1.Cleveland Browns (8-1): The unlikeliest of opponents draws first blood in KMFO’s return tour that has seen him close to unbeatable. It is more than just a loss. This loss represents the optimism every Tom, D***, and Harry in PML will now have as they too will try and slay the beast moving forward. Ah, who am I kidding? They still enter week 11 as 38 point favorites against the Bengals.
2.New Orleans Saints (9-1): Dating back to last season, including the playoffs, the Saints are 19-3 over their last 22 games. Underrated for sure, they’ll never get the credit they deserve unless they make a run at the Lombardi trophy and win when it matters the most.
3. Green Bay Packers (7-1): Hype got the Pack on a 6 game win streak and if it weren’t for the Saints, we’d consider them The hottest team in PML.
4. New England Patriots (8-1): Spdot is still doing the most with the least and at 8-1, a very underrated accomplishment. The Patriots have ripped off 8 straight as the defense continues to disrupt opposing offenses. Too soon to start Caleb vs Riley debates? He is clearly playing like the best quarterback out the draft thus far.
5. Los Angeles Chargers (7-2): I’m actually liking the RB committee over here in LA. Sanders, Chandler, and Rodriguez Jr. are more than filling the void for the departed Austin Eckler this year as the rushing attack hasn’t skipped a beat. They’re even catching passes out of the backfield too!
6. Kansas City Chiefs (7-2): Suddenly, Matigy and the Chiefs aren’t mentioned when they talk about AFC title contenders. Flying under the radar, could KC make a run this season? That narrative starts this week if they could take down the red-hot Saints at home.
7. Seattle Seahawks (7-2): The Seahawks asserted themselves as NFC contenders these past few weeks as they ride a four game win streak with notable victories over the Chiefs and Lions. I have a feeling about the Seahawks this year that something special could be brewing.
8. Minnesota Vikings (5-4): Is Milton the long-term answer in Minnesota? They’re above .500, and putting together a winning season that could likely see them in the playoffs, but is it enough to keep up with the rest of the conference?
9. Arizona Cardinals (6-3): I think the Cardinals make the playoffs with room to spare, but I am not bought into them being a legitimate NFC contender just yet. This was a rebuild, and in season two they are far ahead of expectations, but I think we will see their full potential come season 4 and 5.
10. Los Angeles Rams (7-3): The weapon Puka would have been if we used the updated rosters to his current attributes. He just had a monster game going for 144 and a score in a 3 score victory over the Broncos. Rams have 2 winnable games before two big ones against the Seahawks and Packers
11. Houston Texans (5-4): Suddenly everyone’s favorite underdog story is tinkering close to .500 and with the Colts and Titans sitting at 4-6, that timeshare everyone is talking about could be in danger. They come out the bye week with a very winnable schedule to close out the season, so I wouldn’t panic just yet Texan fans.
12. Pittsburgh Seelers (5-5): Curt has the Steelers playing solid football midway through the year. The Steelers are on a three game win streak and Zach Wilson is quietly putting up a solid season in his contract year.
13. Buffalo Bills (5-4): The Bills have lost two straight, and are in danger of making it 3 straight with the Rams coming to town. Josh Allen is playing with a fear of losing his development trait as well as he currently sits at 19 interceptions through 9 games.
14. New York Jets (5-5): Possibly the toughest schedule in the league so far, Greeny has the Jets at .500 and in a position to make a run at a wildcard position. Caleb Williams has Omaha, which won’t be pretty for the rest of the AFC east.
15. Philadelphia Eagles (5-4): HD is taking full advantage of the best PML team versus a super generous schedule. The Eagles played strength of schedule still sits at .299, and not one other team in the league has a played strength of schedule under .400. Can they fend off the Cowboys and Giants for the remainder of the season?
16. Atlanta Falcons (5-5): With maybe the biggest upset in PML history, the undermanned Falcons took down the KMFO led Cleveland Browns on a walkoff FG in what nobody probably thought was possible. We will never, ever, ever hear the end of this one. But great job and congratulations to the entire Falcons organization.
17. New York Giants (5-5): Don’t look now, but it’s the Giants turn to cash in on the easy schedule. With TB, Dal, Was, Bal, Cin, Dal ahead before a possible week 17 showdown with the Eagles, Burn could be the one in the driver’s seat especially how they’ve handled Philly this cycle.
18. Indianapolis Colts (4-6): Believe it or not, the Colts boast the number 1 rush defense and the number 1 rush offense in the league. They had an opportunity to inch closer to the Texans, whom they took down the week prior, but came up short against the Titans last week. With the Packers on deck before the bye, the playoffs could be out of the realm of possibilities quicker than they hoped.
19. Las Vegas Raiders (4-5): Could the Raiders possibly move on from Josh Jacobs and totally tear things down and build for the next 3 seasons? Like the Broncos, there is a very realistic chance the Raiders don’t see the playoffs this cycle. I am sure Uncle Mike has a plan though, doesn’t he always?
20. Detroit Lions (5-4): The Lions boast the number 2 pass defense, but the 32nd rush defense in the league. If they could somehow manage to improve the rush defense, I could see this team making a play for a final playoff spot. Will be tough to do facing Aaron Jones and Breece Hall throughout the season.
21. Denver Broncos (4-6): Is there a realistic chance that DK and the Broncos are shut out of the playoffs all cycle? The rebuild just hasn’t been there with a few questionable moves so far.
22. Dallas Cowboys (3-6): Drama swears he is going to make a run at the division. Sitting two games out, and the schedule ahead, I mean I sort of believe the Cowboys will be in the thick of things. The one roadblock is losing Pollard due to suspension.
23. Tennessee Titans (4-6): The Titans have quietly put together a three game winning streak as they head into their bye week. With the Texans on the schedule two times to close out the year, is it possible Dlloyd could make a late run at the division?
24. San Francisco 49ers (2-7): To be fair, the 49ers have a very difficult schedule, but to play devil’s advocate, they also have a top 3 team in the league. I don’t think anyone would argue with me if I said the 49ers peaked in season 1.
25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-7): Cammy and the Buccaneers are free-falling from sneaky wildcard contender to top 10 draft pick. They have now lost 5 in a row and the season seems to be done in Tampa.
26. Miami Dolphins (3-6): The Dolphins have been one of the more disappointing teams this cycle. From dealing Waddle, to their current 3-6 record, the team is not where we anticipated pre-cycle. With the Seahawks, Rams, Patriots, and Bills upcoming, it could be a while until they get back into the win column.
27. Washington Commanders (3-7): First year head coach spends his morning deflecting, speculating and offering opinions on which users should be sent to the carousel while himself on pace for 51 interceptions with the 3rd overall pick and another Washington top 5 draft selection. Gotta earn your stripes first big guy, there’s levels to this. Can’t throw stones if you live in a glass house.
28. Chicago Bears (2-6): Things aren’t looking good in ChiTown just a year removed from being a game away from the Super Bowl. Talk about moving backwards.
29. Carolina Panthers (3-5): Man oh man, a 1 point loss to the Giants with the Eagles and Bucs up next. We could have seen a wildcard driven JT early in the cycle. What could have been in Carolina.
30. Cincinnati Bengals: Things are about to turn ugly to worse in Cincy as Joe Burrow is possibly weeks away from losing his x-factor dev for the cycle. Talk about dark days.
31. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-8): Not sure about the underlying story in Jacksonville, but things aren’t looking good for the team. Could very well be in the mix for the first overall pick come draft time.
32. Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson returns, but the dark days remain in Baltimore. They go into their bye week still in search of their 2nd win of the season, and 4th of the cycle. Like I said, dark days.
