Most teams are at least a game into their home stretch of the NFL season, with the few needing a bye finally getting it this week. As before, we don’t have a lot of movement at the top of the list. The rest is in constant chaos as injuries, horrible coaching and just bad luck continues to wreak havoc across the NFL’s have nots.
Here’s how I see it.
1. Philadelphia Eagles – (8-1) Coming off their bye, the Eagles are in the NFC driver’s seat. The Cowboys will have two tries try to knock them out of it. Last week: 1
2. New England Patriots – (7-2) It’s been a while since the Patriots were tested this season. Can the Raiders change that at home? New England is a different team on the road. Last week: No. 2
3. Pittsburgh Steelers – (7-2) The Steelers, not the Patriots, currently hold the top seed in the AFC if they playoffs started today. All that means is there’s no room for error against the Titans Thursday night. Last week: No. 3
4. Los Angeles Rams – (7-2) It’s been smooth sailing for the Rams offense for most of the last two months. They could be hitting choppy waters when they face the Vikings Sunday. Last week: No. 4
5. Minnesota Vikings – (7-2) Case Keenum gets a shot to go against his old team, the Rams, Sunday. For the Vikings sake, let’s hope he doesn’t play like he did for his old team. If so, it’ll be a long day in Minneapolis. Last week: No. 7
6. New Orleans Saints – (7-2) Here’s a fun fact in case you missed it; all the current teams leading their divisions in the NFC did not make the playoffs last season. The Saints should keep their part of the streak going Sunday against the Redskins. Last week: No. 8
7. Kansas City Chiefs – (6-3) It’s been a rough stretch for the Chiefs after they soared out the gate. It will be considerably easier here on out, starting with the Giants Sunday. Last week: No. 6
8. Dallas Cowboys – (5-4) With the way the season is shaking out, the Cowboys’ postseason shot could evaporate with a loss to the Eagles Sunday night. If Dak Prescott has any magic left, this is the time to use it. Last week: No. 5
9. Seattle Seahawks – (6-3) If ever there was a time not to lose Richard Sherman, it’s with the Falcons, Eagles, Rams and Cowboys still on the schedule. The difference between a playoff seed and a 8-8/9-7 season is razor thin for this squad. Last week: No. 9
10. Carolina Panthers – (7-3) The Panthers are 2-0 since trading Kelvin Benjamin and head into the bye right on the Saints’ heels in the NFC South. Last week: No. 12
11. Tennessee Titans – (6-3) Mike Mularkey led the Titans not only to three wins in a row, but four. If he makes it five, we’ll move beyond the Book of Revelations and right into the Bhagavad Gita. Anybody know how to defend yourself against a blue, six armed demigod from the center of the earth? Last week: No. 14
12. Jacksonville Jaguars – (6-3) Jags safety Tashaun Gipson hurt the Browns’ feelings this week, saying his team will beat them by 40 points. They’ll show him by just losing by 35. Last week: No. 16
13. Detroit Lions – (5-4) Right as the race to the finish line begins, the Lions get the Browns then the Bears. Jim Caldwell must be living right. Last week: No. 13
14. Washington Redskins – (4-5) Speaking of living right, I don’t know what Jay Gruden did to earn this monster schedule for the Redskins, but hasn’t he suffered enough? Last week: No. 14
15. Oakland Raiders – (4-5) The Raiders’ season is on the line again. Last time they faced a do or die game, they pulled it out in the final seconds in a 31-30 victory over the Chiefs. Can they do the same against the Patriots Sunday? Last week: No. 11
16. Buffalo Bills – (5-4) There you are, Bills. I see you now. You’re like the Cardinals last year. The good, bad team. Welcome to the NFL Nathan Peterman. Last week: No. 15
17. Miami Dolphins – (4-5) The Dolphins finally get the chance to play the Buccaneers this week after the game was pushed from Week One. I remember Week One. It was the only time anyone cared about this game. Last week: No. 17
18. Green Bay Packers – (5-4) Brett Hundley showed what he could do last week against the Bears. Can he make it two in a row against the Ravens and keep the Packers in the hunt? Last week: No. 19
19. Atlanta Falcons – (5-4) Where was this team that beat the Cowboys 27-7 before Sunday? Are they here for good? We’ll find out Monday night against the Seahawks. Last week: No. 20
20. Arizona Cardinals – (4-5) Is that Blaine Gabbert’s music or is a monkey farting into a vavuzela? Last week: No. 22
21. Baltimore Ravens – (4-5) This team knows it’s not been the Browns for like 20 years, right? They’re looking awfully Clevelandy lately. Last week: No. 24
22. Houston Texans – (3-6) Is there any way the Texans can just go ahead and sim to the NFL draft? They don’t have a first or second round pick, but still. Last week: No. 18
23. Los Angeles Chargers – (3-6) Look at you, Chargers, favored to win over a winning team. I’m sure Anthony Lynn will find some way to screw it up. Last week: No. 21
24. Denver Broncos – (3-6) You might as well stick with Brock Osweiler until Paxton Lynch is healthy enough to start Broncos. No reason to screw up your Top 10 draft position for pride. You should have none left after giving up 41 points to the Patriots anyway. Last week: No. 23
25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – (3-6) You can’t stop Ryan Fitzpatrick, you can only give him a contract extension and then he stops himself. Last week: No. 29
26. New York Jets – (4-6) Is it too late to go ahead and tank the rest of the season? 4-12 should still get you in the Top Eight, Jets. Last week: No. 25
27. Cincinnati Bengals – (3-6) Speaking of tanking, maybe it’s time for the Bengals to start looking to next season. It might be time for a new coach and quarterback combination too. Last week: No. 27
28. Indianapolis Colts – (3-7) The Colts finally get their bye. Jacoby Brissett gets to recover from a possible concussion and Indy can see if their next head coaching target chooses the University of Tennessee instead. Last week: No. 26
29. Chicago Bears – (3-6) Winning with Mitchell Trubisky was fun while it lasted. Try to remember those days when you finish 4-12. Last week: No. 28
30. San Francisco 49ers – (1-9) And just like that, the 49ers are no longer winless. With thier bye this week, there’s a good chance we’ll get to see Jimmy Garoppolo against the Seahawks on Nov. 26. Last week: No. 31
31. New York Giants – (1-8) Ben McAdoo and the team had a tough, heartfelt meeting this week that was well overdue. Much like McAdoo’s firing. Last week: No. 31
32. Cleveland Browns – (0-9) You don’t want Tashaun Gipson to make fun of you Browns? Suck considerably less. Last week: No. 32
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