We have reached the halfway point in this NFL season. The AFC continues to dominate the elite category with four out of the five teams. Let’s see how they, and the rest of the league fair in our latest NFL power rankings:
The Elite:
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-0)
2. Kansas City Chiefs (8-1)
3. Baltimore Ravens (6-2)
4. New Orleans Saints (6-2)
5. Buffalo Bills (7-2)
Pittsburgh remains number one despite narrowly escaping with a win in Dallas. They still remain the league’s most complete team at this point. The Chiefs could make an argument to be the number one team as well. We will have to wait until the playoffs if we want to see these two teams settle it on the field. Buffalo and New Orleans are coming off extremely impressive victories to round out the elite category.
Playoff Caliber but…..
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3)
7. Green Bay Packers (6-2)
8. Seattle Seahawks (6-2)
9. Tennessee Titans (6-2)
10. Miami Dolphins (5-3)
11. Arizona Cardinals (5-3)
12. Los Angeles Rams (5-3)
13. Las Vegas Raiders (5-3)
14. Indianapolis Colts (5-3)
15. Cleveland Browns (5-3)
We find ourselves with a glut of 5-3 teams in this category. The Seattle Seahawks will make the playoffs, but they will do so with one of the worst defenses ever to enter the post season. https://www.espn.com/nfl/stats/teamThe Titans and Packers defenses aren’t far behind. Tua Tagovailoa has given the Dolphins the spark they’ve been looking for. Miami is now a serious playoff contender. Who knows what to make of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after their trouncing at the hands of the Saints. For now at least, the Bucs drop out of the elite category in our NFL power rankings.
NFL Purgatory:
16. San Francisco 49ers (4-5)
17. Chicago Bears (5-4)
18. Philadelphia Eagles (3-4-1)
19. Carolina Panthers (3-6)
20. Minnesota Vikings (3-6)
21. Denver Broncos (3-5)
22. New England Patriots (3-5)
23. Detroit Lions (3-5)
24. Atlanta Falcons (3-5)
The New England Patriots were in serious danger of dropping into the “tanking for Trevor” category. They barely managed to get by the worst team in football Monday night. We have no idea how the 49ers have four wins with all the injuries they’ve suffered this season. Atlanta and Carolina remain frisky, even though their seasons are essentially over.
Tanking for Trevor:
25. Cincinnati Bengals (2-5-1)
26. Los Angeles Chargers (2-6)
27. Houston Texans (2-6)
28. New York Giants (2-7)
29. Washington Football Team (2-6)
30. Dallas Cowboys (2-7)
31. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-7)
32. New York Jets (0-9)
At this point Trevor Lawrence has to be seriously considering going back to Clemson for another season. Why in the world would he want to get involved in the mess that is the New York Jets?? With another top draft class, the Cincinnati Bengals are going to be trouble to deal with in 2021. The Dallas Cowboys are going to have a decision on their hands after this season. Do they pay Dak Prescott $40 million a season, or do they start all over and draft a quarterback in the top five?