1. Arizona Cardinals– They became the first team in the league this year to clinch a winning season. Right now, they sit at 9-2. No Kyler Murray, no DeAndre Hopkins, no issues whatsoever. I’m glad the Cardinals didn’t rush those two back. I’d rather have them healthy for a stretch run than to have them reinjure themselves in the regular season. How about Colt McCoy? He’s serviceable. They don’t need him to take a game over. Just manage things and everything will come to you. What a season the Cards have had this year.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers– Finally, they got back to looking like themselves. They were able to efficiently move the football down the field, Brady finally looked like Brady again and wasn’t forcing the football into spaces and the defense played well. Tom continues to play at an MVP level. He still leads the league in touchdown passes and has thrown for 300 yards a total of five times this year. Today, they travel to Indianapolis to face a hot Colts team that’s been rolling as of late.
3. Kansas City Chiefs– They’re back! It was only a matter of time when they would re-enter my power rankings once again. What we thought would be a shootout ended up being a defensive showdown between them and the Dallas Cowboys. How about Chris Jones? When he’s healthy and has it going, he gives this KC defense a true spark. The acquisition of Melvin Ingram was a blessing because Chris can now play on the inside where he’s more comfortable and not on the edge. They’re looking ready to make another run in a chaotic AFC.
4. New England Patriots– They are rolling right now. As I’ve stated, it’s almost as if this is 2001 again. The offense is methodically moving the football down the field. I remember when people said Mac Jones can’t throw. No comment, I’ll continue to remain professional. They’re running the ball, the offensive line is playing well and they play opportunistic defense. This is a team I wouldn’t want to face come January. They could go on the road and beat anyone, I’m just saying. Today, they’ll host the Tennessee Titans before a big showdown next Monday night in Orchard Park against the Buffalo Bills.
5. Green Bay Packers– The defense that had been rolling just showed me last week why I can’t trust them. They were nowhere to be found in that loss against Minnesota. Kirk Cousins kept throwing the ball to Justin Jefferson and they couldn’t stop it. The injury bug continues to hamper the Packers. Aaron Rodgers is playing with a fractured toe, they just lost Elgton Jenkins to a torn ACL and they’re without some key pieces on defense. However, if the playoffs started today, they’d be the two seed in the NFC. Remember, they still own the tiebreaker over the Arizona Cardinals so if they slip up and lose a game, the Packers will reclaim the one seed.
