Same old Bengals? Hardly. While Cincinnati drops in this week's Power Rankings after a tough loss at Arizona, the fight that Andy Dalton and the rest of the Bengals put up in that failed comeback was impressive. Don't expect this team to wilt in the first round of the playoffs like in years past.
Also, the Patriots continue to roll, despite losing so many key contributors on offense. As long as Tom Brady is healthy, they're fine. The Panthers are also 10-0 and it's no fluke. With Cam Newton and that swarming defense, they're scary. They face another big test this week on the road against a desperate Cowboys team that's been revitalized by Tony Romo's return.
Here are my Power Rankings entering Week 12:
| RANK | TEAM |
 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Patriots: It looks like Tom Brady and anyone healthy enough to play is a formula for success. The Bills worked hard to eliminate Rob Gronkowski, but as usual, other receivers came through. Last Week: 1 |
| 2 |  |
Panthers: Cam Newton gets the headlines, and he should. He's playing great. But this defense is the untold story. The Panthers had five sacks and forced five turnovers that led to 27 points against the Redskins. They're not just winning now. They're dominating. Last Week: 2 |
| 3 |  |
Cardinals: Carson Palmer added to his MVP resume last week and the Cardinals are beginning to put a stranglehold on the No. 2 seed in the NFC. Last Week: 3 |
| 4 |  |
Broncos: Brock Osweiler stepped up to help the Broncos win one on the road. But he's going to have to show me more than one win to unseat Peyton Manning, which people are already talking about. The best thing he did was not turn over the ball. That's all you need with this defense. Last Week: 7 |
| 5 |  |
Bengals: Before Bengals fans jump off the cliff, your team went on the road, against one of the best teams in the NFL, took a lead, lost it, came back and nearly won the game. They're fine. Last Week: 4 |
| 6 |  |
Packers: The Packers ran the ball reasonably well, which helped Aaron Rodgers, but the defense stood tall -- six sacks and a turnover, and held Adrian Peterson to 45 rushing yards. Still, this has to be the new norm. The remaining schedule is not easy. Last Week: 8 |
| 7 |  |
Seahawks: They rolled up 250 rushing yards without Marshawn Lynch last week. Wins against the Steelers and Vikings the next two weeks will be important for making a playoff run. The Seahawks are 21-4 in November and December since 2012. Last Week: 5 |
| 8 |  |
Vikings: Teddy Bridgewater showed incredible toughness in the loss to Green Bay, but the offensive line has to be a concern in the run and pass game at this point. Did the Packers expose what has been a dominant defense? Last Week: 6 |
| 9 |  |
Steelers: A healthy Ben Roethlisberger coming off the bye has the Steelers in position for a run. Last Week: 9 |
| 10 |  |
Giants: Eli Manning and the offense have carried the load. The defense must make stops if the Giants are going to hang on in the suddenly very tight NFC East. Last Week: 10 |
| 11 |  |
Colts: I've asked before, and I'll ask it again. Is this team better with Matt Hasselbeck? Right now, the Colts might be. Last Week: 15 |
| 12 |  |
Chiefs: What a great job by the Chiefs pulling out of that hole they were in. Four straight wins, and a 4-2 conference record has this team back in the hunt, and a win this week against the Bills will help their playoff push. Last Week: 18 |
| 13 |  |
Bills: The Bills are a very competitive team and will be in the playoff picture to the end as a wild-card candidate. Last Week: 11 |
| 14 |  |
Falcons: I expected more from the Falcons coming out of their bye week. Matt Ryan is playing uncharacteristically bad, and it's hard to lose to Blaine Gabbert and Matt Hasselbeck and be a playoff team. Last Week: 12 |
| 15 |  |
Buccaneers: Jameis Winston is maturing as a QB and has cut down on the turnovers. That's helped this defense, and put the Bucs in the playoff picture. Last Week: 23 |
| 16 |  |
Texans: The defense has led this team to a tie at the top of the AFC South. Over the last three weeks, the Texans have logged 14 sacks and are holding opponents to less than 10 points per game. Last Week: 25 |
| 17 |  |
Raiders: Over the last two weeks, the Raiders are averaging just 67 rush yards per game, and Latavius Murray is getting just 12 carries a game. Amari Cooper may be hitting a rookie wall. Last Week: 13 |
| 18 |  |
Bears: This team lined up without Matt Forte and Alshon Jeffery and had a chance to take the Broncos to overtime. That's not a moral victory, but it's way ahead of where we thought they'd be at this point. Last Week: 14 |
| 19 |  |
Lions: Two straight wins. It must be the new president … not! It's too little, too late for the 2015 Lions. Last Week: 24 |
| 20 |  |
Jets: If the Jets are going to win, Ryan Fitzpatrick can't turn the ball over. The defense played well in Houston, but there are holes there as well. Last Week: 17 |
| 21 |  |
Cowboys: Tony Romo makes everyone around him better, but is there time for him to get this team back in the playoff hunt? Last Week: 27 |
| 22 |  |
Eagles: Do you think the Eagles will be in the QB business this offseason? To be fair, there isn't any facet of the Eagles team that seems in sync. Last Week: 19 |
| 23 |  |
Ravens: Hard to remember the last time a team has been hit with this kind of string of injuries. The Ravens keep competing, but they are now without their starting QB, starting RB, their three top WRs, a starting TE, and their best pass rusher, among others. Last Week: 30 |
| 24 |  |
Rams: It's hard to win games, and it's going to be hard to stay in the NFC playoff race with Case Keenum at QB. Last Week: 16 |
| 25 |  |
Jaguars: Tony Gonzalez told me he thinks the Jaguars are the playoff dark horse in the AFC. I don't know if I'm ready to go there, but this is a team with an emerging QB, a bunch of offensive weapons, and an improving defense. Last Week: 28 |
| 26 |  |
Redskins: I don't know what to make of this team other than they just haven't figured out how to take their show on the road and win. Last Week: 20 |
| 27 |  |
Dolphins: The Dolphins have lost three of the last four. Does anyone remember when I said more than a month ago that it's easy to create a spark, but hard to maintain it? Last Week: 21 |
| 28 |  |
Titans: They have a QB, they have a good defense. They need to fix the offensive line and add some more offensive weapons and they'll begin to turn the corner. Last Week: 29 |
| 29 |  |
Chargers: The Chargers have lost six in a row, but this is the first time they weren't competitive, getting blown out at home by a division opponent. Trying to fight through all those injuries wears you down, even if you're Philip Rivers. Last Week: 22 |
| 30 |  |
49ers: Blaine Gabbert is not the answer, but Carlos Hyde hasn't played in over a month, either, and the running game is being manned by three street free agents. Give Jim Tomsula credit for getting his team up to compete week in and week out, but there's a lot of roster work to be done here. Last Week: 26 |
| 31 |  |
Saints: Can Dennis Allen get this defense to play at least complimentary football with an offense that can still score points? Last Week: 31 |
| 32 |  |
Browns: More off-the-field nonsense from Johnny Manziel during the bye. He just doesn't get it, and it's time for the Browns to move on. Last Week: 32 |
