Just one week is left in the 2020 season, and the chaos isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. Week 16 saw plenty of upsets and wild finishes to shuffle the league around even more, and with just next week left to solidify the playoff picture, anything is possible. Plenty of teams are fighting for their seasons or for imperative seedings, and it should make for a crazy Week 17. With just 16 games remaining, let’s stack up the teams 1-32 for the penultimate time this season:
1 – 
Chiefs (14-1) 
Kansas City is still the NFL’s best team, but they better start tightening up. All they’ve been doing is playing close games lately, and that game on Sunday being as close as it was is a bit concerning. However, I have no doubts about this team heading into the postseason. Their starters will be on 2 weeks of much-needed rest now that they’ve clinched the 1 seed, and they will be just fine.
2 – 
Packers (12-3)
Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams tore it up again. I’ve lost count of how many times that has happened now. Sunday night’s thrashing of the Titans was the latest in a long line of incredible performances by the duo, and may have cemented Rodgers as the league’s MVP in 2020. In any case, the entire team looked incredible, and it was arguably the most complete game the Packers have played all year. Rookie RB A.J. Dillon burst onto the scene with 124 carries and 2 TDs to add to an already impressive set of RBs in Green Bay. This team is remarkably dangerous and I can’t wait to see them in the playoffs.
3 – 
Bills (12-3)
The Bills are easily playing their best football of the season, and they chose a hell of a time to do it. Opposing teams can’t even compete with Buffalo in the last few weeks. QB Josh Allen is playing at an MVP level each and every week, and WR Stefon Diggs is continuing to perform exceptionally as one of the league’s best receivers. This team is bound to make a hell of a run in the AFC in a few weeks, but I truly think it all starts by clinching the 2 seed this Sunday. That will do wonders for their chances.
4 – 
Saints (11-4) 
1
Whew. That showing on Christmas was impressive. RB Alvin Kamara, in all likelihood, secured this year’s Offensive Player of the Year award with an unprecedented 6 TD runs to go along with 155 yards on 22 carries. Kamara and the rest of the offense lit up a very poor Vikings defense all game long en route to the win and another NFC South title. I think this team can do some real damage in the postseason, knowing that they can easily beat up on bad teams and always show up against elite teams. You already know they’re thinking about getting another crack at Green Bay.
5 – 
Ravens (10-5) 2
The Ravens have slowly crept their way back into the top 5 thanks to the shortcomings of other teams, but also thanks to their stellar play in the last few weeks. They haven’t been playing the best competition, but Baltimore has looked nothing short of elite lately. Their run game is absolutely gashing defenses, and their defense is back to shutting down offenses. They’re starting to win games in similar fashions as last year’s amazing team. I’m sure that they’re hoping this team can put up more of a fight in January than that team did. I think they can.
6 – 
Titans (10-5) 
2
This team made me look very foolish for picking them on Sunday night by barely even showing up to their biggest game of the season. Lucky for them, the Colts had one of the more poignant chokes of the season earlier in the day, so they’re still in 1st place in the AFC South and can clinch the division with a win this week. It’s an imperative game for them, as I don’t have much faith in this team to go on the road and win a playoff game after some lackluster performances against some of the league’s best.
7 – 
Colts (10-5) 1
Indy’s choke against the Steelers lost them the division in all likelihood, and it was just flat out disappointing. The Colts were absolutely dominating that game for over 30 minutes, but just fell apart defensively in the second half, especially in the 4th quarter. That doesn’t inspire much confidence for a potential playoff run, especially considering they might have to go back to Pittsburgh as early as next week. It’s going to be interesting seeing how things unfold for this team, as they continue to look good, but not good enough.
8 – 
Buccaneers (10-5) 2
Well, well, well. What do we have here. The Bucs have won their last 3 games in very impressive fashion, and man, Tom Brady is looking spectacular throwing the football. The GOAT casually threw 4 TDs on 81% completion on Saturday in Detroit, helping Tampa cruise to a playoff berth. This is not a team that anybody in the NFC wants to see right now, and they can make a lot of noise in the postseason if they play the way they’ve played since their bye. I know they’ve looked fraudulent at times this season, but watch out for the Bucs.
9 – 
Seahawks (11-4) 2
Seattle finally proved it to me. They finally proved that they can go out there and beat a real football team with this revamped defense. The Seahawks absolutely shut down the Rams offense all game long, and while their offense took a while to get going, it was a very impressive showing. They finally found their missing piece, and they are playing like one of the most complete teams in football. I think this is a very dangerous team, but their offense needs to be more productive for me to put a lot of faith in them. I’m not sure what happened, but all of a sudden, that’s the team’s weak spot.
10 – 
Browns (10-5) 2
I would make excuses for the Browns like, “They were missing 4 WRs!” or “It was a rough week!”. But their gameplan against a putrid Jets team was inexcusable. Missing 4 receivers, QB Baker Mayfield threw the ball 53 (!!) times while RB Nick Chubb only got 11 carries. What on Earth is up with that? I don’t care if you’re losing, that cannot happen. Given the circumstances, that was awful, but in any case it makes no sense. Doing that in a huge game or in the playoffs could cost this team. But the playoffs might be a longshot now that they’ve almost dropped all the way out of the picture and need to beat the Steelers to get in this weekend. Good luck, Cleveland. You made your bed. Now lay in it.
11 – 
Dolphins (10-5) 1
Miami’s playoff hopes remained alive thanks to some absolutely unbelievable heroics by QB Ryan Fitzpatrick in a wildly entertaining back-and-forth finish in Vegas on Saturday night. Fitz came in late in relief of a struggling Tua Tagovailoa and willed his team to an incredible victory to keep this team in the playoff picture. Now, all they need is to beat Buffalo (or get some immense help) to get into the dance. Tua’s struggles have been a major area of concern, as Fitz has clearly looked like the better QB for the offense, but he has every opportunity to make up for it. Let’s hope the kid shows up for the biggest game of his life. If not, then it’s question time in Miami.
12 – 
Steelers (12-3) 3
Congrats on winning a game again! Did you forget what that felt like? It took quite a bit of an effort, needing to come back all the way from 17 down, but it worked! And now you’re division champs! Good job guys. I’m sure it won’t come crashing down in the playoffs. You won’t get away with literally not running the football whatsoever in January. I suppose you’ll cross that bridge when you get there. See you then.
13 – 
Rams (9-6) 4
I… I really don’t know with this team. They’ve just looked so lifeless lately. They can’t show up to beat anybody. They’re not even competitive. And now, they’re on the verge of being eliminated. QB Jared Goff broke his thumb in the loss to Seattle on Sunday, and now the Rams have to look towards backup John Wolford, who has never played in the NFL, to lead them to the playoffs this week against a banged up Arizona team. If he can’t do it, then it’ll be a very sad and sorry ending to the season for a team that looked so, so good just a few weeks ago. It’s a cruel league.
14 – 
Bears (8-7) 2
Hello there, Chicago. The Rams have zoomed back into the playoff picture as the current 7 seed thanks to 3 consecutive wins, all of which coming in very impressive fashion. They’ve scored 30 points in 4 straight games for the first time since the 60s, and their offense is playing like one of the league’s best recently. They haven’t exactly been playing the best defenses, but it’s still impressive, and they’re on the cusp of being rewarded for it with a playoff spot. It’s an insane turnaround for a team that I stuck a fork in a few weeks ago. If they beat Green Bay, or if Arizona loses on Sunday, they’re in. Only the craziness of 2020.
15 – 
Cardinals (8-7) 2
Yikes. The Cards lost a game that they had no business losing on Saturday against a 49ers team that was seemingly out of life and desire. Their explosive offense was completely shut down by a defense that had backups all over the place. It was yet another performance in the last month or so from this team that just leaves you confused. They’ve fallen off significantly, losing 4 of their last 6, and are now out of the playoff picture. They need a win against an injured Rams team and some help on Sunday to get in, which is more likely than not, but this is not a very good team. If they do manage to sneak in, they are going to get blasted.
16 – 
Washington (6-9) 2
Sigh. Why did I ever put my faith in the WFT in a big spot with something on the line to be clinched? After so many years of watching this team flounder in huge moments, I should have known better. I should have known that they wouldn’t have shown up. The fault lies entirely with QB, or should I say former QB, Dwayne Haskins, who laid an absolute stinker in what would be his final game with the team, being released on Monday. Between awful play and worse antics off the field, it had been a long time coming. This team is still in line to win the division with a win on Sunday in Philly, but it’s a story I’ve seen so many times before, and I really don’t expect it to happen. It’s a shame for a team that had been playing so well in recent weeks. Haskins may have lost the ‘C’ on his jersey, but like any good captain, he went down with the ship.
17 – 
Vikings (6-9)
Mike Zimmer’s defense clearly wanted to spend Christmas at home with their families on Friday, because they did not show up at all in New Orleans. The team was gashed all day long on the ground, and although their offense was able to put up some good numbers, they couldn’t overcome the massive shortcomings of their defense. It was an embarrassing outing by the Vikings, and one that embodies what this entire nightmare of a season has been in Minnesota.
18 – 
Chargers (6-9) 3
Look at the Chargers finally deciding to win some games. It’s wild to think that if they did this earlier in the season, they could have been somewhere near the playoff picture. Alas, it’s nice to see them winning, as I’ve been saying for weeks. Yes, it hurts their draft positioning, but its invaluable experience for the young guys on this team. If they can get the coach right (if Anthony Lynn is even fired) and fix that defense a bit, then I like this team a lot heading into 2021.
19 – 
Cowboys (6-9) 4
Somehow, some way, thanks to either the craziness of 2020 or the grace of God himself, the Cowboys are on the verge of potentially winning the NFC East. Thanks to 3 consecutive wins, all Dallas needs is to beat the Giants and for the WFT to lose to the Eagles, and they’ll be heading to the playoffs. It makes no sense, but it’s also a testament to how well QB Andy Dalton has been playing lately. This offense has been unstoppable on this winning streak, and it’s been thanks to Dalton’s arm. The running game has also stepped up in a huge way, and it has opened doors to the rest of the team. I wouldn’t say this team deserves that playoff spot, but considering the way the rest of the division is playing right now, they are the most fit to get it right now. We’ll see what happens.
20 – 
Raiders (7-8) 2
What a disaster the last month or so has been in Vegas. The Raiders have lost 5 of their last 6, and if it wasn’t for a Hail Mary against the Jets, they’d be on a 6-game losing streak. It has been ugly week after week for a team that once had a good amount of promise this year, and after another absolutely awful choke on Saturday, they have now been eliminated from playoff contention. It’s more than deserved at this point as Jon Gruden’s team has fallen apart in the back half of the season. It’s a sad story, but it has become the story of the Raiders year after year.
21 – 
Patriots (6-9) 2
It’s boring to continue to point out the problems with this team, but let’s get it over with. Cam Newton bad. Defense bad. Offense very thin and very bad. Tom Brady is being missed. This team needs more than just a QB at this point. They need a whole new offense. It’ll be interesting to see if Bill Belichick sticks around at this point. I would not want to be coaching this dumpster fire of a team.
22 – 
Giants (5-10) 2
Even all the way down at 22 and in the midst of a 3-game losing streak, the Giants can still win the NFC East this Sunday. Absolutely insane. With a win over Dallas and a Washington loss, New York would sneak into the playoffs at an extremely measly 6-10. It’s highly unlikely given the way they’ve been playing, but it would be pretty hilarious. This team cannot get anything done on offense, and their defense is starting to bend a bit after looking so sound during their big win streak earlier this season. It’s been that kind of season in New York, very streaky and folding when it matters most. There’s no doubt that the future is bright with this team, but in all likelihood, it’s over for now.
23 – 
Broncos (5-10) 1
Denver was almost the beneficiary of the Chargers being the Chargers on Sunday in LA, but it wasn’t enough and they dropped another close game. There’s not a lot to talk about with this team other than the fact that the QB situation continues to be a huge question going into a very important offseason. What the Broncos do at that position could dictate the way the next few years look, and whether or not they’re spent in the dumps.
24 – 
49ers (6-9)
I’m not sure how San Francisco pulled the upset of the Cardinals on Saturday, given that they were playing backups all over the place and had absolutely nothing to play for. But, they did it, and it was honestly really impressive. It must have been a very inspiring performance for the whole team, and it’s great for momentum heading into next season. As I’ve said before, when healthy, this team can be very dangerous, and next year they’ll get the chance to redeem themselves.
25 – 
Panthers (5-10) 1
Carolina was the beneficiary of an absolutely awful performance by both the offense and special teams of the WFT on Sunday, which spotted them plenty of points to give them a cushion and come out of DC with a win. The offense had a very impressive first half, but they were stymied by the stout Washington defense in the second half. They got away with some very questionable calls all game long, but it’s still safe to say that they deserved the win with the awful play from Washington. It was nice for this team to get back into the win column in what has been one of the more frustrating seasons that a team can have.
26 – 
Falcons (4-11) 1
Credit to the Falcons for sticking around with the Chiefs all game long on Sunday, but once again, they really beat themselves. They had every alley to win that game, but between dropped picks and a missed FG, they shot themselves in the foot en route to another L. But at least they’re moving up in the draft order! I suppose that’s one positive to take away from this season of chokes.
27 – 
Lions (5-10)
Embarrassing. That’s the only word that can be used to describe this team. They were ran out of their own building from the gate on Saturday by the Bucs, and they just looked completely lifeless. It has been a very tough season in Detroit, and while the promise of a new HC makes the future seem bright, it’s hard to put any faith in this team to get things right.
28 – 
Eagles (4-10-1)
It took 16 whole weeks, but the Eagles were finally eliminated from playoff contention after an awful defensive performance against the Cowboys on Sunday. Their secondary was completely ripped apart all game long, and it was their downfall. Rookie QB Jalen Hurts couldn’t overcome a thing, and it all fell apart. Now, Philly heads into the offseason with some major holes to fill, and some big questions to be answered, especially surrounding the QB position.
29 – 
Bengals (4-10-1) 1
Good for Cincinnati to win a couple games here down the stretch, but I really hope for Joe Burrow’s sake that they don’t mess up this whole Penei Sewell thing. You got to remember what’s at stake here! In any case, the Bengals ran circles around an awful Texans team all game long on Sunday, and even without Burrow, the offense looked quite promising once again. Both the youth and the veterans on this team have looked good this year, and it inspires a good amount of faith heading into the future in Cincy.
30 – 
Texans (4-11) 1
What a sham this team has become. It’s genuinely ugly. I want to feel sympathy for them, and especially QB Deshaun Watson, but they did this to themselves. Now, they’ll be handing a top 3 pick to a likely playoff team in Miami and aren’t going to do much to improve this team in the offseason. If I was Watson, I’d do everything in my power to get the hell out of Houston ASAP. I see this team being one of the league’s worst once again next season.
31 – 
Jets (2-13)
Thanks to their upset win in LA 2 weeks ago, the Jets decided that they could actually win games and not continue the tank, despite the fact that the #1 overall pick was still in play. New York is now officially locked into the 2 spot and in quite the precarious spot after completely blowing the aforementioned tank. I mean, sure it’s good to win games if you’re an NFL team, but man. People will be talking about this disaster for a very long team.
32 – 
Jaguars (1-14)
It’s over. The Jacksonville Jaguars have officially won the Trevor Lawrence Sweepstakes™. It has been quite the journey for a team that I completely took out of the race earlier in the season. But, thanks to the incompetence of the Jets and some absolutely awful defensive play, the Jags have clinched the #1 overall pick and, in effect, Trevor Lawrence. Good for them. I really like the way this team looks going into the future. With Lawrence, a new HC, and a new GM to go along with all that young talent, I think the Jags can make some noise in the next few years.
All stats taken from ESPN.
Raza Talks Sports 