1. KANSAS CITY (4-1): Yep! They are still the best team in football even though the Raiders beat them by 8. I get it! Seattle is undefeated…why not move them up to the No. 1 spot? The Chiefs won 13 straight games prior to Las Vegas pulling off a big upset. It’s easy to see why the Chiefs lost. Human nature sometimes allows for complacency. When you win in the manner Kansas City’s winning, it’s easy to forget the little things that go into winning. Now, with the said, the book is out. Stop blitzing Patrick Mahomes and play coverage. That’s what the Raiders did in the win, and I expect other teams to follow the Raiders lead. Last week: 1
2. SEATTLE (5-0): Danger! Russ, as in Russell Wilson, is putting up crazy numbers and the Hawks are unbeaten at 5-0 for the first time in franchise history. The Vikings gave Seattle a run, and Coach Mike Zimmer gave Wilson and company a gift. More on that in my rankings of Minnesota. Seattle’s run could continue for a while. The Seahawks have the Cardinals on the road and San Francisco in the next two weeks. Last week: 2
3. GREEN BAY (4-0): The Packers had a bye last week. The NFL was thankful too, after the Packer’s assault on defenses this year. Green Bay has back to back road games against Tampa Bay and Houston, followed by their week 8 clash with the Vikings. Last week: 3
4. PITTSBURGH (4-0): The Steelers dispatched the Eagles 38-29. Blitzburgh! Battered Eagles QB Carson Wentz and the banged up offensive line for a total of four sacks in the win. Hear me out on this. The narrative is simple – the Steelers defense is stifling! Well, not so much. They put a ton of pressure on opposing offenses through pressure, and they force a ton of turnovers. Last week: 5
5. BALTIMORE (4-1): The Ravens moved down a spot, but we’re splitting hairs between them and the Steelers. Baltimore crushed the Bengals 27-3. This defense is disgustingly good. The Bengals were 3 for 16 on third down. That’s incredible! The Ravens forced three Bengal turnovers in the win. We might not be in love with the numbers that QB Lamar Jackson is putting up, but he doesn’t have to be the MVP every week. This Ravens team is one of the more complete teams in the NFL. Last week: 4
6. TENNESSEE (4-0): Ok, let me be clear, the Titans aren’t sexy or flashy, but they win games. My disrespect for this team is over. It’s time to recognize how good Tennessee is, after a 42-16 thrashing of the previously unbeaten Buffalo Bills. QB Ryan Tannehill accounted for 4 touchdowns, and RB Derrick Henry hurt some feelings running over would-be tacklers. The Titans are for real and now a dark horse to make a run in the AFC. Last week: 7
7. BUFFALO (4-1): So, the Bills were bullied by the Titans. I’m not coming off my take about the Bills. It’s one loss, albeit a blowout defeat. QB Josh Allen tossed two interceptions against the Titans. The Bills turned the ball over three times. No wonder they lost! Buffalo will be ok, and have to regroup quickly for a road trip to Kansas City facing an angry Chiefs team that suffered their first loss of the season last week also. Short week and the Chiefs? Man, that’s a tough break. Last week: 6
8. LAS VEGAS (3-2): Just win, baby! That’s what the Raiders did in Kansas City knocking off the defending champs in their house. Nothing is sweeter right now for John Gruden’s Raiders. If you watched the Chiefs at all through the first four games, you could tell KC was ripe for upset. Las Vegas kept the big play Chiefs at bay, and beat them at their own game. The Raiders rushed four and dropped eight in coverage shrinking the passing windows for Mahomes. Last week: 11
9. TAMPA BAY (3-2): The Buccaneers lost a close one to the Bears 20-19. QB Tom Brady had a senior moment and forgot what down it was late in the game as Tampa was driving for the win. The Bucs defense is underrated. Tampa Bay will be in the mix going forward. Sure, I’m not that high on the Bears, whom they lost to, but my opinion of Brady and company hasn’t changed. Last week: 8
10. NEW ENGLAND (2-2): The Patriots didn’t play due to Covid-19 infection rates on their team. Last week: 9
11. CHICAGO (4-1): It pains me to put this team this high. The Bears just aren’t very good. Tom Brady ‘s colossal brain fart…not knowing the right down in distances…ultimately led to the Bears 20-19 win over Tampa. Chicago has back to back road games against the Panthers (3-2), and the Rams (4-1). After that, the Saints play the Bears in Chicago. If the Bears go 2 and 1 or 3-0 in this stretch, I will give them respect. My money is on 0-3 in this stretch. Last week: 10
12. CLEVELAND: Believeland! Yo! The Browns are legit. The last time Cleveland was 4-1 through five games was 1994. Remember who the coach was? Bill Belichick. This is why the Browns are dangerous! They are as good as anyone on the offensive and defensive line across the NFL. The Browns manhandle teams with the big guys up front. Don’t be surprised if this team just keeps improving each week. Cleveland could be a major problem for the AFC. Last week: 17
13. LOS ANGELES RAMS (4-1): The Rams took care of business against the hapless Washington Football team 30-10. Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald might be the best football player in the league. Show me another interior defensive lineman who can wreck an offensive game plan like Donald. Won’t happen! He’s best in the game. We talk about quarterbacks and running backs way too much and not enough time talking about Aaron Donald. I could make a case for him to win NFL MVP. Last week: 12
14. NEW ORLEANS (3-2): Sure, the Saints having a winning record, but it doesn’t feel like it. The Saints are frustrating to watch. The talent on the team is way better than what the record reflects. New Orleans won’t make much noise until they fix the defense. The Fleur De Lis D has too many mental busts with receivers running free in the secondary. The back end of the defense (secondary) isn’t communicating very well and it’s clear. Safety Malcolm Jenkins is a walking roller coaster. On offense, the Saints are legit. Not saying they are perfect, but they are in good shape. BYE this week. Last week: 18
15. INDIANAPOLIS (3-2): Oh man! QB Phillip Rivers is a turnover machine. He’s thrown 4 touchdowns to 5 interceptions this season. The Colts lost to the Cleveland Browns 32-23. The Colts top ranked defense was gashed for big plays against the Browns. Indy might have to consider benching Phillip Rivers. Last week: 14
16. CAROLINA (3-2): Here Kitty, Kitty! Look at the Panthers sitting at 3 and 2 in the NFC South. QB Teddy Bridgewater is having great success. In his last ten starts, Bridgewater is 8-2. The Panthers beat up on the winless Falcons 23-16. Don’t look now, but the Panthers have won three straight games, despite being down their best player, RB Christian McAffery. Last week: 23
17. ARIZONA (3-2): Yawn! I mean, you beat the crop dusters (AKA Jets). I love when I’m right. I was right about the Cardinals from the jump. I told you weeks ago they are a roller coaster team. Up and down, a couple upside down moments with some serious G-force turns on the track. The Cardinals face Dallas, Seahawks and Dolphins over the next three weeks. Last week: 16
18. SAN FRANCISCO (2-3): I tried to tell you in week 1, this team is not the same team that represented the NFC in the Super Bowl nine months ago. San Francisco is riddled with injuries and poor play. Right now the 49ers are playing for third place in the NFC West. They are 3 games back of Seattle and 2 games back of the Rams. It’s going to get worse for the Niners. This week they have the Rams at their place. Then two straight road games against New England and Seattle. Good luck with that! Last week: 13
19. DALLAS (2-3): Oh man! QB Dak Prescott is done for the season with a gruesome compound fracture of the ankle. Awful news for Big D! The Cowboys gutted out a win against the Giants, after losing their leader. Dallas made an important decision this off-season in signing Andy Dalton as their back up QB. Dalton could start for a number of teams. The biggest problem the Cowboys face going forward is not the loss of Dak, but the leaky defense that ranks near the bottom of the league. Last week: 15
20. MIAMI (2-3): The Dolphins crushed the 49ers? They sure as hell did, 43-17. Miami only allowed 259 total yards of offense in the win over San Francisco. QB Jimmy Garoppolo was benched early in the game. His coach Kyle Shanahan said the benching was to “protect him.” Jimmy G is coming off a high ankle sprain and wasn’t having a good day. The Dolphins feasted off three 49er turnovers and made them pay with points. Maybe, just maybe, the Dolphins are competitive. Last week: 26
21. PHILADELPHIA (1-3-1): The Eagles were punched in the mouth by the Steelers in week five. Same song and dance in Philly. QB Carson Wentz was running for his life against the Steeler defense, that is fierce rushing the passer and forcing turnovers. It’s hard to play QB under constant duress. The Eagles still have a shot at the NFC East crown. It’s crazy to write that, but it’s possible. Last week: 25
22. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (1-4): Man, the Chargers have their guy at QB. Justin Herbert was impressive in the loss to the Saints. The Bolts defense is better than their record might indicate. The Chargers should have a better record, but they just don’t know how to close games yet. Los Angeles has lost two games in overtime and every game has come down to one possession. When the Chargers figure out how to close games, they are going to be in the mix. Last week: 21
23. HOUSTON (1-4): The Texans fired Bill O’Brien prior to week 5 then get their first win of the season. Problem solved? Nope! You beat the Jags. Last week: 19
24. MINNESOTA (1-4): Mike Zimmer lost the game against Seattle. The Vikings were up by six points under two minutes facing a fourth and one. You kick the field goal and go up by eight points, right? Nope! The Vikings go for it, don’t convert, and you just give the ball back to the front runner in the MVP race, Russell Wilson. He drives the field for the last second win. Zimmer also chased some points in third quarter, going for two after a score in the third quarter, and failed. This one is on Mike, no doubt about it. Last week: 24
25. WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM (1-4): The best thing that came out of their 30-10 loss to the Rams was QB Alex Smith returning the field and playing quarterback. Smith hasn’t played an NFL game since a gruesome compound fracture in his right leg in 2018. The injury almost cost Smith his life due to a post-surgery infection. Smith was pressed into action, when starter Kyle Allen went down with a shoulder injury in the second quarter. Smith went through seventeen surgeries to get back on the field. Incredible! Give him the comeback player of the year award right now. By the way, Alex Smith was sacked six times in the loss to L.A. Last week: 22
26. JACKSONVILLE (1-4): Um…they got cool helmets! That’s all I got for the Jags. Last week: 20
27. CINCINNATI (1-3-1): Ok Cincy, I’m gonna need you to listen to me. Sit QB Joe Burrow. Not because of his play, but because the offensive line he plays behind is god awful. The Bengals are on pace to surrender 70 sacks this season. Please, to protect any chance of winning a Super Bowl in the near, sit Joe Burrow down. He’s not getting better behind that offensive line. Let backup QB Ryan Finley take that beating. I’m serious! Burrow is going to get hurt. Last week: 28
28. DENVER (0-3): The Broncos didn’t play this week due to Covid-19 protocols. Last week: 30
29. DETROIT (1-3): The Lions had their bye week. So at least they didn’t lose. With Bill O’Brien out in Houston and Dan Quinn gone in Atlanta. You have to wonder if Lions head coach Matt Patricia is the next coach that gets let go. Last week: 29
30. ATLANTA FALCONS (0-5): Finally, the Falcons fired head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff. Since collapsing in the Super Bowl against New England three years ago, the Falcons went 14-23 under Quinn. Since 2006, the Falcons have hired 6 head coaches and 3 general managers. Compare that to the stability in New Orleans with GM Mickey Loomis and coach Sean Payton. Do I root for bad things to happen to Atlanta? You better believe it! I won’t apologize either. Last week: 27
31. NEW YORK GIANTS (0-5): Let’s put the Jets and Giants in a win or elimination one time only game. Whoever loses, has to move out of New York. What ya think? The game would probably end in a tie. Last week: 31
32. NEW YORK CROP DUSTERS (0-5): The Jets could go winless! I mean it. I don’t see them winning a game this season. New York is as bad as the 2008 Detroit Lions, who didn’t win a game. Last week: 32
