1. Dallas Cowboys 10-1 (Last Week: 2nd)
What else is there to say? The Cowboys have now won their tenth straight game following their Thanksgiving Day victory over the rival Redskins 31-26. Dallas now claims the top spot atop the NFL and with each successive win, the dreams of a deep playoff run are starting to sound more like reality. (CG)
2. New England Patriots 9-2 (Last Week: 3rd)
The Patriots continued to show a few weaknesses in a tight one against the Jets. Their defense continues to struggle in the intermediate passing game. Tom Brady seemed to be out of whack in the first three quarters, yet followed that up with an excellent fourth quarter drive to win it. They may not be the best in the league anymore, but still dangerous enough for a deep playoff push. (AD)
3. Oakland Raiders 9-2 (Last Week: 4th)
Could the Raiders be the best team in football? I can already hear Cowboy and Patriots fans petitioning for that title, but after securing their first winning season in over a decade the Raiders are certainly in consideration. At 9-2, the Raiders now lead their division with the Bills on deck this week at home. (CJ)
4. Kansas City Chiefs 8-3 (Last Week: 6th)
The Chiefs squeaked out a 30-27 victory over the Broncos this past week. It may have taken two overtime field goals to secure the victory, but they are now sole owners of 2nd place in the division and in control for a wildcard berth. They remain one game behind the division leading Raiders as they head to face a hot Falcons team this week in Atlanta. (CJ)
5. Denver Broncos 7-4 (Last Week: 5th)
Tying is like kissing your sister, right? The Broncos gambled on a 62-yard field goal in overtime (which would’ve been the longest ever in OT) and failed. This leaves Denver a game back of the Chiefs and would miss the playoffs if they started today. This week’s matchup with a wiry but underwhelming Jaguars team could be just what this team needs to remain in contention. (CJ)
6. Seattle Seahawks 7-3-1- (Last Week: 1st)
Seattle was stonewalled by Tampa’s defense on Sunday and dropped to 7-3-1. Russel Wilson threw two interceptions and was limited to 151 passing yards. It was an ugly loss for Seattle, but they still have a choke-hold on the division due to lack of competition. Seahawks will look to get back on track when Carolina comes to town Sunday. (DH)
7. Atlanta Falcons 7-4 (Last Week: 9th)
Atlanta is back! Not really, they beat the Cardinals who have underachieved this year. And who predicted Taylor Gabriel being a breakout star? This dude complements Julio well. The Falcons are top-five in total offense, but bottom-ten in defense, which tells us they might not be able to go deep in the playoffs. They will play at home against the Chiefs, who just played in one of the best games of the year. (CH)
8. New York Giants 8-3 (Last Week: 8th)
It’s not always pretty, but the Giants continue to get it done as one of the NFL’s hotter teams. If they weren’t being overshadowed by their division foe Cowboys, more people would be talking about their six-game winning streak. The G-Men have beaten up on on weaker opponents as of late, being that their past five victories came against teams with a combined record of 14-41-2. They have one of the tougher games of the season this coming Sunday, as they travel to Pittsburgh to face the well-rested Steelers. (CG)
9. Pittsburgh Steelers 6-5 (Last Week: 10th)
Turns out the Steelers just needed to play some weaker competition after the four game losing streak and after a win over the Browns last week, they followed it up with solid victory on the road vs the Colts. Pittsburgh simply picked Indianapolis apart through the air with most of the damage being done via the Ben Roethlisberger/Antonio Brown combination which accounted for three TDs. Factor in the 120 yard output from Le’Veon Bell on the ground and it’s easier to see why the Steelers coasted in this victory. A home game vs the Giants is up next. (JA)
10. Washington Redskins 6-4-1- (Last Week: 7th)
The Redskins fought hard, despite coming up short in Dallas on Thanksgiving. Kirk Cousins is keeping up his high level of play, as he leads one of the NFL’s most potent offensive units. Washington is entrenched in the NFC Wild Card race and will be a force to be reckoned with if they can finish strong down the stretch and earn a postseason berth. (CG)
11. Detroit Lions 7-4 (Last Week: 16th)
They keep on winning! How? No one knows but does it matter? 7-4 with a one game lead in the division over the helpless Vikings…could the Lions be playoff bound? (ZW)
12. Minnesota Vikings 6-5 (Last Week: 11th)
The Vikings had the game won then Sammy Sleeves threw it away, literally. A pick in the end caused the Vikings to lose another and let the Lions take the division lead. After a 5-0 start, they have been 1-5. Not good. (ZW)
13. Miami Dolphins 7-4 (Last Week: 14th)
Miami has really taken care of business lately and Adam Gase seems to be a tremendous pickup for a lost franchise. Tannehill still ranks as a sub-par quarterback, but has enough weapons and a healthy offensive line to get by. I believe the Fins will be fighting for a wildcard spot with the contenders in the AFC West. (AD)
14. Houston Texans 6-5 (Last Week: 12th)
The loss against the Chargers was an ugly offensive showing for the Texans who went 4-11 on 3rd down and oh yeah, Sock Osweiler threw three INTs. Combine that with the Lamar Miller fumble and you’ve put yourself in a bad spot for a very winnable game. Though he was far from stellar, it was nice to see Osweiler find a rhythm again with Deandre Hopkins who’s had a very quiet November. Houston seems to only win at home and with two road games to start December, there’s a chance the Titans could jump them in the AFC South. (JA)
15. Baltimore Ravens 6-5 (Last Week: 15th)
With a win over division rival Cincinnati, Baltimore is 4-0 over the rest of the division and sits on top of the AFC North at 4-0. It wasn’t a pretty victory so to speak, but once again the Ravens can always lean on one of the best legs in the league with Justin Tucker. Other than a single touchdown pass to Breshad Perriman, Tucker led the team with 13 of their 19 points. If they can steal a win from the rising Dolphins on Sunday a wildcard playoff spot may be in the works. (JA)
16. Green Bay Packers 5-6 (Last Week: 20th)
Rodgers was Rodgers again and the Packers D looked fantastic against the Eagles. Are the Packers good again or are the Eagles that bad? Probably both. (ZW)
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6-5 (Last Week: 27th)
After getting off to a rough start, Tampa Bay has won three in a row and sit a game behind the Falcons in the NFC South. Mike Evans performed very well against Richard Sherman, hauling in two touchdowns in the first quarter. Alterraun Verner played one of his best games following his dad’s passing, intercepting Russell Wilson and swatting away two passes. Their defense looked more like Seattle’s, adding another interception, six sacks, and allowing just three points. The Bucs head out west to improve on their win streak to face the Chargers. (CH)
18. Philadelphia Eagles 5-6 (Last Week: 13th)
The loss on Monday Night Football to the desperate Packers exposed the Eagles’ flaws in every which way. For the second straight week, they faced a mobile QB, a matchup they struggle with given their vulnerability at cornerback. Philadelphia, with their lack of weapons in the passing game, also struggled mightily to move the ball on offense. The Eagles seem to have just enough holes to keep them from reaching the postseason. (CG)
19. Buffalo Bills 6-5 (Last Week: 18th)
They hung on to win against the awful Jaguars after getting embarrassed by them in London last year. With Oakland, Pittsburgh and Miami still left on the schedule, we shall see how good the Bills really are. Sammy Watkins healthy will be key to meaningful games at the end of the year. (AD)
20. Tennessee Titans 6-6 (Last Week: 19th)
The win over the Bears may have not come as easy as expected, we are starting to see Marcus Mariota elevate his game at the pro level. The former Heisman winner has been on a tear lately with 11 TDs & 2 INTs during the month of November even achieving the highest QBR rating for week 12 according to ESPN Stats & Info. A tough matchup vs the Broncos in two weeks will tell if the Titans have truly turned the corner. (JA)
21. Arizona Cardinals 4-6-1 (Last Week: 17th)
This team may be the most disappointing teams in Cardinals history. Arizona went from Super Bowl Contender to Playoff Pretender. Leading up to the season, the WR core was thought to be one of the best in the league, turns out it’s one of the worst. Larry Fitzgerald is 33 years old and the player with the best hands on the team is an RB! Steve Keim will have to work his magic in the off-season if he wants to keep this aging team relevant in the next few years. Washington comes to town on Sunday. (DH)
22. San Diego Chargers 5-6 (Last Week: 21st)
Three touchdowns from quarterback Phillip Rivers was enough for the Chargers to edge a spiraling Texans squad on the road in week 12. The Bolts offense and defense seem to be clicking more as of late, but at 5-6 it’s just too little too late. (CJ)
23. New Orleans Saints 5-6 (Last Week: 23rd)
New Orleans showed no mercy against their former defensive coordinator, putting up 49 points behind 555 offensive yards. Willie Snead threw a touchdown to Tim Hightower, Brees had another stellar home performance, and Mark Ingram had a game similar to the San Fran blowout. The defense also came up big, although this is the Rams we’re talking about. They host the Lions next week who are coming off a last-second Thanksgiving win. (CH)
24. Cincinnati Bengals 3-7-1 (Last Week: 22nd)
A loss to division rival Baltimore eliminated any chance of the Bengals reaching the playoffs. The loss cannot be placed entirely Andy Dalton or the run game any longer. It’s clear the Bengals woes on offensive rest squarely on the offensive line, giving up three sacks and only allowing the team to reach 64 yards on the ground. Without AJ Green for essentially the past two games, the Bengals have looked to TE Tyler Eifert to become the go-to receiver. The Eagles visit Cincy on Sunday as they hope to reach win number four. (JA)
25. Carolina Panthers 4-7 (Last Week: 24th)
Playoff hopes are all but over for the Panthers, who lost in a shootout against the Raiders. Jonathan Stewart topped 90 rushing yards for the first time since Week 8, adding two scores on the ground. What the Panthers did well was expose the Raiders weak defense, which shows they might not make a playoff run either. They will head back out west to face the Seahawks, who are looking for revenge following a loss in Tampa. (CH)
26. Los Angeles Rams 4-7 (Last Week: 26th)
Jared Goff threw for three touchdowns in Sunday’s loss to the Saints. He gave the offense a spark and if the Rams can get some resemblance of a passing game, they could be dangerous team. Look for the Rams to string a couple of wins together to improve their current 4-7 record. We all know Jeff Fisher’s Rams will finish the year at 7-9. (DH)
27. Indianapolis Colts 5-6 (Last Week: 25th)
On top of a quick turnaround Thursday night game without their franchise QB, the Colts simply didn’t have enough to overcome the Steelers losing 28 -7. Without Andrew Luck we expected Indy to lean on Frank Gore and the run game to take some pressure of backup QB Scott Tolzien, so did Pittsburgh. The Colts were unable to amass 100 yards on the ground and in an effort to be sly, had Tolzien make 36 pass attempts (2 INTs). Hopefully Luck will return for Monday nights’s game vs the Jets. (JA)
28. New York Jets 3-8 (Last Week: 28th)
They played New England very tough and you have to give Ryan Fitzpatrick and Quincy Enunwa credit for that. The defenders are still taking plays off and committing atrocious penalties. Todd Bowles is sticking with Fitz for the rest of the year which shows you how he feels about the other QBs. Expect a high draft pick and several trade rumors this offseason. (AD)
29. Jacksonville Jaguars 2-9 (Last Week: 29th)
Week 12 was another game where Blake Bortles has shouldered all of the offensive production for the Jaguars, leading them in rushing along with his passing numbers. Thankfully though, Bortles didn’t have any turnovers regardless of being sacked twice and looking rather uncomfortable in the pocket most of the day. A team that analysts agreed had a highly productive draft still needs another class or two to hopefully right the ship, but will Gus Bradley be around for 2017? (JA)
30. Chicago Bears 2-9 (Last Week: 30th)
Another close game, another loss. Tanking time? With Jeffrey being suspended and a free agent and Cutler hurt, it’s time to take a look at the young talent for the future. Matt Barkley, surprisingly, had a great game. Hmm… (ZW)
31. San Francisco 49ers 1-10 (Last Week: 31st)
Sundays loss to Miami extended the 49ers losing streak to ten. San Fran has looked more competitive since Kap took over the job and they face a winnable match-up Sunday versus the Bears. The most exciting thing on this team is Colin Kaepernick’s t-shirt selection… (DH)
32. Cleveland Browns 0-12 (Last Week: 32nd)
As expected in a game vs a strong Giants team, the Browns lost again. You’re not shocked. While Josh McCown and Cody Kessler have shown that they can be capable QBs when given a chance, a change in offensive philosophy needs to take place starting at the top. Whether it’s poor drafting or just bad play calling, the offensive line has been absolutely horrible allowing multiple QBs to be injured and RBs zero room to make much of anything happen. If there’s any silver lining for the Browns future, it’s that they have a bye in Week 13. (JA)
Photo Credit: http://thelandryhat.com/2016/10/10/cowboys-dak-prescott-ezekiel-elliott-milestones/