NFL Power Rankings

My current NFL Power Rankings.

I’m going to use these rankings as the order for my 2020 NFL Mock Draft during the 2019 season. Follow @walterfootball.

I’ve gone from WORST to FIRST, so if you don’t see reverse numbering (via Javascript), don’t worry; the 49ers and Cardinals aren’t my top teams.

Updated: Oct. 15

Miami Dolphins (0-5) – Previously: 32.
The Dolphins ruined my prediction that they would lose every game this year by double digits, all because Ryan Fitzpatrick caught fire versus a prevent defense in the fourth quarter in relief of Josh Rosen. Thank goodness Kenyan Drake dropped the two-point conversion, or Miami would have lost the inside track on drafting Tua Tagovailoa, which would have been worse than any loss the Dolphins could suffer this year.

Cincinnati Bengals (0-6) – Previously: 29.
I tried to warn all of you. I really did. I said the Bengals would transform back to the Bungles if they fired Marvin Lewis, and none of you listened.

I wrote this last week and the week before, and I’m going to keep on writing it as an example of the media being very stupid and incompetent when it comes to making demands of teams. The media called for Lewis’ firing, which was completely asinine, and now no one in the press will take responsibility for this horrible decision.

Washington Redskins (1-5) – Previously: 30.
It’s nice that the Redskins got their first victory, but couldn’t they have covered the spread? They were up 17-3. How could they let Ryan Fitzpatrick almost beat them!?

Atlanta Falcons (1-5) – Previously: 28.
The Falcons are a Nelson Agholor drop away from being 0-6. They are atrocious, as they’ve effectively been blown out in four of their losses.

As a bonus, we had an easy five-unit victory this past week because the public thought it would be a good idea to bet on Atlanta as a road favorite. Thank you, public, for being so stupid!

San Angeles Chargers (2-4) – Previously: 25.
The Chargers stink. Their only cover this year has been against the Dolphins, which doesn’t count. Their only win besides that occurred because Adam Vinatieri couldn’t kick his way out of a paper bag. They’ve been blown out in two home games against teams with a combined record of 4-8.

Arizona Cardinals (2-3-1) – Previously: 27.
It was nice to see what Kyler Murray could do with proper pass protection. He logged 240 passing yards in the opening half, so it seemed as though he could hit 500 at one point.

The offensive line didn’t improve suddenly. Rather, the Falcons can’t put any pressure on the quarterback. That said, the future is bright for Murray when Arizona can upgrade its blocking.

New York Giants (2-4) – Previously: 26.
The Giants’ 10-day layoff is coming at the exact, right time. It’ll give everyone a good chance to heal. Evan Engram, Sterling Shepard and even Saquon Barkley could return in Week 7, so it’ll be exciting to see how the Giants begin to develop following their mini-bye.

Oakland Raiders (3-2) – Previously: 24.
To quote site reader and Facebook friend Andrew L:

Please DO NOT move the Raiders up for winning. I fully support you by not talking about their success. The minute anyone suggests they are decent they will start to suck a**.

It’s true. I have no faith in the Raiders, as I don’t trust their defense at all.

Tennessee Titans (2-4) – Previously: 22.
The Titans not being able to cover 7.5 on the teaser ended up costing me a chance to be up $3,000 on the week, so screw them and Marcus Mariota, who was an abomination against a defense missing some starters. The Titans might as well see what they have in Ryan Tannehill because Mariota looks like a lost cause at this point.

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-4) – Previously: 23.
Hey Jags, nice teal-and-white look! Maybe you should have tried that out in, like, December, when you wouldn’t have the extreme heat advantage! Making the Saints play in black uniforms seemed like an easy way to gain a huge advantage, but hey, why win football games when you can sell jerseys instead?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-4) – Previously: 17.
Jameis Winston was a train wreck in London. Do you think he got confused because when he tried to steal crab legs, he was told he’d have to carry out fish and chips without paying? That’s the only possible explanation I can think of as to why he was so much worse this past week than he was versus the Rams when he played like the second coming of Joe Montana. I mean, sure, he was battling a tougher defense versus Carolina, but his mistakes were mostly on him.

Denver Broncos (2-4) – Previously: 21.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Broncos are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Pittsburgh Steelers (2-4) – Previously: 20.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Steelers are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

New York Jets (1-4) – Previously: 31.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Jets are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Baltimore Ravens (4-2) – Previously: 19.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Ravens are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Cleveland Browns (2-4) – Previously: 18.
Leave it to Freddie Kitchens to have one of the worst coaching performances of the year, only to follow it up by blaming the officials in the post-game press conference. Pathetic. Kitchens has no business being an NFL head coach.

Los Angeles Rams (3-3) – Previously: 12.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Rams are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Minnesota Vikings (4-2) – Previously: 16.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Vikings are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Seattle Seahawks (5-1) – Previously: 15.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Seahawks are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Buffalo Bills (4-1) – Previously: 13.
I’m very close to listing the Bills as overrated. Let’s discuss their wins:

– They trailed the Jets and mono-stricken Sam Darnold 16-0 entering the fourth quarter, when they received a boost from C.J. Mosley’s departure.

– They struggled to put away the horrible Giants, quarterbacked by the benched Eli Manning.

– They nearly lost to a Cincinnati squad that was dumpstered by the 49ers at home the previous week.

– They beat the Titans by seven even though Tennessee missed 12 points’ worth of field goals.

However, Josh Allen was very accurate in the victory over the Titans, so if he continues to play like that, the Bills will continue to win.

Chicago Bears (3-2) – Previously: 11.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Bears are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Houston Texans (4-2) – Previously: 14.
The Texans win the award for being the most inconsistent team in the NFL. They nearly lost to Gardner Minshew at home, yet upset Patrick Mahomes in Arrowhead. They lost to Kyle Allen at home, yet demolished Philip Rivers in San Angeles. I can’t imagine how good this team would be if they had a better coach than Bill O’Brien and superior offensive line play.

Dallas Cowboys (3-3) – Previously: 9.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Cowboys are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Indianapolis Colts (3-2) – Previously: 10.
I suppose I can’t call the Colts underrated anymore in the wake of their victory against the Chiefs. They have a big game coming up against the Texans, but I have to believe that the time off will greatly benefit them, as Frank Reich will be able to put together a great game plan with extra time to prepare.

Detroit Lions (2-2-1) – Previously: 8.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Lions are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Carolina Panthers (4-2) – Previously: 7.
I listed the Panthers as an underrated team a couple of weeks ago, but those days are long gone. I imagine most people know how good they are, even with Kyle Allen starting. When I watched Allen skip passes into the ground during the preseason, I never imagined that I’d be writing that he’s 5-0 as Carolina’s starting quarterback, yet here we are.

That said, I have to believe that Cam Newton will return as the starter when he’s completely healthy, despite what some reports have indicated. Allen has done a great job, but he doesn’t give the Panthers the upside Newton does when he’s 100 percent.

Kansas City Chiefs (4-2) – Previously: 5.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Chiefs are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

New Orleans Saints (5-1) – Previously: 6.
As I wrote last week, the Saints will be the No. 2 team in these power rankings once Drew Brees returns from injury. It’s amazing that they continue to win with Teddy Bridgewater, though it’s obvious that they’ll need Brees – and to avoid horrible officiating – to get over the hump in the playoffs.

Philadelphia Eagles (3-3) – Previously: 4.
I considered making the Eagles underrated until I saw that they were getting tons of action from the public in their game against Dallas. There’s no doubt Philadelphia has some major problems right now, particularly at cornerback, so I have to wonder if the Eagles were one of the three teams that called the Cardinals and inquired about Patrick Peterson.

Green Bay Packers (5-1) – Previously: 2.
The Packers were gifted a victory by the officials on Monday night, but I’m not going to penalize them. They were missing several starters, including Davante Adams, and I have to imagine they’ll be much better when some of the injured players return.

San Francisco 49ers (5-0) – Previously: 3.
One of the sad moments I have on the site is when I can no longer acknowledge a long-time underrated team as underrated anymore because the public finally realizes how good they are. It’s like sending off a kid to college. I have tears in my eyes right now. Let’s just move on before I get too upset.

New England Patriots (6-0) – Previously: 1.
The Patriots have some flaws. Tom Brady is not well protected anymore, as the Giants, who have no pass rush to speak of, registered three sacks. The Patriots also lost Josh Gordon to some sort of injury.

This would be worrying if the Patriots were a normal team. I’d even declare them to be overrated. However, it’s crazy to count out the Patriots. With extended time off, I believe Bill Belichick will be able to shore up some of the weaknesses.

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