An eventful Week 12 on and off the field featured one continuous COVID-19 postponement — and three new first-place teams — to cause a few notable alterations to The Post’s weekly NFL Power Rankings.
The Giants have advanced to just outside the Top 20 with three straight wins, their highest position of the season, while Tom Brady and the skidding Tampa Bay Buccaneers have fallen out of the coveted first 10 slots.
1. Kansas City Chiefs, 10-1 (Last week: 1)
Sunday’s explosive showing for Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill might not be the Chiefs’ lone appearance in Tampa this season if they keep rolling and make it back to the Super Bowl LV. Next: Sunday night vs. Denver
2. Pittsburgh Steelers, 10-0 (2)
The Steelers are hoping to finally put their perfect record on the line in a rare Wednesday game after their AFC North showdown with Baltimore was postponed a third time since Thanksgiving due to the Ravens’ COVID-19 outbreak. Next: Wednesday vs. Baltimore
3. New Orleans Saints, 9-2 (3)
Taysom Hill threw for only 78 yards Sunday, but he ran for two scores for a second consecutive start in place of Drew Brees. The underrated Saints defense held COVID-ravaged Denver and fifth-string quarterback (elevated practice-squad receiver) Kendall Hinton to 112 total yards. Next: Sunday at Atlanta
4. Buffalo Bills, 8-3 (4)
The AFC East leaders committed turnovers on three consecutive possessions in the fourth quarter Sunday, but they still held off Justin Herbert and the Chargers to maintain their one-game lead over the Dolphins in their quest for their first division title since 1995. Next: Monday at San Francisco
5. Green Bay Packers, 8-3 (6)
Aaron Rodgers turns 37 on Wednesday, but the 16-year veteran tossed scoring passes to four receivers Sunday, giving him 33 TDs for the season against four interceptions. He now is 20-5 in 25 career starts against NFC North rival Chicago. Next: Sunday vs. Philadelphia
6. Seattle Seahawks, 8-3 (7)
Russell Wilson and the Seahawks took care of Philadelphia for the first-place Giants and the rest of the NFC East on Monday night. They also have moved back into sole possession of the top spot in the West with their second straight impressive win after dropping three of their previous four. Next: Sunday vs. Giants
7. Tennessee Titans, 8-3 (8)
NFL rushing leader Derrick Henry and the Titans shredded the previously second-ranked defense of the Colts for 45 points and 449 total yards in seizing that first-place showdown Sunday in the AFC South. Next: Sunday vs. Cleveland
8. Cleveland Browns, 8-3 (12)
The Browns already have clinched their first non-losing season since they went 10-6 in 2007, even if all but one of their eight wins have come against teams presently with losing records. Next: Sunday at Tennessee
9. Indianapolis Colts, 7-4 (5)
The Colts were missing three defensive starters in getting crushed by the Titans, including Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (COVID-19). But the 35 points they coughed up in the first half represented more than they’d allowed in any full game over their 7-3 start. Next: Sunday at Houston
10. Los Angeles Rams, 7-4 (9)
The Rams’ defense led them back from a 17-3 third-quarter deficit against the Niners with a key pick of Nick Mullens and a fumble recovery for a touchdown, only to lose on a last-second Robbie Gould field goal to fall out of a first-place tie in the NFC West. Next: Sunday at Arizona
11. Miami Dolphins, 7-4 (13)
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 7-5 (10)
13. Baltimore Ravens, 6-4 (14)
14. Arizona Cardinals, 6-5 (11)
15. Las Vegas Raiders, 6-5 (15)
16. Minnesota Vikings, 5-6 (17)
17. New England Patriots, 5-6 (18)
18. San Francisco 49ers, 5-6 (19)
19. Chicago Bears, 5-6 (16)
20. Atlanta Falcons, 4-7 (24)
21. Giants, 4-7 (25)
The first-place Giants have relied more on their running game and an improved defense to win three straight games following a 1-7 start, and they’ll need both to be even better with Colt McCoy likely standing in for Daniel Jones for at least one game. Next: Sunday at Seattle
22. Houston Texans, 4-7 (26)
23. Denver Broncos, 4-7 (20)
24. Detroit Lions, 4-7 (21)
25. Washington Football Team, 4-7 (29)
26. Carolina Panthers, 4-8 (22)
27. Philadelphia Eagles, 3-7-1 (23)
28. Dallas Cowboys, 3-8 (27)
29. Los Angeles Chargers, 3-8 (28)
30. Cincinnati Bengals, 2-8-1 (30)
31. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1-10 (31)
32. Jets, 0-11 (32)
Sam Darnold didn’t do anything to quell the calls for Adam Gase’s dismissal or for Trevor Lawrence’s arrival in his first start since Nov. 1 for the winless Jets, with nearly as many interceptions (two) as points (three) against the Dolphins. Next: Sunday vs. Las Vegas
