This will be our final normal rankings of the year. Next week we start the playoffs and there will be more posts than normal including a ranking of teams mostly likely to win the super bowl. But for now, lets dive into the final rankings. 

Worst team in the league: Carolina Panthers

What is there left to say about this dumpster fire that hasn’t already been said. I keep seeing these posts that say the Bears have locked up the #1 seed. This pretty much sums up the state of affairs for the Panthers.

Eliminated and never a doubt: Cardinals, Patriots, Giants, Commanders

These teams have been consistent all year. The problem has been that they have been consistently bad. The Cardinals showed some fight here or there but it equaled mostly losses although they did beat the two best teams in the NFC East. Apparently the Giants should have played the kid living in his mom’s basement much sooner. The Commanders continue to be a disaster no matter what they do. But Dan Snyder is finally gone so we will still count their season a success. Bill Belichick with Tom Brady is much better than Bill Belichick without Tom Brady.

Eliminated with early hope crushed by injuries: Jets, Chargers, Titans

All these teams had grand aspirations that were dashed by early injuries to their QBs. The Jets win by having their dreams dashed on their first offensive possession. It was very Jet like. No one ever really believed in the Titans. The Chargers will get a new coach and by the spring or summer people will again be predicting them to win the AFC West and be a sleeper super bowl pick. Same story, every year.

Eliminated with late hope that was recently crushed: Bears, Broncos, Raiders, Bengals

These teams all had late hope but it was destroyed last weekend. The Raiders after apparently winning the super bowl because they beat the Chiefs they quickly turned around and lost. The Broncos switched quarterbacks to ignite their offense to a whopping 16 points which was enough to win but it didn’t matter because the Chiefs won. The Bears were a stretch but good for them for not being terrible the second half of the season. As a bonus they can ruin my son’s weekend by beating the Packers. The Bengals were eliminated in back to back seasons at Burrowhead (my ass!) which I got to say was pretty sweet. Honestly I love winning championships but I know that can’t happen every year. But as long as Burrow and Chase are there, I’ll be pretty happy if we can eliminate them every season. Now let’s dive into the contenders.

Outside shot to make the playoffs…but not really: Vikings, Seahawks

According to the playoff simulator, these two teams still have a shot. But they need a lot of help. Stranger things have happened outside of Hawkins, Indiana but I think it is unlikely. Seahawks should have kept playing Drew Lock. 

About to mess around and win 8 or 9 games and win the division: Bucs, Saints, Falcons

Well, I have been saying this since week 1. It got a little dicey when one of the teams (I don’t remember or care which one) had like 6 wins by week 9. But the NFC South did not let me down. If the Bucs win, they win the division. If the Bucs lose then the winner of the Saints vs Falcons gets in. Oh, the drama! I cannot wait to see which of these teams gets the honor of losing a home playoff game. Also, I believe if the Packers lose and the Saints and Bucs both win, the Saints make it as a wild card. For all of our sakes, lets hope that doesn’t happen. We definitely don’t need two NFC south teams in the playoffs. 

About to mess around and win 10 games and make the playoffs: Jaguars, Texans, Colts

Jaguars can win the division if they beat the Titans. I would be more confident in that if Trevor Lawrence could stay upright but I still think they win. All the Texans and Colts have to do is not tie and one of them will get in and maybe win the division. I don’t see any of these teams doing much in the playoffs but the Texans and Colts are a nice story. Although, the Colts were a lot more fun to write about with Jeff Saturday.

Big Dolphin fans this week: Steelers

The Steelers will once again not have a losing season which is very impressive especially with the poor QB play all year and for the past few years. They are playing a Ravens team with nothing to play for so I do think they win on Saturday. Unfortunately they need help. Their easiest path is having the Dolphins beat the Bills on Sunday night.

Win and in: Packers

I predicted the Packers would win the division which I was obviously wrong about but they don’t suck as most people predicted. They have had an up and down season but they are right back to where they were last year with Aaron Rodgers. Win and your in. Can Jordan Love do what Aaron Rodgers didn’t? I think he can.

Wild Card teams that could win it all or lose in the first round: Eagles and Dolphins

The Eagles somehow lost to the lowly Cardinals which set up the Cowboys to win the division assuming they beat the Commanders this week which they will. They have been beating up on bad teams all year. In good news this continues the ridiculous streak of not having a back to back NFC East champion. The last time there was a repeat it was the Eagles and Andy Reid was the coach way back in 2004. The Dolphins beat the Cowboys but other than that have struggled against teams with winning records. If they beat the Bills this week then they will be the 2 seed. But based upon what has happened this year it seems unlikely. 

Division Winners with issues: Chiefs, Lions, Cowboys

These teams are all good and competitive football teams. But they all have flaws. The Cowboys can’t beat a good team…at least not without an assist from the officiating. The Lions defense has major issues and the Chiefs have the same problems they have had all year: drops, penalties and turnovers. But they all have strengths too that could lead them to the conference championship or even the Super Bowl. The Chiefs are most likely because they can beat a good team occasionally and they aren’t the Lions. 

Win the division or be eliminated?: Bills

I like weird scenarios and this could be a really weird one. If the Steelers win and the Jaguars win and the Colts and Texans don’t tie the Bills can win and win the division or lose and not make the playoffs. Lots of people think the Bills are going to the super bowl. They have the Dolphins number and I think they will win this game. But it would sort of be the most Bills thing ever to lose and be out before it even started.

Wild Card teams no one wants to play: Browns and Rams

These teams are just tough. They win in different ways.  I don’t think either can win it all but I think they both can make a run. They are playing really good football at the right time. Plus, Joe Flacco…I mean come on!

The Favorites: Ravens and 49ers

These two teams biggest weakness over the last few years has been injuries. They both have mostly survived that up to this point. Are they both beatable, sure. But do they seem to be better than anyone else? yup. Ravens seem to be on a mission and if you had to put money on someone, they would probably be the team. However, Lamar has only won one playoff game and the 49ers have shown signs of weakness off and on. We will all find out soon enough. 

Enjoy the final week of the regular season! Then playoffs and then comes Jeff’s sad season…the offseason.