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: Sept. 24

Miami Dolphins (0-3) – Previously: 32.
The Dolphins are the worst team in NFL history, so there’s no question that they’ll go 0-16.

Here’s the real question: Will they lose every game by double digits? I’m leaning yes.

New York Jets (0-3) – Previously: 31.
Wow, this team is a mess right now. Only an idiot would have bet them to win the Super Bowl!

The Jets are horrible at the moment, but I’ve seen people foolishly compare them to the Dolphins. That’s a huge mistake. They’re better than the Dolphins because they’re actually trying, and they’ll be greatly improved once Sam Darnold, C.J. Mosley and Quinnen Williams return from mono/injuries.

Washington Redskins (0-3) – Previously: 30.
I’d like to congratulate my picks podcast co-host Jacob Camenker (of NBC Sports Boston) for winning the prop of Jay Gruden as the first coach to be hired. It actually hasn’t occurred yet as of this writing, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Gruden is canned in the next day or so after what transpired on Monday night.

Cincinnati Bengals (0-3) – Previously: 28.
The Bengals had no business being in the game with the Bills, as Andy Dalton didn’t complete a pass in the first 20 minutes. Cincinnati came to life once Buffalo began turning the ball over repeatedly, but I have to believe that the Bengals lose that matchup by a touchdown-plus more often than not.

Oakland Raiders (1-2) – Previously: 26.
“I’d like to give my annual warning: Don’t trust what you see in Week 1, especially in the late Monday night game. The team that hosts this game typically gets an unusual surge of emotion and prevails, then ultimately plays poorly the rest of the season.”

I wrote that two weeks ago, and wow, it’s almost easy to forget that the Raiders won in blowout fashion in the opener. That seems like a million years ago at this point, as the Raiders have been pathetic ever since.

New York Giants (1-2) – Previously: 29.
Daniel Jones was great against the Buccaneers, but the one negative I discussed regarding him in my NFL Rookie Quarterback Grades from the preseason surfaced in his debut. While Jones delivered great passes throughout the August games, he had major ball-security issues, so it wasn’t a surprise to see him fumble twice at Tampa. The Giants won despite of this, but they can’t count on racking up too many more victories if Jones continues to be reckless with the football.

Arizona Cardinals (0-2-1) – Previously: 27.
I almost listed the Cardinals as underrated, but I hate their cornerback situation. Still, I think people will make too much of their blowout loss to Kyle Allen. I think very highly of the Panthers, who finally had functional quarterbacking. It’s easy to forget that the Cardinals nearly defeated both the Lions and Ravens, who are a combined 4-1-1.

Atlanta Falcons (1-2) – Previously: 23.
I liked the Falcons heading into this season because I assumed they’d overcome all of the injuries they suffered last year. Yet, between Chris Lindstrom, and now Keanu Neal, it’s looking like 2018 all over again. Atlanta is lucky to even be 1-2, as a Nelson Agholor drop is the sole reason for the team’s only victory.

Pittsburgh Steelers (0-3) – Previously: 19.
Wow, this Minkah Fitzpatrick trade is going to look HORRIBLE if Mason Rudolph continues to perform like he did in San Francisco. The Steelers may have given the Dolphins a top-five pick. Rather than obtaining a franchise quarterback to replace Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers could be watching the Dolphins draft the Alabama battery of Tua Tagovailoa and Jerry Jeudy.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-2) – Previously: 20.
I watch Thursday Night Football with my dad. He had a zinger when Matt Gay missed a field goal:

“Matt Gay missed it because he was thinking about other guys.”

I don’t watch the Sunday games with my dad, but I’ll have to ask him if he thought Matt Gay thinking of an all-male orgy when he was attempting his game-winning field goal after Bruce Arians took an intentional delay-of-game penalty. Perhaps he’d even believe Arians wanted to be part of that gang bang.

Denver Broncos (0-3) – Previously: 24.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Broncos are an underrated NFL team in our new Overrated-Underrated page.

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2) – Previously: 25.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Jaguars are an overrated NFL team in our new Overrated-Underrated page.

Cleveland Browns (1-2) – Previously: 16.
I’d say the Browns trading for Trent Williams would help revive their Super Bowl chances, but I can’t help but think that Freddie Kitchens would continue calling draw plays on fourth-and-9. The offensive line sucks, but there is more going on with Cleveland than just poor blocking. If this continues, I think the Browns should really consider finding a real coach this offseason.

Tennessee Titans (1-2) – Previously: 22.
That 30-point win over the Browns seems like a million years ago, doesn’t it? Crazy. Tennessee’s offensive line is a joke. There’s no excuse for surrendering nine sacks. The good news is that Taylor Lewan will come off suspension in a couple of weeks, so all hope is not lost.

Seattle Seahawks (2-1) – Previously: 14.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Seahawks are an overrated NFL team in our new Overrated-Underrated page.

San Angeles Chargers (1-2) – Previously: 15.
Philip Rivers could go down as the greatest non-death, non-injury tragedy in NFL history. If he were on almost any other franchise, he’d have at least one Super Bowl right now. The Chargers, however, are owned by cheap people and can’t pay enough to surround him with non-bums like Travis Benjamin and Macaulay Culkin who drop passes on the final drive of the game.

Minnesota Vikings (2-1) – Previously: 12.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Vikings are an overrated NFL team in our new Overrated-Underrated page.

Baltimore Ravens (2-1) – Previously: 11.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Ravens are an overrated NFL team in our new Overrated-Underrated page.

Buffalo Bills (3-0) – Previously: 9.
I would have listed the Bills as an overrated team if they weren’t such massive underdogs this week. Let’s take a look at 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.

I think the Bills are solid, but as far being 3-0 worthy? I don’t think so.

Chicago Bears (2-1) – Previously: 8.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Bears are an underrated NFL team in our new Overrated-Underrated page.

Houston Texans (2-1) – Previously: 10.
How do the Texans go from nearly beating the Saints in the Superdome, to almost losing to Gardner Minshew at home, to roasting the Chargers in San Angeles? It worries me that I haven’t quite figured out this team, as they’ve cost me lots of money over the past couple of weeks. I suppose I should blame Mr. Butt Chin’s horrible coaching, but I just don’t know for sure.

Carolina Panthers (1-2) – Previously: 21.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Panthers are an overrated NFL team in our new Overrated-Underrated page.

New Orleans Saints (2-1) – Previously: 18.
All the Saints need to do is weather the storm until Drew Brees returns from thumb surgery in approximately five weeks. Well, so far, so good. They went into Seattle and dominated the Seahawks. What’s better is that they’re on top of their division at the moment, so they can afford a loss here and there.

Indianapolis Colts (2-1) – Previously: 17.
Fremont Frank Reich strikes again! The Colts are an Adam Vinatieri missed field goal away from being 3-0 right now, which actually isn’t too surprising. They were my pick to win the Super Bowl prior to Andrew Luck’s retirement because I loved their overall roster. In fact, if you removed every quarterback from their respective team, I’d say the Colts would be the best team in the league.

Detroit Lions (2-0-1) – Previously: 13.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Lions are an overrated NFL team in our new Overrated-Underrated page.

Los Angeles Rams (3-0) – Previously: 6.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Rams are an overrated NFL team in our new Overrated-Underrated page.

Philadelphia Eagles (1-2) – Previously: 3.
The Eagles are two drops by backup receivers away from being 3-0. It’s difficult to move them down drastically, as they’ve outplayed all three of their opponents this season. They’ll rack up victories once they get some of their receivers back from injury.

San Francisco 49ers (3-0) – Previously: 7.
The 49ers were extremely sloppy against a hyped-up Steeler team that was eager to rove that it could win without Ben Roethlisberger. Despite four first-half turnovers, the 49ers still prevailed by four.

This San Francisco team is definitely legitimate. I love the 49ers’ offensive line – especially when Joe Staley returns from injury – as well as the highly upgraded pass rush and improved secondary. Jimmy Garoppolo is the weak link at the moment, but he has immense upside.

Dallas Cowboys (3-0) – Previously: 5.
“The Cowboys have battled nothing but trash opponents thus far, but they’ve dumpstered both of them.”

I wrote that last week, so make that three trash opponents. The Cowboys played horribly in the opening half against the Dolphins and appeared as though they were going to lose, and yet they won by 25. Still, it’s worth noting that the combined records of their opponents thus far is 1-7*. I think the Cowboys are a very good team, but it’s fair to be a bit skeptical.

Green Bay Packers (3-0) – Previously: 4.
If the Packers were 1-2 instead of 3-0, I can’t imagine how many stories we’d have about Aaron Rodgers being frustrated with Matt LaFleur’s coaching. The two are clearly at odds with each other, if their in-game interactions are any indication. Still, despite the offense not being overly efficient, the defense has gotten the Packers to a very legitimate 3-0.

Kansas City Chiefs (3-0) – Previously: 2.
“The Chiefs slipped to No. 2 last week because: A) Tyreek Hill will miss some time, and B) The Patriots added Antonio Brown.”

Well, you can take the second qualifier off the list, but Hill’s absence still is significant, despite Kansas City’s previous two victories. Still, it must be a relief for the Chiefs that Brown is no longer there, as they don’t need to trade for Jalen Ramsey any longer (though his presence would still be a huge boost.)

New England Patriots (3-0) – Previously: 1.
How the hell did the Patriots not cover the spread despite scoring 30 points and seeing their defense surrender zero? I mean, come on.

Whether a team covers or not is most important to me, and it’s clear that Jarrett Stidham bet on the Jets. In other news, Julian Edelman got hurt. His absence would be a huge loss, especially after the team lost this guy:

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