This ranking is a list based on how I view these teams for the rest of the season, it is not based on record. Additionally, Week 13 TNF will be considered.
32. Carolina Panthers (1-10)
31. Arizona Cardinals (2-10)
30. New York Giants (4-8)
29. New England Patriots (2-9)
28. Washington Commanders (4-8)
27. Chicago Bears (4-8)
26. Tennessee Titans (4-7)
25. New York Jets (4-7)
24. Las Vegas Raiders (5-6)
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7)
22. Cincinnati Bengals (5-6)
21. Green Bay Packers (5-6)
20. Atlanta Falcons (5-6)
19. Indianapolis Colts (6-5)
18. Los Angeles Rams (5-6)
17. Los Angeles Chargers (4-7)
16. New Orleans Saints (5-6)
15. Minnesota Vikings (6-6)
14. Seattle Seahawks (6-6)
13. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4)
12. Cleveland Browns (7-4)
11. Houston Texans (6-5)
10. Buffalo Bills (6-6)
The Bills are a complicated team this season. They come in top 5 in points per game, yards per game, yards per play, third down conversion percentage, and RedZone scoring. So certainly their offense isn't the problem. Then how bad is the defense then? Well its ranked 6th in opposing scoring at an amazing 18.9 points per game allowed. Well then what is happening to the Buffalo Bills? They haven't had more than 6 losses since 2018! What is causing this? Did Josh Allen "fall off"? He leads the NFL in total TDs, he is top 5 in passing yardage and he is not taking sacks. Their downfall has been the fact that they are are 2-6 in one score games this season. They just have not been able to win the close ones.
9. Denver Broncos (6-5)
I'm sure all of you are shocked that I have Denver in my top 10. But it really is an honest ranking. This team has won 5 consecutive games, 4 of which came against current playoff teams. That is not a fluke. Turnaround from our defense after the 31-21 loss to the New York Jets has been historic. They are second in the NFL in ppg allowed in the last 5 games and they are first in takeaways by a wide margin. On October 28th, after 7 weeks of the season, the Denver Broncos were 23rd in the NFL in takeaways per game. Now they are first. First place. They have forced 15 turnovers in the last 4 games. Additionally the offense is doing its job. They are running the ball effectively and Russell Wilson is winning games in the 4th quarter. He is top 5 in the NFL in passing TDs, passer rating, TD/INT ratio, completion percentage, TD%, and he leads the NFL in 4th quarter/Overtime game winning drives. He's back.
8. Detroit Lions (8-3)
This is the beginning of a new tier. The teams from here up are true super bowl contenders. The Lions look to be in position to win the NFC North for the first time. That's right, not since a certain time, the Lions have never won the NFC North. This year however, they have a scary squad. This football team plays hard and runs the ball even harder. They are top 5 in both rushing yards and rushing TDs. They boast almost inarguably the best backfield tandem in the league in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Overall, they are just a very complete team. They run well, they throw well and they play good defense.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-3)
The Jags losses this year have come to the Chiefs, 49ers and Texans. And they split their series with Houston. This Jacksonville team does everything they are supposed to. They have an wide assortment of weapons on offense that create massive problems for defenses. Christian Kirk is a nightmare from the slot. Evan Engram can do some serious damage down the seam while Calvin Ridley torches his man on the outside. Not to mention Travis Etienne has been a scoring machine. Then on the defensive side of the ball the Jacksonville front seven has been dominant. Lloyd and Oluokun have 195 total tackles in 20 combined games and Josh Allen has 12 sacks.
6. Miami Dolphins (8-3)
The Miami Dolphins have statistically the top offense in the NFL. This could in part be due to the "Shellacking of South Beach" (ahem 70-20). Regardless Tua is having a good season and Tyreek is probably the most dominant offensive player in the league. There is one narrative that the fins still have to escape and that is that they cannot beat teams above .500. I believe they can, those are just difficult games to win in the National Football League. They will be fine.
5. Dallas Cowboys (9-3)
"America's Team", as they are known, have also been battling the same narrative that they Dolphins are. Until last night. The Broncos are considered the hottest team in the league right now, but if that's the case, then the Boyz are not far behind. Dak and Ceedee have been on another planet recently and because of that Dallas has won their last 4 by an average margin of 24 points!! Teams do not control their schedule. All they can do is play the team in front of them, and the Cowboys are doing what they are supposed to and much more.
4. Kansas City Chiefs (8-3)
The defending Super Bowl Champions are currently 8-3 and underperforming their expectations. Patrick Mahomes still looks as incredible as ever, but his numbers aren't as gaudy as they usually are. This can pretty much be chalked up to lack of weapons. Teams have started forcing the Chiefs Wide receivers to beat them. Defenses have started blanketing Kelce and leaving the other pass catchers in 1 on 1 coverage, or in a zone without safety help over the top. But all things considered. They have a top 5 defense so far this season and are still coached by Andy Reid. The Chiefs are fine.
3. Baltimore Ravens (9-3)
The Ravens are perhaps the most balanced team in the NFL. Lamar has been doing exactly what is being asked of him. They might have found a stud in RB Keaton Mitchell and they definitely found a scheme fit in rookie WR Zay Flowers. Everyone knew about the Ravens defense last year, the only issue the team had was how one dimensional it was on offense. Because of this they brought in offensive coordinator Todd Monken. Monken has done precisely what that Ravens front office was asking for. Now the Ravens are a dominant force on both sides of the ball and they always decide the pace of play.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (10-1)
It may seem preposterous to not have Philly at one considering they are the only team to have fewer than three losses, and they only have 1. Additionally, there only loss was a trap game, meaning you can basically throw it out the window. The Eagles have passes every test that has come there way. They have a dominant offense and an elite defense. Jalen Hurts just keeps finding ways to win. Also, they have the most unstoppable play in NFL history. The Brotherly Shove. With a success rate over 95% and 5 tds being scored on it already, it is statistically the most valuable play in the NFL. However, they face their hardest test yet this Sunday when they play the...
1. San Francisco 49ers (8-3)
This team is a true powerhouse. It is as close to a superteam as we have seen in the NFL. Their offense is littered with All-pros and their Mr. Irrelevant QB leads the NFL in multiple major statistical categories. Brock Purdy is a good NFL quarterback and he is surrounded by greats on that offense. Then there is the defense that has Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, Javon Hargrave and Chase Young on the defensive front to go along with Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw playing middle linebacker. There is no front 7 in the league that is even close to as feared as that one. The only weakness this team showed was in a 3 game losing streak in which their secondary was getting beat somewhat consistently. But after their bye they have won three straight against Jacksonville, Tampa Bay and Seattle. And none of them were close.
Leave a comment down below saying what you would change, I would love to hear it.
Comments