1. Carolina Panthers (13-0; Last Week- No. 1)
The Panthers’ remaining three games: on the road vs the Giants, at home vs the Falcons, and at home vs the Buccaneers. Can they get to 16-0? If they really want to win all of those games, it would be a surprise if they didn’t.
The game this week against the Giants figures to be their toughest test, but we never know which Giants team is going to show up either.
The Falcons? They are a train wreck that the Panthers just annihilated on Sunday 38-0.
And then the Bucs, an inconsistent young team with a rookie quarterback. The Panthers already beat the Bucs 37-23 in Tampa Bay and get this one at home.
So, if the Panthers play anywhere close to the way they’re capable of, they should come out on the winning side of all of these games.
The bigger question is whether or not they will put the players on the field to allow that to happen. With one win and a Cardinals loss (or just two Panthers wins), the Panthers have the NFC’s No. 1 seed. If/when the Panthers have the No. 1 seed wrapped up, do they continue playing all of their stars or rest for the playoffs?
2. Arizona Cardinals (11-2; Last Week- No. 2)
When the playoffs arrive, the Cardinals will be prepared for the tough competition. They extended their winning streak to seven games by beating the Vikings in Week 14, and now face the Eagles on the road for Sunday Night Football, followed by games at home against the Packers and Seahawks to close out the season.
The Cardinals need just one win and a Packers loss, or just two wins to lock up a first-round bye in the NFC. As we keep talking about on here, Arizona is a complete team that matches up well vs anyone and will be an extremely difficult out in January.
3. New England Patriots (11-2; Last Week- No. 5)
A week ago, things weren’t going so great for the Patriots with Rob Gronkowski’s health in doubt and the team losing two straight games. But, Gronk was able to return for Week 14 and make big plays (4 receptions, 87 yards, 1 TD), helping the Pats blow out the Texans in Houston for Monday Night Football.
Even better for New England, the Broncos and Bengals lost, so the Patriots are back to the top seed in the AFC at the moment. The Patriots keeping the top seed would be bad, bad news for the rest of the AFC.
4. Seattle Seahawks (8-5; Last Week- No. 6)
Russell Wilson = fire emoji.
16 touchdowns, 0 interceptions over the last four weeks for Wilson. He all of a sudden leads the NFL in QB rating at 110.0, and finds himself at the top of TGS’ latest MVP tracker.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5; Last Week- No. 7)
Huge win by the Steelers in Cincinnati. The Steelers right now would not be in the playoffs, but they should find a way to get in with a favorable schedule: vs Denver (Steelers currently 6-point favorites), at Baltimore, and at Cleveland.
Pittsburgh has scored at least 30 points in five straight games, something never done before in their franchise’s storied history. This offense is rolling and they’re a team no one wants to face right now.
6. Denver Broncos (10-3; Last Week- No. 3)
Bad loss at home to the Raiders. Is it time to go back to Peyton Manning (when he’s ready)?
7. Cincinnati Bengals (10-3; Last Week- No. 4)
They desperately need Andy Dalton (broken thumb) to return for the playoffs, at least. He’s having a career year and then some, with 25 touchdowns, just seven interceptions, and a 106.3 QB rating.
8. Green Bay Packers (9-4; Last Week- No. 8)
The offense already looks better under Mike McCarthy’s play-calling.
9. Kansas City Chiefs (8-5; Last Week- No. 9)
Seven straight wins for the Chiefs. This is incredible. How are they doing this?
10. New York Jets (8-5; Last Week- No. 11)
Playing much better football lately, with wins in three consecutive weeks. They will need to keep it up to hold off the Chiefs and Steelers for a Wild Card spot, as all three teams have the same 8-5 record. That will be a really difficult task for the Jets with this final schedule: at Dallas, vs New England, at Buffalo.
11. Minnesota Vikings (8-5; Last Week- No. 10)
After two straight losses, the Vikings should view this game against the Bears in Minnesota as basically a must-win.
Week 17: Vikings at Packers. That could end up being for the NFC North crown.
12. New York Giants (6-7; Last Week- No. 18)
This game is too easy for Odell Beckham Jr.
13. Philadelphia Eagles (6-7; Last Week- No. 19)
The Eagles are playing better football, and largely because of improved play from Sam Bradford. They get a big test on Sunday night vs the Cardinals in Philadelphia.
14. Washington Redskins (6-7; Last Week- No. 17)
Impressive win by Washington over the Bears in Chicago.
If you had to guess who leads the NFL in completion percentage, the correct answer would likely be very far down your list of guesses: Kirk Cousins.
15. Buffalo Bills (6-7; Last Week- No. 12)
Killer loss to Philadelphia. Even if they were to win out and get to 9-7, it’s unlikely they would get in the playoffs with three other AFC Wild Card-chasing teams at 8-5 right now.
16. Oakland Raiders (6-7; Last Week- No. 20)
A massive, massive win for the Raiders in Denver.
Khalil Mack may only be in his second NFL season, but he is already a superstar. The outside linebacker had five sacks against Denver, and now leads the NFL with 14 sacks on the season.
17. Houston Texans (6-7; Last Week- No. 13)
It really hurts for the Texans to have to play the Colts in Week 15 — which could go a long way to deciding the AFC South title — without Brian Hoyer (concussion) at quarterback.
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7; Last Week- No. 15)
Tampa Bay has a must-win on Thursday night in St. Louis to stay alive in the NFC Wild Card race.
19. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-8; Last Week- No. 29; Biggest Riser)
51 points from the Jacksonville Jaguars, everybody! And that’s after they scored 39 points the week before (although in a loss to the Titans).
The Jaguars actually have a decent shot to win the AFC South. No, seriously.
20. Indianapolis Colts (6-7; Last Week- No. 14; Biggest Faller)
Just a brutal performance in Jacksonville. They need to get a win against a T.J. Yates-led Texans team this week.
21. Chicago Bears (5-8; Last Week- No. 16)
Two straight frustrating home losses for the Bears after they were playing some really solid football before that.
The Bears are now just 1-6 at home, compared to 4-2 on the road. Really weird.
22. New Orleans Saints (5-8; Last Week- No. 27)
Even with all of their flaws, they can still be a really tough team to play, because of Drew Brees. The Buccaneers learned that in Week 14.
23. Miami Dolphins (5-8; Last Week- No. 23)
The Dolphins just always leave you wanting more.
24. Detroit Lions (4-9; Last Week- No. 21)
Aaron Rodgers’ Hail Mary broke them (again).
25. Atlanta Falcons (6-7; Last Week- No. 22)
The Falcons are only looking worse every week in this losing streak, which is now at six games. It’s really like the Falcons and Chiefs traded teams around mid-season.
26. St. Louis Rams (4-8; Last Week- No. 26)
16 carries, 140 yards (8.8 yards per carry), two touchdowns for Todd Gurley in their win over the Lions. He’s on pace to run for 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns in his rookie season. Imagine if the Rams actually had a passing game to open up some more running lanes for Gurley.
27. Dallas Cowboys (4-9; Last Week- No. 24)
Exhibit A for the difference of having a quality starting quarterback vs having to start a backup quarterback in the NFL.
28. Tennessee Titans (3-10; Last Week- No. 38)
They have to go into New England to play the Patriots in Week 15. #PrayForTheTitans
29. San Diego Chargers (3-10; Last Week- No. 30)
The third time in four weeks that the Chargers have scored three points. Injuries have ruined them.
30. San Francisco 49ers (4-9; Last Week- No. 25)
They looked really good against the Bears in Chicago… and followed that up by losing to the Browns.
31. Baltimore Ravens (4-9; Last Week- No. 31)
They have to play the Chiefs, Steelers, and Bengals to finish off the season. Yikes.
32. Cleveland Browns (3-10; Last Week- No. 32)
Even though they actually got a win, they’re still the worst.
