Hi everyone, I wanted to thank everyone for reading my columns every week. Even to those who disagree with my takes I appreciate you taking the time out of your day to read my blog. I love to talk about sports and even if I had no one read my material it’s a blast to write about football, the sport I love. Let’s get to the Power Rankings shall we??
32. Texans 1-7 (Projected Record 2-7, Drew Rating: -12.01) LW: 32
The Texans are officially buried at the bottom for a while. This is not a good football team and the next time they play good run defense would be the first time this season they play good run defense. But as the season has been shown the Texans biggest loss of the season was by 18 in Vegas in a game that the Texans led in the 4th Quarter. What this proves is there really is no horrific team here
31. Raiders 2-7 (Projected Record 3-6, Drew Rating: -7.65) LW: 28
When almost all of the teams below you win and you don’t you are going to drop a bit in the ratings. When you lose to a man in his coaching debut that was on the set of ESPN six days prior to the game and never coached in any form in college or the NFL before this game you are going to drop in the ratings. Derek Carr has had a tough career and should be commended, guy truly does give a rip.
30. Steelers 3-6 (Projected Record 2-7, Drew Rating: -13.50) LW: 31
The burgh got a nice 20-10 win over the Saints on Sunday and I’ll keep betting on Mike Tomlin as long as he’s an underdog down the stretch. A 7-2 finish to keep the Omar Epps lookalike streak of non losing seasons intact is a reach but the Steelers schedule sans their meetings with the Bengals (who they play on Sunday) and the Ravens (twice) do feature a ton of winnable football games.
29. Lions 3-6 (Projected Record 2-7, Drew Rating: -11.13) LW: 30
I know the Lions just beat the Bears in Soldier Field and they have a better record but I still think after watching that game the Bears are the better team and thus I am keeping the Lions ranked below the Bears in my power rankings. What I will say about the Lions is P.C Principal (or Dan Campbell) has kept this team focused and playing hard which should be commended. Giants in Jersey are next, hmm
28. Rams 3-6 (Projected Record 3-6, Drew Rating: -9.80) LW: 26
Yes the former Super Bowl Champions are at the bottom of the Power Rankings. The saddest part about this is the Rams deserve to be there and may drop ever further as the season goes on. Cooper Kupp is out possibly for the season. Allen Robinson looks like Tim Allen is playing wide out. Aaron Donald and Sean McVay may just not be too interested in the rest of this season either, surprising bad
27. Panthers 3-7 (Projected Record 4-6, Drew Rating: -8.88) LW: 29
Kudos to the Panthers who got a hard fought 25-15 win over the Falcons on Thursday night. The first meeting between the two forgotten teams in the south was the second best game of the season. The nationally streamed rematch was probably the second worst game of the season. I think Thursday night would have been served cherry picking in an ice storm. D’onta Foreman, nice find.
26. Bears 3-7 (Projected Record 4-6, Drew Rating: -5.23) LW: 26
Another fun game for the Bears as they have scored at least 29 points in 4 straight games but are 1-3 in those contest because they cannot stop anyone (primarily because they traded their two best defensive players away). For how electrifying Justin Fields has been for fantasy football and also to watch he has been tight in clutch situations (three chances to win late at home, 3 turnovers on downs).
25. Browns 3-6 (Projected Record 3-6, Drew Rating: -5.18) LW: 22
Tough loss for the Brownies in South Beach as the Dolphins defense dared Jacoby Brissett to beat them and he couldn’t. But the main reason the Brownies got rolled was the defense was just violated by Tua and the Dolphins fast, dynamic offense. Now the Brownies may have got a gift from the gods in their last ditch effort to save their season in Buffalo, lots of snow. Chubb and Hunt be ready..
24. Saints 3-7 (Projected Record 5-5, Drew Rating: -3.63) LW: 21
This team is simply a competent, not even good just competent Quarterback away from being a good football team. The defense is one of the most talented in the game. Chris Olave certainly was a hit, Alvin Kamara is still amazing. The offensive line is elite. But the Andy Dalton/Jameis Winston duo has turned the ball over more than I turnover rolling down a hill in the snow, the ultimate handicap.
23. Broncos 3-6 (Projected Record 4-5, Drew Rating: -.93) LW: 20
I saw a stat on twitter that is just resonating with me right now, if the Broncos scored 18 points in regulation the Burro’s would be 8-1 so far this season. Let’s continue to track this horrific trend of defensive awesomeness all for naught. In their losses, the Broncos have allowed, 17, 32 (outlier), 12, 16 (if you take away ot 19 with ot), 16 and 17 points. That is just gross with a capital G, no riding here
22. Jaguars 3-7 (Projected Record 5-5, Drew Rating: 1.61) LW: 19
The Jags are that young team that looks to be a year away. As in no jokes aside I am already picking the Jags to win the AFC South in 2023. Well maybe, there is one mild concern that may hinder me from truly going there. Jeff Saturday is now coaching in the AFC South and the pure irony of a coach having the last name Saturday almost surely will allow him to dominate football games on Sunday.
21. Cardinals 4-6 (Projected Record 4-6, Drew Rating: -7.30) LW: 27
Colt McCoy just went into L.A and beat the coach that owns the Cardinals like a man does the master bedroom’s toilet. So is there a Quarterback controversy in Arizona? Stop it!! The Cards had under 300 yards of total offense and 5 yards a play, Colt wasn’t lighting the world on fire. But he did stabilize a ship that was sinking into the Gulf of California. Next to Mejico to try to save the season, boy!
20. Colts 4-5 (Projected Record 4-6, Drew Rating: -5.41) LW: 25
We all cracked all of the Jeff Saturday jokes on twitter all week long but I said heck I’m going to take the Colts +4.5 in Vegas because they can’t be any less of a mess than they already were. Truth of the matter is that I almost feel like Jim Irsay was sabotaging this football team forcing Frank Reich to play Sam Ehlinger who we all know is not an NFL starting Quarterback so Reich would get fired.
19. Falcons 4-6 (Projected Record 4-6, Drew Rating: -4.95) LW: 17
This Falcons team should not be in the middle of the pack in the Power Rankings but it truly shows just mediocre the entire league is right now. The Falcons loss in Carolina though put the season in dire straits and they need to hold serve at home over a suddenly frisky Bears team to keep their dimming playoff hopes alive. The Marcus Mariotta falling down almost pick six was a thing of legend.
18. Packers 4-6 (Projected Record 5-5, Drew Rating: -.93) LW: 23
The Packers got a season saving win (for now at least) over the Cowboys on Sunday. Two things the Pack did fantastic. They ran the ball at will and ran it well. That setup the play action game which Aaron Rodgers was able to use to perfection. If the Pack can use this balance the rest of the season they may be able to steal that last playoff spot from the Boys or if the Giants or Hawks fade.
17. Chargers 5-4 (Projected Record 3-6, Drew Rating: -6.62) LW: 14
What these metrics tell you is what I already knew. The Bolts are lucky to have a winning record as outside of a win at Houston (which the Chargers still tried to Charger) the Bolts have been lucky to win their other games. I still commend the Bolts fighting hard through all of their injuries to almost beat the more healthy 49ers on Sunday. Bolts are getting some dudes back for the Chiefs, they’ll need it.
16. Commanders 5-5 (Projected Record 4-6, Drew Rating: -4.92) LW: 18
We knew the Eagles were going to slip up at some point. I thought it could be Washington on a Monday night. A physical team that could make the Eagles excellent lines a little uneasy. I was correct as Taylor Heinicke made a couple of mistakes but also made a couple of huge throws. But it was the running attack of Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson that controlled the game, Rivera football.
15. Bucs 5-5 (Projected Record 5-5, Drew Rating: .28) LW: 16
Let’s review all of the reason why Tom Brady is God’s only child. 1. He plays in a terrible division, one of the worst in recent memory. My guess is the Falcons or Saints go 7-10 and finish in 2nd, easy winnings. 2. Brady Bucs get to play a team traveling 3 further time zones away and just came off their biggest win in a couple of years, huge letdown spot. Keep on winning in life Tommy, well mostly.
14. Patriots 5-4 (Projected Record 5-4, Drew Rating: 3.59) LW: 12
The Pats come off their bye week with a huge game against a team they traditionally own. If they beat the Jets for a 14th straight time the Pats will jump out of the division cellar and almost certainly have tiebreakers over every team if they beat the Phins and Bills in Foxboro. It’s crazy to think that this kind of just okay Pats team could still win their division but they could, evil may prevail again.
13. 49ers 5-4 (Projected Record 6-3, Drew Rating: 8.31) LW: 15
I have the Niners lower than any major media conglomerate but Sunday’s win over the Chargers proves the fact they have a ton of talent but can we trust them. Jimmy Garoppolo even has a passer rating has beautiful as he is (a clean 100), but they still struggle to put away a banged up team like the Chargers. They better bury the Cards in Mexico otherwise we may actually have to worry here.
12. Bengals 5-4 (Projected Record 7-2, Drew Rating: 10.81) LW: 11
The Bengals come back from their bye week with a huge game at Pittsburgh. We also talk about how Mike Tomlin is a very live dog especially when he’s at home. Here are the rest of the Bengals opponents after Pitt. At Titans, Vs Chiefs, Vs Browns (with the upstanding citizen back) at Bucs, at Pats, Vs Bills and Vs Ravens, that has to be the toughest remaining schedule in the entire league.
11. Titans 6-3 (Projected Record 5-4, Drew Rating: 1.11) LW: 13
We all trash the Titans, they win so boring. Cowherd and the sharps love the Donkeys coming into Nashville to save their season and the Titans punt on their first six drives. Yet Mike Vrabel makes halftime adjustments and guess what happens. The Titans come back and get their sixth win of the year. Now they are a field goal underdog against a team that just broke a five game losing streak, #doubt!
10. Jets 6-3 (Projected Record 5-4, Drew Rating: 2.10) LW: 8
I am going to keep team propeller in the top ten for now. They do still have the one of the best defenses in all football. Should Zach Wilson has had efficiency metrics down to the levels of Mitch Trubisky and Baker Mayfield yet America’s favorite Mommy lover is 5-1 as a starter. His one loss is to the Jets next opponent. Bill Belichick’s New England Patriots. If the Jets win this game, playoffs likely.
9. Seahawks 6-4 (Projected Record 6-4, Drew Rating: 5.90) LW: 7
A predictable loss for the Hawks in Germany is not going to drop them too far. This team has still legitimately proven they are for real and the metrics show as such. The biggest question after a bye week is can the Hawks take advantage of a very favorable three game stretch (Raiders, Rams, Panthers) before the schedule toughens up down the stretch. Hawks win 2 of those 3 the playoffs are likely.
8. Cowboys 6-3 (Projected Record 6-3, Drew Rating: 8.31) LW: 5
The Boys have officially fallen out of the top 5 after a bad loss in Lambeau on Sunday afternoon. Usually losing to Rodgers and the Packers in Northern Wisconsin is not a bad defeat but when up 14 in the 4th Quarter against a team that has lost 5 in a row that changes the narrative. The Cowboys can still make the playoffs and even win the division but the trust of the fans may never arrive.
7. Ravens 6-3 (Projected Record 7-2, Drew Rating: 10.80) LW: 6
The purple birds get a much needed bye week to heal up and get ready for the stretch run. Remember the Bengals schedule (who Ravens are battling with for the AFC North). Here is the Ravens remaining schedule, Vs Panthers, at Jaguars, Vs Broncos, Vs Steelers, at Browns (yes upstanding citizen will be back) Vs Falcons, at Steelers at Bengals. If Ravens don’t win the division color me shocked.
6. Bills 6-3 (Projected Record 8-1, Drew Rating: 18.67) LW: 3
The world (including myself) did not expect to put this rendition of the Buffalo Bills outside of the top 5 at any point this season but two heartbreaking losses in a row later here we are. The Bills still struggle to or are hesitant to run the ball. This is the only reason why a team with an elite defense can blow a 17 point second half lead. Also divine intervention but I will wait until the Vikings blurb.
5. Giants 7-2 (Projected Record 5-4, Drew Rating: 2.16) LW: 9
Yes the Giants are in the Top 5 but winning matters and guess what everyone the Giants are winning a lot of football games. Yes they are 7-1 in one score games this year. Yes they could not put Houston away until two minutes left. Yes they are only a field goal home favorite over a team that just won their first road game in almost two years. But they are 7-2 and in prime position to make the playoff
4. Dolphins 7-3 (Projected Record 5-5, Drew Rating: 2.57) LW: 10
Fine then I will give in to the world here. Yes the Dolphins are 7-0 in games Tua started and finished. Yes the Dolphins are 2nd in the NFL in yards per play. Yes Tua is the co-front runner for MVP with a 118 passer rating (which would be one of the greatest QB seasons of All Time). But do you really trust Tua and the Dolphins to go to Baltimore (again) or Kansas City and win in January? Come on dude
3. Chiefs 7-2 (Projected Record 7-2, Drew Rating: 13.14) LW: 4
Chiefs are a damn good football team. They go negative three in turnover differential and have a successful onside kick against them to start the game and still win comfortably. Not too many teams in the league that can say that. They are close to being at the top and are the best in the AFC but we still have too many close home wins and a loss at Indy on the ledger. Man Patrick Mahomes is good.
2. Vikings 8-1 (Projected Record 6-3, Drew Rating: 5.71) LW: 2
Let’s have Vikes fans give me more crap on twitter this week but this is getting ridiculous. 27-10 with 1 minute left in 3rd, Cook 80 yard run. Allen red zone pick, Jefferson best catch ever???!! On a 4th and 18 mind you. After a stop at the goal line Allen fumbles the ball in his own end zone running clock out, two more ridiculous Jefferson catches and a second Allen pick to seal it. Divine intervention here
1.Eagles 8-1 (Projected Record 8-1, Drew Rating: 19.44) LW: 1
The birds had built up enough equity with their start it was going to take more than one loss to knock them off their perch at the top. However, I do have to nitpick on Jalen Hurts a tad. He did struggle more than any other game this year as he had to play from behind. I do understand the Watkins fumble was not his fault after a nice deep pass. Also, the penalty on Brandon Graham at the end of the day was absolute hog poop. However, the Montez Sweat sack on third and 9 with just over two minutes left was a moment where Hurts got tight and he was trying to win the game with his legs instead of trusting his arm and his line (the pocket was clean and he ran into that sack). Jalen Hurts is still better than most and Tua is the only QB who has a fair argument for most improved in the league this season. Philly has a suddenly weird game in Indy next week that could get all sorts of strange, stay tuned.