Author: Raza Umerani

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.

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.

Man. This league truly never disappoints. Week 14 brought even more craziness to the wildest season in recent memory (maybe ever?). Some teams continue to separate themselves from the rest and prove to be real contenders, while the rest of the league continues to shuffle amongst itself. After a week filled with that very shuffling, let’s stack up the teams 1-32:

1 – Chiefs (12-1)

You know the drill by now. Yes, this team struggled to bookend their game in Miami on Sunday, but they won, and they looked spectacular in the middle quarters. People are getting so hung up on the fact that they only win games by one possession, but are forgetting that garbage time is most certainly a thing. Also, it’s not like they’re playing bad teams close like the Steelers did earlier in the year. They are still the league’s most dominant team and the best team by a million miles. Do not overthink the room.

2 – Packers (10-3) 1

This is another one that shouldn’t require much explanation. Week in and week out, the Packers are absolutely dominating teams through the air, and their defense is putting this team in positions to win in every game. QB Aaron Rodgers and WR Davante Adams cannot be stopped in any capacity right now, and it’s hard to see them slowing down anytime soon. Thanks to a Saints loss, they are now the 1 seed in the NFC, and it looks like that won’t change. This team is destined for great things in January.

3 – Bills (10-3) 1

The Buffalo Bills are a very good team. Very, very good. If it wasn’t for a miracle Hail Mary in Arizona, this team would be on a 7-game win streak. Even with that one blemish, this team has looked incredible in their last 7 games. This aerial attack is spectacular, with QB Josh Allen throwing dimes all over the field and WR Stefon Diggs being an elite threat in every aspect of the passing game. Their defense is now stepping up in huge moments, which was evident against a reeling Steelers team on Sunday night. This team is on fire, and en route to their first division title since 1995, and I can’t wait to see how much damage they can do this January.

4 – Rams (9-4) 1

LA is doing what they do best: getting hot when it matters most. Both the offense and defense of the Rams are clicking now more than ever, and opponents are starting to feel it. They absolutely suffocated the Patriots for 60 minutes on Thursday night, and even when New England threatened to score, the Rams defense shut things down in a hurry. That defense, which is easily the best in football, is giving up the least points in the NFL, and allowing their offense to do their job stress-free. It’s a winning formula that will help this team in the playoffs.

5 – Saints (10-3) 3

I didn’t want to punish this team too much for losing for the first time since Week 3 in very predictable fashion. I thought the Saints would win, but struggle, so them losing by 3 to a rookie QB in his first start with no tape to go off of while still starting a gadget player at QB does not shock me, nor does it make me think any less of them. I’m only bumping them down because of how much the teams above them impressed me this week. Their defense did look a bit concerning, giving up 100 yards rushing to 2 separate players, but they hadn’t even given up 100 yards rushing to a single player in over 3 years. It was an anomaly, and they’ll be fine. This team is likely getting QB Drew Brees back this Sunday for their imperative matchup with the Chiefs, much to the appeal of all NFL fans’ eyes. Thank goodness the Taysom Hill stint is over.

6 – Titans (9-4) 2

Tennessee rode their star RB Derrick Henry to another huge victory against a very poor Jags team on Sunday. They looked very impressive in every aspect, but I have to take it with a grain of salt given the nature of their opponent. Still, I won’t take anything away from Henry, who had an incredible 215 yards and 2 scores on 26 carries. I really like this team and I love the way they play, but I find it so hard to have faith in them when they fold in so many big moments. They’ll likely get the chance to prove me wrong in January, and I honestly hope they do.

7 – Colts (9-4) 2

Indy continues to dominate thanks to incredible play from their defense, which has really woken up since their blowout loss to the Titans. They are back to playing like one of the best units in football, and it is paying off in big ways. Their offense is also clicking and playing great football led by their very impressive committee of running backs. As I’ve said so many times this season, the Colts have a formula that can win them plenty of games, it’s just a matter of how efficiently they can apply that formula. In the last couple of weeks, it has worked to perfection.

8 – Steelers (11-2) 2

HahahahahahahAHAHAHAHAHA. This team is falling apart at the seams. And it is a beautiful sight. They cannot run the football. Hell, they’re having a hard enough time throwing the football without turning the ball over. Their once-vaunted defense is now getting torn apart by WRs and RBs alike. They cannot win games because they are no longer built to win games. They’d much rather make TikToks at midfield or in the locker room than show up on Sundays. They are getting what has been coming to them. And it is glorious.

9 – Ravens (8-5) 2

Baltimore overcame extremely poor defensive play and the cramps/bowel movements of QB Lamar Jackson to win a thriller in arguably the best game of the year in Cleveland on Monday night. It was another virtuoso on the ground for the Ravens, but once again, their passing offense is a massive question mark and is still holding them back from being an elite team. I’m not even sure if they’re better than the Browns are for that very reason. I’ll keep them above Cleveland for now, but I’m not sure how much longer that’ll stick.

10 – Browns (9-4) 3

Cleveland finally had their winning streak snapped at the hands of the rival Ravens because they unfortunately didn’t have the ball last. They still played a great game offensively, as the run game did its thing (as it always done), and QB Baker Mayfield had himself a very nice night. However, Baker’s lone INT ended up being the difference. This team is still built to do big things, but they need to perform better in big moments, especially defensively. I think they should be fine, but only if they can step up on D.

11 – Buccaneers (8-5) 1

It has been 14 weeks and I still don’t really know what to make of the Bucs. They are loaded with talent all over the field, and it still feels like there’s no chemistry, especially offensively. They kind of just get by on the fact that they have all that talent. It’s working out for them, but I don’t know if this team has what it takes to win any games in the playoffs. If they figure things out, then they could be elite. I just don’t see that happening.

12 – Seahawks (9-4)

This team is just so… meh. What, am I supposed to be impressed because they beat up on the mighty New York Jets? Or them losing games consistently in the 2nd half of the season? No. Almost nothing about this team impresses me. Their offense is great, for sure, but they get shut down by elite defenses. I’m very excited to see how this team fares against a Washington team on Sunday that has picked up steam in a huge way defensively. It could easily be another case of domination leading to another Seattle loss.

13 – Dolphins (8-5)

As I mentioned earlier when discussing the Chiefs, the Dolphins played very well to bookend their game on Sunday. Their complete lack of desire to play football in the 2nd and 3rd quarters is what lost them the game. I was still fairly impressed with how they played, as their defense picked off Patrick Mahomes 3 times and their offense was able to do a decent amount of work. Miami is a team that certainly has what it takes to win a playoff game, but they haven’t really shown it to me in recent weeks. I’m not entirely sure what to make of them as of right now, but out of respect, I’ll keep them right where they are this week.

14 – Cardinals (7-6) 3

Arizona was finally able to snap a 3-game skid on Sunday in East Rutherford thanks to an absolutely insane day from their defense, led by LB Haason Reddick, who had a franchise record 5 sacks to go along with 3 forced fumbles. They suffocated the Giants all game long, and their offense was finally back to doing big things against a defense that is no joke at all. It was a very impressive look for a team that has been desperate for a big win to get their season back on track. They’re now back in the 7 seed spot in the NFC and control their destiny to keep it. If they keep playing like they did on Sunday, then I don’t see any reason for them to slip out of the playoff race.

15 – Washington (6-7) 4

For the first time in 2020, the Washington Football Team is in the top half of the Power Rankings. Thanks to a Giants loss and this team’s very impressive win against the 49ers on Sunday, the WFT now sits alone atop the NFC East and is poised to make a playoff push. Their defense has been playing absolutely insane football, forcing 3 turnovers on Sunday and returning 2 of them for touchdowns, including an incredible fumble return by star rookie DE Chase Young. It’s a unit that’s playing like one of the best in football, as they haven’t given up more than 17 points in over a month. However, the offense has been incredibly suspect, and didn’t even score a touchdown on Sunday. QB Alex Smith had to leave the game with muscle soreness on his previously-injured leg, and Dwayne Haskins did not look very inspiring in relief. The temporary loss of RB Antonio Gibson is hurting this offense in a big way. But, if the defense keeps playing like this, then who needs offense?

16 – Vikings (6-7) 2

I feel bad for Minnesota. They got jobbed several times on Sunday in Tampa, and should have had a shot to win the game. It doesn’t help that every kicking attempt by K Dan Bailey landed in the Gulf of Mexico, but the point still stands. Thanks to the loss and an Arizona win, this team has now slipped back down to the 8 seed and out of the playoff picture. I still believe in this team, but they no longer control their own destiny. They need all the help they can get, especially with an upcoming schedule that is fairly difficult.

17 – Raiders (7-6) 2

I mean… what? What? What is happening to this team? Just a few weeks ago, they almost swept the Chiefs, and even in the loss, looked like a truly great team. Since then, they got blown out by Atlanta, eeked by the Jets on a deliberate Hail Mary, and now have gotten completely wiped by the Colts. They are falling apart with every passing week, and have dropped all the way down to the AFC’s 9 seed. I don’t think this team will make the playoffs anymore, and for good reason. They don’t deserve it anymore considering the way they’ve been playing. The best thing they can try to do in these final 3 weeks is salvage the mess.

18 – Patriots (6-7) 2

New England’s offense has been a bit suspect all season long, and Thursday night in LA was their piece de resistance of mediocrity. They only racked up 220 yards and scored just 3 points (which is quite poetic if you ask me). Their defense is also letting teams gash them with ease, as the Rams ran circles around them. The Patriots’ playoff hopes are now all but kaput, and it’s onto next season. It’ll be interesting to see what happens this offseason in Foxboro.

19 – Giants (5-8) 1

The Giants’ 4-game winning streak finally came to an end thanks to a complete domination by the Cardinals. It was a very sad day on both sides of the ball for a team that had been so consistent heading into this game. Now, the Giants are on the outside looking in sitting at 2nd place in the NFC East, and have an uphill climb to get back into the playoff picture. The rest of their schedule is a bit tough, but more than anything, they no longer control their own destiny to make the playoffs. They better hope for someone to knock of the WFT, and they need to play better than they did in Week 14.

20 – Bears (6-7) 1

Chicago finally ended their infamous losing streak of 6 games in very impressive fashion as they destroyed the Texans on Sunday. It was a much needed performance from a team that has seemingly lost their identity on both sides of the ball. The Bears now find themselves just 1 game back of a wild card spot somehow, and if they can string together performances like last week’s, then perhaps they can sneak in. I doubt it, but it’s something to watch.

21 – 49ers (5-8) 1

Well, that was not pretty. San Francisco was overwhelmed and completely pushed around by a dominant WFT defense seemingly all game long on Sunday, and QB Nick Mullens had a very forgettable performance. Turnovers plagued the 49ers, who almost came back to win it. Their defense did its job, locking up Washington’s thin offense, but they couldn’t make up for the shortcomings on the other side of the ball. This team has been a struggle bus all season long, and I can imagine that they cannot wait for it to be over.

22 – Broncos (5-8) 4

Denver picked up a very nice, deserved win against the Panthers on Sunday thanks to a career day from QB Drew Lock, who is trending upwards right now. He seems to enjoy playing in Decembers, dating back to last year. Rookie WR K.J. Hamler also burst onto the scene with two huge touchdown catches. If the speedster can develop into a legitimate deep threat, with fellow rookie WR Jerry Jeudy dominating CBs on the outside, then this team can be fairly dangerous offensively.

23 – Chargers (4-9) 4

The Chargers emerged victorious in the Choke Bowl against Atlanta thanks to some great play by QB Justin Herbert. The rookie had a perplexing statline of just 243 yards on 36 completions, but he did what he needed to do to put his team in a position to win it. It was a nice win for a reeling team, but it did hurt their draft positioning a bit, which could come back to bite them. Regardless, it’s nice to see Herbert winning games. He deserves it.

24 – Falcons (4-9) 2

I mean… whatever. This team is bad. They have been all year long. They can’t step up in a big moment to win a game. I don’t really have anything else to say about them. At least Sunday’s loss helped their draft positioning a bit. They could really use it.

25 – Panthers (4-9) 1

It has been 5 years, and Carolina still cannot overcome the hump that is the Denver Broncos. For much of the game on Sunday, the Panthers looked lifeless on both sides of the football. It was an uninspiring game from a team that has played uninspiring football all season long. There is no doubt that the future is bright in Carolina, but this season has been a very unfortunate sham.

26 – Texans (4-9) 1

The story of Sunday’s game in Chicago played out much like so many Texans games this season; Deshaun Watson tries to do what he can with absolutely nothing, and it is all for nothing. For the millionth time, you can’t help but feel bad for him. Houston wasn’t even competitive against the Bears, which is perplexing if you think about how poorly Chicago has been in the last 2 months. But, it’s the Texans, which means that no matter what, things will always end poorly.

27 – Lions (5-8) 2

I feel like Detroit is at the point where there isn’t a way to overcome mediocrity. They’re talented enough to win games, but not necessarily good enough to beat good teams. They can play good teams closely, but they can’t win. But, they can beat bad teams enough to not have a good enough draft pick, and the cycle goes on and on and on. You just got to hope that this team makes the right offseason hire at HC to get this franchise on track.

28 – Eagles (4-8-1) 1

Rookie QB Jalen Hurts made his first career start in a very difficult situation, and made the absolute most of the opportunity, leading his team to a massive upset win of the Saints. Hurts played quite nicely, amassing 273 total yards (167 passing, 106 rushing) and throwing for a touchdown. The Eagles run game was on fire all game long, and it helped propel them to their first win since November 1st. Good for them, and even better for Jalen Hurts. I’m not sure how much success he’ll find in the NFL, but perhaps this is a step in the right direction for him and for the franchise as a whole.

29 – Cowboys (4-9) 1

Dallas picked up a win against an absolutely horrid Bengals team in QB Andy Dalton’s return to Cincinnati. And nobody cares. Nobody is impressed, and nobody should be. This team is quite bad and still deservedly in last place. They have a very interesting offseason coming up that will have a huge impact on the future of the franchise, but for now, I’ll bask in their terrible play.

30 – Bengals (2-10-1)

The bottom 3 no longer deserves any explanation. You know the drill with these teams. They’re the clear cut 3 worst teams in football, and we all know where they’re going to go in April when they are on the clock. You just got to hope they don’t screw it up.

31 – Jaguars (1-12)

Is Justin Fields a Jaguar yet? No? Thank God.

32 – Jets (0-13)

The Jets are oh so close to winning the Trevor Lawrence Sweepstakes™. They are clearly trying their absolute hardest, and are ready to win the race for good. At least they’ll win something in 2020.

All stats taken from ESPN.

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.

1 – Chiefs (10-1)

2 – Saints (9-2) 1

3 – Steelers (11-0) 1

4 – Packers (8-3) 3

5 – Titans (8-3) 3

6 – Bills (8-3) 1

7 – Rams (7-4) 3

8 – Colts (7-4) 2

9 – Seahawks (8-3) 3

10 – Buccaneers (7-5)

11 – Ravens (6-5) 2

12 – Dolphins (7-4) 2

13 – Cardinals (6-5)

14 – Raiders (6-5) 3

15 – Browns (8-3)

16 – Vikings (5-6) 1

17 – 49ers (5-6) 1

18 – Patriots (5-6) 1

19 – Bears (5-6) 3

20 – Falcons (4-7) 1

21 – Giants (4-7) 1

22 – Texans (4-7) 3

23 – Washington (4-7) 3

24 – Panthers (4-8) 2

25 – Lions (4-7) 2

26 – Broncos (4-7) 2

27 – Chargers (3-8) 1

28 – Cowboys (3-8) 1

29 – Eagles (3-7-1)

30 – Bengals (2-8-1)

31 – Jaguars (1-10)

32 – Jets (0-11)