We only have 32 games left! And given the circumstances, with 224 games down, it’s pretty remarkable that the NFL managed to keep the train on track until the depths of the COVID-19 crisis.
It wasn’t perfect. There were outbreaks (titans, crows) and strange situations (Kendall Hinton) and everything is done for strange moments. But we also succeeded, with 15 weeks and 14 games for each team in the cards.
Of course, this also means that we have enough information to form detailed opinions about the 32 teams, each of them going down the stretch. So here are some of mine as part of our weekly power rankings.
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1. Kansas Chiefs (13-1)
Last week: Win in New Orleans 32–29
Next week: vs. Atlanta
They entered the Superdome and defeated the second best team in the NFC, and all this is becoming more common – the bosses are now 22-1 since Veterans Day 2019. In addition, much more this year than last year, they are able to win different ways.
2. Buffalo invoices (11–3)
Last week: Wins Denver 48-19
Next week: in New England (Monday)
Josh Allen has all grown up, as has the Bills – and it’s not a mistake that I’m here. Four years of construction have manifested in an AFC power that looks like it could be Kansas City’s long-term foil at the conference.
3. Green Bay Packers (11–3)
Last week: Win vs. Carolina 24-16
Next week: vs. Tennessee
The Packers can put the pitch to bed on Sunday night at home against Tennessee and I think the advantage you would get this year – the teams having to reach a cold, empty and dark Lambeau in January – is even more pronounced than usual.
4. New Orleans Saints (10-4)
Last week: Loss vs. Kansas City 32–29
Next week: vs. Minnesota (Thursday)
New Orleans went to the mat with the mighty Chiefs, despite the fact that a defender came back from 11 cracked ribs and played without the best receiver (Michael Thomas) and, for most of the game, step-rusher (Cam Jordan ). If Drew Brees can do justice to January, this is a team no one wants to face.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (11–3)
Last week: The loss to Cincinnati 27–17
Next week: vs. Indianapolis
I had no idea what to do with the Steelers after it was Monday night. With Indy, Pittsburgh is in real danger of losing the division to Cleveland.
6. Indianapolis Colts (10-4)
Last week: Win vs. Texans 27-20
Next week: in Pittsburgh
At some point, the Colts will receive the respect their big, fast list deserves. If Andrew Luck were still here, I think Indy and Kansas City would be neck and neck in AFC for the foreseeable future. With Philip Rivers, I still think the Colts can run with the bosses.
7. Seattle Seahawks (10–4)
Last week: Win in Washington 20-15
Next week: vs. Los Angeles Rams
Sunday’s closing game – a clear game on the other side of the country – was significant for a Seattle team that relied on Russell Wilson and his year-round offensive game.
8. Cleveland Browns (10–4)
Last week: Win at New York Giants 20–6
Next week: at the New York Jets
I will repeat this statistical line from MMQB: 99-of-141, 1,232 yards, 10 TDs, INT. This is Baker Mayfield’s last four games. And if Mayfield continues to play like that, look – the Browns could win the first division title in the 1980s.
9. Tennessee Titans (10–4)
Last week: Win vs. Detroit 46-25
Next week: in Green Bay
Defensive issues are real and that’s why I have the Titans down here, but I still feel I underestimate them. I also think Derrick Henry deserves it real Consider MVP.
10. Baltimore Ravens (9-5)
Last week: Win vs. Jacksonville 40-14
Next week: vs. New York Giants
It seems that COVID has come out of their focus, the Ravens have rediscovered their identity, and Lamar Jackson is running and working with the ball more efficiently. And this time, Baltimore will go in January as a hunter, rather than a hunter.
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-5)
Last week: Win at Atlanta 31-27
Next week: in Detroit (Saturday)
Tom Brady brings, above all, faith. There is no way the Bucs’ previous teams are coming back from a 17-point deficit, as this Tampa Bay group did – and this is the second time this year they have done so. The bottom line, when 12 is QB, most things are possible.
12. Miami Dolphins (9-5)
Last week: Win vs. Patriots 22-12
Next week: in Las Vegas (Saturday)
Miami was down DeVante Parker and Mike Gesicki and has a rookie defender. The Patriots knew the Dolphins had to lead him. And Miami pulled another 250 yards in front of that defense. Pretty impressive.
13. Los Angeles Rams (9-5)
Last week: Loss vs. New York Jets 23-20
Next week: in Seattle
I’m sure they’d just like to move to Seattle.
14. Arizona Cardinals (8-6)
Last week: Win vs. Philadelphia 33–26
Next week: vs. San Francisco (Saturday)
When Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins are present and, for many different reasons, there is no more fun team to watch in football.
15. Chicago Bears (7-7)
Last week: Wins Minnesota 33-27
Next week: in Jacksonville
Matt Nagy’s group has returned in a huge way in the last two weeks, and the Bears are receiving the Jags and Packers starting to rest next week, which means that the road to 9-7 is clear. And with some help from Arizona, it’s not impossible for the Bears to slip into the playoffs either.
16. Las Vegas Raiders (7-7)
Last week: Loss vs. Los Angeles Chargers 30-27 (OT)
Next week: vs. Miami (Saturday)
A young team of Raiders must play urgently, starting now. Miami will not be easy to get out of and, without winning, Vegas’ post-season hopes will evaporate.
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17. Minnesota Vikings (6-8)
Last week: Loss vs. Chicago 33-27
Next week: in New Orleans (Thursday)
The Vikings played with fire all year, playing from behind. They burned this time.
18. Washington Soccer Team (6-8)
Last week: Loss vs. Seattle 20-15
Next week: vs. Caroline
Love the ongoing fight in Ron Rivera’s group. Get everything out of his list. This week was not enough. But the football team is coming.
19. New England Patriots (6-8)
Last week: Loss in Miami 22-12
Next week: vs. Buffalo (Monday)
Eliminated from the playoffs for the first time in 12 years and playing nonsensical football so early for the first time in 20 years. A dark fall for the Patriots and one that will leave room for a winter shock full of big questions.
20. Dallas Cowboys (5-9)
Last week: Win vs. San Francisco 41-33
Next week: vs. Philadelphia
Give Mike McCarthy credit. And Andy Dalton. They left in a very ugly stretch and now they could win the division (yes, it’s a bad historical division, but still).
21. Los Angeles Chargers (5-9)
Last Week: Wins in Las Vegas 30-27 (OT)
Next week: vs. Denver
Trust me when I say that this job will be requested. The defender looks elsewhere. There is talent elsewhere on the list. There is a lot to be excited about.
22. San Francisco 49ers (5-9)
Last Week: Dallas Loss 41–33
Next week: in Arizona (Saturday)
The wound dam broke. This is no longer a great team. It may be in 2021. Not now.
23. New York Giants (5-9)
Last week: Loss vs. Cleveland 20-6
Next week: in Baltimore
The offense showed its warts on Sunday night against Cleveland. The Giants have something to do in this part of the ball, and the existing problems will be enough to prevent them from really fighting in 2021.
24. Philadelphia Eagles (4-9-1)
Last week: Loss in Arizona 33-26
Next week: in Dallas
The eagles found something in Jalen Hurts and it means one of two things: Either Carson Wentz dragged a fairly competent offense, or Hurts is a revelation. None of them are great for Wentz’s future in Philly.
25. Denver Broncos (5-9)
Last week: Loss vs. Buffalo 48-19
Next week: at the Los Angeles Chargers
Last weekend gave the Broncos a look at how much building there is left – and it makes me wonder if John Elway will soon become restless and make a big swing at something or someone.
26. Detroit Lions (5-9)
Last week: Loss in Tennessee 46-25
Next week: vs. Tampa Bay (Saturday)
Well, the interim head coach had to fire the special teams coordinator in the middle of the week, which is about how things went in Detroit this year.
27. Carolina Panthers (4-10)
Last week: Loss at Green Bay 24-16
Next week: in Washington
Matt Rhule’s team gets the best of both worlds – the Panthers are competitive every week, and their draft selection continues to grow. To the point where, very legitimately, Rhule & Co. should be in a position to take a top defender.
28. Houston Texans (4-10)
Last week: The loss to Indianapolis 27–20
Next week: vs. Cincinnati
The Texans continued to play hard All, and that Packer game should be a nice test for where the players are.
29. Atlanta Falcons (4-10)
Last week: Loss vs. Tampa Bay 31-27
Next week: in Kansas City
I feel bad for the players and coaches the most. Starting with a 17-point lead at Brady and Bucs, those guys are now getting a trip to Arrowhead.
30. Cincinnati Bengals (3-10-1)
Last week: Win vs. Pittsburgh 27-17
Next week: in Houston
Extraordinary win for Zac Taylor & Co. Even better: it didn’t jeopardize the team’s choice, which could bring the massive Oregon OT feather to Sewell to protect Joe Burrow.
31. New York Jets (1-13)
Last week: Win at the Los Angeles Rams 23-20
Next week: vs. Cleveland
I know that people think that losing the first election is a big problem. The reality is that this year it really is. Poor Jets fans.
32. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-13)
Last week: Loss in Baltimore 40-14
Next week: vs. Chicago
We could soon look and say that the biggest winner in December 2020 was a team that did not win a game that month. And for good reason.