The wildest week of these rankings by leaps and bounds. The top four changes for the first time since Week 7, with Two new teams entering. The Super Bowl Favorites tier has been cut in half, and Tier 4 sheds a lot of weight. Tell me why I'm wrong and get my engagement up twitter.com/SonnyDayOnline.
Last week can be found here.
Tier I. The Super Bowl Favorites
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-0) | 1st last week (+0)
Offense: 4th, Defense: 1st, Special Teams: 11th
Last week: beat Jaguars 27-3
This week: home vs Ravens (-4.5), THURSDAY 8:20 Eastern
They beat a bad team. Duh. Slow start, then 27 unanswered. Not much to say about this week's performance. W.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (9-1) | 2nd last week (+0)
Offense: 1st, Defense: 7th, Special Teams: 21st
Last week: beat Raiders 35-31
This week: at Buccaneers (-3), Sunday 4:25 Eastern
They almost went and lost both games to the Raiders this season, allowing a go-ahead touchdown to 51 year old Jason Witten with 1:43 remaining. But, Patty Mahomes scores basically every time he has the ball. Luckily enough, he plays for the Chiefs. They escape 9-1, with their only loss in-division. There's nothing wrong with thinking they're better than Pittsburgh, but we don't know yet. Toughest game of their season at Tampa Bay coming on Sunday, though.
II. The Super Bowl Contenders
3. Los Angeles Rams (7-3) | 8th last week (+5)
Offense: 17th, Defense: 2nd, Special Teams: 31st
Last week: beat Buccaneers 27-24
This week: home vs 49ers (-6.5), Sunday 4:05 Eastern
This defense is serious. They held the Seahawks offense to its lowest output of the season by double-digits, and then beat Tompa Bay on the road. Jared Goff has shown competence, and the departures of Brandin Cooks and Todd Gurley have been survivable.
4. Indianapolis Colts (7-3) | 9th last week (+5)
Offense: 10th, Defense: 5th, Special Teams: 6th
Last week: beat Packers 34-31
This week: home vs Titans (-4), Sunday 1:00 Eastern
Beating the Titans and the Packers in back-to-back weeks is as good of a two-week stretch as any team this season. After the defense didn't show up in the first half, giving up four touchdowns, they buckled down. They won the second half and overtime 17-3. The Packers score the 3rd-most points in the NFL. This team is for real, and they put Philip Rivers in a situation that optimizes his skills.
5. New Orleans Saints (8-2) | 6th last week (+1)
Offense: 6th, Defense: 8th, Special Teams: 5th
Last week: beat Falcons 24-9
This week: home vs Broncos (-5.5), Sunday 4:05 Eastern
Took care of business with Taysom Hill at quarterback, and his stat line read 18-23 for 233 yards with no touchdowns or picks, 10 carries for 51 yards and touchdowns. He did not impress me, and it was an ugly game against the lowly Falcons. Still, it's valuable to let him do his thing in there so he can learn, grow, and raise his value. You'd rather have two good quarterbacks than one after Drew Brees retires. There's no question Jameis Winston is better still. The schedule is relatively easy for the Saints to keep up the pace without Brees.
6. Tennessee Titans (7-3) | 7th last week (+1)
Offense: 9th, Defense: 18th, Special Teams: 30th
Last week: beat Ravens 30-24 in OT
This week: at Colts (+4), Sunday 1:00 Eastern
Huge win in Baltimore. They keep pace with the Colts, and bounce back from that rough divisional loss the week prior. The Ravens were in control most of the time, but this team is starting to get some cardiac kids energy. They consistently perform in the clutch. Ryan Tannehill took 7 years in Miami to become an overnight success. It's like he matured instantly. Gotta feel good for him right now. They are good enough to split with Indy, and play them for the second time in three weeks on Sunday.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-4) | 3rd last week (-4)
Offense: 6th, Defense: 10th, Special Teams: 16th
Last week: lost to Rams 27-24
This week: home vs Chiefs (+3), Sunday 4:25 Eastern
Tom Brady looked overmatched by the Rams defense. The run game never got going, and he had to do more than he is able with his arm. If the formula to beating Tampa is putting the onus on Brady, they're Super Bowl dreams are in trouble. I'm not sure it is though, the Rams defense may be the best in the NFL (it's a dead heat with the Steelers and the Colts).
8. Baltimore Ravens (6-4) | 4th last week (-4)
Offense: 12th, Defense: 3rd, Special Teams: 1st
Last week: lost to Titans 30-24 in OT
This week: at Steelers (+4.5), THURSDAY 8:20 Eastern
They follow up the loss at the 3-5 Patriots with a home loss against the Titans. The same venue and team that ended last season's 14-2 iteration coming out of a bye week. I'm not sure what gives with this team. They have so much energy and display all their talent in the first three quarters - and against the bad teams - and often come up short. No shame in losing to the Chiefs, Steelers, Titans, and I guess Patriots, but 0-4 in those games is inexcusable as a Super Bowl contender. The road, two-touchdown win over the Colts two weeks ago feels like a different team.
9. Green Bay Packers (7-3) | 5th last week (-4)
Offense: 3rd, Defense: 17th, Special Teams: 13th
Last week: lost to Colts 34-31 in OT
This week: home vs Bears, Sunday 8:20 Eastern
Brutal, head-scratching loss at Lucas Oil. They were up 28-14 at half after getting a cheap, long DPI penalty with a minute left. And then they came out flat. Their only score after the break was the field goal to force overtime with 0:03 remaining. It's a testament to the Colts defense for sure, but you can't choke a road lead like that when you have Aaron Rodgers at the helm. Disappointing for a team that was a game shy of the Super Bowl ten months ago.
III. Can win a playoff game
10. Buffalo Bills (7-3) | 10th last week (+0)
Offense: 11th, Defense: 20th, Special Teams: 8th
Last week: BYE
This week: home vs Chargers (-5.5), Sunday 1:00 Eastern
Breathe a sigh of relief that Miami lost.
Bye week this week. Last week's thoughts:
I refuse to penalize them for a random miracle happening. It's good that wasn't a playoff game. Get the bad luck out of the way in Week 10 to a non-conference opponent. Luckily for them, they weren't catching KC or Pittsburgh, and the Titans also lost. They'll be neck-and-neck with a bunch of teams for the 3rd seed, but they will be okay.
11. Seattle Seahawks (7-3) | 11th last week (+0)
Offense: 2nd, Defense: 28th, Special Teams: 4th
Last week: beat Cardinals 28-21
This week: at Eagles (-4.5), MONDAY 8:15 Eastern
After losing 3 out of 4, they came out in a home divisional game and got back in the win column. Splitting with the Cardinals and retaking the division lead is huge. Carlos Dunlap sealed the game with a sack. If he actually helps the pass rush, this team trends way up.
12. Cleveland Browns (7-3) | 14th last week (+2)
Offense: 18th, Defense: 19th, Special Teams: 29th
Last week: beat Eagles 22-17
This week: at Jaguars (-6.5), Sunday 1:00 Eastern
Three straight home games over the past four weeks have been ridiculous weather, leading each game to become a slufgest. The best running back room in the NFL has taken care of business each time. The defense was horrible to start the year, but they've gained crazy momentum now. Maybe they'll forget they suck. They get a chance to do so against the bumbling Jaguars.
IV. Wild Card material
13. Miami Dolphins (6-4) | 12th last week (-1)
Offense: 13th, Defense: 4th, Special Teams: 2nd
Last week: lost to Broncos 20-13
This week: at Jets (-6.5), Sunday 1:00 Eastern
We thought Tua Tagovailoa hurt his ankle late, but coach Brian Flores confirmed that he benched the rookie for Ryan Fitzpatrick to try and spark a win. They came up just short. The Broncos have a good defense and it's a tough place to win. The rookie was due to come back to earth. Flores also confirmed that despite the swap, Tagovailoa is the team's starter moving forward. I expect them to give the Jets everything they have.
14. Arizona Cardinals (6-4) | 13th last week (-1)
Offense: 7th, Defense: 13th, Special Teams: 23rd
Last week: lost to Seahawks 28-21
This week: at Patriots (-2.5), Sunday 1:00 Eastern
They split with the Seahawks, each team winning the home game. They would have taken that before the season. Isaiah Simmons is finally getting on the field, and that'll help a defense that's been top ten without its best player in Chandler Jones. They're still one of this season's surprise teams, and have so much room and time to improve.
15. Las Vegas Raiders (6-4) | 15th last week
Offense: 8th, Defense: 26th, Special Teams: 17th
Last week: lost to Chiefs 35-31
This week: at Falcons (-3), Sunday 1:00 Eastern
Like I said last week, we should never have expected them to beat the Chiefs twice. But wow did they come close. This could be the re-budding of a legendary rivalry if Las Vegas isn't a one-year wonder. The defense giving up a last-second touchdown was the only thing stopping them from beating the reigning champs again, and they'll go all out to improve it this offseason. They went down on Sunday night, but they're trending firmly up.
V. Teams that can figure a thing out still
16. Carolina Panthers (4-7) | 19th last week (+3)
Offense: 21st, Defense: 15th, Special Teams: 18th
Last week: beat Lions 20-0
This week: at Vikings (+4), Sunday 1:00 Eastern
Matt Rhule has been awesome. The Panthers have a lot of promise, and play so much better than the talent on the roster would suggest. They drafted well this past offseason, and with two more years of this trajectory, they could be legit contenders again. They dominated the Lions despite Teddy Bridgewater being a gameday scratch. PJ Walker looked awesome out there. Shoutout to the XFL, we really do miss ya.
17. New England Patriots (4-6) | 16th last week (-1)
Offense: 26th, Defense: 13th, Special Teams: 7th
Last week: lost to Texans 27-20
This week: home vs Cardinals (+2.5), Sunday 1:00 Eastern
Rough loss. 20 points isn't awful for a bad offense on the road, but if they were legit playoff threats they would have won this game. I won't undersell Rex Burkhead's injury: it hurts them a lot; he may be their most prolific playmaker. Cam is not the problem, and neither was Tom Brady. This is the worst skill players offense in the NFL. Even worse than the Jets. And they have the best offensive line in the NFL. They better shape up and not waste that.
18. Minnesota Vikings (4-6) | 17th last week (-1)
Offense: 13th, Defense: 27th, Special Teams: 28th
Last week: lost to Cowboys 31-28
This week: home vs Panthers (-4), Sunday 1:00 Eastern
They had a chance to get to 5-5 and second in the division on a day where the Packers lost. Instead, they lay an egg at Jerry World and lose to Andy Dalton. The defense has legitimate problems. The offense will be fine, but not as dynamic as with Diggs. The Justin Jefferson pick was a hit. But this year is now toast. Shame they couldn't have given us more excitement after almost undoing a 1-5 start. Dalvin Cook still has been the running back in the NFL this year, though.
19. Denver Broncos (4-6) | 24th last week (+5)
Offense: 27th, Defense: 21st, Special Teams: 26th
Last week: beat Dolphins 20-13
This week: at Saints (+5.5), Sunday 4:05 Eastern
The good version of this team showed up, and they beat the Dolphins, winners of 5 in a row. Drew Lock was having fun out there again for a good portion of the game. He has 6 games to prove he's the unquestioned answer, or Denver will bring in competition for the Mizzou product this offseason, as they should. Every Denver fan I know already thinks he sucks.
20. Los Angeles Chargers (3-7) | 22nd last week (+2)
Offense: 15th, Defense: 24th, Special Teams: 32nd
Last week: beat Jets 34-28
This week: at Bills (+5.5), Sunday 1:00 Eastern
Back in the win column. Somewhat close against NYJ, which is never good. Oh well, they're getting ready for next season and should just focus on developing Justin Herbert at all costs.
21. Chicago Bears (5-5) | 23rd last week (+2)
Offense: 31st, Defense: 6th, Special Teams: 22nd
Last week: BYE
This week: at Packers, Sunday 8:20 Eastern
Bye this week. Last week's thoughts:
This team is not good. 4-0 and 5-1 turned into 5-5. They're out of the playoff picture and it doesn't look like they'll make their way back in. Quarterback is still the most important position.
22. Houston Texans (3-7) | 26th last week (+4)
Offense: 22nd, Defense: 23rd, Special Teams: 14th
Last week: beat Patriots 27-20
This week: at Lions (-3), THURSDAY 12:30 Eastern
Huge home win at home against a New England team that really, really needed it. They've turned around some since Romeo Crennel took over for Bill O'Brien's head coaching job. This season is lost, but they're getting back on track to where they should have been as a team that won a playoff game just ten months ago. That will be huge for Deshaun Watson, 2021, and beyond.
23. Philadelphia Eagles (3-6-1) | 18th last week (-5)
Offense: 24th, Defense: 16th, Special Teams: 20th
Last week: lost to Browns 22-17
This week: home vs Seahawks (+4.5), MONDAY 8:15 Eastern
Washington and Dallas won, and the Giants got right next to them in the win column last Sunday. So naturally, they come out with a lifeless performance in Cleveland. They probably need a new quarterback, if not a total rebuild. But hey, if they make the playoffs with 6 wins, Carson Wentz gets yet another 16 games to reset.
24. Detroit Lions (4-6) | 21st last week (-3)
Offense: 22nd, Defense: 28th, Special Teams: 15th
Last week: lost to Panthers 20-0
This week: home vs Texans (+3), THURSDAY 12:30 Eastern
D'Andre Swift and Kenny Golladay were out, and Matt Stafford has a hand injury, but the Panthers started backup quarterback PJ Walker. If Walker didn't get picked off in the end zone twice, the score would have been even worse. This team had momentum, and then laid the egg of the season. They probably need an overhaul.
25. San Francisco 49ers (4-6) | 25th last week (+0)
Offense: 18th, Defense: 11th, Special Teams: 12th
Last week: BYE
This week: at Rams (+6.5), Sunday 4:05 Eastern
Bye this week. Last week's thoughts:
No shame in losing really any game at this point. Jameis Winston and the Saints beat SF like they should have. Get ready and healthy for 2021.
VI. Bottom feeders (the NFC East's turf)
26. New York Football Giants (3-7) | 28th last week (+2)
Offense: 30th, Defense: 12th, Special Teams: 3rd
Last week: BYE
This week: at Bengals (-5.5), Sunday 1:00 Eastern
If they beat Ryan Finley and the Eagles don't upset the Seahawks, they're tied for first in the division.
Bye this week, last week's thoughts:
Last week's blurb was "Daniel Jones is 5-16 in his NFL career. He's 4-0 against Washington and 1-16 against everyone else. The 1 win was his first career start." Now he has doubled his non-Washington victories, and NYG is close to hosting a playoff game. If they prove they can beat someone else, they'll fly up a tier.
27. Atlanta Falcons (3-7) | 27th last week (+0)
Offense: 16th, Defense: 25th, Special Teams: 19th
Last week: lost to Saints 24-9
This week: home vs Raiders (+3), Sunday 1:00 Eastern
Only getting 9 points is pitiful for a team that really only has its offense going for it. They need to be better, but they aren't going anywhere this season, so just avoiding injuries is probably their best course of action at this point.
28. Washington Football Team (3-7) | 29th last week (+1)
Offense: 29th, Defense: 10th, Special Teams: 24th
Last week: beat Bengals 20-9
This week: at Cowboys (+3), THURSDAY 4:30 Eastern
Their Thanksgiving "showdown" against Dallas will be for the division lead. Alex Smith and Andy Dalton enter, but only one will leave with a glittering 4-7 record.
29. Dallas Cowboys (3-7) | 30th last week (+1)
Offense: 20th, Defense: 32nd, Special Teams: 9th
Last week: beat Vikings 31-28
This week: home vs Washington (-3), THURSDAY 4:30 Eastern
Did not expect them to beat the hot Vikings. Andy Dalton's return showed some legitimately positive things. Division lead at stake in Jerry World. In Week 7, they lost to WFT 25-3.
30. Cincinnati Bengals (2-7-1) | 20th last week (-10)
Offense: 25th, Defense: 22nd, Special Teams: 10th
Last week: lost to Steelers Washington 20-9
This week: home vs Giants (+5.5), Sunday 1:00 Eastern
Joe Burrow being done for the season is the only thing that matters from Sunday's game. He'll be back next year, he tweeted, and I don't think this will derail anything for the stud QB longterm. Still, it sucks, and this team was a lot of fun, growing every week. Might as well tank for Oregon's Penei Sewell at this point. He's the best offensive tackle to come out in several years.
VII. Trevor Lawrence Territory
31. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-9) | 31st last week
Offense: 26th, Defense: 31st, Special Teams: 25th
Last week: lost to Steelers 27-3
This week: home vs Browns (+6.5), Sunday 1:00 Eastern
Jake Luton collided head-first with the best team in the NFL, and we all knew what would happen. This team should have their sights locked on Justin Fields, while secretly praying for Trevor Lawrence.
32. New York Jets (0-10) | 32nd last week
Offense: 32nd, Defense: 31st, Special Teams: 27th
Last week: lost to Chargers
This week: home vs Dolphins (+6.5), Sunday 1:00 Eastern
Needing two scores late is about as close as they've gotten to a win. Losing by a single possession is nothing to be ashamed of when you're pursuing the best QB prospect since Andrew Luck.
Cover image: Jason Behnken | Associated Press
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