*Bold indicates that the selected team just had their Bye Week.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (9-0) Last Week: 1
The
Chiefs used two defensive touchdowns—a Sean Smith 100 yard interception return
in the third quarter and a Tamba Hali 11 yard fumble return in the fourth
quarter— to defeat the Bills in Buffalo
and remain perfect in 2013.
2.
Seattle Seahawks (8-1) Last
Week: 2
The
Seahawks overcame a franchise-record 21 point deficit to beat the winless Bucs
at home to improve to 8-1, their best start in franchise history… Seattle tied
the franchise record with its 12th straight home victory, all games started by
Russell Wilson, who has never lost at CenturyLink Field.
3.
Denver Broncos (7-1) Last
Week: 3
4.
Indianapolis Colts (6-2) Last
Week: 4
Andrew
Luck may have found his new favorite target with Reggie Wayne sidelined for the
remainder of the season with a torn ACL. Luck threw three TD passes to
second-year wideout T.Y. Hilton, who had 121 receiving yards in the game, to
cap off an improbable comeback win over the Texans.
5.
New England Patriots (7-2) Last Week:
5
Tom
Brady threw for 432 yards Sunday, the third most in a game in his career.
Gronkowski amassed 143 receiving yards and caught a TD pass, Dobson collected 130
yards and 2 TD’s and Amendola reeled in 122 receiving yards and a touchdown
reception of his own…The Patriots became the third team in NFL history to
finish with a 400-yard passer (Brady), three 100-yard receivers (Gronkowski,
Dobson, Amendola) and a 100-yard rusher (Ridley). (Via ESPN Stats and
Information)
6.
San Francisco 49ers (6-2) Last
Week: 7
7.
New Orleans Saints (6-2) Last Week: 6
The
Saints’ 31st ranked rush defense allowed former tailback Chris Ivory
to run wild in Sunday’s 30-24 loss to the Jets. Ivory registered 139 yards and
a TD against his former team. The rush defense, which surrenders 4.9 yards per
carry, could be the Achilles heel of an otherwise dominant team.
8.
Chicago Bears (5-3) Last
Week: 13
Backup
QB Josh McCown spearheaded the Bears’ upset victory over the Packers at Lambeau
Field, throwing for 272 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions… Jay
Cutler is reportedly cleared to play on Sunday versus division rival Detroit,
but will the Bears stick with McCown after how well he played on Monday night?
9.
Cincinnati Bengals (6-3) Last
Week: 8
Andy
Dalton returned to his woeful early season form, tossing three interceptions
(no TD’s), losing a fumble and taking a sack in the end zone that clinched an
overtime victory for the Dolphins.
10.
Green Bay Packers (5-3) Last
Week: 9
The
value of a solid backup quarterback that fits the offensive system was proven
on Monday Night Football as McCown stepped up to the challenge for the Bears,
while Packers backup QB Seneca Wallace looked awful in mop duty of the injured
Aaron Rodgers. If Rodgers is out for an extended period of time, the Packers
could be in big trouble. The team must seriously consider looking elsewhere at
the QB position until Rodgers returns because it is clear that Wallace will not
gel in this offense.
11.
Detroit Lions (5-3) Last
Week: 11
12.
Carolina Panthers (5-3) Last
Week: 12
The
Panthers have proven they can demolish inferior opponents, made evident in
blowout wins over the Giants, Bucs, Rams, Vikings, and Falcons. Now, the Panthers can cement their status as a legit contender against the 49ers and
Patriots in the next two weeks, with both Super Bowl contending teams entering
the contest against Carolina off their bye week.
13.
Dallas Cowboys (5-4) Last
Week: 14
The
Cowboys shouldn't need a nine-play, 90-yard drive that ended with a Dwayne Harris 7-yard touchdown catch with 42 seconds left to beat the Vikings at
home… Tony Romo’s elite QB play (20 TD, 6 INT on season) has kept the Cowboys
in first place in the NFC East, but the defense has to play better.
14.
Tennessee Titans (4-4) Last
Week: 15
The
Titans finally got an effective outing from Chris Johnson, who rushed for 152
yards and two scores. According to ESPN Stats and Information, Johnson gained
108 of his 152 rushing yards before first contact Sunday. Johnson hadn't previously gained
100 total rushing yards in a game this season.
15.
San Diego Chargers (4-4) Last
Week: 10
The
Chargers ran three straight plays from the 1-yard line near the end of
regulation and failed to score, settling for a field goal that sent the game to
overtime against Washington. A TD would have sealed a victory for the Chargers
over the Redskins at FedEx Field. The Chargers have had problems punching the
ball into the end zone from the 1-yard line all season. According to ESPN Stats
and Information, the Chargers have scored on just 2-of-11 snaps from the 1-yard
line this season (18%).
16.
New York Jets (5-4) Last
Week: 19
The
Jets’ ability to run effectively (8th in rushing offense) and
contain the run on defense with proficiency (1st in rushing defense)
could bode a long way in their hopes of reaching the postseason.
17.
Miami Dolphins (4-4) Last
Week: 21
Cameron
Wake saved the Dolphins’ season by sacking Andy Dalton in the end zone to seal
a 22-20 win in overtime over the Bengals. However, the organizational failures
of the team, specifically a devoid of leadership, are impossible to ignore in
the wake of Richie Incognito’s racist text messages sent to
teammate Jonathan Martin.
18.
Arizona Cardinals (4-4) Last
Week: 17
19.
Cleveland Browns (4-5) Last
Week: 22
Jason
Campbell kept the Browns in the AFC playoff hunt with his gutsy performance
versus the Ravens. He finished 23-for-35 with three touchdowns, no
interceptions and 262 yards. He guided the Browns on a 6:30 drive in the fourth
quarter that sealed the 24-18 victory. In two starts, Campbell has thrown for
554 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions.
20.
Baltimore Ravens (3-5) Last
Week: 16
The
Ravens’ offense is a dysfunctional mess. Slow-moving QB Joe Flacco led the team
in rushing yards with 25 in their loss on Sunday…
21.
Philadelphia Eagles (4-5) Last
Week: 23
Nick
Foles looks like the QB of the future for the Eagles after throwing a NFL
record-tying 7 TDs in a 49-20 drubbing over the Raiders in Oakland. Foles has
posted 13 TD passes on the season versus zero interceptions.
22.
Washington Redskins (3-5) Last
Week: 25
The
Redskins picked up a needed win on Sunday, behind the clutch play of Darrell
Young. Young ran for just 12 yards versus the Chargers, but scored all three of
the Redskins touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime.
23.
Oakland Raiders (3-5) Last
Week: 18
Just
when the Raiders appear to be turning the corner, their defense has a
historically bad game, leaving little hope for the remainder of the 2013 season… Darren McFadden
left Sunday’s loss with a hamstring injury that could sideline him at least
a couple of weeks.
24.
Buffalo Bills (3-6) Last
Week: 20
The
Bills outgained the Chiefs by 260 yards, yet still lost the game by 10…Jeff
Tuel’s interception at the 1-yard line may have been the most demoralizing
play of the year from any team…Will E.J. Manuel return to the starting duties this week, now that the rookie
has been cleared to play?
25.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-6) Last
Week: 24
The
old and sluggish Steelers’ defense was a disaster in the loss to the Patriots…
It could be a long second half of the NFL schedule for Steelers players and
fans…
26.
Atlanta Falcons (2-6) Last
Week: 26
Matt
Ryan has played terrible on the road this season, a major reason why the
Falcons are winless (0-4) away from the Georgia Dome. Ryan has tossed 6
interceptions versus 9 interceptions on the road in 2013, completing just 62.2
percent of his passes.
27.
New York Giants (2-6) Last
Week: 27
28.
St. Louis Rams (3-6) Last
Week: 28
2013 looks like another lost season for the Rams.
29.
Houston Texans (2-6) Last
Week: 29
Another
heartbreaking loss for the Texans, but a real life concern presented itself on
Sunday night in Houston when head coach Gary Kubiak collapsed at halftime and
was taken by ambulance to a hospital. Best wishes to Kubiak and his family.
30.
Minnesota Vikings (1-7) Last
Week: 30
As
if things aren't bad enough for the lowly Vikings, players from the defensive
unit are now questioning the play calls of defensive coordinator Alan Williams.
31.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-8) Last Week:
31
After
the Bucs opened up a 24-7 lead in the third quarter against the Seahawks, Greg Schiano coached ‘not to lose’,
instead of coaching to win. His sudden conservative style of play-calling
eventually cost the Bucs another potential win…Why is Schiano STILL employed by
the Bucs?
32.
Jacksonville Jaguars (0-8) Last Week: 32
great blog, I think the Buffalo Bills are too low, and you should have acknowledged that their defense didn't allow the Chiefs to score an offensive TD not to mention our offense ran for 250 yds on the alleged best defense in football....just sayin
ReplyDeleteThanks for the compliment! And yea I think the Bills are a gutsy team and its a shame they have had so many injuries this year because I feel they would be competing for a wild card spot if healthy. Who do you feel the Bills should be ranked ahead of on my list?
Deletehow can a football team be gutsy...
Delete