NFL power rankings: Chiefs climb out of last-place rankings

A terrible season for the Kansas City Chiefs got worse in the last week as tragedy struck the team in the form of a murder/suicide by linebacker Jovan Belcher. Still far removed from the hunt for the playoffs, but rather in the hunt for the first pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Chiefs earned an impressive victory against the Panthers in Week 13.

The win was enough to move the Chiefs out of the last-place spot in Joel Thorman's power rankings for SB Nation:

31. Kansas City Chiefs (LW: 32, 2-10): The Chiefs nearly played a perfect game -- no turnovers and just one penalty, a delay of game late in the fourth quarter -- on a somber day.

ESPN also gave the Chiefs a similar one spot boost out of the No. 32 ranking. ESPN's AFC West blogger, Ashley Fox, also had some kind words for the reeling team:

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Under impossible circumstances, the Chiefs got a signature win. Good for them. (Fox)

While most gave the Chiefs just a one spot boost out of last, Pete Prisco of CBS Sports thought the win proved that the team is better than both the Jaguars and Raiders:

30. Kansas City Chiefs: You have to be impressed with what they did against the Carolina Panthers after the tragedy of last Saturday.

In Week 14, the Chiefs will try to string together a pair of wins when the team travels to face the Cleveland Browns. The Browns earned a second consecutive victory on Sunday by holding off a Raiders rally to win 20-17.