Hi everyone, the league has it’s good and it’s bad, let’s talk about it.
32. Texans 1-12 (Projected Record 2-12, Drew Rating: -15.95) LW: 32
At least they fight. The Texans were even beating the mighty Chiefs for much of the afternoon on Sunday before Mahomes and the Chiefs defense (finally) would pull out the game in the extra session. Now since the Texans are done with the non division slate of their schedule (0-11 record) they play the just rancid AFC South for their final 3 games (1-1-1 record), boy the South divisions are so bad
31. Bears 3-11 (Projected Record 5-9, Drew Rating: -7.41) LW: 31
Another team that puts up a fight week in and week out. The Bears have only lost three games all year by double digits (and one of them was the game Justin Fields missed. Due to this we should give the Bears so overdue respect. They need to still improve the offense everywhere but QB, RB and TE but at least there is hope for the future. The future may just be next season, hope is good thing.
30. Cardinals 4-10 (Projected Record 4-10, Drew Rating: -11.60) LW: 28
Now to a team that has no hope. The GM is out and the coach is dead man walking. The Quarterback is coming back from a torn ACL. The defense is old and expensive. The world may not be falling if Kyler Murray comes back to the form he was before this season and a little bit humbled and they find the right coach/GM. But as of right now is there any fan base more depressed than this 1.
29. Rams 4-10 (Projected Record 4-10, Drew Rating: -11.13) LW: 29
Baker Mayfield has not been terrible in his two game audition with the Rams but he doesn’t have much to work with here. The defense hasn’t been awful this season (haven’t allowed over 31 points in any game and only over 27 twice) but the offense has been as disgusting as it gets. Getting some offensive line help in the offseason and their stars healthy is the key here to reverting back to form
28.Colts 4-9 (Projected Record 4-10, Drew Rating: -10.61) LW: 27
Now to a fanbase that may be close to as depressed as the Cardinals right now. Why do you say that Drew? Well the owner is a trainwreck. Said trainwreck owner hired a coach that was an analyst for ESPN and never coached in any faucet at College or the NFL. They just blew a 33 point halftime lead which was the biggest blown lead in NFL history. Yeah that about sums it up, hey Nick Foles??
27. Broncos 4-10 (Projected Record 7-7, Drew Rating: -1.75) LW: 30
The 2022 Denver Broncos have lost by double digits only once all year (a 23-10 loss at Carolina in Week 12). So the Donkeys have been in just about every game hence why their metrics shows even with how bad the offense has been they should be hovering around .500 (especially with a defense at 32 percent on third down and 5 yards a play allowed which is both elite), but some just can’t Hackett?
26. Panthers 5-9 (Projected Record 5-9, Drew Rating: -7.90) LW: 24
A major blown opportunity by the Panthers but you are all going to laugh you hyenas off here. If the Panthers win their final three games they will still win the NFC South. Yes most 7-7 teams do not control their own destiny but the 5-9 Panthers sure do. That’s how bad the 2022 NFC South is. Too bad the next opponent is the Lions who are more hot than Hansel right now, why they play the games.
25. Falcons 5-9 (Projected Record 6-8, Drew Rating: -5.39) LW: 23
Were just going to get through the NFC South over these next few spots. It’s just better to get this mess of a division out of the way. Because of a putrid 1-4 divisional record unlike the Panthers the Falcons do not control their own destiny. However, it’s insane to think that this bad football team still has a shot to make the playoffs. This should all come to an end in Baltimore on Sunday, well we think.
24. Saints 5-9 (Projected Record 7-7, Drew Rating: -2.60) LW: 26
The Saints running the table as we said last week isn’t that far fetched. They have an either or game against the Browns before the potentially resting Eagles and Panthers to finish up. This team isn’t good enough in my opinion to make that kind of push but it’s still crazy to think three 5-9 teams all in the same division still have a shot to make the playoffs. Andy Dalton has cast a curse on us all.
23. Bucs 6-8 (Projected Record 6-8, Drew Rating: -4.96) LW: 18
You all thought I was done with the NFC South. Yes the 7-10 spots on the bottom ten this week all go to this just laughably bad division. What is sad is that the Bucs will likely win their last three to finish 9-8 and then talk us into them making a playoff run. After what I saw in the second half in a game they had the Bengals buried I am not believing this team can go anywhere, don’t do that Tommy
22. Steelers 6-8 (Projected Record 6-8, Drew Rating: -5.76) LW: 25
Remember I said to everyone that there is no way a Mike Tomlin coached team would remain in the bottom five of the power rankings well look at that. The Steelers have a tougher than it appears schedule in my opinion and there is a good chance they go 0-3 to close out the year but the fact they still have a dim playoff chance right now is nearly improbable, too bad they lost to NYJ and NE.
21. Browns 6-8 (Projected Record 7-7, Drew Rating: -2.35) LW: 22
Okay well that was an ugly watch inbetween two awesome games on Saturday. This team is going to be an ugly watch moving forward with the upstanding citizen behind center. That being said could the Cleveland Brownies get to 9-8 to end the year. Possibly they could, losing games to the three AFC East teams and the Chargers give them no chance whatsoever to make the playoffs though, facts
20. Packers 6-8 (Projected Record 7-7, Drew Rating: -1.89) LW: 20
Yes everyone the Pack are still alive. Here is what they need to make the playoffs. To win out and have Washington go 1-2 (games against the 49ers, Browns and Cowboys left not easy). So when I make jokes about the Pack not being dead yet last week they really aren’t. This game on Christmas in Miami might be a loser leaves town match. I got my money on Aaron Rodgers in this game, do you?
19. Raiders 6-8 (Projected Record 7-7, Drew Rating: -1.09) LW: 21
Well I guess the tides have turned. Let’s go over this season for the Raiders thus far. Blew a 20-0 lead to the Cards, blew a 17-0 lead to the Chiefs, blew a 17-0 lead to the Jags, lost to Jeff Saturday, blew a 16-3 lead to Baker Mayfield who had been in L.A for only 36 hours, they win those games, the vaders are 10-3 instead of 5-8. So I guess karma finally caught up to the in one Jakobi Meyers, incredible.
18. Jaguars 6-8 (Projected Record 7-7, Drew Rating: .69) LW: 19
Trevor Lawrence has arrived everyone!!! He has 14 TD’s and 1 Int with a 78 percent completion percentage since Week 9. That is what you call turning the corner!! I never thought the Clemson legend would be Mahomes level great but I could see a parallel career of Cam Newton or Eli Manning (the two best careers of first overall picks this millennium), this will all be changed of course by a Bengal.
17. Lions 7-7 (Projected Record 7-7, Drew Rating: -2.35) LW: 17
The Lions are en fuego right now but they did actually catch a break getting Zach Wilson over Mike White (can’t believe I just said that). But that being said the Lions who are usually the butt of many jokes for football fans everywhere are a scary team to play right now and could make the playoffs. It will probably require Goff to win in Lambeau in three weeks but at least the cats have the opportunity.
16. Titans 7-7 (Projected Record 7-7, Drew Rating: -2.26) LW: 14
This is not a coaching issue here. This is a team that just has massive limitations across the roster and are being exposed through the tough part of their schedule. You know it’s bad though in the eyes of sports books when you even as a 1st place team are only a 4.5 point home favorite over a 1-12-1 team and the money is coming in on the team with 1 win. That is a sad place to be at right now.
15. Commanders 7-6 (Projected Record 7-7, Drew Rating: -1.88) LW: 13
I have a bone to pick with one Ron Rivera. 1st possession of the game (know cold and wind was an issue) you have one of the biggest legs in football with Joey Slye yet you punt on 4th and 10 at the opponents 34 yard line. At least give your thunder foot kicker a chance or just go for it!! Instead they get a net 3 yard punt out of it. Set the tone for the whole game which will likely keep them out of playoffs
14. Jets 7-7 (Projected Record 7-7, Drew Rating: 1.40) LW: 12
My rating system and the eye test showed me the Jets are better than the Lions and they absolutely blew that game. What is up with the clock management at the end of these games. Robert Saleh was saving his timeouts on the Jets last possession like he could carry them over to overtime if they got there. Thanks to the putrid clock management what they got was a 58 yd fg attempt at the horn
13. Seahawks 7-7 (Projected Record 7-7, Drew Rating: 1.63) LW: 11
Well the Hawks have certainly faded. What will likely do them in at the end of the year is a 30-24 home loss to a 4-8 Panthers team with Sam Darnold at QB. Still the Hawks overachieved this year and if you go by passer rating (by also other advanced stats back this up) a pro bowl year by Geno Smith. I think the Hawks will likely draft a QB in first round of 2023 draft but Geno Smith is viable for now.
12. Patriots 7-7 (Projected Record 8-6, Drew Rating: 3.05) LW: 10
The Patriots we always say don’t do dumb things and always outsmart their opponent. But between the Miami miracle in 2019 in which Rob Gronkowski was playing free safety when Miami wasn’t even close to hail mary range and now this ending in what Bill Simmons so eloquently called the hail scary the Pats have done the two dumbest things I’ve seen in recent memory, oh Jakobi, Jakobi, Jakobi.
11. Chargers 8-6 (Projected Record 6-8, Drew Rating: -4.42) LW: 16
I will give the Bolts a boost but still they are underachieving their talent (say it again minus 30 point differential and allow 6 yards a play compared to gaining only 5.3 yards a play) does not scream a good or even scary team. But they are still a scary team mainly because Justin Herbert can pull great out of his ass like he did on a dime to Mike Williams to set up the game winning field goal on Sunday.
10. Giants 8-5 (Projected Record 6-8, Drew Rating: -3.48) LW: 15
Another not good football team that is grossly overperforming their metrics. The only reason why they aren’t considered scary like the Chargers is the following three reasons. 1. Chargers had real preseason expectations and Giants didn’t (media wants to be right). 2. Herbert>Jones. 3. Mike Williams, Keenan Allen, Derwin James, you get it Chargers have more talent. Still a great story here, #Daboll.
9. Dolphins 8-6 (Projected Record 7-7, Drew Rating: .69) LW: 9
A valiant effort by the swimming mammals but as they say there is no moral victories in professional sports. The Phins also have a tricky schedule left (Packers, at Pats, Jets). If they go 1-2 or 0-3 (highly likely) and miss the playoffs the Mike McDaniel is such an upgrade over Brian Flores talk will silence quicker when a priest begins his sermon at the Catholic Church, Flores got a bad shake.
8. Ravens 9-5 (Projected Record 9-5, Drew Rating: 7.96) LW: 8
Not a great showing in Cleveland as the Tyler Huntley might be a good QB talks have silenced quickly. The former Ute did play mostly well (even in losses) at the end of last season but he’s been awful in the two and half games he’s playing in thus far in 2022. Ravens still control their own destiny to win the division and may get help (as the Bengals murderous schedule continues), hurry back Lamar.
7. Bengals 10-4 (Projected Record 10-4, Drew Rating: 10.31) LW: 7
Speaking of the Bengals they let the Bucs self-destruct in the 2nd half en route to 34 unanswered points in a 34-23 win on Sunday. The brutal schedule continues over the home stretch (at NE, Vs Buf, Vs Bal). Remember my comment on the Jaguars about the best 1st overall QB’s of this millennium. It’s only year three but it appears Joe Burrow may be the best since Elway, no joke look at history here.
6. Cowboys 10-4 (Projected Record 12-2, Drew Rating: 15.51) LW: 2
Yes the boys deserve to drop a lot here. That was an epic choke job that many haters of the Cowboys thoroughly enjoyed. It’s not the end of the world but any shot of winning the division has been thrown out the door. But there still is an opportunity for the Cowboys to get a big win for their psyche and preparation for the postseason is they can win in the big D on Saturday, Dak can certainly use a big w.
5. 49ers 10-4 (Projected Record 12-2, Drew Rating: 17.03) LW: 6
This Niners team is just awesome. Their only true hole is that they have a third string playing Quarterback. After they likely dismantle the Commanders on Sunday they will have a tricky game in Vegas. But still they likely will win 12 or 13 games and be very possibly the 2 seed. That is if the pixie dust flies off the Vikings sometime in the next three weeks. Good luck with that, this team is Purdy good.
4. Vikings 11-3 (Projected Record 7-7, Drew Rating: -.42) LW: 5
We keep telling ourselves this cannot continue. Let’s just discuss the 4th Quarter in what ended up being the biggest comeback in NFL History. The Vikings had three possessions that ended in said results, interception, turnover on downs and punt. Somehow they outscored the Colts still 22-0 in the 4th Quarter with three possessions in the Quarter netting zero points, how did you blow this Colts!
3. Chiefs 11-3 (Projected Record 11-3, Drew Rating: 12.95) LW: 4
The Chiefs keep winning close games let’s track them. Beat the at time pretty healthy and good on paper Chargers by 3, beat the Raiders by 1 (thanks Josh), beat Malik Willis in overtime, beat game Chargers by 3, beat Broncos after being up 27-0 on an offense that scored over 23 points zero times all year by 6, then beat the 1-11-1 Texans with dueling Quarterbacks in OT, still dangerous but come on
2. Bills 11-3 (Projected Record 12-2, Drew Rating: 15.90) LW: 3
The Bills are performing about where they should be this year, if you go by all the advanced metrics they are not as good as last season but I think this team is still among the best in the league and already matched last seasons win total. Will win their division and as long as they can beat a red hot Bengals team in Cincinnati they will be the AFC number one seed, what a huge game Jan 2 in Cin
1.Eagles 13-1 (Projected Record 13-1, Drew Rating: 20.46) LW: 1
It was not pretty in Chicago (as I predicted it wouldn’t be) but that fact the Eagles held on to win that game and was never seriously threatened to lose it proves just how mentally tough this team is. At this point the Eagles have been so far and away the best they might have to lose their final three for me to even consider moving them from this spot. However, the Jalen Hurts injury does not appear to be season ending the birds cannot win the Super Bowl without a healthy Hurts behind center. I love myself some Gardner Minshew too (I think he’s about the 16th-20th best QB in football not kidding) but I don’t think he can win the Super Bowl. So get well soon Jalen, Philly needs you.