- New England Patriots
Could this year’s Patriots team be more complete than last year and the 2007 19-1 team? They have a real chance at finishing the regular season undefeated because they play an unimpressive slate of QBs.
2. Carolina Panthers
Carolina’s old-school formula is run the football, play defense and celebrate in the end zone. Cam Newton has his team undefeated on the season and he is having a lot of fun in doing so.
3. Arizona Cardinals
This team has shown they can win shootouts and also defensive battles. Carson Palmer is playing the best football of his life 13 years after winning the Heisman trophy.
4. Cincinnati Bengals
I expected this team to have a hiccup game where the offense struggled and we saw that on Monday Night Football against the Texans. They should still be in good position to secure the 2-seed in the AFC.
5. Denver Broncos
Denver has serious problems at Quarterback. Peyton Manning is not the Peyton Manning of old and Brock Osweiler has shown little promise. It will be interesting to see how far their elite defense can carry them.
6. Minnesota Vikings
Lots of people felt this team was a few years away from being a playoff contender and that they should trade Adrian Peterson. They have proved thus far this season that they can win and win now.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers
Losing LeVeon Bell will hurt this team come winter but right now they are finding ways to move the football without him. Big Ben played on a sprained ankle this week showing again why he is one of the toughest SOBs in the league.
8. Buffalo Bills
Rex Ryan has a handful of weapons on offense for the first time in his coaching career. Next week the Bills get a chance to hand the Pats their first loss of the year following two straight division wins for Buffalo.
9. Green Bay Packers
Mike Ditka has cursed the Packers. Green Bay has now lost three straight after Da Coach appeared in a Packers sweater in a McDonald’s commercial.
10. Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta has lost 3 of their last 4 with those losses coming to lowly teams. They face the Colts this weekend and look to have things fixed coming off a bye.
11. New York Jets
Todd Bowles has done a great job elevating the play on the defensive side of the ball in his first year as head coach. His job now will be to try and find a way to put up points as the Jets fight for a playoff spot.
12. Indianapolis Colts
Every year it seems there is one horrible division and this year that division is the AFC south. We will have to see if the talented Colts can remain on top while Andrew Luck recovers from injury.
13. New York Giants
The Giants just played the Patriots tougher than anybody else this year. They have to be the favorite to win the NFC East if they can fix some consistency problems on defense during the bye week.
14. Seattle Seahawks
Oh how the mighty have fallen. The Seahawks don’t dominate the point of attack on offense and no longer scare people on defense.
15. Chicago Bears
John Fox, Vic Fangio and Adam Gase have done a tremendous job of coaching this roster that lacks talent in key areas. The feeling in Chicago has gone from looking at potential #1 picks to potential paths to the playoffs.
16. Oakland Raiders
The Silver and Black are coming off two straight losses to two good teams. If they don’t make the playoffs this year they definitely have promising pieces for the future.
17. Miami Dolphins
Miami has battled back after a brutal start but offensively they still might be a year away from being an AFC contender.
18. Houston Texans
The year started for the Texans with high expectations and they may finally be turning the corner after an impressive Monday Night win over the Bengals. Winners of 3 of their last 4 they are now tied for the lead in the AFC south.
19. Kansas City Chiefs
Following a rough start and a Jamaal Charles injury this looked like another lost season in Kansas City. However, Andy Reid has rallied the troops and has led his team to three straight victories.
20. Washington Redskins
Jay Gruden has possibly saved his job while Kirk Cousins has made himself some money as he is set to be a free agent at seasons end. The skins are playing inspired football and have a shot in the NFC East.
21. Philadelphia Eagles
Sam Bradford’s injury status is currently unknown but with how he has played this year it might not matter. Colleges have already started to think about Chip Kelly’s return to the NCAA.
22. St Louis Rams
Jeff Fisher has decided to bench Nick Foles for Case Keenum. We now wait to see if that could be the spark for a talented team that needs some momentum on both sides of the ball.
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs are certainly improved from last season but still have displayed some lackluster performances on offense. Rookie Jameis Winston should be leaning more heavily on his playmaking receivers.
24. Dallas Cowboys
I put the Cowboys ahead of a few teams with similar records because Tony Romo is expected back soon from injury. I would expect this team to fight back into the NFC East race with him at the helm.
25. San Francisco 49ers
You think they miss Jim Harbaugh in San Fran? The Niners lack an edge and will likely start from scratch this offseason at the Quarterback position.
26. New Orleans Saints
The record for the Who Dat’s is not as terrible as some of the performances on the field this season. Rob Ryan’s firing could bring drastic change to a defense that has been poor for the last few season.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags are not playoff contenders but they are much more competitive than in years past. They have a young offensive nucleus that should bode well for them in the future. P.s. Please change those uniforms.
28. Baltimore Ravens
This proud franchise has taken a few steps back this season and will have the role of spoiler for the rest of the season. They will need defensive help in the offseason.
29. San Diego Chargers
Phillip Rivers doesn’t have much help this season especially after Keenan Allen was lost to injury. It will be interesting to see if Mike McCoy will remain as head coach for next year.
30. Detroit Lions
Jim Caldwell lives to fight another day with a stunning victory over the Packers in Lambeau. I believe he is still coaching for his job week to week and the Lions might be in for a total franchise makeover this offseason.
31. Tennessee Titans
Marcus Mariota has shown flashes this year but needs more help from his offensive line. The franchise is headed in the right direction they just need an impact head coach hire this offseason.
32. Cleveland Browns
The Browns are once again miserable. Johnny Manziel has improved but is probably not the long-term solution the franchise should be looking for.
