Tag: Baltimore Ravens

Cover photo taken from NFL.com.

1 – Bengals (12-4)

The Cincinnati Bengals are my top team at the end of the 2022 season, but I don’t know if they have ever felt more vulnerable. Their offensive line, which has previously been so solid all year long, has lost two of its most key pieces in Alex Cappa and La’el Collins in the last three weeks. So, there’s a better chance than not that we see Joe Burrow under duress just as much as he was during last year’s playoff run. That being said, I still trust Burrow and the Bengals offense under any and all circumstances, and I still trust this defense. They have plenty of experience from last year and feel determined to make amends. Their injuries could come back to bite them, but as it stands, they are my Super Bowl favorites.

2 – Chiefs (14-3)

Kansas City ended their season far more emphatically than I pictured they would. They destroyed the Raiders on the road in one of their more convincing performances on the season. They barely had to do anything offensively to separate themselves. They didn’t have the flashiest game in the world, but it didn’t matter. This team simply kills you with a thousand paper cuts. Patrick Mahomes continues to be masterful, and the defense is carrying some nice momentum into the first round bye with back to back great performances, especially in the secondary. While there’s no guarantee of the Chiefs getting multiple home playoff games, they are extremely worthy of being the betting favorites to win it all. They are the team to beat in the NFL.

3 – 49ers (13-4)

The 49ers are the best team in the NFC. They might just be the best team in the league. With every passing week, they look better and better on both sides of the ball. I already have no idea how anyone is supposed to move the ball on their defense, but now I don’t know who can stop their offense. Brock Purdy continues to play better and better, and they just have too many weapons to account for. And now, Deebo Samuel is finally back. So is Elijah Mitchell, who provides an entirely different element to the already deadly backfield. This team is absolutely horrifying, even if they’re not the 1 seed. With the way the other NFC contenders have performed in the last month or so, I would genuinely be shocked if the Niners didn’t make it to Glendale in a month’s time.

4 – Bills (13-3)

I said last week that the Bills had the chance to give us one of the greatest sights in sports history. And they did just that. Buffalo was absolutely electric from start to finish in an inspiring win for Damar Hamlin to lock up the 2 seed and ensure that the AFC Championship be played at a neutral site if this team plays Kansas City. It also ensured a much easier first round matchup. While I think Buffalo could have played a better game defensively, Josh Allen was awesome from start to finish, launching the ball all over the place and making highlight throw after highlight throw. We saw the Bills get hot at the end of last year and carry that momentum into two great playoff games on offense. I wouldn’t be shocked if we see the exact same thing happen again in the coming weeks.

5 – Eagles (14-3)

Despite getting Jalen Hurts back, the Eagles looked quite sluggish once again on Sunday. They did not play a great game by any means, but still won convincingly over the Giants backups. They did clinch the 1 seed, and I think they will really benefit from having a first round bye. We could see the Birds in two weeks come out scorching hot offensively. At the same time, we could see a repeat of Sunday’s performance lead to an early exit. Both seem entirely possible, but I have a bit more faith in the former actually happening. This team is too talented across the board to get complacent, especially after clinching the top seed. Their second round matchup will be the most important factor. If it’s the Giants or Cowboys, then they should be fine. But if it’s Tom Brady and the Bucs, they might be in trouble.

6 – Chargers (10-7) 1

The Chargers weren’t as cautious with their starters as I thought they would be on Sunday, but Brandon Staley did eventually pull Justin Herbert and company out of the game in the fourth quarter. However, it wasn’t before Mike Williams sustained an injury that could potentially keep him out of the Wild Card game in Jacksonville. That mistake could prove to be extremely costly for LA; we saw how their offense looked when they weren’t at full strength, and that’s not something this team can afford to revisit. However, the Chargers are getting some good injury news as Rashawn Slater could return to the team if they were to beat the Jaguars on Saturday night. The offensive line has played very well in his absence, but getting one of the best LTs in football back obviously provides a massive boost to the offense. In any case, it will be tough for the Chargers to go on the road and win in Herbert’s playoff debut. But we all know he’s capable of getting the job done.

7 – Jaguars (9-8) 1

We all know the Jags didn’t play their best game on Saturday night in a de facto playoff game. But I think that was expected. I told you all that it would be close despite the Titans’ QB situation. It was a combination of their coaching and the jitters of Jacksonville. I’m not shocked at all that they struggled for so long and needed a big break in the game’s waning moments to clinch their playoff spot. But I think that getting those jitters out of the way will be extremely helpful for this team as they head into a very tough playoff matchup with the Chargers. They will likely play a lot more relaxed and look like the Jags of December again.

8 – Cowboys (12-5) 2

Yeesh. For a team that could have wound up as the 1 seed by Sunday night, the Cowboys put up one of the most pathetic performances you will ever see. I don’t think I’ve truly realized how sad it was. To play a team playing a 3rd string QB with absolutely nothing to play for and virtually not show up is just embarrassing. Dak Prescott played perhaps the worst game of his professional career and the rest of the offense never got off the plane. The defense couldn’t stop a Commanders offense starting a plethora of backups. It was just an abomination from start to finish. It’s hard to tell if this is who the Cowboys are going into the playoffs, but it inspires little to no confidence ahead of a road matchup against Tom Brady, who has never lost to Dallas in his life.

9 – Vikings (13-4)

As I said last week, the Vikings didn’t have to do much to beat a Bears team that was essentially playing to lose to be handed the #1 pick in the draft. I still have my reservations about this team, but it was nice to see them close out a great regular season with a rare convincing victory. Minnesota was able to get their starters some rest ahead of a pretty tough matchup next week with a Giants team that also rested their starters on Sunday. Their game a few weeks ago was pretty close, and anything can happen in the rematch, but I’ll get more into that later this week.

10 – Lions (9-8)

The Lions may have missed out on the playoffs, but they won all of our hearts this season. They finished the season on a 7-2 tear after a poor 2-6 start, beating playoff teams and crushing playoff dreams left and right. Sunday night’s win in Lambeau was simply awesome to see, and it’s so cool that NFL fans can rally around this team like we have in recent weeks. I can’t wait to see what they have in store moving forward. I can only hope that they don’t mess it up in typical Detroit fashion, because this is one of my absolute favorite teams in the league right now, and I don’t want them to go away.

11 – Giants (9-7-1)

The Giants knew they were locked into the 6 seed and rested their starters accordingly. It would be vastly unfair to move them up or down after that. I actually like their chances going to Minnesota to play a team they nearly just beat in the very same building. It’s one of the more interesting matchups of the weekend, but like I said, I’ll get into it more later this week.

12 – Buccaneers (8-9) 3

Since they were locked into the 4 seed, the Buccaneers only played their starters for a few drives on Sunday in Atlanta before letting their backups get some reps in a meaningless loss. Thus, Tampa is the only playoff team with a losing record. You might as well throw that out the window, because having Tom Brady in the playoffs is enough to make the Bucs absolutely horrify me. I don’t know what this team has in store for the postseason considering how up and down they’ve been all year long, but if #12 plays like he did to close out the year and the defense steps up like they seemingly always do, then we could be in for some more playoff magic.

13 – Steelers (9-8) 1

Kudos to the Steelers for finishing the season so strong. Like the Lions, they closed out the year 7-2 after starting 2-6 to ensure that Mike Tomlin has still never finished a season with a losing record. By all means, Pittsburgh deserves to be the 7 seed in the AFC. However, the chips just didn’t fall their way. I’m still impressed with this team. They made something out of nothing time and time again, and while I have no idea what to make of their future, perhaps the pieces are there to return to their typical status. Kenny Pickett will continue to develop into a fine young QB, and the defense will keep balling out. If they can get some offensive weapons, then I’ll have high hopes for the Steelers in 2023.

14 – Dolphins (9-8) 1

The Dolphins have snuck into the playoffs as the 7 seed to every NFL fan’s dismay. If they had Tua Tagovailoa suiting up to play QB, we’d all be enticed by their matchup with the Bills on Sunday. Alas, it will be Skylar Thompson once again, and since they’re not playing the Joe Flacco-led Jets, they will get curbstomped. It’s not going to be pretty. I wish we could have seen this team at full strength in the postseason, but they only have themselves to blame for their shortcomings. Perhaps in 2023 they won’t fall apart as drastically as they did this year.

15 – Seahawks (9-8) 2

It wasn’t pretty by any means, but the Seahawks did their job on Sunday by beating the Rams and getting some help from the Lions in order to sneak into the playoffs as the NFC’s 7 seed. This may be a postseason team, but I still don’t feel great about them. They looked very sloppy against LA and realistically should have lost if Baker Mayfield didn’t hand them the ball over and over again. Geno Smith is still very careless with the ball and isn’t playing nearly as precise as he was to start the year. The run game was chugging, which is a good sign, but we all know this offense isn’t going to do a damn thing against the 49ers defense. I expect their postseason to stay to be extremely brief.

16 – Ravens (10-7)

That’s right. I think the Ravens are the single worst team in the playoff field. It’s largely due to their QB situation, but I also just haven’t liked what this team has been doing all year long. While I believe their defense has been very good since Roquan Smith came over from Chicago, their offense has been a complete mess, and the defense can’t make up for that. If Anthony Brown is the starting QB once again on Sunday in Cincinnati, then the Ravens don’t stand a chance. If it’s Tyler Huntley under center, then perhaps they can hang around for a bit. If Lamar Jackson returns, then they could definitely win, but that’s just too unlikely at this point. That means their offense is going to continue looking like a JV team. The defense might be able to stifle the Bengals’ high flying offense, but will it be enough? I doubt it.

17 – Packers (8-9) 5

I have no desire to talk about the Packers. To have their season ended at home for the third straight time after laying the third straight dud is just embarrassing. Aaron Rodgers once again checked out of the game and looked absolutely pathetic down the stretch. He is definitely leaving Green Bay, but that’s another story. Sunday night was simply another indictment on the Matt LaFleur era for the Packers. They were unprepared, poorly coached, made stupid decisions on and off the field and paid the price for it. That’s all this team has done in the last ten years. Nobody should be remotely surprised anymore.

18 – Patriots (8-9)

The Patriots were about as competitive as I expected them to be on Sunday, but just as I predicted, it was all for naught. For every positive, there was a negative, especially when it came to Mac Jones. He had some nice throws and wound up with three touchdown passes, but also had some pretty bad ones and threw two picks. The run game looked pretty solid at times, but they simply couldn’t rely on the run game once they got down. Perhaps the most disappointing thing was the defensive performance by a team that has prided itself on making plays on that side of the ball. They were pretty awful from start to finish, as was the special teams, which allowed two kick return touchdowns. It was simply a Murphy’s Law type of game for the Patriots, which is a pretty fitting ending to a season where so much has gone wrong.

19 – Commanders (8-8-1) 4

I have no remote idea where any of that came from, but I love it. I absolutely love this team showing a ton of fight to close out a tough season. I love beating the brakes off the Cowboys. I love the team and the fanbase rallying around Sam Howell going into next year. I love the defense showing up and showing out. I love FedEx rocking in a psuedo-primetime setting. I would have loved to see this type of energy in recent weeks when the season still could have amounted to something, but I’m not complaining. This is going to be a very weird offseason, and I have no idea what 2023 holds for this team or this franchise. But I’m going to enjoy the way 2022 came to a close after so many weeks of sadness.

20 – Panthers (7-10) 4

The Panthers had one of the strangest seasons of any team in the league. They were perhaps the worst team in the league through two months, then turned it around and were a few plays away from making the playoffs. Now, they enter an offseason where they need to find a QB and may need to find a new head coach as well. I think Steve Wilks has done enough to retain the job, just as I felt about Rich Bisaccia last year in Vegas. We all saw how replacing him worked out for the Raiders. If the Panthers can find a QB in the draft or free agency, they can definitely be a fun young team under Wilks next year. I just hope for their sake that they make the right decisions.

21 – Saints (7-10) 2

Like their NFC South counterparts above them, the Saints had a very strange 2022 season. They were bad, then good, then bad, then good, then bad again. Now, they enter a nightmare free agency period where they are almost sure to lose a ton of talent while not having much draft capital to work with. 2023 could be a year where the Saints are one of the worst teams in the league, regardless of who their head coach is. Dennis Allen should be fired by all means, but I don’t think any coach can salvage the absolute mess that New Orleans will be in a few months time.

22 – Raiders (6-11) 2

In a microcosm of their entire season, the Raiders looked much worse on Saturday than I thought they would. Like so many other teams in this range, Las Vegas enters a very strange offseason with a ton of questions. Derek Carr is almost certainly on his way out, but the team sits in a position where they can make a play for a top QB in the draft. Perhaps they try to fill the position through free agency; a certain GOAT has been linked to the franchise due to his preexisting relationship with the head coach. Regardless, there are a lot more problems here than just the QB position. The defense is still going to be an absolute mess, and Josh Jacobs is likely going to leave. It’s going to be a long year ahead for a team that only endures long years.

23 – Jets (7-10) 2

The second half of the season couldn’t have gone any worse for the Jets. Going from 6-3 to 7-10 and losing the final six games of the year is simply inexcusable, even by Jets standards. Their QB play was abysmal down the stretch, and injuries unfortunately got the better of them. I don’t think this season is a failure by any means, in fact, this team overachieved more than anything else. They should feel great about their fantastic rookie class and phenomenal young pieces moving forward. The most important thing is finding a QB this offseason, and with a solid young roster, I think the Jets will have plenty of suitors.

24 – Browns (7-10) 2

It’s safe to say that the Browns vastly underperformed this season. It’s rather shocking that they were clearly better with Jacoby Brissett at QB than Deshaun Watson. That will likely change next year, but I’m not sure if that’s a guarantee. We’ll see what happens. This is a solid roster from top to bottom that can’t afford to underachieve again. I would love to see that though.

25 – Titans (7-10)

The Titans did exactly what I thought they were going to do on Saturday night. They were competitive from start to finish and their poor QB play cost them the game and the division. It was extremely obvious. Now, Tennessee is faced with a ton of questions going into what is sure to be a weird offseason. The QB position isn’t entirely settled and the WR group is rather pitiful. They better hope to revamp the offense to be vastly better than the unit that let them down in such a big way in 2022. I trust Mike Vrabel to get the job done, but they better hope that whichever GM they hire can do it as well.

26 – Rams (5-12)

Simply put, the 2022 Rams were the worst defending champions I have ever seen. You can blame it on their awful injury luck, but they were pretty bad even before that. This team has no future at all, and now Sean McVay might be stepping down. They are all sorts of screwed if that ends up happening. They have no picks and are in cap hell, so good luck to whoever inherits this absolute mess of a franchise after he’s gone. Like the Saints, this doesn’t seem like a salvageable situation.

27 – Broncos (5-12) 1

Good for the Broncos to close out such a tough season with a nice win at home against a division rival. I could tell how much it meant to Russell Wilson, the team, and the fans. Perhaps Denver can carry this momentum into next year. It will certainly be tough with limited draft capital and a limited offensive roster. This team will simply go as far as Russ and whichever HC they hire can take them. That doesn’t inspire a ton of confidence, but perhaps the Broncos have what it takes to do a 180 in 2023.

28 – Falcons (7-10) 1

All things considered, a 7-win season should be considered as a massive success for the Falcons. This team is absolute garbage and got hammered with injuries and bad luck all year long and still managed to finish the year a game out of first place. That’s remarkable. I like what Arthur Smith is cooking in Atlanta, and I think that this team can produce a fruitful future if they play their cards right this offseason. They have to nail free agency and the draft, and they better hope that they can find a QB. I hate to say it, but Desmond Ridder is simply not going to be the guy moving forward.

29 – Texans (3-13-1) 2

Congratulations, Texans! You just fumbled one of the most un-fumble-able bags in the history of the sport! You now have to watch as someone (perhaps a division rival) jumps you for the QB you so desperately craved to save your franchise! And for what? I understand that this is a professional football team and they’re not just going to go out there and throw a game, but come on. The #2 pick is still a good place to be in with two great QBs atop this draft class, but not having the top selection is definitely going to sting. I don’t see Houston making a play for #1, so they’ll have to roll with whatever their plan B is. And they only have themselves to blame.

30 – Cardinals (4-13) 1

When I got the notification that Kliff Kingsbury had been fired, I audibly cheered. I had been waiting for that for far too long. He had no business being an NFL head coach, and this franchise deserved better. Perhaps his replacement can forge an actual relationship with the franchise QB that they paid $250 million. Regardless of whether that happens, I have a bad feeling that the Cards will continue to be in a tough spot moving forward. This is not a very good roster, and their best players on either side of the ball are going to leave as JJ Watt retires and DeAndre Hopkins wants a trade. Not to mention Kyler Murray likely won’t be ready to start at the beginning of next season. I’m penciling in Arizona as one of the frontrunners for the top pick in 2024.

31 – Colts (4-12-1) 1

By losing to the Texans, the Colts cemented themselves as the worst team in the AFC. That’s a pretty hilarious statement considering this team is now in prime position to jump the Texans to take the #1 pick in the draft and steal whichever QB their division rivals wanted to pick. If/when the Colts get their franchise QB, they should be in a solid spot moving forward. This is a solid roster that was drastically held back by QB play, injuries, and coaching in 2022. With a young star QB that inherits Jonathan Taylor, Michael Pittman Jr., and a great defense, as well as a coach not named Jeff Saturday, they can definitely turn things around next year as long as they keep their key players on the roster.

32 – Bears (3-14)

Congrats to the Bears for somehow falling ass backwards into the #1 pick in the Draft. I’m actually really happy for them, seeing as they can now flip that pick into infinitely more draft capital in a trade with some other team in the top 5-10 that desperately needs a franchise QB. Chicago already has their guy in Justin Fields, all they need to do is trade back, take a defensive lineman/edge rusher, and use their extra picks as well as their league-leading $100 million of cap space to continue building around their young star QB. This is going to be one of the most important offseasons in the history of the franchise, and I don’t say that lightly. If Chicago makes all the right moves, they will be right back in the thick of things in the years to come. If they don’t, they might never return to the glory days.

All stats taken from ESPN.

Cover photo taken from The New Yorker.

This has been the most difficult week of sports in my life. The incident with Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin shook me to my core, as it did for anyone who watched it or heard about it. It has made me take a step back and reflect on how this is really just a game. And it took me a while to come back and remember that there are still games left to be played. Both out of respect for Hamlin and because of my own personal feelings at the moment, I don’t find it appropriate to be talking about the games when his life is on the line. That’s why this week’s Power Rankings have taken until the end of the week to come out, and why I won’t be writing about any of the teams or games from Week 17. Tomorrow’s Picks will be as normal as they can be, but for now, here’s my Power Rankings in their most bare form as we head into to the final week of the 2022 NFL season.

1 – Bengals (11-4) 1

2 – Chiefs (13-3) 1

3 – 49ers (12-4) 1

4 – Bills (12-3) 1

5 – Eagles (13-3) 4

6 – Cowboys (12-4)

7 – Chargers (10-6)

8 – Jaguars (8-8) 1

9 – Vikings (12-4) 1

10 – Lions (8-8) 2

11 – Giants (9-6-1) 3

12 – Packers (8-8) 5

13 – Dolphins (8-8) 3

14 – Steelers (8-8) 4

15 – Buccaneers (8-8) 5

16 – Ravens (10-6) 5

17 – Seahawks (8-8) 4

18 – Patriots (8-8) 4

19 – Saints (7-9) 5

20 – Raiders (6-10) 1

21 – Jets (7-9) 8

22 – Browns (7-9) 3

23 – Commanders (7-8-1) 8

24 – Panthers (6-10) 8

25 – Titans (7-9) 2

26 – Rams (5-11)

27 – Falcons (6-10)

28 – Broncos (4-12) 2

29 – Cardinals (4-12) 1

30 – Colts (4-11-1) 1

31 – Texans (2-13-1)

32 – Bears (3-13)

Cover photo taken from CBS 17.

1 – Eagles (13-2)

Can anyone provide me a valid reason why I should move the Eagles down this week? They went on the road with a backup QB and lost by 6 in a shootout against one of the best teams in the conference that just so happens to be their division rival. That says something. Gardner Minshew did his thing, and I have no doubt that the Eagles will win out regardless of whether or not Jalen Hurts returns before the playoffs. However, I do have one concern with Saturday’s performance by Philly. Their defense got absolutely gashed, especially through the air, and gave up a lot of head-scratching plays. They did make some nice plays of their own, but they broke down when the game was on the line. Injuries have shaken them up a little bit, and they can’t afford another performance like this in January.

2 – Bengals (11-4)

I seriously considered moving the Bengals down a notch this week, but it didn’t feel right. As I always say, getting out to a huge lead and then letting up a little is only natural. It happens to everyone in this league. This team never trailed, was firing on all cylinders in the first half, and let some complacency and injuries make it close in the end. But guess what? They still made every play to win the game, highlighted by the fumble recovery in their own redzone to seal it. Joe Burrow put together another masterful performance despite the offensive line falling apart around him, but whether or not that can continue is going to determine the outcome of this season for Cincinnati. We’ve seen Joe pull rabbits out of hats with a makeshift OL before, but we’ve also seen that be this team’s undoing. They could be in for a rude awakening if they let those injuries get the best of them, especially with the defense still in recovery.

3 – Chiefs (12-3)

I’ll give the Chiefs a ton of credit for playing much better defensively than I expected them to on Saturday. They had the Seahawks completely locked up from start to finish and never wavered on either side of the ball. Patrick Mahomes played a tremendous game, once again putting the team on his back, and has all but secured this year’s MVP. The defense was relentless in getting after the passer, and the secondary played their best game in weeks against a very solid WR group. It was a performance that inspired a ton of confidence in this team as we head towards the postseason. If KC gets a gift from Cincinnati on Monday night and is able to lock up the 1 seed the following week, I’m not sure they can be stopped en route to Glendale.

4 – 49ers (11-4)

I honestly feel like I have the 49ers too low at 4. This could feasibly be the best team in the NFL. They, along with the three teams above them, are far and away the best teams in football. This team just keeps on looking better and better with every passing week. On Saturday, it was the offense that once again put together a masterful performance against a solid defense. The run game was a bit stagnant, but Brock Purdy was slinging the rock all over the yard for another huge day. George Kittle has found himself again and added a massively effective wrinkle to this already deadly offense that will only be scarier once Deebo Samuel returns. The defense didn’t have their best day, especially in the secondary, but the pass rush was still ferocious and allowed the Niners to separate themselves in the second half. This might be the scariest team in the league right now, and I can’t wait to see what they have left in store.

5 – Bills (12-3)

Buffalo got off to a very, very slow start on Saturday amidst the frigid temperatures in Chicago. It was not a promising sight. However, the second half was very promising as the offense was moving the ball very well on the ground and the defense made play after play. But I’m taking it with a grain of salt. They were playing a notoriously awful second half team in the Bears and they still couldn’t throw the ball effectively. Josh Allen had a 71.3 passer rating on 57% completion against a below average secondary. I just feel like I never know what Bills team is going to show up on any given Sunday. Will they be the offensive juggernauts with Allen launching deep balls and running over defenders? Will the offense be stuck in quicksand and limited through the air? Will the defense get gashed or be a brick wall? Monday night’s potential game of the year in Cincinnati will answer a lot of these questions as we head into the playoffs.

6 – Cowboys (11-4)

I give the Cowboys a ton of credit for keeping their composure after a nightmare start on Saturday to fight their way back in the game and win it late with some massive plays down the stretch. I was thoroughly impressed with their execution and resilience in the final stages of the game, including converting a miracle 3rd and 30 which helped keep them alive. Dak Prescott played a great game after throwing another bad pick six, CeeDee Lamb was unstoppable, and while the defense got gashed for the most part, they made the plays they had to when it mattered most. It was a very inspiring performance by a team that usually lacks in that department. That confidence can go a very long way as this team prepares for a very difficult playoff path.

7 – Chargers (9-6) 1

I hate saying this because I know it will come back to haunt me, but the Chargers are one of the spookiest teams in the league right now. Their offense is healthy and clicking, and their defense is playing lights out despite not being healthy. Now, Joey Bosa is on his way back for the playoffs. It’s pretty terrifying. Everyone thought the Chargers would be contenders before the season, then injuries put them in the dirt. But now that they’re getting healthy again, we’re seeing them live up to their potential. I assure you, nobody wants to see this team in the postseason. They’ll be a Wild Card team, but they can and will do damage.

8 – Vikings (12-3) 1

The 2022 Minnesota Vikings are the luckiest NFL team I have ever seen. The simple statistic of being 11-0 in one-score games is one of the most staggering figures in history. People keep talking about an inevitable regression to the mean with the Vikes, but we might just have to accept the fact that they’re a team of destiny. I feel bad, because it’s going to make their inevitable home playoff loss that much more painful for their tortured fanbase. I don’t take back what I’ve said about the Vikings being a legit team that should be respected, but I just find it impossible to believe that this level of luck and late-game heroism will continue once the playoffs roll around. But they are peak entertainment, so I would love to be proven wrong.

9 – Jaguars (7-8) 3

The Jacksonville Jaguars are a first place team with two weeks to play. What a time to be alive. Thursday night’s win was ugly and gross, but it was dominant more than anything else. I understand that it doesn’t take much of a defensive performance to dominate against Zach Wilson, but they locked up an effective offense while their own offense did its thing to come away with a win. The story of the Jags has been the same for the last month: they play inspired defense while Trevor Lawrence executes the offense to perfection. It’s hard to see that stopping as they move towards this division title.

10 – Dolphins (8-7) 1

It’s pretty hard to believe considering where this team stood a month ago, but the wheels have fallen off the Dolphins. I said that I didn’t think the 49ers exposed them a few weeks ago, but perhaps the blueprint was laid out on how to stop their explosive offense. NFL teams are now following that blueprint to a T, and it has made this offense much less effective than it was before. And the only person to blame for that is the QB, which I warned you all about. Tua has been figured out, and now that defenses are testing him, he is playing awfully. His performance on Sunday was his worst of the year, and none of his three consecutive 4th quarter interceptions were particularly close to anyone wearing a Dolphins uniform. Now that defenses are forcing Miami to win with Tua’s arm, they are no longer capable of winning. Once again, I foresaw this weeks ago, and we’re seeing the worst of it now. All of a sudden, this potential Super Bowl contender has been reduced to a team that has to fight to stay alive in the Wild Card race. At this point, who knows if they’re even capable of making the dance?

11 – Ravens (10-5) 4

Despite their horrendous opposition, the Ravens deserve some credit for staying afloat and keeping their division hopes alive in these last few weeks without Lamar Jackson. Now that he’ll likely be returning this week, they have a great shot to win the last two pivotal AFC North clashes to clinch the division. Even if he doesn’t play, we know they’ll be viable, especially at home against an average Steelers team this week. The defense remains the most impressive thing about this team, but I don’t know how to assess them when they play the likes of Cleveland and Atlanta and Pittsburgh and Denver. Week 18’s game in Cincinnati will tell us just who this team is as they head into the postseason.

12 – Lions (7-8) 2

That was extremely ugly. I said last week that the Lions’ struggles with defending the run could be the reason they lost on Saturday. I didn’t expect it to be that bad. This defense got flat out embarrassed by a team that simply out-coached, out-schemed, and outplayed them. The Panthers wanted it more and it showed. But it’s more than the fact that the defense got ripped to shreds. This offense played one of its worst games in the last several months. It’s hard to go on the road and beat a good defense, but at least we had seen the Lions do that from time to time. Saturday’s game brought out the worst in both sides of the ball when they could have seized a massive opportunity to get into the playoff picture. It’s a very steep uphill climb now.

13 – Jets (7-8) 2

Here’s the good news for the Jets: Zach Wilson has played his last snap in New York. He is absolutely cooked and will likely never be a starting QB ever again. This is also great news for NFL fans like myself who knew that he would never be anything short of awful in this league and both love being proven right and never having to see him play again. With Mike White returning this week, the Jets have a fighting shot to make the playoffs, but it’s going to be really hard. They don’t control their own destiny, and a lot of unlikely scenarios have to go their way. This team isn’t going to back down, but at the end of the day, I don’t think it’s going to be enough.

14 – Giants (8-6-1) 1

15 – Commanders (7-7-1) 1

Saturday’s loss in the Bay was both better and worse than I expected. On one hand, our defense was ripped apart by Brock Purdy and the secondary had one of its worst games of the year. On the other hand, Chase Young looked very good in his return, making the immediate impact that I knew he would. On yet another hand, the offense moved the ball pretty decently on a great defense highlighted by the continued tremendous play of Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson. And on one final hand, Taylor Heinicke pulled off his usual shenanigans to singlehandedly lose us the game, featuring awful throws and negative pocket presence en route to being benched for Carson Wentz, making this whole season come full circle. I don’t know what to expect moving forward, but I have a feeling that Wentz will be under center in the final two games. It just feels like he gives us a better shot to win at this point. I’m not complaining; I’ve been waiting for Heinicke’s demise for over a year now. I’m just glad it’s finally here.

16 – Panthers (6-9) 8

This team is winning the NFC South. I’ve seen enough. They are playing such inspired football right now, and I think they’re going to beat the lifeless Bucs this week. They run the ball so well, only relying on Sam Darnold to make a few key throws in a game, and let their defense do the rest. It’s the perfect formula for a team with this makeup from top to bottom. I love the way they play and I love watching them play, and I genuinely can’t wait to see them in the playoffs.

17 – Packers (7-8) 3

I guess they’re actually back. The Packers have won three in a row and now sit in a golden position to sneak their way into the playoffs. Despite that, I think the media needs to calm down when it comes to decreeing this team as anything greater than average. They haven’t beaten the toughest teams in this win streak, and there are still a plethora of flaws with the roster. The run game is a struggle bus and the injury to Christian Watson isn’t exactly inspiring. Aaron Rodgers is playing pretty well, but those performances have come against JV defenses. Even if they sneak into the dance, they’re going to get smacked by San Francisco yet again. It’ll be a very rude awakening. But it’s a nice story that the media will milk for weeks because this is the Green Bay Packers.

18 – Steelers (7-8) 5

I never say this, but I’m really happy for the Steelers. Saturday night’s win was such an inspiring, awesome sight, and I was elated when they won the game in the final seconds. I know Franco was too. Pittsburgh is playing some very solid football as of late, and perhaps we shouldn’t sleep on them as a potential Wild Card team. The defense can win any game for them despite the continued struggles of the offense. The last two games are difficult, physical divisional games, but I think that plays right into this team’s strengths. I wouldn’t be surprised if they won both.

19 – Raiders (6-9) 3

In the last three weeks, the Raiders have lost two games they simply had no business losing. The Thursday night debacle against Baker Mayfield and the Rams was embarrassing, and this Saturday night’s offensive dud was perhaps the worst of the season. Josh Jacobs couldn’t get a damn thing going, and Davante Adams was limited to two catches for fifteen yards. 2 for 15. This is one of the best players in the NFL we’re talking about! The offensive shortcomings have been the Raiders’ undoing all year long, and it has officially buried them. It’s a shame for a team that’s so talented. But I shouldn’t expect anything different from this franchise.

20 – Buccaneers (7-8) 2

The Buccaneers beat an awful team starting a 3rd string QB in overtime on Sunday night. And this is supposed to move the needle? Not to me. With every passing week, I feel worse and worse about the Bucs, and I am now extremely confident that the Panthers will beat them this week and jump them to make the postseason. This team really has no life and no heart. They are immensely boring and flat for sixty minutes every single week. They rely on a few key plays by their defense and Tom Brady to escape with close win after close win. It’s not a winning formula and it won’t fly against teams that are better than the likes of Arizona and New Orleans. You’ll all see in a week’s time.

21 – Seahawks (7-8) 4

We can officially stick a fork in the 2022 Seahawks. While I’d usually be very happy about this, I actually feel for Geno Smith and the guys. This was a super fun team for most of the season that has simply lost itself and fallen apart on both sides of the ball down the stretch. There’s not much more that needs to be said. I have no doubt that the young core of this team will keep them competitive in the years to come, but all eyes now turn to this offseason, which should be very interesting to monitor.

22 – Patriots (7-8) 1

The Patriots were invisible on both sides of the ball in the first half on Saturday and used a few ridiculous plays to get back in the game in the second half, then literally handed the game away when they could have won it. If that’s not a microcosm of this season in New England, I don’t know what is. This team is essentially dead and buried, and I’d be shocked if they put together a run to the postseason. The defense is still solid, but the offense is anything but, and Mac Jones has quickly become a very bad QB who only excels at making dirty plays. For that reason alone, I’m praying on this team’s downfall.

23 – Titans (7-8) 5

Unfortunately for the Titans, the season has come full circle. After Week 2, I decreed that this team was cooked and that it was time to blow it up and start over. They played very well over the next two months, but they have now lost a whopping five games in a row to lose their grip on the division and slip out of the playoff race. It was over, then they were back, and now it’s very much over. It’s hard to win with a project backup QB in Malik Willis, but they were falling apart even before Ryan Tannehill’s injury. Both sides of the ball are just boring and ineffective outside of a few stars like Derrick Henry and Jeffery Simmons. They’re essentially just the Buccaneers of the AFC. Like Tampa, this team is crashing out of the playoffs while the young, fun, jungle cat team wins the division.

24 – Saints (6-9) 3

For the Saints to go up north to sub-zero Cleveland and win a game with their physicality and execution on both sides of the ball says a lot about the fight of this team. They’re not good and they were in a less than desirable situation, but they played tough, physical football against a solid team on the road. Good for them. They could’ve used some performances like that if they wanted to somehow win this division, but I suppose it’s better late than never.

25 – Browns (6-9) 6

Man, this team is embarrassing. To lose like that at home against a team with virtually no life is just sad. The Browns’ lackluster offense played perhaps their worst game yet, Deshaun Watson was nothing short of dreadful, and while the defense did its thing, it didn’t matter. They gave up more points than they were allowed to with the offense being as awful as it is. It’s a sad situation, but I think everyone outside of Cleveland is pretty happy with this. You reap what you sow.

26 – Rams (5-10) 4

Good for the Rams to get another feel-good win at home. Baker Mayfield played some shockingly great football and the defense absolutely bullied the anemic Broncos from start to finish. It was perhaps the most inspired performance by this team all year long. Like I said after their comeback two weeks ago, they should feel good about themselves for now. Because the second you take a look into the future of this team, it gets pretty grim.

27 – Falcons (5-10) 2

I don’t want to talk about this team. Like, ever. They don’t deserve it. There’s simply nothing to talk about. They are boring and lifeless and simply putrid.

28 – Cardinals (4-11)

The Cards put up a solid fight on Christmas night against Tom Brady and the Bucs, and perhaps they could’ve won if they were just a little bit better. But at the end of the day, a loss benefits this team much more than a win does. As I’ve been saying for weeks, this team is headed towards cleaning house and starting over, and losses like this help move towards a more fruitful rebuild.

29 – Colts (4-10-1)

I thought the Colts would be competitive on Monday night. I was wrong. Nick Foles was awful as the starting QB, and while the defense had some nice moments, it simply wasn’t enough in the end. The offense is just shambolic no matter who starts at QB. I have no idea what the future of this franchise is going to look like, but they need to pour all of their resources into finding the right coach and QB as they head into 2023.

30 – Broncos (4-11) 4

Sunday’s loss was one of the most embarrassing things I’ve ever seen. Nathaniel Hackett’s shortlived 16-week tenure in Denver was one of the most embarrassing things I’ve ever seen. Russell Wilson is one of the most embarrassing things I’ve ever seen. This has been one of the most disastrous seasons I can remember for a team. And I am still loving every damn second of it.

31 – Texans (2-12-1) 1

Good for the Texans to get that elusive second win of the season. They deserve it after the way they’ve played in the last few weeks. They kept on fighting and fighting and it finally paid off with a very solid road win against a tough divisional opponent. And they didn’t directly jeopardize the #1 pick in the process! This might’ve been the best week for this team in the last three years!

32 – Bears (3-12) 1

I truly believe this is the worst team in the league. They simply don’t have the fight that Houston does, although they just so happen to have a better record. But that came from meaningless close wins in the beginning of the year. Now, this team is just lifeless and an eye sore. The offensive injuries have this team playing guys off the street and it shows in a massive way. It is no secret that the Bears have plenty of nice pieces and are in a great spot moving forward, but this has to be as bad as it gets for any team that’s in a rebuild.

All stats taken from ESPN.

Cover photo taken from The San Diego Union-Tribune.

1 – Eagles (13-1)

Sunday’s win in Chicago wasn’t nearly as clean as the Eagles would have liked. Jalen Hurts threw two picks, but it never held the offense back, and they still controlled the game for the most part. They ran the ball effectively and their defense made all the plays when they were called upon. Hurts still ended the game with a great statline especially by pounding the ball on the ground, but that cost him and the team as he now has a sprained shoulder and might miss this week’s pivotal divisional clash in Dallas. I hope Hurts can go, but if it’s Gardner Minshew under center, I still feel like the Birds have a good shot with their run game and defense. With the 1 seed on the line, I feel like they’ll step up and get it done.

2 – Bengals (10-4)

Sunday’s comeback win in Tampa emphasized everything I love about the Bengals. They were definitely struggling in the first half, getting stifled offensively and looking lost on defense. But they turned it up in the second half, forcing turnover after turnover and gifting Joe Burrow a bunch of short fields which were easily converted into points to eventually win by double digits after going down 17-0. Burrow was masterful with the ball in his hands outside of a tipped INT, and the offense was firing on all cylinders with four different touchdown scorers. The defense lost Sam Hubbard who could miss the rest of the regular season with a calf issue, which could prove to be extremely detrimental, but the rest of the unit stepped up on Sunday, so perhaps they have it in them to keep it going against some stiff competition as the season winds down.

3 – Chiefs (11-3)

The Chiefs are the latest team to learn to not overlook the Houston Texans. They did not play their sharpest ball across the board, which could be seen as a cause for concern. But I am never concerned with this team as long as they have Patrick Mahomes. He was marvelous once again, boasting the highest completion percentage in a game with 40+ attempts in history to go along with 3 total touchdowns to carry his team to victory. The overtime win clinched the AFC West for KC, but it may have also clinched Mahomes the MVP. I still have a lot of reservations about this defense, especially in the secondary, but they have a few weeks to get it figured out before the postseason.

4 – 49ers (10-4)

The Brock Purdy show keeps on keeping on in the Bay. The rookie keeps on playing some very good ball, and while the 49ers aren’t necessarily winning because of him, he’s definitely a reason why. The offense hasn’t lost a step (in fact, they might be even better), and the defense continues playing at a level that I have rarely seen. If that unit can carry this team to a potential title, they might go down in history as one of the best we’ve ever witnessed. The Niners close out the year with a couple tough matchups, but I simply don’t see them losing any more games with the way they’re clicking across the board. They have no reason to.

5 – Bills (11-3) 1

The Bills are playing some of their best ball as of late, and they’re finally starting to assert themselves as one of the elite contenders in the league. While I don’t think Saturday’s win was one of their best, I really like the way they won. They faced adversity, didn’t back down, made plays on both sides of the ball, and pulled it out late. Josh Allen keeps on carrying this team on his back, and while I still don’t know how long he can keep it up for, it just keeps working. The defense is playing much better than I’ve expected, and it’s paying dividends. The return of Tre White to the secondary has proven to be massive. Buffalo still controls their own destiny in the pursuit of the 1 seed, and while the Bengals might play spoiler in two weeks, these guys have everything they need to get the job done.

6 – Cowboys (10-4) 1

Last week, I said that the Cowboys’ struggles likely weren’t a sign of things to come. I might have been wrong. Dallas got extremely unlucky on Sunday en route to a loss, but they have themselves to blame for a lot of their issues. There’s no excuse to blow a 17-point second half lead. This defense is far too good to allow over 500 yards of offense to any team. Dak Prescott has played well for the most part, and the game-losing pick six was not his fault, but he hasn’t elevated the offense to where they need to be. When the run game struggles like it did on Sunday, the offense lacks that next level to put them over the top. They’re bound to play some great defenses in the playoffs, so I certainly have my reservations about where this team is headed.

7 – Vikings (11-3) 1

Major props to the Vikings for making history with their record-setting 33-point comeback win on Saturday. It was awesome to watch unfold. It really epitomized what this team has been all year long. They have the exact opposite luck of the Vikings teams of old, as I’ve been saying for months. That has propelled them to this record and this division title. A lot of people would give them flak for getting down 33-0 in the first place, but it was a disastrous first half with defensive and special teams touchdowns allowed amidst turnovers and complete chaos. When the gameplan called for the Vikes offense to be at their best, they completely turned it up and showed us what they’re capable of. I understand the narrative that this team isn’t all that and won’t be a threat in the playoffs, but perhaps they’re not quite yet out of miracles.

8 – Chargers (8-6) 1

No one is benefitting more from the AFC Wild Card race falling apart than the Chargers, who continue to rise to the occasion and now sit as the 6 seed. Since their offense has gotten fully healthy, they’ve played some of their best ball of the year, and with Joey Bosa returning to the defense soon, LA is a team that nobody is going to want to face in the playoffs. Justin Herbert is simply playing lights out, and the shorthanded defense is playing much better than anticipated. The remaining schedule is a relative cakewalk, so a playoff berth is imminent. It’s just a matter of where the Chargers sit as we head into the postseason.

9 – Dolphins (8-6) 2

The Dolphins have gotten some tough breaks over the last few weeks, but that’s the nature of this league. You have to win close games, and Miami hasn’t done that. They’ve lost three in a row against three teams in this top 8, which would happen to most teams in the league, and they simply haven’t looked as good as they did earlier in the year. I loved the fight they put up in the frigid conditions on Saturday, but this is a team that needs to win games like that to inspire confidence in them. When they lose, it really hurts that confidence level. Their final three games are going to be tough, so while the Dolphins are almost certainly going to make the playoffs, it might be a rougher road than they could have traveled to get there.

10 – Lions (7-7) 2

Look at the Lions man. So inspirational. This team keeps on winning in a plethora of ways to miraculously find their way back at .500 and in the top 10 for the first time ever. On Sunday, it was the late game execution of their offense and their overall defensive performance that got the job done. They were definitely susceptible to a few huge plays by the Jets offense, but they never broke despite being bent, and they made every play they had to in the end to pull out the win. This team just plays inspiring football and I can’t wait to see them continue this playoff push. I hope they get in over the likes of some other NFC Wild Card teams that I won’t mention.

11 – Jets (7-7)

I feel bad for the Jets. I really do. Being in a perfect spot to make a playoff push just to have to revert back to starting Zach Wilson is brutal. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemies. They’re now spiraling out of the playoffs and on the outside looking in, and their final three games are certainly going to be lost if Wilson remains the starter. Even with the defense playing how it is and the skill position players on offense doing their thing, nothing will be accomplished with the worst QB in the league under center.

12 – Jaguars (6-8) 7

The Jaguars are developing into one of the best stories of the back half of the season. They’ve won back to back massive games and now control their own destiny to win the division and make the playoffs. It’s truly a great story for such a fun, energetic, and genuinely good young team. The receiving corps is finally putting up numbers, the run game is solid, and the defense is a ton of fun. But the story here is obviously Trevor Lawrence, who has been one of the best QBs in the league this year. It took him a year outside of the dysfunction of 2021 to develop into the star we all knew he could be, and now that he’s playing at such a high level, the Jags are a force. I know he has what it takes to carry this team to wins, and perhaps a division title in a few weeks. I can’t wait to see what else this team has in store.

13 – Giants (8-5-1) 4

With no due respect, I refuse to talk about this fraudulent, disgusting, and corrupt team for the rest of the season. I will simply place them in the Power Rankings and pick their games with no explanation or further commentary from here on out.

14 – Commanders (7-6-1) 4

It was supposed to be different this time. It wasn’t. They were supposed to change the narrative. They didn’t. I don’t know why I ever got my hopes up. It’s utterly embarrassing to go out there and put up that performance at home in primetime in front of one of the best crowds we’ve had in years after two weeks prep against the same team you just played to separate yourself in the Wild Card race. I understand that the officiating is grabbing all the headlines; it was completely inexcusable and those officials need to be held accountable. But the real story of the loss is the fact that this is the same old team that cannot win the big game. They can’t even get prepared for it. Taylor Heinicke is an absolute bum and a complete joke of a player and I cannot wait for the day he no longer plays for this team. The playcalling is just abhorrent. Brian Robinson just gets ignored for no reason. The defense once again could not stop Daniel Jones. It’s just a sad joke. It was one of the most devastating losses I’ve ever seen, and it’s going to be a while before I recover from it considering it practically ended our season. I wouldn’t be surprised if we lost out.

15 – Ravens (9-5) 2

Thank goodness the Ravens finally lost. I’ve been waiting for this for way too long now. Thank you for opening the door for the Bengals to take this division. The NFL and its fans thank the Browns for their services. This team is so boring and so incompetent offensively that I don’t even want to see them in a playoff game. The defense is still fine, but no one wants to see this 1950s offense in January. Maybe things will change with Lamar gets back, but I seriously doubt it.

16 – Raiders (6-8) 2

The never-ending roller coaster that is the Raiders franchise just went for some more drops and loops on Sunday evening. This team almost certainly did not deserve to win that game, being gifted a touchdown to tie the game when Keelan Cole was clearly out of bounds, then being gifted the most ridiculous touchdown at the end of the game to win it. But I won’t rain on the parade. It was hilarious and one of the best game-winning plays I’ve ever seen. It was the type of finish that the Raiders needed if they want to find it in them to make a push for the postseason at this point. They should be .500 or better by all means, and if they play their best ball down the stretch, they might just sneak in. The problem is that their last two games (vs. SF and KC) are as brutal as it gets.

17 – Seahawks (7-7) 2

The wheels are officially falling off the Seahawks. It’s kind of sad to watch happen in real time. They just don’t play with the same juice they did in the first half of the season. Geno Smith is losing his precise touch, the defense is becoming very susceptible to big plays, and the run game is disappearing. They’re playing the exact opposite brand of football of the one they excelled at just a few weeks ago. It’s now an uphill climb for Seattle to get back in the playoff picture, and at this point, I just don’t see it happening.

18 – Titans (7-7) 1

Speaking of the wheels falling off teams, the Titans look like Lightning McQueen on the last lap of the Piston Cup right now. There are no more wheels. It’s simply over. I have no more faith in the Titans to accomplish anything, and I’m fully committed to the idea that the Jaguars are going to run the table and steal this division from underneath them. I recognize that the defense had themselves a heck of a game on Sunday, but nothing else on this team is working. I have faith in their coaching to steer them in the right direction, but it is simply too late for that.

19 – Browns (6-8) 1

The Browns are one of my BFFs this week for beating the Ravens, even though it wasn’t exactly the most convincing win in the world. It was ugly, sloppy, and old-school AFC North football that got the job done. They still don’t look great offensively with Deshaun Watson, but the defense is balling, and I still feel like it won’t be long before the other side of the ball figures it out. It’s too late for this team to make a playoff push, but I have to think they can carry some of this momentum into next season.

20 – Packers (6-8) 1

I’ve seen a lot of commotion about the Packers making a potential playoff push. Let’s stop that right now please. They’ve had a few nice games here and there, but anyone can look good against the Rams and Bears. This team still doesn’t have what they once did on either side of the ball, and it wouldn’t shock me in the slightest if they don’t win another game this season. It is nice to see them play well; good football at Lambeau at this stage in the year is simply football heritage. But this isn’t a playoff team. Be real with yourselves.

21 – Patriots (7-7) 7

I really just don’t know what to say. I’ve seen an infinite amount of awful plays at every level of football. I’ve seen some ridiculous ways to lose games. That might have been the worst one in the history of the sport. But this is more than the way the Patriots lost on Sunday. It’s the fact that the loss took them out of a playoff spot and likely ended their season. The fact that it may be the reason the team cleans house next year. It’s a season-defining low for a franchise that has never stooped to this point in this century. It feels like a fever dream. And it’s absolutely hilarious.

22 – Buccaneers (6-8)

Sunday’s game was a microcosm of this entire season for Tampa Bay. In the first half, the offense was absolutely clicking and the defense was suffocating. In the second half, the offense could not hold onto the football and the defense couldn’t stop a nosebleed (albeit in their own half over and over again). From up 17-0 to down 34-17. It epitomized the 2022 Buccaneers. Somehow this team still leads the pitiful NFC South, but who knows what could happen in the next three weeks. Perhaps this is still a team that no one wants to see in the playoffs. But I’m just not scared by these guys anymore. There is nothing to be afraid of.

23 – Steelers (6-8) 1

Remind me to never bet a Steelers game ever again. I just can’t a read on these guys. I never have any idea what to make of them. Their defense played very well on Sunday, but it comes one week after being gashed by the Ravens. Their offense had a solid showing as well, which comes after a season’s worth of awful performances. They are consistently inconsistent, and it puts them in no man’s land in my brain. But they deserve this spot considering the teams that are below them.

24 – Panthers (5-9) 1

In a completely shocking turn of events, Sam Darnold sucks at football. Who would have thought? Why would I ever bet on that guy? Despite their pitiful QB play and their nonexistent run game, the Panthers somehow sit a game out of first place in this God awful division. I don’t like their chances with a guy like Darnold under center, but anything can happen in this league. Against all odds, they still control their own destiny. If they make something happen, I’ll be shocked.

25 – Falcons (5-9)

Desmond Ridder lost his first start with Atlanta in essentially the exact way I expected him to. There’s not much else to it. The Falcons aren’t showing me anything to like, but like all the other teams in this division, they can still somehow win it. It’s truly embarrassing to see the NFC South in a spot like this, but at least it gives me a reason to be invested in these games as the season winds down. I think this team probably has the worst chance of any to sneak up and win the division, but like I said with Carolina, anything can happen in this league.

26 – Broncos (4-10) 4

Does anyone think it’s a stretch to say the Broncos are better with Brett Rypien than they are with Russell Wilson? Or was Sunday’s great win a product of playing the Cardinals? Either way, Denver should feel good about themselves with this win. It was nice to see Mile High so alive after a year’s worth of struggles. I honestly don’t see a reason to play Russ again this season, but maybe that’s wishful thinking and me wanting to be averted of seeing his awful play again.

27 – Saints (5-9) 4

Are the Saints back? No. Probably not. But Sunday’s win was a nice one that was fairly obvious to predict. They didn’t look great offensively, but they were good enough on a select few plays to put them over the top while the defense held it down for the rest of the game. This team is somehow one game behind in the division, but it’s hard to see them making any sort of “run” for the title with their remaining schedule. But as I said above, at least it gives me a reason to care about their final few games.

28 – Cardinals (4-10) 2

QB injuries continue to plague the Cardinals as backup Colt McCoy got hurt on Sunday, leaving Trace McSorley as the guy moving forward in Arizona. What a disaster. The kid from Briarwoods was about as bad as you’d expect in relief of McCoy, throwing no dimes whatsoever, unless they were to the Broncos defensive backs. You’d think having DeAndre Hopkins and Hollywood Brown to throw to would help a backup QB, but it simply doesn’t. Things have gone from bad to worse to simply atrocious in the desert, but at least this team has a future to look forward to once they clean house this offseason and move forward with some sense of direction.

29 – Colts (4-9-1) 2

New rule: if you go up 33-0 in the first half just to blow the biggest lead in the history of the league in the second half and overtime, I’m not talking about you for that week.

30 – Rams (4-10) 2

I tried to tell you guys about Baker. The media was so happy that their beloved QB pulled off an incredible win two weeks ago to get another starting job. He had you all fooled. Anyone with a semblance of knowledge about this game knows how awful he is, and it was on full display in an absolutely shambolic performance on Monday night in Lambeau. Is Bryce Perkins really that worse of an option? It’s honestly crazy to me. I really hope this team doesn’t subject us to watching more of this guy play QB this season. If they do, I certainly will be spending my Christmas elsewhere.

31 – Bears (3-11) 2

I’m a broken record when it comes to the Bears at this point, but they keep on doing exactly what they need to do. Justin Fields continues to cook while they continue to cook and inch closer to a top 2 pick. It’s really a beautiful sight.

32 – Texans (1-12-1)

Like I said last week, the Texans are back to being the frisky team they were in the first half of the season, pushing great teams like Dallas and Kansas City to the brink. That’s a solid sign for the worst team in the NFL, and it’s definitely a good thing that they continue to lose these games. They’re essentially locked in for a top 2 pick, so a franchise QB is heading to H-Town. We can only hope that they don’t mess it up.

All stats taken from ESPN.