Let's get right into it.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (5-1) | 1st last week (+0)
Offense: 9th, Defense: 9th, Special Teams: 29th
Last week: beat Bills 26-17
This week: at Broncos, Sunday 4:25 Eastern
They took care of Buffalo on the road in a messy week. The horrible weather meant a ground-heavy attack, and the Chiefs rushing game was frighteningly impressive. They imposed their will on Buffalo with 46 carries, despite a shuffled offensive line. And next week, they add Le’Veon Bell, who is still only 28 years old. I did not expect the ground game to be this strong; it adds yet another dimension to the league’s best offense.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-0) | 3rd last week (+1)
Offense: 4th, Defense: 3rd, Special Teams: 7th
Last week: beat Browns 38-7
This week: at Titans, Sunday 1:00 Eastern
They continue to decimate the Browns at Heinz Field. Cleveland was 4-1 on a 4 game winning streak heading into last Sunday, and garnering serious buzz. The Steelers clocked them, scoring on the game’s opening drive and then leading for the final 55:35 of the game. Chase Claypool went for 81 yards and a score on 6 touches, catching all 4 of his targets and proving once again that the Steelers can’t miss on wide receivers. It’s hard to tell whether the offense or defense is better. This team could be the best in football.
3. Baltimore Ravens (5-1) | 2nd last week (-1)
Offense: 7th, Defense: 1st, Special Teams: 1st
Last week: beat Eagles 30-28
This week: at Eagles, Sunday 1:00 Eastern Time
They were smacking the Eagles 24-6 and then took their foot off the gas, and narrowly escaped a tie ball game with two minutes left. I was hoping the Eagles tied it with their 2-point conversion attempt, so that we could see Lamar Jackson try a game-winning 2 minute drill. This was their first win of the year to not be by 14+ points. Them and the Steelers are 2a and 2b right now.
4. Tennessee Titans (5-0) | 6th last week (+2)
Offense: 2nd, Defense: 15th, Special Teams: 26th
Last week: beat Texans 42-36 in OT
This week:
I expected them to have a tough time with Buffalo, and they stomped them out by 26 on a Tuesday. Then I expected a divisional game against the desperate and talented Texans to topple them, and it almost did. But this team just keeps winning games. They have four losses in the past calendar year, all to teams with better records than them. They’re undefeated this year with a defense that is allowing 5 more points and 50 more yards than last season. If they get back into 2019 shape, they can beat any team in the NFL.
5. Seahawks (5-0) | 5th last week (+0)
Offense: 1st, Defense: 18th, Special Teams: 4th
Last week: BYE
This week: at Cardinals, Sunday 4:05 Eastern
Nothing on their bye week changed anything for me. I guess the 49ers beating the Rams strengthened their division lead. I still worry about the defense, but they’re glittering resume gives me optimism.
Last week’s thoughts:
Russell Wilson is the MVP favorite. #LetRussCook has taken the Pacific Northwest by storm, as Brian Schottenheimer’s offense has veered away from the Seahawks’ typical run-first, run-second offense. The defense is currently the worst in NFL history in terms of yards per game. Second-worst ever? The 2020 Atlanta Falcons. There is reason to buy on the defense if they can get the trenches right. They are currently the most passed on and most passing yards-allowing unit in the entire league.
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2) | 7th last week (+1)
Offense: 8th, Defense: 8th, Special Teams: 17th
Last week: beat Packers 38-10
This week: at Raiders, Sunday 8:20 Eastern
Wow. I did not expect them to big brother the Packers the way they did. The Buccaneers had extra rest from playing a Thursday nighter, but the Packers were coming off the bye. This Todd Bowles defense continued to show its teeth, blitzing Aaron Rodgers all day. That’s something no one does because he’s one of the best Vs. pressure quarterbacks of all-time. The sheer balls of it worked because it wasn’t what the Packers gameplanned to see or saw on tape. Brady and the offense didn’t do incredible damage because they didn’t need to, but they were incredibly efficient with a dominant running game. This team could be getting its legs underneath it.
7. Green Bay Packers (4-1) | 4th last week (-3)
Offense: 3rd, Defense: 20th, Special Teams: 8th
Last week: lost to Buccaneers 38-10
This week: at Texans, Sunday 1:00 Eastern
Wow. I did not expect them to get little brothered the way they did. They looked like the team we thought they were getting to an early 10-0 lead, but then they didn’t score a single point after the 1:08 mark of the first quarter. Two ways to look at it. Optimist: every team has an off game, one where they just don’t show up and don’t have anything breaking their way. At least it was on the road against a Super Bowl contender. Pessimist: this was coming out of the bye week against a team still figuring things out, and that wouldn’t be able to keep up with your offense, and you got 10 points.
8. Indianapolis Colts (4-2) | 9th last week (+1)
Offense: 16th, Defense: 6th, Special Teams: 2nd
Last week: beat Bengals 31-27
This week: BYE (next week at Lions)
The Colts came back from 21-0 to beat the Bengals last Sunday. Is it more impressive to dig out of that hole than it is worrisome that they were down 21-0 to the Bengals? I’ve been on the Colts since last season, so I have to go with the former. A 31-6 run is how they should have beaten Cincy, so let’s chalk up the start of the game to 53 hangovers. The craziest part of the game is that they won it through the air. 44 passing attempts for Philip Rivers, 12 carries for Jonathan Taylor, 1 carry for Jordan Wilkins, and 0 carries for Nyheim Hines. I know it’s only the Bengals, but a capable passing attack bodes very well for their offense and their ceiling.
9. Buffalo Bills (4-2) | 10th last week (+1)
Offense: 17th, Defense: 21st, Special Teams: 11th
Last week: lost to Chiefs 27-16
This week: at Jets, Sunday 1:00 Eastern
A 4-0 start turned into a two-game skid after catching the Titans and the Chiefs in a six day span. Oh well. Happens. The passing game was non-existent in freezing rain on Monday, and they just can’t run the ball this season. The defense was not going to find last year’s form against the Kansas City Chiefs' offense. Nothing like a game against the Jets to get your team rolling again. They’re gonna need to treat them like Alabama does the Citadel, too, because their three after that are the Patriots, Seahawks, and Cardinals.
10. Los Angeles Rams (4-2) | 8th last week (-2)
Offense: 19th, Defense: 5th, Special Teams: 27th
Last week: lost to 49ers 24-16
This week: home vs Bears, Monday 8:15 Easterm
Their four wins are against the four NFC East teams, and that was evident against San Francisco on Sunday night. Nothing in their offense sparks confidence in me. Jared Goff and Cooper Kupp turned 9 targets into 11 yards. Robert Woods turned 10 of them into 29 yards. The 49ers are the most injured team in the league and the game was never winnable for LA. Sometimes that happens in-division. This Monday night is a huge game.
11. Chicago Bears (5-1) | 13th last week (+2)
Offense: 27th, Defense: 7th, Special Teams: 24th
Last week: beat Panthers 23-16
This week: at Rams, Monday 8:15 Eastern
5-1 is 5-1. The Panthers are a nice team, and the Bears beat them on the road. The offense is still anemic. The defense is still top-tier, it could be the best in the NFL. They have also had some good luck bailing out poor decisions by Matt Nagy and incompetence from Nick Foles/Mitch Trubisky. Either the good breaks prove to actually be warranted, a la the 5 P’s - proper preparation prevents poor performance - or the luck runs out and they turn out to be a middling team.
12. New Orleans Saints (3-2) | 12th last week (+0)
Offense: 5th, Defense: 24th, Special Teams: 5th
Last week: BYE
This week: home vs Panthers, Sunday 1:00 Eastern
I hope the bye week let them get right. I have not been impressed at all with them so far this year. It’s still super early, though, and they’re still incredibly similar to last year’s team.
Last week’s thoughts:
The Saints always start slow, and this season hammered home the fact that it is not random. The defense has lost some luster, and the offense has struggled to make the plays it did all last season. Newly-acquired top target Emmanuel Sanders has hardly made his presence felt so far, but hopefully his 12 catches, 14 targets, and 122 yards last week represents a turning point. This is his first year in the offense. Drew Brees has made studs out of much worse players.
13. Arizona Cardinals (4-2) | 16th last week (+3)
Offense: 11th, Defense: 2nd, Special Teams: 14th
Last week: beat Cowboys 38-10
This week: home vs Seahawks, Sunday 4:05 Eastern
They put a thorough beatdown on the debut of the Andy Dalton Cowboys at Jerry World. Kyler Murray was only 9-24 passing, proving that he still has growth to do at the quarterback position. However, that’s a lot easier when you can play like that and still score 3 touchdowns. Kenyan Drake had a ridiculous game too, rushing for 164 yards and 2 scores. If he’s back in form, this offense can be as good as the defense, which is a top 2 unit out of absolutely no where. They were 28th last year, and Chandler Jones is out for the season. I don’t want to overreact to a victory over a horrible team, but that’s what good teams do: they take care of business and hammer teams they’re supposed to beat.
14. New England Patriots (2-3) | 11th last week (-3)
Offense: 22nd, Defense: 12th, Special Teams: 10th
Last week: lost to Broncos 18-12
This week: home vs 49ers, Sunday 4:25 Eastern
Cam Newton and Stephon Gilmore both played on Sunday, but they were both recovering from COVID-19. They were coming off an emergency bye week, and no team has been affected by COVID more than New England. Cam Newton and Bill Belichick help overcome a lot of talent deficits with players opting out of the season and just not having playmakers, but those things limit their ceiling. They play ugly, run-first football and team defense. The run game sucked last week. If it stays that way, the season will turn from great promise to impossible to watch.
15. Las Vegas Raiders (3-2) | 15th last week (+0)
Offense: 6th, Defense: 27th, Special Teams: 21st
Last week: BYE
This week: home vs Buccaneers, Sunday 8:20 Eastern
The Chiefs proved they’re still good this week, which means the Raiders big win the last time they played is still impressive. They face another big test against the hot Bucs at home. Tom Brady is too old to let the Vegas flu hamper his play on Sunday, but the Raiders have had an extra week to prepare. We’ll see how ready for the moment they are.
Last week’s thoughts:
Derek Carr won at Arrowhead for the first time in his career last Sunday. He had been 0-6, losing each game by an average of 17 points. They score the ball like crazy. The defense is bad, but it’s fast, because of course it is. It’s the Raiders. That speed likely helped the helpless unit stay with the Chiefs track stars holding them to only (lol) 32 points. They have been really impressive; all three wins are against teams over .500. But the schedule doesn’t ease up, so we’ll see just how impressive they end up.
16. San Francisco 49ers (3-3) | 18th last week (+2)
Offense: 20th, Defense: 10th, Special Teams: 13th
Last week: beat Rams 24-16
This week: at Patriots, 4:25 Eastern
Jimmy Garoppolo was back last week and they got embarrassed by the Dolphins. This week he was back and they played 49er football. They swallowed up the Rams and Kyle Shanahan’s offense looked how it always does. They won the game on a Deebo Samuel sweep, converting a 3rd-and-7 that let them finish the clock out instead of punting the ball back. They still have massive injuries, but they also have great depth. Jason Verrett had his best game as a 49er, and before all his injuries he was an All-Pro level corner. They are an absolute enigma right now, but great coaching, experience, and leadership are reasons to buy on them.
17. Miami Dolphins (3-3) | 23rd last week (+6)
Offense: 14th, Defense: 4th, Special Teams: 3rd
Last week: beat Jets 24-0
This week: BYE (next week home vs Rams)
18. Cleveland Browns (4-2) | 14th last week (-4)
Offense: 12th, Defense: 30th, Special Teams: 31st
Last week: lost to Steelers 38-7
This week: home vs Bengals, Sunday 1:00 Eastern
19. Carolina Panthers (3-2) | 17th last week (-2)
Offense: 23rd, Defense: 13th, Special Teams: 19th
Last week: lost to Bears 23-16
This week: at Saints, Sunday 1:00 Eastern
20. Los Angeles Chargers (1-4) | 21st last week (+1)
Offense: 24th, Defense: 14th, Special Teams: 32nd
Last week: BYE
This week: home vs Jaguars, Sunday 4:25 Eastern
21. Philadelphia Eagles (1-4-1) | 24th last week (+3)
Offense: 22rd, Defense: 23rd, Special Teams: 18th
Last week: lost to Ravens 30-28
This week: home vs Giants, Thursday 8:20 Eastern
22. Houston Texans (1-5) | 22nd last week (+0)
Offense: 21st, Defense: 26th, Special Teams: 14th
Last week: lost to Titans 42-36 in OT
This week: home vs Packers, Sunday 1:00 Eastern
23. Detroit Lions (2-3) | 25th last week (+2)
Offense: 15th, Defense: 22nd, Special Teams: 9th
Last week: beat Jaguars 34-16
This week: at Falcons, Sunday 1:00 Eastern
24. Denver Broncos (2-3) | 26th last week (+2)
Offense: 29th, Defense: 11th, Special Teams: 15th
Last week: beat Patriots 18-12
This week: home vs Chiefs, Sunday 4:25 Eastern
25. Minnesota Vikings (1-5) | 20th last week (-5)
Offense: 18th, Defense: 31st, Special Teams: 20th
Last week: lost to Falcons 40-23
This week: BYE (next week at Packers)
26. Dallas Cowboys (2-4) | 19th last week (-7)
Offense: 10th, Defense: 32nd, Special Teams: 25th
Last week: lost to Cardinals 38-10
This week: at Washington, Sunday 1:00 Eastern
27. Atlanta Falcons (1-5) | 30th last week (+3)
Offense: 13th, Defense: 28th, Special Teams: 22nd
Last week: beat Vikings 4-23
This week: home vs Lions, Sunday 1:00 Eastern
28. Cincinnati Bengals (1-4-1) | 27th last week (-1)
Offense: 26th, Defense: 17th, Special Teams: 12th
Last week: lost to Colts 31-27
This week: home vs Browns, Sunday 1:00 Eastern
29. New York Football Giants (1-5) | 28th last week (-1)
Offense: 31st, Defense: 16th, Special Teams: 6th
Last week: beat Washington 20-19
This week: at Eagles, Thursday 8:20 Eastern
30. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5) | 29th last week (-1)
Offense: 28th, Defense: 25th, Special Teams: 28th
Last week: lost to Lions 34-16
This week: at Chargers, Sunday 4:25 Eastern
31. Washington Football Team (1-5) | 31st last week (+0)
Offense: 30th, Defense: 18th, Special Teams: 23rd
Last week: lost to Giants 20-19
This week: home vs Cowboys, Sunday 1:00 Eastern
32. New York Jets (0-6) | 32nd last week (+0)
Offense: 32nd, Defense: 29th, Special Teams: 30th
Last week: lost to Dolphins 24-0
This week: home vs Bills, Sunday 1:00 Eastern
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