Just 2 weeks are left in the NFL season, but if there’s anything 2020 has taught us, it’s that nothing is truly set in stone. There is still plenty of time for the league to continue shuffling, as we saw in bunches last week. After a slate of games filled with some statement wins and plenty of upsets, let’s stack up the teams 1-32:
1 – 
Chiefs (13-1) 
Do I even need to talk about this one anymore? The Chiefs have been the best team in football seemingly all season long, and now they’ve completed an unprecedented 8-0 road campaign in 2020. They’ve gone on the road to play so many tough teams and, albeit without crowds, have simply asserted their dominance. They almost slipped up late again, but while that concerns everyone else, it doesn’t bother me at all. This team has all but locked up the 1 seed in the AFC, and nobody deserves it more.
2 – 
Packers (11-3)
I would love it if the Packers could win games slightly more convincingly, but on a semi-short week, I’ll give them a pass. I go back and forth in my head on Green Bay and Buffalo for the 2 spot, but I’ll stick with the Pack for this week. They need to prove me wrong for me to move them. This week sees them hosting Tennessee in a huge game with massive playoff implications in both conferences. They can lock up the 1 seed with a win and some help, but even if they slip up this week, I have no doubt they’ll take care of business in Week 17.
3 – 
Bills (11-3)
Whew. How good is this team? Coming off the biggest win of the season, on a short week, traveling all the way to Denver, all the Bills did was absolutely destroy a Broncos team that had been playing very good football in recent weeks. QB Josh Allen continues to play at an MVP level, and their defense has stepped up with multiple scores in the last few weeks. This team is going to be very dangerous in the playoffs, and thanks to the Steelers’ recent struggles, Buffalo is bound to be the 2 seed in the AFC. And nobody will want to play them.
4 – 
Titans (10-4) 
2
I’m a bit iffy about putting the Titans this high, but I feel like they deserve it. They have been running all over people lately, and after getting a reality check from Cleveland a few weeks ago, have looked very sound on both sides of the ball. They cannot afford a single slip-up for the rest of the year with the Colts right on their heels, but they have to go to Lambeau for a primetime showdown that will be their toughest test of the year. It’ll surely be the difference between hosting a playoff game and hitting the road in January. Let’s see if this team shows up to this big game like they have shown before or decides not to once again.
5 – 
Saints (10-4)
I’m not going to punish the Saints for losing to the best team in football. It was QB Drew Brees’ first game back, and he clearly still isn’t 100%. Brees was borderline awful for most of the game, and it is obvious that those ribs are still causing some problems. I honestly think the Saints should be continuing to rest him, but that’s another topic. They didn’t look very sound on either side of the ball, getting dominated in time of possession and being dotted by Patrick Mahomes. However, they were still able to make it close at the end. I like this team, and I think their defense can carry them in the playoffs, but if they don’t have competent QB play in January, it will be their downfall.
6 – 
Colts (10-4)
Indianapolis once again needed some heroics at the goal line to beat the Texans with Houston fumbling away the game for the 2nd time in 3 weeks. This is another team that I really like, thanks to excellent defensive play, and a newfound power run game with RB Jonathan Taylor finally emerging as a RB1 in the super talented committee that Indy has been running with all year. If they can luck their way into a division title, then I think this team can definitely do some damage. But even if they have to go on the road, that defense and run game would be more than enough for me to put my faith in.
7 – 
Ravens (9-5) 2
Baltimore looked great once again, but I have to take these performances with some grains of salt. 2 of their last 3 wins have been against the awful Cowboys and Jaguars. However, I think these pseudo-tune-up games are important for them to get back on track. If they can play like this in the playoffs (if they even make it), then they will be a tough out. The Ravens still need some help to get into January, but if they do, then they might find more success than they did last year.
8 – 
Browns (10-4) 2
Cleveland looked fantastic all around the field on Sunday night. Once again, QB Baker Mayfield is looking very sharp and efficient, and because the Browns can hold onto the football for extended periods of time, they score points. The defense, which was invisible in the Monday night thriller against the Ravens, stepped up in a huge way, not allowing a single touchdown (although at times it seemed like the Giants didn’t even want to score). The Browns somehow find themselves just 1 game back in the division, and I cannot put into words how much I’d love to see them knock off Pittsburgh and win it. We’ll see what happens.
9 – 
Rams (9-5) 
5
Um……? What was that? The Rams put up an all-time stinker against perhaps the worst team in NFL history to hand them their lone win of the season and give Trevor Lawrence to the Jaguars. I don’t know if it was a bad matchup, a bad day, or even a coaching mismatch (certainly not), but whatever happened on Sunday was absolutely inexcusable. I doubt we’ll see that again from the Rams, but it certainly does not inspire any confidence. QB Jared Goff has shown time and time again that he simply cannot play with even the slightest bit of pressure in his face. They’re fighting for the division in an imperative matchup with the Seahawks in Seattle this week, and while I don’t think they’ll be as pathetic as they were last week, it’s hard to believe in them right now, especially with the way Seattle is playing defensively.
10 – 
Buccaneers (9-5) 1
Is this the most confusing team in the NFL? They certainly have my vote. One week they can’t do anything on offense or defense, the next week they’re elite in both regards. One second they’re down 17 points and can’t figure out a thing on either side of the ball, then they’re on fire and come back to win. Whatever they’re doing is working for the most part, but I just don’t think it’s a winning formula at all. This team will make the playoffs. But will they win a game once they get there? It’s not easy to say yes.
11 – 
Seahawks (10-4) 1
Once again, I am not impressed at all with this team. Congratulations, you beat Dwayne Haskins and Sam Darnold in back to back weeks! Have a gold star! This week’s matchup with an actual team with an actual QB will be a much better benchmark to see where this team truly stands. I do think that their defense is playing much better, but it’s hard to tell when they’re playing some of the worst offenses in football. Only time will tell.
12 – 
Dolphins (9-5) 1
Miami continues to win games unconvincingly, but that formula might just carry them to the postseason. QB Tua Tagovailoa is doing his job and the defense is doing theirs, but they just don’t have that extra gear that so many other teams do that can take over a game. You’d expect to see that at some point, but I just haven’t yet. I do like this team, but I don’t see any success for them coming this season. I don’t even think they’re going to make the playoffs, but that’s discussion for another time.
13 – 
Cardinals (8-6) 4
Arizona is back to their winning ways with back to back Ws. The Eagles gave them a good scare thanks to some great play from rookie QB Jalen Hurts, but the Cardinals were able to escape with a win that does huge things for their playoff lives. However, I just don’t see this team doing much if they get there. Too many bad teams play them close, and their defense is too much of a struggle-bus and an inconsistent area from week to week. I just never know what I’m going to get with this team.
14 – 
Washington (6-8) 1
I really did not want to bump this team up at all. But thanks to Pittsburgh’s continuing collapse, I had to put them above the frauds from the Steel City. Is the WFT falling apart? Kind of. QB Dwayne Haskins followed a borderline horrendous start with a maskless party with strippers, a $40K fine, and a loss of captaincy, but hey, who’s counting? Haskins will likely start again this weekend against the Panthers, and you can only hope that he doesn’t play like a JV quarterback this time. A Washington win and a Giants loss clinches the division for the WFT, and we can only hope that Alex Smith is ready for the playoffs.
15 – 
Steelers (11-3) 7
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Three losses in a row. All after making TikToks before the game. All of which in embarrassing fashion. You really lost to Ryan Finley? In primetime? After dancing on their logo? Absolutely laughable. Big Ben is playing awful football, they still cannot run the football, and that defense which was once “the best in the NFL” can’t even stop the Bengals. This team is crumbling and I am loving every second of it. They are on the verge of losing the division to the Browns, and I hope it happens. They deserve it.
16 – 
Bears (7-7) 4
QB Mitch Trubisky is playing some great football, and the Bears are right back i the Wild Card race. They won a pseudo-playoff game against the Vikings last week to keep the dream alive, and once again, Trubisky had himself a great game. RB David Montgomery has also been playing exceptionally, and this once-invisible offense has now woken up at the most important point of the season. If the Cardinals slip up and this team creeps into the playoff picture, things could get very interesting very quickly.
17 – 
Vikings (6-8) 1
Why did I put my faith in Kirk Cousins in a big spot? I really should have known better. Minnesota lost to Chicago in a “who wants to keep their season alive” game, and they are now cooked. It’s a shame for a team that had been playing very well in the back half of the season. I guess this is a lesson on the importance of actually winning games at the beginning of the season. The question now becomes what this team does with Cousins, who is at the end of his contract. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Kirk era in Minny is at its end.
18 – 
Raiders (7-7) 1
Speaking of cooked teams, this team has been getting roasted week after week and we can finally stick a fork in them. Justin Herbert completed their embarrassment of a December, and while they’re not mathematically eliminated, we all know they’re done. This team was once a very spooky wild card contender, but now they’re just a joke. Seems like every Raiders season in recent memory.
19 – 
Patriots (6-8) 1
For the first time since 2008, the Patriots aren’t going to the playoffs. It’s the end of an incredible era in New England. We all saw this coming, but it is kind of surreal. This was a rough season for the Pats, especially offensively. You can only wonder where the team goes from here. No matter what happens, I think you can count on HC Bill Belichick to make something work.
20 – 
Giants (5-9) 1
This team has lost their grip on a potential playoff spot thanks to some very tough scheduling breaks. This is perhaps the toughest stretch of the season for any team in football, and the Giants keep on racking up Ls. It likely won’t get much better with the Ravens up next. This team has a very bright future, but injuries and tough matchups have costed them a chance at success in 2020, unless the WFT completely collapses. In a season like this, I wouldn’t dismiss that easily.
21 – 
Chargers (5-9) 2
Good for the Chargers to finally start winning games when it does not matter anymore, ruining their draft positioning and giving the front office more reason to retain Anthony Lynn at HC. I’m all for winning games, and I love to see QB Justin Herbert succeed, but it feels like this might set LA back a bit. Regardless, I do like what I’m seeing out of this team in the last few games, and it’s nice to see them win instead of shoot themselves in the foot. Herbert has all but cemented himself as the Rookie of the Year, and it is very well deserved.
22 – 
Broncos (5-9)
I was expecting Denver to put up a better fight on Saturday, but being blown out by one of the best teams in football on a short week is nothing to be ashamed of. The Broncos have been playing well recently, and with all the young talent they have all over the field, I’d be excited about the future. I’d say they’re a QB away, but Drew Lock has shown flashes this season. As I’ve said before, he might not be a long-term solution at the position, but only time will tell.
23 – 
Cowboys (5-9) 6
Was Ezekiel Elliott the problem? Apparently so. Sunday was a masterclass for backup RB Tony Pollard as the Cowboys were clicking offensively and picked up their 2nd consecutive win. I really didn’t want to bring them up so high after beating a very bad and banged up 49ers team, but all the teams below them have been absolute dumpster fires recently, so I’ll just do it. It’s the least I could do for a team that has had a horrible 2020 campaign.
24 – 
49ers (5-9) 3
Whatever. 2020 has been an absolute nightmare for this franchise ever since the Super Bowl, and after a plethora of injuries and confusion, the bad dream is almost over. There are a lot of decisions left to be made in San Francisco, especially regarding the QB position, but this team will be back. I’ve been giving them a pass all year, and I think they deserve it. If next year looks like this though, then I’ll be taking it all back.
25 – 
Falcons (4-10) 1
I don’t want to talk about this team once again. It happened to them for seemingly the trillionth time. Another 3+ score lead evaporated within seconds! What a shocker! Can you believe that if the Falcons had simply closed out games, they’d be a playoff team? Instead, they’re keeping their reputation up and continuing to be the laughingstock of professional football. Keep it up, Atlanta!
26 – 
Panthers (4-10) 1
On a short week and a road trip to the Frozen Tundra, the Panthers only lost by one possession after a goal line fumble by QB Teddy Bridgewater. Honestly… not bad. It never felt like they were in the game, but at least they had the heart to make it close in the end. It would have been very interesting to see how all of these close games could have gone with RB Christian McCaffrey actually playing, but that’s just another 2020 “what if”.
27 – 
Lions (5-9)
I do think the Lions are better than 27. But I can’t keep that shutout loss against Carolina out of my head. I’m sorry, Detroit. If it makes you feel any better, I hope you guys keep QB Matthew Stafford this offseason. If not… I hope he likes the nation’s capital!
28 – 
Eagles (4-9-1)
If there’s any solace in this nightmare season in Philly, it’s that rookie QB Jalen Hurts looks very promising. In his 2 starts, he has looked infinitely better than Carson Wentz. On Sunday, he played genuinely amazing football and looked extremely poised throwing the ball. I’m not sure if the plan is to move forward with Hurts as a long-term starter, but if it is, then it looks like it just might work out for the Eagles.
29 – 
Texans (4-10) 3
Sigh. #GetDeshaunWatsonATeam is still ringing true as ever. Right on the goal line, WR Keke Coutee fumbled away the game thanks to an admittedly great play by the Colts defense. It’s strange how eerily similar both games were for the Texans this year against the Colts. Just… please get Watson some help. Please.
30 – 
Bengals (3-10-1)
Dear Cincinnati Bengals, thank you. Thank you for beating that god awful team from that god awful city. Thank you for shutting up that wannabe TikToker who danced on your midfield logo. Thank you for continuing to show us that the aforementioned team is a completely fraudulent organization. Enjoy Penei Sewell. You deserve him. Sincerely, the rest of the NFL.
31 – 
Jets (1-13) 1
You’ve got to be kidding me. You had one job. ONE JOB! I understand the Jets have been a very competitive winless team, but you got to think at some point that they’d just give into the tank and let Trevor Lawrence fall into their hands. But nope. Let’s play our best game of the year against a great Rams team to throw away our foreseeable future. The fans will love it! People will not laugh at us at all! I mean seriously. What a joke. I cannot believe the Jets have messed this up so much. At the same time, I can’t help but laugh at them.
32 – 
Jaguars (1-13) 1
Congratulations, Jacksonville. The Jets just handed you a future. Enjoy Trevor Lawrence. Please do not waste him.
All stats taken from ESPN.
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