1. Minnesota Vikings (9-1): The Vikings have been playing a very balanced game this season which is credit to them running away with the NFC North. The offense has been in top 10 in both yards per game and points per game. And the defense has played just as well. They sit top 5 in points per game and and yards per game. I see coach Dot staying the course and finishing the season at the top of the mountain. King of the North.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-2): Tampa had a premier win over the Kansas City Chiefs, they look like one of the dominant teams destined for a bowl appearance this cycle. Tampa is averaging over 43 points per game and former first round pick Baker Mayfield has eclipsed 40 touchdowns on the season.
3. Buffalo Bills (10-1): Buffalo continues to dominate offensively. They have a top-five offense in passing and points per game. Coming off a loss, it was evident that they must establish a run game and have a balanced offense, controlling more of the clock and not allowing the opposing offense to get into a rhythm. While shootouts are fun, always playing games like that will eventually catch up with Buffalo in the playoffs when the best of the best are game-planning for them.
4. Kansas City Chiefs (8-2): Kansas City struggled to stop a potent Buccaneer offense and that has been the achilles heal of this team so far this season. The Chiefs the one of the worst defense against the pass in the league. They have the capacity to put up points with Patrick Mahomes, but if they don’t solidify their defense on the backend, this team could lose a few more games this season.
5. Detroit Lions (7-2): The lions have had ups and downs through the season. But have managed to stay in 2nd place in the North. Alot due to the unstoppable Jamo and the defense which Ranks 1 at both yards per game and points per game. The big questiion is with Jamo suspended can this offense continuue to be just as explosive. And if not does the defense continue to be dominate if the are required to be on the field alot more.
6. Los Angeles Chargers (7-3): Los Angeles doesn’t feel battle tested, only 4 of their games this season have been against teams over .500 and they’ve lost two of those games. But, the benefit of a weak conference has the Chargers in prime position to make the playoffs. However, with 5 games versus teams over .500 on the backend of their schedule, they will have to prove that have what it takes to beat the best in the league.
7. New Orleans Saints (7-4): Derek Carr needed a new team to believe in him and New Orleans has put him in a position to succeed, leading to 28 touchdowns thrown on the season. We often see an imbalanced approach to defense, similarly in New Orleans where the Saints have the best passing defense in the league but the worst rushing defense in the league, giving up 134 rushing yards per game.
8. Washington Commanders (7-3): Que has figured it out. The 4th down rule break has changed him and the Commanders sit atop the NFC E at 7-3. Averaging 40 points a game, and top half of the league in all offensive categories, Que is primed to return the Commanders to a status Washington fans have long forgotten, contenders. Its a relatively easy schedule to end the season, win the division games, stay healthy and youll be playing winter ball.
9. New York Giants (6-4): Don’t look now, but the Giants might be wildcard contenders. They beat up on the Eagles and sit 6-4 after a blowout against Carolina this week. Averaging a 6th best 39 points per game, this balanced offense can get it done on the ground and through the air. If they can get the int numbers down, this Giants team will be ready to shock come playoffs.
10. Chicago Bears (6-4): The Bears have played well under new coaching staff. Especially with a rookie QB. But at 6-5 with the schedule that has been played i would of expected more wins. But sitting in 3rd place Coach Ke and DA Bears season is in their hands. They have 5 Remaining division games on the schedule and can get into the playoffs by continuing to stay hot and handling business.
11. Seattle Seahawks (5-4): This offense is absolutely blazing hot. they havent scored less than 41 points since week 6. The shift to Geno Smith has proved to be the difference and K9 has crossed the 1k mark on the season. So why are they 5-4? Defense. That seems to be consistently a pain point for PML teams. Ranking bottom 5 in points per game and total yards allowed, the Seahawks may need to switch things up and get aggressive. They have a 3 division games in their next 4 and that could be the difference in them maintaning the top spot in the West.
12. Green Bay Packers (5-5): The Packers havent played terrible football. But have just been unable to close out alot of games. They sit at 4th in the North and well they arent out of a playoff spot. They need alot of things to go right. Including the teams above them to lose. Coach Wimmy defintely has his guys motivated for the final stretch of the season and expect to see Green Bay play some of its best ball here in the next couple of weeks.
13. Las Vegas Raiders (5-4): There has been 5 different players throwing passes for the Raiders this season, but it has been Max Duggan as the team’s primary quarterback. The Raiders are in a conundrum, sitting at 0-4 in division play, they just can’t seem to play well enough against their division rivals and that could cost them a spot in the playoffs.
14. Denver Broncos (6-3): Will we have a CPU team in the playoffs this season? Even without Cook’s presence, Denver has picked up a few wins.
15. Philadelphia Eagles (5-4): 1-3 in their last four, the Eagles have lost the plot a bit. They face Que this week and if they don’t get right, they will be under .500 soon. This is a good roster, and I mentioned last time…the lack of offensive identity is criminal for a team with this much skill position talent. Change the playbook, and hand the ball to Saquon.
16. Miami Dolphins (4-5): The Dolphins have been underperforming. The team is out of rhythm and is at the bottom of the league in every offensive category, forcing the defense to play a lot of minutes. It’s important for the Dolphins to get Waddle, OBJ, and Hill in sync with QB1.
17. New England Patriots (5-5): New England has been a surprise team this season. With the talent of this team, I would not have them sitting in second place in the division and fighting for a playoff berth. Coach Nef has done an amazing job game-planning and keeping his opponents guessing. While the Pats’ offense is not flashy, they remain balanced and physical. The defense has a similar approach as well, very physical, bend-but-don’t-break, requiring opponents to not make mistakes. If the Pats continue to stay consistent, we should be talking about a Playoff matchup in the near future.
18. Indianapolis Colts (5-6): As wild as it appears, here is your AFC South division leader. This division could send a representative to the playoffs that sports a losing record, would be a shame. However, unlike last cycle, Anthony Richardson has a positive touchdown-interception ratio. He also accounts for almost 40 touchdowns this season, this is a great glow up for him and the Colts.
19. Baltimore Ravens (4-6): The Ravens snag the division lead at 4-6 after a big win against the Bengals. Similar to the Browns, this team can score with anyone, dropping 31, 45, and 40 in their last 3 games. But they have got to figure out the defensive side of things. That being said, this is the closest AFC N team that I think is playoff ready. They are limiting turnovers on offense and do a good job at getting to the QB on defense.
20. Arizona Cardinals (5-5): At 5-5, this team is finding ways to save their season. The return of Kyler Murray leads to a close win against the Jets elite defense, and Dennis Gardeck’s 8.5 sacks have been crucial with this teams turnaround after their injury woes. They face Seattle twice coming up soon, and can steal the top spot after what looked like a dead season.
21. Dallas Cowboys (5-5): Extreme highs and insufferable lows, the Cowboys blow OT to return to .500. This team cannot figure out if they want to be contenders. One week they make the Eagles look like childs play, the next the 1-9 Falcons are beating them. This team ranks a top the league defensively and are solid on offense. The big issue i think? no run game. The don’t have a 400 yard rusher yet and the inability to put together long drives will always lead to comeback opportunities.
22. Houston Texans (4-7): Houston defeated their neighbors in the Cowboys, but when you analyze the statistics behind the Texans, they are struggling in almost every offense and defensive category. Stroud has thrown 28 interceptions this season and is dangerously close to losing his superstar development. Houston needs to think about his longevity and improvise a new gameplan that protects their young quarterback from turning the ball over.
23. Los Angeles Rams (4-5): A team that started 3-1, now sits at 3-5 with a 4 game losing streak and it comes mainly from their inability to run the football (57.8 ypg), what’s worse is they dont play a team with a losing record until week 15. Fallen needs to find the offense because they still are solid defensively, but have lost their edge this season.
24. New York Jets (4-7): The Jets, unfortunately, had multiple QB injuries that hindered their run, and they are now on a three-game losing streak. They traded for Watson, but it may have been too late for them to get going. It’s not impossible for them to turn things around, but they need a lot of things to go in their them to make the playoffs.
25. San Francisco 49ers (3-6):3-6 is where the Niners sit now, but they have improved offensively re-centering things around CMC. The division is not out of reach just yet, and limiting the turnovers is key. They have a big win against Dallas at home in week 8, but they face a bit of a gauntlet going forward against Seattle, Green Bay, and Buffalo. The goal is to come out of that 2-1.
26. Cleveland Browns (3-7): The downside is, the Browns continue to struggle defensively and drop 2 of their last 3, and this one hurt. Lapse in defensive playcalling is the diagnosis, so now its time to treat it. That being said, this is a good offense that is able to pout points on virtually anyone they play but what good is averaging 32ppg if you give up 36.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-7): Despite missing a few games early in the season, the Jaguars still have a shot at their division. Trevor Lawrence and the offense don’t have a clue how to put up points or yards, leaving all the work to the Jacksonville defense. After getting his massive contract, Lawrence hasn’t quite earned that money but eventually the Jaguars are going to come collect.
28. Cincinnati Bengals (3-8): A three game losing streak puts the Bengals out of the reach of the division title. I think the focus going forward is finding their offensive identity. Lab with new playbooks, put guys in new roles, do what you can to get yourself right for 2025.
29. Carolina Panthers (2-8): Carolina took down the All-Madden Broncos, but at what cost? Despite the Panthers struggling to win their games, they have designed their offense around rookie phenom Xavier Leggette. The Rookie has eclipsed 1,000 yards on the season and has caught a sensational 17 touchdowns.
30. Tennessee Titans (2-8): Tennessee has four games left against the division and is currently only two games behind the leader. Could this be one of the rare times that we see a forgotten team rise up from the ashes mid-season, Dlloyd style?
31. Atlanta Falcons (1-9): It’s only fitting that Arod’s only win of the season came against Drama and the Dallas Cowboys. Drama still owes Arod money, right?
32. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-8): The Steelers are just ready for the Spring at this point. The TD:INT game is in a bad spot, and they are losing the identity that makes Pittsburgh great. That being said, they have a bright spot ranking 3rd in the league in rushing. Will he try to draft a savior at 1.1? Or will we see a trade back to build the holes in this roster?
