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. 24

Detroit Lions (3-11-1) – Previously: 32.
The Lions have to be considered the worst team in the NFL at this point, given the number of injuries they have. By my count, they were missing 10 starters against the Buccaneers, resulting in a 21-point blowout loss. They were healthier at Denver and even led for more than half the game, and yet they still lost by 10 to a team missing three starting offensive linemen.

Jacksonville Jaguars (5-10) – Previously: 30.
What an inspired effort the Jaguars had in the wake of the announcement that Doug Marrone would be back next year! Hopefully, Gardner Minshew’s poor performance against Atlanta’s poor defense means that our national nightmare, Minshew Mania, has mercifully come to an end.

Carolina Panthers (5-10) – Previously: 24.
Imagine having the Panthers win total prop and seeing them fall apart after a 5-3 start. I have such a ticket, unfortunately.

Speaking of horrible things, how about Carolina’s special teams play? The Panthers effectively surrendered three touchdowns on punt returns to Indianapolis!

Cincinnati Bengals (1-14) – Previously: 25.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Bengals are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Washington Redskins (3-12) – Previously: 27.
What a huge win for the Redskins! I know they lost, but they moved into position for Chase Young. This was such an amazing victory for them.

Miami Dolphins (4-11) – Previously: 31.
The Dolphins appear to have really screwed up their tanking strategy, but if their goal continues to be drafting Tua Tagovailoa, then their late-season wins don’t matter at all because they should be able to get the Alabama quarterback around pick No. 5. It’s worth noting that Armando Salguero, one of the top NFL team reporters in the business, agrees with this thinking. Miami can draft Tagovailoa and give him a redshirt season, as Ryan Fitzpatrick can make some starts in the meantime.

San Angeles Chargers (5-10) – Previously: 19.
The Chargers can’t play in Los Angeles much longer. It’s embarrassing that they had to go to a silent count at home. I don’t understand why they wouldn’t move to Portland, Oklahoma City, San Antonio or Utah, where they would have so much more support. I could also see them moving to London, which would force the NFL to re-align its divisions. But it’ll be worth it to get the Chargers out of the horrible, poop-infested city of Los Angeles, where they don’t belong whatsoever.

Cleveland Browns (6-9) – Previously: 22.
The Browns said they were bringing back Freddie Kitchens after they had a 4-1 stretch where they had some “great” wins over the Bengals and Dolphins. However, they’ve dropped several games in a row, so I wonder if ownership’s stance will change on the worst coach in the NFL.

New York Giants (4-11) – Previously: 29.
I hope the Giants are able to remember their great victory versus the Redskins in overtime several years from now when Chase Young is making life a living hell for Daniel Jones. That’s what the Giants get for not firing Pat Shurmur prior to the offseason. They’re paying a major price for their inaction.

Arizona Cardinals (5-9-1) – Previously: 26.
“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.”

Murray has performed well against inferior defenses since I wrote this a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately, he got hurt against the Seahawks. It’ll be a shame if he doesn’t get a chance to redeem himself against the Rams, who won’t have anything to play for in Week 17.

Oakland Raiders (7-8) – Previously: 28.
It’s nice that the Raiders were able to redeem themselves in front of their own fans after losing their final home game ever in Oakland. I still can’t get over the fact that they lost that game despite having 10 trips into Jacksonville territory. That loss will haunt me for a very long time.

New York Jets (6-9) – Previously: 23.
The Jets had a decent performance from Sam Darnold even though they scored just 16 points. The offensive line was missing three interior linemen and a right tackle, and yet Darnold was able to lead the team to its sixth victory. Imagine how many wins the Jets would’ve gotten had Darnold not suffered mono. They could have seven wins by now.

Indianapolis Colts (7-8) – Previously: 21.
Jacoby Brissett still didn’t look right despite beating the Panthers in an ugly blowout. He didn’t need to look right, however, with his team effectively scoring on three punt returns.

Atlanta Falcons (6-9) – Previously: 17.
“The Falcons are trying their hardest to save Dan Quinn’s job. Perhaps they’ve done so, but at what cost? Once upon a time, they had the inside track to Chase Young. Then, it was determined that they’d have to “settle” for Jeff Okudah. Now, they may be out of range for Young, Okudah AND Derrick Brown!

Let this be a lesson to all NFL owners: If you have a coach you want to fire, do it during the regular season.”

I wrote this last week, and I’d say that with six wins, the Falcons will probably opt to keep Quinn. They were very hot after their bye, so why change things?

Dallas Cowboys (7-8) – Previously: 15.
How’d this team destroy the Rams? I swear, that game made no sense. This was the Dallas team I expected in Week 15, especially with Dak Prescott being unable to throw passes very well. Prescott was clearly very injured against the Eagles, and I don’t think it’s a guarantee that he can beat the Redskins at home if his shoulder doesn’t quickly improve.

Chicago Bears (7-8) – Previously: 14.
Imagine being a Bears fan on Sunday night. Wow. Not only did they get to watch Mitchell Trubisky suck again; they were able to witness what could’ve been with Patrick Mahomes. To think, Ryan Pace traded up for a one-year wonder quarterback when he had the opportunity to select the ultra-gifted Mahomes (or Deshaun Watson for that matter.)

Denver Broncos (6-9) – Previously: 18.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Broncos are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Los Angeles Rams (8-7) – Previously: 16.
The Rams must address their offensive line this offseason. They don’t have a first-round pick, but I have them selecting a new center in the second round of my 2020 NFL Mock Draft.

As for this season, the Rams are done. They were eliminated from the playoffs in the wake of their loss to the 49ers. They better sit Todd Gurley in the season finale so he doesn’t suffer a freak injury.

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7) – Previously: 12.
I’ve had the Steelers as underrated for quite some time, but their quarterbacking play is so bad that I just can’t list them as such anymore.

Houston Texans (10-5) – Previously: 11.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Texans are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) – Previously: 13.
You know what’s crazy? That push against the Texans wasn’t even the most frustrating Buccaneers push this year. This team is infuriating sometimes, but they’re so much fun to watch.

Philadelphia Eagles (8-7) – Previously: 20.
The Eagles will reach the playoffs if they beat the Giants (or if Dallas loses to the Redskins). If they reach the postseason, they’ll be a threat if Lane Johnson, DeSean Jackson and Zach Ertz return from injury.

Buffalo Bills (10-5) – Previously: 10.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Bills are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Minnesota Vikings (10-5) – Previously: 9.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Vikings are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Tennessee Titans (8-7) – Previously: 8.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Titans are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Seattle Seahawks (11-4) – Previously: 7.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Seahawks are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Green Bay Packers (12-3) – Previously: 6.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Packers are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

New Orleans Saints (12-3) – Previously: 4.
The Saints looked like they were sleepwalking against the Titans. They trailed 14-0 and were committing so many penalties. Drew Brees was lucky to have two potential interceptions dropped. However, they were able to rebound to not only win, but cover. Good teams win, and great teams cover. The Saints are a great team.

San Francisco 49ers (12-3) – Previously: 3.
This 49ers have won some big games down the stretch, but Jimmy Garoppolo’s play needs to improve if this team doesn’t want to suffer an early defeat in the playoffs. As mentioned during the Saturday night broadcast, Garoppolo is holding the ball too long in the pocket. He was sacked six times as a consequence.

New England Patriots (12-3) – Previously: 5.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Patriots are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Kansas City Chiefs (11-4) – Previously: 2.
I’m very tempted to move the Chiefs up to No. 1. They’d probably have a 13-2 record if Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill healthy the entire year, giving them the No. 1 overall seed because they beat the Ravens. Meanwhile, their defense has gotten so much better of late, and Terrell Suggs will only help matters.

Truthfully, I have the Chiefs and Ravens ranked evenly in my own ratings system. Thus, if the Ravens host the Chiefs in the AFC Championship, my projected line will be Baltimore -3, barring any major injury news.

Baltimore Ravens (13-2) – Previously: 1.
Congratulations to the Ravens for clinching the No. 1 overall seed. It looked dicey for a while against the Browns, but Baltimore eventually got the lead and held on to it. More importantly, they covered the spread as well. As some guy just said, good teams win, and great teams cover. The Ravens are a great team.

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