We are a touch past the midway point of the season, but let’s revisit the power rankings we’ve done twice before. We did power rankings before week one, and we did power rankings around the quarter pole
of the season. Let’s revisit these and see where we are at as we are now firmly in the second half of the season.
The first number you see in the power rankings is their preseason ranking, the second number was their quarter pole number. As a reminder, these rankings are based on how good I think this team is, not what their record indicates.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (1, 1)
The Eagles don’t look like the team that won the Super Bowl last year, but they just keep finding ways to win, if this team ever finds a way to peak, look out. If they don’t, they are still probably playing at a minimum, on Championship Sunday.
2. Detroit Lions (9, 4)
When this team is firing on all cylinders, I don’t think there’s a better team in the league. They seem to be figuring it out more and more each week.
3. LA Rams (22, 7)
Matthew Stafford is on his way to winning MVP and the Rams may be the best team in the NFC. This team is a threat to win it all.
4. Kansas City Chiefs (2, 2)
If the playoffs started today, the Chiefs wouldn’t even be in the playoffs. Is there a team in the AFC you think would actually beat them in January? Not in my eyes.
5. Seattle Seahawks (23, 16)
I thought this Seahawks team was staring down a 7-10 type of season, but this team is a force. The defense, Darnold and JSN, they have what it takes to make some noise. Can Darnold keep it together when it matters most?
6. Buffalo Bills (3, 3)
They’re flawed. They lost to the Patriots and yet they’re ranked ahead of them, they just lost to Miami in embarassing fashion, but I need to see more warts before I stop believing in them.
7. New England Patriots (17, 21)
I don’t think Drake Maye is going to win the MVP, but he’s playing great ball. The Patriots might win the AFC East, they might even be the number one seed, but I think postseason noise is still a year away.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10, 6)
This Bucs team keeps getting healthier. If they are healthy coming into the playoffs, they could beat anyone in the league if the offense is hitting on all cylinders.
9. Los Angeles Chargers (7, 8)
This Chargers team has some serious injuries that are going to prevent them from taking a big step forward this year, but Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert keep finding ways to win.
10. Denver Broncos (13, 15)
I’m sure Broncos fans don’t love this ranking, but Bo Nix is their quarterback. This team’s ceiling is extremely limited because of it.
11. Indianapolis Colts (30, 11)
They are a great story. Johnathan Taylor is having an incredible season, but I don’t trust this team to be able to hang with elite teams at the end of the season.
12. Green Bay Packers (6, 5)
Is it the fault of MLF? Is it the fault of Jordan Love? Doesn’t really matter, but this team could be on the verge of a collapse and miss the playoffs altogether.
13. Baltimore Ravens (4, 10)
This team is winning the North. Not sure if they can truly contend this year, but they are better than their record.
14. San Francisco 49ers (5, 9)
Who knows what this team would be if they were healthy, but they aren’t and won’t be, so maybe they squeak into the playoffs, maybe they don’t. Their week 17 matchup against Chicago might be a play-in game.
15. Chicago Bears (14, 19)
Can the defense hold up? If it gets a little better, this team has a chance to make the playoffs and make things difficult for opponents.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers (12, 12)
Is this the season Mike Tomlin has a losing record? If Aaron Rodgers doesn’t play better, it’s trending that way.
17. Houston Texans (8, 17)
This team could be finding it’s stride a little and could make a push for an AFC Wild Card.
18. Minnesota Vikings (18, 18)
JJ McCarthy will be the reason this team misses the playoffs (just like we said in August).
19. Jacksonville Jaguars (16, 13)
Trevor Lawrence isn’t it. Perhaps the Jaguars failed him and that’s the reason why, but he’s just not the guy. They’ll have a new quarterback in a couple of seasons.
20. Dallas Cowboys (25, 24)
Jerry Jones crashed out and made a trade for someone that won’t actually help them. They also don’t have any draft capital from the Parsons trade either. Jerry gonna Jerry.
21. Carolina Panthers (26, 29)
They are one of the worst 5-5 teams I can remember. Bryce Young ain’t it.
22. Atlanta Falcons (15, 20)
I will never believe in the Falcons until I actually see things change. People thought it might be this year. Nope, it sure isn’t.
23. Washington Commanders (11, 14)
Season from hell. Jayden Daniels has now injured 4 different body parts in 1.5 seasons and you have to wonder if injury-prone is a word that will follow him around.
24. Miami Dolphins (24, 28)
They haven’t quit on Mike McDaniel which is a credit to them, but they still aren’t a good football team.
25. Arizona Cardinals (21, 22)
Kyler Murray? Jacoby Brissett? Does it matter? No. No it does not.
26. Cincinnati Bengals (20, 26)
Joe Flacco makes them fun and Joe Burrow won’t save them, but they’ll keep tossing up 30 burgers on teams, even if they lose.
27. Cleveland Browns (31, 23)
The defense is really good. They have some weapons on offense, but they don’t have an NFL-caliber quarterback.
28. Las Vegas Raiders (19, 25)
Man, I really didn’t think Pete Carroll could be in charge of a mess like this.
29. New York Giants (28, 27)
Brian Daboll has been fired. But the problem with this franchise may be ownership.
30. New York Jets (27, 30)
The Jets are tanking. They can say whatever they want, but they are tanking. Will they get the top pick?
31. New Orleans Saints (32, 31)
Tyler Shough has a chance. They’ll need to decide if they want to give him that chance because they’ll be in a position to draft a quarterback this April.
32. Tennessee Titans (29, 32)
Titans would love to sim the rest of the season.
