8.5 at Green Bay Packers – Sun, Nov. 29 – O/U: 45 (ATS: 5-5 – O/U: 3-7)

17. Minnesota Vikings (4-6): Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen caught eight passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns in the Vikings loss to the Cowboys. Thielen may also have caught COVID-19, as he tested positive for the virus on Monday. Next: -4 vs Carolina Panthers – Sun, Nov. 29 – O/U: 48.5 (ATS: 6-4 – O/U: 7-3)

18. New England Patriots (4-6): The Pats have an interesting upcoming schedule, with two games in five days scheduled for the new SoFi Stadium with the Chargers and the Rams. They play the Chargers on Sunday afternoon and then take on the Rams on Thursday Night. Next: +2.5 vs Arizona Cardinals – Sun, Nov. 29 – O/U: 49.5 (ATS: 4-6 – O/U: 4-6)


19. San Francisco 49ers (4-6): Rookie wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has caught fire the past three games for the 49ers, with 21 receptions for 281 yards and two touchdowns. Aiyuk, who played his college football at Arizona State, was a first-round selection of the 49ers in the 2020 NFL Draft. Next: +7 at Los Angeles Rams – Sun, Nov. 29 – O/U: 45.5 (ATS: 4-6 – O/U: 5-5)

20. New York Giants (3-7): The Giants are in a three-way tie for second place at 3-7, just a half a game behind the first place Eagles. This division could come down to the team with the best Division record and head-to-head matchups. The Giants are 3-2 in the NFC East and have swept the Washington Football Team. Next: -6 at Cincinnati Bengals - Sun, Nov. 29 – O/U: 43 (ATS: 7-3 – O/U: 3-7)

21. Carolina Panthers (4-7): The Panthers beat the Lions with backup quarterback P.J. Walker making his first career start. While Walker did throw two interceptions, he also completed 24 of 34 passes for 258 yards and one touchdown. Next: +4 at Minnesota Vikings – Sun, Nov. 29 – O/U 48.5 (ATS: 6-5 – O/U: 5-6)

22. Denver Broncos (4-6): The Broncos did what five other NFL teams could not do in defeating the Dolphins, ending the Dolphins five game winning streak. The Broncos gained 459 yards in total offense while holding the Dolphins to 223 yards in total offense, in a dominating seven-point victory. Next: +6 vs New Orleans Saints - Sun, Nov. 29 – O/U: 43.5 (ATS: 6-4 – O/U: 5-5)

23. Atlanta Falcons (3-7): The Falcons have a lot of questions to answer in the next six weeks. They need to decide on a permanent head coach. They need to decide if Matt Ryan can still be effective at quarterback. They need to decide if Todd Gurley is worth resigning. The city of Atlanta deserves better. Next: +3 vs Las Vegas Raiders – Sun, Nov. 29 – O/U: 55.5 (ATS: 4-6 – O/U: 5-5)

24. Los Angeles Chargers (3-7): Running back Joshua Kelly is leading the Chargers in rushing yards and that is not a good sign. Kelly has 311 yards rushing for the season. The Chargers are struggling to run the football again, just as they did last season. A healthy Austin Ekeler would help, as would better depth at running back and improved run blocking. The Chargers have not had a 100-yard rusher in a game this season. Next: +5.5 at Buffalo Bills - Sun, Nov. 29 – O/U: 53.5 (ATS: 5-5 – O/U: 7-3)

25. Houston Texans (3-7): Quarterback DeShaun Watson was selected the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in leading the Texans to a victory over the Patriots. Watson threw for 344 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 36 yards and one touchdown in the victory. Next: -3 at Detroit Lions – Thu, Nov. 26 – O/U: 51.5 (ATS: 3-7 – O/U: 5-5)

26. Detroit Lions (4-6): Getting shutout by the Carolina Panthers, 20-0, should seal the fate for Matt Patricia, who is 13-28-1 as the Lions head coach. General Manager Bob Quinn will probably be let go as well. They will not be missed by Lions fans. Next: +3 vs Houston Texans – Thu, Nov. 26 – O/U 51.5 (ATS: 4-6 – O/U: 6-4)

27. Dallas Cowboys (3-7): Quarterback Andy Dalton returned to action and led the Cowboys to an upset victory over the Vikings, 31-28. Dalton threw for three touchdown passes to end a four-game losing streak for the Cowboys. Next: -3 vs Washington Football Team - Thu, Nov. 26 – O/U 46 (ATS: 2-8 – O/U 5-5)

28. Philadelphia Eagles (3-6-1): Quarterback Carson Wentz has thrown for 14 touchdowns and has also thrown 14 interceptions, which along with a league-leading 40 sacks, is making it difficult for the Eagles to find a way to string some victories together and win the weak NFC East. Next: +5 vs Seattle Seahawks – Mon, Nov. 30 – O/U: 50 (ATS: 3-7 – O/U: 4-6)

29. Washington Football Team (3-7): Running back Antonio Gibson rushed for 94 yards and one touchdown in the Washington Football Team's 20-9 win over the Bengals. The victory was the first for quarterback Alex Smith since his return from his devastating leg injury. Next: +3 at Dallas Cowboys – Thu, Nov. 26 – O/U: 46 (ATS: 5-5 – O/U: 4-6)

30. Cincinnati Bengals (2-7-1): Quarterback Joe Burrow is done for the season after taking a nasty hit to his lower leg. Burrow had been sacked 32 times and was taking too many hits. It is being reported that the Bengals plan on starting former Rams quarterback Brandon Allen. Next: +6 vs New York Giants - Sun, Nov. 29 – O/U: 43 (ATS: 6-6 – O/U 5-4-1)

31. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-9): Quarterback Jake Luton threw four interceptions against the Steelers and he will be heading back to the bench. The Jags will start veteran Mike Glennon this week in an attempt to discover victory this week. Next: +6.5 vs Cleveland Browns - Sun, Nov. 29 – O/U: 49 (ATS: 4-6 – O/U: 5-5)

32. New York Jets (0-10): The Jets had been held to ten offensive touchdowns in nine games, before they met the Chargers. Against the struggling Chargers defense, they were able to score four offensive touchdowns in the game. It was not enough to overcome the Chargers prolific passing offense in the 34-28 loss, but it was a good sign for the Jets and an awful sign for the Chargers. Next: +7 vs Miami Dolphins - Sun, Nov. 29 – O/U: 44.5 (ATS: 3-7 – O/U: 5-5)

LA Chargers

Chargers receiving corps - 37 catches, 366 yards, three touchdowns vs. the Jets this past Sunday

 

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