We’re officially into the second half of the NFL season, which explains why there’s barely any movement at the top of the list, or the bottom for that matter. No, the good teams have risen to the top like cream and the bad teams have floated to the bottom like turds. It’s that middle group that does the moving.
Let’s take a look at it.
1. Philadelphia Eagles – (8-1) After another double digit win, the Eagles are firmly in the driver’s seat in the NFC with seven games to go. They also have two weeks, thanks to the late bye, to prepare for the Cowboys. Last week: 1
2. New England Patriots – (6-2) Like the Eagles, the Patriots control their home field advantage prospects in the AFC. They just have to keep pace with the Steelers until their Dec. 17 match up. Last week: No. 2
3. Pittsburgh Steelers – (6-2) If the playoffs started today, the Steelers would be the top seed in the AFC. Make no mistake, they have that Dec. 17 game circled too, Pats. Last week: No. 3
4. Los Angeles Rams – (6-2) Jared Goff and Carson Wentz will always be linked by being taken Nos. 1 and 2 in the 2016 draft. They’ll meet up for the first time on Dec. 10 in L.A. They might meet up again in the NFC Championship. Last week: No. 4
5. Dallas Cowboys – (5-3) If any team can screw up the Rams vs Eagles NFC title game, it’s the Cowboys and the other big name quarterback to come out of the draft, Dak Prescott. He’ll have to do it without Ezekiel Elliott for the next six games. Last week: No. 6
6. Kansas City Chiefs – (6-3) The Chiefs have lost three of their last four games, but all to contenders. It just shows how strong this team obviously is that no one is writing them off just yet. Their schedule is about to get a whole lot easier. Last week: No. 5
7. Minnesota Vikings – (6-2) Sam Bradford is on injured reserve, ending his tenure in Minnesota and Teddy Bridgewater may be ready to practice. Regardless of that, this is still Case Keenum’s team for now. Sorry, Vikings fans. It’s about to come crashing down. Last week: No. 8
8. New Orleans Saints – (6-2) The Saints have won six games in a row which, if my math is correct, makes them the hottest team in the league outside of Philadelphia. Maybe the Cowboys aren’t the only team that can screw up that Goff vs Wentz showdown in the playoffs. Last week: No. 9
9. Seattle Seahawks – (5-3) The defense gave up a late score in a loss to the Redskins last week. They should have a considerably easier time against the Arizona Cardinals’ offense Thursday night. Last week: No. 7
10. Washington Redskins – (4-4) Just when you think the Redskins are dead, they stick a clawed hand out from the grave. Can they pull a Jason Vorhees on the Vikings Sunday? Last week: No. 10
11. Oakland Raiders – (4-5) Am I still drinking the preseason Kool-Aid with this ranking, Raiders? How about you back me up by coming out of the bye on fire, winning the rest of the way? Last week: No. 11
12. Carolina Panthers – (6-3) No Kelvin Benjamin, no problem. As long as they have that defense and Cam Newton, the Panthers are in every game. Last week: No. 12
13. Detroit Lions – (4-4) With Aaron Rodgers out in Green Bay and Case Keenum quarterbacking the Vikings, the NFC North is wide open. Can Jim Caldwell muster the troops to take it? Last week: No. 13
14. Tennessee Titans – (5-3) Congratulations, Mike Mularkey, on the first three game winning steak of your career. I bet you can’t make it four. Last week: No. 16
15. Buffalo Bills – (5-3) So I finally pick you, Bills, and you fill the bedsheets with every bit of refuse you can muster against the Jets. You suck. Last week: No. 14
16. Jacksonville Jaguars – (5-3) It’s a two way battle in the AFC South between the Titans and Jaguars. With the Rams and Eagles both good again, we’re partying like it’s 1999. Last week: No. 18
17. Miami Dolphins – (4-4) As poorly as the Dolphins have played at times this season, they’re not only still in the playoff mix, they’re in contention for the AFC East. Unreal. Last week: No. 17
18. Houston Texans – (3-5) Everyone is putting up the Colin Kaepernick signal in Houston. Do you really think Bob “Prison Warden” McNair will make that move? Come on. NFL owner collusion or not, McNair’s not the guy to end Kap’s unemployment. It’d be easier for Kaepernick to get a job at Papa John’s. Last week: No. 15
19. Green Bay Packers – (4-4) You’ve had an extra week to prepare for the Lions, Brett Hundley. Show us what you can do. Last week: No. 19
20. Atlanta Falcons – (4-4) And again I ask, how does Steve Sarkisian still have a job? Last week: No. 20
21. Los Angeles Chargers – (3-5) Anthony Lynn had an extra week to prepare for the Jaguars. That means Los Angeles will lose by twice as many points, right? Last week: No. 21
22. Arizona Cardinals – (4-4) The Cardinals can resuscitate their season with a win over the Seahawks Thursday night. Does Drew Stanton have the CPR skills? Last week: No. 24
23. Denver Broncos – (3-5) This a swoon that would make a southern belle in July jealous, Denver. Last week: No. 22
24. Baltimore Ravens – (4-5) The bye will help you prepare the gameplans for the inevitable 8-8 record you’ll finish with, Ravens. Last week: No. 23
25. New York Jets – (4-5) If your plan was to tank the season, New York, you didn’t inform Todd Bowles and the defense. If Bowles is out with the Jets, he shouldn’t have trouble landing another job. Last week: No. 25
26. Indianapolis Colts – (3-6) Andrew Luck is now officially out for the season. It’s your rodeo now, Jacoby Brissett. Ride it out. Last week: No. 29
27. Cincinnati Bengals – (3-5) Marvin Lewis is probably already planning his retirement party, but there’s a few more wins on the schedule, beginning with the Titans Sunday. Last week: No. 27
28. Chicago Bears – (3-5) Will John Fox survive another end of season head coach cull? A win over the Packers Sunday will help. Last week: No. 26
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – (2-6) One guy who won’t survive that end of season guillotine is Dirk Koetter. The only question now is if he makes it that final game.. Last week: No. 28
30. New York Giants – (1-7) Good news for Ben McAdoo, speaking of coaches who should be fired. The Giants said Thursday they won’t shitcan him until after the season. So that’s a few more game checks, Benny boy. Open a savings account. Last week: No. 30
31. San Francisco 49ers – (0-9) The fans are calling for Jimmy Garoppolo, but Kyle Shanahan’s not pulling that trigger until he knows for sure he has a top three draft pick. Last week: No. 31
32. Cleveland Browns – (0-8) The good news with the bye last week, you didn’t have to lose a game, Cleveland. Didn’t that feel good? Last week: No. 32
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