The wildest NFL season in recent memory, and possibly ever, keeps on getting wilder. Week 13 saw tons of upsets, insane finishes, and plenty of shuffling between playoff teams. Some squads are falling, and some are rising to potential playoff berths. It’s going to be a crazy final month. With just 4 weeks of regular season football left, let’s stack up the teams 1-32:
1 – 
Chiefs (11-1) 
As it has been for week after week, this one is easy and needs no explanation. Kansas City continues to be in a league of their own. Anyone who is going crazy over a “struggle” of a win against Denver on Sunday night needs to calm down. Division games always tend to be close, and if we’re being completely honest, the Chiefs easily could have had two deep touchdowns to WR Tyreek Hill, but refereeing cost them that. This is the league’s best team and it is not close. Next!
2 – 
Saints (10-2)
Many people like me have thought for the last couple of weeks that New Orleans is the true #2 team in this league, and thanks to the Steelers’ loss on Monday night, I can finally place them here without any resistance. Even without QB Drew Brees, the Saints continue to win games and win them emphatically. Yes, they’ve been playing bad teams, but wins are wins in this league. Taysom Hill has done his job perfectly as the team’s starter, and he has kept this team on track for the 1 seed. It’s a testament to how well-coached and how talented this team truly is.
3 – 
Packers (9-3) 
1
Green Bay stomped on the wings of the Eagles for a while on Sunday, but let up a bit towards the end, allowing Philly to get back into things. A very impressive TD run by Aaron Jones put that effort to bed. The Packers team that showed up for the majority of that game was the same one we’ve seen so often this season: one that dominates teams with incredible passing displays. QB Aaron Rodgers is continuing to sling the ball all around the field, especially to his top WR Davante Adams and TE Robert Tonyan. This passing offense is right up there with Kansas City’s, and on any given Sunday, it might be better. They have to hope for a New Orleans slip-up late in the season, but even if they don’t get the 1 seed, they will be just fine in the postseason.
4 – 
Bills (9-3) 2
Speaking of prolific passing offenses, the Bills have one of the NFL’s best. QB Josh Allen had another stellar game on Monday night against the 49ers, throwing for 375 yards and 4 TDs on 80% completion. Buffalo’s offense has been on fire for the better part of the season, and are closing in on a division title to show for it. This team will be a force in the postseason, and they’ll get a chance to prove that as the 1 seed Steelers come into town for a primetime showdown this Sunday night in Orchard Park. If Buffalo wins that game, you better believe they’re a real contender.
5 – 
Rams (8-4) 2
Los Angeles bounced back from a tough divisional loss 2 weeks ago with a stellar divisional win last week. This team had the Cardinals’ number all day outside of an opening drive touchdown. This Rams team, led by their incredible defense, continues to prove that they are one of the NFC’s best teams, and thanks to a Seattle loss, are back in the driver’s seat in the NFC West. Their offense, when clicking, has also been very efficient and produces a lot of points. If they can win this division, then they will be set to make a push to go far in the playoffs. They are certainly built for it.
6 – 
Steelers (11-1) 
3
It finally happened. It had been a long, long time coming, but the Steelers finally lost a game. After months of playing down to their competition and eeking out close wins over bad teams, Pittsburgh finally got what was coming to them. After going up 14-0 on the WFT, this team decided they didn’t really want to play football anymore. Plagued by drops, poor defense, and head-scratching playcalling on offense, they were outscored 23-3 en route to their first loss. Those same reasons have been cited by many to discredit the Steelers and prove why they aren’t a top team in football, despite their record. That turned out to be true. This team simply cannot run the football, and asking 38-year old QB Ben Roethlisberger to throw the ball 50 times every game is not a very good solution to the issue. This team has been fraudulent all season long, and it was finally exposed.
7 – 
Browns (9-3) 8
Fine, fine, FINE. I’ll give the Browns the respect they deserve. After doing nothing but doubting this team, and especially their quarterback, all season long, Cleveland went out and smacked the Titans in the face about 100 times on Sunday. I held the Titans in a very high regard, so their performance meant a lot to me. The Browns were clicking in every way on both sides of the ball, and thanks to 4 first half passing touchdowns from QB Baker Mayfield, led by 31 at just the halftime mark of the game. I had many, many doubts about Baker, as you should well know by this point, but he shut me up. He was hitting everyone with incredible accuracy and poise, and truly looked like a true #1 overall pick. The Browns’ run game needs no introduction, and their defense looked special in the first half. Perhaps this team is truly elite. They sure looked like it on Sunday.
8 – 
Titans (8-4) 3
This team… is pretty infuriating. Every time they string together impressive wins, and look amazing doing it, they just go and slip up in a major way. The team didn’t even show up on Sunday AT HOME. It was an embarrassing performance by a team that has way too much talent and is way too well-coached to flounder so much. I still have faith in this team, and they’re still leading this division, but man, they are making it hard on me. They cannot afford a performance anything close to what they did on Sunday the rest of the season and in the playoffs. Otherwise, it’ll lead to their demise.
9 – 
Colts (8-4) 1
Indy struggled for a bit against the Texans thanks to some great play by QB Deshaun Watson, but they were able to overcome it thanks to a late Houston turnover. If that never happened, perhaps they would have lost. Regardless, they came out with a win and are back on pace with the Titans in pursuit of a division title. I don’t know if they have what it takes, considering the struggles on offense that they are prone to have, but their defense returned to form this week, and that is a big deal. This team will make the playoffs, and it’ll be their defense that decides whether they win games or not.
10 – 
Buccaneers (7-5)
The Bucs had a rare week off in December this week. The rest of their schedule is no joke, and I’m very interested to see how it plays out. I think the bye will be very good for them to gameplan going forward, because they definitely needed time off to regroup. If they can play at their peak for the rest of the season, they will be very dangerous.
11 – 
Ravens (7-5)
Baltimore got QB Lamar Jackson back on Tuesday, and it paid off in a big way, as they looked amazing on offense. Yes, they were playing a JV defense, but it was still very impressive to see this team run for almost 300 yards. The passing offense remains a very big question, as they barely got over 100 yards through the air. If this team makes the playoffs, that might hold them back. In any case, it was good to see Lamar back out there and it was good to see them dominate. It was even better to see them dominate Dallas.
12 – 
Seahawks (8-4) 3
What the hell. I mean… what the hell? What even is this team anymore? I didn’t want to overreact to them shutting down a terrible Eagles team 2 Monday nights ago, so I’m not entirely shocked by them losing to the Giants. But to be completely shut down all game long? With the offensive talent that they have? And for their defense to struggle against a backup QB? It makes no sense, and it was quite frankly disgraceful. This team is absolutely head-scratching every other week. I’m starting to see through them, and I know that they will not go far in the playoffs. They’re not built for it at all.
13 – 
Dolphins (8-4) 1
The Dolphins are continuing to beat up on garbage en route to 7 wins in their last 8 games, but to me, it doesn’t mean a whole lot. I recognize the talent this team has on both sides of the ball, but they play too many bad teams close for me to have a lot of faith in them. They have shown an ability to play up to their competition, which installs a good amount of faith, but I need to see it more as we get late in the season. They’ll have a chance to prove it this week as the Chiefs roll into town. Let’s see if they can do it.
14 – 
Vikings (6-6) 2
Well, well, well. What do we have here. The Vikings have slowly crept up and up every single week, and they are finally in the top half of the rankings. After winning 5 of their last 6 games, this team is currently the 7 seed in the NFC. It’s a truly shocking development for a team that was struggling immensely in the season’s first 6 weeks or so. But, they have finally figured things out. QB Kirk Cousins is playing at a very high level, and the WR duo of Adam Thielen and rookie Justin Jefferson has proven to be one of the league’s best. They tend to struggle against inferior competition, like on Sunday against the Mike Glennon-led Jaguars, but they have also proven that they can beat elite teams like Green Bay. Watch out for this team going forward. They have a huge matchup with the Bucs on Sunday in what will be pivotal for both squads and the NFC Wild Card race.
15 – 
Raiders (7-5) 1
This is another team that I have no idea what to make of. Just a few weeks ago, they looked truly elite as they almost beat the Chiefs for a second time. Now, in the last 2 weeks, they got absolutely slapped by the Falcons and they almost lost to the Jets. In fact, if it wasn’t for a deliberate continuation of the tank, they would have lost that game. I have no idea what has happened to them. Their defense has been a question mark all season long, but now it’s worse than ever. Their offense, which is supposed to be their strong suit, also hasn’t figured things out recently. I don’t know if it’s because of the absence of RB Josh Jacobs, but regardless, it should not be happening. This team will probably make the playoffs, but I have lost all faith in them to get things done once they get there.
16 – 
Patriots (6-6) 2
Much like the Vikings, the Patriots have slowly crept into the top half of the rankings after a very long absence. This team is playing very good football lately, winning 4 of their last 5, and doing it in impressive fashion. The defense and special teams is playing like one of the league’s best, and even their offense is starting to play much better football. They just might be able to sneak into the playoffs, but they have to play some very good teams in the next few weeks that might derail that. If New England plays the way they have in the last month or so, then they have a very good shot.
17 – 
Cardinals (6-6) 4
Man. What happened to this team. They looked so good, so promising, so fun just a few weeks ago. Now, they’re facing an uphill climb towards the playoffs. In their last 3 games, they are 0-3 and have only themselves to blame. They were unable to come back and beat Seattle and New England, and they were simply outclassed by the Rams. They could easily have as many as 6 losses in a row if it weren’t for a miracle Hail Mary and a Russell Wilson INT in overtime. This team’s shortcomings and freak wins are starting to show. Perhaps the Cardinals were never as good as they seemed.
18 – 
Giants (5-7) 3
One of the teams playing the best football in the NFL recently is… the New York Giants? Yes. The Giants have now won 4 in a row after starting the season 1-7 and are in the driver’s seat to win the NFC East and make the playoffs. Even without QB Daniel Jones, they shut down the then-NFC West-leading Seattle Seahawks all game long thanks to another great game from their surprisingly elite defense. That defense has been the backbone of their winning streak, and it is likely what will carry them to January. This team is very good and very young, and they have a very bright future ahead of them.
19 – 
Washington (5-7) 4
Speaking of teams playing surprisingly good football recently, the WFT has somehow fought their way back into the playoff picture. They became the first team in 2020 to knock of the Steelers, and they did it thanks to an incredible performance by their defense and gutsy plays from their offense. It was their 3rd win in a row, and in each game, they have looked very good. Each of their last 3 losses were by a combined 7 points, so this team could easily be 8-4. Things are finally starting to be figured out with this coaching staff and this team, and it is paying off in huge ways. Even if they don’t win the division this year, I think it’s safe to say that this team is here to stay. And if they can figure out the QB position, it could be scary.
20 – 
49ers (5-7) 3
Now we’re getting into the “hopeless teams” section of things. The 49ers were playing for their season on Monday night, and they refused to show up. Yes, it must have been very hard shifting to Arizona for the time being, but still, you have to show up and perform. They did not. Turnovers and poor play by both the offense and the defense led to this team getting wiped by the Bills, and in effect, their season is now over. It’s a shame that the defending NFC champs have been plagued by injuries all across the board, but it happens. Perhaps next season they’ll return to form.
21 – 
Bears (5-7) 2
LOL. That’s all I can say about the Chicago Bears. This team was 5-1 once upon a time. Remember that? Yeah, me neither. This team has now lost six (6) games in a row, and in each of those games, they have been laughable. On Sunday, it looked like the streak would finally end, but the Bears completely choked away a win against a very poor Lions team. Switching QBs apparently did nothing for this offense, and this team remained completely hopeless. The defense, which was the team’s only highlight, has completely fallen apart in the last few weeks. There are seemingly no redeeming qualities about the Bears. Hopefully they take the right QB this April unlike 2017.
22 – 
Falcons (4-8) 2
I really thought this team was going to step up and beat the Saints last week. Why did I think that? Who knows. The Falcons continue to be a different team every week on the football field, and on Sunday, they looked completely lifeless. I don’t know what approaches need to be taken to fix this mess, but I just hope for their sake, it happens. This team had so much promise. What a shame.
23 – 
Texans (4-8) 1
You can’t help but feel horrible for Deshaun Watson. For the trillionth straight week. The star QB has been doing everything he can lately to help this team win games, and it almost always isn’t enough. He played a great game on Sunday against the Colts, but a late redzone fumble secured another loss. He was visibly devastated by it, and it was just awful to see. You can only hope this team does what they can to surround one of the league’s brightest stars with enough talent to compete.
24 – 
Panthers (4-8)
Carolina had the week off this week. They’ve been in so many games this year, but without RB Christian McCaffrey, who will be out again this week, they have been reduced to a squad that will be picking in the top 10 this April. This week they have a shot at avenging their 2015 team in a matchup against the Broncos that will be an absolute snoozefest.
25 – 
Lions (5-7)
The Lions may have 5 wins, but do you expect me to put them above a Panthers team that skunked them a few weeks ago? No. Plus, this team definitely should have lost on Sunday in Chicago. Firing HC Matt Patricia has paid dividends already, which is a good thing to see, but it doesn’t make this team that much better. They’re still where they belong.
26 – 
Broncos (4-8)
Denver put up a surprisingly good fight against the Chiefs on Sunday night, and QB Drew Lock looked surprisingly alright for the majority of the game. However, he ended up being their downfall with a late INT to secure the loss. I don’t think playing KC close makes them good or anything, but perhaps it is proof that this team could be good with the right QB. We’ll find out soon enough.
27 – 
Chargers (3-9)
Sigh. I don’t even want to talk about the Chargers. This team put up an absolutely disgraceful performance on Sunday, getting blown out 45-0 by New England. Even QB Justin Herbert, who has been one of the team’s only bright spots this year, was completely shut down. I’m not sure what direction this team has to go in to improve, but it certainly needs to start with firing HC Anthony Lynn. That man has done nothing but hold back this team, and he needs to go.
28 – 
Cowboys (3-9)
Another week in the season gone. The Cowboys are still awful. That’s all that needs to be said. Life is good.
29 – 
Eagles (3-8-1)
The Eagles are FINALLY giving rookie QB Jalen Hurts a chance, and I couldn’t be happier for him. Hurts came in late on Sunday and sparked life into this team that has needed it all season long. Now, Hurts will be the starter going forward. Carson Wentz has had this coming all year long with his absolutely inefficient, inaccurate, and plain horrible QB play. I’m not sure how much of an improvement Hurts will be, but I’m very excited to see how he performs. His first test will be a tough one against the Saints, so he could use all the help he can get.
30 – 
Bengals (2-9-1)
Cincy put up a decent fight for a while on Sunday in Miami, but of course it was not enough. This team has one job for the rest of the season: lose games and get in a position to draft Penei Sewell, the stellar LT coming out of Oregon, once April rolls around. It’s the only way to protect QB Joe Burrow once he comes back, and he needs the help badly.
31 – 
Jaguars (1-11)
The Jaguars could have found themselves with the #1 overall pick on Sunday, but the Jets said “no”. Jacksonville took the Vikings all the way to overtime thanks to some freak plays and Kirk Cousins mistakes, but they remembered that they can’t afford wins and lost the game after a poor INT by Mike Glennon. It’s likely the closest the Jags will come to a win for the rest of the season, which I’m sure they’re not complaining about. They are still in Justin Fields range, which is more than they can ask for.
32 – 
Jets (0-12)
The New York Jets have brought a whole new meaning to the tank. They are inventing new ways to lose every week, and quite frankly, it’s glorious. After seemingly having a win locked up against the Raiders thanks to a late TD and a goal-line stand, they pissed away their chances by sending a blitz on a Hail Mary attempt, giving up a late TD to seal their 12th loss in 12 games. Even if they were to deny accusations that it was deliberate, it certainly seemed like it was. And it was hilarious. We should just proclaim them winners of the Trevor Lawrence Sweepstakes™ right now.
All stats taken from ESPN.
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