As I did at this point in the season last year, I thought I'd release my first set of NFL Power Rankings.
1) New England Patriots (9-0): As one of the two remaining undefeated teams in the league, it's difficult to argue with the Patriots being the best team in the NFL at the moment. With their recent rash of injuries, however, they're anything but a guarantee to go to another Super Bowl.
2) Carolina Panthers (9-0): Here's the only other undefeated team in the league. For whatever reason, the Panthers still aren't garnering a great deal of respect from ESPN talking heads. They're anything but a lock for the Super Bowl, but being two games ahead of Arizona and Minnesota for home-field advantage, they'll have to choke down the stretch to not attain that great advantage come playoff time.
3) Cincinnati Bengals (8-1): If the Monday Night game had never happened, I would have liked ranked the Bengals atop this list. However, in falling 10-6 at home to the then 3-5 Houston Texans, two questions immediately come to mind: 1) Is this the same postseason Bengals we've become accustomed to in recent years? and 2) WTF? I honestly believe, when healthy, the Bengals have the best, most balanced team in the AFC. However, if you were to offer me either Tom Brady or Andy Dalton to be my quarterback when the regular season ends, I'd laugh whole-heartedly and pick Brady.
4) Arizona Cardinals (7-2): Like with the Bengals in the AFC, if healthy, I think these Arizona Cardinals are the best, most balanced team in the NFC. Their defense continues to be solid and opportunistic. Their special teams is as well. Not only that, but in addition to the typically high-flying passing attack under Bruce Ariens, the Cardinals actually have a ground game this year. If they go to the playoffs healthy (unlike last year), they'll be my favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.
5) Minnesota Vikings (7-2): This has to be one of the most surprising teams in the NFL this year, especially after getting blown out by 3-6 San Francisco in their first game. Since then, the Vikings are 7-1, with their lone loss being a last-second defeat at the hands of the Denver Broncos. While Arizona is my NFC favorite at this point in the season, I would not want to play Minnesota come playoff time. Both the Vikings' offense and defense are improving as the season progresses and they have a very bright future ahead of them.
6) Denver Broncos (7-2): While Minnesota is on the rise, Denver is currently falling fast. Peyton Manning had one of, if not the worst game of his NFL career last Sunday when the Broncos got blown out by then 3-5 Kansas City. Brock Osweiler will start this week against the suddenly resurgent Chicago Bears. The way the Broncos have fallen apart the past couple of weeks, it's difficult not seeing them lose their third straight. Fortunately for them, they're still three games ahead of both Oakland and Kansas City in the NFC West. They'd need to suffer a massive collapse to not make it to the postseason.
7) Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4): If this team was healthy, they would probably be my favorite to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. The Steelers' Achilles heel last season was their defense. Well, that part of the team has improved quite a bit this year. Their big problem? Injuries. Ben Roethlisberger has missed multiple games. Michael Vick got banged up replacing Big Ben. Landry Jones got banged up this past weekend replacing the two of them. If Roethlisberger got injured yet again this past Sunday, the team would have had to resort to tight end Heath Miller. No, that's not a joke. Not only has the team been banged up at quarterback, but standout running back La'Veon Bell is out for the rest of the season. Martavis Bryant was out with a suspension for the first part of the season. Unfortunately for the Steelers, it won't be until next year at the earliest where we see the likes of a health Ben Roethlisberger, Le'Veon Bell, Antonio Brown, and Martavis Bryant on the field at once.
8) Green Bay Packers (6-3): Like the Broncos, the Green Bay Packers are in a downward spiral. They're banged up on offense, not providing Aaron Rodgers with much protection in the pocket, and the defense has been anything but stellar. How bad is it for the Packers at the moment? They lost to the then 1-7 Detroit Lions at home this past Sunday - the first time that's happened in 25 years.
9) Atlanta Falcons (6-3): Atlanta is definitely improved from last season, but have fallen on some hard times of late. While their defense has improved quite a bit under first year head coach Dan Quinn, the offense has been underachieving of late. If the offense can start clicking again, this team could make some noise come playoff time. However, if things continue trending as they have been, it'll be difficult for the Falcons to make the playoffs at all, let alone make some noise come postseason
10) Buffalo Bills (5-4): The Bills definitely have talent, but appear to be just as inconsistent as last year's 9-7 team. Assuming they'll fall to New England at Foxboro on Monday Night, the 5-5 Bills will likely need to win 4 of their last 6 to even think about making the playoffs as a Wild Card. The question they'll need to answer: "Is Tyrod Taylor or E.J. Manuel seriously our quarterback of the future, or should we start looking elsewhere?"
11) New York Jets (5-4): Ironically enough, the Jets are fairly similar to the Rex Ryan-led Bills. With that being said, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Geno Smith have been far more inconsistent than Tyrod Taylor, which has resulted in turnovers. The defense also, while solid overall, has been rather inconsistent of late. The team will need to be less careless with the football and more consistent if they want to have a shot at a Wild Card birth.
12) Seattle Seahawks (4-5): With the Seahawks blowing 4th quarter leads all season and being 4-5 as a result, I think we need to finally admit two things: 1) Losing Max Unger at center was a much bigger loss than the team had initially thought and 2) Former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn going to Atlanta for a head coaching position has impacted the team far more than analysts predicted as well. The team still has the talent to make a playoff run and advance in the playoffs, but they're going to need to finally piece things together and learn how to close out games. Otherwise, they'll be sitting at home after Week 17.
13) St. Louis Rams (4-5): This is one of the most inconsistent and unpredictable teams in football this year. Why is that? Their offense, especially their quarterback, Nick Foles. He's been so inconsistent, the Rams have decided to go with Case Keenum this coming weekend against Baltimore. With a top-caliber defense and offensive weapons Todd Gurley and Tayvon Austin, this team should be better than it is. Until they find a better, more consistent quarterback, however, I don't see how they can put together a playoff run.
14) New York Giants (5-5): The Giants' offense, especially their passing game, is quite explosive at times. On the other side of the coin, their defense is anything but spectacular. Lucky for them, they play in the NFC (l)East, so 8 or 9 wins could very well be all they need to make the playoffs.
15) Oakland Raiders (4-5): Here is a team to watch out for in the future. Between Derek Carr, Amari Cooper, and Michael Crabtree, among others, the Raiders present one of the most exciting young offenses in the league. Their defense still has a ways to go, though. While I don't see this team making the playoffs this year, look for the silver and black to be back in the postseason next year.
16) Kansas City Chiefs (4-5): It appeared the Chiefs were all but dead when standout tailback Jamal Charles was lost for the season with an injury. But, now winners of three straight, Kansas City is starting to piece things together and aren't a team to be taken lightly in the last couple months of the season. While making up three games on division-leading Denver may be a bit much in the final 7 games of the season, the way Denver is spiraling, it isn't completely out of the question.
17) Washington Redskins (4-5): Like the other NFC East teams, Washington is a very mediocre, inconsistent team. Their defense has been better-than-expected and Kirk Cousins has put together a couple of great games, but even if Washington lucks out by making the playoffs at 8-8, I can't see them making it past the 1st round. It'll be interesting to see whether they decide to give Cousins one more year to prove himself at quarterback or if they start looking elsewhere (and also with regard to their head coach).
18) Philadelphia Eagles (4-5): Following two 10-6 seasons for head coach Chip Kelly, he decided to give the team a full makeover. I, for one, didn't understand this and thought it would do anything but help Philly reach the next level. Well, at 4-5, it appears I was right. Sam Bradford's banged up again. The team lacks the vertical threats they had in the passing game when Kelly first arrived on the scene. The big-hitters are less frequent with LeSean McCoy in Buffalo. The defense has improved this season, but like I said with Washington, even if the Eagles are fortunate enough to make the playoffs at 8-8, I can't see them winning a playoff game. I'll be extremely curious to see what the team does in the offseason, both with regards to personnel and coaches.
19) Chicago Bears (4-5): At 2-5, the Bears looked like they were in serious rebuilding mode, but after winning two straight, including a blowout victory on the road against St. Louis, the Bears are looking like a much improved team and could potentially make a run for a Wild Card if they continue playing this way.
20) Miami Dolphins (4-5): Like in all other Ryan Tannehill-led years, this Dolphins team is one of the most inconsistent in the league. As long as this continues, I'm hard-pressed seeing them make the postseason. As Cubs fans might say, "Maybe next year."
21) New Orleans Saints (4-6): If you want to show kids how not to play defense, watch video of the Saints. This has to be the worst defense in all of football. They can still put up points here and there with the best of them, but so long as the defense is this horrid, the Saints will be watching the playoffs from home.
22) Indianapolis Colts (4-5): With or without Andrew Luck, this is a very average football team. Fortunately for them, they play in the AFC South, so between 7 and 9 wins should be enough to win the division. Unfortunately for them, even if they make the postseason, don't expect them to advance very far. Also, if the team doesn't improve its offensive line, running game, and defense before long, expect Mr. Luck to take his talents elsewhere.
23) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5): Tampa is a difficult team to figure out. Whether they win or lose, the games seem to be close, and the victories and defeats tend to be of the ugly variety. Rookie quarterback Jameis Winston has definitely made some strides over the course of the season, and even if the team finishes 6-10, it has to be viewed as a step in the right direction.
24) Houston Texans (4-5): For as inept as this team has appeared on offense and how inconsistent they've been on defense, I'm at a loss for how they've won 4 games to this point in the season, which is good enough to place them in a first-place tie atop the AFC South with Indianapolis.
25) Baltimore Ravens (2-7): If you like heartbreaking defeat, the Baltimore Ravens are your team! They seem to lose at the last second in most every game, even when there is no time left, like in this past weekend's loss to Jacksonville. They may be one of the better 2-7 teams in NFL history. Then again, that's like a guy saying, "I have the best case of herpes ever!"
26) San Diego Chargers (2-7): Speaking of hard-luck losses, there's the San Diego Chargers. Not only have they gotten their hearts broken time and time again this season through last-second defeats, but they've been hit by the injury bug as well, which has only added to the pain. I don't like to ever count out Philip Rivers, but if the Chargers lose one more game, they can all but kiss their playoff hopes goodbye.
27) Dallas Cowboys (2-7): Speaking of injury problems, there's the Dallas Cowboys. Not only did they lose DeMarco Murray to Philadelphia in the offseason, but they lost Tony Romo and Dez Bryant to injury early this season and have yet to bounce back. With Bryant back in the lineup, Romo returning this week against the Dolphins, and the Cowboys just 2.5 games behind NFC East-leading New York, it's hypothetically possible for Dallas to make a playoff run. At worst, though, they'll likely need to finish 6-1 down the stretch in order to give themselves any chance at the postseason.
28) Detroit Lions (2-7): After a playoff run a year ago, the Lions are back to their losing ways this season. The defense is inconsistent. The offensive line and running game is basically nonexistent. Matthew Stafford can't seem to get over the hump to become an elite quarterback. Calvin Johnson isn't being utilized enough, likely due to the porous offensive line and running game. Given all the holes this team has, maybe it's for the best to have an off-year, get a top 5 draft pick, make some coaching changes, and see what happens a year from now.
29) San Francisco 49ers (3-6): The most bipolar team in the league this season has to be San Francisco. At home, they've been a pretty darn good football team, even beating 7-2 Minnesota and losing a heartbreaker to the 5-5 New York Giants. On the road, however, they've been arguably the worst team in all of football. For as many key guys as they lost in the offseason, though, this team, perhaps more than any other, is in need of an elite top 5-caliber draft prospect.
30) Jacksonville Jaguars (3-6): Blake Bortles hasn't progressed as much in his second season as I would have liked to see, but the team around him has. Unlike the first 3/4 of last season, Jacksonville has been competitive in most of their games this year, and while it may seem slight at the time, the team has appeared to take a step in the right direction.
31) Cleveland Browns (2-8): This team has far more questions than answers. As a matter of fact, I'm not sure it has any answers. It'll be interesting to see how Johnny Manziel performs over the team's final 6 games and whether the team decides to go with him next year or look elsewhere.
32) Tennessee Titans (2-7): This team is far better with Marcus Mariota under center, and with him being out for multiple games, the Titans' record may be slightly misleading. The team is in desperate need to get help around the rookie quarterback, but to this point in the season, it looks like they've drafted a solid quarterback for the future. So they've got that going for them, which is nice...
1) New England Patriots (9-0): As one of the two remaining undefeated teams in the league, it's difficult to argue with the Patriots being the best team in the NFL at the moment. With their recent rash of injuries, however, they're anything but a guarantee to go to another Super Bowl.
2) Carolina Panthers (9-0): Here's the only other undefeated team in the league. For whatever reason, the Panthers still aren't garnering a great deal of respect from ESPN talking heads. They're anything but a lock for the Super Bowl, but being two games ahead of Arizona and Minnesota for home-field advantage, they'll have to choke down the stretch to not attain that great advantage come playoff time.
3) Cincinnati Bengals (8-1): If the Monday Night game had never happened, I would have liked ranked the Bengals atop this list. However, in falling 10-6 at home to the then 3-5 Houston Texans, two questions immediately come to mind: 1) Is this the same postseason Bengals we've become accustomed to in recent years? and 2) WTF? I honestly believe, when healthy, the Bengals have the best, most balanced team in the AFC. However, if you were to offer me either Tom Brady or Andy Dalton to be my quarterback when the regular season ends, I'd laugh whole-heartedly and pick Brady.
4) Arizona Cardinals (7-2): Like with the Bengals in the AFC, if healthy, I think these Arizona Cardinals are the best, most balanced team in the NFC. Their defense continues to be solid and opportunistic. Their special teams is as well. Not only that, but in addition to the typically high-flying passing attack under Bruce Ariens, the Cardinals actually have a ground game this year. If they go to the playoffs healthy (unlike last year), they'll be my favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.
5) Minnesota Vikings (7-2): This has to be one of the most surprising teams in the NFL this year, especially after getting blown out by 3-6 San Francisco in their first game. Since then, the Vikings are 7-1, with their lone loss being a last-second defeat at the hands of the Denver Broncos. While Arizona is my NFC favorite at this point in the season, I would not want to play Minnesota come playoff time. Both the Vikings' offense and defense are improving as the season progresses and they have a very bright future ahead of them.
6) Denver Broncos (7-2): While Minnesota is on the rise, Denver is currently falling fast. Peyton Manning had one of, if not the worst game of his NFL career last Sunday when the Broncos got blown out by then 3-5 Kansas City. Brock Osweiler will start this week against the suddenly resurgent Chicago Bears. The way the Broncos have fallen apart the past couple of weeks, it's difficult not seeing them lose their third straight. Fortunately for them, they're still three games ahead of both Oakland and Kansas City in the NFC West. They'd need to suffer a massive collapse to not make it to the postseason.
7) Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4): If this team was healthy, they would probably be my favorite to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. The Steelers' Achilles heel last season was their defense. Well, that part of the team has improved quite a bit this year. Their big problem? Injuries. Ben Roethlisberger has missed multiple games. Michael Vick got banged up replacing Big Ben. Landry Jones got banged up this past weekend replacing the two of them. If Roethlisberger got injured yet again this past Sunday, the team would have had to resort to tight end Heath Miller. No, that's not a joke. Not only has the team been banged up at quarterback, but standout running back La'Veon Bell is out for the rest of the season. Martavis Bryant was out with a suspension for the first part of the season. Unfortunately for the Steelers, it won't be until next year at the earliest where we see the likes of a health Ben Roethlisberger, Le'Veon Bell, Antonio Brown, and Martavis Bryant on the field at once.
8) Green Bay Packers (6-3): Like the Broncos, the Green Bay Packers are in a downward spiral. They're banged up on offense, not providing Aaron Rodgers with much protection in the pocket, and the defense has been anything but stellar. How bad is it for the Packers at the moment? They lost to the then 1-7 Detroit Lions at home this past Sunday - the first time that's happened in 25 years.
9) Atlanta Falcons (6-3): Atlanta is definitely improved from last season, but have fallen on some hard times of late. While their defense has improved quite a bit under first year head coach Dan Quinn, the offense has been underachieving of late. If the offense can start clicking again, this team could make some noise come playoff time. However, if things continue trending as they have been, it'll be difficult for the Falcons to make the playoffs at all, let alone make some noise come postseason
10) Buffalo Bills (5-4): The Bills definitely have talent, but appear to be just as inconsistent as last year's 9-7 team. Assuming they'll fall to New England at Foxboro on Monday Night, the 5-5 Bills will likely need to win 4 of their last 6 to even think about making the playoffs as a Wild Card. The question they'll need to answer: "Is Tyrod Taylor or E.J. Manuel seriously our quarterback of the future, or should we start looking elsewhere?"
11) New York Jets (5-4): Ironically enough, the Jets are fairly similar to the Rex Ryan-led Bills. With that being said, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Geno Smith have been far more inconsistent than Tyrod Taylor, which has resulted in turnovers. The defense also, while solid overall, has been rather inconsistent of late. The team will need to be less careless with the football and more consistent if they want to have a shot at a Wild Card birth.
12) Seattle Seahawks (4-5): With the Seahawks blowing 4th quarter leads all season and being 4-5 as a result, I think we need to finally admit two things: 1) Losing Max Unger at center was a much bigger loss than the team had initially thought and 2) Former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn going to Atlanta for a head coaching position has impacted the team far more than analysts predicted as well. The team still has the talent to make a playoff run and advance in the playoffs, but they're going to need to finally piece things together and learn how to close out games. Otherwise, they'll be sitting at home after Week 17.
13) St. Louis Rams (4-5): This is one of the most inconsistent and unpredictable teams in football this year. Why is that? Their offense, especially their quarterback, Nick Foles. He's been so inconsistent, the Rams have decided to go with Case Keenum this coming weekend against Baltimore. With a top-caliber defense and offensive weapons Todd Gurley and Tayvon Austin, this team should be better than it is. Until they find a better, more consistent quarterback, however, I don't see how they can put together a playoff run.
14) New York Giants (5-5): The Giants' offense, especially their passing game, is quite explosive at times. On the other side of the coin, their defense is anything but spectacular. Lucky for them, they play in the NFC (l)East, so 8 or 9 wins could very well be all they need to make the playoffs.
15) Oakland Raiders (4-5): Here is a team to watch out for in the future. Between Derek Carr, Amari Cooper, and Michael Crabtree, among others, the Raiders present one of the most exciting young offenses in the league. Their defense still has a ways to go, though. While I don't see this team making the playoffs this year, look for the silver and black to be back in the postseason next year.
16) Kansas City Chiefs (4-5): It appeared the Chiefs were all but dead when standout tailback Jamal Charles was lost for the season with an injury. But, now winners of three straight, Kansas City is starting to piece things together and aren't a team to be taken lightly in the last couple months of the season. While making up three games on division-leading Denver may be a bit much in the final 7 games of the season, the way Denver is spiraling, it isn't completely out of the question.
17) Washington Redskins (4-5): Like the other NFC East teams, Washington is a very mediocre, inconsistent team. Their defense has been better-than-expected and Kirk Cousins has put together a couple of great games, but even if Washington lucks out by making the playoffs at 8-8, I can't see them making it past the 1st round. It'll be interesting to see whether they decide to give Cousins one more year to prove himself at quarterback or if they start looking elsewhere (and also with regard to their head coach).
18) Philadelphia Eagles (4-5): Following two 10-6 seasons for head coach Chip Kelly, he decided to give the team a full makeover. I, for one, didn't understand this and thought it would do anything but help Philly reach the next level. Well, at 4-5, it appears I was right. Sam Bradford's banged up again. The team lacks the vertical threats they had in the passing game when Kelly first arrived on the scene. The big-hitters are less frequent with LeSean McCoy in Buffalo. The defense has improved this season, but like I said with Washington, even if the Eagles are fortunate enough to make the playoffs at 8-8, I can't see them winning a playoff game. I'll be extremely curious to see what the team does in the offseason, both with regards to personnel and coaches.
19) Chicago Bears (4-5): At 2-5, the Bears looked like they were in serious rebuilding mode, but after winning two straight, including a blowout victory on the road against St. Louis, the Bears are looking like a much improved team and could potentially make a run for a Wild Card if they continue playing this way.
20) Miami Dolphins (4-5): Like in all other Ryan Tannehill-led years, this Dolphins team is one of the most inconsistent in the league. As long as this continues, I'm hard-pressed seeing them make the postseason. As Cubs fans might say, "Maybe next year."
21) New Orleans Saints (4-6): If you want to show kids how not to play defense, watch video of the Saints. This has to be the worst defense in all of football. They can still put up points here and there with the best of them, but so long as the defense is this horrid, the Saints will be watching the playoffs from home.
22) Indianapolis Colts (4-5): With or without Andrew Luck, this is a very average football team. Fortunately for them, they play in the AFC South, so between 7 and 9 wins should be enough to win the division. Unfortunately for them, even if they make the postseason, don't expect them to advance very far. Also, if the team doesn't improve its offensive line, running game, and defense before long, expect Mr. Luck to take his talents elsewhere.
23) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5): Tampa is a difficult team to figure out. Whether they win or lose, the games seem to be close, and the victories and defeats tend to be of the ugly variety. Rookie quarterback Jameis Winston has definitely made some strides over the course of the season, and even if the team finishes 6-10, it has to be viewed as a step in the right direction.
24) Houston Texans (4-5): For as inept as this team has appeared on offense and how inconsistent they've been on defense, I'm at a loss for how they've won 4 games to this point in the season, which is good enough to place them in a first-place tie atop the AFC South with Indianapolis.
25) Baltimore Ravens (2-7): If you like heartbreaking defeat, the Baltimore Ravens are your team! They seem to lose at the last second in most every game, even when there is no time left, like in this past weekend's loss to Jacksonville. They may be one of the better 2-7 teams in NFL history. Then again, that's like a guy saying, "I have the best case of herpes ever!"
26) San Diego Chargers (2-7): Speaking of hard-luck losses, there's the San Diego Chargers. Not only have they gotten their hearts broken time and time again this season through last-second defeats, but they've been hit by the injury bug as well, which has only added to the pain. I don't like to ever count out Philip Rivers, but if the Chargers lose one more game, they can all but kiss their playoff hopes goodbye.
27) Dallas Cowboys (2-7): Speaking of injury problems, there's the Dallas Cowboys. Not only did they lose DeMarco Murray to Philadelphia in the offseason, but they lost Tony Romo and Dez Bryant to injury early this season and have yet to bounce back. With Bryant back in the lineup, Romo returning this week against the Dolphins, and the Cowboys just 2.5 games behind NFC East-leading New York, it's hypothetically possible for Dallas to make a playoff run. At worst, though, they'll likely need to finish 6-1 down the stretch in order to give themselves any chance at the postseason.
28) Detroit Lions (2-7): After a playoff run a year ago, the Lions are back to their losing ways this season. The defense is inconsistent. The offensive line and running game is basically nonexistent. Matthew Stafford can't seem to get over the hump to become an elite quarterback. Calvin Johnson isn't being utilized enough, likely due to the porous offensive line and running game. Given all the holes this team has, maybe it's for the best to have an off-year, get a top 5 draft pick, make some coaching changes, and see what happens a year from now.
29) San Francisco 49ers (3-6): The most bipolar team in the league this season has to be San Francisco. At home, they've been a pretty darn good football team, even beating 7-2 Minnesota and losing a heartbreaker to the 5-5 New York Giants. On the road, however, they've been arguably the worst team in all of football. For as many key guys as they lost in the offseason, though, this team, perhaps more than any other, is in need of an elite top 5-caliber draft prospect.
30) Jacksonville Jaguars (3-6): Blake Bortles hasn't progressed as much in his second season as I would have liked to see, but the team around him has. Unlike the first 3/4 of last season, Jacksonville has been competitive in most of their games this year, and while it may seem slight at the time, the team has appeared to take a step in the right direction.
31) Cleveland Browns (2-8): This team has far more questions than answers. As a matter of fact, I'm not sure it has any answers. It'll be interesting to see how Johnny Manziel performs over the team's final 6 games and whether the team decides to go with him next year or look elsewhere.
32) Tennessee Titans (2-7): This team is far better with Marcus Mariota under center, and with him being out for multiple games, the Titans' record may be slightly misleading. The team is in desperate need to get help around the rookie quarterback, but to this point in the season, it looks like they've drafted a solid quarterback for the future. So they've got that going for them, which is nice...
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