Seahawks could claim top spot in ESPN’s Power Rankings during bye

Nov 17, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks tight end Zach Miller (86) dives for extra yards while being tackled by Minnesota Vikings strong safety Jamarca Sanford (33) during the first half at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

The Seahawks were ranked No. 2 in ESPN’s NFL Power Rankings for Week 12, moving up a spot from No. 3 last week.

ESPN.com had this to say about the Seahawks’ ranking:

"Seattle has looked scary for a few weeks, but even scarier was the potential impact Percy Harvin flashed on his 58-yard kickoff return. The hip looked pretty healthy there."

The only team that is ranked higher than Seattle this week are the Denver Broncos (9-1), who took down the previously undefeated Kansas City Chiefs (9-1) on Sunday Night Football.

The Seahawks haven’t been ranked as the top team in the league by ESPN  since Week 4 when they were 3-0.

However, that could very easily change without the Seahawks even playing a game this weekend.

The Broncos have a tough Week 12 matchup against the New England Patriots (7-3) in Foxborough, Mass., on Sunday Night Football. The Patriots haven’t lost a game at home this season and Peyton Manning holds a career 4-9 record, including 1-2 in the postseason, when playing against Tom Brady’s Patriots.

Denver is widely believed to be one of the best teams in the AFC, and while beating the Chiefs at home was notable, beating the Patriots on the road would be even more impressive.

If the Broncos lose, they would be 9-2 on the year. A win would make them 10-1. The Chiefs, meanwhile, will be at home against the San Diego Chargers (4-6) and would move to 10-1 with a win.

Regardless of any games this weekend, the Seahawks will still have at least a share of the best record in the NFL –and the best record in the NFC — when they come back from the bye week to host the New Orleans Saints (8-2).

Seattle has still been plagued by critics this season but they have consistently proved that they are true contenders in the NFC.

A win against the Saints would truly hush skeptics and would all but guarantee that Seattle finish the season as the best team in the NFC.

For now, the Seahawks can take a week off, a break they earned and deserve. And, if the Broncos lose, they could be the No. 1 team in the league — without doing anything.

Correction: A previous version of this article said the Chiefs would be 10-2 with a win over the Chargers. Instead, they would be 10-1. The writer regrets the error.