Just when it looked like the AFC's seven playoff teams would be decided by Thanksgiving, here comes the Dolphins.
Just when it looked like the defending NFC champions were starting to pick up after a slow start, the 49ers left.
Two teams with many similarities due to overlapping coaching staffs are headed in completely different directions.
The Dolphins have won three straight to move within 1 1/2 games of a playoff spot and are optimistic about making the playoffs as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa returns from a concussion. The 49ers have lost their second straight game, falling to last place in the crowded NFC West, and there are questions about when quarterback Brock Purdy will make his next appearance.
So where do these two teams and 30 others fit in the Post's Week 13 power rankings?
1. Lions 10-1 (1)
The NFL's best running back tandem rushed for three touchdowns (two by Jahmil Gibbs and one by David Montgomery) in a 24-6 win over the Colts. The Lions have won nine straight games mainly on offensive fireworks, but they haven't allowed a touchdown in 10 straight quarters and haven't allowed a second-half touchdown in three straight games.
2. Proposal No. 9-2(2)
Josh Allen has watched AFC rivals Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson each win multiple MVP awards, but now it might be his turn. Allen entered the post-bye week with 18 passing touchdowns (with just five interceptions) and five rushing touchdowns. The Bills are on a six-game winning streak and lead the NFL's largest division.
3. Chiefs 10-1 (3)
Kicker Spencer Schrader, picked from the Jets' practice squad, kicked a 31-yard walk-off field goal to avoid the NFL's biggest upset of the year and secure a 30-27 victory over the Panthers. Patrick Mahomes completed three touchdown passes and set up the game-winning kick with a 33-yard scramble. The Chiefs improved to 8-0 in one-score games despite blowing a 14-point lead.
4. Eagles 9-2(6)
Saquon Barkley had one of the best offensive nights in NFL history, rushing for 302 yards from scrimmage (255 on the ground) and two touchdowns in a 37-20 win over the Rams. He became the first player in NFL history to have two touchdown runs of 70 yards or more in the second half of a game. They had the NFL's top overall defense with five sacks.
5. Packers 8-3 (5)
Josh Jacobs not only becomes the first rusher to eclipse 100 yards against a 49ers defense in the past 55 regular season games. He also scored three touchdowns in a 38-10 rout. Jordan Love passed for two touchdowns. Midway through the second quarter, the Packers led 17-0 and played only six defensive snaps against injured replacement quarterback Brandon Allen.
6. Vikings 9-2(7)
Sam Darnold overcame a foot injury to throw for 90 of 330 yards in overtime, and John Parker Romo hit the game-winning 29-yard field goal to beat the Bears 30-27. Jordan Addison and TJ Hockenson both topped 100 yards receiving on a quiet day for Justin Jefferson. The Vikings recovered an onside kick and turned the game around.
7. Steelers 8-3(4)
Playing in heavy snow, the Steelers only made two field goals in the third quarter, but took the lead in the fourth with two touchdowns just 102 seconds apart. But the defense couldn't make the final stop, and the Browns pulled off a 24-19 upset. Russell Wilson was sacked three times by Myles Garrett, who sent a message to fellow pass rusher TJ Watt.
8. Ravens 8-4(8)
The Ravens went 3-for-3 on fourth down and turned those conversions into 14 points. This was exactly the winning point in a 30-23 victory over the Chargers. Derrick Henry bulldozed for 140 yards, Lamar Jackson threw two touchdown passes, and the offense averaged 7.1 yards per play early in the fourth quarter, but played conservatively after that. Cole became the mainstream.
9. Charger 7-4 (11)
Head coach Jim Harbaugh once again lost to his brother John, who is the head coach of the Ravens. It was the same result as Super Bowl 47, in February 2013, when John's Ravens defeated Jim's 49ers. Justin Herbert and Gus Edwards tried for touchdowns, but the Chargers certainly missed when running back J.K. Dobbins left with an injury.
10. Broncos 7-5 (13)
The Broncos' 29-19 win was their first win over the rival Raiders on the road since 2015. Bo Nix threw for 273 yards and two touchdowns, leading a second-half comeback and helping him win the surprise Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Courtland Sutton has had five straight games with at least 70 receiving yards, the franchise's longest streak since 2014.
11. Texans 7-5(9)
12. Commanders 7-5 (10)
13. Seahawks 6-5 (14)
14. Cardinals 6-5 (12)
15. Falcons 6-5 (18)
16. Buccaneers 5-6 (16)
17. Dolphins 5-6 (21)
18. 49ers 5-6 (15)
19. Rams 5-6 (17)
20. Bengals 4-7 (20)
21. Colts 5-7 (19)
22. Saints 4-7 (22)
23. Cowboys 4-7 (24)
24. Bears 4-7 (23)
25. Browns 3-8 (29)
26. Titans 3-8 (30)
27. Jets 3-8 (26)
A quiet bye-bye week for the Jets? No way. Lame-duck general manager Joe Douglas joins former head coach Robert Saleh in unemployment, and reports have surfaced that quarterback Aaron Rodgers and vocal owner Woody Johnson will mutually explore parting ways after the season. How long will it be before Tyrod Taylor plays the strings in place of the battered Rodgers?
28. Panthers 3-8 (27)
29. Patriots 3-9 (25)
30. Raiders 2-9 (28)
31. Giants 2-9 (31)
The Giants benched (and cut) Daniel Jones, bypassed backup Drew Lock and started third-stringer Tommy DeVito, who had four sacks in a 30-7 loss to the Buccaneers. After the game, the stars described the team's own performance as “soft”, questioned the play calling, and criticized the lack of effort. He has thrown 10 consecutive games without a defensive interception, tying the modern NFL record.
