Top 5
1. Arizona Cardinals (9-1)
Previous Week: #4
As the NFL’s only one-loss team, the Cardinals return to the number one spot. Pretty obvious, right?
Arizona was without Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins on Sunday, but it didn’t matter. The Cardinals bounced back without their two biggest offensive threats and made easy work of the 49ers 31-17. The win comes a week after the Cardinals suffered their lone loss to the Packers 24-21, and it’s telling. Undermanned nonetheless, good teams step up and win in different ways when they’re forced to, and that’s exactly what Arizona did. Veteran backup quarterback Colt McCoy was mistake-free and efficient going 22 of 26 for 249-yards and a score, James Conner averaged over four and a half yards-per-carry and scored two touchdowns and the Cardinals forced three turnovers, two of which resulted in ten-points.
All signs point to Murray and Hopkins returning in time to take on the Panthers this week at home. McCaffrey is back, but Carolina has lost five of their last six games.
Other than games with the Rams and Cowboys, the remaining schedule is manageable.
2. Tennessee Titans (7-2)
Previous Rank: NR
To be honest, I didn’t think I was going to have the opportunity to give the Titans a spot in the top-five this season after King Henry hit the deck, but here they are making their season debut after handing the Rams a surprising 28-16 loss on Sunday night in primetime.
Like I mentioned earlier when talking about the Cardinals, good teams find a way to win regardless of the cards they’ve been dealt. If you had asked me, I would’ve told you the Titans were holding a 7-2 offsuit before kickoff. But the defense stepped up big time and came up with two interceptions, including a huge pick-six by Kevin Byard to stun the Rams.
The question still remains whether or not the Titans will be okay long-term without Henry. Can the defense continue to play at a high-level and force turnovers? Can Ryan Tannehill and the offense do just enough? Only time will tell, but the good news for Titans fans is that the team has a comfortable lead in the AFC South standings, and the rest of the schedule is lite and includes two games against the Texans and games with the Jaguars and Dolphins. Even without Henry, I think the Titans finish with eleven wins at the very least.
3. Green Bay Packers (7-2)
Previous Rank: #3
Even after the loss to the Chiefs, I could very easily make an argument for putting the Packers at number two. But the Titans beat the Rams without their best offensive player and the Packers lost to the Chiefs without their best offensive player. It’s also important to point out that the Rams and are significantly better than the Chiefs this season. That’s the logic that went into putting the Titans at No.2 and the Packers here at No.3.
Much like during the offseason, controversy is swirling around the Packers organization yet again. This time, the controversy stems from Rodgers’ positive COVID-19 status as an unvaccinated player. Due to league protocols, he must quarantine for at least a 10-day period. If all goes as planned and Rodgers is asymptomatic, Rodgers should be able to return to the team this Saturday, one day before the Packers host the Seahawks. Rodgers has been able to do virtual work throughout his quarantine, but technically, his status is still up in the air for this Sunday.
While the Packers got throttled by the Saints 38-3 to open the season, the team eventually overcame a dispute-filled off-season to go on a seven-game winning streak. My bet is that Rodgers plays on Sunday after prepping like a veteran from home all week and the Packers beat the Seahawks and get back to their winning ways.
4. Los Angeles Rams (7-2)
Previous Rank: #2
Despite the unexpected loss to the undermanned Titans on Sunday night, the Rams are still one of the five best teams in the league. The Titans deserve a ton of credit for stepping up and winning the game, but the Rams had a bad night which included a season-high twelve penalties and a couple of really bad interceptions from Matt Stafford.
While the Rams are still primed for a playoff run, there could be more than a couple of losses left on the reschedule. The Rams get the Packers, Cardinals and Ravens all on the road before season’s end.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2)
Previous Rank: NR
Tough call here in the fifth and final spot. I ended up going with the Bucs over the Cowboys and Ravens in no particular order.
Luckily for the Bucs, their bye week came in Week-9 so they weren’t subject to the insane amount of upsets we witnessed across the league on Sunday.
The Bucs’ two losses are to the Rams and the Saints, and I think those losses are better than the losses both Dallas and Baltimore have suffered. You also have to consider that the Bucs boast a top-five offense led by the best guy to ever do it and a top-ten defense that seems to be improving, much in the same way they did last year in route to the Super Bowl.
Bottom 5
28 – New York Jets: 45-30 (L) at. Colts
Previous Rank: NR
29 – Washington Football Team: Bye Week
Previous Rank: 28
30 – Miami Dolphins: 17-9 (W) vs. Texans
Previous Rank: 29
31 – Houston Texans: 17-9 (L) at. Dolphins
Previous Rank: 31
32 – Detroit Lions: Bye Week
Previous Rank: 32
Comments