Welcome to the Inaugural 30 Minute Lunchbreak Power Rankings. We start our rankings in Week 11. Our hosts Brandon & Erick have debated and determined the NFL power structure. The Week 11 Thursday Night game between the Saints and Panthers has been included. We have broken the teams up into different tiers, based on contention status.
Current Playoff Match-ups
Full NFL Standings
- Tier 1 – The Cream of the Crop (1-3)
- Tier 2 – The Really, Really, Really Good Teams (4-8)
- Tier 3 – The Glut of Mediocrity (9-26)
- Tier 4 – The Bottom Feeders (28-32)
Tier 1: The Cream of the Crop
1. Dallas Cowboys
Record: 8-1
Last Game: W, 35-30 vs Steelers
Brandon: Hard to believe that this Cowboys team is 8-1 with two rookies, and no Romo.
Erick: I hate them, but they just keep kicking ass this season.
2. New England Patriots
Record: 7-2
Last Game: L, 24-31 vs Seahawks
Brandon: Tough loss to Seattle last week, however the Pats are locked and loaded for another SB run. Gronk’s injuries this season may be a bit of a concern.
Erick: The Patriots are the best team in the AFC, but that front 7 is still suspect.
3. Seattle Seahawks
Record: 6-2-1
Last Game: W, 31-24 @ Patriots
Brandon: Seahawks finally realizing their true potential in what they have with Jimmy Graham, and he’s really good. Defense is stout as usual.
Erick: They have managed to keep winning games while Russell Wilson has been hurt, and he seems to be getting healthier.
Tier 2 – The REALLY, Really, Really Good Teams
4. Oakland Raiders
Record: 7-2
Last Game: W, 30-20 vs Broncos (Wk 9)
Brandon: Raiders have found their franchise cornerstones in Carr, Mack and Cooper. Seems they also found their winning solution in the week 9 win against Denver.
Erick: That offense is incredible, and the defense is coming around at the right time.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
Record: 7-2
Last Game: W, 20-17 @ Panthers
Brandon: The Chiefs & Alex Smith do all the little things well, but losing Maclin might hurt them in a very tough and tight division.
Erick: They are a well-rounded team, that keeps finding ways to win.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
Record: 4-5
Last Game: L, 35-30 vs Cowboys
Brandon: The Steelers have to snap out of it at some point, right (losers of 4 straight)?? This squad is too talented to be this low.
Erick: They might not be ranked this high for long , if they don’t turn it around soon. They get the Browns this week, and that might be the perfect team to get back on track with.
7. Denver Broncos
Record: 7-3
Last Game: W, 25-23 @ Saints
Brandon: Broncos find ways to win games, but how many more times can it happen? Injuries at RB and the inexperience at QB might hinder down the key stretch.
Erick: Hate Siemian, but love that defense. They find a way to keep winning.
8. Atlanta Falcons
Record: 6-4
Last Game: L, 15-24 @ Eagles
Brandon: Falcons are tough to stop on offense and that makes them dangerous against any playoff team. Can they hold off the rest of the NFC south?
Erick: Matt Ryan to Julio Jones is a lethal combo. This team can end up a top 5 team when the season is over.
Tier 3 – The Glut of Mediocrity
Welcome to .500 (or close to it). Literally every single one of these teams could either make or miss the playoffs. 27 teams in playoff contention.
9. New York Giants
Record: 6-3
Last Game: W, 21-20 vs Bengals
B: Eli & Odell are still lethal, and the highly paid defense is starting to show up. Landon Collins is playing himself into DPOY consideration.
E: The Giants are also in the hunt for a wildcard spot, and get the better matchup between them and Washington this week (The Giants play the struggling Bears, and Washington plays a Packers team that is desperate for a win).
10. Washington Football Team
Record: 5-3-1
Last Game: W, 26-20 vs Vikings
B: YOU LIKE THAT? Kirk Cousins and this offense continue to make strides, but a very telling SNF matchup between the Packers is on deck.
E: Kirk Cousins is top 5 in passing yards this season, and has the Washington football team in the hunt for a wildcard spot.
11. Arizona Cardinals
Record: 4-4-1
Last Game: W, 23-20 vs 49ers
B: Cards have all the talent to make the playoffs. The big question is, how many crucial interceptions will Carson Palmer throw?
E: Palmer is done but they can still earn a wildcard spot.
12. Baltimore Ravens
Record: 5-4
Last Game: W, 28-7 vs Browns
B: Ravens are very under the radar, which is right where they want to be. This team can win ugly football games, but can they hold off the Steelers?
E: I’m not much of a believer, but they leading the AFC North and are starting to play better.
13. Detroit Lions
Record: 5-4
Last Game: W, 22-16 @ Vikings
B: Lions are in serious consideration for Ewing theory. Calvin Johnson retires, and now the rest of the NFC North decides to struggle.
E: The team I was most wrong about, props to Stafford. They have a realistic chance of winning the NFC North.
14. Philadelphia Eagles
Record: 5-4
Last Game: W, 24-15 vs Falcons
B: Carson Wentz looks like a legit QB, which makes all Eagles fans happier than Rams fans. If they can figure out the RB position, Eagles could be dangerous.
E: The bottom three teams in the NFC East keep switching back and forth. if they beat the Steelers this week they stay in the wildcard hunt.
15. Minnesota Vikings
Record: 5-4
Last Game: L, 20-26 @ Washington
B: Vikings are in a complete free fall; At least they didn’t trade their first round pick for Sam Bradford…
E: They are on a freefall. The injuries finally caught up to them.
16. Tennessee Titans
Record: 5-5
Last Game: W, 47-25 vs Packers
B: Titans do a lot of things well. Mariota, Delanie & DeMarco work very well together. Still need to do some things to catch Houston.
E: Unlike Brock (see below), Mariota is good…. I see them beating out the Texans for the #1 spot in the AFC South.
17. Houston Texans
Record: 6-3
Last Game: W, 24-21 @ Jaguars
B: Even though the Texans are leading the division, the QB play of Brock has been very, very disturbing. I don’t see them being in 1st for long.
E: Brock is no good, I don’t see them holding on to the lead in the AFC South for long.
18. Miami Dolphins
Record: 5-4
Last Game: W, 31-24 @ Chargers
B: Rookie HC Adam Gase has this Dolphins team and RB Jay Ajayi playing well, but is it too little too late?
E: The Dolphins can finish strong, and push the Pats a bit, but they look like a team that will be better next year.
19. Buffalo Bills
Record: 4-5
Last Game: L, 20-25 @ Seahawks (Week 9)
B: This is Rex’s team. Bills have the ability to score points and play defense to compete with some of the best, but there is just something off about them.
E: Might do enough to end 8-8 and save Rex’s job, but not enough to make the playoffs.
20. Cincinnati Bengals
Record: 3-5-1
Last Game: L, 20-21 @ Giants
B: Bengals have enough talent to win the division (#9 in total offense), however the defense needs to improve in order to overcome the slow start.
E: Never seemed to get going , the draw really hurt them. Slim chance to make the playoffs this year.
21. Green Bay Packers
Record: 4-5
Last Game: L, 25-47 @ Titans
B: Packers have some real issues, mainly RB & Defense, to figure out…however they have a man named Aaron Rodgers, and that just might be enough in the NFC North.
E: Something seems off about the Packers this year, but they still might win the Division.
22. Carolina Panthers
Record: 4-6
Last Game: W, 23-20 vs Saints
B: At this point last year, this team was 11-0, so they still have a ways to go. Losing All-Pro LB Kuechly to a concussion doesn’t help their playoff odds.
E: The reigning NFC champs dug themselves too big a hole to climb out of. They need to finish 6-0 or, 5-1 to have a chance.
23. San Diego Chargers
Record: 4-6
Last Game: L, 24-31 vs Dolphins
B: Must be tough to be a Charger fan…Rivers gives you life, and then rips your heart out with each throw.
E: They might end the season 10-6 but 4th in the AFC West, tough break for the Chargers.
24. New Orleans Saints
Record: 4-6
Last Game: L, 20-23 @ Panthers
B: Having superstar QB Drew Brees always gives you a shot to win, but this team is still recovering from the Rob Ryan effect.
E: Still in the race for the Division. Like the Panthers, Drew Brees and the Saints need to finish 5-1 or 6-0 to have a shot.
25. Indianapolis Colts
Record: 4-5
Last Game: W, 31-26 @ Packers (Wk 9)
B: Memo to the Offensive line: Protect Andrew Luck!! (he’s good); O-Line has given up the most sacks in the NFL (33) & are third in the league in QB hits allowed (68).
E: The Colts SUCK, but they Have LUCK, and are in LUCK that the division is still up for grabs.
26. Los Angeles Rams
Record: 4-5
Last Game: W, 9-6 @ Jets
B: Jeff Fisher trying to save his job by starting #1 Pick Jared Goff…does he know it’s Week 11 and not Week 1?
E: The defense is good, offense is not. Let’s see what Goff does, they are on track for a Jeff Fisher special, and might end 7-9 or 8-8.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Record: 4-5
Last Game: W, 36-9 vs Bears
B: Injuries to the RB position has derailed this team in addition to a sub-par Jameis.
E: Jameis has been hot, and cold. The division winner hasn’t been determined yet, so let’s see if Jameis and the Bucs can end hot.
Tier 4 – Dumpster Fires
Welcome to the bottom of the barrel. You do not want to be a fan for one of these teams. Take our advice and trust us on this one.
28. New York Jets
Record: 3-7
Last Game: L, 6-9 vs Rams
B: Losing to the Rams at home puts a cherry on top of a miserable season.
E: The Season is over, time to see what Bryce Petty has!
29. Chicago Bears
Record: 2-7
Last Game: L, 10-36 @ Buccaneers
B: Jay Cutler is your quarterback and now Alshon Jeffery is out for 4 weeks…it’s time to blow it up.
E: Only positive is , it seems that they have finally realized Jay Cutler is not the future…On the negative side, Alshon might not be the future either.
30. Jacksonville Jaguars
Record: 2-7
Last Game: L, 24-27 vs Texans
B: I think it might to be time to rethink the Bortles/Bradley combo…10-28 as QB/Coach.
E: Biggest bust this season, this team goes as Blake Bortles goes, and that’s the problem.
31. San Francisco 49ers
Record: 1-8
Last Game: L, 20-23 @ Cardinals
B: This team showed improvements on D, and by improvements I mean they did not allow 100+ yards on the ground (first time in 8 weeks!).
E: Might end the season on a 15 game losing streak, after winning on a blowout week 1.
32. Cleveland Browns
Record: 0-10
Last Game: L, 7-28 @ Ravens
B: This team plays in Cleveland and has zero wins…that’s all you need to know.
E: Only team that might be worse than the 49ers, I mean… their best QB is a Wide-out.
RosenthalSports.com 