The Bengals are on a hot streak and just earned a huge victory over the Chiefs, earning them a move up into the top 5. Photo Courtesy of katie Stratman/USA TODAY Sports.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (11-1) (↑1)
The Eagles dismantled the Titans and put on a clinic on both sides of the ball. They are the most balanced offense in the league and can win in multiple ways. They should lock up the 1 seed in the NFC soon.
2. Buffalo Bills (9-3) (↑3)
They have played a cleaner brand of football lately and the run game has been more efficient, and seem to be rounding into form with tons of huge games ahead.
3. Dallas Cowboys (9-3) –
They had a close game for a while but pulled away in the 4th quarter and put 54 points on the board. The run game was great, the pass game was good, and the defense was able to get after the quarterback, and the team is rolling right now. The only worries for this team is that the run defense is not great and Dak can be careless with the football and throws some interceptions.
4. Cincinnati Bengals (8-4) (↑3)
Huge win for the Bengals over the Chiefs where Samaje Perine had another big day while stepping in for Joe Mixon, Joe Burrow and the passing attack were efficient, and the defense played well and, once again, gave the Chiefs a difficult time.
5. Kansas City Chiefs (9-3) (↓5)
The Chiefs are still a great team and have a good balanced attack, but started slow, which hurt their chances of winning. They were still competitive in the game and have a light schedule the rest of the way, but if they run into the Bengals in the playoffs, they need to find some answers.
6. San Francisco 49ers (8-4) (↓2)
Great win over the Dolphins where the defense was dominant, but Jimmy Garropolo is out for the season, which is a blow. But, Brock Purdy played well, they still have tons of weapons, and their defense is great, so they should still be competitive. Although because of the uncertainty, they will drop in the rankings.
7. Minnesota Vikings (10-2) (↑1)
They won in classic Vikings fashion, where they had a close game but had a big goal line stand and made a game-sealing interception.
8. Miami Dolphins (8-4) (↓2)
They went up against a tough defense with a depleted offensive line, which clearly affected their performance poorly. They could not run the ball efficiently and Tua struggled, which ultimately cannot happen if this team wants to win. It will be interesting to see if this team can play cold weather football.
9. Baltimore Ravens (8-4) (↑2)
The offense has been struggling lately and now Lamar Jackson is injured and could miss a week or two. Even with the win, they are trending in the wrong direction, while the Bengals are trending in the right direction, as they race to be the AFC North champion. But, the talent of teams around this area of the ranking is subpar, so they move up.
10. New York Jets (7-5) –
They lost a close game where they played well, but could not capitalize on scoring opportunities, especially when they could not score on multiple tries from the 1 yard line.
11. Tennessee Titans (7-5) (↓2)
The Titans cannot run the ball lately and struggle to play from behind. Treylon Burks was knocked out of the game on his touchdown catch, hurt the offense, and after that they could not pass the ball well. They ultimately could not keep up with the Eagles offense or stop their passing attack, and the Titans lose another game that goes against their winning formula.
12. Seattle Seahawks (7-5) (↑2)
The passing attack was great, but the rushing attack was not good after Kenneth Walker got hurt, and he could be out for some time. Also, the defense struggled with a poor offense, but were able to get many sacks and stops when necessary, and ultimately they got the win.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6) (↑3)
The offense struggled all game but was able to come up clutch in the end. They should win the division, but they need to fix a ton of what they’re doing.
T-14. Washington Commanders (7-5-1) (↓1)
Played pretty well but I still do not trust Heinicke’s decision making, although he did make a few nice throws. Defense played well. A tie is better than a loss but not as good as a win.
T-14. New York Giants (7-4-1) (↑1)
I liked how they played for the most part and they were competitive, but ending in a tie hurts, but as said previously, a tie is better than a loss (but not as good as a win).
16. New England Patriots (6-6) (↓4)
They were outplayed by the Bills and just do not have the talent to keep up with teams that have more explosiveness. But do not give up on this team just yet because they can find ways to win games.
17. Green Bay Packers (5-8) (↑4)
The Packers are not out of it just yet and showed some fight yesterday with a come from behind victory in the 4th quarter. They head into a bye week looking to get rest before a very important four game stretch to close out the season.
18. Las Vegas Raiders (5-7) (↑2)
After a slow start, they turned it around. They fed the ball to their best weapons, Josh Jacobs and Davante Adams, which worked greatly, as they both had huge days. The defense also stepped up and played well enough to get the victory. The Raiders are quietly turning it around.
19. Los Angeles Chargers (6-6) (↓4)
This team still struggles to run the ball and push the ball downfield consistently because of their lack of a deep threat and they could not do enough to win.
20. Detroit Lions (5-7) (↑2)
The offense had a field day against the Jaguars, putting up 40 points, and the defense also played well. They are hitting their stride at the right time and are still competing for a playoff spot.
21. Cleveland Browns (5-7) (↓2)
In Deshaun Watson’s return, the offense struggled mightily, which was expected after his almost 2 year hiatus from the NFL football field. The defense and special teams came in clutch to help get the win, but the offense needs to clean it up.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-7) (↑4)
They earned a victory over another team that is not very good, nothing special.
23. Arizona Cardinals (4-8) –
Out of the bye week, they host the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football.
24. Carolina Panthers (4-8) –
Out of their bye weeks they have some winnable games, and while I do not think they will be 5-0, they can be competitive in each game.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-8) (↓7)
They got their doors blown off. The offense was not good and the defense was atrocious. Another game that shows this team’s inconsistent nature.
26. Atlanta Falcons (5-8) (↓1)
A loss to another team that is not very good, not much here.
27. Chicago Bears (3-10) –
Another game in which the Bears struggled to close it out and lost.
28. Los Angeles Rams (3-9) (↑2)
Played their division rival close and were close to a win, but this is a lost season.
29. New Orleans Saints (4-9) –
The Saints handed that game to the Bucs. Bad time management, bad play calling, bad execution, confusing personnel decisions. Why is Mark Ingram taking so many touches away from Alvin Kamara? An embarrassing way to lose.
30. Indianapolis Colts (4-8-1) (↓2)
Kept it close into the third quarter but then had a few turnovers and they fell apart.
31. Denver Broncos (3-9) –
Nothing new.
32. Houston Texans (1-10-1) –