New Delhi, Nov. 27 -- As the NFL calendar turns toward December, the league's NFL standings tell one story, but the deeper dynamics shaping Week 13 point to a far more turbulent landscape. The Los Angeles Rams have taken sole ownership of the top tier, not only because their record demands it, but because their command of situational football, red-zone decision-making, and late-game discipline continues to distance them from every rival with mathematical clarity.

The Rams' surge comes at a moment when seemingly stable franchises like the New England Patriots have become the sport's greatest riddle. Their win-loss record projects playoff confidence, but the underlying data points, particularly the type revealed through advanced metrics, h...