stormtrooper8
- Joined
- May 30, 2022
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- 11,156
This week's rankings. Last week in parentheses:
1. Eagles (1) - Another convincing win for Philly, who continues to not slip up and looks like a college team heading towards a first round bye. The offense continues to be dominant, as Hurts looks like the frontrunner to be MVP after a tremendous improvement this season. The feel good tour continues as Philly heads to Chicago to take on a bad Bears team without much to play for.
2. Chiefs (2) - Kind of a weird game in Denver, as the Chiefs looked so dominant for stretches then so vulnerable for others. The offense looked smooth, but the defense left a lot to be desired, and I worry that some of the youth on their back end is going to catch up to them. They now go to play the Texans with the 1 seed well within their reach.
3. Bengals (4) - It wasn’t a pretty performance, as the offense was a little bit flat at first. But the running game continued to be effective, and the defense played well enough to hold a good running game in Cleveland in check. Up next is a tricky game in Tampa to face a Bucs team that will be pretty pissed after a dreadful performance.
4. Cowboys (3) - Pretty awful game at home against Houston. Dallas just looked so flat on both sides of the ball, and I guess that’s not a shocker given they were playing a tanking team. Nonetheless, some vulnerability was present and I think them moving behind Cincy, for now, is justified. They now head to Jacksonville to take on a plucky little Jags team
5. 49ers (6) - Looks like a new sheriff is in town – Big Cock Brock! Great performance from the rookie, and quite an impressive team performance. The Deebo injury looked scary, but word is he’ll be back before the end of the regular season. They have an opportunity to clinch the division in Seattle on Thursday night.
6. Bills (5) - Another shaky outing for Buffalo, though the defense really was able to bring the heat. They let New York hand around longer than it should’ve, but a divisional win is always nice. Buffalo maintains its position in the hunt for the 1 seed, as they head home to play host to the suddenly struggling Dolphins on Saturday
7. Ravens (7) - Look, this team kinda sucks right now. And their QB situation is precarious. But their defense has really improved over the course of the season despite giving up some serious yardage to Mitch Trubisky. They keep finding ways to win, which I guess counts for something. They head on the road to Cleveland to face a Browns team that is out of contention on Saturday, though they will be a short dog.
8. Patriots (11) - There was a lot of carnage this past week. By default, after a convincing win, the New England Patriots slip into the 8 spot despite being a clearly limited and flawed team. Thanks to the win though, they are very much in the playoff mix and have an opportunity to play a dejected Raiders team in Vegas on Sunday. Good for them.
9. Vikings (8) - I can’t drop them too much despite another pitiful defensive performance. This team has a lot of issues, and their luck may start to turn the other way. They look out of the 1 seed race now, but they will have to fight hard to hold onto the 2 seed down the stretch with the 49ers just a game back now. They do get to play the lifeless Colts at home on Saturday, though they are only a small favorite.
10. Titans (10) - Again, they’re kinda here by default. They are on quite a skid right now, but a lot of teams in this range are struggling, and with some higher stakes games upcoming I expect this team to step it up a bit down the stretch. Going to LA is going to be tough against a Chargers team right in the mix as well, but I do think they still have the pieces to play well down the stretch.
11. Dolphins (32) - Basement punishment revoked despite the loss. Tua has really come crashing back down to Earth after two bad games, and the Dolphins look like a team on the cusp of unraveling. But they are still respectable with their perimeter weapons, and think they still have a decent shot at the playoffs. This week will not be easy though, as they need to go to Buffalo.
12. Bucs (9) - This Tampa team continues to struggle on the line, and particularly in run-blocking. I don’t see how this team can solve this problem, though I do expect their defense to play A LOT better down the stretch than it did against the 49ers. They are thankful they are in the worst division in the league, as that’s the only thing keeping them in this. They now get to play a tough and hot Bengals team, but it is at home.
13. Commanders (13) - This Washington team is in an interesting position, coming off a bye week to play the same team it just tied with for the second consecutive time, though this time at home. Can this team finish the job and get into the playoffs? With everything on going around them, you have to like their chances.
14. Seahawks (12) - The defense continues to regress, and Geno hasn’t been quite as efficient as of late. The good news for them is that they at least get Walker back (it looks like) for their home date against the 49ers on Thursday night. Their division hopes are fairly slim, though they can stay in that race and make a great push for a playoff spot with a win.
15. Chargers (17) - They remain an incomplete football team, and let the Dolphins hang around too much. But they have reversed their fortunes in close games this year, and continue to find ways to come out on top despite the injuries. They have a huge game at home against the Titans this weekend, with major playoff implications for them.
16. Lions (16) - This team continues to play better and better at the right time. They have put themselves right back into the playoff mix, despite having a pretty vulnerable defense, with an offense and quarterback play that has been near the top of the league recently. They visit the Meadowlands this weekend with an opportunity to .500.
17. Jets (14) - Their defense has proven to be no joke over the course of the year, and I like some of their offensive weapons. But they feel like a team that is a year or two away from being legit. Nevertheless, they are right in the playoff mix despite the loss in Buffalo this past weekend. They play host to the surging Lions in an expectedly late-season, important matchup between the two.
18. Giants (15) - This team has really started to regress back to the norm. After getting some nice bounces early in the year and getting out to a nice record, this team is closing in on mediocrity. The lack of run game really ruins everything, as Jones can’t lead this team much. Their defense also is starting to falter a bit, and that gashing by Philly doesn’t create much optimism. New York now travels to the nation’s capital to take on their divisional rival in a pivotal match-up with playoff implications.
19. Steelers (18) - This team was able to move the ball a bit against a shaky Baltimore D, but still couldn’t find a way to win thanks for 3 picks from Mitch Trubisky. The shaky season continues for the Steelers, who are pretty much eliminated from playoff contention. They hit the road to play a Panthers team who, despite having the same record as Pittsburgh, very well could win its own division and host a playoff game.
20. Falcons (20) - Fresh off a bye, Atlanta hits the road to take on a struggling New Orleans team also off a bye. The Falcons figure to be in the mix, though playing the rookie QB may signal something different.
21. Raiders (19) - The defense finally looked great – until that historic meltdown and choke job to Baker Mayfield, which basically ended their playoff hopes. This team has a bit of talent offensively, but their lack of skill on defense plus questionable coaching has really haunted them this year. Now they host a Patriots team that is looking to get itself in the playoff field.
22. Packers (21) - They’re basically dead, so what should we expect from this team? They have the Rams on Monday night. I think we all expected that game to have some importance at the beginning of the year.
23. Jaguars (25) - After a pitiful game, the Jags came back and got a nice road win in Tennessee. They are technically not completely dead yet, given the Titans are faltering a bit and the Colts/Texans both suck. They go back home to Jacksonville to take on a Cowboys team that may be hungry after a bad performance.
24. Cardinals (22) - Poor Kyler, who likely tore his ACL. He has been disappointing, but hard to see a player get hurt like that. Kingsbury is a dead man walking. This team doesn’t have much to play for at this point, but they unfortunately will take the field in a beautiful match-up with the Denver Broncos on Sunday
25. Bears (24) - Curious to see how this team plays after a bye with Fields. The Eagles are rolling so this will not be easy, but I think this team is going to play hard until the end
26. Panthers (29) - Great win for Carolina, getting its first road win of the year and surprisingly getting right into the playoff hunt. The offense does seem to have a little more juice with Sam Darnold in there. They have a winnable home game against the Steelers, and could very well be leading the division at the end of the weekend.
27. Rams (28) - Has the Baker Mayfield era begun? After another putrid offensive showing, the Rams completed a furious rally to pull off a crazy upset against Vegas. Baker had one of the best moments of his career – not saying much I guess. Now he hits the road to take on Aaron Rodgers and the disappointing Packers.
28. Browns (23) - They looked better defensively, but ultimately faltered. The offense could not get anything going really. The season is now over (basically), so I wonder how much fight they will have in these next games. They play Baltimore at home on Saturday and are a short favorite.
29. Colts (26) - Harsh to move em’ down on a bye, but what are you gonna do? There’s still a lot of stench from that SNF loss to the Cowboys. Now they visit the Vikings on Saturday. Can they pull off the upset?
30. Saints (27) - Sad year for the Saints. Coming off a bye, they have to win to keep any sort of faint divisional hopes, as well as get a lot of help. Winning has not been easy for them, though
31. Broncos (30) - This team looks really bad. The comeback aside, their defense finally gave in and overshadowed their best offensive showing of the year. What a trainwreck this team is. I guess they are at least keeping games close now. Cardinals at home this weekend.
32. Texans (31) - Best game of the year from Houston, who nearly pulled off the upset of the year in the NFL. Their defense looked grounded, and their offense played a lot more fluid with both QB’s Mills and Driskel. They are tanking with style. They get to host the Chiefs on Sunday. That should help with tanking.
1. Eagles (1) - Another convincing win for Philly, who continues to not slip up and looks like a college team heading towards a first round bye. The offense continues to be dominant, as Hurts looks like the frontrunner to be MVP after a tremendous improvement this season. The feel good tour continues as Philly heads to Chicago to take on a bad Bears team without much to play for.
2. Chiefs (2) - Kind of a weird game in Denver, as the Chiefs looked so dominant for stretches then so vulnerable for others. The offense looked smooth, but the defense left a lot to be desired, and I worry that some of the youth on their back end is going to catch up to them. They now go to play the Texans with the 1 seed well within their reach.
3. Bengals (4) - It wasn’t a pretty performance, as the offense was a little bit flat at first. But the running game continued to be effective, and the defense played well enough to hold a good running game in Cleveland in check. Up next is a tricky game in Tampa to face a Bucs team that will be pretty pissed after a dreadful performance.
4. Cowboys (3) - Pretty awful game at home against Houston. Dallas just looked so flat on both sides of the ball, and I guess that’s not a shocker given they were playing a tanking team. Nonetheless, some vulnerability was present and I think them moving behind Cincy, for now, is justified. They now head to Jacksonville to take on a plucky little Jags team
5. 49ers (6) - Looks like a new sheriff is in town – Big Cock Brock! Great performance from the rookie, and quite an impressive team performance. The Deebo injury looked scary, but word is he’ll be back before the end of the regular season. They have an opportunity to clinch the division in Seattle on Thursday night.
6. Bills (5) - Another shaky outing for Buffalo, though the defense really was able to bring the heat. They let New York hand around longer than it should’ve, but a divisional win is always nice. Buffalo maintains its position in the hunt for the 1 seed, as they head home to play host to the suddenly struggling Dolphins on Saturday
7. Ravens (7) - Look, this team kinda sucks right now. And their QB situation is precarious. But their defense has really improved over the course of the season despite giving up some serious yardage to Mitch Trubisky. They keep finding ways to win, which I guess counts for something. They head on the road to Cleveland to face a Browns team that is out of contention on Saturday, though they will be a short dog.
8. Patriots (11) - There was a lot of carnage this past week. By default, after a convincing win, the New England Patriots slip into the 8 spot despite being a clearly limited and flawed team. Thanks to the win though, they are very much in the playoff mix and have an opportunity to play a dejected Raiders team in Vegas on Sunday. Good for them.
9. Vikings (8) - I can’t drop them too much despite another pitiful defensive performance. This team has a lot of issues, and their luck may start to turn the other way. They look out of the 1 seed race now, but they will have to fight hard to hold onto the 2 seed down the stretch with the 49ers just a game back now. They do get to play the lifeless Colts at home on Saturday, though they are only a small favorite.
10. Titans (10) - Again, they’re kinda here by default. They are on quite a skid right now, but a lot of teams in this range are struggling, and with some higher stakes games upcoming I expect this team to step it up a bit down the stretch. Going to LA is going to be tough against a Chargers team right in the mix as well, but I do think they still have the pieces to play well down the stretch.
11. Dolphins (32) - Basement punishment revoked despite the loss. Tua has really come crashing back down to Earth after two bad games, and the Dolphins look like a team on the cusp of unraveling. But they are still respectable with their perimeter weapons, and think they still have a decent shot at the playoffs. This week will not be easy though, as they need to go to Buffalo.
12. Bucs (9) - This Tampa team continues to struggle on the line, and particularly in run-blocking. I don’t see how this team can solve this problem, though I do expect their defense to play A LOT better down the stretch than it did against the 49ers. They are thankful they are in the worst division in the league, as that’s the only thing keeping them in this. They now get to play a tough and hot Bengals team, but it is at home.
13. Commanders (13) - This Washington team is in an interesting position, coming off a bye week to play the same team it just tied with for the second consecutive time, though this time at home. Can this team finish the job and get into the playoffs? With everything on going around them, you have to like their chances.
14. Seahawks (12) - The defense continues to regress, and Geno hasn’t been quite as efficient as of late. The good news for them is that they at least get Walker back (it looks like) for their home date against the 49ers on Thursday night. Their division hopes are fairly slim, though they can stay in that race and make a great push for a playoff spot with a win.
15. Chargers (17) - They remain an incomplete football team, and let the Dolphins hang around too much. But they have reversed their fortunes in close games this year, and continue to find ways to come out on top despite the injuries. They have a huge game at home against the Titans this weekend, with major playoff implications for them.
16. Lions (16) - This team continues to play better and better at the right time. They have put themselves right back into the playoff mix, despite having a pretty vulnerable defense, with an offense and quarterback play that has been near the top of the league recently. They visit the Meadowlands this weekend with an opportunity to .500.
17. Jets (14) - Their defense has proven to be no joke over the course of the year, and I like some of their offensive weapons. But they feel like a team that is a year or two away from being legit. Nevertheless, they are right in the playoff mix despite the loss in Buffalo this past weekend. They play host to the surging Lions in an expectedly late-season, important matchup between the two.
18. Giants (15) - This team has really started to regress back to the norm. After getting some nice bounces early in the year and getting out to a nice record, this team is closing in on mediocrity. The lack of run game really ruins everything, as Jones can’t lead this team much. Their defense also is starting to falter a bit, and that gashing by Philly doesn’t create much optimism. New York now travels to the nation’s capital to take on their divisional rival in a pivotal match-up with playoff implications.
19. Steelers (18) - This team was able to move the ball a bit against a shaky Baltimore D, but still couldn’t find a way to win thanks for 3 picks from Mitch Trubisky. The shaky season continues for the Steelers, who are pretty much eliminated from playoff contention. They hit the road to play a Panthers team who, despite having the same record as Pittsburgh, very well could win its own division and host a playoff game.
20. Falcons (20) - Fresh off a bye, Atlanta hits the road to take on a struggling New Orleans team also off a bye. The Falcons figure to be in the mix, though playing the rookie QB may signal something different.
21. Raiders (19) - The defense finally looked great – until that historic meltdown and choke job to Baker Mayfield, which basically ended their playoff hopes. This team has a bit of talent offensively, but their lack of skill on defense plus questionable coaching has really haunted them this year. Now they host a Patriots team that is looking to get itself in the playoff field.
22. Packers (21) - They’re basically dead, so what should we expect from this team? They have the Rams on Monday night. I think we all expected that game to have some importance at the beginning of the year.
23. Jaguars (25) - After a pitiful game, the Jags came back and got a nice road win in Tennessee. They are technically not completely dead yet, given the Titans are faltering a bit and the Colts/Texans both suck. They go back home to Jacksonville to take on a Cowboys team that may be hungry after a bad performance.
24. Cardinals (22) - Poor Kyler, who likely tore his ACL. He has been disappointing, but hard to see a player get hurt like that. Kingsbury is a dead man walking. This team doesn’t have much to play for at this point, but they unfortunately will take the field in a beautiful match-up with the Denver Broncos on Sunday
25. Bears (24) - Curious to see how this team plays after a bye with Fields. The Eagles are rolling so this will not be easy, but I think this team is going to play hard until the end
26. Panthers (29) - Great win for Carolina, getting its first road win of the year and surprisingly getting right into the playoff hunt. The offense does seem to have a little more juice with Sam Darnold in there. They have a winnable home game against the Steelers, and could very well be leading the division at the end of the weekend.
27. Rams (28) - Has the Baker Mayfield era begun? After another putrid offensive showing, the Rams completed a furious rally to pull off a crazy upset against Vegas. Baker had one of the best moments of his career – not saying much I guess. Now he hits the road to take on Aaron Rodgers and the disappointing Packers.
28. Browns (23) - They looked better defensively, but ultimately faltered. The offense could not get anything going really. The season is now over (basically), so I wonder how much fight they will have in these next games. They play Baltimore at home on Saturday and are a short favorite.
29. Colts (26) - Harsh to move em’ down on a bye, but what are you gonna do? There’s still a lot of stench from that SNF loss to the Cowboys. Now they visit the Vikings on Saturday. Can they pull off the upset?
30. Saints (27) - Sad year for the Saints. Coming off a bye, they have to win to keep any sort of faint divisional hopes, as well as get a lot of help. Winning has not been easy for them, though
31. Broncos (30) - This team looks really bad. The comeback aside, their defense finally gave in and overshadowed their best offensive showing of the year. What a trainwreck this team is. I guess they are at least keeping games close now. Cardinals at home this weekend.
32. Texans (31) - Best game of the year from Houston, who nearly pulled off the upset of the year in the NFL. Their defense looked grounded, and their offense played a lot more fluid with both QB’s Mills and Driskel. They are tanking with style. They get to host the Chiefs on Sunday. That should help with tanking.
