Top 5
#1. Green Bay Packers (9-3)
Previous Rank: #2
The Packers move up to the top spot after adding their name to the list of teams that have beaten the Rams over the past month. Man, what has happened to that team? Anyways, back to the Packers. Green Bay looked great on Sunday in a 36-28 win over the Rams at Lambeau Field. The win was significant for a couple of reasons. One, it got the Packers back to their winning ways after dropping a 34-31 heartbreaker to NFC North rival Minnesota a week earlier. Two, the Packers head into a timely bye week coming off a win. Entering a bye week coming off a win is always better than the alternative. Moral remains high and it makes it easier to get quality work in.
Following the bye week, the Packers will host another rival, the Chicago Bears, who they could probably beat with their eyes closed and one arm tied behind their backs. The Packers hold a 20-3 record against the Bears over the last 10-years. Poor, Chicago.
#2. Arizona Cardinals (9-2)
Previous Rank: 1
The Cardinals didn’t play during a bye in Week-12 and they fall one spot to number two. How is that fair? Well, it’s easy. The Packers beat the Cardinals 24-21 in Arizona back in Week-8. A lot has happened in the NFL since then, but you can’t overlook a head-to-head result.
The word on the street is that both Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins will be back in action Sunday against the Bears. Haha. The Bears have to play the Cardinals and Packers back-t0-back. Once again, poor Chicago. Arizona has played well in the absence of their two biggest offensive threats, but getting them should bring this team to a whole new level.
#3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-3)
Previous Week: NR
After a two-game skid, the Bucs have won two straight. No one’s going to get overly excited about beating up on the Giants, but as of late, the Colts are playing a much better brand of football. Heading into Sunday, Indianapolis had won five of six, and Brady and the Bucs had to overcome a 10-point halftime deficit to pull off the 38-31 comeback win.
The Bucs currently rank third in total offense and are averaging 31.5 points per game, which tops the NFL, and the defense seems to be getting better by the week. Pair that with the fact the Bucs have a fairly light schedule the rest of the way that includes just one team with a winning record and this is a team that could end up winning twelve to thirteen games before the playoffs.
Bucs Remaining Schedule:
12/5 – at. Falcons (5-6)
12/12 – vs. Bills (7-4)
12/19 – vs. Saints (5-6)
12/26 – at. Panthers (5-7)
1/2 – at. Jets (3-8)
1/9 – vs. Panthers (5-7)
#4. New England Patriots (8-4)
Previous Rank: NR
The NFL’s hottest team comes in at number four after beating the Titans by 23-points for their sixth consecutive win. The streak includes wins over the Jets, Chargers, Panthers, Browns, Falcons and a Titans team without Derrick Henry. Sure, some of those teams aren’t having great season’s but winning six-straight games in the NFL is hard to do.
As always, New England has a motely crew of offensive players and Mac Jones, who has far and away been the best performing rookie quarterback this season, is pulling it all together like Tom Brady did before him. Add a defense that’s allowing a league best 15.8 points per game and Bill Belichick really has something with this group.
The Patriots travel to Buffalo this week for Monday night football and will take on a talented but shaky Bills team. Personally, I’m looking forward to seeing how the Patriots perform over their next three-games. Following Monday night’s contest, they’ll get a bye week before playing the Colts on the road and the Bills in Foxborough. New England ends the regular season with winnable matchups against the Jags and Dolphins.
#5. Kansas City Chiefs (7-4)
Previous Rank: #5
For now, the Chiefs will remain in the fifth and final spot in the top-5 after a bye in Week-12. One could make an argument for the Ravens, who currently have the AFC’s best record at 8-3, but they haven’t been convincing as of late. Because of that and the fact Kansas City has won their last four-games, I’m going with with Chiefs.
This week, the Chiefs will host the Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium for Sunday Night Football. It will be the first of two games this season between the AFC West foes.
Bottom 5
#28 Seattle Seahawks: 17-15 (L) at. Washington Football Team
Previous Rank: NR
#29 New York Jets: 21-14 (W) at. Texans
Previous Rank: 30
#30 Jacksonville Jaguars: 21-14 (L) vs. Jaguars
Previous Rank: 31
#31 – Houston Texans: 21-14 (L) vs. Jets
Previous Rank: #29
#32 – Detroit Lions: 16-14 (L) vs. Bears
Previous Rank: 32
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