The Houston Texans improved to 7-4 in the regular season after getting back to winning ways with a 34-10 win over the Dallas Cowboys on “Monday Night Football” at AT&T Stadium.
The Texans' win is a sign that a strong ground game could go a long way. Thanks to a three-touchdown night from Joe Mixon, the Texans returned to the top of the charts. The former Pro Bowler averaged 5.5 yards per carry and reached over 100 yards for the fourth time in five games.
Houston may be three games over .500, but does it feel like one of the better AFC squads? Maybe right now. Well, they would at least be in the same race with franchises like the Los Angeles Chargers, Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens.
Meanwhile, Kansas City will no longer remain undefeated after Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills sent a token of appreciation to the 1972 Miami Dolphins on Sunday night. Just because the Chiefs suffered a loss doesn't mean they are the best squad in the league. A team like Baltimore or Detroit finds ways to win before the schedule tightens down the stretch.
The 2024 season is quickly splitting between the contenders, the “maybes,” “maybes not,” and the “contenders,” which begin in November. Here's a look at the Week 12 Power Rankings.
32 Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9) Last week: No. 29
Oct 20, 2024; London, United Kingdom; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (4) celebrates with offensive tackle Anton Harrison (77) after scoring a 1-yard touchdown run against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium . Mandatory attribution: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
31. Las Vegas Raiders (2-8): 32 last week
Oct 20, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams cornerback Cobie Durant (14) knocks the ball out of the hands of Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew (15) in the second quarter at SoFi Stadium. The ball was recovered by Los Angeles Rams safety Kamren Curl (3) and a running back for a touchdown. Mandatory attribution: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images
30. New York Giants (2-8): Last week: No. 31
Oct. 28, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) warms up before playing against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
29. Tennessee Titans (2-8) | Last week: No. 29
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (43) throws to Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) during the second half at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, Sunday, November 17, 2024 Pressure.
29. Dallas Cowboys (3-7) | Last week: No. 27
November 18, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (10) warms up before the game against the Houston Texans at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
27. Cleveland Browns (2-8) | Last week: No. 28
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) celebrates his touchdown with quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at Huntington Bank Field, Sunday, October 27, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio.
26. New England Patriots (3-8)| Last week: No. 23
Oct 20, 2024; London, United Kingdom; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) in the first half during an NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Peter van den Berg-Imagn Images
25. New York Jets (3-8) | Last week: No. 26
Oct. 14, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) runs with the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
24. Carolina Panthers (3-7) | Last week: No. 25
Oct. 27, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) at the line of scrimmage in the first half against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory attribution: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
23. Chicago Beats (4-6) | Last week: No. 24
September 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) jogs off the field after a third quarter play against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
21. New Orleans Saints (4-7) | Last week: No. 22
September 15, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) runs against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
20. Indianapolis Colts (5-6) | Last week: No. 21
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) gets into the end zone with 46 seconds left in the game to give his team a 28-27 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday, November 17, 2024, in East Rutherford .
19. Miami Dolphins (4-6) | Last week: 20
September 12, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane (28) runs with the football against Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford (47) in the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
19. San Francisco 49ers (5-5) | Last week: No. 13
November 17, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (94) is congratulated by defensive end Leonard Floyd (56) after sacking Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (not pictured) in the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
18.Cincinnati Bengals (4-7) | Last week: No. 15
November 7, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) celebrates with running back Chase Brown (30) and tight end Mike Gesicki (88) after his touchdown catch in the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images
17. Los Angeles Rams (5-5) | Last week: No. 18
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws a pass against the Detroit Lions during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6) | Last week: No. 17
Oct. 21, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws the ball against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
15. Atlanta Falcons (6-5) | Last week: No. 14
Oct 20, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) runs the ball against the Seattle Seahawks in the third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
14. Seattle Seahawks (5-5) | Last week: No. 19
November 17, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) scores a rushing touchdown past San Francisco 49ers cornerback Isaac Yiadom (22) to win the game in the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory attribution: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
13. Denver Broncos (6-5) | Last week: No. 17
November 17, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin (16) celebrates his touchdown with quarterback Bo Nix (10) during the second half against the Atlanta Falcons at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory attribution: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
12. Arizona Cardinals (6-4) | Last week: No. 11
Oct. 27, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) drops back to pass against the Miami Dolphins in the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
11. Washington Commanders (7-4) | Last week #8
November 14, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) throws a pass in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory attribution: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
10. Houston Texans (7-4) | Last week: No. 14
November 18, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (28) celebrates with Houston Texans center Juice Scruggs (70) and Houston Texans guard Shaq Mason (69) after scoring a touchdown in the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
9. Los Angeles Chargers (7-3) | Last week: No. 10
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) lines up during the second quarter of the Week 11 NFL game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on Sunday, November 17, 2024, under the middle. At halftime, the Chargers led 24-6.
8. Baltimore Ravens (7-4) | Last week: No. 5
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry runs through Cincinnati Bengals safety Geno Stone.
7. Green Bay Packers (7-3) | Last week #7
Oct 20, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) reacts after being sacked by Houston Texans defensive end Danielle Hunter (55) at Lambeau Fieldd. Mandatory Source: Tork Mason/Green Bay Press-Gazette via USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin-Imagn Images
6. Minnesota Vikings (8-2) | Last week: No. 9
September 22, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) against the Houston Texans in the first quarter at US Bank Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-2) | Last week: No. 6
November 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) tries to avoid Baltimore Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens (21) during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
4. Philadelphia Eagles (8-2) | Last week: No. 4
November 14, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown (11) reacts after his first down catch against the Washington Commanders in the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory attribution: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
3. Kansas City Chiefs (9-1) | Last week: #2
September 5, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) returns to the sideline after a game against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
2. Buffalo Bills (9-2) | Last week: No. 3
Bills James Cook throws the ball into the stands after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Orchard Park on Nov. 17, 2024. Behind him his teammate O'Cyrus Torrence celebrates.
1. Detroit Lions (9-1) | Last week: #1
November 10, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Detroit Lions placekicker Jake Bates (39) celebrates with his teammates after kicking a field goal as time expired to give the Lions a victory over the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
