Cover photo taken from Idaho Press.
1 – 
Eagles (12-1) 
The Eagles keep on asserting themselves as the best team in the NFL by a seemingly solid margin. They became the first team to clinch a spot in the playoffs in an emphatic win over the Giants, and once again looked unstoppable in every facet of the game. It was another party on the ground for the run game, and Jalen Hurts has never looked more like the MVP. The defense had their way as they almost always do, and the Birds never broke a sweat. I know that the Giants aren’t exactly a tough test, but you don’t see road wins against divisional opponents that are this dominant in the NFL very often. It is a testament to this team’s greatness.
2 – 
Bengals (9-4)
Joe Burrow finally got the monkey off his back and beat the Browns, and it wasn’t even close. This really impressed me for two reasons. The first of which is that, although I picked the Bengals to win, I figured it’d be pretty close given the nature of the rivalry. It wasn’t, and that’s in large part due to Burrow’s continued excellence as well as the defense’s dominance highlighted by rookie DB Cam Taylor-Britt’s emergence. The second reason is that Tee Higgins didn’t even play due to getting hurt in warmups. For Cincy to lose one of their key offensive players and still look unstoppable is really impressive. I hope he’s ok moving forward, but apparently they don’t even need him. As long as Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase do their thing, nobody is stopping this offense.
3 – 
Chiefs (10-3)
I think a lot of people are overreacting to the Chiefs “almost” blowing a 27-0 lead. Let’s pump the brakes please. For one, the fact that they went up 27-0 on the road against one of the best defenses in the league speaks for itself. They were clicking in all three phases and it was poetry in motion. They got very careless afterwards, highlighted by a whopping three very poor and uncharacteristic interceptions by Patrick Mahomes, but when it came down to crunch time, they were the better team and executed to come away with the win that was really never in doubt. This team is still fantastic, they just got in their own way a bit. I will say that their pass defense concerns me since it has shown very little to no signs of improvement over the last month or so. They will not win this conference with its current level of play.
4 – 
49ers (9-4)
All aboard the Brock Purdy train. The rookie QB has looked brilliant in his two games this year, beating two very capable defenses without breaking a sweat. I understand that the offense is pretty easy to run when you have the roster that San Francisco has, but Purdy has looked very comfortable and solid as the QB, and I have no more doubts that the 49ers can continue to dominate, especially with their defense playing the way that they are. The injury to Deebo Samuel really scared everyone, but apparently he’s going to be ok and might return before the regular season is over. If that’s true, then this team is going to moonwalk to a division title and might just be the scariest squad in the entire playoffs.
5 – 
Cowboys (10-3)
As much as I’d love to bump the Cowboys down for squeaking by the worst team in football, I just can’t. It doesn’t feel fair considering the teams below them. Anything can happen in the NFL on any given Sunday. At least Dallas came away with a win. Not only that, but they put together a fantastic 98-yard touchdown drive to do so. They didn’t play their best game, but we know this is a great team, and I don’t think the wheels are falling off anytime soon. Only time will tell if this was a sign of things to come. I just don’t think it was.
6 – 
Bills (10-3) 
2
The Bills looked pretty solid all around on Sunday in absolutely awful conditions in Orchard Park. There’s not much more that can be said. What I liked most about their performance was their defense’s dominance. They played fast and extremely hard all game long, which is exactly what I wanted to see out of them. Since Von Miller’s injury, they’ve looked great, so I have no more doubts in that area. I still think they’re far too reliant on Josh Allen to make plays with his legs on offense, but as I’ve said time and time again, he’s built for that, and it works. Buffalo follows their formula to a T, and if it keeps translating to wins, I won’t doubt it.
7 – 
Dolphins (8-5) 
1
I think Sunday night was worst-case scenario all around for the Dolphins. Tua looked absolutely dreadful, the run game was once again non-existent, and the defense got completely shredded by an elite QB. None of those things will fly in the playoffs. I don’t want to say this team has been “exposed” in their last two games, but now any team with a competent coaching staff knows what they have to do to stop this team. Just play man and make Tua beat you with his arm. Spoiler alert: he can’t. I’m not going to write this team off, but it could start going south really quickly for the Dolphins. They need to get it together ahead of this week’s massive game in Buffalo.
8 – 
Vikings (10-3) 1
I won’t be too mean to the Vikings after losing a game on the road to a divisional opponent that I picked them to lose. I would have been much meaner if they didn’t put together perhaps their best game through the air, with Kirk Cousins throwing for over 400 yards and Justin Jefferson setting a franchise record with over 200 receiving yards. But there are two aspects of this team that really worry me that I know will be their undoing in January. The first of which is their now-nonexistent running game. Dalvin Cook can’t exactly get anything going, and while they can rely on Kirk and Jettas to make plays, they definitely don’t want to be in that scenario for 60 minutes. The second thing is that their defense is simply atrocious. It has gone from bad to worse in Minnesota on that side of the ball, and I don’t see it getting better anytime soon.
9 – 
Chargers (7-6) 8
Just when I think I’m out, they pull me back in. Against all odds, the Chargers looked nothing short of elite on Sunday night, and it really wasn’t in the fashion that I anticipated. Justin Herbert looked marvelous with his full supporting cast available, but that wasn’t surprising. We know what he’s capable of when the offense is healthy. What stunned me was how great this injury-riddled defense looked. I mean, these guys were starting Alohi Gilman in the secondary and made the NFL’s most prolific passing offense look like they belonged in Saturday’s Army-Navy game. It could be a one-game thing, but if the Chargers can keep up that level of play defensively, then nothing is stopping this team from making a playoff push.
10 – 
Commanders (7-5-1) 1
For the first time in history, Washington makes my top 10. But it doesn’t feel right. It’s mostly a product of the mess that’s around them in this week’s Power Rankings. We had the week off ahead of one of the biggest games in recent memory as the Giants come into town for a primetime showdown on Sunday night. I cannot wait for that, and I’ll get more into it on Thursday.
11 – 
Jets (7-6) 1
I’m starting to feel bad for the Jets. All this team does is compete their tails off, but that has gotten them nowhere in the last few weeks. The injuries are continuing to rack up as Mike White is dealing with problems with his ribs after being smacked around by the Bills defense and standout DT Quinnen Williams has a calf issue. The good news is that the offense still looks solid and the defense did their thing for the most part on Sunday. I still feel confident in this team’s capabilities, but the AFC Wild Card race is heating up all of a sudden, and this team might get lost in the mix if they can’t get back on track ASAP.
12 – 
Lions (6-7) 2
Simply put, not many teams are playing better football in the last two months than the Detroit Lions. Yes, their secondary sucks. Yes, that’s a problem. But everyone else is operating at an immensely high level. The offense is simply unstoppable right now, and just like I predicted, getting Jameson Williams healthy gives them a level of explosiveness down the field. The front seven is actually pretty solid, and the #2 overall pick Aidan Hutchinson is starting to make a DROY push. This team has momentum and a ton of character, and I think that’ll go a long way as they try to make the playoffs. The remaining schedule is tough, but not impossible to do well against. Considering how flimsy the NFC Wild Card hopefuls are, who says this team can’t sneak into the dance?
13 – 
Ravens (9-4) 3
I still hate everything about what this team has going on, especially offensively, but I will respect the ability to go on the road and beat your bitter rival on the backs of a great defensive performance. Moreover, to win with your 3rd string QB playing for a solid chunk of the game means something. But what the Ravens did on Sunday won’t fly against most teams in this league. They cannot throw the ball, so don’t be fooled by their run game’s good numbers. The defense is playing really well, and that’s a good sign, but it means nothing if the offense is this bad. I’m just patiently waiting on them to finally drop a game and let the Bengals rightfully take over as the division leaders.
14 – 
Patriots (7-6) 4
The Patriots simply won’t go away, and it’s honestly getting annoying. I have no idea what to expect from this team in any given week. Will they look absolutely awful on offense? Will they somehow turn practice squad RBs into stars? Will their defense live up to their potential or get gashed? It’s a total coinflip from game to game. But they’ve gotten good luck on those coinflips to now sit in the playoff picture as the 7 seed once again. I don’t know how long it will last, but I don’t imagine it’ll be for long with their very intense remaining schedule.
15 – 
Seahawks (7-6) 6
I think the wheels have officially fallen off the Seahawks. They have now lost 3 of their last 4 games, Geno Smith is playing uncharacteristically sloppy, and the defense is getting gashed week in and week out by great rushing attacks. Even at home, where they’re supposed to be at their best and most formidable, this team just doesn’t play well at all. They’re playing their way out of the playoffs, which is honestly what they deserve. This is not a playoff team at all right now.
16 – 
Titans (7-6) 4
I don’t want to talk about the Titans. They are one of the biggest eye sores in all of football, and the fact that they are inevitably going to get a playoff spot just angers me. Even though I predicted them to lose, the manner in which it happened was flat out embarrassing and a sign that this team just doesn’t have what they once did. They’ve now lost three in a row and just look lifeless. Let’s just fast forward to their first round exit already.
17 – 
Giants (7-5-1) 4
I’m so glad that the Giants are continuing to prove me right every single week. This team is flat out bad, and now you all realize that. Even when this team was 6-1, I never had an ounce of faith in them, and they’re finally showing us who they truly are. They were never some sleeper team that could do damage in the playoffs. They were always complete frauds who were immensely lucky against an awful schedule. They might sit in a playoff spot right now, but we all know that’s not going to last. I can’t for them to get embarrassed once again on Sunday night.
18 – 
Raiders (5-8) 3
Come on, guys. You finally regained my trust and my faith and you go out and do that? I thought you were better than that. Unfortunately, the Raiders season ended on a complete whimper, blowing a 13 point lead in a matter of minutes to a QB who hadn’t spent more than 48 hours with the team. That has to be the most Raiders thing I’ve ever seen. They didn’t even look bad for most of the game, but they simply fell apart and lost their grip on the game, and effectively, their season. Just another week for the silver and black.
19 – 
Jaguars (5-8) 5
The Jaguars might not accomplish much this season, but they have to feel great about what they’ve been able to accomplish in the last few weeks. Trevor Lawrence is continuing to string together sensational performances, and the former #1 overall pick is finally emerging as the elite QB we all knew he could be. The rest of the offense isn’t anything special, but they simply get the job done. Meanwhile, the defense continues to look solid as well, and this year’s #1 pick Travon Walker looked like a real game-wrecker on Sunday. If the Jags can somehow make a push for the division title, I would absolutely love it. I just don’t think it’s likely. Still, I really like what’s going on in Jacksonville, and I’m excited for the future.
20 – 
Browns (5-8) 1
For the second consecutive week, the Browns looked much worse than I expected them to. I don’t know what the common denominator is, considering Deshaun Watson actually played a decent game on Sunday. I can’t pinpoint the exact problems with this team, but they should just be so much better than they are. On paper, they can be one of the best in the league. Instead, they’re a lifeless, uninspired, boring team that I don’t want to watch.
21 – 
Packers (5-8)
Thankfully for our eyes, the Packers had the week off. Unfortunately for our eyes, we have to watch them in primetime this Monday night against the Rams. Curse you, schedulemakers!
22 – 
Buccaneers (6-7) 2
It’s over. The Buccaneers are over. The Tom Brady era in Tampa was fun and all, but it’s time to blow it up. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a game more indicative of an era coming to a close as Sunday’s beatdown by Mr. Irrelevant and the 49ers. It was almost poetic to see Brady go home and essentially give up against the team he might end his career with. So, let him go do whatever he wants to do and start preparing for the future. Get healthy for next year and find your next QB. You won’t be awful considering this roster is pretty good when fully healthy, but it’s pretty clear that you won’t have the GOAT.
23 – 
Panthers (5-8) 5
I’ve noted the competitiveness of the Panthers all year long as one of their strengths. Well, it’s finally starting to translate into wins, and all of a sudden, Carolina is a game out of first place in the division. They already beat the brakes off the Bucs once this year, so who’s to say it won’t happen again? The defense is balling out and the offense has finally found itself. It’s weird that it took Sam Darnold coming back for that to happen, but if it works, then so be it. I really like the way this team plays, and I wouldn’t be shocked at all if they end up making a run at the division title. It’s just so strange to imagine that after they spent so long being one of the worst teams in football.
24 – 
Steelers (5-8) 2
I feel bad for the Steelers and their fans. Having your rookie QB get hurt and having to deal with Mitch Trubisky again is something that I wouldn’t even wish on my worst enemies. Having four drives stall in enemy territory thanks to a blocked field goal and three interceptions is just brutal. Having all of that happen against your biggest rival makes it that much worse.
25 – 
Falcons (5-8) 2
After their bye, the Falcons are finally making the QB switch to Desmond Ridder thanks to an injury sustained by Marcus Mariota. I have no idea how the rookie is going to look, but I have high hopes for him. At the very least, the offense should look better than it did with Mariota under center. But that’s a very, very low bar.
26 – 
Cardinals (4-9) 1
Having Kyler Murray tear his ACL at the end of a completely lost season is such a shame. I feel awful for Kyler, and I’m hoping he makes a speedy recovery. I just hope this injury doesn’t cloud the awful job done by this coaching staff. The two best things this franchise can hope for going into 2023 is that Kyler gets healthy and they have a new head coach.
27 – 
Colts (4-8-1) 1
The Colts were on a bye this week ahead of a fascinating matchup with the Vikings on Saturday. I don’t know what to expect out of this team at this point, but I think they’re certainly going to be competitive in Minnesota.
28 – 
Rams (4-9) 1
I have no earthly idea how Baker Mayfield and the Rams pulled off their incredible comeback on Thursday night, but you can’t help but feel good for them. This is a player and franchise that desperately needed a win like that, and it showed. I have no doubt that the season will only go downhill from here, but at least they got to experience that happiness before this inevitably awful final month of the year.
29 – 
Bears (3-10) 2
For the first time in nearly two months, the Bears didn’t lose! Good work, Chicago! As I keep saying, the best-case scenario for this team is losing out and securing a top pick in the draft. They don’t exactly have any winnable games left on the schedule, so they should be able to do that with ease.
30 – 
Broncos (3-10) 1
The good news is that the Broncos were very competitive against a great team on Sunday and put together their best offensive performance of the year by a good margin. The bad news is that they had to fall behind 27-0 in the first half in order to do that.
31 – 
Saints (4-9) 1
Mercifully, the Saints didn’t play this week, and we should all be grateful for being spared from watching Andy Dalton play QB. If only the coaching staff was competent enough to finally bench him for good. Unfortunately, Dalton will still be starting this week. So I advise you to stay away from this team’s game against Atlanta at all costs.
32 – 
Texans (1-11-1)
The Texans looked like their September/October selves on Sunday, losing to. a great team after being very competitive for most of the game. You could honestly make the argument that they actively lost the game down the stretch, and you’d probably be right. But that’s a good thing for Houston. They’re now on the verge of clinching the #1 overall pick and finding their franchise QB. That’s what we call a great success!
All stats taken from ESPN.
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