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Week 12 power rankings

Brady

1. New England Patriots (No. 2; 9-2): Gronk like cheese.

2. Green Bay Packers (No. 3; 8-3): Lambeau Field will never host a Super Bowl, but this weekend it could be hosting a Super Bowl preview.

3. Arizona Cardinals (last week No. 1; 9-2): There’s a little space on the bandwagon. It won’t last long.

4. Dallas Cowboys (No. 4; 8-3): If Jerry Jones gets the bigger piece of the wishbone, we know what he’ll be asking for.

5. Philadelphia Eagles (No. 5; 8-3): With Cowboys, Seahawks, Cowboys on the immediate horizon, we’ll know plenty about this team soon.

6. Denver Broncos (No. 6; 8-3): The scoreboard operator was almost the least of the team’s concerns on Sunday.

7. Cincinnati Bengals (No. 11; 7-3-1): But for that tie against Carolina, the Bengals would be caught in a four-way tie atop the AFC North.

8. Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 9; 7-4): Tied for second sounds a lot better than tied for last.

9. Indianapolis Colts (No. 10; 7-4): Luck vs. Griffin I finally arrives, with a lot less sizzle than expected in 2012.

10. Seattle Seahawks (No. 13; 7-4): Like the last time the Seahawks met the 49ers, this one could be an elimination game.

11. Baltimore Ravens (No. 12; 7-4): Justin Forsett keeps piling up yards -- and votes for comeback player of the year.

12. Detroit Lions (No. 7; 7-4): Four days before eating turkey, Dominic Raiola acted like a turd.

13. Kansas City Chiefs (No. 8; 7-4): A franchise that has fought through plenty of adversity in recent years has another challenge in Eric Berry’s illness.

14. San Francisco 49ers (No. 14; 7-4): If Colin Kaepernick is great with a capital “G”, he really did get screwed with a capital “S” on his latest contract.

15. Cleveland Browns (No. 18; 7-4): If Johnny Manziel ever throws a touchdown pass, it would be wise for his teammates to not ask for a hug.

16. Miami Dolphins (No. 15; 6-5): If Joe Philbin keeps losing games he could have won, he’ll be losing a job he could’ve kept.

17. San Diego Chargers (No. 16; 7-4): The win over the Rams felt -- and looked -- like a loss.

18. Buffalo Bills (No. 19; 6-5): If the Lions don’t make it to the playoff’s maybe Detroit’s other team will.

19. Houston Texans (No. 17; 5-6): “Ryan Fitzpatrick can save our season,” said no one ever.

20. Chicago Bears (No. 21; 5-6): Barely beating bad teams isn’t the way to convince anyone the Bears aren’t bad news.

21. New Orleans Saints (No. 20; 4-7): Rob Ryan won’t be back, and it has nothing to do with someone finally deciding to make him a head coach.

22. Minnesota Vikings (No. 22; 4-7): If they lost to the Packers by only three without Adrian Peterson, how would the Vikings have performed with him?

23. St. Louis Rams (No. 23; 4-7): They’d be a playoff team if they only played playoff teams.

24. Atlanta Falcons (No. 24; 4-7): Mike Smith should try to call a time out just before his postseason meeting with the owner.

25. New York Giants (No. 25; 3-8): “We’re still the best team in New York!”

26. Carolina Panthers (No. 26; 3-7-1): “Can we get more bye weeks?”

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 27; 2-9): “We’re still only two games out of first place!”

28. New York Jets (No. 28; 2-9): Maybe they should have tried to be a zillion ways plus one better.

29. Tennessee Titans (No. 29; 2-9): Forget the Titans. Wait, everyone already has.

30. Washington (No. 30; 3-8): Jay Gruden has “every intent” to get into broadcasting.

31. Oakland Raiders (No. 32; 1-10): Sio Moore apparently thinks the Raiders were relegated to the CFL.

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (No. 31; 1-10): As they prepare to welcome Tom Coughlin back to Jacksonville, some fans may be wondering whether it makes sense to lure him back for a longer visit.