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 Dolphins and Bengals aren’t my top teams.

Updated: Dec. 10

Jacksonville Jaguars (4-9) – Previously: 28.
I thought that the Jaguars would try harder for Gardner Minshew. The fans seemed to cheer loudly on the rare occasion when Minshew did something good, but Minshew’s teammates hardly cared. What an embarrassing performance against the Chargers.

Detroit Lions (3-9-1) – Previously: 30.
David Blough’s crystal cleats turned into a pumpkin against the Vikings, as Mike Zimmer thoroughly confused him. It’s for the best though, as the Lions moved up a spot in the wake of their loss and the victory for the Falcons. They should be in position to land the top cornerback in the 2020 NFL Draft, Jeff Okudah.

Miami Dolphins (3-10) – Previously: 32.
Facebook friend Luke T. proposed the theory that the Dolphins stopped tanking when Tua Tagovailoa suffered his devastating injury. Miami suddenly knew that it could obtain Tagovailoa with a later pick, which is correct.

I like this theory, though I don’t think I’d discount the Dolphins from selecting Justin Herbert in the top five. This should be a very intriguing lead up to the draft!

New York Giants (2-11) – Previously: 31.
Memba when Eli won us the Super Bowl and memba when we pretended Eli was great even though it was the defense that won for us? I memba!

Washington Redskins (3-10) – Previously: 29.
What’s with the Redskins falling behind 14-0 and then threatening to win the game afterward? They trailed by two touchdowns once again at Green Bay, and yet they lost by just five, so they could have prevailed if it wasn’t for the early deficit. At the very least, the Redskins’ loss means that they should still be able to land Andrew Thomas in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Arizona Cardinals (3-9-1) – Previously: 25.
Kyler Murray is coming off two rough games since his bye, but it’s worth noting that he’s battled the Rams and Steelers, two of the better defenses in the NFL. He’ll have a much easier time against the Browns, who aren’t nearly the same without Myles Garrett.

Oakland Raiders (6-7) – Previously: 17.
I had the Raiders listed as underrated last week, but that’s when I thought Josh Jacobs and Trent Brown would play. Jacobs is now heading for an MRI on his shoulder, but it doesn’t really matter Oakland’s season is over anyway.

Cincinnati Bengals (1-12) – Previously: 27.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Bengals are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Carolina Panthers (5-8) – Previously: 21.
If you missed it, here’s my grade for the Panthers firing Ron Rivera. New owner Bobby Axelrod might be a genius at running a hedge fund, but he’s seemingly clueless as an NFL owner. Axelrod now wants to trade Cam Newton, which seems like a ridiculous decision because he’s selling low on him. I’m willing to bet that Axelrod didn’t make most of his fortune by selling low, so why is he doing so now?

New York Jets (5-8) – Previously: 23.
I’ve written this already, but it needs to be emphasized now. Holy hell, Adam Gase is a terrible coach, and I was an idiot for thinking the Jets made a good decision to hire him. Sam Darnold continues to regress under Gase, and the Jets, in a rebound spot, barely beat a Miami squad that lost DeVante Parker and Albert Wilson to concussions.

Cleveland Browns (6-7) – Previously: 19.
Odell Beckham has been terrible all year, but at least we now know why. He’s had a sports hernia this whole time. Now, if only we could figure out why Freddie Kitchens has been so awful. My guess is a brain hernia.

Philadelphia Eagles (6-7) – Previously: 15.
Carson Wentz is so much worse without his top two receivers or Lane Johnson, and now he’ll be without either. The Eagles beat the Giants, but this was the most Pyrrhic of victories.

Atlanta Falcons (4-9) – Previously: 26.
Once upon a time, it appeared as though the Falcons had a chance to land Chase Young with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Those dreams are long gone, as owner Arthur Blank’s decision not to fire Dan Quinn has cost his team a blue-chip edge rusher.

Dallas Cowboys (6-7) – Previously: 10.
The FOX crew discussed Jason Garrett’s potential firing, but one problem arose for them: Who would be the interim coach, since no one really stood out?

Does it really matter? The guy who cleans Jerry Jones’ glasses is probably available. Why not try him? Anyone would be better than Garrett at this rate.

San Angeles Chargers (5-8) – Previously: 20.
The Chargers apparently didn’t seem to realize that their loss to the Broncos effectively eliminated them from the playoffs. They tried hard at Jacksonville and came away with an easy victory despite having no motivation to achieve one. In fact, they hurt themselves in the process by worsening their draft positioning. So, even though they won, they really lost. Classic Chargers.

Denver Broncos (5-8) – Previously: 24.
Drew Lock was terrible in the preseason, so I never saw this coming. I didn’t completely dismiss him as a prospect, but never in a million years did I think that he would embarrass Romeo Crennel’s defense – a unit that just shut down Tom Brady – in his first-ever road start. Crazy. Perhaps John Elway finally drafted a good quarterback…

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7) – Previously: 18.
I thought about moving the Buccaneers to the overrated list now that they’re 6-7, but I like how they’re playing. Their offensive line and secondary have improved, their run defense is elite, and they are very well coached. I like the momentum they’re building for 2020.

Houston Texans (8-5) – Previously: 12.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Texans are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Chicago Bears (7-6) – Previously: 22.
The winner of the $250,000 grand prize on DraftKings Thursday night used Mitchell Trubisky as captain. I would’ve gone that route as well had I known Trubisky would focus on scrambling for the first time all year! I don’t know what took Trubisky so long to start using his legs, but the Bears have a legitimate chance to make the playoffs if he continues to do this. Keep in mind that Akiem Hicks will be back soon – perhaps in Week 15 – so he’ll provide a huge boost to their poor run defense.

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5) – Previously: 13.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Steelers are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Indianapolis Colts (6-7) – Previously: 11.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Colts are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Buffalo Bills (9-4) – Previously: 9.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Bills are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Minnesota Vikings (9-4) – Previously: 8.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Vikings are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Seattle Seahawks (10-3) – Previously: 7.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Seahawks are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Los Angeles Rams (8-5) – Previously: 16.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Rams are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Tennessee Titans (8-5) – Previously: 14.
I continue to be surprised by Ryan Tannehill, but perhaps none of us should feel that way. It’s very possible that Adam Gase held back Tannehill from fully developing when the two were together in Miami. Look at what’s happened to Sam Darnold and how much he’s regressed with Gase this year. It’s nice to see Tannehill finally blossom now that he’s no longer coached by a bug-eyed weirdo who hates talented players for some reason.

Green Bay Packers (10-3) – Previously: 6.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Packers are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

New England Patriots (10-3) – Previously: 2.
Hey, look, Jerome Booger took yet another touchdown away from the Patriots…

Underrated NFL Team: See why the Patriots are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Kansas City Chiefs (9-4) – Previously: 5.
The Chiefs had a nice win in Foxboro, sort of… It was aided by the officials erasing two New England touchdowns with horrible calls, but Patrick Mahomes still converted some brilliant third-and-long opportunities in the opening half. The big concern I have is Patrick Mahomes’ hand, however, as Mahomes constantly was looking at his hand and settled for mostly checkdowns in the second half.

New Orleans Saints (10-3) – Previously: 4.
Does the NFL have a personal vendetta against the Saints, perhaps stemming from Bountygate? It sure seems that way, as there are always terrible calls going against them. There were three in the battle against the 49ers:

– The non-pass interference or defensive holding call on the fake punt throw, which Sean Payton wasn’t able to challenge for some reason.

– A ticky-tack defensive hold that kept a touchdown drive alive for San Francisco.

– The ridiculous hit to the helmet penalty on the same possession, which set up a touchdown instead of a field goal.

Despite this obvious bias, the Saints nearly won, which I suppose has to count for something.

San Francisco 49ers (11-2) – Previously: 3.
Remember when it seemed like Jimmy Garoppolo would be the downfall of the 49ers? He began his year slowly, dating back to that ugly Monday night performance in the preseason, but he’s obviously way over the knee injury that hindered him in the early stretches of this season. He came up big in New Orleans. I know his team was aided by three dubious calls, but there’s no denying that Garoppolo came up huge when it mattered the most.

Baltimore Ravens (11-2) – Previously: 1.
The Ravens won at Buffalo without Lamar Jackson dominating. In fact, Jackson was pretty ordinary, as he missed some passes and didn’t even top 50 rushing yards. The defense was huge, however, especially Marcus Peters, who knocked away Josh Allen’s final pass. The Ravens got themselves a serious steal in that trade with the Rams.

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