2022 NFL Power Rankings: Bengals start to heat up, Chiefs knocked down a peg
By Randy Gurzi
The Kansas City Chiefs lost the No. 1 spot in our 2022 NFL Power Rankings and the Cincinnati Bengals started to climb as they’re gaining momentum
Unfortunate injuries and the defeat of one of the top teams led the headlines on Sunday as we approach Week 14 of the season.
Jimmy Garoppolo and Lamar Jackson each suffered injuries although Jackson escaped anything serious. Garoppolo wasn’t as lucky as he was lost for the season with a broken foot.
As for our 2022 NFL Power Rankings, those were altered as the No. 1 team, the Kansas City Chiefs, was knocked off by the Cincinnati Bengals. With all that being said, let’s dive in and see how the teams stack up.
2022 NFL Power Rankings Week 14
. . Previous: 32nd. Houston Texans. 32. team. 10
32. Houston Texans
It’s hard to watch the Houston Texans play and not wonder how the NFL hasn’t opened an investigation into them for tanking. This team isn’t trying to win. That was clear when they hired Lovie Smith as head coach after he orchestrated one of the worst defenses in franchise history as the defensive coordinator. It’s even more obvious when you see the complete lack of talent on the roster.
They played the Browns on Sunday as Deshaun Watson made his Cleveland debut. He looked nothing like the Watson we remember from Houston — rust from a 700-day absence will do that — but this one was still never close. They were awful on offense and special teams. Even their defense was bad as they gave up 174 yards on the ground.
Simply put, this team is not good.
Denver Broncos. 31. team. 45. . . Previous: 31st
31. Denver Broncos
Every time it feels as though the Denver Broncos couldn’t look worse, they go and surprise us. In Week 13, they were in Baltimore taking on the Ravens and Lamar Jackson was injured during the game. Without Jackson, Baltimore was able to manage just 10 points, with the lone touchdown coming from Tyler Huntley.
The backup quarterback ran it in with 28 seconds left as he gave Baltimore the win, 10-9. So week after week, the Broncos’ defense gives it their all, and this time they surrendered just 10 points. And that was too much for this offense to handle.
Russell Wilson has been a major problem and it doesn’t seem to be getting better. What’s worse is they have two games left against the Chiefs in their final five. Those could get ugly.