In the NFL, the crucial phase of the regular season is approaching. In the past few weeks, some teams have already substantiated their Super Bowl claims (The NFL tables).
In the power ranking of SPORT1 remains that Top duo unchanged. However, there is a new pursuer. Two ambitious teams crash after a strong start to the season.
32. NEW YORK JETS (Balance: 0-11, position in last ranking: 32)
The Jets are well on their way to succeeding the Cleveland Browns of 2017 with an entire season without a win. Quarterback Sam Darnold, after all a former first round pick in the 2018 draft, played again for the first time after a shoulder injury. But it offered little hope of recovery.
31. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-10, 31)
Reaching the playoffs has not been possible since Sunday. Now the owner Shad Khan reacted with the dismissal of the general manager David Caldwell after seven years. A leader in the quarterback position is missing from the field. Mike Glennon was the third passer after Gardner Minshew and Jake Luton against the Browns at the weekend.
30 CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-8-1, 24)
The season of the Bengals is after the serious knee injury from Joe Burrow, the first overall pick of the previous draft, has run. Without the young playmaker, the team lacks class. The playoffs would theoretically still be possible.
29. DALLAS COWBOYS (3-8, 28)
On Sunday the bitter clap against Washington (16:41) gave certainty: America’s team will not uproot any trees this season without their star QB Dak Prescott and with the huge defensive problems. Still, the playoffs in the weak NFC East are just a win away.
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28. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (3-7-1, 21)
Another member of the NFC East stumbled through the season. There was the next Monday night for the 2019 champion Loss to the Seahawks (17:23). Above all, quarterback Carson Wentz is running after his best form – but hardly gets any protection and is often hit hard.
27. DETROIT LIONS (4-7, 19)
After the 25:41 debacle against the Texans on Thanksgiving, there was a big bang. Head Coach Matt Patricia and General Manager Bob Quinn had to pack their bags with immediate effect. Darrell Bevell, previously Offensive Coordinator, will become interim coach. The franchise is already planning a new start.
26. DENVER BRONCOS (4-7, 18)
What a strange situation! The Broncos faced the Saints (3:31) on Sunday due to major corona problems no quarterback available. A receiver played with Kendall Hilton and only came to an underground 13 yards. Regular passer-by Drew Lock will return on the coming match day. And with that, the Broncos are definitely good for surprises.
25. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (3-8, 26)
The Chargers lack the killer instinct like no other team in the NFL. Rookie quarterback Justin Herbert delivers a spectacle, but cannot lead his team to success in the crucial phases. There is hardly a team that loses leadership so often. For the future, however, there is hope for improvement because various components in the squad are promising.
24. CHICAGO BEARS (5-6, 16)
The start of the season was perfect with a score of 5-1. But since then there have been five defeats in a row against the Rams, Saints, Titans, Vikings and Packers – with the exception of the Vikings all top teams. In addition, Mitchell Trubisky replaced the last weak Nick Foles as quarterback.
23. CAROLINA PANTHERS (4-8, 20)
The bottom of the NFC North last won against the Vikings despite a 21:10 lead. Carolina’s bad luck: the strong division with the Saints, Bucs and Falcons. And against the competition it will not be enough without the still injured superstar Christian McCaffrey.
22. ATLANTA FALCONS (4-7, 27)
Are the 2017 Super Bowl contestants getting back into shape? The three wins in the last four games – including the completely safe success against the Raiders (43: 6) – are encouraging. The victory phobia could be a thing of the past. But: the often highly praised offense does not always work as desired, especially QB Matt Ryan is prone to mistakes.
21. HOUSTON TEXANS (4-7, 29)
The hope of a strong final sprint was immediately clouded after the 41:25 against the Lions. Star receiver Will Fuller – quarterback Deshaun Watson’s most important pass – and cornerback Bradley Roby were suspended for six games due to doping and miss the rest of the season. Only the strong Deshaunt Watson prevents a lower place.
20. WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM (4-7, 25)
Runs the Alex Smith’s Odyssey into the playoffs? The quarterback took his franchise to a higher level upon his return. With the 41:16 against the rival from Dallas, Washington set an exclamation point and is the second of the NFC East only because of the lost direct comparison behind the Giants. The team has the best pass defense in the NFL.
19. SAN FRANCISCO 49ers (5-6, 15)
The staff worries do not stop after the 23:20 against the Rams. With Jimmy Garoppolo, George Kittle and Nick Bosa the stars are still missing. Now the Super Bowl participant from this year also has to move and play their home games in Arizona due to new corona restrictions.
18. NEW YORK GIANTS (4-7, 30)
The giants have started a winning streak and have recently left the field as winners three times. The salary is the top of the table at NFC East. Above all, quarterback Daniel Jones screwed down the number of ball losses, but was injured in the previous game.
17. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (5-6, 23)
For the first time since 2009, the playoffs will be held without the series champion – should no wonder happen in the AFC East. The hope of the Patriots lives on after three wins in four games. Quarterback Cam Newton continues to fluctuate greatly in his performance, but is often saved by his own defense.
16. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (5-6, 22)
After a disastrous start to the season, there have been four successes in five games. Curious: only the weak cowboys stopped the Vikings’ winning streak with 31:28 in the meantime. Running back Dalvin Cook in particular is responsible for the upward trend. Playmaker Kirk Cousins has also caught himself and is now delivering.
15. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (6-5, 14)
After two bankruptcies in a row, participation in the playoff is questionable. Gur for the raiders: the next opponent is the jets. The franchise will probably quickly find its way back on the road to success.
14. ARIZONA CARDINALS (6-5, 10)
The Cardinals weaken just before the trend-setting game against the direct rivals of the Rams on the coming day. The third setback in a row would most likely be the playoff-off.
13. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (7-4, 12)
Philip Rivers and Co. have to digest the blatant clap against the Titans (26:45) quickly. The high defeat had not previously been announced in the strong season of the team, as the defense has almost always been convincing so far.
12. LOS ANGELES RAMS (7-4, 13)
Sack monster Aron Donald leads one of the best defenses in the NFL. The problems are on the offensive. Quarterback Jared Goff plays average and has already made ten interceptions and seven fumbles.
11. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (7-5, 3)
What’s wrong with Tom Brady’s team? Three defeats in the last four games have faded the strong start to the season. The Saints are now out of range on NFC South with 9-2. No opponent is afraid of the star team for a long time.
10. BALTIMORE RAVENS (6-5, 4)
The Ravens are the second best running team in the league with 160.5 yards per game. The average of 183.4 yards mean 31st place in the pass rating. Lamar Jackson, reigning MVP, lacks the necessary precision as a quarterback, but was unable to play in the catch-up game of the twelfth game day anyway. In addition to him, various players have been banned from the COVID-19 list.
9. MIAMI DOPLPHINS (7-4, 17)
All of a sudden, old master Ryan Fitzpatrick is the first choice as quarterback again. And it works with him as a passport. The clear 20: 3 against the Jets underpinned the playoff ambitions of the team.
8. CLEVELAND BROWNS (8-3, 11)
161.4 yards per game: The Browns are the running power of the NFL. In addition, the Failure of star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. hardly off. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has to step up if the Browns want to cause a sensation in the playoffs. With 2,108 yards he only ranks 22nd among the playmakers.
7. BUFFALLO BILLS (8-3, 8)
The Bills continue to work on the changing of the guard at AFC East. Quarterback Josh Allen has taken a giant step in his development and is leading the offensive.
6. TENNESSEE TITANS (8-3, 9)
One look at the numbers is enough: 1,257 yards, twelve touchdowns and 114.2 yards per game. Derrick Henry is the best running back in the league, one gala after the next and cannot be stopped. If he keeps his mega shape, the Titans have a powerful say on the way to the Super Bowl.
5. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (8-3, 5)
Is there an outstanding final sprint for the Hawks? With the Giants, Jets and Washington there are three feasible opponents waiting. Russell Wilson and his two receivers Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf continue to upset the NFL.
4. GREEN BAY PACKERS (8-3, 7)
Aaron Rodgers continues to play a phenomenal season with 33 touchdowns and only five interceptions. In addition, his receiver Davante Adams can hardly be stopped with more than 900 yards and eleven touchdowns in just nine games. The run defense has to increase. Of course, this does not change the championship lead in the NFC North.
3. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (9-2, 6)
Quarterback Drew Brees has been out for two weeks with a serious rib injury. The franchise doesn’t care. Substitute Taysom Hill reveals major flaws in the passport. However, the second best defense in the league currently decides the games almost single-handedly. The Saints only allow 76.6 yards per run – outstanding.
2. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (11-0, 1)
The Steelers are the only undefeated team in the league, but no longer in first place. In the game against the Corona-weakened Ravens, there were many weaknesses. In a possible playoff duel against the Chiefs, the troops would certainly not be the favorite. Nevertheless, Big Ben and Co. have made an impressive series and are rushing from victory to victory.
1. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (10-1, 2)
Patrick Mahomes leads his champion from one win to the next. With 3,497 yards, of course, he has the best value of the quarterbacks and only made two interceptions. Absolutely outstanding: Tyreek Hill (1,021 yards) and Travis Kelce (978) behind DK Metcalf the best receivers in the NFL. Hill recently dismantled the Bucs.
