Graphics: Mali
Analysis 1-16: Jcclutch
Analysis 17-32: Arod
Giants (11-1): Impressive defense and efficient offense, the Giants proved again they are atop PML for now. The team is performing really well and has competed against strong competition with relative ease. Could this be the year they get further in the playoffs and claim a Super Bowl. A possible preview against the Ravens will help paint a picture.
Texans (10-2): Another close win for the Texans, this time being the team to come back instead of blow the lead. They are now right in the mix for the AFC crown and their sheer ability to win close ones is a good skill to have for their upcoming stretch and then the playoffs. Can’t get caught sleeping against Herbert and company this week, though.
Rams (10-2): A quiet bye week for the Rams because they have nothing to prove. A Super Bowl champion now 10-2 with a much worse quarterback than last year. DK is the guy to beat for everyone and his division dominance probably continues against the 49ers.
Jaguars (10-2): A strange loss to the Bills makes the AFC South and AFC in general much more interesting. The Jaguars still hold the division lead thanks to a tiebreaker but anything can happen with 5 games to go. The Patriots should be an easy start to get back on the winning path hopefully.
Cowboys (9-3): Following up back to back losses with a narrow win over the last place team in your division isn’t great, but a win is a win and the Cowboys are still a contender. The defense led by Micah Parsons is all they need to have a chance, can Tyree Jackson put it back together on the other side of the ball?
Bengals (11-1): The Bengals clutched out a second close win over their division rival Ravens and sit 2 games ahead with the tiebreaker and also the AFC 1 seed right now. Quentin Skinner returns this week so look for them to prove they should be top 2 on this list instead of 6. They lost to the Colts last season but without Mixon and Burrow. This game should be completely different.
Seahawks (9-3): A narrow win to stay in the hunt for the division crown but the Rams have been rolling and have the tiebreaker so the Seahawks will still be very happy with the 5 seed they currently hold. Beating the Bears shows they can make it far if they play well and they have an easier matchup against the Chiefs next week to prepare.
Ravens (9-3): A tough loss for the Ravens who’s star studded lineup failed to beat the Bengals again and now winning the division is not looking likely. The crowded AFC also sees this 9-3 team currently at the 6 seed and not the 5 seed but I don’t think that will matter to them come playoffs. They Ravens get a chance to prove they can return to the Super Bowl and even win with a big game against the Giants upcoming.
Commanders (8-4): The Commanders avoided the trap game with some late game prayers from the Madden Gods including a fumble they recovered after throwing an interception and a strange 4th down decision. They have now won 6 straight but have a daunting schedule left. Wimmy put himself in the position to make the playoffs, can he take advantage and close out the season well.
Bears (8-4): A tough tough loss for the Bears against a high quality Seahawks team has left the division door open and the Bears and Packers play this week. A win virtually guarantees them the crown and a playoff spot. A loss would make things very very interesting.
Colts (8-4): Quinn Ewers and the offense continue to make it work regardless of how poor the defense plays. 2 interceptions is not what you want to see but it’s tolerable when you have 8 offensive touchdowns. The Colts have by far the hardest remaining schedule with their next 4 opponents having a combined record of 42-6 and all being in the top 6 of the power rankings. 8-4 is good but it could be not enough.
Bucs (9-4): The Bucs defense is still elite level but the offense hasn’t been the same without Tom Brady regardless of what he says about Tua having a lot of touchdowns even with so few attempts. 9 points against a team you’ve beaten in the playoffs and probably have to go through again this postseason is not a good sign. But who cares, they’re clinched, maybe they were messing around.
Broncos (7-5): The Broncos didn’t really get to enjoy their bye as the Raiders had theirs as well and the Chargers won meaning the stress increased and not vice versa when they should be relaxing. 5 games left but personally I think this upcoming one against Las Vegas is all that’ll matter to determine who wins the hot mess in the AFC West. The loser could very well still claim a wild card spot.
Packers (6-6): Yikes. Two back to back overtime losses where there was probably a moment in the game you’d say the Packers had a 99% chance of winning. Hendon Hooker had a good game but the only thing this team needs to do at this point is win. Virtually their last chance against the Bears to make it a race or to fold out of the playoff picture.
Chargers (6-6): The Chargers got it done against the Steelers as they look to come from behind and pass both the Raiders and Broncos for the division and a playoff berth. Their next two games against the Texans and Bucs might make that impossible, though. When it’s all said and done they’ll be thinking about their losses to New England and Carolina for a long offseason.
Titans (5-8): The Titans upset the Jets and prove they are a good team, they just lack the personnel they need to win and maybe this is the offseasn they can make that roster come together the way they want. With no real shot at the playoffs they can enjoy their bye and focus on how to move forward.
Dolphins (6-6): Que does a lot of talking about sitting up for the playoffs, but how it looks right now the Dolphins and the post-season isn’t such a sure thing. They hold half a game lead ahead of the New York Jets, with the Bills and Patriots only 2 games out with 5 games remaining. The rest of the schedule consist of Buf, LV, LAR, NE, and BAL. Don’t look now, but the Dolphins may be in trouble.
Raiders (6-6): Spent their bye week reflecting on the 3 game losing streak. Big game of the week on deck as they take on the Broncos in a game that can have them tied for first, or 2 games back. A must win game for Las Vegas.
Jets (6-7): Nobody seems to want to take the division it seems. The leader (MIA) sits at .500, and the Jets cannot find a way to win the games that could put them into first. The went down to the Titans in Trevor Lawrences’ superstar development game. Double L for Fallen (no pun intended).
Bills (4-8): Big win to silence the critics over the Jacksonville Jaguars. They sit 2 games out of the division lead. The way things are going The Bills are in prime position to make a late run at the AFC East. The final 3 games of the season are NE, KC, and ARI. They have an important game against the Dolphins up next. They win vs MIA, we may have a late entry into the race.
49ers (5-7): The 49ers made Devin Leary pass 43 times and bottled up the run to take down the Miami Dolphins 28-24. Ironically, they did it only throwing the ball 13 times themselves and rushing for just 29 yards
Patriots (4-8): Like the Bills, the Patriots aren’t out yet. They got back into the win column and pulled within two games of the division lead. Surely the underdog, Nef will fight until the very end.
Panthers (3-9): The Panthers have now won 2 in a row and absolutely steamrolled over their divisional peers, New Orleans Saints 31-7. Brace yourself NFC South, the season 4 and 5 Panthers may be emerging from the darkness.
Falcons (4-8): Another NFC South team with a statement victory this week. Ridder played lights out (281, 3/0) as he continues to play for his season 4 job under center. Jonathan Taylor ran for 172 yards and 3 TDs in a signature Greeny win.
Lions (4-8): LQ has dropped two straight as he finally faced some real competition since his return. The alarming part is Dak Prescott has thrown 11 interceptions in the past 2 losses. We thought those days were over in Detroit.
Vikings (2-10): Surely the Vikings spent the bye week scouting their new quarterback in the upcoming draft. Zach Wilson’s days as a starter in Minnesota, and possibly even this PML cycle, are coming to an end.
Eagles (3-9): The Eagles had a chance to tie the game and potentially upset the Cowboys but the drive stalled on the goalline in the closing moments of the game. A lot of optimism in Philly. They play the Steelers next and have a chance to get back on track.
Chiefs (4-8): Pat Mahones had a game to forget as he went for 2TD and 5INT before being pulled for Spencer Sanders. The Chiefs are not where they want to be in what was a very open divisional race.
Saints (3-9): Bryce Young is a bust. The Saints haven’t been able to compete since drafting him. His development has gone backwards and it may be time to move on in New Orleans. I wonder if they think the same.
Cardinals (3-9): The Cardinals are destined for a top 5 pick and will surely address the defense in the upcoming draft. DeAndre Hopkins could be a cap casualty if he regresses this offseason as he approaches 33 years of age in the final year of his deal.
Steelers (1-11): 1-27. Haven’t seen anything worse since the Detroit Lions went 2-32 in 2008-2009. Could they avoid taking over the crown? Let’s find out.
Browns (0-13): Fresh life in Cleveland. They shouldn’t be in the Power Rankings basement for much longer. Could be the first time this cycle we see winning seasons in Cleveland. Although a 1 game sample size, the fans of Cleveland are excited.
