1. New England Patriots (11-2) | Last week: #1
Against the number one ranked Ravens defense, Tom Brady and the Patriots put up 496 yards. The 39-year-old Brady looks as good as ever and is a big reason the Patriots are the team to be in the NFL.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (10-3) | Last week: #4 (up 2)
The Chiefs got a huge win last Thursday night against the Raiders to gain control of the AFC West. Rookie wide receiver Tyreek Hill has been a weapon, and with fellow receiver Jeremy Maclin getting a game under his belt after returning from his groin injury, along with the great defense, the Chiefs are scary.
3. Dallas Cowboys (11-2) | Last week: #2 (down 1)
The 11-game win streak by the Cowboys is now sandwiched by two losses to the New York Giants. Dallas now has another test on Sunday Night Football against a surging Bucs team. The Cowboys will likely get the one seed locked up at some point, but they’ll want to carry some momentum going into the playoffs to avoid an early exit.
4. Oakland Raiders (10-3) | Last week: #3 (down 1)
Two of the three Oakland losses have come to the Chiefs. With their latest loss to KC, the Raiders have dropped from the top seed in the AFC to number five.
5. Atlanta Falcons (8-5) | Last week: #6 (up 1)
No Julio Jones. No Mohamed Sanu. No problem? That was the case this week for the Falcons, as they easily took care of the Rams. Matt Ryan threw for 237 yards and three touchdowns without his top two receivers and is clearly right in the MVP race. The Falcons shouldn’t have too much of any issue this week—with or without Julio Jones—against the Niners.
6. Seattle Seahawks (8-4-1) | Last week: #5 (down 1)
Seattle got destroyed by the Packers on Sunday. They fell behind early and abandoned the run game, which was not a recipe for success as Russell Wilson threw five interceptions. He had thrown five interceptions all season coming into the game. Wilson and the Seahawks will be ready to play against the Rams this Thursday night; they better be, as they have dropped three straight games to the Rams.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5) | Last week: #7
Le’Veon Bell got 42 touches and totaled 236 rushing yards (a Steelers single-game record) and three touchdowns in snowy Buffalo. Bell inserted himself right into the MVP conversation (while making many fantasy owners very happy).
8. Detroit Lions (9-4) | Last week: #8
It took an NFL record ninth fourth-quarter comeback by Matthew Stafford to beat the 3-9 Bears on Sunday, but the Lions got it done. Stafford threw a pick six to give the Bears the lead before his game-winning drive. Maybe he just wanted to break the record.
9. Minnesota Vikings (7-6) | Last week #10 (up 1)
The Vikings took care of business in Jacksonville against the Jaguars. They’ll return home to Minnesota to face Andrew Luck and the Colts in Week 15. If they can get a victory and improve to 8-6, Adrian Peterson’s return may be right around the corner in Week 16 against the Packers.
10. Green Bay Packers (7-6) | Last week: #14 (up 4)
Wow. The Packers made it look like the Seahawks didn’t belong on the same field as them on Sunday. The defense played lights out to go along with Aaron Rodgers and the offense picking apart the Seahawks defense. Now the Pack will travel to Chicago, which won’t be easy, but they should be able to get it done and improve to 8-6. Keep in mind the Lions will play the 9-4 Giants, 11-2 Cowboys, then the Packers in their final three games.
11. Washington Redskins (7-5-1) | Last week: #9 (down 2)
It was close all game, but Washington escaped from Philadelphia with a win, which is all Jay Gruden and the Redskins wanted. The Redskins next opponent are the Carolina Panthers, obviously Redskins cornerback Josh Norman’s former team. Norman and the Redskins will be ready to go.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-5) | Last week #15 (up 3)
Since the Bucs 43-28 blowout loss to the Falcons, Tampa has gone on a five-game winning streak and the defense has given up only 14.6 points per game. Second year quarterback Jameis Winston will now get to play in his first career Sunday Night Football game against the 11-2 Dallas Cowboys this Sunday.
13. Baltimore Ravens (7-6) | Last week: #12 (down 1)
Two special teams plays got the Ravens back into the game against the Patriots, but Tom Brady and Chris Hogan stuck a dagger in them with a late bomb to put the Patriots up 10 late in the fourth. Sometimes teams struggle after playing New England, but the Ravens should be fine at home against the Eagles in Week 15.
14. Miami Dolphins (8-5) | Last week: #16 (up 2)
Miami got a huge win over the Cardinals, but things didn’t look great when quarterback Ryan Tannehill went down with a knee injury. Thankfully, it’s just an ACL and MCL sprain and Tannehill could be back this season. The Dolphins will need to keep winning without him in a tough AFC. Matt Moore will step in at quarterback and try to keep the Dolphins afloat against the Jets this Saturday night.
15. New York Giants (9-4) | Last week: #17 (up 2)
The Giants have handed the number one team in the NFC their only two losses of the year. They’re in a great position to grab an NFC wild card spot, and given their history would not be a fun team for someone to play in the playoffs—especially with the way this defense is playing. The offense still leaves a lot to be desired and is probably the worst offense out of these top 15 teams.
16. Tennessee Titans (7-6) | Last week: #18 (up 2)
Tennessee got a huge win over Denver to not only remain tied in the AFC South with the Texans, but they also put themselves in a position to get an AFC wild card spot. They’ll have an extremely tough game this week in Arrowhead against the Chiefs, however.
17. Houston Texans (7-6) | Last week: #20 (up 3)
I must give the Texans a lot of credit for going into Indy and getting a win. Houston shouldn’t have much of a problem at home against the Jaguars this week.
18. Denver Broncos (8-5) | Last week: #11 (down 7)
After a loss to the Titans, things are not looking good for the Broncos. They’re 8-5, but their final three games are against the 11-2 Patriots, 10-3 Chiefs, and 10-3 Raiders. Denver probably won’t be favored in any of those games.
19. Indianapolis Colts (6-7) | Last week: #13 (down 6)
That was a heartbreaking loss for the Colts against the Texans, and things do not look good for the Colts’ playoff chances this season. They need to pick themselves up and travel to Minnesota this week.
20. Arizona Cardinals (5-7-1) | Last week: 19 (down 1)
They’re not mathematically eliminated, but there’s a great chance the Cardinals are done. A playoff pick by almost everyone—and a popular NFC pick by many—the Cardinals have to be the most disappointing team this season.
21. Buffalo Bills (6-7) | Last week: #21
Rex Ryan looks like he won’t be able to turn things around in his second season as Bills head coach. The defense has not been good this season, which falls directly on Ryan’s shoulders.
22. New Orleans Saints (5-8) | Last week: #22
New Orleans had a shot at getting back into the playoff race, but they couldn’t get anything going offensively against Tampa Bay. Drew Brees has suprisingly thrown six interceptions in the last two games.
23. San Diego Chargers (5-8) | Last week: #23
Star running back Melvin Gordon went down early in the game for the Chargers, which really hurt the offense. Head coach Mike McCoy called Gordon “day-to-day” so there’s a good chance he can return this season and get 1,000 yards in his stellar sophomore campaign (he’s currently three yards away).
24. Cincinnati Bengals (5-7-1) | Last week #24
The Bengals played great defense for the second straight week, but it was against the Eagles and Browns. They’ll have a bigger test this week against the Steelers.
25. Carolina Panthers (5-8) | Last week: #25
Despite the win, Cam Newton is really struggling as a passer this season after he was lights out last season. He was 10/27 against the Chargers and he’ll look to regain his form over the final three games heading into next season.
26. Los Angeles Rams (4-9) | Last week: #26
The Rams fired head coach Jeff Fisher after five seasons, opening a very attractive head coach opening while getting a head start on their coaching search. Jared Goff and Todd Gurley, along with some talented defensive players, is a good place to start building.
27. Philadelphia Eagles (5-8) | Last week: #27
The Eagles came out and played a lot better than they did in Week 13. They’ll finish the season with the Ravens, Giants, and Cowboys and will try not to give the Browns a top ten pick (from the Carson Wentz trade).
28. New York Jets (4-9) | Last week: #28
Bryce Petty, Bilal Powell, and the Jets came from behind to beat the Niners on Sunday. Many fans of the team are mad because it hurt their draft position, but these are professionals trying to win games.
29. Chicago Bears (3-10) | Last week #30 (up 1)
The Bears have continued to play close games despite a ton of injuries to the team. Franchised wide receiver Alshon Jeffery returns from his four-game suspension this week at least.
30. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-11) | Last week: #29 (down 1)
With one head coach (Jeff Fisher) out, the Jags may be the next team to get rid of their head coach, but they should just let Gus Bradley finish the year out. The Jaguars should be an attractive job with some of their young talent.
31. San Francisco 49ers (1-12) | Last week: #31
Carlos Hyde ran wild on the Jets, setting a career high with 193 rushing yards, but it wasn’t enough as the 49ers gave up a lead and lost in OT. Now they’ll face a Falcons team that just carved up the Rams without their top two receivers.
32. Cleveland Browns (0-13) | Last week: #32
RGIII didn’t do much in his first game back from his shoulder injury, but we’ll see how he progresses over these final three games.