NFL POWER RANKINGS
1. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (9-1): When your QB only throws for 150 yards and posts a QBR of 37.2, you generally don’t win. They did. Against the defending Super Bowl champs. On the road. Lucky? Very. They are also a very good team. Period. Remaining strength of schedule is .459.
2. BALTIMORE RAVENS (8-3): I’ll concede this may be high but when Lamar Jackson is on, they are near unbeatable. He’s become more proficient at staying in the pocket and only running when necessary. They can be extremely dangerous. Remaining strength of schedule is .583.
3. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (7-3): Brock Purdy is the key to their success. Elite defense aside, when Purdy has time to throw, he can shred. During their 3-game skid, he struggled, and they lost. Remaining strength of schedule is .534.
4. DETROIT LIONS (8-2): Same old……ah, ah ah. Not anymore. Detroit, you have your QB. Jared Goff can take this team to, and win, the Super Bowl. He has the mental toughness needed and he has the support of his teammates. Yeah, he can struggle on the road, but this team can beat anyone, anywhere. Remaining strength of schedule is .493.
5. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (7-3): Patrick Mahomes has been shutout in the 2nd half of the last 3 games. The team leads the league in dropped passes. If they plan on making it back to the Super Bowl, that has to change. Immediately. Remaining strength of schedule is .425.
6. DALLAS COWBOYS (7-3): Dak Prescott is on a heater. Doesn’t matter. Expectations are always high in Dallas and what happens in the regular season is the prelude. Dak has to show up in the post season. Until that happens, the disrespect will remain. Remaining strength of schedule is .603.
7. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (7-3): Probably high for them but they are a weird team. Trevor Lawrence has been ok. They have weapons on offense. If he can elevate his game, those weapons will be more effective. Remaining strength of schedule is .479.
8. MIAMI DOLPHINS (7-3): Tua has been special. I was of the mindset he should retire due to the concussions but was I ever wrong. With the weapons at his disposal and his near 70% completion percentage, they are a challenging offense to face. Remaining strength of schedule is .493.
9. BUFFALO BILLS (6-5): Josh Allen is turning the ball over at an alarming rate. If the Bills are going to go anywhere, he has to right the ship. He can’t keep putting his team in bad situations. Remaining strength of schedule is .600.
10. HOUSTON TEXANS (6-4): C.J Stroud is breaking the stigma of QB’s coming out of OSU. This kid can flat out play. Not only that, but he’s also a leader. This team is coalescing. New head coach Demeco Ryans has his guy. Remaining strength of schedule is .486.
11. CLEVELAND BROWNS (7-3): They would be higher on this ranking if they had their QB. Defense is elite. Remaining strength of schedule is .479.
12. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (6-4): Geno Smith injury could derail any playoff hopes. They need him back for the big Thursday game against 49ers. Remaining strength of schedule is .577.
13. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (6-5): As good of a story as Josh Dobbs is, the Vikings are on the ropes. It would take some huge games by Dobbs for them to get into playoffs. Remaining strength of schedule is .532.
14. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (5-5): Derek Carr has Saints on verge of playoffs. The division is a mess so if Carr can just be consistent, the Saints defense can take care of the rest. Remaining strength of schedule is .394.
15. DENVER BRONCOS (5-5): Let Russ cook. Ok, I couldn’t help it. Wilson has improved over the course of the season and has the Broncos in the playoff mix. Remaining strength of schedule is .507.
16. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (6-4): Kenny Pickett may not be the guy. Time will tell after the dismissal of OC Matt Canada. Pickett has to be better than he has been if they are to make a playoff push. Remaining strength of schedule is .458.
17. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (5-5): The Colts will have to wait until next year for a full season of Anthony Richardson. The injury will hurt his development, but you have to imagine the Colts liked what they saw in a short sample size. Remaining strength of schedule is .465.
18. CINCINNATI BENGALS (5-5): Hard for me to believe that there is much of a chance this team goes anywhere without Joe Burrow. They still have a talented roster, but they have to be looking to next year at this point. Remaining strength of schedule is .620.
19. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (4-6): Justin Herbert is your prototypical QB. Why can’t he win? Is it the head coach? OC? Lack of defense? All of the above? Remaining strength of schedule is .521.
20. LOS ANGELES RAMS (4-6): Matthew Stafford is nearing the end of his career. He got his Super Bowl. Now he’s at the mercy of the Rams philosophy of trading away all their draft picks. Remaining strength of schedule is .486.
21. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (5-6): Is the 2024 QB on the roster? Given the disarray the team is in, I don’t think so. Aiden O’connell will probably remain. I think Jimmy G gets traded or released. Remaining strength of schedule is .557.
22. GREEN BAY PACKERS (4-6): Jordan Love has been getting better though the completion percentage is low. Will that improve going into the next season? Remains to be seen what the Packers do around him. Remaining strength of schedule is .438.
23. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (4-6): Is Baker Mayfield the long term QB for Tampa? Remaining strength of schedule is .386.
24. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (4-7): Sam Howell is their guy. Now what can they put around him? Remaining strength of schedule is .600.
25. ATLANTA FALCONS (4-6): Desmond Ridder has the rest of the season to prove he can be a trusted starting QB in the NFL. He has the skill position players around him. He’s got to utilize them. Remaining strength of schedule is .380.
26. NEW YORK JETS (4-6): When Aaron Rodgers went down, so did the Jets season. Zach Wilson has just been demoted and now Tim Boyle is up. Good luck, Jets fans. Remaining strength of schedule is .521.
27. CHICAGO BEARS (3-8): Justin Fields has his moments. The Bears will need to get him some help. Remaining strength of schedule is .500.
28. TENNESSEE TITANS (3-7): Is Will Levis the answer? He’s played well so far. Needs help on the outside. Remaining strength of schedule is .543.
29. NEW YORK GIANTS (3-8): They paid Daniel Jones to be the man. Is he? Jury is out but at that salary, they have no choice but to hope he is. Remaining strength of schedule is .550.
30. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (2-8): Mac Jones has lost the locker room. Can’t imagine he will be the QB next year. Remaining strength of schedule is .486.
31. ARIZONA CARDINALS (2-9): The Cardinals 2024 QB is not currently on the roster. The off-season debate on who to draft will be fun. Remaining strength of schedule is .574.
32. CAROLINA PANTHERS (1-9): For what the Panthers gave up, Bryce Young will be given every opportunity to be the guy. Have to get him help. Remaining strength of schedule is .443.
