The NFL season is ending as we transition into late December and Christmas gets closer. After a week where we saw the current No. 1 team lose and drama all around the league, here are the rankings.
32. New York Giants
Last week’s ranking: 31
Week 15 result: 35-14 loss vs Ravens
Week 16 opponent: Away vs Falcons
Could things get any worse for Brian Daboll and the New York Giants? Yet another plane flew over Metlife Stadium with a message to John Mara and the organization. They have lost nine straight games and are 0-8 at home this season. What keeps me from giving Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen another year is the lack of fight from this team. If a coach is on the hot seat and has the chance of getting fired, you usually see the players fight hard out there and give them a chance to win the game. We have not seen that from the New York Giants. They have given up on the season. The only logical thing to do is blow it up and start over again.
31. Tennessee Titans
Last week’s ranking: 28
Week 15 result: 37-27 loss vs Bengals
Week 16 opponent: Away vs Colts
The Titans came into the season with optimism and a second-year quarterback who showed some flashes last year. What they have gotten this season has been an absolute disaster. Will Levis has proven he is not a franchise quarterback, and Brian Callahan and the Tennessee Titans are looking for answers. Mason Rudolph came into the game to try to spark the offense, but he couldn't find any consistency. This is a team that will be selecting a quarterback in the draft in April. The quarterback will come into a good situation as there are weapons to work with. Just a frustrating year for a team that some thought could surprise people this season.
30. Las Vegas Raiders
Last week’s ranking: 32
Week 15 result: 15-9 loss vs Falcons
Week 16 opponent: Home vs Jaguars
This team has no chance with Desmond Ridder at quarterback. They cannot find anything on offense, and they can't run the ball. That is a recipe for disaster. The defense did a good job keeping them in the game on Monday night against the Falcons, but the lack of offense cost them, and it will continue. The vision now swings to the offseason for the Raiders and the prized selection of a quarterback they will have in April. They need a franchise guy.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars
Last week’s ranking: 27
Week 15 result: 32-25 loss vs Jets
Week 16 opponent: Away vs Raiders
It will be the Mac Jones show for the rest of the season for the Jacksonville Jaguars, as Trevor Lawrence is out after a concussion. This is a good time for Jones to try and get some film out there and show what he is capable of doing. He has commanded the offense well so far and has been able to make some plays for the Jaguars. From two years ago, when the Jaguars lost to the Chiefs in the divisional round, to a collapse last season, finishing 9-8 and missing the playoffs, to this season, it has all gone downhill under the tenure of Doug Pederson. It seems like a lifetime ago, the Jaguars were just winning the wild card game in 2022. How things can change quickly in the NFL.
28. New England Patriots
Last week’s ranking: 30
Week 15 result: 30-17 loss vs Cardinals
Week 16 opponent: Away vs Bills
One could argue that Drake Maye has looked the best out of this year's rookie quarterback class. I was hesitant at first about bringing him in behind a struggling New England offensive line, but Maye has certainly looked the part and looks to possess all the skills of being a franchise quarterback. We know that the kid can play; now it is time for New England to go out and get him some weapons in the offseason. The Patriots have lacked explosiveness at the wide receiver position for quite some time, and they will have to provide it for Drake Maye in the offseason. Jerrod Mayo has done enough to deserve to come back for another season, but they have a lot of work to do.
27. Cleveland Browns
Last week’s ranking: 26
Week 15 result: 21-7 loss vs Chiefs
Week 16 opponent: Away vs Bengals
It seems as if the luck has worn off a bit for Jameis Winston and the Cleveland Browns. When he is on, he can be a starting quarterback in the league, but when he is struggling, he turns the ball over and looks like one of the worst. It has been a tough season for the Browns overall. Nick Chubb is now out for the season after hurting his foot on Sunday vs the Chiefs. Ownership has said that they expect Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry to be back for the 2025 season, to go along with Deshaun Watson as the starting quarterback. Stefanski is a heck of a coach, and it is a good decision to bring him back, but I have issues with the other two. The Browns don't have a choice with Deshaun Watson, as they have already committed so much money to him. Do you trust Deshaun Watson can turn it around from a torn Achilles? I sure don't.
26. Chicago Bears
Last week’s ranking: 24
Week 15 result: 30-12 loss vs Vikings
Week 16 opponent: Home vs Lions
It was the Hail Mary from Jayden Daniels and the Washington commanders that put an end to the Chicago Bears season. Ever since that play, it has gone downhill. You'd think you would get some spark from firing their head coach, Matt Eberflus, but the Bears have worsened. As they transition into the offseason, this will be pivotal for Ryan Poles and the company. They have to find the right coach. I'd assume this will be an attractive job given the pieces already there and having a franchise quarterback in Caleb Williams, but the more he plays the more he seems to struggle. Will Ben Johnson hop on board and risk getting into this mess? Would you take the job?
25. Carolina Panthers
Last week’s ranking: 25
Week 15 result: 30-14 loss vs Cowboys
Week 16 opponent: Home vs Cardinals
It was the first time in nearly two years that the Carolina Panthers were favorites to win a football game. With how the Panthers' luck has gone the past couple of years, they could not pull out a win against the Dallas Cowboys. The question now for the Panthers becomes what they will do at the quarterback position. Unless Bryce Young looks terrible at the end of the season, he will likely remain the starting quarterback for the Panthers in 2025. It wasn't a good start against the Cowboys, as Young was terrible in that game. Is Bryce Young the future of the Carolina Panthers? He has looked the part the last couple of weeks, but do you trust him to turn this franchise around?
24. New York Jets
Last week’s ranking: 29
Week 15 result: 32-25 win vs Jaguars
Week 16 opponent: Home vs Rams
The Jets ended the four-game skid and got a road victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jets are lucky to win this game, especially with Aaron Rodgers being their leading rusher with 45 yards on the ground. That isn't necessarily a recipe for success for the New York Jets. If it means anything, the connection between Davante Adams and Aaron Rodgers is still there. Rodgers has played well the past couple of weeks, and the offense looks much better than it did at the beginning of the season. We know what the Jets need. Stability at the general manager and head coaching position. With that being known and how the Jets operate, I wouldn't be shocked if Aaron Rodgers himself interviews for the head coaching position. A Jackie Moon do-it-all type of guy. Who says no?
23. Indianapolis Colts
Last week’s ranking: 18
Week 15 result: 31-13 loss vs Broncos
Week 16 opponent: Home vs Titans
The game against the Broncos summed up the entire season for the Indianapolis Colts. Jonathan Taylor dropped the ball at the one-yard and ruled a touchback. A trick play that goes horribly wrong, and the Broncos take it back for a touchdown. The Colts needed this game to keep their slim playoff chances alive, and they did not look like a team that should be in the playoffs. Two many mistakes and missed opportunities. You won't win many NFL games if you turn the ball over five times. The Colts will stick with Anthony Richardson for the remainder of the season, but one may wonder what the Colts will do at the quarterback position in the offseason. A game that the Colts needed to keep their season alive, they came out and looked uninspired.
22. New Orleans Saints
Last week’s ranking: 22
Week 15 result: 20-19 loss vs Commanders
Week 16 opponent: Away vs Packers
It was a struggle for Jake Haener to get anything going for the Saints' offense, and that prompted a move to Spencer Rattler, which proved to be a good move for New Orleans as Rattler looked much better in the offense and could move the ball. The Saints had the chance to go for the win and the two-point conversion to try and knock off the commanders, but it was a slow-developing two-point conversion play that failed, and the Saints lost the game. It now turns to the offseason for New Orleans, as they must find the right coach to take over an organization that has struggled post-Drew Brees.
21. Miami Dolphins
Last week’s ranking: 17
Week 15 result: 20-12 loss vs Texans
Week 16 opponent: Home vs 49ers
In a game that the Dolphins desperately needed to keep their already slim playoff chances alive, they went out there and really struggled on offense and could not pull out a win. What you have to wonder now is how poor the Dolphins have played against teams with winning records this season; if they feel as if Tua Tagovailoa is a good option to have as a quarterback, and with the money they are paying him, can you win a Super Bowl with him as the quarterback? This team cannot seem to get anything going against teams that are better than them. That is a big problem.
20. San Francisco 49ers
Last week’s ranking: 15
Week 15 result: 12-6 loss vs Rams
Week 16 opponent: Away vs Dolphins
Was last week a true sign of what we thought we were going to see from San Francisco the rest of the season, or did they just play the Bears? It seems like the second option, as San Francisco could not get anything going on Thursday night against the Rams. Blame injuries all you want, but San Francisco needs to get more out of Brock Purdy to win these types of games. It wasn't a pretty game, and the elite found a way to win it. The loss at home pretty much ends the playoff hopes for the 49ers. This was as poor of a performance as we have seen the Niners have in a while, and they picked a really bad time to do it.
19. Dallas Cowboys
Last week’s ranking: 23
Week 15 result: 30-14 win vs Panthers
Week 16 opponent: Home vs Bucs
Are the Cowboys going for a late surge to possibly keep the job for Mike McCarthy? While it is nice to win games, and this was a quality win on the road to keep their slim playoff chances alive, Dallas' season has been very lackluster. Isn't it bad that the stats of the highest-paid quarterback in the league look oddly similar to the backup for the Cowboys? Weird how that works. Jerry Jones had no choice. He had to pay Dak Prescott the big bucks, but do you trust Dak Prescott to go out and win a big game? There has been some drama with Micah Parsons about whether he will receive a contract extension. Jerry loves his stars. You must expect Parsons to get a new deal and remain a Cowboy.
18. Cincinnati Bengals
Last week’s ranking: 20
Week 15 result: 37-27 win vs Titans
Week 16 opponent: Home vs Browns
In a very frustrating season for Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals, one has to wonder what the Bengals might look like if one of the close games went their way. We know what Cincinnati's offense is capable of with Joe Burrow at the helm, and the defense seems to have taken a corner the last couple of weeks. While the chances are still very slim for Cincinnati to make a run at the playoffs, they do have a favorable schedule toward the end of the season, so I am not ruling it out just yet. You have to wonder now if Zac Taylor will survive this season. I think Taylor is a good coach, and the players like him, but he has to take responsibility and find a new defensive coordinator. With how the defense has performed this season, Lou Anarumo has to take responsibility. Is it the players or the scheme? Someone in Cincinnati has to take accountability, as they have just wasted an MVP season from Joe Burrow.
17. Arizona Cardinals
Last week’s ranking: 19
Week 15 result: 30-17 win vs Patriots
Week 16 opponent: Away vs Panthers
It seems like the Cardinals can take care of business against some of the bad teams in the league, but they fail whenever they face anyone competent. They looked good on Sunday against the Patriots, and Kyler Murray looked like his usual self. For a team that was not picked to do anything this season, Jonathan Gannon has them in a good spot. They were able to end the three-game skid, and they moved to 7-7, but one would think that they would have to win out to have any sort of chance to make the playoffs, to go along with the Rams and Seahawks to fall apart. The odds are stacked against them.
16. Atlanta Falcons
Last week’s ranking: 21
Week 15 result: 15-9 win vs Raiders
Week 16 opponent: Home vs Giants
A win is a win in the National Football League, and you will never complain, but watching this game on Monday night, you have to feel some sort of frustration from the Falcon's point of view. They brought in Kirk's cousins this offseason and gave him a lot of money to stabilize the quarterback position. He has not been able to do that so far. Raheem Morris has seen enough and made a move to rookie quarterback Michael Penix. What a disaster of a situation it is with Kirk Cousins already guaranteed so much money. We’ll see what Penix can do in an offense looking for any kind of spark. They stayed alive with a win over the Raiders, but they do not look like a playoff team.
15. Seattle Seahawks
Last week’s ranking: 12
Week 15 result: 30-13 loss vs Packers
Week 16 opponent: Home vs Vikings
Without Geno Smith as the team's quarterback, this is a lost football team. They were completely outclassed Sunday night against the Green Bay Packers. You thought the Seahawks' defense was taking a corner over the past couple of weeks, but they went back to their midseason form and let Josh Jacobs and the Packers run all over them. The game was over when Sam Howell came in, as he was officially lost out there. With this loss, the Seahawks chances at a playoff berth do not get any easier, with their remaining schedule being the Vikings, Bears, and Rams. It will be a tall task for Mike Macdonald and the Seahawks to make a run, especially with their starting quarterback dealing with an injury.
14. Los Angeles Chargers
Last week’s ranking: 9
Week 15 result: 40-17 loss vs Bucs
Week 16 opponent: Home vs Broncos
The Chargers went from a team that no one wanted to play to a team fighting week in and week out to make it to the playoffs. What happened against the Bucs? They were lit up against Baker Mayfield. This team has one of the top-ranked defenses in the league, and they were shredded to pieces. They have now lost two straight games and face a huge matchup on Thursday night on the road against the Denver Broncos. It seems like the running game has been absent since the loss of Jk Dobbins. They cannot seem to get a running game going, and they don't have enough weapons in the passing game to overcome that. It is time to start worrying about the Chargers.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last week’s ranking: 16
Week 15 result: 40-17 win vs Chargers
Week 16 opponent: Away vs Cowboys
What have I told you about the Tampa Bay Bucs the entire season? Just wait for them to get healthy, and they will figure it out. Well, they are finally healthy and playing their best football of the season, with Baker Mayfield having his best performance in a thumping over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. with how they are playing right now, this is a team that no one will want to play in the playoffs. Baker Mayfield has found a home in Tampa Bay, as he is having the best year of his career this season. They control their own destiny in the NFC South and should be hosting a home playoff game.
12. Washington Commanders
Last week’s ranking: 11
Week 15 result: 20-19 loss vs Saints
Week 16 opponent: Home vs Eagles
They looked like the Commanders of the beginning of the season for most of the game but fell asleep and collapsed and let the Saints back in it. This was a win that the Commanders needed to have, and they got it. You can't doubt that this team has holes in it, but they have over-achieved in year one of the Dan Quinn and Jayden Daniels tenure. The addition of Marshon Lattimore will have paid off for the commanders, as he was not even targeted in his season debut against the Saints.
11. Houston Texans
Last week’s ranking: 13
Week 15 result: 20-12 win vs Dolphins
Week 16 opponent: Away vs Chiefs
The Texans did their job on Sunday and took care of business against the Dolphins, but this team is far from where they need to be playing regarding playoff time. They clinched the AFC South, so they will host a home game, but they are nowhere close to where they need to be to win a Super Bowl. It all starts at the quarterback position, and the offensive line is also a significant factor. They'll be tested in the next two weeks, facing two of the AFC's best in the Chiefs and the Ravens. This will be a good test for the Texans to see where they are at.
10. Los Angeles Rams
Last week’s ranking: 10
Week 15 result: 12-6 win vs 49ers
Week 16 opponent: Away vs Jets
After a week where they put up 44 points against the Buffalo Bills and their offense looked to have found something, they were in a barn burner against the 49ers on the road in the rain and came out with a huge win. They now lead the NFC West, which is crazy to think about. That division had been all over the place this season. You have to give Sean McVay a lot of credit for getting his team into this position. They have dealt with a flurry of injuries this season and have a lot of young talent on the roster. They have gotten hot at the right time. Sounds a lot like last year.
9. Denver Broncos
Last week’s ranking: 14
Week 15 result: 31-13 win vs Colts
Week 16 opponent: Home vs Chargers
It wasn't a pretty game for Bo Nix and the Denver offense, but they did enough and got a few defensive splash plays to win the game against the Colts. You have to give Sean Payton a lot of credit for what he has done with this team this season. Certainly should be a candidate for coach of the year. Denver has played like this all season. They don't expect rookie quarterback Bo Nix to make a lot of plays, but he plays safe football and doesn't turn the ball over, and Denver lets their defense go to work, and that is how they are successful. They are now in great shape to make a wild card. Crazy to think what a difference a year can make. They'll have a big test on Thursday night in an AFC West clash against the Chargers. Both defenses have allowed an AFC-best 247 points this season. Something's got to give, right?
8. Baltimore Ravens
Last week’s ranking: 7
Week 15 result: 35-14 win vs Giants
Week 16 opponent: Home vs Steelers
After having their bye week so late into the season, the Ravens came out of it and had a get the proper game against a riddled New York Giants team. We know what Baltimore is capable of on offense. They have two of the top players in the league, Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. Now comes the season's matchup for Baltimore, home against the Steelers. Lamar Jackson has a 2-5 record against the Steelers. Why does he struggle so much against them? Either way, they still have everything they want in front of them. Baltimore has to handle business on the road against Pittsburgh.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers
Last week’s ranking: 6
Week 15 result: 27-13 loss vs Eagles
Week 16 opponent: Away vs Baltimore
It was a good test for the Steelers to see where they match up against one of the NFL's best, the Philadelphia Eagles, and it became very clear what the issue was with the Steelers. Without George Pickens, the passing attack would not have been the same. Pickens has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury and could miss more. Looking at it, the game against the Eagles did not really matter, but it meant that Pittsburgh would most likely not get the number one seed in the AFC. Feels like we could have assumed that. Pittsburgh still has all their goals in front of them, with a chance to clinch the AFC North on Saturday with a win over the Baltimore Ravens on the road. Pittsburgh looked to have dodged a bullet with the ankle injury to TJ Watt. Pittsburgh has a 1-10 record without TJ Watt. They go how far he goes.
6. Minnesota Vikings
Last week’s ranking: 5
Week 15 result: 30-12 win vs Bears
Week 16 opponent: Away vs Seahawks
It was a little disjointed in the first half for the Vikings against the Bears, but they could adjust and come out and have a much better second half. This team just keeps on winning. Somehow, they are 12-2 on the season. Pretty crazy, right? For a team that came into the season with a big question mark at the quarterback position, with JJ McCarthy being out for the season with a torn meniscus, Sam Darnold certainly looked the part and could be the future quarterback for the Vikings. How do you eliminate a guy with a 12-2 record as a starter? The Vikings have won seven straight games and will face a big test in the season's last three games, facing the Seahawks, Packers, and Lions. We're about to see what they're really about.
5. Green Bay Packers
Last week’s ranking: 8
Week 15 result: 30-13 win vs Seahawks
Week 16 opponent: Home vs Saints
The Packers had a dominant win on the road against the Seahawks, and Green Bay has been able to run the ball very effectively with Josh Jacobs. It is imposing. They have a physical brand of football that we have not seen from a Matt LaFleur Packers team before. They beat up the Seahawks on Sunday night on the road. They are genuinely a real threat in the NFC. Especially with the cold weather in Green Bay and the threat of traveling there, would you want to play the Packers in snow or freezing weather? Green Bay is now 10-4 and in third place in the NFC North. How crazy is that?
4. Detroit Lions
Last week’s ranking: 1
Week 15 result: 48-42 loss vs Bills
Week 16 opponent: Away vs Bears
While I still believe in Jared Goff and the Lion's offense and think they can play with anyone on any given night, the problem that the Lions have right now is that they are running low on defenders after suffering two more season-ending injuries on Sunday. This defense can't stop anything and did not have an answer for Josh Allen on Sunday. When Aidan Hutchinson went down with a gruesome injury earlier in the season, many thought the defense would be unable to maintain what they were playing like. So far, this is a defense that is looking for answers. The injuries to the defense could very well cost the Lions when it comes to the playoffs. Again, it is not about the most talented team but the healthiest team and the team playing the best at the time.
3. Kansas City Chiefs
Last week’s ranking: 2
Week 15 result: 21-7 win vs Browns
Week 16 opponent: Home vs Texans
It was another Chiefs victory on the road against the Browns, but the Chiefs have some issues they are dealing with. For one, Patrick Mahomes suffered an ankle injury and could not return to the game. Carson Wentz was the backup and did an okay job, but replacing a guy like Mahomes on the Chiefs is nearly impossible. You can write out the Chiefs on the season if he cannot play. We have seen Mahomes deal with ankle injuries before, and he is a tough player who wants to be out there with his guys, but with an already foul offensive line, the Chiefs will have to rely heavily on the run game and Isiah Pacheco. I don't want to doubt them because that's when they go on and win the Super Bowl, but the odds are certainly stacked against them if Mahomes cannot play.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
Last week’s ranking: 3
Week 15 result: 27-13 win vs Steelers
Week 16 opponent: Away vs Commanders
They keep rolling along in the NFC East, and the passing game took a big step after a long week in the Philadelphia media about the relationship between Jalen Hurts and AJ Brown. The defense under first-year defensive coordinator Vic Fangio impressed me so much about the Eagles. He has these guys playing at an extremely high level, and they have talent all over the field. You will get some good players when you draft from the Georgia back-to-back national championship teams. They have now won 10 in a row and are the hottest team in football.
1. Buffalo Bills
Last week’s ranking: 4
Week 15 result: 48-42 win vs Lions
Week 16 opponent: Home vs Patriots
For the second time in all season, we finally have a new number one: the Buffalo Bills. Many people around the NFL thought that the window for the Buffalo Bills had closed and that they didn't have what it takes to win a Super Bowl. What Josh Allen has done after that has been nothing short of incredible. He is playing at an MVP level, and they are playing some of their best football of the season. Going on the road and beating the Lions was a statement win for the Bills. They are dealing with some injuries on the defensive side of the ball, and you would like for the defense to be better, but with how Josh Allen and the offense are playing right now, they can beat anyone in any game. Josh Allen is the MVP right now.
