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Top 10 Super Bowl Contenders: Week 13 Edition

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By @GregSulik

Top 10 Super Bowl Contenders: Week 13 Edition

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We’re through 12 weeks of the NFL season, with bye weeks completed and every team having played 11 games. The playoff picture is taking shape, and there are a few elite teams who are starting to separate themselves from the pack. There is still a lot to be sorted out over the final five weeks, but these are the top 10 Super Bowl contenders after Week 12.

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10. Cincinnati Bengals

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10. Cincinnati Bengals

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The Bengals only barely edged the Lions and Chargers for this spot, but they have notched two straight road wins to restore themselves to the AFC North lead. Cincy needs to pick up a third consecutive away victory next week at the Bucs before a brutal final four games. The Bengals have a potent rushing attack and have gotten better play from Andy Dalton the last couple weeks, but that won’t matter if they can’t fix their 24th ranked defense soon.

9. San Francisco 49ers

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9. San Francisco 49ers

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The 49ers have rediscovered their identity during their three game win streak by playing dominant defense and running the ball. However, they only rank 22nd in the NFL in scoring offense, leading to concerns about whether or not they can up with elite offenses. With two games left against the Seahawks and one against the Cardinals, the Niners have a chance to make some noise. However, they could just as easily end up out of the playoff picture.

8. Philadelphia Eagles

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8. Philadelphia Eagles

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The Eagles have remained effective offensively since Mark Sanchez took over, but they rank 26th in total defense and 21st in scoring defense. Even worse, they lead the NFL in turnovers. The Eagles have only played four games against playoff contenders, going 1-3 in those contests. Two games against the Cowboys in the next three weeks will tell us a lot about this team, but it's hard to consider them legit contenders until they win some big games.

7. Indianapolis Colts

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7. Indianapolis Colts

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The Colts’ No. 1 ranked offense is Super Bowl ready, but the concerns here lie with their middling defense. In order to reach the Super Bowl, the Colts would have to beat at least one of the Patriots and Broncos on the road, and probably both. They've already lost to both top AFC teams, casting some serious doubt on their chances. The Colts will run away with their division, but something needs to change for them to really challenge for a title.

6. Seattle Seahawks

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6. Seattle Seahawks

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The defending champs have won four of their last five to get back on track, but there are major concerns about their ability to win on the road. They will be tested with road games against the Cardinals, 49ers, and Eagles down the stretch, and the Seahawks could still easily miss the playoffs. As dominant as they can be at home, Seattle needs to win on the road before they can be considered serious contenders to defend their title.

5. Dallas Cowboys

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5. Dallas Cowboys

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The Cowboys have rebounded from a two game losing streak by winning two in a row, and they look like the best team in the NFC East. Two games against the Eagles in the next three weeks will prove whether that's true or not. That being said, the Cowboys have the best offensive line in the NFL and a 5-0 record on the road, so if their defense gets the job done then this team is a serious threat in the NFC.

4. Arizona Cardinals

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4. Arizona Cardinals

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Fears about a Drew Stanton led offense were realized when the Cardinals put up just 3 points in a road loss to Seattle this week, and this team could be headed for a slide. At 9-2, the Cardinals still control their own destiny for a bye, and they don’t have the hardest schedule in the world. The Cards rank 2nd in the NFL in scoring defense, and they will need to keep that up in order to give their offense a chance to win games in the playoffs.

3. Denver Broncos

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3. Denver Broncos

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The Broncos have been very shaky the last four weeks, and road games against the Chiefs and Chargers will go a long way towards determining the winner of the AFC West. The Broncos are still an elite offense who can run away from teams, but they need better play from their defense. When they're on, this is one of the few elite teams in the NFL, but more consistency is needed to return to the Super Bowl.

2. Green Bay Packers

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2. Green Bay Packers

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The Packers finally looked mortal this week, but it didn't stop them from winning their third straight game and their seventh of their last eight. Aaron Rodgers is on fire, the defense is playing better, and the Packers have a pretty straightforward path to a bye. This week’s home game against the Pats could be a Super Bowl preview, but win or lose the Packers still look like the favorites in the NFC.

1. New England Patriots

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1. New England Patriots

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Make it seven in a row for the Patriots, and the only time they've scored less than 30 or won by single digits during the streak was against the Jets in Week 7. The Pats have beaten four division leaders during this run, and they face another when they travel to Green Bay this week. Tom Brady is playing at the top of his game, and the run game and defense are working well. Right now, this is the best team in the NFL and the Super Bowl favorite.

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