Written by Matt Clapp at The Comeback
1. Carolina Panthers (11-0; Last Week- No. 2)
For the first time this season, we have a team other than the New England Patriots holding the top spot in our power rankings. And let’s be honest- the Carolina Panthers have absolutely deserved to be here themselves all season anyway.
Like the Patriots, the Panthers entered Week 12 with a 10-0 record. But unlike the Patriots, the Panthers exited Week 12 still having an undefeated season.
The Panthers went into Dallas and annihilated the Cowboys 33-14 on Thanksgiving. The main storyline coming out of the game was Tony Romo’s collarbone injury, but that also happened with the Panthers leading 30-6, after they picked Romo off three times (twice for touchdowns). Two of those interceptions — and one of the pick-sixes– were made by Luke Kuechly on consecutive Romo passes.
How good is Kuechly? The 24-year-old linebacker is currently earning the highest grade Pro Football Focus has ever given a linebacker. Like teammate Josh Norman, Kuechly has to be in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year.
2. New England Patriots (10-1; Last Week- No. 1)
The Patriots can look at least close to themselves on offense with the injuries they’ve had at the running back and wide receiver positions, but losing Rob Gronkowski may be another story.
The good news for New England is Gronk may only miss one-to-two weeks after it appeared he may have suffered a season-ending knee injury.
And even better news for the Pats is they get the clown show that is the Philadelphia Eagles at home in Week 13. So, New England shouldn’t even need Gronk this week to get back in the win column after their first loss of the season.
3. Denver Broncos (9-2; Last Week- No. 5)
A massive win for the Broncos, proving to doubters — and of more importance, to themselves — that they can beat the Patriots.
It’s clear Brock Osweiler gives them a better chance to win than the 2015 Peyton Manning we’ve seen does, and CJ Anderson is starting to look like the CJ Anderson you may have used a first-round fantasy football pick on this year (but after you probably dropped him).
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