After 12 weeks, 50 different quarterbacks have started a game this season. As we head to Week 13, currently a dozen teams will be starting a backup quarterback, including nine teams in the AFC alone. Thankfully, Trevor Lawrence’s injury does not appear to be season-ending, like so many before him.
The rankings saw some shifting this week as two of the top three teams were beaten, and half of the top 10. It’s been a wild ride this season for the Packers, as they got as high as #8 early in the season, and fell all the way to #30, and have now bounced back nearly into the top 10, after moving up six spots this week. The Broncos also moved six spots this week, unfortunately for them it was in the wrong direction.
The Prime Time Pick’em had a rough week, going 1-2, though that is mostly due to Trevor Lawrence getting hurt, and the fact that I always bet against the Packers. That moves the season record to 27-17. This week’s Thursday night game gives us a matchup we would have loved pretty much anytime between about 2005 and 2020. However, things have changed a little since then, proven by the fact that the over/under for this game between Pittsburgh and New England is one of the lowest we have ever seen, currently sitting at 30 (I like the under, by the way). Give me the Steelers in this one, but for any gamblers out there, maybe sprinkle a little money on this game ending in a tie? Thankfully the Sunday night game gives us an NFC East matchup between the Eagles and Cowboys. The Eagles are coming off their worst game in two years and I fully expect them to bounce back. With that said, I’m going to go against my gut (again) and take the Cowboys to get the win. Week 14 gives us a bonus, with two Monday night games. In a rarity, I’ll take the Packers to get a win over the Giants, and the Dolphins to take down the Titans.
Here are the rankings as we head to Week 14. Teams’ previous ranking in ( ).
1. San Francisco 49ers (2): The 49ers have boat-raced the Cowboys and Eagles. Assuming relatively good health, this is unquestionably the best team in football.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (1): They certainly did not look good, but this team has won too many games over the past two years for us to overreact to one loss.
3. Dallas Cowboys (4): Sure, Seattle had a winning record before the game started, but are we really going to count that as a win against a team with a winning record?
4. Baltimore Ravens (5): Baltimore comes off their bye in great playoff position and as we said a couple of weeks ago, their Week 17 showdown against Miami is likely to play a huge role in who gets the #1 seed.
5. Miami Dolphins (7): The offense is clicking once again but it’s the defense in recent weeks that has really started to play well. I could be wrong but, this is one team that could truly give the 49ers a challenge in my opinion.
6. Kansas City Chiefs (3): Patrick Mahomes may have to play a road playoff game for the first time in his career this year. Think about the absurdity of that statement for a moment.
7. Detroit Lions (9): The Lions bounced back after their poor showing on Thanksgiving, but nearly blew a 21-0 lead against a mediocre team. The panic meter for this team is slowly rising.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (6): They need to hope Trevor Lawrence’s ankle injury heals in record time because without him, this team is in trouble. But with him, this team could get to the AFC Championship game or beyond.
9. Houston Texans (11): If this team makes the playoffs, let alone wins the division, CJ Stroud has to be the favorite for MVP in my opinion. He’ll get one of his toughest tests of the season this week when he faces the New York Jets defense.
10. Los Angeles Rams (15): Here’s a team not many folks expected to see in the top 10 this year. The Rams have quietly played themselves right into the playoff picture with three straight wins. They’ll be tested this week as they travel to Baltimore.
11. Green Bay Packers (17): The Packers are suddenly not only in the playoffs, they’re a team most teams may not want to face. Jordan Love’s accuracy has drastically improved and he’s playing his best football of the season.
12. Cleveland Browns (8): The Browns may make the playoffs thanks to their schedule down the stretch, as they’ll likely face four backup quarterbacks over their final five games.
13. Buffalo Bills (13): The Bills come off their bye and have to travel to Arrowhead, a place they’re very familiar with in recent years. This is essentially a must-win game if they want to find themselves back in the playoffs.
14. Indianapolis Colts (18): The Colts are one of the biggest surprises of the season and thanks to the parity in the AFC, I see no reason why they can’t hold on to the #7 seed and be a playoff team.
15. Minnesota Vikings (14): Minnesota is 6-6 coming off the bye and have two games that they need to win (both on the road; Raiders and Bengals) because they finish the season with three games against the Lions (x2) and Packers.
16. Denver Broncos (10): Their winning streak came to an end but all hope is not lost. They remain one game out of the playoffs with a favorable schedule down the stretch.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers (12): You can’t lose at home to the Cardinals if you want to be taken seriously as a playoff team. If they miss the playoffs, they’re going to kick themselves for this one.
18. Seattle Seahawks (16): In a matter of a few weeks they’ve fallen from the NFC West leader to the #9 seed in the conference. With the 49ers and Eagles up next, they’re going to have to figure out a way to get one win if they want to keep their season alive.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (20): The Bucs division hopes hang in the balance this week as they face the Falcons. With a win, they’re tied for first, with a loss, they’re essentially three games back, as Atlanta will hold the tie-breaker.
20. Los Angeles Chargers (21): You figure the Chargers need to win out in order to make the playoffs. I’m not saying they can’t, but they sure haven’t made it easy on themselves.
21. Atlanta Falcons (22): I have not bought into the Falcons all season, so I’m not going to start now. Though if they get a win this week against Tampa, the division is theirs to lose.
22. New Orleans Saints (19): The Saints nearly pulled off the 21-point comeback but came up just a bit short. Now Derek Carr is hurt once again. However, with games against the Panthers and Giants over the next two weeks, they could find themselves right back at .500.
23. Cincinnati Bengals (23): It’s only one game, but the Bengals showed they aren’t going to lay down without Joe Burrow. I pronounced this team dead but if Jake Browning plays like he did, they may just sneak into the playoffs as the final seed.
24. New York Jets (24): At 4-8, the season is all but lost for the Jets. They’ve completely wasted a season with one of the best defenses in the NFL. Imagine where this team could go if they had Joshua Dobbs or Gardner Minshew as their backup.
25. Tennessee Titans (25): At 4-8, the Titans are the second worst team in the conference and likely will end the season there, as they will probably be underdogs in their five remaining games.
26. Las Vegas Raiders (26): The Raiders are coming off the bye and need to string together a few wins if they want any shot at making the playoffs.
27. New York Giants (27): The Giants are coming off the bye after two straight wins, and will look to play spoiler as they host the Packers on Monday Night Football.
28. Chicago Bears (28): Chicago won two of their last three prior to the bye, and would have won all three if not for blowing a big lead against the Lions. They get a chance for revenge this week as they host those same Lions.
29. Arizona Cardinals (31): The Cardinals got themselves an impressive road win against the Steelers, and surely hurt their draft position in the process.
30. Washington Commanders (29): The Commanders lost four straight prior to their bye, and allowed a total of 150 points in those four games. They travel to the Rams this week, who have certainly been capable of scoring points this season.
31. New England Patriots (30): Congrats to Bill Belichick on having the first team in NFL history to allow 10 points or fewer in three straight games, while losing all three.
32. Carolina Panthers (32): Carolina gave it all they had in their first game under interim coach Chris Tabor, but came up just short. They don’t have their first round pick this year, so they certainly aren’t tanking; they just simply are a bad football team.
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