It was a very impactful Week of NFL Football. Teams losing their leads in the playoff race. Some keeping their hopes alive. Others having theirs take a hit. The last three weeks will be one for the history books. Let’s see where everyone ranks this week.
Only Three Weeks Left…
32. New York Jets
Another week another loss. With the teams performance throughout the season where they either can’t close games out or are just out of it from the get-go, how confident can you be that Trevor Lawrence is going to change anything? Not to knock his game, that is just how unconfident I am in the Jets ability to build a team.
31. Cincinnati Bengals
They were out-played and out-coached by a Mike McCarthy-led team. That’s does not bode well for a coach whom I already have little faith in. Much like Trevor Lawrence with more than likely the Jets, I have very little faith in this team and its front office to build a competent team around Joe Burrow. But hey there’s also hope that this is the year they start hitting on some of these draft and free agent choices…right?
Slightly Above Terrible
30. Jacksonville Jaguars
The team has finally gone back to Gardner Minshew after testing the waters with Jake Luton and Mike Glennon. They have certainly played close to a lot of good teams this season, so even at 1-12, I wouldn’t count this team out to play spoiler. Although unlikely. The Jags fall in the same category as the Jets and Bengals where I don’t have faith that they can successfully build around the quarterback they will more than likely take in the first round.
29. Philadelphia Eagles
Huge upset over the Saints. Now the waters have officially became muddy again in regards to picking Carson Wentz or the other guy. I assume these last three weeks will go along way in that decision being made this off-season. With all that being said they are 1.5 games back with matchups against the Cowboys and the Football Team, so while it is a longshot their playoff hopes are still alive at 4-8-1.
28. Dallas Cowboys
Probably the most complete game of the season for the Cowboys. It was against a Burrow-less Bengals team so it’s hardly an accomplishment. Cowboys are pretty much done as they are 2 games back behind a team they got swept by this year. And if you’re a fan it’s hard to hold out hope as the team will be coached by McCarthy next year and will have almost no cap if they do end up giving Dak a new contract.
27. Los Angeles Chargers
They finally had a close game go their way! However, it was against the Falcons and they nearly blew it as Herbert had his patented crucial late-game mistake that was immediately matched by the veteran Matt Ryan. The Chargers are in the same vein as the Jaguars where they are in most games, but can’t seem to pull many of them out. With three divisional games to end the season, the Chargers can really muddy up the playoff picture. Although they probably won’t.
Bad But Competitive
26. Detroit Lions
Life has been found amongst both players and fans. Winning against the Bears and hanging in with the Packers. There is a lot of work to be done this off-season, but firing Patricia and Quinn was the first step and they have already done that. Next, do you want to remain competitive or hit the reset button?
25. Denver Broncos
Drew Lock has definitely had a disappointing considering how well he played at the end of last year. However, he has shown some flashes in recent weeks. So, do you give him one more year to see if he has what it takes to lead this franchise or do you try to go in a different direction this off-season?
24. Carolina Panthers
As I mentioned last week, this season hasn’t gone as well as I am sure Panther fans had hoped with the win-loss record. But there is a lot to look forward to. Their defense has shown a lot of promise and the have some decent weapons on offense. The main thing they need to evaluate is the QB position. Is Bridgewater just a…bridge QB?
23. Atlanta Falcons
Different head coach, same results. Another game chocked away. After Quinn was fired it seemed silly that the Falcons would consider moving on from Matt Ryan and Julio Jones, but seeing how they have played in recent weeks, it seems the issues with closing out games stems farther than just poor coaching. Or that the poor coaching is deeply rooted in these veteran players.
22. Houston Texans
The Texans have Deshaun Watson. That is literally it. He might be the main selling point to potential coaches and general managers, but everything else in the organization is just a disaster. Even with Watson, this is not a desirable destination for coaches and general managers. Not enough money, picks, or talent to build a competitive team in the near future.
On The Bubble
21. Chicago Bears
Hanging on their post-season hopes by a thread. Mitchell Trubisky actually played a quarterback that you would consider taking in the first round. Albeit this does seem like a one-off thing and we can get back to our regularly scheduled programming of awfulness on that side of the ball.
20. New York Giants
Speaking of regressing back to the mean, our turnover king is back! Yet another abysmal offensive performance. This team is hanging tough though. But with their next two opponents being the Browns and Ravens, they will have an uphill battle in trying to win the NFC East.
19. San Francisco 49ers
Another team that is hanging tough. Although after their loss to the Football Team this weekend, their shot at the playoffs is very bleak at this point. With that being said, much credit goes to Shanahan and Saleh for not making any excuses. They were arguably the most effected from injuries in a year where injuries were spiking and players were also out due to COVID-19/COVID-19 exposure and they were in it until the final three games of the season.
18. New England Patriots
Still mathematically in it, but it seems like New England’s 11 consecutive seasons of making the playoffs is over. Belichick definitely deserves some credit as he is somehow 6-7 with a QB who has some major limitations in the passing game. As well as having some major holes to fill on the defensive end after they were poached by several teams this past off-season and having several key starters opt out.
17. Washington Football Team
This team seems like they will go as far as this young defense will take them. Winners of four straight, they are quickly becoming a team you don’t want to play. Just know teams with a losing record are 2-0 all-time in Wild Card games…
16. Minnesota Vikings
The Viking kickers have done it again! Dan Bailey might have single handedly eliminate the Vikings from the playoffs. Which is a shame because from starting 1-5 to being the 7th seed in the NFC was definitely a nice comeback. While it isn’t over yet, this kind of loss can definitely take the wind out of a teams sails.
15. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders have always given me that pretenders vibe. While they certainly have the Chief win to hang their hat on they have also had some really ugly losses and a near upset to the Jets. They would need to win out and have a lot of help.
Playoff Contenders
14. Arizona Cardinals
A solid win against the Giants who were riding a four game winning streak. They have been in a funk and this might be the game to really get them out of it. Right now they are the seventh seed, but will games still against the 49ers and Rams they will certainly have to earn their right to be in the playoffs.
13. Tampa Bay Bucs
The Bucs might have won, but it seemed like Dan Bailey had more reason for that, rather than the Bucs actual performance. With two games against the Falcons and one against the Lions the Bucs seem safe to make the playoffs, but how should we have any real confidence in them to go far?
12. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks let Russ cook this week! The question is are they going to let him continue to cook or go back to what they have been doing for the last few weeks. The reason why I have them ranked much lower than a lot of people is because if they won’t let Russ cook–especially in the playoffs–then they really don’t stand a chance with how bad their defense is.
11. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are sitting pretty right now, but they have games against the Texans and Steelers. Two games where they could lose and then they drop back. Their defense made some splash plays, but can they continue that to off-set what has been some poor player over the last five weeks?
10. Cleveland Browns
The Browns offense is fine. The defense on the other hand is very concerning. Even at the fifth seed they really don’t have much room for error as they would lose the tiebreaker against teams like the Ravens and Raiders if they finished with the same record.
9. Miami Dolphins
Miami had a real shot to win that games. If it weren’t for some uncharacteristic errors on special teams they would have won. While the schedule doesn’t get easy per se, that was their toughest test left. But with teams like the Patriots and Raiders trying to keep their slim playoff hopes alive the Dolphins will have to match those teams desperation. Which shouldn’t be hard because they are hanging on to the seventh seed by a thread.
8. Tennessee Titans
Really if you aren’t the Steelers and Chiefs you don’t have much room for error. Even as the fourth seed they still have to worry about missing the playoffs entirely. Their final two games are against the Packers and Texans. No time to get complacent.
7. Baltimore Ravens
Huge win for the Ravens on Monday night. Of all the teams in the AFC fighting for their playoff lives they probably have the easiest remaining schedule. With that being said, if they look past any of them or don’t show them the respect that you need to give an NFL team, they could slip and be out of the playoffs.
6. Buffalo Bills
I will finally admit it. The Bills are an ok team. Still overrated in my opinion because they play to the level of their competition, but I figured I should start rewarding them for winning games. This might the 103rd time I have said this, but they are also not safe from missing the playoffs. Their final games are the Broncos, Patriots, and Dolphins. None of those will come easy.
5. Los Angeles Rams
A win or tie against the Jets and the Rams will make the post-season. Probably the most balanced team McVay has had in his time as the teams head coach and in my opinion gives him his best chance at winning the Super Bowl.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
11-2 is nice, but they seem like they don’t have the firepower to go all the way. If they continue on this path I would probably bet on whoever they play in the Wild Card. Their defense is still pretty good.
Super Bowl Contenders
3. New Orleans Saints
Yes, they did lose to the Eagles. But considering Taysom Hill is the quarterback you really can’t fault the Saints that much. The fact that they are 3-1 with Hill as a starter is a testament to how well-rounded this team is. When Brees is the starter again they might be the team to the beat in the NFC.
2. Green Bay Packers
Much like the Saints, if healthy they also have a pretty strong case to be the team to beat in the NFC. With the tie-breaker over the Saints, the Packer currently hold home-field advantage. If the Packers can get home-field where they would more than likely have weather in their favor, they might finally get Rodgers to another Super Bowl.
1.Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes finally looked human last week. Even then he still played pretty amazing. The defense is certainly vulnerable and they can’t count of special teams touchdowns and safeties to be the difference every week. They’re still the best team in the league. But the gap has gotten smaller.
