1. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons find ways to win games, period. Their team has talent across the board and the defensive schemes seem to be shutting down most all of the opposing quarterbacks.
2. Houston Texans
The Texans may be the best all-around team in the NFL. They do not always play like which leaves me no choice but to rank them at number 2.
3. Denver Broncos
The defense continues to exceed expectations and QB Peyton Manning seems to be passing like the days of old. Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison who?
4. Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers despite injuries all over the defense continue to win games. They are not pretty but they are winning them. QB Aaron Rodgers has been sacked the most times in the NFL this season.
5. New England Patriots
The offensive skill players are dropping like flies around QB Tom Brady. Yet the train still keeps rolling along. The defensive unit has played better in recent weeks, especially rookie CB Alfonzo Dennard.
6. San Francisco 49ers
I don’t care what the critics are saying about starting QB Alex Smith. Head Coach Jim Harbaugh has made the right decision to go with QB Colin Kaepernick. He gives them the best chance to win. We have not seen the 49ers trail yet while Kaepernick is at the helm but when it happens, he has the capability of bringing them back, unlike Smith.
7. New York Giants
The conundrum that is the New York Football Giants continue to frustrate fans week after week. They can play so well, and then just completely not show up in the same game.
8. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens defense is not quite as good as it once was. The loss of MLB Ray Lewis and shutdown CB Lardarius Webb has been something that is difficult to overcome in games. QB Joe Flacco is not very good on the road and if they don’t win the easy games on their schedule will not advance deep into the playoffs.
9. Seattle Seahawks
A gigantic win against the Bears on the road last week. They own the tiebreaker against both the Packers and the Bears if it comes down to it when all is said and done.
10. Chicago Bears
The Bears defense has looked a little slow the last couple of games, they may be showing their age. The offense continues to sputter against quality defensive opponents.
11. Washington Redskins
RG3…RG3…RG3 was all I heard on Monday Night Football. The Giants only put up 3 points in the second half, thanks to the rushing game of the Redskins keeping QB Eli Manning and company on the sidelines.
12. Indianapolis Colts
QB Andrew Luck may not have the completion percentage that RG3 has but the plays he is forced to make with a subpar group around him is quite spectacular. The throws he makes to get his receivers open are remarkable.
13. Cincinnati Bengals
The defense needs to continue to put pressure on the opposing QB (leading the league in sacks with 39). The offense needs to limit the turnovers and they will have a great chance to make the playoffs with schedule that is similar to the Steelers.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers
The ageless one QB Charlie Batch gets a road win over the Baltimore Ravens. No one saw that one coming. That keeps their wild card playoff dreams alive. The schedule the rest of the season is very favorable.
15. Dallas Cowboys
QB Tony Romo has been playing great of late. His play makes them competitive in games. The defense just needs to have an idea out there because they have a lot of talent.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I have the Buccaneers ahead of the Saints only because their defense is better. RB Doug Martin has made RB LeGarrette Blount a forgotten man in Tampa Bay.
17. New Orleans Saints
Too bad the Saints struggled to start the year or else the playoff race would look even more jumbled than it already is in the NFC.
18. San Diego Chargers
The Chargers had the Ravens on the ropes a couple of weeks ago. They should have won that game and probably a few more this season. Head Coach Norv Turner has seen his time all but run out and QB Philip Rivers needs a new coach to keep him reigned in. The defense has been a pleasant surprise.
19. Detroit Lions
If the defense and the Head Coach had an idea on Thanksgiving they probably would have beaten the Houston Texans. However, the Lions continue to shoot themselves in the foot despite huge numbers from the “Madden Cover Curse 2013” WR Calvin Johnson.
20. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins do have a solid team for how awful they looked in the preseason and during the television series Hard Knocks. They could upgrade at the RB and WR position.
21. St. Louis Rams
I apparently like the Rams more than other people I talk to. This is not because they have the 49ers number. They are a well-disciplined team under Head Coach Jeff Fisher and will end the season on a high note.
22. Minnesota Vikings
QB Christian Ponder has struggled mightily without WR Percy Harvin. Opposing defenses cannot stop RB Adrian Peterson, which is a testament to his skill level.
23. Cleveland Browns
The young team has been playing well at home and finally got a road win against the Oakland Raiders. That is one positive that they can use going into next season.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars
QB Chad Henne has been throwing extremely well in the absence of QB Blaine Gabbert. Henne’s play has allowed for the growth of young WR’s Justin Blackmon and Cecil Shorts. The defense is not that bad but will be upgraded in the offseason.
25. Buffalo Bills
The defense has continued to let this team down. There were high expectations at the start of the season. Instead they will be looking to draft in the top half of the first round.
26. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers have been playing better of late. They are a talented team and will continue to improve.
27. Oakland Raiders
RB/FB Marcel Reese has been a great fill-in for RB Darren McFadden, too bad QB Carson Palmer still throws interceptions like children throwing candy on parade floats.
28. Philadelphia Eagles
Head Coach Andy Reid will be gone after the season. I really like what he is doing with young QB Nick Foles and RB Bryce Brown. I know that whoever signs Reid in the offseason will be getting a quality coach who will turn around their current situation.
29. Tennessee Titans
The team will be playing for draft positioning the rest of the way. I do not know what area of the team they will choose to improve in the early rounds of the draft because they could upgrade any position except Running Back.
30. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs move up two spots after the win against Carolina.
31. New York Jets
The Jets are still in shambles…going to the backup QB Greg McElroy.
32. Arizona Cardinals
Where’s Kurt Warner? Glad he is not playing, the offense has given up 47 sacks leaving the three QB’s on the ground more than upright.