10. Miami Dolphins (5-6)
Ignore Miami’s 5-6 record. They are 4-3 when Tua Tagovailoa plays and two of those losses came against the Bills. In the five games since Tagovailoa returned from injury, The Dolphins are averaging 29 points per game. Miami’s schedule through the final six weeks of the season is also quite favorable with two games against the Jets and one against the Browns. They still have a reasonable shot at making a push for a Wild Card spot.
9. Los Angeles Chargers (7-4)
Each of the Chargers’ four losses have come against teams that are currently above .500: the Steelers, Chiefs, Cardinals, and Ravens. Despite allowing 57 points over the last two games, L.A. still leads the league in scoring defense with just under 16 points allowed per game. Their elite defense combined with the duo of Justin Herbert and Jim Harbaugh makes them a tough out for anyone.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)
Pittsburgh continues to be held back by the simple fact that they often struggle against teams they should beat as their recent effort in Cleveland demonstrated. The Steelers’ slim AFC North lead is in serious jeopardy due to a brutal December schedule that sees them play the Eagles, Ravens, and Chiefs in a span of 10 days.
7. Minnesota Vikings (9-2)
The Vikings have sneakily become one of the league’s most well-rounded teams. They currently rank in the top 10 in scoring offense, scoring defense, total offense, and total defense. The Eagles are the only other team in the league that can claim that distinction. Minnesota has been playing particularly well during their current four-game winning streak which has seen them eclipse 400 total yards of offense in three of four games.
6. Green Bay Packers (8-3)
Green Bay completely dominated the Niners in a convincing 38-10 blowout. Jordan Love had his first game all season where did not throw an interception, while Josh Jacobs ran for 106 yards and three touchdowns. The Packers are playing well at the right time as they face a tough division battle down the stretch with the Lions and Vikings.
5. Baltimore Ravens (8-4)
Lamar Jackson might very well be the best quarterback in the league in primetime games. Jackson holds a record of 19-5 as a starter in night games, the highest winning percentage of any quarterback since the 1970 merger. He is also 11-1 in his last 12 primetime games with the only loss in that span coming against Kansas City in the 2024 season opener.
4. Kansas City Chiefs (10-1)
The Chiefs continually find ways to eke out victories; however, you would not expect such late-game heroics to be needed against the likes of Carolina. Yes, they are 10-1, but the stats and the eye test will tell you that they are currently not as good as the top three teams.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (9-2)
During their seven-game-winning streak, Philadelphia is averaging 30 points per game. Saquon Barkley, who leads the league in rushing yards with 1,392, has totaled 500 yards from scrimmage over the last two games. Aside from their prolific offense, the Eagles’ defense has flown under the radar and quietly cemented itself as one of the league’s best. Philly’s defense currently ranks first in yards per game (274.6), second in yards per play (4.98), second in first downs per game (17.3,) and sixth in points per game (18.1).
2. Buffalo Bills (9-2)
The Bills have scored 30 or more points in five consecutive games and their current six-game winning streak is the longest in the AFC. Buffalo has a chance to win the AFC East this upcoming week if they beat the Niners and the Dolphins lose to the Packers.
1. Detroit Lions (10-1)
Detroit is 10-1 for the first time in 90 years. By all accounts, this year’s team looks like the best Lions team in their 94-year history. Fittingly, oddsmakers have Detroit as the betting favorite to win Super Bowl LIX at +300—the first time ever that the Lions have been the Super Bowl betting favorite at any point in their history. Detroit is the best team in the league for now.
For More Sports Content
Follow me on X at @genz_sportz
Leave a Comment
Share your thoughts and join the discussion