1) Carolina Panthers (11-0): As the only remaining undefeated team in the NFL, I have to give the top spot to the Carolina Panthers. So long as the teams are at least reasonably healthy, I like either Carolina or Arizona to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, with Seattle ironically being the dark horse.
2) New England Patriots (10-1): The Patriots may be 10-1 and still the favorite to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, but their injuries finally caught up to him in their Sunday night loss to Denver, and that'll definitely be a great concern going forward, no matter how great Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are.
3) Arizona Cardinals (9-2): Injuries to tailbacks Chris Johnson and Andre Ellington are a definite concern, but so long as at least one of the two are fully healthy come the postseason, Arizona should be ready to make a push toward the Super Bowl.
4) Cincinnati Bengals (9-2): If it weren't for the porous postseason histories of both Andy Dalton and Marvin Lewis, this would be my favorite in the AFC to reach the Super Bowl, but with their histories being what they are, I can't help but have some doubts.
5) Denver Broncos (9-2): Brock Osweiler may be 2-0 as a starter, but I think the media needs to settle down about the guy. The media has been quite bipolar with regard to the Broncos' offense this year. Early on, the media seemed to write Peyton Manning off as a has-been. He then had a breakthrough performance against the Green Bay Packers and the media suddenly felt the Peyton Manning of old was back. Not long after, he had arguably his worst game as an NFL quarterback, and the media thought his career might be over. Then Brock Osweiler comes along for the ailing Manning, leads Denver to a 17-15 win over sub-.500 Chicago and a 30-24 overtime win over then unbeaten New England, and suddenly he's the second coming of, dare I say it, Peyton Manning. Whether we're talking about the Broncos' performance against the Packers with Manning under center or their showing against the Patriots with Osweiler at quarterback, there's been one key ingredient to their offense finding more success - some semblance of a running game. No matter who's behind center, if Denver wants to have any shot of making the Super Bowl, they're going to have to continue being successful with their ground attack.
6) Minnesota Vikings (8-3): Minnesota's an up-and-coming team, largely due to their significant improvements on the defensive side of the ball under head coach Mike Zimmer. If the team wants to challenge for a Super Bowl title, though, they'll need to find a way to open up the passing game more. Teddy Bridgewater is just a 2nd-year quarterback, so it'll be interesting to see whether or not we see that starting this year or next year.
7) Green Bay Packers (7-4): It feels odd to say this, but if I were a Packers fan, I'd be worried about the team at the moment. After starting the year 6-0, the team has lost 4 of 5, and injuries on offense seem to finally be catching up with them. The Pack is now a game back of Minnesota in the NFC North, currently possessing the 5th seed overall, just a game up on 6th and 7th seed Seattle and Atlanta, respectively. If Aaron Rodgers doesn't get things figured out before too long, the once favored Green Bay Packers (to reach the Super Bowl) could be watching the postseason from home.
8) Seattle Seahawks (6-5): Arizona may be my current NFC favorite to reach the Super Bowl, with Carolina being my runner-up, but if there's one team I wouldn't want to face in the playoffs from the conference, it'd be Seattle. The loss of Jimmy Graham is fairly big, but not as big as it would have been for New Orleans. Graham was beginning to click more with quarterback Russell Wilson, but Luke Wilson is solid behind him. The offensive line is showing progress over the past few weeks and unsurprisingly, Wilson has stepped up his game as well. No Marshawn Lynch? No problem, as Thomas Rawls looks to be quite the game-breaker as well, even quicker than Lynch. Oddly enough, the big question has been on defense this year. I think we got quite spoiled with the Seahawks' defense the past couple of years. Sure, they've allowed big plays, especially in the passing game, more than the previous couple of years, but here's how their defense ranks to this point in the season: 4th in yards allowed per game, 9th in passing yards allowed per game, 5th in rushing yards allowed per game, and 8th in points allowed per game.
9) Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5): The reason I thought, if they ever got healthy, the Steelers could be a dark horse for the Super Bowl, was because their defense looked quite improved from a season ago. Of course, that was before the past 3-4 games, when the Steelers' defense has looked more like the awful group from last year than the improved one from earlier this season. If the defense doesn't improve down the stretch, it won't matter how healthy the offense is; Pittsburgh will have to wait until next year.
10) Kansas City Chiefs (6-5): Can you believe this team was 1-5 at one point and lost their stud tailback Jamal Charles to a season-ending injury? Credit to the Chiefs coaches and players for making the proper adjustments and putting the team in the playoff picture. Kansas City's defense, as usual, is solid, and Jeremy Maclin has provided the team with something they've been lacking for seemingly forever - a vertical (touchdown) threat at receiver.
11) Atlanta Falcons (6-5): Contrary to the Kansas City Chiefs, one has to ask, what in the world has happened to the Atlanta Falcons? After starting the year 5-0, the team has lost 5 of 6, and are currently on the outside looking in when it comes to the postseason. The defense has performed better than anticipated this season. The big falloff has been on the offensive side of the ball. With Julio Jones, Roddy White, Devonta Freeman, and Matt Ryan behind center, the team should be much more productive than they have been. The problem has been with red-zone turnovers. If the team can figure that out, they could very well make the playoffs. If that problem doesn't get solved, however, they'll again be watching the playoffs from their homes.
12) New York Jets (6-5): Unlike in the Rex Ryan years, this Jets team actually has some weapons on offense, especially when it comes to Brandon Marshall and Chris Ivory. The key to the team making a playoff run will be quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. When he's been on, the team has been hard to beat. When he's been off, though, that's been anything but the case. Like with the Denver Broncos, though, the Jets' defense tends to keep things close, even if Fitzpatrick is having an offday.
13) Houston Texans (6-5): I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised J.J. Watt has led the defense to an incredible turnaround this season, but for as horribly as the team started the year on both sides of the ball, I'd be lying if I said that was the case. In the awful AFC South, the Texans are now tied atop the division with Indianapolis. If Houston can beat Indy, they could find themselves in the postseason, even with Brian Hoyer at quarterback and Arian Foster out with injury.
14) Indianapolis Colts (6-5): I have no idea how this team keeps winning with Matt Hasselbeck at quarterback, but they do. They're 22nd in total offense, 26th in total defense, yet are 6-5. They're quite an enigma to me. Playing in the AFC South as they do, though, they have a shot at the postseason yet again.
15) Buffalo Bills (5-6): Buffalo's been slightly disappointing to me this year. They finished 9-7 a year ago, improved at running back by adding LeSean McCoy, improved at quarterback by implementing Tyrod Taylor in for E.J. Manuel, yet haven't been able to get over the hump. They're not out of the playoff picture yet, but will likely need to win 4 of 5 down the stretch to make that happen.
16) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6): The fact that Tampa's even in the playoff talk is reason enough to credit Lovie Smith and his staff with the job they've done there. While I don't see the team making the postseason this year, they have the pieces in place to give it a run in the coming year or two.
17) Chicago Bears (5-6): While the offense has underachieved this season, the defense has overachieved, and while I still have a difficult time seeing Chicago in the playoffs, they're only a game back of 6th-seed Seattle. For as crazy as this season has been, I suppose I shouldn't discount anything at this point.
18) Washington Redskins (5-6): Yes, this is currently the NFC East division leader, and for as beaten up as Dallas is and for as lost as Philadelphia appears, the division will likely come down to Washington and New York. At this point, an 8-8 record could very well be enough to come away with the division crown.
19) New York Giants (5-6): I could pretty much say ditto here. Yeah, I'll just go with that - ditto.
20) Oakland Raiders (5-6): Oakland isn't out of the playoff picture just yet, but they'll need to show significant improvements on both sides of the ball down the stretch if they want to make that happen. The offense hasn't been as explosive the past 2-3 weeks as it was early in the season and the defense has gone from subpar to atrocious.
21) Detroit Lions (4-7): Wasn't this team 1-7 at one point? The Detroit Lions, led by their suddenly resurgent defense, now find themselves just 2 games back of 6th-seed Seattle, and while it's unlikely they'll make the playoffs, they've at least made things semi-interesting for Lions fans heading into Week 13. If they beat Green Bay on Thursday night at home, then that'll make things even more interesting, as the Packers could drop to a team on the outside looking in (postseason) at 7-5 and the Lions could inch closer to legitimate playoff possibilities.
22) St. Louis Rams (4-7): While it's only the guy's first year, it's looking more and more like this isn't Nick Foles' team and the Rams will have to look elsewhere for a quarterback-of-the-future. Todd Gurley will be a stud running back for a long period of time. Tayvon Austin will be a solid utility player. What the team needs is help at quarterback and receiver. Until they find those components, I have a difficult time seeing them in the postseason, even with their defense being as good as it is.
23) Miami Dolphins (4-7): Yeah, it's about time to start looking for a new coach...
24) Philadelphia Eagles (4-7): I don't want to brag too much, but unlike many ESPN analysts and columnists, I called it - Chip Kelly's moves the past couple years were going to backfire. Chip may be an offensive mastermind, but the NFL is different than college football. You can't get rid of talent (and speed) like LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson, and Jeremy Maclin, and expect positive results.
25) Baltimore Ravens (4-7): The heartbreak-hotel team of the season turned the tables on the Cleveland Browns Monday night. It was nice to see the depleted Ravens fight for John Harbaugh and company. The season's all but over, but the team can still play for pride and for their coach's job and they did that last night.
25) Baltimore Ravens (4-7): The heartbreak-hotel team of the season turned the tables on the Cleveland Browns Monday night. It was nice to see the depleted Ravens fight for John Harbaugh and company. The season's all but over, but the team can still play for pride and for their coach's job and they did that last night.
26) New Orleans Saints (4-7): The Saints' offense has been incredibly inconsistent all season and their defense ranks dead last in points allowed per game at 32.0. It's a wonder what this once Super Bowl-winning team will do in the offseason as far as coach and player changes go.
27) Dallas Cowboys (3-8): This feels like a lost season for the Dallas Cowboys. They failed to sign DeMarco Murray in the offseason, lost Dez Bryant to injury for the first half of the season, and for the second time this year, this time for the remainder of the season, they lost Tony Romo to injury. They may only be 2 back of co-division leaders Washington and New York, but for how banged up this team is, I have to believe that gap will only grow in the weeks ahead.
28) San Diego Chargers (3-8): The Chargers will have to win out to have any kind of shot at making the postseason. While I don't see that happening, until they lose another game, I shouldn't completely discount Philip Rivers providing such a great run either.
29) Jacksonville Jaguars (4-7): This is definitely an improved football team, who has found themselves being competitive in most every game this season. However, they're still a ways away from competing for a playoff spot. Then again, they play in the AFC South, so an 8-8 or 7-9 record could suffice some years.
30) San Francisco 49ers (3-8): The 49ers gave it everything they had against the underperforming Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, but it still wasn't enough. For as awful as their offseason was a year ago, it'll be interesting to see what moves this team makes in the coming offseason.
31) Cleveland Browns (2-9): As illustrated on Monday night, time after time, the Cleveland Browns just find ways to lose, don't they? They're ranked near the bottom of the league in almost every offensive and defensive category. Going into the offseason, there are many more questions than answers for this team and they're going to have to make some major changes in order to see any chance of making the playoffs in the coming couple of years (and that's probably being kind).
28) San Diego Chargers (3-8): The Chargers will have to win out to have any kind of shot at making the postseason. While I don't see that happening, until they lose another game, I shouldn't completely discount Philip Rivers providing such a great run either.
29) Jacksonville Jaguars (4-7): This is definitely an improved football team, who has found themselves being competitive in most every game this season. However, they're still a ways away from competing for a playoff spot. Then again, they play in the AFC South, so an 8-8 or 7-9 record could suffice some years.
30) San Francisco 49ers (3-8): The 49ers gave it everything they had against the underperforming Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, but it still wasn't enough. For as awful as their offseason was a year ago, it'll be interesting to see what moves this team makes in the coming offseason.
31) Cleveland Browns (2-9): As illustrated on Monday night, time after time, the Cleveland Browns just find ways to lose, don't they? They're ranked near the bottom of the league in almost every offensive and defensive category. Going into the offseason, there are many more questions than answers for this team and they're going to have to make some major changes in order to see any chance of making the playoffs in the coming couple of years (and that's probably being kind).
32) Tennessee Titans (2-9): Oddly enough, I'd currently be more excited if I were a Tennessee Titans fan than if I were a Cleveland Browns fan, because at least Tennessee has an exciting quarterback of the future behind center, in Marcus Mariota. The rookie has completed 63% of his passes, thrown 16 touchdown passes, compared to 8 interceptions, for a quarterback rating of 92.8. He's also run the ball for 137 yards and a touchdown. Hopefully Tennessee finds him some help on offense in the coming draft, especially at receiver, where the Titans are severely lacking.
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