Each week of the NFL season, The Baltimore Sun will rank all 32 NFL groups. The rankings will bear in mind not simply weekly efficiency, accidents and roster depth, however how effectively every group measures up as Super Bowl contenders.
Here are the rankings heading into Week 17:
The prime contenders
1. Philadelphia Eagles (13-2, No. 1 final week)
2. Kansas City Chiefs (12-3, No. 2)
3. Buffalo Bills (12-3, No. 3)
4. Cincinnati Bengals (11-4, No. 4)
5. San Francisco 49ers (11-4, No. 5)
The Eagles blew an opportunity to safe the NFC East title and the No. 1 general seed within the convention in a 40-34 loss to the Cowboys on Christmas Eve, however there’s no purpose to panic simply but. With quarterback Jalen Hurts sidelined as he recovers from a sprain in his throwing shoulder, Philadelphia almost beat Dallas with backup Gardner Minshew, who threw for 355 yards and two touchdowns thanks largely to standout broad receivers DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown. Despite three expensive turnovers from Minshew — together with a third-quarter fumble and fourth-quarter interception that led on to Cowboys factors — the Eagles nonetheless had an opportunity to win within the closing minute. If Hurts can return quickly and assist Philadelphia safe the first-round bye, this loss received’t imply a lot.
The Eagles’ defeat was nearly the one shakeup on the prime this week. Kansas City beat Seattle, 24-10, for its eighth win in its previous 9 video games; Buffalo surged previous Chicago, 35-13, for its sixth straight win; Cincinnati held off New England, 22-18, for its seventh straight victory; and San Francisco rolled over Washington, 37-20, for its league-leading eighth straight win. The 49ers haven’t missed a beat with rookie Brock Purdy, who joined Hall of Famer Kurt Warner as the one two quarterbacks since 1950 to begin their careers 3-0 with a number of landing passes in every recreation. Even a second straight inconsistent efficiency from the Bengals, who almost blew a 22-0 lead, wasn’t sufficient to finish their lengthy streak. Don’t overlook Cincinnati’s first-half dominance, which included Joe Burrow finishing 28 passes — probably the most by any quarterback in a half this season — for 284 yards and three touchdowns.
The flawed contenders
6. Minnesota Vikings (12-3, No. 6)
7. Dallas Cowboys (11-4, No. 7)
8. Baltimore Ravens (10-5, No. 8)
9. Los Angeles Chargers (8-6, No. 9)***
The Vikings apparently can preserve getting away with this. Thanks to kicker Greg Joseph’s 61-yard area aim as time expired in a 27-24 win over the Giants, Minnesota is now 11-0 in one-possession video games this season. Even a poor defensive efficiency in opposition to an uninspiring Giants offense wasn’t sufficient to derail the Vikings, who seem like this 12 months’s group of future given how they’ve continued to make performs in clutch moments. That features a blocked punt and two compelled turnovers Saturday, in addition to some luck on a dropped interception by Giants rookie cornerback Cor’Dale Flott late within the third quarter. The previous saying is it’s higher to be fortunate than good, and no group embodies that philosophy greater than Minnesota.
The Ravens have been something however lucky this season, having endured extra accidents and late-game collapses than simply about any group. Yet they’re nonetheless postseason sure because of a 17-9 win over the Falcons on Saturday led as soon as once more by their operating recreation and a dominant protection. The absence of star quarterback Lamar Jackson as a consequence of a sprained knee makes the Ravens one of many greatest mysteries within the league heading into January, with something from a wild-card spherical loss to an unbelievable Super Bowl run seemingly on the desk. Hanging over all of it’s the unsure way forward for Jackson in Baltimore as he finishes the ultimate 12 months of his rookie deal. Will he be wholesome sufficient to play effectively and earn the large contract he desires, or will the Ravens be content material to position the franchise tag on the 2019 Most Valuable Player in 2023? Is there a situation wherein Jackson and the Ravens are to this point aside in negotiations that either side look to maneuver on? It’s an enchanting group each on the sector and off, largely as a result of a lot remains to be unknown.
The wild playing cards
10. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-8, No. 13)
11. Miami Dolphins (8-7, No. 10)
12. New York Giants (8-6-1, No. 12)
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8, No. 19)
14. Green Bay Packers (7-8, No. 20)
What a distinction a couple of weeks makes. Coming off their Week 11 bye, the Jaguars have been 3-7 and staring up on the 7-3 Titans within the AFC South. With 4 wins in its previous 5 video games coinciding with a five-game dropping streak by Tennessee, Jacksonville seems to be poised to win its first division title since 2017. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence has been the driving drive behind the large turnaround, because the 2021 No. 1 general draft choose has accomplished 66.7% of his passes for 1,415 yards with 11 touchdowns and only one interception in his previous 5 video games. In Thursday evening’s 19-3 win over the Jets, the protection stole the present, permitting simply 4.1 yards per play, recording three sacks and forcing two turnovers. If they beat the Texans and Titans to shut out the season, the Jags can full the most effective worst-to-first turnarounds in NFL historical past.
While Lawrence is a part of a rising group of younger quarterbacks within the AFC, the previous guard within the NFC is just not going away simply but. With an unsightly 19-16 time beyond regulation win over the Cardinals on Christmas evening, Tom Brady and the Buccaneers maintained their lead within the lowly NFC South. It was removed from an inspiring efficiency from Brady, who threw two interceptions and averaged simply 5.9 yards per try. Tampa Bay wanted a fumble restoration with 4:49 left in regulation to beat a 16-6 deficit and drive time beyond regulation in opposition to a group already eradicated from playoff competition and enjoying a third-string quarterback in Trace McSorley.
The Packers’ efficiency was a bit extra inspiring, particularly on the defensive finish. After permitting 20 factors within the first half, Green Bay intercepted Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on three straight drives within the fourth quarter to assist erase a 10-point deficit in a 26-20 victory. Aaron Rodgers was removed from good, ending with a decrease passer score than Tagovailoa (78.6 vs. 80.8), however the Packers stay a harmful group with the back-to-back MVP main the offense. If rookie receiver Christian Watson can keep away from lacking extra time after leaving Sunday’s recreation with a hip damage, Green Bay’s offense may lastly be capable of dwell as much as its promise.
Not finished but
15. Detroit Lions (7-8, No. 11)
16. Seattle Seahawks (7-8, No. 15)
17. Washington Commanders (7-7-1, No. 16)
18. New York Jets (7-8, No. 17)
19. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-8, No. 23)
20. New England Patriots (7-8, No. 22)
21. Tennessee Titans (7-8, No. 14)
22. New Orleans Saints (6-9, No. 24)
23. Carolina Panthers (6-9, No. 25)
The race for the ultimate three playoff spots in every convention goes to be fascinating. With the Giants and Buccaneers prone to punch their tickets within the NFC, it’s going to be a four-way battle between Detroit, Seattle, Washington and Green Bay for the ultimate berth. While the Lions fell again to earth in a 37-23 loss to the Panthers wherein they allowed 570 complete yards, they nonetheless have a proficient roster that’s greater than able to successful out in opposition to the Bears and Packers. Seattle was unlucky to run into the 49ers and Chiefs in back-to-back weeks, however quarterback Geno Smith and firm confirmed flashes of being a postseason contender throughout their 6-3 begin.
The Commanders and Jets are maybe the 2 most intriguing playoff aspirants remaining contemplating their quarterback conditions. After extra hassle with turnovers and scoring within the pink zone in Saturday’s loss to the 49ers, Taylor Heinicke was benched for Carson Wentz, who will seemingly get the possibility to begin the ultimate two weeks. The Jets, in the meantime, may need seen the final of quarterback Zach Wilson after the 2021 No. 2 general choose struggled as soon as once more in a loss to the Jaguars. With Mike White cleared to return from his rib damage, New York ought to a minimum of have some hope that the offense can transfer the ball and provides its excellent protection an opportunity to win.
The basement
24. Los Angeles Rams (5-10, No. 27)
25. Las Vegas Raiders (6-9, No. 18)
26. Cleveland Browns (6-9, No. 21)
27. Atlanta Falcons (5-10, No. 26)
28. Indianapolis Colts (4-9-1, No. 30)***
29. Chicago Bears (3-12, No. 29)
30. Arizona Cardinals (4-11, No. 31)
31. Houston Texans (2-12-1, No. 32)
32. Denver Broncos (4-11, No. 28)
The Broncos didn’t even give coach Nathaniel Hackett an opportunity to complete his first season, firing the previous Packers assistant Monday after an unsightly 51-14 loss to the Rams on Christmas Day. While Hackett didn’t assist himself with clock mismanagement and questionable decision-making, a lot of the blame falls on the toes of Russell Wilson, who threw three interceptions Sunday to proceed the worst season of his profession. Denver invested a lot in Wilson — together with a premium bundle of draft picks and $161 million assured throughout a five-year deal — and anticipated speedy outcomes. Instead, the Broncos are caught with Wilson’s onerous contract and already again on the teaching market. It’s arduous to see a path again towards competition with out discovering a play-caller who can coax probably the most out of the 34-year-old quarterback.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com
