December is finally here, and we are in the closing month of the season. As teams start to distance themselves from pretenders to contenders, a team already clinched the playoffs by winning the division. Without further ado, here are the rankings.
32. New York Giants
Last week's ranking: 32
Week 13 result: 27-20 loss vs Cowboys
Week 14 opponent: Home vs Saints
It was Drew Lock this week for the New York Giants, but it was more of the same, struggles on offense and inconsistent quarterback play. I don't know if Brian Daboll is going to survive the season. They are going out there and fighting for their head coach, but the Giants might need a change of voice. New York will pick the top five this year in the draft. Quarterback is a big need for this team. My only question is whether you trust that Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll will make the right decisions for the organization.
31. Jacksonville Jaguars
Last week's ranking: 31
Week 13 result: 23-20 loss vs Texans
Week 14 opponent: Away vs Titans
The hit on Trevor Lawrence may have sparked the Jaguars to finally wake up and enter the game. You must love it when the whole team protects the quarterback after a dirty hit like that. Trevor Lawrence is the face of the Jaguars franchise, and they must do everything they can to protect him. I have no problem with how the Jaguars responded to the hit. Mac Jones did a good job with the offense, leading a comeback that just came short. You can tell that this team is playing hard for Doug Pederson, but they are still losing games. With Pederson yet to be fired, I wonder if the Jaguars are considering keeping him for another season. They can't be, right?
30. Las Vegas Raiders
Last week's ranking: 30
Week 13 result: 19-17 loss vs Chiefs
Week 14 opponent: Away vs Bucs
In what was expected to be a blowout, Antonio Pierce and the Raiders came out and gave the defending champs a good game on their home field. You have to like what you saw from Aidan O'Connell. He was much more relaxed in the pocket and often found rookie tight end Brock Bowers. It is tough for a team like the Raiders to be successful when they can't get anything going on the ground, and that is why they have struggled this season. They were better against Kansas City and had a chance to win it at the end, but a costly fumble from Aidan O'Connell cost them the game. It hurts at the moment, but this seems like a loss that the Raiders won't mind when they pick very high in the NFL draft in April.
29. Tennessee Titans
Last week's ranking: 27
Week 13 result: 42-19 loss vs Commanders
Week 14 opponent: Home vs Jaguars
Will Levis has shown some flashes of what a franchise quarterback has looked like, but he hasn't been nearly as consistent as you would like him to be. Tenneseee has a much better roster than a 3-9 team should have, so what has gone wrong? Bad quarterback play and bad offensive line. If they are able to fix those two things in the offseason, the Titans could be a playoff team in year two of the Brian Callahan tenure. This team will select a quarterback in the draft, and it will be one of the better situations to get drafted into.
28. New England Patriots
Last week's ranking: 29
Week 13 result: 25-24 loss vs Colts
Week 14 opponent: Bye
The Patriots have found themselves in many close games this season, and they have been unable to bring out a win in many of them. Jerrod Mayo and Drake Maye are still learning how to win close games. This was a game that the Patriots should've won. They had multiple touchdowns negated by holding calls and a missed 25-yard field goal. It works out for the Patriots because they can boost their draft position, but you would like to see your rookie quarterback get a win. They also play the Cardinals, Bills, Chargers, and Bills again after their bye week. New England could very well only finish with three wins on the season.
27. Cleveland Browns
Last week's ranking: 23
Week 13 result: 41-32 loss vs Broncos
Week 14 opponent: Away vs Steelers
Since Jameis Winston has taken over as the quarterback of the Browns, they have all of a sudden gone to playing inspired football. You have to root for a guy like Jameis Winston, as he is one of the more likable players in the league. There's no doubt that the Browns are not a good team right now with or without Jameis, but you have to wonder what the season may have looked like if the Browns started out with Jameis Winston as their starting quarterback. Jameis is set to become a free agent in the offseason, and you have to think a number of teams will be interested in signing him. Given the contract situation, the Browns are committed to Deshaun Watson, so what do they do? It is challenging for the Browns, as they finally have some life from the offense with Jameis at the helm.
26. New York Jets
Last week's ranking: 26
Week 13 result: 26-21 loss vs Seahawks
Week 14 opponent: Away vs Dolphins
The Jets season ended when they decided to fire Robert Saleh. That is it. Jeff Ulbrich is a good story and seems like a nice guy, but he is in over his head as an NFL head coach, and they are losing games because of it. Aaron Rodgers and the offense have been better the past few weeks, and Davante Adams is proving why he is still one of the best receivers in the league, but they are just a bad football team right now, and they cannot win close games. When I say that hiring a competent general manager and a head coach this offseason is one of the most essential searches in NFL history for the Jets, I mean it. This is a talented roster that could reach the Super Bowl, they just need the right leadership, and putting all of your faith in Aaron Rodgers has not worked so far.
25. Carolina Panthers
Last week's ranking: 28
Week 13 result: 26-23 loss vs Bucs
Week 14 opponent: Away vs Eagles
You must be encouraged by what you have seen from Bryce Young after he was named the starter again. He is gaining his confidence back and looks like the player he was at Alabama. Carolina had gone from a team that desperately needed to address the quarterback situation at the beginning of the season to a team that might have their franchise quarterback already. They are fighting hard for Dave Canales. The defense still has its issues and will need an overhaul. The Panthers have lost their last two games by three points in each. If you're the Carolina Panthers, you must be optimistic for the first time in a long time.
24. Chicago Bears
Last week's ranking: 22
Week 13 result: 23-20 loss vs Lions
Week 14 opponent: Away vs 49ers
Sometimes, you just have to tip your cap to someone, and this week, it was Matt Eberflus and the Chicago Bears. The Bears have had an up-and-down season, to say the least. From allowing a Hail Mary to a blocked field goal against your rival, they are creating new ways to lose games, and what they did on Thursday against the Lions tops it all. Matt Eberflus decided not to call timeout after the clock went down and time was running. While Caleb Williams should get some blame for not snapping the ball and being aware of the clock, Eberflus should've realized what was happening after it took so long to get a play off and called a timeout. That cost the Bears the game and Matt Eberflus his job. Not firing him last offseason was a mistake and one the Bears will regret. What a mess.
23. New Orleans Saints
Last week's ranking: 21
Week 13 result: 21-14 loss vs Rams
Week 14 opponent: Away vs Giants
It seemed like the loss of Taysom Hill impacted this team, and they couldn't overcome it. The Saints are doing their best to try and rally around Darren Rizzi, but they just aren't a talented enough football team at this point in the season to win football games. With a 4-8 record, the wild card is most likely out of reach for New Orleans. You have to think the shift for them is to try and find a head coach to lead the team next season. I am interested in seeing how attractive a job this is. There is a big question mark at the quarterback position, and the cap space has always been limited for the Saints. I don't know how many people will be interested in this job.
22. Cincinnati Bengals
Last week's ranking: 20
Week 13 result: 44-38 loss vs Steelers
Week 14 opponent: Away vs Cowboys
If I were to tell you at the beginning of the season that Joe Burrow would be playing at an MVP level, Ja'Marr Chase would be one of the leaders in receiving yards, most of the team would be relatively healthy, and the Bengals would be 4-8 on the season, would any of you believe me? Probably not. What has gone wrong for the Bengals is crystal clear. The defense. They can't seem to stop anybody, and they let the Steelers come into Cincinnati and beat them in their own game. The Bengals are now 0-7 against teams with a winning record, giving up an average of 36 points or more in each game. In the last three games, Cincinnati has scored 99 points and lost every single one of those games. It is hard to do what the Bengals are doing, but they continue to do it. Cincinnati will look back at this season and see that they ruined an MVP season from Joe Burrow.
21. Dallas Cowboys
Last week's ranking: 24
Week 13 result: 27-20 win vs Giants
Week 14 opponent: Home vs Bengals
Jerry Jones came out on his radio show last week and said he would not be shocked if Mike McCarthy were to get a contract extension. You can take this in multiple different ways. For one, at this point, he is still the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, and what else is Jerry Jones supposed to say when asked that question? The other way you can interpret it is that he is being serious and is actually thinking about keeping McCarthy as the head coach. I, for one, would be utterly shocked if Mike McCarthy remains as the head coach for the Cowboys after this season. It was a lost season after Dak Prescott fell, and the players are still fighting hard. They are still mathematically in the race, but a change needs to be made in Dallas.
20. Miami Dolphins
Last week's ranking: 19
Week 13 result: 30-17 loss vs Packers
Week 14 opponent: Home vs Jets
Will the Miami Dolphins ever be able to beat the cold weather narrative that they continue to get? This was a game that the Dolphins needed to have to keep their playoff chances alive, and they came out flat on both sides of the ball and were beaten down by Green Bay. The offense just has not seemed to find the consistency we have seen from them before this season. They haven't been able to get the ball to Tyreek Hill, and Tua has not played as well as you like to see from a franchise quarterback. The defense still has its flaws, as Green Bay was able to run all over them, and the secondary still has its issues. I don't know if the Dolphins will ever be able to get past the cold weather narrative, and that worries me.
19. San Francisco 49ers
Last week's ranking: 18
Week 13 result: 35-10 loss vs Bills
Week 14 opponent: Home vs Bears
It has been an injury-riddled season for Kyle Shannahan and the San Francisco 49ers. When you lose your top guy on offense and your top guy on defense, it is a tough challenge to travel halfway across the country against one of the top teams in the league. This team is broken right now, and the reason has been because of injuries. In a blink, the Niners are now in last place in the NFC West. They will most likely need to win out to have any sort of chance to make the playoffs. A tall task for Brock Purdy, who doesn't have the weapons he is used to. I saw something about how Kyle Shannahan should be on the hot seat. Give me a break. That guy would be picked up in a second on the open market. Those talks need to stop. He is still an elite coach.
18. Indianapolis Colts
Last week's ranking: 25
Week 13 result: 25-24 win vs Patriots
Week 14 opponent: Bye
Anthony Richardson led his team on a game-winning drive to win the game, and Shane Steichen decided to roll the dice and go for two and win the game, and he put the ball in his quarterback's hands. Since being inserted back into the starting lineup, Anthony Richardson has improved in all aspects of his game. The Colts are still in the wild card race as the wind keeps them alive, and the schedule to end the season is very favorable for Indianapolis. Don't be shocked if this team can win and find a way to sneak into the playoffs. Everything is still in front of them.
17. Atlanta Falcons
Last week's ranking: 17
Week 13 result: 17-13 loss vs Chargers
Week 14 opponent: Away vs Vikings
Kirk Cousins is not playing good football right now, which is costing his team. Is a move to Michael Penix going to happen? At 6-6, the Falcons need to find something quickly or they will be out of the playoff race. Cousins had a poor four-interception game against the Chargers on Sunday, and they are not seeing the field well right now. This season, Cousins has 17 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions. Quarterback play has been a thorn in the side for a while for the Falcons, and it has continued with Kirk Cousins now in Atlanta. Is it time for the rookie?
16. Los Angeles Rams
Last week's ranking: 15
Week 13 result: 21-14 win vs Saints
Week 14 opponent: Home vs Bills
The Rams had a big road win against the Saints, which keeps them smack dab in the divisional race, which has been a crazy NFC West. At 6-6, the wild card and the NFC West are in the picture for the Rams. They face a big challenge with Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills coming to town this weekend. The Rams aren't a flashy team, but they do just enough on offense and on defense to win the game. They still haven't found any consistency on offense, even with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back. You can never doubt Sean Mcvay and Matthew Stafford. Something tells me this team will be in the thick of it as the season ends.
15. Arizona Cardinals
Last week's ranking: 13
Week 13 result: 23-22 loss vs Vikings
Week 14 opponent: Home vs Seahawks
The loss on Sunday against the Vikings is one that just got away from the Arizona Cardinals and one that they should have won. They now face a must-win this week at home against the Seattle Seahawks. A few weeks ago, the Seahawks were able to shut down the Cardinal's offense, and they had no answer. They must be much better this week to keep their chances at the division alive. This young team hasn't found any consistency they can play with just yet, which is why they have lost a lot of close games this season. It all comes down to Sunday against the Seahawks for Arizona.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last week's ranking: 12
Week 13 result: 26-23 win vs Panthers
Week 14 opponent: Home vs Raiders
It wasn't pretty by any means, but the Bucs were able to pull out a win on the road against the Carolina Panthers to save their season. They'll have to play a lot better on both sides of the ball if they want to make a run to the playoffs. Suddenly, the Bucs are tied for first with the Atlanta Falcons in the AFC South. This team has dealt with many key injuries this season, and they have been outstanding this season in helping out Baker Mayfield with the running game, working on all levels. Baker Mayfield wasn't exceptional in this game against the Panthers, but they did just enough on offense to pull out a win. Things have gotten interesting in the AFC South.
13. Seattle Seahawks
Last week's ranking: 10
Week 13 result: 26-21 win vs Jets
Week 14 opponent: Away vs Cardinals
It wasn't pretty by any means, but Seattle was able to pull out a big road victory to take over first place in the NFC West. What impressed me so much from Seattle is the strides the defense has taken this season under first-year head coach Mike Macdonald. We know what the offense can look like when all things are clicking for them, and after a midseason slump, they have skyrocketed back into playoff contention. The conversation about Mike Macdonald entering the coach of the year conversation must begin. The work he has done this season has been awe-inspiring. Seattle travels to Arizona in a big divisional game this week. A win here would put the Seahawks in the driver's seat of the NFC West.
12. Houston Texans
Last week's ranking: 16
Week 13 result: 23-20 win vs Jaguars
Week 14 opponent: Bye
So far this season, it has been tough sledding for C.J. Stroud and the Texans offense. Something feels off from last year, and they have taken a massive step back. The run game with Joe Mixon is inconsistent, Stroud himself is not having a good season, and the offensive line in front of him has been a mess. They were able to make enough plays in Jacksonville to pull out a win, but I still leave that game with more questions than answers for the Texans. They are still in good shape to take home the division with a two-game lead, but aspirations before the season were Super Bowl or bust, and right now, they do not look like a Super Bowl contender.
11. Denver Broncos
Last week's ranking: 11
Week 13 result: 41-32 win vs Browns
Week 14 opponent: Home vs Colts
They were able to pull out a big win at home against a Browns team that has been playing better than their record shows, but it wasn't a win where you feel comfortable about this team moving forward. Denver came into the game with one of the top defensive units in the league, and they were absolutely torched by Jameis Winston and the Browns offense. The secondary is a big issue for the Denver Broncos. They have a good corner in Patrick Surtain, but Levi Wallace was absolutely torched in this game, and they could not slow down Jerry Jeudy and the Browns receivers. The offense moved the ball on a Cleveland defense that has been struggling, but this is not the style the Broncos are built to play. They won't win a lot of shootout games with a rookie quarterback. You would much rather win in a game like this, which they did. Denver is in good shape for a wild card spot.
10. Washington Commanders
Last week's ranking: 14
Week 13 result: 42-19 win vs Titans
Week 14 opponent: Bye
The Commanders desperately needed a get-right game this week against a struggling Titans team, and they got one in a blowout win. The three-game skid ended, and they looked like the Washington Commanders we saw a month ago. The key for the commanders all year has been the running attack. Want to help out a rookie quarterback going through the ebbs and flows of a rookie season? Run the football effectively. Washington was able to do that and take some pressure off of Daniels, which helped him. At 8-5, the Commanders are right where they must be to get a wild card spot.
9. Los Angeles Chargers
Last week's ranking: 9
Week 13 result: 17-13 win vs Falcons
Week 14 opponent: Away vs Chiefs
After a loss to Baltimore on Monday night, the Chargers had a nice bounce-back performance on Sunday against the Falcons on the road. After some defensive breakdowns at home against the Ravens, the Chargers were able to get that fixed on a short week and force four interceptions off of Kirk Cousins. If the Chargers can play this well on defense and run the ball effectively, this will be a tough team to beat come playoff time. The Chargers have given up 188 points this season, which ranks the fewest in the NFL. They'll face a tough test on the road against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
8. Baltimore Ravens
Last week's ranking: 7
Week 13 result: 24-19 loss vs Eagles
Week 14 opponent: Bye
After a loss to Pittsburgh a few weeks ago, where the offense stalled out, it was more of the same this week against one of the top defensive units in the league, the Philadelphia Eagles. The Ravens now have a question to answer with kicker Justin Tucker. Clearly, he is not the same player he used to be, and he has had a very inconsistent season, so what do you do with him? He missed two field goals and an extra point on Sunday against Philadelphia, costing his team the game. I don't think it is necessary to move him just yet, but it is something to monitor. Father Time might finally be coming for Justin Tucker.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers
Last week's ranking: 6
Week 13 result: 44-38 win vs Bengals
Week 14 opponent: Home vs Browns
You have to give Mike Tomlin a lot of credit for going with his gut in week six and replacing his 4-2 quarterback, Justin Fields, with Russell Wilson. The move has worked out, as Wilson has been outstanding for the Steelers this season. Pittsburgh could go into Cincinnati, get in a shootout with a team, and pull out the win. When was the last time you could say that about a Pittsburgh team? It has been a while. The offense is finally clicking on all cylinders, and Arthur Smith has done an outstanding job as the offensive coordinator. The defense was iffy on Sunday, and penalties are a big issue, especially in the secondary, but the pass rushers for Pittsburgh made a few splash plays to win them the game. You have to feel good if you are the Steelers.
6. Minnesota Vikings
Last week's ranking: 8
Week 13 result: 23-22 win vs Cardinals
Week 14 opponent: Home vs Falcons
Usually, when a team wins a lot of close games, there is a narrative out there that they are what their record says they are and that they are a good team. I agree with that statement for the most part, but the same thing was said two years ago, in 2022, about the Minnesota Vikings, who lost in the first round against the New York Giants. Do I think that the Vikings are frauds? I don't. Do I believe the Vikings are one of the shortlisted teams capable of winning the Super Bowl? I don't. There are plenty of reasons why I think this, but it ultimately comes down to quarterback play.
5. Green Bay Packers
Last week's ranking: 5
Week 13 result: 30-17 win vs Dolphins
Week 14 opponent: Away vs Lions
The Packers could handle a Dolphins team that was beaten up on Thanksgiving night. When Green Bay can run the ball effectively with Josh Jacobs, this is a scary team you will not want to run into come playoff time. The playmaking ability on defense has impressed me so much this season for the Packers. Xavier McKinney is playing at a defensive player of the year level, making plays all over the field, and Green Bay always seems to come up with a big play when they need it. The Packers travel to Detroit on Thursday night to face off against the Lions in a big game that will have NFC North and playoff-seeding implications.
4. Kansas City Chiefs
Last week's ranking: 4
Week 13 result: 19-17 win vs Raiders
Week 14 opponent: Home vs Chargers
The Chiefs don't look good during the games, but they always seem to find a way to win them, and that is all that matters. We were saying the same thing last year about the Chiefs, and they were able to go out and win the Superbowl. I will never doubt Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid in the playoffs, but they cannot deny that they have gotten a bit lucky this season. The Raiders had the ball in Chiefs territory with a chance to kick a game-winning field goal, but an errant snap and a Chiefs recovery were enough for the Chiefs to come out victorious. They just always seem to find a way to win. The Chiefs' last three wins have been by a combined seven points. Is it sustainable? We will find out.
3. Philadelphia Eagles
Last week's ranking: 3
Week 13 result: 24-19 win vs Eagles
Week 14 opponent: Home vs Panthers
The more I watch them play, the more I think they are the most complete team in the league and should be the favorite to win the Superbowl. This is a team that has no weaknesses. They have a defense that is finally flying on all cylinders and playing with an attitude like the year they made it to the Superbowl, an extremely physical offense with an MVP candidate at the running back position who might be the best player on the planet right now. What is going to hold this team back from a deep playoff run? It's easy to say coaching, but Nick Sirianni has done a good job this season, has been more hands-off, and has let his coordinators call the plays. He has been a leader of men, which the eagles needed. This team is destined for a deep playoff run, and I don't know who will step in their way.
2. Buffalo Bills
Last week's ranking: 2
Week 13 result: 35-10 win vs 49ers
Week 14 opponent: Away vs Rams
When was the last team able to clinch a division as early as the beginning of December? After week 13, the Buffalo Bills have done just that, clinching the AFC East. In what was considered a transition year for the Bills, and many people thought their Super Bowl window had closed, Josh Allen has played at an MVP level, and they are playing the best they have played in the Sean McDermott, Josh Allen era. All the goals are still in front of Buffalo, and we have seen them play like this before and lose in the playoffs. Something just feels different about this team. Can they finally get past the naysayers and make a deep playoff run?
1. Detroit Lions
Last week's ranking: 1
Week 13 result: 23-20 win vs Bears
Week 14 opponent: Home vs Packers
It wasn't a pretty second half at home on Thanksgiving against the Bears, but the first half was as advertised, and the Lions looked unstoppable. They could do anything on offense, and the defense played at a high level. It was a tale of two halves, and the Lions came out flat in the second half, but they were able to find a way to win it at the end. That's what great teams can do. You can see that the injuries are starting to pile up on defense for this team. They already lost Aidan Hutchinson to injury earlier in the season, and they have been unable to replace him. The Lions face a big test In the next two weeks as they face the Packers and the Bills. It should be a good test for Dan Campbell's team.
