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Andy Reid’s 2013 entrance boosted the Kansas City Chiefs, but his departure did not devastate the Philadelphia Eagles.
Nearly a decade later, Super Bowl LVII might be a “Reid Bowl” for the NFL. Two of the three teams with two or fewer losses, the Chiefs and Eagles presently possess the No. 1 postseason seed in their respective conferences.
Reid amassed 140 victories (regular season plus playoffs) with the Eagles (1999-2012) and already has 120 victories with the Chiefs (2013-present). He earned his only championship in 2019 with the Chiefs, two years after the Eagles won their inaugural title.
Nick Sirianni is the third head coach for the Eagles after Andy Reid’s departure. Chip Kelly has been to the playoffs once, Doug Pederson has won a championship, and now Sirianni is in charge of a squad that has recently signed experienced players Linval Joseph and Ndamukong Suh in preparation for a playoff push.
Andy Reid AP
Who are the other candidates for the Super Bowl outside the top two? Here are The Post’s Week 12 power rankings:
Kansas City Chiefs are 8-2 (1)
Patrick Mahomes has no question who he’s throwing to in the red zone in Year 1 after selling Tyreek Hill, and Travis Kelce cannot be stopped. In a 30-27 victory over the Chargers, Kelce caught three touchdown passes, including the game-winning score with 31 seconds remaining, and established a record for tight ends with 34 career 100-yard receiving games.
2. Philadelphia Eagles 9-1 (2)
After scoring just three points during the first three quarters, the Eagles scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns, including Jalen Hurts’ late 8-yard touchdown run, to defeat the Colts 17-16 and avenge their lone loss of the season. Sirianni was formerly the offensive coordinator for the Colts under the recently departed Frank Reich, a choice he kept quiet about.
Nick Sirianni AP
3. Buffalo Bills 7-3 (4)
Six feet of snow forced the Bills-Browns game to be played in Detroit, where approximately 56,000 tickets were sold in 48 hours. Locals assisted the Bills in clearing the roads to the airport and were subsequently treated to a 31-23 triumph in which their team scored on all five second-half possessions. Tyler Bass made six of six field goals.
The Miami Dolphins win by a score of 7-3. (6)
The Dolphins are second in passing yards (293.8 per game), third in total yards (391.5), and sixth in points scored when Tua Tagovailoa has completed the game (25.2 per game). Former 49ers teammates Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson, reunited with head coach Mike McDaniel, have injected toughness to the speed-based attack.
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Dallas Cowboys are 7-3 (8)
Put this victory on the short list of the most convincing of the NFL season. A 40-3 thrashing of the Vikings, who had won their previous seven games in a row. Tony Pollard rushed for a career-high 189 yards and scored two touchdowns, while Brett Maher kicked four field goals (including one from 60 yards) as the Cowboys earned their greatest victory margin since 2011.
6. Minnesota Vikings 8-2 (3)
After an eye-opening victory over the Bills, what the heck happened? The defense enabled the Cowboys to score on their opening seven drives. The offense was subject to seven sacks. Prior to this season, the Vikings were masters of comebacks and winning close games, but now they have been outscored, 231-229. Kirk Cousins completed only 12 of 23 passes for 105 yards and lost a turnover.
7. Baltimore Ravens 7-3 (7)
The most effective treatment for sleepwalking is creating turnovers, which the Ravens have done in 12 consecutive games. After three quarters of a scoreless tie, the Ravens forced three turnovers in the last 8:14 of their 13-3 victory over the Panthers, and Lamar Jackson finally reached the end zone. John Harbaugh’s record increased to 12-3 after a bye week.
8. Tennessee Titans 7-3 (9)
Even with the Packers in free decline, victories at Lambeau Field — especially on a Thursday night — are still significant for any visiting team. In a 27-17 win, Ryan Tannehill passed for 333 yards and two touchdowns. Derrick Henry ran for a touchdown (his fifth consecutive season with at least 10 rushing touchdowns) and amazingly threw for a second.
Derrick Henry AP
New York Giants win 7-3 (5)
Everything that might have gone wrong did. The Giants were due for a dud after an exceptional first half of the season. Saquon Barkley was restrained (15 carries for 22 yards). Daniel Jones threw two interceptions after 153 consecutive passes without an interception. In addition, Adoree’ Jackson and Wan’Dale Robinson (season ended) sustained significant injuries.
10. San Francisco 49ers 6-4 (10)
Jimmy Garoppolo increased his free-agent value (Jets?) by completing a season-high four touchdown passes, two to George Kittle and two to Brandon Aiyuk, in a 38-10 blowout of the Cardinals and third consecutive victory. Even without Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel, it is frightening to consider the 49ers’ explosiveness.
Seattle Seahawks are 6-4 (11)
12. Cincinnati Bengals 6-4 (12)
New England Patriots are 6-4. (17)
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers are tied at 5-5. (15)
Washington Commanders triumph 6-5 (16)
16. Los Angeles Chargers 5-5 (14)
New York Jets are 6-4 (13)
Add another inexplicable defeat to the Jets’ legacy. In a 10-3 defeat to the Patriots, the Jets failed to punt out of bounds to help set up overtime. As a result, the Patriots scored a touchdown on an 84-yard return to break the tie. A victory would have secured the top spot in the AFC East based on tiebreakers. The defeat, the fourteenth consecutive in the rivalry, relegated the Jets to last position.
18 Indianapolis Colts (18)
19. Atlanta Falcons 5-6 (22)
20. Arizona Cardinals 4-7 (19)
21. Detroit Lions 4-6 (23)
4-7 for 22 Green Bay Packers (20)
4-7 for the 23rd-ranked New Orleans Saints (30)
24. Los Angeles Rams 3-7 (21)
25. Jacksonville Jaguars 3-7 (26)
26. Las Vegas Raiders 3-7 (31)
3-8 for 27 Chicago Bears (27)
3-8 for 28 Carolina Panthers (24)
29. Pittsburgh Steelers 3-7 (25)
3-7 for the 30th Cleveland Browns (28)
31. Denver Broncos 3-7 (29)
Houston Texans are 1-8-1 (32)