- Patriots (9-3-2) We have a new number one sighting as SPdot and his New England Patriots rise to the occasion. He is on an impressive five game winning streak and has taken down three potential playoff opponents in that streak. If it wasn’t for his two ties, he’d be tied with the Saints for having the most wins in the league.
- Saints (11-3): The Saints are the best team in PML, record wise at least. JC has them rolling to the tune of 8 straight and have a chance to solidify themselves as possibly NFC favorites with a win over the Rams who are trailing them by a game for the 1 seed in the NFC. I’ve called timeshare for the Saints pre-cycle, and my prediction seems like a strong one early in the cycle.
- Packers (10-4): The Packers took down Cammy and the Bucs by the skin of their teeth. Is this a cause for concern? Like I’ve said in the past, the regular season is just a formality for HypeMike as his sights are set on the playoffs and the Super Bowl he’s been chasing since he first arrived in PML.
- Seahawks (10-4): A huge loss to the Eagles just as we thought they were rolling and given the number 1 spot in the Power Rankings. Are the Seahawks a contender, or are they pretenders until they solidify the starting quarterback position? After a statement win over the 49ers, a loss to the Eagles certainly cast some doubt over the Seahawks Super Bowl chances.
- Bills (9-5): Beast has to be thankful for his All-Madden CPU team and for not having to stick with the interceptions that Josh Allen threw during the game versus the Cowboys. Injuries are still at play during a sim, but getting the win while being on a cruise puts the cherry on the top.
- Chiefs (10-4): Dropping two games in a row isn’t a morale booster this close to the playoffs, but maybe coach Matigy didn;t want to reveal his true scheme and game plan against the Bills and the Patriots on the off chance that he would be matched up against them in the playoffs, he could be a bold strategy. Mahomes has thrown 5 interceptions in the last two weeks after throwing just 7 interceptions in the first 12 games. Has Mahomes lost his touch or is there an ailing injury that hasn’t been disclosed to the league that’s got him being so careless with the football?
- Chargers (10-4): Justin Herbert had a bounce back game this week after getting knocked out of the game early last week versus the Broncos. The Chargers average 27 points per game (13th in the league) but allowed 38 to the Raiders this week. We have seen lapses in play over recent weeks with the Chargers’ superstar players and it could be an area of concern as the season dwindles.
- Cardinals (5-9): Que is cashing in by the week on the 10 point bonuses for taking down +.500 teams. He is showing the league he plans on being a contender next season, and right now, you cannot think otherwise. They will continue to play spoiler down the stretch as they take on Jefe and the Bears in a game that could be closer than many think.
- Jets (9-5):Let him cook.. Dalvin Cook is averaging 20 carries a game over the season, but in the last 6 games, he has averaged almost 24 carries per game and in that span the Jets have gone 5-1. I think the recipe in New York is to run the ball and in their five losses on the season, Dalvin Cook didn’t eclipse more than 16 carries. I think we can take a guess what Greeny would like to do against weaker fronts.
- Bears (9-5): Breece Hall has placed himself amongst the best running backs in PML since joining the Chicago Bears and returning from the injury he suffered in his first game with the team. He has 7 touchdowns in the past 3 games as he is getting it done in the air as well giving Fields the pass catcher out the backfield he desperately needed.
- Texans (10-4): Disconnects are disastrous for morale and to top it off, injuries can occur in a forced win that didn’t occur in the game, and no one wants to be in that situation. Nonetheless, Houston despite being down 10 at the time of the disconnect came away with the victory and has full control of the AFC South. Keep in mind, they do play the Titans again this season, but Kingke can almost taste the divisional crown.
- Rams (10-4): Rams have a chance to make a play for the number 1 seed in the NFC this week as they take on the surging New Orleans Saints. This game will be a good one; it will have major implications on the NFC playoff seedings. I still don’t like the Bennett switch at quarterback, but if Cooks thinks it’s for the best, I guess you have to trust him.
- Cowboys (9-4-1): The Cowboys get absolutely mauled by the CPU Bills this past week. Many have predicted the collapse of Drama and the Cowboys, and right now it seems to be happening just in time for the playoffs. Are they still the same threat they’ve been all season long? They come into week 16 as favorites against the Dolphins, but the Dak MVP talk has taken a major hit as he has seen his interception total balloon to 16.
- Broncos (5-9): Trey Lance threw a season high 6 touchdowns in their win over the Detroit Lions this week. Despite the mid-offensive weapons on the Broncos, DK has his offense playing like a well-oiled machine. I think DK has an opportunity to notch a few more wins this season and he’ll have his team in a position to win the AFC West next season.
- Titans (8-6): The half that never was.. Disconnections are rough, but as the first game got disconnected, the Titans returned an interception for a pick 2 and had a full bar of momentum but on the restart, it’s tough to truly recreate that momentum and atmosphere. The season isn’t fried just yet and with a fresh matchup in their mind, Dlloyd should be ready when they play the Texans again in week 17.
- Falcons (8-6): Nobody is giving the Falcons any credit for the top 3 defense they currently boast statiscally. They will need every bit of it down the stretch as they look to stay alive in the wildcard seeding. With the 49ers also potentially dropping down, the chances are as good as they have been all season for Nef and the Falcons to steal one of the final spots.
- Dolphins (7-7): The Dolphins are on the short end of the stick after dropping their last two games. If the Dolphins fail to make the playoffs, it’s easy to blame that on trading Jaylen Waddle, but the Dolphins’ offense hasn’t been the problem, it’s been the defense. The Dolphins have allowed over 30 points in most of their losses and it’s difficult to see why they’re getting shredded so easily.
- Eagles (5-9): Derrick Henry has pumped some energy into the Eagles team and they have won 2 big games against the Cowboys and the Seahawks over the past two weeks. Is this a preview of what is to come for season 2? I wouldn’t go that far yet, but they are showing signs of life after a slow start to the cycle.
- 49ers (9-5): The 49ers have now dropped 2 straight, and like the Cowboys have gone cold right in time for the upcoming playoffs. Brock Purdy may be the scapegoat and sacrifice this off-season if the 49ers continue to drop games. Look for them to try and get back on track as they host Arod and the Ravens this week, however, a loss here could be disastrous for CEO.
- Jaguars (5-9): Jacksonville is on a three game winning streak and creating momentum heading into the off-season, but two of their wins have come against teams that are well below .500. However, Trevor Lawrence is on a 12 touchdown to 2 interception run after throwing 23 interceptions by week 11. Lawrence was on watch to potentially lose his abilities, but Tbandit has protected the ball well and Lawrence should be safe from dev regression if this level of play keeps up.
- Steelers (7-7): Seriously, does no one want to represent the AFC North in the playoffs? Curt has dropped his last two games and in this week against the Colts, his Steelers were favoured. However, Kenny Pickett has proven that the Steelers wasted a draft selection on him. His noodle arm doesn’t have the ability to make the downfield passes that Curt has deployed in his offense. Zach Wilson’s injury has really made the division close when the Steelers were prime to take it over.
- Vikings (7-7): Never say die has been Wimmy’s motto for the past 2 cycles. I’ve written him off many times before, and somehow he is still standing come week 18. They’re on the outside looking in, but if they could sweep the Lions over the next 2 weeks, and steal one from the Packers, Wimmy could become the ultimate opportunist in the NFC wildcard picture and sneak in on the final week.
- Browns (7-7): Deshaun Watson has only had one game this season where he didn’t throw any interceptions and that was that game against the Colts in week 7. Watson has thrown 8 interceptions in the last two weeks, he has not balled out in the way the Browns have hoped, and his salary only increases as the seasons go on. If Mali cannot make his offense work with Watson, he may have to make the difficult decision to move on, purely for cap reasons.
- Raiders (4-10): Jimmy Garropolo was almost assured to be a leader in interceptions thrown midway through the season, but he threw for two touchdowns and zero interceptions against the Vikings and the Raiders pulled out an upset win. KingMike stayed competitive this week, but the Raiders need some serious work in the off-season if this team wants to overthrow the Chargers and Chiefs for the top dog spot in the division.
- Bengals (5-9): In a division where the leader is sitting at 7 wins, if you asked me where the Bengals would fall in the beginning of the season, I’d say that 7-8 wins at this point in the season was very likely. The struggle with the Bengals is their ability to protect the ball. Joe Burrow shouldn’t have 25 interceptions, he’s immune to most defensive under pressure penalties and he has one of the best releases in the game. Goose has to be mindful not to throw too many more interceptions and lose Burrow’s abilities.
- Lions (5-9): The Lions have absolutely flatlined after dabbling in competitiveness early in the season. What will they address in the draft? Its clear they still dont have their franchise quarterback, but the low-ranked defense also has some glaring holes they must address in the off-season.
- Colts (4-10) CB was on a nasty losing streak and this week’s upset over the Steelers was a breath of fresh air for the coaching staff. After losing Andrew Luck some years ago, the Colts have struggled with finding a franchise quarterback and in drafting Anthony Richardson, they knew he’d need to develop, but with a complete off-season, I think Richardson will have the tools to develop into a down field passing dual threat.
- Buccaneers (4-10): The Buccaneers narrowly had an upset victory over the Packers this week after coming into the game as major underdogs, the lost by 3. Cammy is out to show that last cycle was not carried by the roster, but rather his improved skill and scheme. Wouldn’t be surprised if they are a wildcard team next season after a few minor adjustments this off-season.
- Giants (3-11): If the Eagles continue to play strong, and the Giants drop the next 3, and with a little help from the Ravens winning a game, the Giants are still in play for Caleb Williams, the franchise saving quarterback that propels the Giants to the playoffs for the rest of the cycle. Burn and the Giant fanbase can dream right?
- Panthers (3-11): The Bears are currently looking at the 2nd or 3rd pick courtesy of the in real life moves made by the Panthers to acquire a quarterback JT probably doesn’t even want to play with this cycle. That has to be a tough pill to swallow as we look towards draft night.
- Commanders (3-10-1): As we close out the season, we reflect on the time we all thought Vet had finally arrived and the Commanders were going to be a player in the NFC. They won some big games against some top tier users, but that was short lived, and the losing streak has now hit 5 games.
- Ravens (2-12): The Baltimore Ravens have the longest active losing streak in PML and with their remaining schedule, it appears that they’re going to have the first pick in the draft. We could see a possible upset versus the Steelers, coincidentally the last time the Ravens won a game was in week 5 against the Steelers. With the Steelers still in the playoff race, the Ravens can seek virtual glory by keeping their division rival out of the playoffs.
