Major Movement:
Patriots
The Patriots we’re gashed for almost 250 yards on the ground, but Mac Jones has played masterfully the past three games throwing 6 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. The Patriots are in full control of their destiny with two matchups left this season against divisional opponents.
Saints
Super Bowl frontrunners? I am starting to think so. They made quick work of the Rams- who are supposed to be standing in the way of JC’s path to the Super Bowl. This team is locked and loaded and are poised for a deep playoff run in a few weeks.
Packers
Packers are still keeping hope alive for the top seed in the NFC, but if the Saints don’t lose another game, which based on the schedule they wont, then the Packers are looking at a wildcard matchup possibly against the Bears, Seahawks, or Rams. Not a scenario I want in round 1.
Chiefs
This was a must win game for a Kansas City squad that had dropped two games in a row. The Chiefs forced 4 interceptions and despite ranking in the bottom three against the pass, their defense pulled through in the fourth quarter against a Raiders team that is desperate to get it together.
Seahawks
The Seahawks falling off? They have now lost two in a row, and to be brutally honest, I am a bit concerned right now about their potential in the playoffs. They have two weeks to not only get the team back on track, but to secure a spot in the postseason. They have two very winnable games on deck so let’s not panic yet.
Texans
Texan Strong! Houston played lights out this week against a Cleveland team that has had much criticism recently. CJ Stroud had an 86% completion rate and threw a career high (4) touchdowns this week. He carved up the Browns defense and the Texans are one game away from clinching their division.
Chargers
Justin Herbert is now a superstar X-factor, he had a dev game this week against Buffalo and the Chargers were also able to come away with a victory, that’s not an easy feat. Herbert gained the “bulldozer” ability, but I can’t see Codes using it very often.
Bears
Jefe looks to secure his playoff ticket and could do so this week as they take on the Falcons. Will the roster hold up against some of the better teams in the NFC come playoff time? That is the burning question in Chicago.
Jets
Too close for comfort? The Jets had a measly two point victory over one of the worst teams in the league, a team that has been demoralized week after week and hasn’t won a game since week 6. Rodgers turned the ball over twice and he’ll be expected to be more careful with the ball as the Jets inch closer towards the playoffs.
Bills
There are 10 teams still in contention for the AFC playoff race, but losing to the Chargers this week has fans in Buffalo on edge. The Bills have to play against New England and Miami to end the season and both of these games are must wins, so for Buffalo the playoffs start next week.
Dolphins
Hope is still alive in Miami after a thrilling victory over the Cowboys this week, but sitting at 8-7, Miami is on the outside looking in and will need to win out plus some help from other teams to make the playoffs. De’Von Achane carried the ball 32 times for almost 190 yards against a talented Cowboys defensive front. Achane has been a steal for Miami after drafting him in the third round.
Falcons
It all comes down to week 17 for the Falcons. Basically a win or go home game as they look to come from behind and make a season 1 playoff appearance. Nef is confident he can get it done, but the Sportsbook has them at 11.5 underdogs. Looking forward to this game.
Titans
Tennessee was given +10 in Sportsbook and they were +355 underdogs against Seattle, but they’ve proven week after week, that they have the talent to beat the better coaches in the league. The Titans are struggling to move the hall on the ground, but Will Levis looks like the best rookie quarterback in the class, simply judging on the statistical output displayed by the rookie quarterbacks.
49ers
CEO still has a chance to take the division as he sits in a 3-way tie for first. Maybe not winning the division is the move? With the Cowboys dropping 4 in a row, the wildcard team has a chance to play them round 1. Anyway, CEO is back on track and the 49ers will certainly be a tough out regardless of who they play.
Rams
Stetson Bennett finished with a 52 qb rating and 3 interceptions. It’s definitely not too late to reinsert Matthew Stafford into the starting lineup for a playoff run before they move on next season. They sit in a 3-way tie for the division, it will be interesting to see if Cook is willing to make the switch back.
Cardinals
I think the Cardinals beat expectations year one, regardless of what anyone says. The team is a project, and they have done a great job of developing cornerstone pieces in season 1 while also playing at a very competitive level once Kyler Murray rejoined the team. This season was a win in my book.
Broncos
Trey Lance was given a dose of reality after throwing 6 touchdowns last week against the Lions, but there are high hopes in Denver because the team is competing with the talent level in the league. However, without any true draft capital, the Broncos are going to have to be very creative this off-season because they still have some holes to fill on the roster.
Steelers
The race in the AFC North is neck and neck, but the Steelers have the momentum over the Browns and can control their destiny by winning their last two games. A matchup against the Seahawks next week will prepare the Steelers for playoff football and they end the season against a Baltimore team that appears to have given up on the season and is ready to draft at the number 1 overall position.
Cowboys
People are talking about resting starters in Dallas, but to me I think Drama needs to use these next two games to right the ship and get back to playing the way he had for the first 3 quarters of the season- with the starters in the game. In other words, they’ve lost 4 in a row, the starters don’t deserve a break.
Eagles
No matter how good you think the offense is, the defense is ranked dead last in PML and is a huge liability. They’re giving up the most yards in the air and on the ground and are allowing a league high 32ppg. The personnel is amongst the best, if not the best in the league, so there will be few off-season adjustments. If they can get the defense going, the Eagles could be a sneaky pick next season to make a playoff appearance.
Jaguars
It’s upsetting how quickly momentum can betray a team and the Jaguars had all the momentum leading up to their game this week against the Buccaneers. It’s their style of play that’s causing them to lose because the unbalanced offensive approach gives the advantage to opposing teams when the Jaguars fall behind on the scoreboard.
Vikings
The door has officially shut for the Vikings playoff hopes as they drop a close on to the Lions at home. The Kirk Cousins farewell tour now draws to a near end and the Vikings will put a focus on the draft and their gunslinger of the future.
Lions
Jameson Williams and Jahmyr Gibbs continue to impress and Fallen builds around the cornerstones for the cycle. Will the Lions look to move up on the draft board to secure their QB of the future?
Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield (360 yards and 4 touchdowns) is playing for his starting job next season. If the draft doesn’t go as planned, is there a chance we see him under center for another season in Tampa Bay? Hes had an absolutely solid season this year.
Raiders
If you’re a betting individual, I think it is safe to say that Jimmy Garropolo will not be on the team next season, and the Raiders will likely draft a quarterback in the first round. The Raiders have some talent on the offensive side of the ball, but their scheme doesn’t match the personnel on the field. I expect to see a different style of offense come week 1 of season 2.
Browns
Would you believe that the Cleveland Browns started out the season at 6-3 and have lost five out of their last six games? Mali had the league stunned and fans in Cleveland thought that they finally had a winning team in the PML. Some controversy happened this week with the Browns head coach, so it’ll be interesting to see how the players react to their head coach calling out the league’s commissioner team. Some say it put a sour taste throughout the locker room.
Giants
Where was this all season? Daniel Jones goes for 337 yards and 4 touchdowns as the Giants put up 49 points on… oh right, the Eagles. Scratch all that. You have a pulse, you can score on that defense. They have a chance to do it again in 2 weeks.
Bengals
It feels like Joe Burrow is wasting away in Cincinnati. He has thrown 23 touchdowns and 27 interceptions. The Bengals aren’t taking advantage of the abilities that he has. However, for a team with only 5 wins, they have a talented defense. If their turnover margin was slightly better, they could be leading the division, especially considering they are only three games back from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Colts
Jonathan Taylor averaged 2.9 carries this week against the Falcons, although Atlanta has the second best defense against the rush, I still expected Taylor to ballout. The Colts have a young nucleus of players to build around in the off-season and I expect them to add to the offense, they’re going to be one of the teams in the running for a top tight end in the draft.
Panthers
The Panthers actually played the Packers a lot closer than I thought. When are the Chris Brooks dev games going to appear? I learned today that Bryce Young missed the interception threshold by like 1 pick before he went down with his injury. Disaster averted in Carolina.
Commanders
Can the Commanders realistically compete in the NFC East with some adjustments to the roster in the off-season? I believe so, it may be a hot take, but I do believe with that grouping they could shock the PML world. It’ll be interesting to see what they prioritize this off-season.
Ravens
My oh my.. A 10 game losing streak for the Baltimore Ravens. Edgar Allen Poe would be displeased and fans in Baltimore are rioting because this is one of the darkest days in football since the Colts left town overnight. Lamar Jackson has thrown a measly 11 touchdowns this season and an overwhelming 30 interceptions, that’s simply not good football. The Ravens need to seriously evaluate their scheme on both sides of the football, because this team has too much talent to draft at the number one spot.
