Week 17 is in the books and we head to the final week of the regular season. Half the league has been eliminated but they are still playing so I rank everyone up to the final week of the season. Next week and going forward I will only rank the teams still playing. But for one last time in 2025 I give you my always correct and completely accurate rankings. Let’s dive in.

Raiders Gonna Raider: Raiders

In a battle of teams on 9 game losing streaks meeting for the first time in NFL history, both with just 2 wins, the Raiders didn’t just lose, the got blown out.

Please Hire Matt Nagy: Titans

The Titans have played a little bit better lately but they are still a disaster. You know who can help get things fixed for you is Matt Nagy. You should definitely hire him. Seriously, Please take him!

Already eliminated for the 2026 NFL season: Jets, Browns, Giants, Cardinals

Let’s be honest, these teams are all disasters. Maybe some of them get a little bit better next year, but I can’t see any of them making the leap to playoff contention.

Could make a run to the playoffs next year but will probably screw it up: Colts, Falcons, Saints, Dolphins, Bengals

All these teams showed some positive things at times during the season, and I am sure the same will be true next year. But the problem for all these teams has been putting a full season together. I’m doubtful any of them can do it. Although it might not matter for the Falcons and Saints since they play in the awful NFC South.

Should make a run to the playoffs next year but will definitely screw it up: Cowboys

Dallas has a very talented team especially offensively. But Jerry Jones will Jerry this thing up somehow. Looking forward to the George Pickens contract fiasco to kick off the new season.

Will be in the hunt in 2026: Chiefs, Vikings, Lions, Commanders

Commanders were killed by injuries this year. While Daniels is fragile, I don’t think he will miss as much time next year. The Lions with a 4th place schedule? Sign me up. The Vikings will likely beat the back up Packers on Sunday and finish 9-8 with the worst quarterback play by one team I think I have ever seen. Surely, they can be a little bit better at the position in 2026. And finally, my beloved Chiefs. I assume they make some changes in personnel that will help, and I am assuming Pat is back for the whole season. But the Chiefs were historically good in one score games over the last few years. These things seem to flip flop and this year they were historically bad. If they just went .500 in those games they would be10-6 or 11-5 this year. So while I’m holding out a verdict if they will be great again, they should at least be in the hunt.

Just terrible but one of them will host a playoff game: Bucs and Panthers

With everything on the line, these two teams both laid duds this weekend. Now they get to play each other for the NFC South title on Saturday. If the Bucs win, they will be 8-9…and probably host a playoff game. I say probably because even if the Bucs win, if the Falcons win on Sunday then the Panthers win the division even if they lose on Saturday which at this point would be the funniest scenario.

Slightly better than the NFC South: Ravens and Steelers

The Ravens showed what they could do if they just gave Derrick Henry the ball a lot. So I am sure they won’t do that again. The Steelers lost to the hapless Browns. But hey, Myles Garrett didn’t get the sack record on Aaron Rodgers, so way to go.

QB drama: Packers

What’s left of the Packers couldn’t stop the Ravens. But the Ravens also couldn’t stop back up quarterback Malik Willis who played sensational. If he hadn’t had to come out of a drive due to injury, the Packers might have won that game. I still think they are dangerous in a one game scenario. But they are too banged up to make a run.

Fought the good fight but just not enough: Chargers

I’ve been impressed with the Chargers and all the injuries they have overcome. But they look like a one and done playoff team to me.

One sided: Texans

The Texans definitely have the defense to win a championship. Unfortunately, I don’t think their offense is consistent enough to get it done.

Believe in them more than ever: Bears

The Bears impressed me more in their loss to the 49ers than they have in any of their victories. They held their own on the road in a shoot out against a true contender for 4 quarters. But I still don’t trust them as much as everyone left. I don’t see the Bears being able to win the Super Bowl and I can see everyone else having the potential to get it done.

Depends on the day: Bills and Eagles

My preseason super bowl pick still has a great chance of happening. But it really depends which team shows up. At times, these look like the most dominating teams in the league. And at other times they look like they don’t belong in the playoffs at all. Sunday’s game was a great example. The Eagles had like 17 yards in the second half and it isn’t the first time they have been awful for a half of football this year. Meanwhile, the Bills couldn’t finish drives and Josh Allen couldn’t come through when it mattered most. I sort of trust them the most and the least all at the same time.

Super Bowl Contenders with question marks: Patriots, Jags and Broncos

None of these teams making the Super Bowl would surprise me at all. But they all have some question marks. The Patriots schedule has been weak. The Jags are still a little inconsistent led by Trevor Lawrence. And although the Broncos defense shut down the 3rd string Chiefs, they looked less dominant the 3 weeks prior. And can the Broncos keep winning all these close games?

Really, really good but they have Sam Darnold: Seahawks

I think the 3 best teams might all be in the same division. The Seattle defense is outstanding and their offensive weapons are very good. Bottom line they are 3rd because I just don’t trust Sam Darnold when it matters.

Probably the 1 seed: 49ers

Seattle has the better D, a better top receiver and probably overall team. The 49ers play at home on Saturday and have Christian McCaffrey, a great defensive coach even though the personnel isn’t great, a head coach who could probably scheme me open and Brock Purdy is playing arguably his best football of his career. I think the road to the Super Bowl will go through San Francisco or Santa Clara or where ever the heck they play.

Still the team I trust the most: Rams

The Rams still have in my opinion the best overall team, the QB I trust the most and the coach I trust the most in the playoffs. Last night they were down two offensive linemen, Stafford played his worst game of the year and they still almost won the game and probably would have if the refs hadn’t missed an obvious PI call late in the game. They will be a wild card which means likely 3 road games which will obviously be a challenge.

Super Bowl Prediction: 49ers over Bills

Or as I call it, the “we are glad the Chiefs aren’t in the playoffs” bowl. I just think it would be funny if these two teams met since the Chiefs have kept the Bills from getting there and the 49ers from winning it over the last few years. And since this thing is wide open and I have no idea who will win, I figured I’d pick something funny this week that could also actually happen.