Hi everyone, we have had ourselves another crazy week in football. The Pats are all of a sudden the number one seed in the AFC after starting 0-4 at home. I am pretty sure that has never happened before in the history of football. We have a few more bye weeks and then we will finally be at the point where everyone has played the same amount of games, let’s get to the Rankings shall we?
32. Lions 0-10-1 (Drew Rating: -15.70 Projected Record 2-9) LW: 32
The Lions thought they might have had a Turkey day win and then was Andy Daltoned at the end of the game (I have not clue what Andy Daltoned means but it sounds cool and look at that amazing goatee!!). The Lions schedule is not very favorable to say the least down the stretch as they still have to play the Cards and Packers. Believe it or not the Cats best chance at a win might be in Week 17 against the more disinterested than their daily gloomy weather (Seattle Seahawks).
31. Jaguars 2-9 (Drew Rating: -19.17 Projected Record 1-10) LW: 29
The Bills and Dolphins may never live it down that they somehow lost to this awful football team. The Jags cannot score points, they have reached over 23 points this season a grand total of zero times. Even the Lions scored 33 points in Week 1. Trevor Lawrence has showed traits of eventually becoming an outstanding pro Quarterback but for right now with the team speed of me and my buddies on a sand field, he will have to just keep his head up and continue to learn and grow, tough times to continue in Duvall County.
30. Texans 2-9 (Drew Rating: -15.17 Projected Record 2-9) LW: 31
The Texans are a bad team we know. But with Tyrod Taylor you can see a different competitive spirit in this football team. Since Taylor has been back the Texans point differential is only minus 6 and in the five games total he’s started the Texans has been competitive in all of them. Sometimes just having a good leader behind center can inspire the whole team as the defense has only given up 51 points in the three games since Taylor’s return. The Texans will still be drafting very high but that win in Tennessee almost certainly cost them a chance at the first overall pick.
29. Jets 3-8 (Drew Rating: -19.30 Projected Record 1-10) LW: 30
Zach Wilson played solid in his return from a knee injury. The Jets turn it over more than a revolving door but have been less sloppy with the ball over the past two weeks. It’s such a football cliche but the Jets haven’t even had a serviceable Quarterback since Vinny Testaverde (maybe Chad Pennington if you want to go there?), so developing Zach Wilson for the rest of the season is the number one priority. Also Robert Saleh proving he’s a legitimate NFL Head coach, Jets are playing better as of late so maybe positive results will continue to come.
28. Seahawks (Drew Rating: -0.51 Projected Record 5-6) LW: 24
Here is my hot take of the week. The Seahawks should have traded Russell Wilson this past offseason. Bill Belichick is the best ever at know when to cut ties with players. Billy’s two exceptions was cutting ties five years too early with Chandler Jones and 27 years too early with Tom Brady, but point is Bill Belichick knows NFL is a business and knows when to cut bait at a higher rate than any other coach ever. Russell Wilson is still going to be a good quarterback for at least five more years but he wants to be a Seahawk like a husband wants to be at his in laws who hate him. Russ will still get a kings ransom this offseason but what would he have got this previous offseason is Seattle moved him, five first round picks??
27. Bears 4-7 (Drew Rating: -11.56 Projected Record 3-8) LW: 27
Andy Dalton to the rescue? Well not really but Andy Dalton did likely save Matt Nagy’s job for one more week (in my opinion likely the rest of the regular season). The Bears at 4-7 are somehow still on the fringe of playoff contention. However, we all know Daaaaa Bears are not a playoff contender in 2021. The Bears need to get Justin Fields back to continue his development. Was a huge bummer to not have the former Buckeye/Bulldog as part of our Turkey day football feast.
26. Giants 4-7 (Drew Rating: -4.17 Projected Record 5-6) LW: 25
Daniel Jones is not the answer at Quarterback for the G-Unit. He has poor pocket presence and is too careless with the football. In good news this Giants team has some blue chippers on it (especially on defense). Dave Gettleman and Joe Judge may not be back in the big Jersey after this season but whether ownership keeps the same regime or changes the leadership structure the Giants have a decent core to win as early as new season. Doesn’t this seem like a perfect landing spot for Russell Wilson? Come on Katy Perry sing that we got feels, hot!!
25. Falcons 5-6 (Drew Rating: -15.28 Projected Record 2-9) LW: 23
This is the opposite of the Falcons last season. They have been super lucky and the metrics show they should be a 2-9 or 3-8 team instead of their current record at 5-6. Younghoe Koo has made game winning kicks in three of the birds five wins (2 of three while trailing) at the horn and the other two wins by the dirty birdies were uninspiring 7 points wins over the dreadful Jags and Jets. Matt Ryan when comfortable can still sling it but the 3 total points combined the two previous weeks I cannot un see how bad this offense really is. But since it’s football watch this bad team somehow make the playoffs.
24. WFT 5-6 (Drew Rating: -11.83 Projected Record 3-8) LW: 28
The fighting football’s are slowly climbing up the Rankings and even though they are currently the seventh seed in the NFC I cannot with a straight face say that Washington is better than the Eagles or Vikings right now. The most positive development here is that the Football’s defensively have been playing far better as of late. The WFT have a legitimate chance to make the playoffs for the second straight season after starting 2-6. A huge testament to Ron Rivera’s ability to galvanize a team and not panic.
23. Dolphins 5-7 (Drew Rating: -8.08 Projected Record 4-8) LW: 26
The Phins have continued their decent about the dregs of the league as they have won four straight to give themselves a chance to finish around where I though they would at the beginning of the season (8 or 9 win team). The next two games are paramount for the Dolphins to get to .500 (Giants, Jets) before the fighting Dan Marino’s have a more tricky final three games (@ Saints, @ Titans, VS Pats).
22. Steelers 5-5-1 (Drew Rating: -8.05 Projected Record 4-7) LW: 19
Knowing Mike Tomlin’s super human powers the Steelers will somehow still finish 8-8-1 to make it 18 straight years without posting a losing record. However, do not confuse anything because this is a bad football team right now. The burgh got outscored by 45 points in two games against the Bengals this season (a team that Pittsburgh had previously dominated for 30 years). Even with all of the injuries the biggest concern here is the defense which has given up 41 points in back to back games. Do or die for the Steelers as they host the AFC top Seed this week (Ravens).
21. Panthers 5-7 (Drew Rating: -4.42 Projected Record 5-7) LW: 17
Well that was ugly. Cam Newton went 5-21 for 92 yards and 2 interceptions before getting pulled in a 33-10 rout at the hands of the Miami Dolphins. The issue for Cam isn’t his work ethic, his athletic ability or his leadership. The issue for the former MVP is his shoulder is shot and he cannot accurately throw the ball further than 10 yards down the field. This lack of an ability to throw the ball down the field is allowing defensive coordinators to stack the box and blitz like a frenetic snowstorm. Former XFL legend P.J Walker is likely the best option at this point of the cats to make a late season playoff push.
20. Saints 5-6 (Drew Rating: -0.98 Projected Record 5-6) LW: 12
The Saints get our biggest drop in the rankings as Trevor Seimian behind center is clearly not working. The biggest concern for everyone has to be a defense that was awesome in the first eight weeks has been one of the worst in the league in the last four. After giving up 40 points and 242 yards rushing to the Eagles the Saints would follow that poor performance allowing 31 points to the Bills (and that included two interceptions on Josh Allen that negated long drives so should have been worse). Taysom Hill if healthy (paying the man to be their starter so start him!!) is the route to go here to try to save the Saints season as they have the suddenly reeling themselves Cowboys coming to town for a huge game on Thursday night football.
19. Vikings 5-6 (Drew Rating: 1.39 Projected Record 6-5) LW: 22
The Vikes lost in a very Vikings way on Sunday in the city south of the bay yeah. The Vikings with a little bit over 9 minutes to play had a fourth and goal the 49ers 3 down by 8 points. First off there was confusion on the play call then Kirk Cousins lined up over his right guard (who was not snapping the ball by the way). The Vikings were forced to call a timeout with the play clock running out. Once the ball was snapped Kirk Cousins missed a difficult but possible touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson. The Vikings would get another chance though after a missed Robbie Gould field goal only to do nothing and turn the ball over on downs. The Minnesota Vikings continue to infuriate me, and I’m not even a Vikings fan, we are all feeling Minnesota.
18. Eagles 5-7 (Drew Rating: 5.05 Projected Record 7-5) LW: 20
Another 208 rushing yards for the Eagles on Sunday but Jalen Hurts was terrible throwing the football (14-31 for 128 yards and 3 interceptions) in a 13-7 loss at the Meadowlands. With the way the green birds can run the ball they can beat any team in the league if they can get a lead on them and dictate the game. The defense has also been very impressive as of late with another impressive showing on Sunday. We shall see if the egg laid in Jersey could doom the birds for good or if they Eagles could still sneak into the postseason with a strong finish.
17. Raiders 6-5 (Drew Rating: -0.68 Projected Record 5-6) LW: 14
After another home dud against the Bengals it appeared the Raiders had officially punted on the 2021 Season. The great thing about football is any given Sunday (or Thursday or Monday I suppose) anything can happen. Anthony Brown of the Cowboys decided to give the Raiders about 492 yards in penalties (only embellishing by 401 yards) and the Raiders came out of the big D with a hard fought 36-33 overtime victory. Derek Carr has thrown for over 300 yards in every Raiders win this season which is rare since usually throwing for big yards happens when you are behind in games. Washington at Vegas on Sunday is one of the biggest swing games on the docket for a wacky Week 13.
16. Chargers 6-5 (Drew Rating: -0.51 Projected Record 5-6) LW: 15
The Chargers are the epitome of an average football team so far this season. To me this is one of the surprising disappointing teams as I thought the roster was set to make a big leap this season. The concerning part about Sunday’s game in Denver (and the Chargers over the past six weeks) is the regression of Justin Herbert. I continue to say the Bolts need to focus on running the football more with Austin Ekler and have the passing game be more of a play action passing game to give the former Duck some easy reads. Something is broken here and unless it’s the fixed the Bolts may be spending their January weekends at home.
15. Browns 6-6 (Drew Rating: -0.05 Projected Record 6-6) LW: 16
The Jack Conklin and Harrison Bryant injuries on Sunday were absolutely killer for a team that predicates their offense on running the ball and play action. The defense has been good for the most part but we cannot unsee the performances against the Chargers, Cardinals and Patriots this season (which adds to the inconsistency of a 6-6 football team). The Browns will get another shot at the Ravens after their bye week. If the Dawg Pound can find a way to protect their home turf there, they still are a strong finish away from winning their first division title in 32 years. Baker Mayfield needs to make sure he’s healthy in two weeks or Case Keenum has to start. No mean tweets needed in response to that statement.
14. Broncos 6-5 (Drew Rating: 0.27 Projected Record 6-5) LW: 18
I guess Teddy Bridgewater is back in the good graces of the Broncos nation afterall. Bridgewater came back in the third Quarter after suffering a first half injury in a 28-13 win for the Broncos over the Chargers in a game that keeps the Donkeys in the thick of the playoff and possibly division race?? Yes it is true if the Broncos win on Sunday at the Chiefs they would by virtue of tiebreakers have first place in the AFC West. This has been a crazy year my friends hasn’t it??
13. 49ers 6-5 (Drew Rating: 3.64 Projected Record 6-5) LW: 2
Our biggest leap up in our rankings is the 49ers who have a legitimate chance at not just the postseason, but at finishing in 2nd place in the NFC West. After a 31-17 home thumping three weeks ago to Colt McCoy and Arizona Cardinals this feat seemed almost impossible to fathom. Myself included always said that if the 49ers wanted to win this season Jimmy Garoppolo had to be the starting Quarterback. Jimmy has delivered in getting the 49ers in a good position to return to the postseason with their current three game winning streak. I can see a decent market for the former Eastern Illinois Panther in the offseason. I think the Broncos could make a ton of sense with the Shanahan/Lynch connection for a new landing spot for the NFL’s most handsome Quarterback.
12. Colts 6-6 (Drew Rating: 8.12 Projected Record 8-4) LW: 11
It was hard for me to drop the Colts but a .500 team cannot be any higher than 12 even if they have looked like a far better team than that record would state. Sometimes timing is bad in life as the Colts played the Seahawks in Week 1 (which if those teams met today the Colts would win by three scores without hesitating to say that). But the Colts have also lost some dumb games and Sunday’s loss to the Bucs after being up 10 at the half would qualify. Carson Wentz has only thrown 5 interceptions all season but it seems like all 5 have been at the most devastating moment of the game.
11. Rams 7-4 (Drew Rating: 6.58 Projected Record 7-4) LW: 8
After a third straight blowout loss at Green Bay (was a blowout for the most part no matter what the final states) the Rams have to go back to the drawing board. Is Matthew Stafford better than Jared Goff? I think at this point it is fair for all of us twitter analyst to agree that yes Matthew Stafford is better than Jared Goff. But is Matthew Stafford so much better than Jared Goff that it was worth the Rams paying Goff to go away and give up two first round picks? I’m pretty skeptical of that. Elite Quarterbacks do not throw pick sixes in three straight games. You know who throws pick sixes in three straight games? Matt Schaub, yeah I went there ouch!
10. Chiefs 7-4 (Drew Rating: 3.26 Projected Record 6-5) LW: 9
The Chiefs are back in first place and in the hunt to get a first round bye for the fourth consecutive year. The story of the Chiefs is the defense (still 31st in the league at 6.1 but was a historically bad 7.3 through the first five games). Chris Jones is absolutely unblockable and even when he does get blocked he has a propensity to get his big mitts up and knock the ball down. The Chiefs offense however is still not quite right (four out of five games with 20 or less points). Maybe the bye week will serve the two time AFC Champs right, next on tap is a huge divisional game against the Donkeys of Denver.
9. Bengals 7-4 (Drew Rating: 7.72 Projected Record 7-4) LW: 13
Doing some research across every teams season it’s hard to find a team with an more impressive two week run than what the Bengals have just featured in 32-13 and 41-10 blowout wins of the Raiders and Steelers. Joe Burrow has only thrown for 338 yards in the last two games as the Bengals have depended on the defense and Joe Mixon to carry them. Mixon has run for 288 yards and four touchdowns in the two wins. Yes Joe Mixon is a good dude to have on your fantasy team right now.
8. Cowboys 7-4 (Drew Rating: 15.14 Projected Record 9-2) LW: 4
Many will dispute the Cowboys being ahead of the two time AFC Champs on these rankings (when the Cowboys lost head to head just last week) but if you do a whole body of work for the season the Cowboys have the Chiefs beat in these key areas. Point differential, Yards per play both on offense and defense, and by a wide margin turnover differential. This is a whole season body of work so the Boys at 8 and ahead of the just recently playing well Chiefs seems fair. The Cowboys would be thrilled to know they do not play the AFC West anymore this season (three losses in four weeks). They need a bounce back at New Orleans on Thursday to keep distance between them and the rest of division.
7. Bills 7-4 (Drew Rating: 26.27 Projected Record 11-0) LW: 5
When the Bills beat you they destroy you. Their metrics are still stupefying but they have lost four games and three of them were games the Bills dominated. The Bills even with being a stats Goliath this season still have a couple of weak areas that teams are trying to exploit. Their offensive line is average at best, they cannot run the ball and with the ACL injury of Tre’Davious White the secondary will be something to monitor. I think this team is the team to beat in the AFC if Josh Allen plays at a high level (yes I spread bad ju ju to the Pats).
6. Titans 8-4 (Drew Rating: -1.59 Projected Record 6-6) LW: 3
The Titans are potentially at a point with no return with injuries. You look at a team like the Jags and you can with a straight look on your face say that this skill unit without A.J Brown, Julio Jones and Derrick Henry down battling with the Cats from Northern Florida for the crown of worst skill position units in football. The Titans defensive front is one of the best in the game but you saw first hand how a mediocre offense can wear down even a great defense over time. They have enough of a cushion that they should still win the division but hard to see this team as a super bowl contender as currently constructed.
5. Ravens 8-3 (Drew Rating: -0.68 Projected Record 5-6) LW: 10
How can John Harbaugh not be up for coach of the year at this point? The Ravens have a completely revamped defense that was terrible early in the year but has been outstanding over the past three weeks. A quarterback that has been flat out terrible over the past two games, yet even with Lamar Jackson just throwing another pass to a Browns defensive back won an nominee for worst nationally televised game of the season. It’s either the 16-10 snooze fest over the Browns or the 22-10 Dolphins win two Thursday’s ago these same Ravens. The 36-35 week 2 win over the Chiefs in probably the best game of the year is the only thing keeping me from recommending to ban the purple birds from national TV for the rest of the season.
4. Bucs 8-3 (Drew Rating: 15.10 Projected Record 9-2) LW: 7
I said it on my youtube channel and I’ll say it here, F U Leonard Fournette!! The spread was Bucs minus three and they were setup for a game winning Ryan Succop field goal for a push when Leonard Fournette decided to take things into his own hands and run it in from 28 yards out to seal a 38-31 win in Indy on Sunday. The Bucs have a schedule that’s easier than beating an infant at basketball left as well, very possible the playoffs go through Tampa. God does love Tom Brady!
3. Patriots 8-4 (Drew Rating: 19.39 Projected Record 9-1) LW: 6
Guess who’s back back again… We didn’t expect Billy B and company to stay down in the dregs of average for too long did we? The Pats defense has been the story as they have allowed only 26 points over the past four weeks total. I love all of the Mac Jones jokes as well. Mac N Cheese is the most obvious one, return of the Mac (oh my gawd!!!). Mac Jones is a poised young quarterback but in my opinion he is Tua with a better coach. Pats at Bills on Monday night is one of the biggest games of the entire season so far.
2. Packers 9-3 (Drew Rating: 6.27 Projected Record 7-5) LW: 1
Aaron Rodgers should be the MVP of the league for the second straight season but COVID gate is almost certainly going to hurt his vote. Aaron Rodgers was good to be gone at the beginning of the season but after everything that has transpired this season (and the fact that the Packers almost certainly have a better team then anywhere he would go next season) I have my money on the State Farm spokesman coming back to Northern Wisconsin for his 18th season, but there is so much football to be played so let’s grab some popcorn and enjoy the show.
1.Cardinals 9-2 Drew Rating: 17.99 Projected Record 9-2) LW: 2
Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins should be back for the upcoming game at the Bears on Sunday. The redbirds went 2-1 without both of their best offensive players, getting huge road wins in San Francisco and Seattle with an odd home dud Vs Carolina sandwiched in between. The Cards do not own the tiebreaker over the Packers and likely the Bucs (the loss to the Panthers likely to crush the Cards in common opponents record). So it would behoove the Redbirds to not slip up in Chicago this upcoming Sunday. This is likely the best chance the Arizona Cardinals have ever had to win a Championship heading into the stretch run, fasten your seatbelts.