1. Baltimore Ravens (9-2): The Ravens are destroying the competition. Baltimore crushed the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football leaving the football world saying the Ravens are clearly the best team in football. QB Lamar Jackson is must see TV, and the Ravens defense is pretty tough also. The only shot you have at beating Baltimore is getting quick stops early in the game and get them out of their running game. Get on top early and force them to pass the football more, and you might have a shot. Flock up! The Ravens are legit. Patriots who? Last week #1.
2. San Francisco 49ers (10-1): Shame on me! I had the 49ers wayyyyy to low in my week 12 rankings. Man this team is suffocating on defense. The 49ers defense made Aaron Rodgers look very average on Sunday night. San Francisco’s offense is getting it done with a bunch of guys you’ve never heard of. I owe Jimmy Garappolo an apology. He’s starting to play at an elite level. The 49ers play the Ravens and Saints on the road in the next two weeks. We’ll know a lot more about them in two weeks, but man they’re impressive. Last week #6.
3. New Orleans Saints (9-2): Sure the Panthers took the Saints to the wire, and if not for two missed extra points and a missed field goal, the Panthers would have beat the Saints. Yeah, but they didn’t. The Saints offense is starting to kick it into high gear, and the defense is hanging in there without CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring). The Saints offensive line depth is being tested. Left tackle Terron Armstead is set to miss some time with an ankle sprain, and left guard Andrus Peat is already on the shelf with a broken arm. Last week #2.
4. New England Patriots (9-1): The Patriots defense is championship level. I can’t say the same about the offense. None the less, the Patriots beat the Dallas Cowboys in a slugfest last week. I don’t like betting against the Patriots, but I can clearly tell you they are not better than the Baltimore Ravens. New England is on the road this week against Houston, and then at home against Kansas City. After that it’s a cake walk with games against the Bengals, Dolphins and Bills. Hardly a murderers’ row. I wouldn’t be surprised if New England runs the table and ends up with the AFC’s number one seed. Last week #3
5. Seattle Seahawks (9-2): Seattle is a sneaky darkhorse team that could emerge as the NFC representative in the Super Bowl. Don’t laugh. Russell Wilson is finding ways to score points with an offense that has kind of limited weapons. The defense is slowly improving week to week. The biggest game down the stretch for the Seahawks is their week 17 rematch with San Francisco. That game could decide the NFC west and a shot at one of the top two seeds in the conference. Seattle hosts the red hot Minnesota Vikings this Sunday in what could be a preview of a wild card playoff game. Seattle has remaining games against the Rams, Panthers, Arizona and the aforementioned 49ers to finish the regular season. Last week #5.
6. Minnesota Vikings (8-3): I’m telling you now this Vikings team is scary to think about. I think they are better than the Packers and should win the NFC north. Like Seattle, the Vikings could emerge as a dark horse NFC representative in the Super Bowl. They have all the earmarks of a team built to win the post-season. The Vikings feature a potent rushing attack, a strong play action passing game and a defense that is downright filthy good. Minnesota faces the Seahawks this week on the road, and after that it’s pretty smooth sailing with games against the Lions (yawn), Chargers, Packers, and Bears. Last week #8.
7. Green Bay Packers (8-3): Last week the 49ers just made life miserable for Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense. The problem is there aren’t many teams built to do that to the future hall of fame quarterback. However, what concerns me about Green Bay is their offensive line isn’t that good, coupled with the Packers inability to stop the run. They won’t win the NFC north and will end up as a wild card team. When you have Aaron Rodgers you have a chance but the Vikings, 49ers, Seahawks and Saints are all better than the Cheese Heads. Last week #6
8. Houston Texans (7-4): Houston is fun to watch on offense. DeShaun Watson can carve up a defense when he hast time. The Texans defense is kind of feast or famine. Houston is in control of the AFC south right now after a win over the Colts on Sunday. Let’s see how they do this week against vulnerable Patriots team. If the Texans can get pressure on Tom Brady they will have a chance to upset the defending champs. After New England, the Texans have Denver at home, on the road against the Titans, and Bucs. Houston closes that season at home against the Titans. The Texans should win the AFC south. Last week #7.
9. Kansas City Chiefs (7-4): Oh those puzzling Chiefs. Offensively they’ll put up a ton of points. Defensively they give up their fair share of points. Kansas City is more fun to watch than scary for AFC opponents if that makes sense. If you like to be entertained watch the Chiefs. If you like good all-around football don’t watch them. The Chiefs play the Raiders this week at home, and then travel to New England, and then back at home against the Broncos; followed by a trip to Chicago and wrap up the season at home against the Chargers. The Chiefs will win the AFC west. Last week #9
10. Buffalo Bills (8-3): As I said last week I should have the Bill higher in my previous rankings but I think I found the sweet spot for them right here at No. 10. Again though the Bills are feasting on inferior opponents. Last week they whipped up on Denver. This week they play the Dallas Cowboys in Jerry’s World. This one is hard to call neither one of these teams have beaten anyone of consequence this year. My inner Cowboy hater is pulling for the Bill just to see another Jerry Jones melt down. Last week #10
11. Dallas Cowboys (6-5): If I’m being objective this is about where Dallas should be. Despite being average or a little above they are still on top of the NFC east. Owner Jerry Jones continues to call his coaching staff after another loss. What Jerry doesn’t understand is that he’s just a much of the problem as head coach Jason Garrett. As long as Jones is the GM/Owner, Cowboys fans will be left to thinking about 1996. That’s the last time the Cowboys were relevant. Last week #11.
12. Indianapolis Colts (6-5): Indianapolis starting to get exposed for what they are. A team that at times looks way better than their record and other times a team that looks like one game above .500 team. I’m pulling for the Colts, I am but I just can’t get on board with hitching any kind of certainty about this team. The final five games aren’t all that tough down the stretch. The Colts visit New Orleans in week 15 but other than that Indianapolis has a chance to get on a roll down the stretch. Last week #12.
13. Tennessee Titans (6-5): I might have been a little off in my previous rankings of the Titans. Quietly Ryan Tannehil is playing really well, and running back Derick Henry is just killing people on the ground. If Houston falls asleep at the wheel, the Titans are very capable of snatching the AFC south crown from them. The Titans don’t do a whole of great things, but they do a whole lot of things pretty damn good. Last week #15
14. Oakland Raiders (6-5): Shame on me! Just when I thought the Raiders might have turned a corner they get blown out by the New York Jets. I was touting Jon Gruden as a candidate for coach of the year honors. The Silver and Black are my biggest disappointment from last week. Just Win Baby! Just kiss my A$$ Baby! Surprising the Raiders don’t fall in my rankings. Oakland is getting ready to come back down to earth with match ups against Kansas City and the Titans. Two teams that I have ranked higher than the Raiders. Last week #14
15. Los Angeles Rams (6-5): I can’t laugh any harder at a team’s plight more than the Rams. How in the hell did this team make the Super Bowl last year? Oh wait I know! The officiating in the NFL sucks. Anyway, I enjoyed watching the Ravens dismantle the Rams on Monday night. The Rams hype train has come to a screeching halt and now I’m wondering if Jarred Goff is really the guy to lead them to a championship. The Rams have looked average on offense this season. Last week #13.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5): Hats off to Mike Tomlin and the Steelers. Pittsburgh has dealt with more adversity this season than any other team in the NFL. The Steelers made a change at QB from Mason Rudolph to Devlin Hodges aka “Duck”. If nothing else I like his nickname. Pittsburgh is respectable but not going anywhere. The much anticipated rematch with the Browns awaits this week after the wild and crazy Thursday night game that saw Myles Garret hitting Rudolph over the head with his own helmet a couple of weeks back. Last week #16
17. Cleveland Browns (5-6): Don’t look now but Cleveland has won three straight games and are within striking distance of the second place Steelers. If you are pulling for a Browns playoff run you could be in store for a holiday gift. The Browns play the Steelers this week and still have two more match ups with the winless Bengals, along with the Cardinals and in week 16 against the Ravens at home. The Browns are starting to get their act together. Will it be in time to make a playoff run? We’ll see. Last week #21.
18. Philadelphia Eagles (5-6): Disappointing is one word I would describe the Eagles. I have no words for the Eagles. Philly went from Champions to getting boooo’d by their own fans in two seasons. Sounds about right for the Eagles. Last week #14.
19. Carolina Panthers (5-6): When your kicker misses two extra points and a would be game winning field goal and you don’t cut him immediately you are sending the wrong message. That is exactly why Ron Rivera will be out as the Panthers lead cat at the end of the season. The Panthers signed a kicker to the practice squad after Joe Slye vomited on his shoes last week against the Saints. Winning organizations cut a kicker like that, and some do it before they get on the team plane to fly back home. Last week #15
20. Chicago Bears (5-6): I’ll show the Bears a little love this week. They beat the Giants and while that’s not impressive it still deserves a little respect considering they are 5-6 with a quarterback that doesn’t belong as a starter in this league, therefore impressive. Ok I’m done. Last week #24
21. Atlanta Falcons (3-8): So the Falcons stun the NFL and beat the Saints in week 10, then blowout the Panthers. So things were looking up for the Falcons beleaguered squad. Then the Falcons lose to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Pahahahahaha! Such a Falcons thing to do. The Dirty Birds are playing for pride now. Let’s set how much they have left. Last week #19
22. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-6): When you get blown out by the Titans you don’t deserve much ink. Last week? Who Cares? Changes are coming in Jacksonville.
23. Arizona Cardinals (3-7-1): They are coming off their bye week. Last week #26.
24. Denver Broncos (3-8): Want to hit the fluffy snow slopes for some good skiing or snowboarding? Last week #24
25. Los Angeles Chargers (4-7): I don’t even know where to begin with this Chargers team. Last week #24.
26. Detroit Lions (3-7-1): Head Coach Matt Patricia, start updating your resume. I don’t see how you survive this debacle. Last week #26.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7): Even though they beat the Falcons, Jameis Winston is still not the answer in Tampa Bay. Last week #27.
28. New York Jets (4-7): The Jets are back! J-E-T-S Jets! Jets! Jets! Pump the breaks. New York has won three in a row so there is that. Last week….Calzone anyone?
29. New York Giants (2-9): Pat Shurmer see the advice I gave Lions Coach Matt Patricia. It’s New York dude, they don’t tolerate losing! Last week? Ha Ha!
30. Miami Dolphins (2-9): The beaches are cool in South Beach. Last week…does it matter?
31. Washington Redskins (2-9): Victory! Hey the Redskins pulled off a win. Who did they beat? Oh you know the sorry Lions. Rookie QB Dwayne Haskins was so busy taking selfies with fans that he didn’t make it on the field to take the final snap from victory formation in his first career win. So typical of the skins. Last week….ok right.
32. Cincinnati Bengals (0-11): The Bengals still have one of the coolest uniforms in the league. So there is that. Last week…..DEAD FLIPPING LAST, AS THEY HAVE BEEN ALL SEASON.
