Tag: Chicago Bears

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.

Cover photo taken from The Boston Globe.

1 – Eagles (11-1) 2

The Eagles are back on top after another complete, dominant performance featuring one of the best revenge games you’ll ever see. I’ve been waiting for them to look like themselves again, and they did that emphatically on Sunday. Jalen Hurts was magnificent with 380 passing yards and 3 touchdowns as well as a rushing touchdown, and AJ Brown showed the Titans why they never should have let him go with an incredible 8/119/2 statline featuring two dominant touchdown catches. The defense showed up and showed out, and the Birds finally looked the part of the team with the best record in football again. There’s no reason to slow down now.

2 – Bengals (8-4) 4

They did it again. For the third time in the calendar year, Joe Burrow and the Bengals took down Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. That’s pretty staggering, especially considering the manner in which they’ve won every game. They just keep on outplaying the team that has been the class of the NFL. For that, the Bengals are my new top AFC team. Burrow has just been masterful all year long after getting off to a slow start, the offense looks fantastic no matter who lines up, and the defense is finally getting the recognition it deserves for being one of the best in the NFL right now. They may not get the numbers, but they make the plays, and that makes the difference. This team is as complete as any in the league, and considering the situation in Baltimore, I think it’s only a matter of time before they lock up the division.

3 – Chiefs (9-3) 1

I’m not going to fault the Chiefs too much for losing a close road game to a great team by 3 when I predicted them to lose by 3. But they were certainly the inferior team on Sunday. They didn’t play poorly by any means, but they struggled at times and really have only themselves to blame for the loss. Travis Kelce was a non-factor, and when he did get one of his only touches, he fumbled. They couldn’t convert fourth downs. They missed a key FG (side note: Harrison Butker is simply not reliable anymore). They were simply stifled on both sides of the ball against a great team. The good news for Kansas City is that the remaining schedule is a cakewalk, and I’d be shocked if they lose another game this season en route to a potential 1 seed. But we’ve seen them lose to Buffalo and Cincinnati now, so who knows what could happen in January?

4 – 49ers (8-4) 2

The NFL is a brutal league. I truly believe this 49ers team is the best in the NFC. But with Jimmy Garoppolo’s season over, they now turn to Brock Purdy, their 3rd string QB. Crazier things have happened in this league, and this team is remarkable across the board, but I just don’t see how they live up to their potential anymore. They still won convincingly with Purdy against a great Dolphins team, and it wasn’t in spite of him by any means, but I just don’t know what to expect moving forward. I know this defense is going to ball out no matter what, but it might be a matter of how far they can take this team as a whole.

5 – Cowboys (9-3) 1

The Cowboys absolutely ran away from the Colts in the fourth quarter, but it certainly wasn’t easy for the first three. It was a real struggle for most of the game on Sunday night, but I don’t see too much of an issue with that. Indy has been a competitive team all year long, and that fourth quarter was pretty impressive to watch. This team is as solid as any in the NFC, and the door is now wide open for them to make a run as a wild card team (most likely). Dallas is simply as complete as they come, and that will be crucial for them down the stretch.

6 – Dolphins (8-4) 1

Like the Chiefs, I’m not going to fault the Dolphins for losing a tough road game to a great opponent. I’m actually impressed with how they were able to get back in the game. Tua Tagovailoa struggled for the most part, but made some key plays to make it a game again. Tyreek Hill was great as always, which helps any young QB. The run game was invisible, but that was fairly predictable when they’re facing a front as stout as the 49ers’. The defense was arguably the weakest link as they got carved up by a 3rd string QB. I don’t expect them to look that porous again, but they need to tighten up ASAP as the remaining schedule is brutal.

7 – Vikings (10-2)

For the trillionth time this season, the Vikings escaped by the skin of their teeth with a close win. I’ve never faulted this team for doing that, because it’s honestly a skill for a team to have, and I won’t fault them now. Their defense bent a lot, but never broke, making all of the plays necessary to win the game in the end. Kirk Cousins wasn’t great, but he also made the throws he had to when it mattered. Justin Jefferson once again put the team on his back, and it was awesome to watch. This team obviously has a clear ceiling, but they can certainly compete with anyone in this league. I don’t consider them to be contenders, but I still feel like they shouldn’t be this disrespected by everyone.

8 – Bills (9-3)

The Bills got back to their dominant ways on Thursday by completely shutting down the Patriots in a tough road environment. I had been waiting for them to put together a complete performance, and they finally did it. I can safely say that was their best game since they beat the Chiefs. Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs were masterful, James Cook got involved out of the backfield, and the defense asserted themselves all game long. Buffalo now sits atop the AFC with the 1 seed, and while that may not last, I now have way more faith in them to look like a complete team down the stretch.

9 – Seahawks (7-5) 2

The Seahawks are becoming a weird team to assess, but one thing remains certain: watching Geno Smith play is so damn fun. I love this offense so much, even though Kenneth Walker has disappeared into the void. Their passing attack with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett isn’t getting the respect it deserves as one of the best in the league. The lack of running game and the defense’s decreasing quality are causes for concern, however. I don’t know if this team has what it takes to make a playoff push down the stretch if they lack the two key elements of a great team. The schedule isn’t awful, so it’ll be up to Geno and company to get the job done. I have plenty of faith in him.

10 – Jets (7-5)

Despite getting vastly outplayed and absolutely stifled for most of the game on Sunday, I can make the argument that the Jets deserved to win. They had every opportunity down the stretch, but poor decisions or overthrows or other self-inflicted wounds gave them another loss. I still really like what this team has going on. Mike White has been really solid, Garrett Wilson continues to be a revelation, and the RB room keeps on producing. The defense wasn’t the issue, but they gave up one or two plays too many for the offense to make up for it. I like this team a lot, but the remaining schedule is brutal, and I don’t know if they’ll be up to the task of staying in a playoff spot with some other teams nipping at their heels.

11 – Commanders (7-5-1) 2

Thinking about Sunday’s game infuriates me, so I’ll make this quick. We were the vastly superior team on Sunday. A combination of self-inflicted wounds (mostly poor playcalling) and some of the most one-sided refereeing you’ll ever see in this league is what made us end up with a vaunted tie. I’m proud of this defense for playing their tails off for most of the game, and while the offense sputtered after a hot start, they also did what they had to do down the stretch. Despite not being able to come away with a win, I feel immensely confident in our ability to come out of next week’s bye, learn from our mistakes, and crush the Giants in primetime.

12 – Titans (7-5) 3

The wheels are coming off the Titans. All of a sudden, they don’t do a single thing well. Derrick Henry hasn’t eclipsed 50 yards in his last 3 games, the passing attack was nonexistent when Treylon Burks got hurt, and the defense is surprisingly getting pushed around quite a lot. I wanted to drop Tennessee a lot further, but I’m going to give them a couple more chances in the next few weeks in some make or break games.

13 – Giants (7-4-1) 3

The Giants played about as well as I expected them to on Sunday. They should have lost, like I predicted they would. But, the refs and Lady Luck were on their side, so they escaped with a tie. I’m still pretty bitter, so I don’t want to talk about this team. Just know that a reckoning is coming in two weeks.

14 – Lions (5-7) 5

The Lions continue to look fantastic, and Sunday was a coming out party for the defense. We know what their offense is capable of, especially at home (did you know Jared Goff has a passer rating of 105 at Ford Field?), but the other side of the ball finally asserted their dominance, completely shutting down a solid Jags offense. Amon-Ra St. Brown has been one of the best WRs in football in recent weeks, Jamaal Williams won’t stop scoring, and Jameson Williams is about to provide this team a new level of athleticism. We might have to watch out for the Lions as a potential wild card team.

15 – Raiders (5-7) 6

The Raiders might as well be the Lions of the AFC. I completely wrote this team off, even dubbing them as the worst team in the league a few weeks ago, and all they’ve done is string together great performance after great performance to get back in the playoff hunt. I love the way this team is playing right now, especially offensively. Who would have thought the Raiders would be one of the most fun teams to watch at this point? Davante Adams has been incredible, getting back to his WR1 level, Josh Jacobs continues to be perhaps the best RB in the league this year, and the rest of the offense is starting to pour in contributions. Most importantly, the defense is finally stepping up as well. They’re making plays, forcing turnovers, and actually winning this team games. I love the way they play, and their trajectory could have them firmly in the hunt as the season winds down.

16 – Ravens (8-4) 4

I’m getting so sick and tired of talking about the Ravens. It seems counter-intuitive, but this team doesn’t deserve to be 8-4 at all. They are such an eye sore with a horrible offense and a lackluster defense. With Lamar Jackson being sidelined for the next week or so, their flaws are really going to show. I can’t wait for them to lose this division race and inevitably be a first round exit.

17 – Chargers (6-6) 2

The Chargers are the Chargers. There’s not much more that can be said. They lose every game in virtually the exact same fashion, and they cannot be trusted in any regard. That’s exactly why I picked against them on Sunday, and I’ll continue to do so. There’s only so much Justin Herbert can do. The kid has looked amazing lately, but it means nothing when his defense is as poor as it is. Gotta feel bad for him.

18 – Patriots (6-6) 4

Remember the two week stretch where the Patriots offense looked pretty solid? Yeah, those were the days. They’re back to being incompetent on that side of the ball with poor QB play and virtually no weapons on the roster. It also doesn’t help that the wheels have seemingly fallen off the defense, which was the strong suit of the team for so long. They simply don’t do anything well right now, and they’re not going to make the playoffs for that reason. They could turn it around, but it just seems too unlikely with the roster in its current state and a very tough remaining schedule.

19 – Browns (5-7) 2

The Deshaun Watson return was extremely anti-climactic and lackluster in every regard. The offense was absolutely abysmal from start to finish, and the Browns needed help from the incompetent Texans to rack up defensive and special teams scores to win. I don’t know if it was rust or what, but it was pretty embarrassing. I do think they’ll turn it around, but man. That was not a promising sight at all.

20 – Buccaneers (6-6) 2

Even at age 45, Tom Brady can still be Tom Brady. So, that’s cool. It’d be even cooler if wasn’t the most blatant script in the history of the NFL, but it doesn’t really matter to me. The real Buccaneers were the team we saw for the first 55 minutes on Monday night: incompetent offensively with a solid defense. That will be enough to win them this dreadful division, but that’s about it. Unless Goodell busts the scripts out for the playoffs. I won’t put that past him.

21 – Packers (4-8) 1

Aaron Rodgers still owns the Bears. Not exactly breaking news. Still, the Packers are showing things to like, especially offensively. Christian Watson has simply been on fire, and the offense looks a lot more balanced now that they can effectively throw and run the ball. The defense is still nothing short of a mess, but they made all the necessary plays on Sunday to win. It doesn’t really mean anything, but the Packers should feel good about themselves. Wins have been hard to come by, so they should cherish them all.

22 – Steelers (5-7) 3

Like Detroit and Vegas, the Steelers are a team that has been playing great ball and have a great trajectory. Unlike those teams, this team has a clear offensive ceiling that holds them back. There’s nothing remotely special about that side of the ball in Pittsburgh. But, the defense is still fantastic, and that’s all they need to win games like Sunday’s. We’ll see how far it can take them.

23 – Falcons (5-8) 1

The Falcons are another team that I just don’t want to talk about anymore. They are just so boring and so bad at everything that I don’t see a reason to talk about them. I’ll just sound like a broken record. I think there’s a future in Atlanta, but this season is beyond cooked.

24 – Jaguars (4-8) 1

The Jaguars may have gotten smoked on Sunday in Detroit, but they did come away with one win. Trevor Lawrence coming out of a scary, low hit completely unscathed is honestly miraculous. It looked like a season-ending injury, but he’s completely fine. That’s great to see. The young QB has been solid, and an injury like that would have been awful to see. The rest of the team was pretty awful to see, however. On any given week, the Jags are either going to look like a solid young team with a great future or a complete dumpster fire. I’m pretty sure they flip a coin in the locker room to decide which one it’ll be every Sunday.

25 – Cardinals (4-8) 1

Mercifully, the Cardinals had the week off. This is where I’d make a Kyler Murray COD joke, but I won’t stoop that low. All I know is that this team will continue to be its weird little self as the season winds down, and it’s not going to be very fun to watch.

26 – Colts (4-7-1)

As I said before, the Colts were very competitive for three quarters on Sunday night. The fourth quarter was a nightmare. But it was such an anomaly that I don’t want to bump this team down. I know they’re a solid bunch that’s nothing special. Their identity has been clear for several weeks now, and that’s not going to change.

27 – Bears (3-10)

Once again, the Bears did exactly what they had to do. They let Justin Fields cook, and they lost. It’s the perfect outcome, and they’ve done it for months now. Keep on doing this, Chicago. Go get that top 3 pick you deserve and build this team around #1.

28 – Panthers (4-8)

The Panthers won the bye week by releasing Baker Mayfield. Good for them!

29 – Rams (3-9) 1

I’ll give the Rams credit, they were competitive to the bitter end, and John Wolford looked really solid. He toughed out a late injury and did what he had to in order to give his team a fighting chance. That was very valiant and cool to see. The defense didn’t exactly follow suit, which was fairly predictable. But maybe this team will be competitive if nothing else down the stretch. Maybe.

30 – Saints (4-9) 1

I just don’t know. There are so many problems with this team, and repeating them is a complete waste of time. Just clean house and start over, for our sake and your own.

31 – Broncos (3-9)

I mean, good lord guys. This is getting so embarrassing that I don’t think I can quantify it in words. I don’t know if anything or anyone is capable of fixing this offense at this point. If I was on the Broncos defense, I’d ask for reparations.

32 – Texans (1-10-1)

Enjoy the #1 pick! Please don’t waste it.

All stats taken from ESPN.