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NFL Teams That Are Rising and Falling Heading Into Week 13

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Who's Rising and Who's Falling in Week 13?

Who's Rising and Who's Falling in Week 13? Getty Images

Another wild week of NFL action is in the books, and what a mess Week 12 was. We had a couple of upsets, an undefeated falling from the ranks, and enough referee mistakes to make Roger Goodell blush. We're now only five weeks away from the postseason, which means it's time for contenders to put up or shut up.

I've highlighted six teams that I believe are rising or falling heading into Week 13. Hope your favorite team isn't one of the three that's falling -- unless you're a Green Bay Packers fan.

Another wild week of NFL action is in the books, and what a mess Week 12 was. We had a couple of upsets, an undefeated falling from the ranks, and enough referee mistakes to make Roger Goodell blush. We're now only five weeks away from the postseason, which means it's time for contenders to put up or shut up.

I've highlighted six teams that I believe are rising or falling heading into Week 13. Hope your favorite team isn't one of the three that's falling -- unless you're a Green Bay Packers fan.

Rising: Denver Broncos

Rising: Denver Broncos Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
The Broncos got off to a great start this season, and then slowly watched it all start to deteriorate right along with Peyton Manning’s arm. Now, Brock Osweiler is under center and things are getting back on track for Denver. The defense is making plays as usual, and Osweiler is stepping up when it matters. It’s not always pretty with the Broncos, but they knocked off the Patriots in Week 12 and appear to be on the rise with a young, exciting quarterback at the helm.

The Broncos got off to a great start this season, and then slowly watched it all start to deteriorate right along with Peyton Manning’s arm. Now, Brock Osweiler is under center and things are getting back on track for Denver. The defense is making plays as usual, and Osweiler is stepping up when it matters. It’s not always pretty with the Broncos, but they knocked off the Patriots in Week 12 and appear to be on the rise with a young, exciting quarterback at the helm.

Falling: Green Bay Packers

Falling: Green Bay Packers Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Apart from their win over the Vikings in Week 11, the Packers have been a mess over the last month or so. They’ve lost four of their last five, and can’t seem to get it together on either side of the ball. Despite a decent outing from Eddie Lacy on Thanksgiving, the Green Bay offense only managed 13 points against a subpar Chicago Bears defense. It helps that the Vikings are limited offensively and have a tough final stretch of the season, but the Packers should seriously be worried about ceding the NFC North crown.

Apart from their win over the Vikings in Week 11, the Packers have been a mess over the last month or so. They’ve lost four of their last five, and can’t seem to get it together on either side of the ball. Despite a decent outing from Eddie Lacy on Thanksgiving, the Green Bay offense only managed 13 points against a subpar Chicago Bears defense. It helps that the Vikings are limited offensively and have a tough final stretch of the season, but the Packers should seriously be worried about ceding the NFC North crown.

Rising: Kansas City Chiefs

Rising: Kansas City Chiefs Getty Images
Somehow, the Chiefs are currently on a five-game winning streak and have a flimsy grip on the No. 5 seed in the AFC. Although the offense has suddenly proven it can make plays without Jamaal Charles, the Chiefs’ defense has been the bright spot. They’ve given up only 61 points over the last five games, and are creating turnovers at an alarming clip. A smart coach will figure out that covering Jeremy Maclin is a great way to slow Kansas City down, but until that happens, Andy Reid and Co. will enjoy their ascension.

Somehow, the Chiefs are currently on a five-game winning streak and have a flimsy grip on the No. 5 seed in the AFC. Although the offense has suddenly proven it can make plays without Jamaal Charles, the Chiefs’ defense has been the bright spot. They’ve given up only 61 points over the last five games, and are creating turnovers at an alarming clip. A smart coach will figure out that covering Jeremy Maclin is a great way to slow Kansas City down, but until that happens, Andy Reid and Co. will enjoy their ascension.

Falling: New England Patriots

Falling: New England Patriots Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
I know I’m going to get some hate for this, but it’s true – the Patriots are falling right now. While their Week 12 loss certainly plays a small part in this, it’s actually the amount of injuries that have piled up that have New England reeling. The patchwork offensive line is struggling to protect Tom Brady, who has almost no one to throw to. Meanwhile, the defense is missing two of its best players. Brady will work some magic and the Patriots should still earn a first-round bye, but it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

I know I’m going to get some hate for this, but it’s true – the Patriots are falling right now. While their Week 12 loss certainly plays a small part in this, it’s actually the amount of injuries that have piled up that have New England reeling. The patchwork offensive line is struggling to protect Tom Brady, who has almost no one to throw to. Meanwhile, the defense is missing two of its best players. Brady will work some magic and the Patriots should still earn a first-round bye, but it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

Rising: Detroit Lions

Rising: Detroit Lions Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
I knew there was something wrong with the picture when the Lions got off to an 0-3 start. This Detroit team is better than their early record indicated, and with a little restructuring, they’ve brought out the best in their star players. Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson are playing like an unstoppable tandem again, and the defense is doing enough to avoid shootouts. While I don’t think the Lions have any hope of making the playoffs, they could certainly play spoiler as we head down the final stretch.

I knew there was something wrong with the picture when the Lions got off to an 0-3 start. This Detroit team is better than their early record indicated, and with a little restructuring, they’ve brought out the best in their star players. Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson are playing like an unstoppable tandem again, and the defense is doing enough to avoid shootouts. While I don’t think the Lions have any hope of making the playoffs, they could certainly play spoiler as we head down the final stretch.

Falling: New York Giants

Falling: New York Giants Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
A couple of weeks ago, the Giants looked like the shoe-in to win the NFC East. They had compiled a few hard-earned Ws and Odell Beckham Jr. was doing his thing. The defense was a mess, but the offense had enough firepower to make up for it. Now I’m starting to realize that the defense may be too damaged. After dropping three of their last four, the Giants are in panic mode with even more tough teams on the horizon. If the G-Men continue down this road, they’ll be looking for a new head coach come 2016.

A couple of weeks ago, the Giants looked like the shoe-in to win the NFC East. They had compiled a few hard-earned Ws and Odell Beckham Jr. was doing his thing. The defense was a mess, but the offense had enough firepower to make up for it. Now I’m starting to realize that the defense may be too damaged. After dropping three of their last four, the Giants are in panic mode with even more tough teams on the horizon. If the G-Men continue down this road, they’ll be looking for a new head coach come 2016.

Gil Alcaraz IV is a writer for RantSports. Like him on Facebook.
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