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)
After the Thanksgiving games and Black Friday game, we have seen some movement in the top 10 heading into Sunday. Here is where things stand before Sunday games kick-off.
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)
They will beat the Ravens this weekend, and then the Eagles will be the clear number-one team in the league.
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)
They were lucky to beat the Bears this week. Actually, they didn’t beat the Bears; the Bears beat themselves.
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. They should beat the 49ers on SNF.
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 win on a blocked FG. Then they lose. Then, they barely beat the Panthers, and on Friday, the refs handed them the game against the Raiders. They are 11-1, but they are not playing like it.
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 very talented. They beat up on a Dolphins team that entered the week playing great football.
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. A win vs. the Eagles this week would certainly be a statement.
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 are a good team, but they lack elite QB play and when it matters most, they won’t win.
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 lost a bad game last week and have a tough matchup this week against the Bengals.
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. Let’s see if they can win a prime-time game against a team they are expected to beat.
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)
They are barely clinging onto this number 10 spot. A loss vs. Atlanta this weekend will definitely move them down.
