MIAMI GARDENS, FL – AUGUST 17: A detail shot of an NFL shield logo painted on the field prior to an NFL preseason football game between the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Commanders at Hard Rock Stadium on August 17, 2024 in Miami Gardens, FL. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
Lions:
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – AUGUST 12: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions takes the field to play the Atlanta Falcons for a NFL preseason game at Ford Field on August 12, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
This team may not lose again this year…and not just in the regular season. This feels like the first time the Lions will make it to The Big Dance.
Bills:
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 11: Quarterback Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills passes the ball for a Touchdown to Wide Receiver Stefon Diggs #14in the game between the Buffalo Bills vs the New York Jets on Monday Night Football at MetLife Stadium on September 11, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images)
The Bills had a bye but entered the bye as one of the top teams in the NFL.
Eagles:
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 16: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles carries the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during a football game at Lincoln Financial Field on September 16, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
The Eagles are a sneaky No. 3 team. They are the No. 2 seed in the NFC and are the only team with the pedigree and mettle to beat the Lions.
Chiefs:
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – NOVEMBER 10: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs hands the football to Kareem Hunt #29 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on November 10, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
The Chiefs barely beat the Panthers. They move down one more spot. They haven’t looked good the past couple of weeks.
Packers:
LAS VEGAS, NV – OCTOBER 09: Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers gives assignments during an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on October 9, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
The Packers are very young and may be young enough not to feel the pressure of the playoffs.
Ravens:
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 08: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens attempts a pass during the third quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Until Lamar Jackson can prove it in a big spot, on a big stage that is bigger than a random primetime regular season game, I don’t buy them.
Vikings:
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the Minnesota Vikings throws a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
The Vikings do not have the same grit or mettle to overtake the Lions or the Eagles.
Steelers:
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 9: Russell Wilson #3 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up before the preseason game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium on August 9, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
The Steelers have turned back into a pumpkin after their disappointing loss in Cleveland.
Broncos:
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 17: Quarterback Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos hands to the ball to Audric Estime #23 against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome on October 17, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Gus Stark/Getty Images)
The Broncos would be in first place in the NFC West but, instead, are barely clinging to a wildcard spot in the AFC.
Chargers:
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 15: Ladd McConkey #15 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs with the ball during the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
One Harbaugh won, and one lost on Monday. Unfortunately for Charger fans, it was John who prevailed.
Seahawks:
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 12: Geno Smith #7 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates during the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Lumen Field on September 12, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The Seahawks won a huge matchup against the Cardinals to take over first place in the crazy NFC West.
Falcons:
ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 20: Kirk Cousins #18 of the Atlanta Falcons warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
The Falcons are still in first place but have lost two in a row, and if they aren’t careful, the Buccaneers will overtake them.
Texans:
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 13: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans drops back and looks to pass during an NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Houston Texans and the Cleveland Browns at NRG Stadium on January 13, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
The Texans are still a young team and are playing inconsistently, as most young teams do. The loss to the Titans last week was bad.
Commanders:
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 06: Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders rushes against the Cleveland Browns at Northwest Stadium on October 06, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
See Houston. Their inexperience is catching up with them. They never should have lost to the Cowboys.
Rams:
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 09: Quinton Bohanna #98 of the Dallas Cowboys forces a fumble on Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams during the first quarter at SoFi Stadium on October 09, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Rams faced a buzzsaw, losing big to the Eagles.
Buccaneers:
TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 31: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a pass during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Don’t look now, but the Buccaneers are 5-6 and have Mike Evans back.
Cardinals:
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 31: Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals reacts to a touchdown pass during the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 31, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The Cardinals are tied with the Seahawks at 6-5 but are currently out of the playoffs. They could easily still win the division…or finish in last place.
Dolphins:
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 12: Head coach Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins embraces Tua Tagovailoa #1 after leaving the game with an injury during the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium on September 12, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
The Dolphins are now 5-6, and playing very well with Tua Tagovailoa back healthy.
49ers:
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 23: Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass on the run during an NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the San Francisco 49ers at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 23, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
This 49ers team, as bad as it has been, is still 5-6 and has a great shot at making the playoffs.
Bengals:
CINCINNATI, OHIO – NOVEMBER 28: Ja’Marr Chase #1 of the Cincinnati Bengals reacts in the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium on November 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Sitting at 4-7, their playoff hopes are nearly gone. It is such a strange record, considering they have scored one more point than they’ve given up this season.
Bears:
LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS – APRIL 26: Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears speaks answers a question from the media during his introductory press conference at Halas Hall on April 26, 2024 in Lake Forest, Illinois. Caleb Williams was drafted first overall in the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Bears have now lost five in a row, and it’s hard to believe or remember that they were 4-2 to start the season.
Saints:
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – NOVEMBER 17: Head Coach Darren Rizzi of the New Orleans Saints in action against the Cleveland Browns at Caesars Superdome on November 17, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
The Saints were sitting at 2-7. They fired their head coach and have now won two in a row…in the NFC South, who knows?
Colts:
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 12: Anthony Richardson #5 of the Indianapolis Colts looks to pass the ball during the first quarter of a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on August 12, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
Anthony Richardson reverted back to his former self. It will be interesting to see how they play this week, heading to Foxboro to play the Patriots.
Cowboys:
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 18: Cooper Rush #10 of the Dallas Cowboys looks to pass on the run during an NFL Football game against the Houston Texans at AT&T Stadium on November 18, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Say what you want. Their season is going nowhere, and their playoff chances are gone, but they showed true heart, defeating the Commanders in Washington.
Browns:
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – NOVEMBER 17: Jerry Jeudy #3, Jameis Winston #5 and Elijah Moore #8 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates a third quarter touchdown against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome on November 17, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
The same is true for the Browns, defeating the Steelers.
Titans:
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 31: Will Levis #8 of the Tennessee Titans warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
The same is true for the Titans, defeating the Texans.
Jets:
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 14: Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets throws a pass during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium on October 14, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Yippee, the Jets didn’t lose…only because they had a bye.
Panthers:
CHARLOTTE, NC – AUGUST 25: Bryce Young #9 of the Carolina Panthers throws a touchdown pass during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions at Bank of America Stadium on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
The Panthers played the two-time defending champs really well, scoring 11 points in the fourth quarter to tie the game.
Jaguars:
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 19: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars throws the ball during the first half against the Houston Texans at TIAA Bank Field on December 19, 2021 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Jaguars were saved by the bye week.
Patriots:
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 17: Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots runs with the football during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Gillette Stadium on November 17, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
The only reason the Pats aren’t lower is because of the Raiders and the Giants.
Raiders:
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 24: Owner and managing general partner Mark Davis of the Las Vegas Raiders (L) and head coach Antonio Pierce of the Raiders talk before their game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.The Broncos defeated the Raiders 29-19. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The only reason the Raiders aren’t lower is because of the Giants.
Giants:
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 24: Head coach Brian Daboll of the New York Giants on the field following their 7-30 loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium on November 24, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
And then there is just the Giants. This week’s Thanksgiving game against the Cowboys will be interesting. The Cowboys haven’t won a home game this season…yet. They will on Thursday, taking care of business at home.
