Ravens tighten grip at top
1. Ravens 10-2 (last week: 1): With four weeks remaining in the regular season, there is no doubt the Ravens are the top team in the league after beating the 49ers. 2. Seahawks 10-2 (4): A run defense that has struggled at times played really well against the Vikings, and the Seahawks ran for 219 yards Monday in a 37-30 win.
3. 49ers 10-2 (2): The 49ers are enduring through a grueling stretch after Sunday’s narrow loss in Baltimore. Next up — a trip to New Orleans on Sunday.
4. Saints 10-2 (5): After beating the Falcons on Thanksgiving, the Saints have some extra time to prepare for their showdown with the 49ers on Sunday.
5. Texans 8-4 (8): The Texans surged ahead in the AFC South after beating the Patriots on Sunday night. QB Deshaun Watson threw for 234 yards and three TDs. 6. Patriots 10-2 (3): Is there reason for concern in New England after the offense struggled in a 28-22 loss to the Texans? Tom Brady looked out of rhythm.
7. Packers 9-3 (6): The Packers rebounded by blowing open a game with the Giants in the fourth quarter. Davante Adams got going again, catching two TDs. 8. Vikings 8-4 (7): The Vikings looked to be in good position Monday in Seattle when they took a 17-10 lead into the third quarter. That’s when everything disintegrated.
9. Chiefs 8-4 (9): The Chiefs may be back in the swing of things as they have won two games in a row without the best play from Patrick Mahomes.
10. Bills 9-3 (12): The Bills did well enough in their Thanksgiving showcase to have their Week 15 game with the Steelers flexed into the NBC prime-time spot.
11. Titans 7-5 (15): The Titans improved to 5-1 with Ryan Tannehill at QB and remained in the hunt in the playoff race with a victory over the Colts.
12. Rams 7-5 (13): We found out how to get Jared Goff right. Have him face the Cardinals defense. He completed 32 of 43 passes for 424 yards and two touchdowns. 13. Steelers 7-5 (14): They continue to find ways to pull out close games, winning for the sixth time in the last seven games — a 20-13 win over the Browns on Sunday.
14. Cowboys 6-6 (11): A loss to the Bills on Thanksgiving kept the Cowboys winless against teams with a winning record.
We’re nearing desperation time in Dallas. 15. Bears 6-6 (19): The Bears completed the easiest quarter of their schedule by winning three games, beating the Lions twice and Giants, to get back to .500.
16. Colts 6-6 (10): The Colts have hit a major rut after losing for the fourth time in the last five games with a 31-17 setback to the Titans on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium. 17. Raiders 6-6 (17): The Raiders learned they’re not ready to challenge in the AFC West. That was the result of Sunday’s 40-9 thumping by the Chiefs.