1. Pittsburgh (7-0): The Steelers are the most complete team in the NFL. Not necessarily the best, but the most complete. That’s why I have them at No.1. The defense is strong, and the offense is starting to really come on for Pittsburgh. The Steelers lead the AFC North with a decisive 28-24 win over the Baltimore Ravens in week 8. Pittsburgh continues to pressure opposing quarterbacks and force turnovers. In the win over the Ravens, the Steelers lost in a lot of key stats, but still won the game. That’s a sign of a really good football team. Last week: 1
2. Kansas City (7-1): The Chiefs waxed the New York Jets 35-9. Kansas City was favored by 19.5 points against the Jets, and they covered. It’s rare that any team is favored by that much and still covers. It shows you just how good the Chiefs are, and how bad the Jets are. The Chiefs battle the Carolina Panthers this week at their place, and then go on the road against the Raiders and Buccaneers in weeks 10 and 11. The Raiders are the only team to beat the Chiefs, and I’m sure Kansas City can’t wait for the rematch. The Chiefs have to guard against a letdown, and not overlook the Panthers this week. Last week: 2
3. Seattle (6-1): My goodness! Last week the Seahawks dismantled the 49ers 37-27. Don’t let the score fool you! Seattle controlled this game start to finish allowing some garbage time points in the 4th quarter. QB Russell Wilson continues his assault on the MVP race. Did you know Wilson spends $1 million of his own money on recovery from games? He has 2 chefs, a personal trainer and a cryo chamber to help heal his body week in and week out. Talk about investing in yourself! Seattle goes on the road in back to back weeks against the Bills and Rams. Last week: 3
4. Baltimore (5-2): The Ravens two losses are against my No. 1 and 2 ranked teams. Baltimore is really good. By season’s end, they might end up besting the Steelers and Chiefs, but right now this is the right spot for them. The Ravens defense might be a smidge better than the Steelers, but the difference is at QB. Lamar Jackson isn’t as effective throwing the football as he was last season as the league MVP. Teams are condensing the throwing windows and he’s struggling to adjust. Baltimore has back to back road games against the Colts and Patriots. Both are winnable games. Last week: 5
5. Tampa Bay (6-2): I know, the Buccaneers struggled to beat the lowly New York Giants on Monday night football. However, a win is a win in the NFL. The Bucs sit atop the NFC South and have the Saints coming to town this week on Sunday night football. Certainly Tom Brady and company want to atone for their week one loss to New Orleans. Tampa Bay’s defense is dynamic! The key to success against them is to stay north and south in your rushing attack and get the ball out of the QB’s hand quickly. The pass rush will eat the Saints alive if Brees holds the ball. Last week: 6
6. Green Bay (5-2): The Packers took a step back in week 8 after losing to the Minnesota Vikings. It’s the NFL…I get it, but the Packers shouldn’t lose to the Vikings. Green Bay doesn’t have time to think about it too long, they play the 49ers Thursday night to kick off week 9. I told you before and I’ll tell you again, the Packers defense is a problem and will prevent them from making a run at the Super Bowl. Last week: 5
7. New Orleans (5-2): The Saints won four straight games, and still haven’t played their best football. That says a lot! New Orleans went on the road and knocked out the Bears in overtime 26-23 without their top two wide receivers (Mike Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders). The defense played better against Chicago, but still not to the level they are capable of. I feel really good about this team, much better than I did a few weeks ago. The Saints might just be scratching the surface of the caliber of team they can become. This week is huge for the Saints! If they can sweep the Buccaneers on the road, that would be a significant statement to the rest of the NFC and frankly, the NFL. Last week: 10
8. Buffalo (6-2): The Bills knocked off the Patriots last week 24-21. Buffalo is in control of the AFC East for now. The Bills defense has been a disappointment, but I think you could say that about a lot of teams. 2020 is the year of the offense around the league. Buffalo hosts the Seahawks this week. If the Bills win this game, I will have a lot more respect for this team. The Bills beat some bad teams (Jets twice) and have wilted against elite teams or teams that are clearly better. Last week: 9
9. Tennessee (5-2): The Titans lost two straight games, last week 31-20 to the Bengals. Just when I started to show them some love, Tennessee drops two in a row. That leads me to believe the Titans aren’t ready for prime time. I want to like this team, but just can’t. A lot of what they do is smoke and mirrors. Tennessee is last in the NFL in 3rd down defense. Cincinnati converted 10 of 15 third down attempts. The Titans pass rush is pretty much nonexistent. Bengals QB Joe Burrow was sacked 28 times leading up the game against the Titans, and Tennessee didn’t even take him down one time. Last week: 7
10. Arizona (5-2): It pains me to put the Cardinals in the top 10 right now, but here they are. Arizona was off in week 8. I just don’t buy this team right now. If they beat the Seahawks again in week 11, I’ll start to believe. Last week: 12
11. Indianapolis (5-2): The Colts are a team that is surging a bit. Indy crushed the Lions 41-21 last week. We’ll find out this week just how good they are, when they host the Baltimore Ravens. Follow that game with a battle against Green Bay in week 10. The Colts defense can be dominant at times. As long as QB Phillip Rivers isn’t turning the ball over, the Colts will compete to win every game. Last week: 14
12. Los Angeles Rams (5-3): This team is so maddening to watch. One week they dominate the Bears and the next they lose to rookie QB Tua Tagovailoa making his NFL debut with the Miami Dolphins. Rams QB Jared Goff did his impersonation of Oprah Winfrey. You get a turnover, you get a turnover, everybody gets a turnover! Three Goff turnovers led to the Dolphins upset win over the Rams 28-17. This team is too talented to be third in their division. Last week: 8
13. Chicago (5-3): DAAAAAA Bears lost two in a row. I’ve told you from week one that this team isn’t as good as their record reflected. Chicago could very easily be 3-5 instead of 5-3. The defense is the best aspect of their game. The offense is putrid. They can’t run the ball effectively. They can’t push the ball down the field very well in the passing game. Monsters of the midway? Hardly! This is team is a pretender! Last week: 8
14. Cleveland (5-3): Ya know what? I want a divorce from the Browns. I married them two weeks ago and we didn’t even last through the honeymoon. The Browns lost two straight since we exchanged vows. Odell Beckham Jr. is now out for the year with an ACL injury. The Raiders beat the Browns 16-6 last week. Six Points! That’s it? That’s all you could do? Goodness! Cleveland didn’t even muster 225 yards of total offense against Las Vegas! It’s becoming painfully obvious that QB Baker Mayfield isn’t the answer for the Browns and Geico doesn’t have enough money to bail them out! Last week: 12
15. Miami (4-3): Don’t look now, but the Dolphins are above .500 for the first time since, since…well, I don’t know. But, it’s been a long time since the Dolphins were relevant this late into a season. Tua (Tagovailoa) Time went pretty well in a win over the Rams. To be honest, Tua didn’t light up the Rams defense, but he did play well enough to get the win. Raise your hand if you had the Dolphins ahead of the Patriots in the standings entering week 9 of the NFL. Last week: 17
16. Las Vegas (4-3): Just win, baby! That’s the Raider motto! They did win, against the Browns. Whoopie! This team is schizophrenic! Up and down… the roller coaster Raiders! One week they beat the Chiefs and Saints; the next they get blown out by Tampa! Go figure. Coach John Gruden has to be puzzled by his own team. Last week: 16
17. San Francisco (4-4): Aside from a Super Bowl hangover that is very real, the 49ers have been ravished by the injury bug. Tight End George Kittle is now out 8 weeks with a fracture in his leg. San Francisco lost several key defensive players for the season due to injury. And, QB Jimmy Garoppolo was sat down again last week as he continues to rehab a high ankle sprain that just won’t heal. It won’t get any easier for the 49ers over the next three weeks. Thursday night San Francisco is at home against the Packers followed by back to back road trips to New Orleans and Los Angeles (Rams). Yikes! San Fran could be out of the picture before Thanksgiving. Last week: 15
18. Detroit (3-4): The Lions were straight up punked by the Colts in a 41-21 loss. The Lions aren’t as bad as I originally thought, but they just don’t know how to win games. They either get blown out, lose a close game or have the occasional tight win. QB Mathew Stafford is a stud, but at times throws some head scratching interceptions that make you want to pull your hair out. Detroit is a great town, a town that deserves a winner! This week the Lions travel to Minnesota for a divisional game against the Vikings. Last week: 18
19. Philadelphia (3-4-1): The Eagles beat the free falling Dallas Cowboys 23-9. I’m wondering why Philly only scored 23 points against a Dallas defense that can’t stop a nosebleed. Then I realized…oh, it’s the Eagles! Their offensive can’t move anyone effectively. Despite the sub .500 record, the Eagles still lead the NFC East. Mind boggling, but true! Last week: 20
20. Carolina (3-5): Just two weeks ago this team was 3-3 and feeling good about themselves. The Panthers kicked off week 8 with a loss to the Atlanta Falcons 25-17 on Thursday night football. Pulling for Teddy Bridgewater, but I’m moving on… Last week: 19
21. Denver (3-4): The Broncos somehow put up some points in a thrilling win over the Chargers 31-30. General Manager John Elway tested positive for Covid19 earlier this week. I grew up as a big Elway fan, and hope he comes out of it ok. With that said, Denver has back to back road games against the Falcons and Raiders. Last week: 23
22. Los Angeles Chargers (2-5): The Bolts shouldn’t have lost to Denver. QB Justin Herbert finally looked like a rookie, tossing two interceptions in the loss. Now, to be fair, his poor play is a reflection of coaching. There is no way Herbert should be called upon to attempt 43 passes! Shame on the Chargers coaches for that. Herbert’s not ready for that! Last week: 21
23. New England (2-5): The Patriots haven’t been 2 and 5 in twenty years! I was in year three of my Marine enlistment the last time the Patriots had a record this poor. I bet the clam chowda (Yes, I spelled it that way on purpose) tastes terrible in Foxboro. Tom Brady is winning his divorce from New England. The losses aren’t all on QB Cam Newton. Things are happening in New England that we are not used to seeing from a Bill Bellichick coached team. Take note Drew Brees haters! This is what happens when you lose a hall of fame QB! Last week: 22
24. Cincinnati (2-5-1): Who Dey? How about the Bengals getting a big 31-20 win over the Titans 31-20? QB Joe Burrow was sharp! Burrow was 26 of 37 passing with 249 yards and 2 touchdowns. What was even better? The Bengals offensive line held up, and Burrow wasn’t sacked the entire game. Last week: 25
25. Dallas (2-6): Oh man! Bobby Hebert is smiling ear to ear these days! The Cowboys are in a free fall! Dallas lost to the Eagles 23-9 last week. Third string QB Ben Dinucci was put in an awful position. The rookie out of James Madison didn’t play well, but that was to be expected. How about owner Jerry Jones and his comments about Dinucci the day after the game? “I think we certainly as a team, paid the price to have him come in under those circumstances and that’s almost trite.” Jones told that to 105.3FM “The Fan” in Dallas. For the first time in a while Jerry Jones said something completely accurate. Hey, Cowboys fans, it could be worse. You could be the Jets. Last week: 24
26. Minnesota (2-5): The win over Green Bay might have saved coach Mike Zimmer’s job. The Vikings finally looked like a team that made the post-season last season. Believe it or not, Minnesota has a chance to get the season back. In the next three weeks, the Vikings will play the Lions at home, Chicago on the road and back home against the Cowboys. It’s very possible that Minnesota could be 5-5 in three weeks. Last week: 27
27. Houston (1-6): The Texans had their bye week in week 8. It couldn’t have come at a better time. The Cowboys tried to petition the league to have the worst of Texas matchup, but the league declined. (I’m kidding, in case you didn’t get the joke). Last week: 26
28. Atlanta (2-6): So you beat the Panthers! Good for you! Pluck those dirty birds! Last week: 29
29. Washington Football Team (2-5): Their two wins came against the Cowboys and Eagles. Enough said.
30. Jacksonville (1-6): I’m starting to wonder if the Jaguars are as bad as the Jets! I still can’t believe they beat the Colts in week one. Fun fact: Did you know Jacksonville is bigger than Manhattan in terms of landmass, making it the largest city in the country? Last week: 29
31. New York Giants (1-7): Sure, the Giants took the Buccaneers to the wire on Monday night football, but Giants fans aren’t interested in moral victories. If QB Daniel Jones can learn how to throw the ball away under pressure instead of throwing it to the other team, the Giants would be celebrating a big win today. Instead here they sit with just one win. Last week: 30
32. New York Crop Dusters (0-8): Even Broadway Joe Namath couldn’t save the Jets! Would anyone be upset, if the Jets just canceled their remaining games and be awarded the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft? I wouldn’t! Why torture NFL fans with this disgusting display of professional football? Last week: 32
