Rankologist: Keraun
Senior Editor: Arod
Analyst: Arod, Keraun, Dot, Burn
Graphics: TBA (Inquire within)
1. Philadelphia Eagles (5-0, -): A bit of a scare for the #1 team last week against the Buccaneers, requiring a last second touchdown to pull away with a win. They play the Giants 2 of the next 3 games, with a chance to really put a stranglehold on the division. Saquon is averaging 8 yards per carry, that has to be your first priority if you are going to beat this team.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-0, -): Good teams find a way to win in trap game scenarios, great teams dominate these types of games. This was a trap game versus the Chiefs and the Jaguars didn’t take them lightly. Lawrence absolutely dominated the talented Chiefs roster to a tune of 448 yards and 5 touchdowns, with 4 going to his favorite target Thomas. They have two favorable games coming up versus the Lions and Raiders before they face their next test in the Commanders. This game will give a good sense how far this team can go this season.
3. Chicago Bears (4-0, -): Entering the bye week undefeated before a Monday night showdown in Washington vs Que and the Commanders. Get your popcorn folks, this should be a good one as we separate the men from the boys in the NFC. A top 5 defense in Washington up against arguably the best offense in the league makes for must-see-tv.
4. Seattle Seahawks (5-0, +1): CB’s Seahawks remain undefeated at 5-0, knocking off the Cardinals 49-35 in a big divisional game. The offense has been explosive, while the defense continues to make timely plays. CB now faces another test against the Jaguars in what could be one of the games of the week.
5. Houston Texans (4-1, +3): The Texans made a statement this week, beating a powerhouse in the AFC. The Ravens have one of the best overall rosters in the league, led by the fastest player at quarterback. They forced Lamar Jackson into throwing 4 interceptions and limited him to 6 carries. If they can shut down a team like this, then they can shut down anyone in the league. They are still right there on the heels of the Jaguars, who have to take notice, especially after the win this week.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2, +12): A lot of optimism in Pittsburgh with DK taking over catapulted the Steelers to the number 6 spot. It didn’t take long for future hall of famer Aaron Rodgers to find a seat on the bench in favor of the more athletic Desmond Ridder. Hate to see his career end this way, especially the season he was having prior to the arrival of DK.
7. Washington Commanders (4-1, -1): I believe coach Que is still on vacation, so this team really feels like it is in limbo. They have a big matchup this week against the Bears, one of the last remaining undefeated teams. Que will need to be back at the top of his game when he returns, to hold on to that playoff spot.
8. Denver Broncos (4-1, -1): Fallen’s Broncos are 4-1, falling just short in a 51-44 shootout against the Eagles. Bo Nix has been stellar, throwing for 1,923 yards and 13 TDs, while Evan Engram leads the receiving corps with 514 yards. Rookie RB R. Harvey has added balance with 225 yards and 7 TDs on the ground. Defensively, Patrick Surtain II has been a force with 4 INTs. Next up: the Jets.
9. Indianapolis Colts (3-3, +6): Richardson heard all of the talk about how he couldn’t complete a pass and showed off this week. He threw for 4 touchdowns, and over 300 yards while posting a 74% completion rate. Even with all of this, the Colts cant escape the close game narrative. They won this game by a field goal and ironically finished the game with 38 points. The offense and defense are both averaging 33 points a game, but something will need to change going forward.
10. Arizona Cardinals (4-2, -3): Miles’ Cardinals are 3-2, dropping back-to-back games to the Seahawks and Titans. Kyler Murray is lighting it up with 1,914 yards and 22 TDs, spreading the ball to Trey McBride (668 yards, 10 TDs) and Marvin Harrison Jr. (532 yards, 5 TDs). Defensively, Owen Pappoe has 3 INTs, giving Arizona a spark. Next up: a battle with the Colts
11. New England Patriots (3-2, -1): The Patriots are coming off of a tough division loss to the Bills in Buffalo. This week they take on the 0-5 Saints, and are looking to keep them winless. The run game continues to dominate in New England, but if they are to enter that next tier of team, Drake Maye will need to step up.
12. Green Bay Packers (2-2, +1): Tucker Kraft is making an argument that he is the best TE in the league not named Trey McBride. The 2nd year TE has already put up 427 yards and 5 scores through 4 games. Are the Packers a playoff team? I think we’ll find that out over the next 4 or 5 weeks with some big games on the schedule.
13. Cleveland Browns (2-3, +1): What is going on in Cleveland. The Browns rank in the button 5 in all offensive categories as they have now dropped 3 straight in their NFC North gauntlet. Is Spdot still the gold standard he was last cycle? Three straight losses, maybe it isn’t just a fluke. They’ll have a make or break game against DK and the Steelers week 6 before things get a tad easier with 3 straight against the AFC east.
14. Minnesota Vikings (3-2, +2): Drama and the Vikings join the list of divisional peers who take down the Cleveland Browns this season. The offense is clicking early in the season, and the defense isn’t far behind. Can Drama make a play for the division this cycle, or are the Vikings nothing more than perennial wildcard contenders?
15. Buffalo Bills (3-2, +2): The Bills picked up a huge division win last week, as Josh Allen is playing elite football. This AFC East picture is a 3 horse race, and the Bills have the best quarterback of that group. The run defense is still the Achilles heel of this team, but if they can just get that to average they could be dangerous.
16. Detroit Lions (1-4, +3): Is Jahmyr Gibbs the best running back to have this cycle in a CFM? I believe so and Nef is not shy about using the elusive RB as he has already found the endzone 10 times this season. As fun as he is to use, I still find it very difficult to see the Lions competing this cycle in the NFC North.
17. New York Giants (3-2, +7): The Giants have bounced back from 0-2 to 3-2. They have a huge chance to make up even more ground, getting 2 shots at the Eagles in the next 3 games. The defense and QB play for the Giants has been carrying them to their wins. Their running game has been maybe the worst in the league, but the good news is that it can only get better. If the defense and Jaxson Dart can continue playing the way they have, the Eagles may need to watch out.
18. Dallas Cowboys (3-2, +8): The Cowboys have pulled out back to back wins, an impressive shootout against the Green Bay Packers, and then finally a good defensive game against the Jets. If that give the Dallas defense a spark, they could go on a run, but they have a huge divisional matchup next week against the Commanders. If they pull that out they may have an inside track to the playoffs.
19. New York Jets (3-2, -8): The Jets took a tough loss last week, but on the brightside it was a non-conference loss. They remain in the middle of the battle in the AFC East. They have a tough schedule on the way, but if they can pick up a win or two and then take care of business in their divisional games they can still give themselves a good chance down the stretch. The key will be keeping this rushing attack dangerous.
20. Atlanta Falcons (2-2, -): It must be nice to have a bye week where you are still sitting atop of the division once the week is over. This is exactly the spot the Falcons find themselves in and to be honest they deserve it. They won a game versus a playoff contender the prior week and being able to rest and relax while keeping your lead is the reward. We will see if they can keep this momentum going versus a good Bills squad in week 6.
21. Baltimore Ravens (2-3, -5): Sitting at 2-3, I think its safe to say that Mark has underwhelmed so far into the season, especially with the departure of Mole and the possibility to compete for the division. Its still early, but things didnt look great in their last defeat as Lamar Jackson threw for 4 interceptions in the defeat. He now paces for a little over 30 interceptions so unleashing Lamar may have to take a backseat if Mark wants to preserve the ability dev.
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-4, -1): 3 points away from giving a team their first loss is heartbreaking for the Buccaneers. The offense is giving everything that they can but the defense just doesn’t want to help. I can’t imagine how you can’t win a game scoring 42 points, but that is the reality for the Buccaneers. They need to use the talented players they have in a better way because giving up an average of 40 points per game is going to keep you in the bottom of the standings for the rest of the season. There is time to still turn it around, but that needs to happen starting next week versus the Niners.
23. Las Vegas Raiders (2-4, -1): Beast’s Raiders sit at 1-4 after a narrow 38-35 loss to the Colts. The run game has been solid, led by Jeanty with 412 rushing yards and 5 TDs, while Brock Bowers has chipped in 399 receiving yards. Defensively, rookie Devon Richardson has flashed with 12 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 INT. Beast looks to regroup against the Titans next week.
24. Tennessee Titans (2-4, -1): The Titans finally find a way to win a close game this season. They need to keep this up so they don’t lose pace in the NFC South. Cam Ward is having a so-so season, however, in this game he showed why he was the number overall pick. He commanded the offense, finding multiple receivers for touchdowns and put the team in a position to close out the game. They have a favorable game against the Raiders next week, where they could get back to .500 .
25. San Francisco 49ers (2-3, -): AntDawg’s 49ers are 2-3, bouncing back from a rough loss to the Jaguars with a big win over the Rams, 56-32. Brock Purdy has thrown for 1,488 yards and 11 TDs, while Christian McCaffrey powers the ground game with 308 yards and 4 TDs. New signing Devin Culp made an instant impact, catching 2 TDs in his debut. Fred Warner leads the defense with 4 INTs.
26. Los Angeles Chargers (2-3, -17): Sweatoholic doesn’t play his games. So it’s no analysis to write.
27. Miami Dolphins (2-3, -): What a game from Tua and the Dolphins last week. The offense looked explosive all around as they put up 66 points. Now we need to see him do it against a team that is not season 1 JT. They have the tools to do it, they just need to prove it.
28. Los Angeles Rams (1-4, -1): Spawn’s Rams sit at 1-4 after a shootout loss to the 49ers, 56-32. Matthew Stafford has thrown for 1,471 yards and 10 TDs, while Kyren Williams leads the ground game with 228 rushing yards. Rookie Ferguson has stepped up with 332 receiving yards, but the defense has struggled to keep pace. Next up: a tough matchup against the Ravens.
29. New Orleans Saints (0-5, -1): The lack of talent on the Saints defense is hurting them. They can’t get to the quarterback or cover wide receivers in any capacity. It is truly score on every play or lose the game. The offense played a great game, mainly consisting of one play touchdowns this week, but the defense couldn’t make a stop and let up a score on almost every drive. If the Saints want to win a game this season, they need to trade for a defensive playmaker or come up with a scheme that can confuse opponents into turnovers.
30. Carolina Panthers (0-5, -1): The Panthers haven’t played yet this week but with the next three games coming against teams with over .500 records they have to take advantage if they want any shot at winning this division. They have been playing well enough to stay in games so I can see them winning this one against a struggling Dolphin team. The Dolphins rank among the worst in the league on offense even though they have the fastest receiver pair in the league. You don’t want to have them pick your team to finally start being better. A Panthers win here will change the season outlook drastically.
31. Cincinnati Bengals (1-4, -3): The Bengals get in the win column with a 38-27 victory over Nef and the Lions. It was nice to see Joe Burrow have nearly a perfect game on 26 for 31 passing with almost 400 yards and 3 touchdowns. Maybe this is the start Z needs to pick up some momentum early on this season.
32. Kansas City Chiefs (0-5, -3): Mike’s Chiefs have stumbled to an 0-5 start after losses to the Ravens (42-21) and Jaguars (42-16). Patrick Mahomes has 1,159 yards and 7 TDs, while Isiah Pacheco leads the rushing attack with 273 yards and 3 TDs. Rookie Xavier Worthy has shown promise with 263 receiving yards. On defense, Drue Tranquill has been the bright spot, recording 24 tackles, 3 sacks, and 2 INTs. Next up: the Lions.
