1.Cleveland Browns (10-1): Since their lone loss of the season, the Browns are on a 113-17 rampage dominating the Bengals and shutting out the Cowboys. KMFO was taken by surprise in week 10, and he’s out to prove that defeating him will take more than a loaded roster.
2. Green Bay Packers (10-1): The Packers have a 9 game winning streak going and they’ve won 4 of their last 5 in dominating fashion. They won in dramatic fashion against Detroit with no time left on the clock proving that they have what it takes to close out a close game.
3 .Kansas City Chiefs (9-2): Isiah Pacheco has been a catalyst for the Kansas City offense rushing for over 100 yards in five games this season, but the win this week over the Chargers came at a price, because Pacheco suffered a torn labrum that will have him sidelined for the next three games.
4. New England Patriots (9-2): New England suffered a sim loss to the now 2-8 Jaguars, otherwise they might be in the second spot on our list. With the division in hand, they’re contending with Cleveland for the top spot in the AFC, but we could see them rest their starters as the remaining weeks unfold.
5. New Orleans Saints (9-3): Losing back to back is rough, but throwing 6 interceptions and losing to a division rival is even worse. Derek Carr was on pace to surpass his touchdown-interception ratio from last season, but with 19 interceptions on the season, he’s going to have to learn to protect the ball better. Fortunately for the Saints, they have a commanding hold over the NFC South.
6. Los Angeles Chargers (8-3): Raheim Sanders rushed for 9 yards a carry and finished the game with a rookie record of 275 yards on the ground. He was sensational as was Justin Herbert, but it was the defensive unit for the Chargers that let down the team. Usually a sound unit, allowed Kansas City to come back and win the game.
7. Arizona Cardinals (8-3): Hot on a four game winning streak, Arizona has narrowly won their last three games. It’s a testament to how clutch the team has been and how exceedingly better they’ve been with Kyler Murray at the helm. Murray is 13-10 in his PML career, but four of those losses are from last season when the Cardinals ended the season on a three game losing streak and were 1-4 over the last five weeks of the season.
8. Los Angeles Rams (8-3): Jaylen Henderson led the Rams to a victory over Buffalo this week, his 158.3 QBR and his 85% completion rate speaks volumes to the kind of quarterback that he is becoming. His growth is what could be the difference between the Rams simply making the playoffs and repeating as Superbowl champions.
9. Denver Broncos (6-6): I know DK expected different results with the trade for Trey Lance, but his Denver Broncos aren’t quite up to par with the other teams in the division. A huge win this week over the Bengals keeps them alive in the wildcard race, but they’ll have to beat Kansas City twice and the Chargers once in order to make the playoffs.
10. Detroit Lions (7-4): Despite the loss of Gibbs, the Lions are 2-0 without the dynamic halfback. Javian Hawkins appears to have filled in the starting spot, but it’s been a passing attack led by Jared Goff that has elevated the Lions back into a winning team.
11. Atlanta Falcons (6-6): You have to question the training staff for the Atlanta Falcons, it seems like they have had the most injured players this season, but their team has stepped up when it mattered the most and positioned themselves in the wildcard race. Picking up a dominating win against the Saints and piggybacking on their win over the Browns, the Falcons believe they can defeat any team in the league, no matter the odds.
12. Minnesota Vikings (6-5): As a collective, the Vikings aren’t as stacked as the other teams in their division but they’re out to prove that they can compete as witnessed this week by their impressive victory over the Seahawks. They have an easier schedule than most over the next few weeks, but they’ll have to face the Packers twice and the Lions to end the season.
13. Seattle Seahawks (7-4): Bo Nix is out for the season and Z has tried to replace him, but Sam Howell hasn’t been up to the task as Seattle has dropped their last two games and five of their last six games are against teams that are predicted to make the playoffs this season. It’s a tall order for any coach, but is Z up to the task?
14. Pittsburgh Seelers (6-6): Zach Wilson has the third most passing yards and touchdowns in the league and he has a positive touchdown to interception ratio, but the Steelers aren’t projected to make the playoffs. But, with only two games left against teams with positive records, the Steelers have to win 1 of those games to get back to the playoffs.
15. Miami Dolphins (5-6): The Dolphins are looking like the NFC West killers picking up consecutive wins against the Seahawks and the Rams. Miami has looked like a strong team at times this season, but inconsistency at the quarterback position has ultimately plagued their season.
16. New York Jets (6-6): Caleb Williams has just 14 touchdowns on the season and I think we were all expecting more out of the number 1 overall draft pick, but the Jets are in the thick of the wildcard race. During the bye week, New York focused on sweeping the Patriots, and aside from next week’s game, their last four games are against teams that are under .500. Very promising for the Jets.
17. Houston Texans (5-6): Losers of four straight games, the Houston Texans are in a dire need for a win. The Colts have gotten the better of them already this season and next week it’s time for the Texans to lock in and take their division back.
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-7): PML Baker Mayfield is what Cleveland hoped he’d be when they drafted him, but despite his 38 touchdowns, almost 3800 passing yards, the Buccaneers find themselves on the other end of another losing season. Tampa Bay has to reevaluate their defensive strategy, but Cammy has proven to be one of the better passers in the league.
19. Buffalo Bills (5-6): Josh Allen is in jeopardy of losing his abilities, he has thrown 25 interceptions thus far this season, but I don’t think we see Allen sitting out at all this season. Buffalo has lost four straight, but has a gimme game next week against the Jaguars who they should make easy work of.
20. New York Giants (5-6): The Giants have two 98 speed running backs, but have one of the worst running attacks in the league. It’s not a matter of personnel for them, it’s the way they are being used. New York is in a position to win their division, but they need to add a bit of creativity to their offense to keep defenses on their toes.
21. Las Vegas Raiders (4-7): Losers of three straight, the Raiders had a chance to pull off an upset this week against the Cardinals, but the loss of Davante Adams really limited the approach on the offense for the Raiders. Las Vegas has the second best rushing offense in PML, but still leans to pass the ball at times, and it has cost them a few games down the stretch.
22. Dallas Cowboys (4-7): Drama has been very quiet this season and getting shutout is never a fun time. Despite seven losses, the Cowboys are just one game shy from their division opponents. Dallas has a unique opportunity next week to upset the Giants and reclaim the division as their own, can they overcome their own doubt? .
23. Indianapolis Colts (4-7): Despite losing their last two games, the Colts spent the bye week going over their last game with the Texans. They can taste the division lead and sweeping the Texans this season could propel them back into good graces with their owner.
24. Philadelphia Eagles (5-6): You can’t really dismantle the Eagles, they are a top tier team, but HD traded away a top draft pick for Derrick Henry and while Henry leads the team in rushing yards, that pick could have been used elsewhere. Nonetheless, the Eagles have the Saints and Browns on the schedule, so they will have to use every once of their ability to compete with those teams.
25. San Francisco 49ers (3-8): CEO has been a competitive coach for sometime in PML and this matching to the 49ers had success written all over it, but he has been underperforming this season. Brock Purdy has thrown 25 interceptions and the 49ers struggle to compete with teams of lesser value. Can we see a new QB on the horizon in San Francisco?
26. Tennessee Titans (4-7): Tennessee was playing their best football of the season leading up to this week, but they suffered a loss to the Lions. Blake Corum has been a breath of fresh air for this team this season, despite a torn labrum, he has statistically been the best weapon offensively for the Titans and they desperately miss him.
27. Chicago Bears (3-8): Breece Hall is the newest X-factor for the Bears and they sold out this week for that ability. Breece Hall rushed 33 times for 195 yards and caught two passes for 11 yards, but also broke his ribs in the process. Hall has been questioned for his injury concerns, but it’s proven that when healthy, Hall is an absolute difference maker.
28. Washington Commanders (4-8): Flashback to week 2 when the Commanders upset the Falcons and PML was shocked with the big upset. The Commanders were poised for success, but as the season progressed, the Commanders are looking like the same team that went out on the field in season 1. All in all, they are still just two games back from their division leader, so with some luck, they could upset a few teams over the next few weeks.
29. Carolina Panthers (4-7): Carolina’s ability to compete with the Falcons and the Buccs is a testament to how well they know their division rival’s tendencies, they simply need to put that effort against all the other teams on their schedule.
30. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-8): Jacksonville is on its first winning streak, be it the help of a sim win, but with the season almost over, I think it’s time for the Jaguars to evaluate their options and part ways with the older players on their team. Full rebuild is now in session.
31. Baltimore Ravens (1-10): Since his return, Lamar Jackson has thrown 6 interceptions and rushed the ball ten times for 15 yards. Baltimore needs to move on from Jackson if they are looking for a pocket passer because it just isn’t Lamar’s tendency to drop back and pass.
32. Cincinnati Bengals (1-10): Joe Burrow’s suspension has helped him hold onto his abilities for a bit longer because Cam Ward’s six interceptions versus the Broncos this week would not have looked good on Burrow’s resume.
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Z’s Corner: Divisional Dissections
NFC West: Seahawks Drop Another, QB a Large Question Mark Moving Forward; Cardinals Flying High On a 4-Game Win Streak; Rams Drop a Close One at Home while 49ers Look to the Draft
Cardinals (0.727) : 8-3-0
Rams (0.667): 8-4-0
Seahawks (0.636): 7-4-0
49ers (0.273): 3-8-0
Who would’ve guessed the Cardinals would be in first place in the division at the start of the season? Que has won close game after close game, and is on a four game streak with the Lions awaiting. The Seahawks offense and defense are both in shambles after the injury to Bo Nix. Geno Smith and Sam Howell are not the answer, and they will need to find one quickly with the Packers, Rams, and Saints next in line. Speaking of the Rams, a huge injury to Aaron Donald may loom large, but Coach Cook is exactly the guy that can overcome that. The 49ers are currently preparing for next season, but will always be a tough matchup.
NFC South: Saints Drop Second Game in A Row; Falcons Look
Saints (0.750): 9-3-0
Falcons (0.500): 6-6-0
Buccaneers (0.417): 5-7-0
Panthers (0.364): 4-7-0
The Saints have surprisingly dropped two in a row but are still in control of this division. I don’t expect that to change and I also anticipate Derek Carr and the rest of the team to get back on track after a brutal divisional loss to the Falcons. Speaking of Atlanta, they had a realistic shot at the division the way they’ve been playing, but too many injuries might sink the ship before it can sail. The Panthers and Buccaneers have an outside shot at a divisional run, but it’s iffy at best.
NFC East: Does Anyone Want to Win this Division?
Eagles: 5-6-0
Giants: 5-6-0
Cowboys: 4-7-0
Commanders: 4-8-0
As the title states, it seems no one wants to win this division as each team is under .500 and possessing a fatal flaw. The Eagles can’t beat the Giants (or Cowboys?), the Cowboys can’t score apparently (a goose egg in this madden is insanity), the Commanders keep throwing picks, and the Giants have yet to put it together. These dedicated fan bases and owners have to be irate at the performances from these teams.
NFC North: Packers Look to Pull Away From the Lions; Vikings Making a Late Season Push; Bears Can’t Find Their Rhythm
Packers: 10-1-0
Lions: 7-4-0
Vikings: 6-5-0
Bears: 3-8-0
The Packers are red hot, winning 9 of their last 10 games and sitting at 10-1 on the season. They dismantled the 49ers last week, and will look to keep flying high against the Seahawks at home. The Lions have a pivotal matchup with the Cardinals this week, as they look to establish themselves as playoff contenders. The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Seahawks handily last week, and look to keep that momentum up against JT and the Panthers as they too are fighting for a playoff spot. Lastly, the Bears may be looking at condos in other countries at the moment as Breece Hall has yet to return the investment the Bears spent on him.
AFC West: Chiefs Win in Walkoff Fashion in LA; Broncos Dominate Bengals; Raiders Searching for Their Identity
Chiefs: 9-2-0
Chargers: 8-3-0
Broncos: 6-6-0
Raiders: 4-7-0
The Kansas City Chiefs won a tough game against the Chargers after trailing in the 4th quarter. With only two losses on the year, they have two more divisional tests remaining as they travel to Denver before hosting the Chargers in weeks 13 and 14. If the Chiefs are able to win these games, they should be able to cruise to a second consecutive division title. The Chargers will look to bounce back next week against the 49ers and CEO. Speaking of the Broncos, they are quietly on a three game win streak and will look to continue that streak against the Chiefs. Lastly, the Raiders have struggled with subpar QB play all season and are looking to figure out exactly how they plan to attack moving forward from what may be a wasted season (anything is possible in the AFC).
AFC South: Can Someone Capitalize on Houston’s Rough Stretch?
Texans (0.455): 5-6-0
Colts (0.364): 4-7-0
Titans (0.364): 4-7-0
Jaguars (0.273): 3-8-0
The Texans are against the ropes right now. Losers of 4 consecutive games (and sitting at 1-5 at home on the season), it’s safe to say that there may be some problems in Houston. Fortunately for the Texans, their division mates have yet to take the opportunity to strike while the iron is hot. The Colts have lost two games in a row, while the Titans have also dropped their most recent game. The Jags are not eliminated just yet, but they need a lot of help and a win streak to get back into the divisional race. Will anyone take the AFC South from the Texans? Only time will tell.
AFC East: Patriots Establish a Commanding Lead; Jets, Bills Battling Inconsistency; Are the Dolphins Back?
Patriots (0.818): 9-2-0
Jets (0.500): 6-6-0
Bills (0.455): 5-6-0
Dolphins (0.455): 5-6-0
As someone who expected this division to be competitive until Week 18, the Patriots are using the inconsistencies of their division mates to take a commanding lead in the division. With their only loss coming as the result of a fair sim to the Jaguars, they will look to secure their playoff spot with matchups against the Jets and Dolphins in ensuing weeks. Heading into their bye week, the Jets can rest easy, knowing they defeated the Bills 36-24. Speaking of the Bills, they are losers of 4 straight and it may be time to push the panic button in Buffalo. Lastly, the Dolphins have secured big victories over both the Seahawks and Rams in consecutive weeks. Can they beat the Patriots to make it three in a row?
AFC North: Browns Look to Hold On to 1 Seed; Steelers Fighting for the Wildcard; Bengals Hope to Avoid Losing Their X-Factor QB; Can the Ravens Rewrite Their Story?
Browns (0.909): 10-1-0
Steelers (0.500): 6-6-0
Bengals (0.091): 1-10-0
Ravens (0.091): 1-10-0
When we advance to week 13, there’s a good chance the Cleveland Browns will be the first team to secure a playoff spot for the 24-25 season. It’s safe to say we didn’t expect anything different from KMFO, but he’s dominated all season long, even without Nick Chubb. The Steelers have a prolific offense, but whether or not that’s due to their defense falling off due to the loss of Cam Hayward is a question that needs answering. The Ravens are still searching for their second win in a lost season. The Bengals are in the same boat, but only with the amazing abilities of Joe Burrow on the line. Two Talented Franchises, Two Franchises searching for answers.
