Everyone has officially played 10 games. I think we all know where everyone stands, so let’s get to this.
- Philadelphia (9-1)
- New England (8-2)
- New Orleans (8-2)
- Minnesota (8-2)
- Pittsburgh (8-2)
- L.A. Rams (7-3)
- Carolina (7-3)
- Jacksonville (7-3)
I know a lot of people want to put New England right back to the top of the heap, but they’re playing well in a terrible conference. I still legitimately think Philly is better than them right now, on both sides of the ball. They might not lose another game the rest of the year! I like New Orleans over the Vikings and Steelers, because I think they’ve got the full package of offense and defense, and they have a real identity. The Steelers play down to the level of their opponents too often, and the Vikings are a quarterback controversy just waiting to happen. Give me the Saints and that world-destroying running game. Also, I can’t keep the Panthers or Jags out of the Top 8 anymore. Yeah, the Jags are running The Bort out there, but that defense is legit.
- Atlanta (6-4)
- Detroit (6-4)
- Seattle (6-4)
- Kansas City (6-4)
- Washington (4-6)
- Tennessee (6-4)
- Dallas (5-5)
- L.A. Chargers (4-6)
For what it’s worth, I don’t like any of those 6-4 teams, and honestly I think both of the teams that are 4-6 could make more of a run down the stretch. Watch out for the Chargers; I see them leapfrogging the Cowboys tomorrow afternoon. Also, I wonder about Detroit and Atlanta; are they ready to make a run? Or will they step right back down to Earth this week?
- Baltimore (5-5)
- Tampa Bay (4-6)
- N.Y. Jets (4-6)
- Oakland (4-6)
- Cincinnati (4-6)
- Buffalo (5-5)
- Miami (4-6)
- Houston (4-6)
I was going to put the Bills about three spots higher, but that franchise is a joke. I honestly wonder about all of these AFC teams; I feel like they should all be better, but they keep stumbling when you least expect it. This is going to be a HUGE week for the Bucs; they have to win in Atlanta or their season is effectively over.
- Denver (3-7)
- Arizona (4-6)
- Green Bay (5-5)
- Indianapolis (3-7)
- Chicago (3-7)
- N.Y. Giants (2-8)
- San Francisco (1-9)
- Cleveland (0-10)
Oh how the mighty Broncos have fallen. Also, boy did the Giants pick a stupid game to win; gonna lose a Top 2 draft pick over some bullshit? This week, we see the start of the Jimmy Garoppolo Era in San Francisco against the Seahawks. Between the 49ers (whose coaching staff I really like, and whose 2017 draft class looked pretty impressive) and the Rams (whose coaching staff I like even more, and whose team looks like it’s going to be a contender for years to come), it looks like it could be really tough sledding in the NFC West. Thank God for the lowly Arizona Cardinals. Who’s going to be the next aging veteran QB they bring in to run Bruce Arians’ system? My money is on either Alex Smith or Eli Manning, though they’ll be fools if they don’t make a run at Tyrod Taylor this offseason.