1. Patriots
- The Patriots can quickly forget about their game against Buffalo as Tom Brady is back and the Pats look like their old selves again. They should run away with this division.
2. Vikings
- The Vikings offense looks better week by week and the defense is showing no signs of slowing down. If Bradford stays healthy, this team will go far.
3. Steelers
- The week 3 loss to Philadelphia feels like ancient history as the Steelers trounced the Chiefs and Jets in back-to-back weeks. Pittsburgh is a contender and has their sights set on home-field advantage in the playoffs.
4. Broncos
- As I predicted, the Falcons picked off Paxton Lynch in Denver territory and converted for a touchdown, while Denver struggled to move the ball all day. That said, the Broncos defense is still among the best and when Siemian is playing, they should still be considered the favorites of the AFC West.
5. Cowboys
- I thought the Bengals would at least play them close(in fact I picked them to win), but Dallas was very impressive in their unexpected blowout of Cincinnati.. Whether Romo returns this season or not, Prescott is their quarterback of the future. The Cowboys take over atop the NFC East.
6. Falcons
- The Falcons offense faced their toughest test in Denver, and passed. Even against Denvers stout defense, Ryan was able to connect downfield for explosive plays that led to points. Atlanta should be considered the division favorites as Carolina gets off to a slow start.
7. Packers
- Green Bays win over the New York Giants was a solid one, and they improve to 3-1 and keep Minnesota within reaching distance in the NFC North. Through 4 games, their run defense has allowed an astonishing 42.8 yards per game.
8. Seahawks
- *Bye week* The Seahawks feel like they should be higher on this list, but theyve only played 4 games and their poor outings against Miami and Los Angeles makes me hesitate to put them much higher.
9. Eagles
- My other upset pick of the week, the Eagles came out flat as they were beaten by the 1-3 Lions in a close game. Stafford didnt throw for a ton of yards but he was unstoppable in the redzone as the Lions scored 3 early touchdowns. Carson Wentz still had a very good day despite throwing the first interception of his career on a 50/50 ball. The Eagles are still a good team but their 14 penalties for 111 yards has to be a concern.
10. Bills
- Rex Ryans Bills are impressing right now and they could be on their way to their first playoff appearance this millennium.
11. Raiders
- The Raiders are (somehow) 4-1 and 1st in the AFC West. Their offense is good enough to win close shootouts each week, but their poor defense will eventually catch up with them when they start playing better teams.
12. Bengals
- The Bengals suddenly find themselves with a losing record 5 weeks in after an embarrassing showing against the Cowboys. The good news is that all 3 of their losses have come against top teams(PIT, DAL, DEN). The bad news is that their next game is on the road against a Tom Brady-led Patriots. If the Bengals fall to 2-4, they will need to rally hard in November and December to earn a playoff spot. If they miss the playoffs, maybe the Bengals front office will finally have an excuse to fire Marvin Lewis.
13. Cardinals
- The Cardinals avoided the same fate as Carolina by defeating a weak divisional rival in primetime on Thursday night. Things still dont look quite right in Arizona, but David Johnson looks like one of the best backs in the league right now.
14. Chiefs
15. Redskins
- The Redskins found a win, but it was practically given to them thanks to playcalling so bad by Ravens OC Marc Tretsman that it got him fired the very next day. If they want to beat the Eagles next week, it wont come so easy.
16. Ravens
- After losing at home to the Redskins and only 10 points to show for it, the Ravens fired OC Mark Tretsman on Monday. They arent afraid to make big changes to save this season from going any worse after starting 3-0.
17. Rams
- The Rams came back down to earth after their improbable 3-game winning streak that included the Seahawks and Cardinals. The Rams have not had a winning season since 2003.
18. Giants
- The Giants didnt look much better than they did against Minnesota, but at least they managed to get a couple of takeaways, bringing up their season total to a measly 3.
19. Jets
- The Jets woes continue even if Ryan Fitzpatrick didnt throw any interceptions on Sunday. After barely missing the playoffs in 2015 with a 10-6 record, prospects dont look any better for 2016. They will have to capitalize on the soft part of their schedule coming up if they want to compete for a wildcard spot.
20. Lions
- I still dont see Detroit as a playoff team, but they have the talent to become competent while Stafford is still in his prime.
21. Buccaneers
- The Buccaneers snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in an ugly game that included two crucial field goal misses. How did this team beat Atlanta in Week 1?
22. Panthers
- C̶a̶r̶o̶l̶i̶n̶a̶̶s̶ ̶s̶e̶a̶s̶o̶n̶ ̶i̶s̶ ̶s̶a̶v̶e̶d̶ ̶f̶o̶r̶ ̶n̶o̶w̶.̶ ̶T̶h̶e̶ ̶w̶e̶e̶k̶ ̶o̶f̶f̶ ̶f̶o̶r̶ ̶C̶a̶m̶ ̶N̶e̶w̶t̶o̶n̶ ̶m̶i̶g̶h̶t̶ ̶b̶e̶ ̶a̶ ̶g̶o̶o̶d̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶f̶o̶r̶ ̶h̶i̶m̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶P̶a̶n̶t̶h̶e̶r̶s̶ ̶o̶f̶f̶e̶n̶s̶e̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶f̶i̶n̶d̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶i̶r̶ ̶2̶0̶1̶5̶ ̶s̶e̶l̶v̶e̶s̶ ̶a̶g̶a̶i̶n̶. That blurb that I wrote midway through the 3rd quarter of the Monday night game is irrelevant now. The Panthers really blew it with their late turnovers and are in jeopardy of missing the playoffs after going 15-1 one season ago.
23. Texans
- The Brock Osweiler deal is looking like one of the worst free agent signings in recent history. How do you miss a wide open receiver on a screen pass? The Texans couldnt come close to competing with the leagues best, and losing JJ Watt doesnt help their chances down the road.
24. Colts
Playoffs? Dont talk about playoffs! Normally I wouldnt about a team like this, but considering their division, the Colts win against the Bears still keeps them alive in the AFC South race. Who knows how many games they would win without Andrew Luck.
25. Titans
- The Titans week 2 win over Detroit seemed like an upset at the time, but theyve played each of their opponents relatively close so far. Look for the Titans as the season goes on, they might steal this division this year.
26. Jaguars
- *Bye week* At least I dont have to write about 4 AFC South teams this week, right?
27. Chargers
- The Chargers cannot close out a game to save their life.4th quarter turnovers have killed them, and coaching is partially to blame. Mike McCoys time in San Diego is limited.
28. Browns
- The Browns are 0-5, and to many who havent seen them play, it may seem like just another bad Browns team. Yes they are bad, but theyve shown more to me than the likes of San Francisco and Miami have this season, which is why I have them up at 28. The Browns have gone through a quarterback merry-go-round this season, but they have weapons on offense like Isaiah Crowell and QB/WR hybrid Terrelle Pryor. Had RG3 stayed healthy, they could have had a pretty fun offense to watch. Hue Jackson could have the Browns headed in the right direction for the future.
29. Bears
- Hoyer is playing surprisingly well in relief of Cutler, but there are too many holes on the Bears team for them to be competitive right now.
30. Saints
31. 49ers
- Neither team looked good but the 49ers showed they are the team to be beaten in the NFC. After posting a blowout in Week 1, they find themselves at 1-4
(
sound familiar?). Kaepernick has been making headlines from the sideline already, and he will be under heavy scrutiny in his first start of 2016.
32. Dolphins
- The Dolphins are just bad. Adam Gase has not been a good head coach so far. Miami might be the worst team in the league this year.
