Hi everyone, boy has this not been the season we expected. Yes the Bills are good and Lions are bad but otherwise it’s been a whole lot of unpredictability. Let’s get to that right now shall we.
32. Panthers 1-5 (Projected Record 1-5, Drew Rating: -14.91) LW: 30
Robbie Anderson loses his temper and gets sent to the locker room in the middle of the game. He predictably gets shipped to Arizona the following morning. This team is a mess and it’s not going to get better any time soon. As Cards fans would say you want the first pick in the draft Steve Wilks as your head coach will do it. Poor Christian McCaffrey is probably the next Panthers player out the door.
31. Lions 1-4 (Projected Record 1-4, Drew Rating: -12.04) LW: 29
The Lions are a disappointment to me so far this season. I think the blue cats would be competing potentially for a playoff spot and now that 6.5 over doesn’t look like such a sure thing. The only positive for them is after they likely lose at Dallas this week with the exception of Buffalo on Thanksgiving they could realistically win any game they play. That’s how much parody is in the league this year
30. Texans 1-3 (Projected Record 2-3, Drew Rating: -6.84) LW: 28
As I have been saying all year this Texans team is not a juggernaut but they compete very hard and Lovie Smith is proving (as his track record with the Bears and Bucs would show) he’s a very competent NFL head coach. Now the big question is this team one of the five worst teams in football? Probably, do they need a QB in next years draft? I argue not but Davis Mills needs to prove this to the masses
29. Raiders 1-4 (Projected Record 2-3, Drew Rating: -2.04) LW: 27
This Raiders team by all metrics is one of the most underachieving teams in the league so far this season. But here’s how it goes, lost to Chargers by 5. Blew a 20 point lead to the Cards, couldn’t do anything in Red Zone in loss to Titans. Then blew a 17 point lead to the Chiefs. This Raiders team feels like a team that should be vying for a playoff spot. The schedule lightens up so go out and prove it.
28. Steelers 2-4 (Projected Record 2-4, Drew Rating: -12.63) LW: 32
Huge win for Mike Tomlin and the Steelers. Cincy has a brutal schedule and a shockingly difficult home game against the Falcons this week. The Ravens should be I don’t know 5-1 minimum but they are 3-3. The Steelers already got a win over the Bengals. It’s crazy to say this but the Burgh actually is not out of this thing right now even though they are clearly not a good team. Who’s their QB next wk?
27. Commanders 2-4 (Projected Record 2-4, Drew Rating: -11.21) LW: 31
I know the Commanders just beat the Bears but the Bears mainly lost that game due to Red Zone ineptitude and special teams gaffes. Carson Wentz is out for a month or so with a broken finger and with his confidence being lower than a man who just got dumped it’s maybe a good thing for the Commanders? One thing I will give Taylor Heinicke credit for is he never lacked confidence, Heniken’s back
26. Bears 2-4 (Projected Record 2-4, Drew Rating: -8.32) LW: 25
One thing I will state about daaaaaa Bears is Matt Eberflus appears to be a good hire at head coach. He manages the game well and has these guys playing hard. The issue is in upper management for giving Justin Fields nothing to work with outside of a marginally decent slot receiver. Plus his pocket presence is zero. Literally if his first read isn’t there he starts running, health concerns me here.
25. Cardinals 2-4 (Projected Record 2-4, Drew Rating: -8.31) LW: 24
Let’s not suger coat this is a bad football team. The issue is also not with the defense which is in the middle of the pack in almost every metrics. The offense that is supposed to have all this speed is 31st in yards per play, not acceptable. Hey trade acquisitions Cody Ford and Robbie Anderson will be playing their first game and DeAndre Hopkins returns. Wreaks desperation, color me skeptic.
24. Browns 2-4 (Projected Record 3-3, Drew Rating: -5.46) LW: 17
Our biggest drop of the week goes to the Brownies who clearly have one big problem, Quarterback! When they are 4-7 and out of it when they upstanding citizen comes back from his league mandated vacation the Browns will be kicking themselves in the rear for not going after Jimmy Garoppolo or I don’t know maybe keeping Case Keenum. But the Browns will always be the Browns, self-sabotage.
23. Saints 2-4 (Projected Record 3-3), Drew Rating: -3.36) LW: 20
This is why I like the Saints to continue the Cardinals home misery on Thursday night. The Saints do not look like an unmitigated mess even though they have more injuries than anyone outside of San Francisco right now. The issue here is the same in Cleveland and this is they do not have a franchise QB. Difference is the Saints to not have an upstanding citizen coming back soon, sorry Jameis
22. Broncos 2-4 (Projected Record 3-3, Drew Rating: .64) LW: 18
I feel like I’m watching the 1997 Carolina Panthers right now (thinking of a team that averaged and gave up around 16 points a game have to go back a quarter century). The Broncos make everything look difficult. Whether it’s their uncreative and uneffective offense or their awesome fast and physical defense. If you love 14-12 games then the Denver Broncos are the team for you, let’s ride!!!
21. Jaguars 2-4 (Projected Record 3-3, Drew Rating: 3-3) LW: 15
The Jags are so improved and this is what is maddening that they are only 2-4 so far. Trevor Lawrence is certainly a much improved signal caller and looks like a solid NFL starter moving forward. The concern here is this team is so young that they keep making critical mistakes late in games. My metrics state and I think will show on the field that the Jags are actually better than the Giants.
20. Dolphins 3-3 (Projected Record 2-4, Drew Rating: -8.64) LW: 14
This Dolphins team is not as bad as the metrics would state. I am going to say the mess that they have had to endure so far (at their own doing) has some to do with the bad metrics. However, Tua is coming back this week and assuming he is healthy this Dolphins team SHOULD beat the Steelers Sunday night in South Beach and potentially restore order to what I believe will be a playoff season.
19. Rams 3-3 (Projected Record 2-4, Drew Rating -6.84) LW: 26
I am going to bump the Rams up more than any team as I know they are not the 7th worst team in football. But outside of a decent pass rush and Cooper Kupp channeling his inner Jerry Rice what is this team good at? Their best running back has one foot out the door. Their linebackers are slower than molasses and Matthew Stafford can’t stop giving points to the other team, they’ll be fine.
18. Titans 3-2 (Projected Record 2-3, Drew Rating: -6.18) LW: 11
I know I dropped a team on their bye week 7 spots I’m just terrible but I also think that I should have never had the Titans 11th last week. This team is not very good and if they play the Bills again or the Chiefs 41-7 might just be end result. But the one thing the Titans do well that could have them be a 9 win division winner is they are great situationally and that is all coaching, Mike Vrable!
17. Colts 3-2 (Projected Record 3-3, Drew Rating: -3.45) LW: 21
The Colts are an enigma. They looked unwatchable on offense for five weeks and then on Sunday they unequivocally were the best offense in the entire league. They are also supposed to get Jonathan Taylor back this week and he should make a big impact on what the Colts like to do. Weird early schedule for them, they are done with the Jags and also will be with the Titans after Sunday, it’s wk 7.
16. Packers 3-3 (Projected Record 3-3, Drew Rating: -1.41) LW: 10
The Packers deserve to be right in this spot. They have been the epitome of average and the Super Bowl window has closed rapidly. I think we can officially put Aaron Rodgers on retirement watch. It’s not the Rodgers has looked terrible this season he has been merely okay but you can tell in the second half of Sunday’s surprising blowout loss to the Jets that he appears to be disinterested, bad times.
15. Seahawks 3-3 (Projected Record 3-3, Drew Rating: -.97) LW: 22
I was clearly wrong about this Seahawks team. I do not think the defense is as bad as they were through the first five weeks or as good as they were on Sunday in the pretty unwatchable 19-9 win over the Cardinals. But one thing is clear. Pete Carroll (or America’s number one soccer dad) has this team playing hard inspired football. I still do not believe long term but right now the Hawks are legit.
14. Falcons 3-3 (Projected Record 3-3, Drew Rating: 1.27) LW: 23
Biggest jump of the Week goes to the Falcons, do I believe this team can win the NFC North, yup!!! Do I believe what they are doing with their sophisticated rushing attack to maintain their level of performance all season, yup!! If the Colts win the AFC South there is a scenario where the Matt Ryan trade works out for all parties, who saw that coming. Arthur Smith knows how to run an offense, ka ka.
13. Bucs 3-3 (Projected Record 3-3, Drew Rating: 4.21) LW: 9
Just retire Tom, Giselle would want you back if you quit playing football. You are more cranky than Grandpa next door. You can still sling the football but there is just something slightly off either with your timing or with your chemistry with your pass catchers. You might get passed in your division by Marcus Mariotta. Do us all a favor and retire at once Tommy. You will be making America better.
12. Patriots 3-3 (Projected Record 4-2, Drew Rating: 7.27) LW: 19
I have to give credit where credit is due, Billy B looks like he has something brewing in the NorthEast. Is Bailey Zappe the second coming of Tom Brady? Probably not but why couldn’t he be. He has a good enough arm, has good pocket presence. Throws a pretty ball. Was a Western Kentucky Hilltopper in college. You seen that mascot before? What the hell is that thing, please respond below.
11. Bengals 3-3 (Projected Record 4-3. Drew Rating: 7.41) LW: 16
The Bengals clearly have the tools to at least repeat as AFC North division winners. Now I know we always like to talk about the Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins combo matched with the mastery of Joe Burrow. But what could lead this team to a division title is the defense. They adjust well as they are the best second half defense outside of Buffalo in the entire league, tricky game against Atl next.
10. Ravens 3-3 (Projected Record 4-2, Drew Rating: 9) LW: 8
John Harbaugh needs to send a letter to the league office seeing if he can change that the game ends after the third Quarter. Geez they were in complete control on Sunday then in the 4th Quarter Lamar Jackson though he was either Santa Claus or Oprah Winfrey as he started giving gifts away to the Giants as the Ravens would blow their third double digit lead of the season, just mind boggling for sure.
9. 49ers 3-3 (Projected Record 4-2, Drew Rating: 11.18) LW: 7
The Niners have an excellent defense, the offense is solid enough but could this team somehow give away the division to the Rams again? The clear answer is yes!! The injuries on defense are getting to the point of ridiculous and it showed on Sunday as they struggled to stop the Falcons dynamic rushing attack. Now they get the Chiefs coming off a loss, not a good spot for the city by bay.
8. Chargers 4-2 (Projected Record 3-3, Drew Rating: -3.06) LW: 13
I have to give the Bolts credit, they have won back to back weeks ugly. There is an art for winning ugly and if they can win another ugly game or two I think this team will almost certainly be in the postseason. The big thing here is they also have a franchise Quarterback. Even though I laud Justin Herbert as overrated (because he’s not elite yet) he’s one of the best, arrow still trending up in Englewood.
7. Jets 4-2 (Projected Record 3-3, Drew Rating: .46) LW: 12
This is where things get a little bit wacky. The Jets are 7th in your power rankings!!! Yeah they are, who has looked better over the past two weeks than the NEW YORK FOOTBALL JETS!! Do I think they will maintain this spot in the rankings? Probably not, but the Jets 27-10 win over the Packers where the Jets just overwhelmed the Packers fronts on both sides of the ball proves these guys are for real.
6. Cowboys 4-2 (Projected Record 3-3, Drew Rating: 3.68) LW: 4
I came out of the Cowboys 26-17 loss to the Eagles pretty impressed. 1. They fell down 20-0 with Cooper Rush finally having the disasterous backup Quarterback game we expected but they did not quit and found a way to get back into the game. 2. Because of how poorly Cooper Rush has played for two weeks now Dak Prescott can return without the pressure of being benched, win win.
5. Chiefs 4-2 (Projected Record 4-2, Drew Rating: 10.36) LW: 3
You do not want to call it a good loss but even if the Chiefs won with the Bills schedule being so favorable compared to K.C there was the overwhelming likely hood of the Bills lapping them before the end of the season. The one small concern with this team is that without Tyreek Hill the Chiefs are not a dangerous down the hill passing team and defense are already starting to adjust to this.
4. Giants 5-1 (Projected Record 3-3, Drew Rating: 2.33) LW: 6
Giants keep finding ways to win football games. Now in back to back weeks even with the limited Daniel Jones the G Unit has come back from double digits down to two teams with upper echelon QB’s and we thought rosters. Now what’s next, Vegas is disrespecting them making the Giants a 3 point dog in Jacksonville. I agree with Vegas and think the fairy tale starts it’s descend now, prove it again!
3. Vikings 5-1 (Projected Record 3-3, Drew Rating: 3.79) LW: 5
This Vikings team I still do not trust. They still struggle to stop any sort of decent rushing attack. They still have holes offensively but the truth is this. They are 5-1 and have taken advantage of their scheduling breaks. Last four games, came back to beat the Lions. Got a double doink break in London, squeaked by the Bears and beat the maybe concussed Teddy Bridgewater led Dolphins, congrats guys.
2. Bills 5-1 (Projected Record 6-0, Drew Rating: 28.57) LW: 2
As long as Josh Allen stays healthy this team is going 15-2. Shoot with how amazing of a roster this is even with Case Keenum playing the next 11 games I still think 13-4 would be their final record. Since they kind of slayed the dragon (Not really until they beat the Chiefs in January) what is next for the Buffalo helmets. Regular season is a formality here just get healthy for a big playoff run.
1.Eagles 6-0 (Projected Record 5-1, Drew Rating 18.72) LW: 1
Until they lose the green birds will remain #1 in my power rankings. Since they have a bye this upcoming week they will also be #1 in the rankings next week (sorry spoiler alert). If there is a couple of concerns for this team it’s this. 1. How will Jalen Hurts and this team respond to trailing in the 2nd half, which has yet to occur this season. 2. Why does the Eagles always come out flat after halftime. They tried to let the Vikings and Commanders back in it. They did let the Cards and Cowboys back in it. The schedule is so favorable who knows if the birds will have to worry about that for a while but they could lose as big favorites sometime in the next four games. Might not be a bad thing. You can certainly say losing to the Dolphins was a good thing for the Bills, Rocky’s favorite team is on top of the hill though and it may be a minute before these birds are knocked off their perch.