HI everyone, hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. We had some phenomenal football games over the weekend. We also had many upsets with the Bills and Cowboys both losing as heavy favorites. We are more confused than ever about who’s good but let’s try to rank the teams anyways, shall we?
32. Lions 0-8 (Drew Rating: -21.57 Projected Record 0-8) LW: 32
Great news Lions fans, you did not lose this week. The question we all have right now in the Motor City is how long do the Lions stick with Jared Goff, who has been awful as of late. With the Lions suffering two embarrassing home losses in games that were over by halftime we would have to think that leash with the former Ram is really short. We already saw what back up David Blough brought to the table in 2019 (not much to be kind), but we wouldn’t be surprised if Macho Man Danny Campbell gives Blough a look at some point.
31. Texans 1-8 (Drew Rating: -21.10 Projected Record 1-8) LW: 31
We thought that Tyrod Taylor returning would make the Texans look like a competent football team. However, the Texans looked just as bad in a game that has to go down as one of the worst games ever football games ever witnessed in this life or another. There was 26 points and 9 turnovers in a 17-9 game in Miami Gardens that had so much horror to it that Freddy Kruger would be jealous. The Texans are only spared by how bad the Lions have been that they aren’t at the lowest of these ratings, but one thing is true. Both the Lions and Texans are two of the worst teams we have seen in recent memory.
30. Dolphins 2-7 (Drew Rating: -18.18 Projected Record 1-8) LW: 29
You play the worst game ever seen by man you have to drop in the rankings even though you won the game. The Dolphins are an abomination this year after being one of the biggest surprises in all of football in 2020. The issue with the Dolphins this year isn’t even that they are bad, they are a boring team to watch on top of being bad at football. Tua is likely not going to play this week since the Phins play on Thursday night football. That means Tua has only played four full games all year and is proving the skeptics that he can’t stay healthy right. Tua’s progress is the only reason why anyone would want to spend any of their Sunday’s watching this team.
29. Jaguars 2-6 (Drew Rating: -19.84 Projected Record 1-7) LW: 30
Josh Allen, meet Josh Allen. The Jags Josh Allen had a day with a sack, fumble recovery and interception in the Jags monster 9-6 upset of the Bills on Sunday. The Jags won even they didn’t score a touchdown and averaged a putrid 3.8 yards per play in the game. Truth of the matter is it doesn’t matter if it looks pretty, beating the team regarded as the AFC favorite is a great accomplishment no matter how you get it done. A huge day and moment for the baby Jags.
28. Jets 2-6 (Drew Rating: -18.91 Projected Record 1-7) LW: 27
Josh Johnson the backdoor cover king, well almost. The Jets offense has shown some life the last two weeks scoring 64 total points while rookie signal caller Zach Wilson recovers from a knee sprain. Between Keelan Cole, Jamison Crowder and Elijah Moore the Jets have an underrated receiving group. With the production from the backups with this group the pressure will all be on Zach Wilson to prove himself when he returns from injury.
27. WFT 2-6 (Drew Rating: -18.51 Projected Record 1-7) LW: 28
The WFT comes off their bye week with an angry Bucs team coming to town. Incredibly the Football’s were 2-7 to start last season and finished 5-2 down the stretch to win one of the worst divisions in recent football history. The Cowboys improvement ensures that feat is not possible this season. What the fighting football’s will have to do is pull an unlikely upset of the former champs on Sunday to give themselves any hope of getting back into the hunt for the seventh playoff spot in the NFC.
26. Bears 3-6 (Drew Rating: -14.75 Projected Record 2-7) LW: 25
Justin Fields showed the football world in the second half in the Steel City why Bears fans might have finally found their franchise QB. One half of excellent play and showing how much ability the former Buckeye is not going to ensure that Justin Fields is going to be the next great Quarterback, but optimism should be high in the Windy City. For the game itself on Monday, let’s just say that Tony Corrente is not going to be welcome at any restaurant or shop on Michigan Avenue anytime in the near future.
25. 49ers 3-5 (Drew Rating: -4.61 Projected Record 4-4) LW: 23
The 3-4 49ers were a 5 point favorite over the 7-1 Cardinals which sounded absurd enough (even with all of the injuries). What happened was the 49ers getting manhandled by a superior football team in all faucets of the game. The good news for the team by the bay is that the playoffs are still a possibility in the top heavy NFC, especially if they can find a way to upset the Rams on Monday night football, good luck to the Niners though as the Rams will be licking their chops after getting blown out themselves on Sunday.
24. Giants 3-6 (Drew Rating: -2.56 Projected Record 4-5) LW: 23
The Giants played a great second half defensively in a 23-16 win over the Vaders on Sunday. The Giants are in a precarious spot as the talk around football is have the clock running out on Daniel Jones. Jones had a bad turnover early in the game on Sunday but recovered to play well in the second half and lead the G Unit on two field goal drives to seal the win. The Giants defense has been fantastic as of late and in a wide open NFC the Giants actually still have a punchers chance at the number 7 seed in the NFC.
23. Eagles 3-6 (Drew Rating: 2.18 Projected Record 5-4) LW: 21
The Eagles stayed true to their theme of beating bad teams and losing to good teams with their 27-24 loss to the Chargers on Sunday. The good news that came from this game was the continued progress of Jalen Hurts. Hurts is a work in progress as a passer but he makes things happen when he gets out of the pocket and in the open field, either by creating time to make a big throw or tucking it in to run the football, the win over the 7th seed Falcons in Week 1 keeps the Eagles relevant in the NFC Wildcard picture.
22. Vikings 3-5 (Drew Rating: 3.63 Projected Record 4-4) LW: 22
The Vikings lost a game in a predictably Vikings way on Sunday in the land of crab cakes. The Vikings were up 24-10 in the second half, then they gave up three straight touchdown drives. Then was able to tie the game late to force overtime. Got a big interception of Lamar Jackson in overtime only to go three and out. Of course on the Ravens second opportunity they took advantage and drove into field goal range to come away with the 34-31 victory, the Vikings are an enigma.
21. Seahawks 3-5 (Drew Rating: 4.53 Projected Record 4-4) LW: 20
The Hawks got fantastic news at the end of their bye week with the news of Russell Wilson being cleared to return. With the Hawks leader back behind center the Seahawks have to be strongly considered as a favorite to claim the 7th seed in the NFC. Russ and company will have a huge test though over the next two weeks playing the Packers and Cardinals. If the Hawks can split those two games to stay in the hunt the schedule becomes very favorable down the stretch. Pete Carroll and company will be a team to look out for down the stretch.
20. Falcons 4-4 (Drew Rating: -9.31 Projected Record 3-5) LW: 24
The Falcons proved some resiliency after blowing a 24-6 4th Quarter lead but recovering to get a late Younghoe Koo field goal to beat the Saints 27-25. Two things are currently true, the Saints and Falcons are always destined to play weird games annually and the Falcons are somehow the current 7th seed in the NFC. The Falcons are a flawed and interesting team, they can’t run the ball but can throw it and the defense is better than people think (but still about league average). We all know that the Falcons will continue to be unpredictable on a weekly basis, just stay tuned.
19. Panthers 4-5 (Drew Rating: -4.73 Projected Record 4-5) LW: 15
As a Cards fan am I supposed to be happy or sad that Sam Darnold is out of the game on Sunday? Sam Darnold was awful again on Sunday throwing three interceptions in a 24-6 home loss to the Pats. The Panthers have been one of the best defensive teams in football all season and will need that defense to step up if they want to hang in the NFC playoff picture as former XFL Legend P.J Walker will take over behind center for the cats.
18. Colts 4-5 (Drew Rating: 7.23 Projected Record 6-3) LW: 19
Jonathan Taylor is awesome and Carson Wentz can make plays when allotted time to throw. The Colts are one of the most dangerous teams in the AFC if they can sneak into the playoffs. The troublesome part for the horseshoes is that they are currently 12th in the conference and the AFC there are probably too many teams for the shoes to jump. Another concerning tidbit is the Colts inability to stop any passing game as former CFL legend Josh Johnson lit up the Colts defense on Thursday night, an interesting watch down the stretch nonetheless, stay tuned.
17. Steelers 5-3 (Drew Rating: -3.59 Projected Record 4-4) LW: 17
Monday night even in a win had to be very concerning for the Steelers fans. Yes the Steelers did win (thanks to the friends with yellow hankies) but the defense was terrible in the second half. This defense is not quite the same unit it has been and there is too much talent to be giving up 6 yards a play (and 7.1 yards a play to a Bears team that had 4.7 yards per play in their previous 8 games). However, this flawed team is 5-3 and Mike Tomlin is doing yet another amazing coaching job, finding ways to win football games.
16. Chiefs 5-4 (Drew Rating: -3.46 Projected Record 4-5) LW: 18
What is wrong with Patrick Mahomes? There are theories about his family taking his attention away from football to himself being afraid of getting him. Truth is that defense are making him beat them with the short stuff and Pat is getting impatient trying to make too much happen. The Chiefs for how poor they have looked are only a half game out of first and can be in first place as early as Sunday evening if they can win a game in Vegas against the suddenly reeling Raiders, this is still the team to beat in the AFC West until proven otherwise.
15. Chargers 5-3 (Drew Rating: .53 Projected Record 4-4) LW: 14
Justin Herbert cures a lot of ills. The Bolts cannot block interior pass rushers, they cannot stop the run, and they do not run the ball enough. The Chargers have been playing a bunch of close games for years but have found a way to win a few this season including Sunday in Philly. They have metrically been an average football team but with a great young Quarterback you have to believe that the Chargers will find a way to make it back to the postseason in 2021.
14. Broncos 5-4 (Drew Rating: 1.28 Projected Record 5-4) LW: 16
Well that was unexpected. The Broncos got their biggest signature win in years on Sunday dominating the Cowboys in every faucet of the game in a game that looked like a home game for the Broncos. This changes the entire perspective for the rest of the year for the orange and blue as they have a realistic shot at the playoffs and an outside shot at the division. On a side note a sad part about so many third party websites selling tickets to fans of visiting teams is that home field advantage in many NFL stadiums doesn’t exist anymore. A big reason why so many road underdogs are covering this year.
13. Bengals 5-4 (Drew Rating: 3.71 Projected Record 5-4) LW: 8
The Bengals have come crashing down to Earth over the past two weeks as the Bengals have given up 75 points and almost 900 yards of offense allowed in the two defeats to the Jets and Browns. Joe Burrow had a tough day as Denzel Ward took a 99 yard pick six to the house early as the Bayou/Ohio Bengal would fail to throw a touchdown for the first time all season (had thrown 2 or more in every game before Sunday). The Bengals may be a year away but they still are not out of the hunt and the bye week couldn’t have come at a better time.
12. Saints 5-3 (Drew Rating: 5.37 Projected Record 5-3) LW: 10
The Saints came crashing back down to Earth in Sunday’s loss to the Falcons. Many including myself were wondering why Taysom Hill wasn’t the main Quarterback behind center and then Trevor Siemian led three fourth Quarter drives to lead the Saints from a 24-6 deficit into a 25-24 lead in a half a quarters span of game time. Unfortunately the Saints defense allowed in one play a 64 yard Matt Ryan to Corderelle Patterson pass to setup a game winning chip shot field goal from Younghoe Koo. The Saints are a team that is hard to project what the second half will look like with the uncertain Quarterback situation.
11. Raiders 5-3 (Drew Rating: 5.37 Projected Record 5-3) LW: 9
Henry Ruggs, Damon Arnette, and of course Jon Gruden have all had tumultuous departures from Vegas and all of these incidents the led to their dismissal from the team has happened within the last month. This is likely too much turmoil and distractions to overcome from a team that started 3-0 and looked to turn a corner at the beginning of the season. Derek Carr had arguably his worst game of the season with three turnovers in Sunday’s loss in Jersey. The Raiders do have a golden opportunity to prove all of us wrong and put themselves in a great spot with a win over the Chiefs on Sunday night football.
10. Browns 5-4 (Drew Rating: 7 Projected Record 6-3) LW: 13
If Sunday wasn’t proof that the waiving of Odell Beckham was addition by subtraction maybe this fact will. Seven of Baker Mayfield’s best eight games of his career has came without Odell active on gameday. Odell Beckham Jr. is still a good player and will be a welcome addition to a contender in the coming days. But Odell Beckham’s celebrity was too big to handle for a young Quarterback like Baker Mayfield who is better playing within the system and not having to focus on getting just one player the football. The Brownies could be a dangerous team in the second half.
9. Patriots 5-4 (Drew Rating: 9.20 Projected Record 6-3) LW: 12
The Pats keep climbing up the rankings as Bill Belichick cast his ghostly spell on Sam Darnold yet again on Sunday in Charlotte. The Pats do not have an over the top weapon but they do many things well to make up for the lack of big play potential on the outside. They block well, they have two good running backs, and they don’t give up big plays on defense. The Pats like the team from North East Ohio looks like a dangerous team as we head into the second half. Oh look, the Pats and Browns play head to head on Sunday, this is going to be an excellent test for both teams.
8. Bills 5-3 (Drew Rating: 29.61 Projected Record 8-0) LW: 6
That Drew Rating is correct. The Bills have a point differential of plus 117. They are 17 percent better on third downs then their opponents. They average more than a yard per play than their opponents. Lastly they have a turnover differential of plus 11. This is dominance yet they are only 5-3. It’s simple why, they have been terrible in close games. The Bills are 5-0 in games decided by double digits and 0-3 in games decided by 7 points or less. Metrics don’t always tell the story. But the metrics say the Bills are the best team in football and the 8-1 Cardinals are the only team even in their stratosphere, frustrating to be a Bills fan right now.
7. Ravens 6-2 (Drew Rating: 2.18 Projected Record 4-4) LW: 11
Lamar Jackson is the MVP and here’s why. With all of the injuries the Ravens are not the team they would have been at full strength. Even with marginal Quarterback play the Ravens are 2-6 and out of the hunt. They came back from down 12 in the 4th against the Chiefs, got a miracle to beat the Lions but it counts, came back from down 16 in the 4th to beat the Colts and now came back from down 14 in the second half to beat the Vikings. Lamar Jackson has been dazzling in big game situations if you take away his late game issues against the Raiders in Week 1. The Ravens would be cooked without Lamar instead of the AFC favorites which is where they stand today.
6. Cowboys 6-2 (Drew Rating: 11.81 Projected Record 6-2) LW: 5
The Cowboys were so out of sorts on Sunday, let’s chalk it up to one of those games that is very easy to flush and reset. Sometimes a team does not have it on a specific Sunday and that appears to be what happened to the Cowboys on Sunday. My big question was what happened to the team that was supposed to be America’s team. America’s team played a home game that many of us could have confused for a road game in Denver. Not like the Broncos were a juggernaut as their fan base morale before Sunday was some of the lowest in the league, not good Dallas not good.
5. Packers 7-2 (Drew Rating: 4 Projected Record 5-4) LW: 1
Not kind I know to drop the Packers from 1 to 5 just because Jordan Love was bad at footballone Sunday but the Packers were a very underwhelming 7-1 to begin with. This reminds me of the 2019 13-3 Packers more than the 2020 13-3 Packers. My guess is this is a 13-4 Packers team that makes it to the NFC Championship game yet again. Good thing they have a Quarterback that is immunized.
4. Rams 7-2 (Drew Rating: 13.12 Projected Record 7-2) LW: 3
Do I think the Rams are a better overall team than the Titans even after what happened on Sunday. I do, but the results of the game made me have to put the Titans ahead of the Rams for the time being. The Rams are a team that is better when front running. Sean McVay has never lost a game in his career when he leads at halftime. McVay is brilliant when ahead in games and knows how to put teams away. But the data is there that when you get ahead on the Rams you can force them into mistakes and even blow them out going the other way. The first half matters against the Rams more than any other team in football.
3. Titans 7-2 (Drew Rating: 5.03 Projected Record 5-4) LW: 7
The Titans only had 197 yards of total offense on Sunday night in L.A so let’s not get ahead of ourselves and say the Titans offense dominated without the great Derrick Henry. What the Titans do well and have done well under Mike Vrabel is they do not beat themselves and that was the case again on Sunday night. Kevin Byard got a game changing pick six of Matthew Stafford and then the Titans went on their best drive of the game right before the half and the game went from 7-3 to 21-3 and was game over in an instant. I am not sure if the Titans will be the best team in the AFC at years end but they are the best team in the AFC right now..
2. Bucs 6-2 (Drew Rating: 17.55 Projected Record 7-1) LW: 4
The team and player who benefited the most from all of the top NFC teams falling in Week 9 was Tom Brady and the Bucs. Brady has to be at the top of the MVP conversation now (I have him third behind Kyler Murray and Lamar Jackson) but with the easiest remaining schedule in all of football the Bucs still have a very good chance at getting the top seed in the NFC. I’ve said it before and will say it again God loves Tom Brady.
1.Cardinals 8-1 (Drew Rating: 23.73 Projected Record 8-1) LW: 2
They beat the number three team by 25, the number four team by 17, the number 10 team by 23 and the 49ers without their starting Quarterback, running back or two receivers by 14. Did I forget to mention they won all of those games on the road. The Cards are almost a lock to make the postseason for the first time since 2015 and would be in excellent shape to lock up the NFC West for first time in six years if they beat the Rams on a Monday night game in four weeks. Killer shades there Kliff!