49ers, Ravens and Cowboys want No. 1

The NFL regular season is a collection of small sample sizes in one big giant mixing bowl. Teams that seem unbeatable one minute can look pedestrian the next. Teams that look extremely flawed can have stretches of perfection. Teams that look often look to have luck on their side can be exposed as frauds. Until the playoffs come around, none of those impressions are permanent, but they are necessary to help guide fans and media through the 17-game schedule.

The Philadelphia Eagles were considered the best team in football through 12 weeks. In 99% of power rankings the 10-1 Eagles were ranked No. 1. Not here, though. The flaws they showed in victories over two other top teams, Kansas City and Buffalo, were enough to show the chinks in the armor and they were dropped from the top two spots here. Looks like those evals were correct as they’ve lost by a combined 43 points in the last eight days.

Meanwhile the Chiefs are enduring their own meltdown, in the standings and on the sideline after another late-game loss. How do the recent defeats impact their power rankings? Well when teams like the Dallas Cowboys. Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers continue stacking up wins, it puts the defending conference champions in turmoil. For now.

Here’s a look at the rankings going into Week 15.

Nov 19, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) sacks Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 1, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) and defensive end Dorance Armstrong (92) rush New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 12, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Dorance Armstrong (92) sacks New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (15) in the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 23, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (95) sacks Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler…