NFL Power Rankings Week 13: Updated 2016 Regular-Season Standings

As we wrap up the month of November, the NFL playoff picture is starting to take shape in both conferences. 

In the AFC, the New England Patriots and Oakland Raiders each won this week, hanging on to the top two seeds in the playoff picture at 9-2 overall. Only the Kansas City Chiefs, at 8-3, appear to be a serious threat to potentially steal one of those spots atop the conference. 

In the NFC, the Dallas Cowboys’ win on Thanksgiving pushed them closer to clinching the top seed in the conference. But the No. 2 spot remains up for grabs among a large group of contenders. In fact, the NFC has two teams over .500 that are on the outside looking in at the playoff picture. 

Based on all of this week’s action, here’s a look at the latest power rankings heading into Week 13, followed by a breakdown of a few notable teams.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

After a 1-3 start to the season, it looked like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were headed toward another year of rebuilding. But after three straight victories, including wins over the Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks, the Bucs are very much alive in the NFC playoff race. 

The most shocking development in recent weeks has been the Buccaneers’ improved performance on defense. The same team that already allowed two 40-point outbursts and allowed 37 points to the inept Los Angeles Rams offense managed to hold the Chiefs and Seahawks to a combined 22 points over the last two weeks. 

On Sunday, Tampa Bay’s defense held Seattle to just 245 yards of total …

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