Week 13 AP NFL Power Rankings: Raiders drop; Alex Smith has Washington rising

We’ve been expecting that sooner or later, COVID would disrupt a week of football in a big way — and it’s finally happened. From postponing a game — not once, not twice but three times — to making a team play without a recognised quarterback, the effect of the novel coronavirus on the NFL was clear to see. We hope that this will be the worst it gets — but right now, that feels like wishful thinking,

This week’s voters were Matt Stagner, Pete Sweeney, Ron Kopp and myself.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (1st)

What’s left that hasn’t already been said about this team? No midseason slump this time for Andy Reid’s team.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers (2nd)

We’re working on the presumption that they beat the Ravens’ reserves.

3. New Orleans Saints (3rd)

They probably felt a bit sorry for the Broncos after a little while – but not enough to let up on the scoreboard though. I like it.

4. Green Bay Packers (5th)

The group celebration from the Packers’ defense was one the best executed I’ve seen.

5. Tennessee Titans (7th)

They’re going from strength to strength. Their season is beginning to look a lot like last year.

6. Seattle Seahawks (4th)

D.K. Metcalf overtook both Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce in receiving yards last night. Why did he have to ruin our fun?

7. Buffalo Bills (6th)

Recently, they’re been quietly going about their business — which makes them dangerous.

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8th)

Yes, they came back in the second half — but the first half was as bad a performance as we’ve seen from any of the Chiefs’ opponents this year.

9. Baltimore Ravens (11th)

It’s bad for them (and us) that they have to play this game, but they really only have themselves to blame.

10. Los Angeles Rams (9th)

Want the world to take you seriously? Then don’t lose to a divisional rival that is plagued with injuries.

11. Arizona Cardinals (10th)

The Kyler Hype Train peaked against Buffalo. They’ll be looking over their shoulders from here on out.

12. Indianapolis Colts (12th)

Does Philip Rivers actually make this team better?

13. Miami Dolphins (14th)

They beat the Jets. Go them!

14. Cleveland Browns (15th)

How did Baker miss a guy who was That. Wide. Open?

15. San Francisco 49ers (16th)

Outside of the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl, they are the best-coached team in the league.

16. Las Vegas Raiders (13th)

Muhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

17. New England Patriots (18th)

Terrific win for the Patriots. Not many would have fancied them.

18. Minnesota Vikings (21st)

Justin Jefferson is a stud.

19. Carolina Panthers (17th)

Their season would be looking a lot better if Joey Slye could kick straight.

20. Houston Texans (24th)

Deshaun Watson continues to look great. Watson plus good coaching is a scary proposition.

21. Atlanta Falcons (23rd)

On behalf of Chiefs Kingdom, I would like to say thank you.

22. Los Angeles Chargers (19th)

All the gear, no idea.

23. Washington Football Team (28th) | This week’s high riser

Alex Smith had 149 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception, yet his team scored 41 points. I don’t know how he does it.

24. Chicago Bears (20th) | This week’s big faller

In six weeks’ time, Ryan Pace, Matt Nagy, Nick Foles and Mitch Trubisky could quite conceivably be out of their jobs.

25. Denver Broncos (22nd)

Vic Fangio blamed his quarterbacks for the position his team faced — and rightly so.

26. New York Giants (25th)

All the fun was in the first five minutes of their game against the Bengals. After that, it was pretty pedestrian.

27. Detroit Lions (26th)

They finally fired Matt Patricia.

28. Philadelphia Eagles (27th)

Jalen Hurts time?

29. Dallas Cowboys (29th)

Isn’t the NFL world so much better when the Cowboys are being quiet?

30. Cincinnati Bengals (30th)

They’ve shown enough to prove that they can be good one day. Now they’re just waiting for free agency and the draft.

31. Jacksonville Jaguars (31st)

They fired Dave Caldwell — but not Doug Marrone. Have the recent frisky performances shown the Jaguars’ hierarchy enough to keep Marrone around?

32. New York Jets (32nd)

Adam Gase still has a job.