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1) SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (12-2): Change: 0 [1,3] Another week at #1 for the Seahawks after a dominant shutout victory. With an elite defense and a clock-control offense, this team is Super Bowl bound.
2) CAROLINA PANTHERS (9-4): Change: +2 [2,14] Much to Tex’s chagrin, the Panthers move back into the #2 spot as they got a victory while the two ahead of them lost crucial games. They get a chance to redeem themselves for a horrible showing in New Orleans this Sunday, and I think they’ll get the job done. How crazy would it be if the Panthers could steal the division title? I think it can happen.
3) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (10-4): Change: -1 [2,8] Yes, it was a very disappointing loss, but the Patriots are not in trouble. They’ll clinch the AFC East this week, and they are the team that no one wants to face in the postseason.
4) NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (10-4): Change: -1 [2,6] Another team that you don’t that doesn’t deserve to fall much in these rankings after one tough loss. The Saints are among the best in the NFC….when they’re at home.
5) SAN FRANCSICO 49ERS (10-4): Change: 0 [2,7] Another outstanding victory keeps the 49ers in the top 5. They are a monstrous wildcard team, and will likely be favorites to win on the road in the first round of the playoffs.
6) DENVER BRONCOS (11-3): Change: 0 [1,6] That was a very disappointing loss at home to the Chargers on TNF, but the Broncos don’t deserve to be ranked any lower than 6. They’re considerably better than all of the teams below them.
7) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (11-3): Change: +1 [7,22] And with that, the Chiefs jump to their highest position of the season in my rankings. After a rough 3-game losing streak, they have put together two straight routs of inferior opponents. My biggest beef with the Chiefs early in the season was that they couldn’t put anyone away – they’re finally learning to do that, which is why I’m finally giving them respect.
8) ARIZONA CARDINALS (9-5): Change: +1 [7,24] Once again, the Cardinals found a way to win. Unfortunately, they’re still on the outside looking in with the playoff picture….I feel like the NFL should give them the #6 seed in the AFC, haha.
9) CINCINNATI BENGALS (9-5): Change: -1 [7,11] Tough loss for Cincy, and the Ravens are now only a game out of first place. It would be a horrible collapse if the Bengals lost this division.
10) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (9-5): Change: +1 [1,14] The Colts finally halt their descent with a convincing win over Houston.
11) CHICAGO BEARS (8-6): Change: +2 [8,17] Two hard-fought wins in a row for the Bears, and now the NFC North is theirs to lose. Huge Week 17 matchup with Green Bay looming….
12) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (8-6): Change: -2 [10,22] The Eagles came crashing down this week, but Nick Foles still looked brilliant. They shouldn’t have much trouble wrapping up the NFC East as the Cowboys have gift-wrapped it for them.
13) SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (7-7): Change: +1 [13,25] You have to move up after a huge upset win in Denver. The Chargers are the best team in the hunt for the AFC #6 seed, but it’s likely too little too late.
14) DETROIT LIONS (7-7): Change: -2 [8,14] If they could stop playing such undisciplined football, the division would be theirs. They’re turning into the Raiders of the NFC.
15) BALTIMORE RAVENS (8-6): Change: 0 [14,20] I’m not impressed, but I have to rank them in the upper half because they keep finding ways to win.
16) MIAMI DOLPHINS (8-6): Change: +2 [16,31] I was shocked that they beat the Patriots, but I have to give them props for doing it.
17) GREEN BAY PACKERS (7-6-1): Change: +2 [2,20] HUGE comeback win against Dallas. They control their own destiny…win the next two, including their final game with the Bears, and they win the NFC North.
18) PITTSBURGH STEELERS (6-8): Change: -2 [15,26] Still mathematically alive, the Steelers only move down because teams that are truly in the hunt have started to play.
19) ST. LOUIS RAMS (6-8): Change: +2 [14,29] No one wants to face them right now.
20) DALLAS COWBOYS (7-7): Change: -3 [12,20] So much talent, so little discipline….
21) MINNESOTA VIKINGS (4-9-1): Change: +2 [21, 31] No one expected them to beat Philly. The Vikings will be playing spoiler down the stretch.
22) NEW YORK JETS (6-8): Change: 0 [13,30] They were reasonably competitive against Carolina.
23) TENNESSEE TITANS (5-9): Change: +1 [18,30] Should’ve beaten the Cardinals.
24) NEW YORK GIANTS (5-9): Change: -4 [12,26] Another embarrassing showing, this week in Seattle. What an embarrassing season.
25) BUFFALO BILLS (5-9): Change: +1 [22,29] Made some nice plays against the Jags.
26) CLEVELAND BROWNS (4-10): Change: -1 [16,27] Once again, Cleveland is looking to next year….
27) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (4-9): Change: 0 [27,32] Ho-hum effort against Buffalo. I think the Jags have won enough games for this season and have already exceeded expectations….time to go 4-12 and get a good draft pick.
28) OAKLAND RAIDERS (4-10): Change: 0 [24,32] Their pride was trampled all over by the Chiefs.
29) TAMPA BAY BUCS (4-10): Change: 0 [19,31] Didn’t try at all against SF.
30) ATLANTA FALCONS (3-11): Change: 0 [8,30] Super Bowl pick? Haha, those were the days. Glad I was never on that bandwagon.
31) WASHINGTON REDSKINS (3-11): Change: 0 [17,31] Kirk Cousins looked pretty good.
32) HOUSTON TEXANS (2-12): Change: 0 [6,32] It just keeps getting worse.
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