Kansas City Chiefs (13-1) – Despite WR Tyreek Hill’s uninformed opinion that some dude who quit on three different teams during his NFL career is the best WR of all time the Chiefs remain in the top spot. Patrick Mahomes is on another level and the Chiefs defense doesn’t get the credit it deserves for their weekly effort. The Chiefs defense is once again a top 10 unit and a great compliment to their explosive offense. The Chiefs can be beat but it’s going to take a near perfect effort to eliminate them in January. By the way, Jerry Rice is the greatest WR and maybe player I have ever seen on a football field. Jerry Rice was making plays before Tyreek Hill was even a gleam in his daddy’s nut sack. Case closed.
Seattle Seahawks (10-4) – The Seattle defense led the team to another win and they are now nipping at the heels of the NFC’s #1 seed Green Bay Packers. If the defense was good just this last weekend I would say it’s only because they faced QB Dwayne Haskins. However, since Seattle traded for DE Carlos Dunlap and S jamal Adams retuned from a hamstring injury the Seattle defense went from histrorically bad to slightly above average. That may not sound like much but when you consider they are led by elite garden gnome, QB Russell Wilson and two dynamic WRs in DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, slightly above average is good enough to win a Super Bowl.
Tennessee Titans (10-4) – RB Derrick Henry is having a monster year and is the engine to this Titans team. QB Ryan Tannehill has quietly become the most underrated QB in the NFL. The Titans defense is solid but overall lacks difference makers. I still believe the Titans will be the Chiefs toughest test come playoff time because of their ability to control the clock with the run game.
New Orleans Saints (10-4) – Drew Brees is back and the Saints lose their second in a row. The Saints 3 point loss at home to the Chiefs wasn’t as close as the score would indicate. A positive coming out of the loss was even without star WR Micheal Thomas, Drew Brees was able to complete throws down the field. If Brees can continue to threaten defenses vertically on a consistent basis they will be tough to defend in the playoffs. Alvin Kamara, a very versitile, explosive RB needs the benefit of a vertical passing game to make him more effective running the football. The Saints defense which had been playing well struggled to slow down the Chiefs offense but what defense doesn’t have trouble with KC?
Buffalo Bills (11-3) – The Bills did what they were expected to do. They kicked the snot out of a bad Broncos team. Denver isn’t very good but they don’t lack for talent. This was an impressive win for the Bills on the road at altitude. Buffalo is on a role at the right time. If QB Josh Allen can protect the football the Bills are capable of beating just about any team. The Bills have a solid defense but I still believe they need a differnce maker, on the defensive side of the ball.
Cleveland Browns (10-4) – QB Baker Mayfield continues to ball and the Browns dominate the Giants on the road. Cleveland has the most talented one two punch backfield in the NFL. RBs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are both elite and take a lot of pressure off of Mayfield. The Browns running game could pay big dividends in January when it’s harder to throw. Like the Titans they have the ability to control the clock, shorten the game and limit the opposition’s possessions. WR Jarvis Landry is the man in the pass game and catches everything in his area code. The defense is solid and boasts elite pass rusher DE Myles Garrett. DE Oliver Vernon has been on fire the last few weeks and he gives Cleveland a threat on both edges. If Baker Mayfield can continue his impressive play Cleveland could overtake Pittsburgh for it’s first division title since the Titanic sank.
Indianapolis Colts (10-4) – The Colts have a very good defense, led by elite LB Darius Leonard and DT DeForrest Buckner. QB Philip Rivers has helped Indy bounce back and put the Andrew Luck retirement in it’s rear mirror. RBs Johnthan Taylor and Nyheim Hines provide the Colts with a solid run game and versitility in the passing game. The Colts WRs are going to have to step up their performance in the playoffs for the team to make a serious run.
Baltimore Ravens (9-5) – The Ravens edge out the Packers for the last spot. Lamar Jackson is very good. He’s not perfect but he’s a winner and the most dynamic QB in the NFL. With that said Jackson continues to struggle from the pocket. TE Mark Andrews is one of the best in the league. However, Jackosn has little help at the skill positions. WR Hollywood Brown is explosive but not very strong and very inconsistent. I’ve said it before and will repeat it. The Ravens dropped the ball not signing WR Antonio Brown. Brown would have been on his best behavior and a huge addition to the Ravens offense. RB JK Dobbins has been more involved as of late and should be an important part of the offense moving forward. The Ravens defense needs to find a pass rush. LB Matt Judon is not putting up the sack numbers Baltimore anticipated he would. I don’t have a lot of confidence in the Ravens. The win against the Bowns was impressive but that’s a game they were up two scores in, then blew the lead. Something is missing from this team and it’s called talent.
