(Keep in mind this article was written Mon, Dec 6-8 so some of the factual info will be outdated by publication date.)
I can't believe it has been almost an entire month since the last article. So much has changed in sports since then, and there is so much to talk about. We have the updated NFL playoff picture and monthly top 10. We also have a look at what NFL teams are trying to make final playoff pushes. There is so much going on in the NFL at this time of year. This is definitely going to be a fun update.
There are a lot of teams fighting for top playoff berths this close to the end of the year. In fact 27 of the 32 NFL teams still have chances of making the playoffs. Including 8 teams out of the playoffs in the NFC who are still fighting for playoff wild cards. First let's take a look at the NFC playoff picture.
Division leaders
1 Cardinals 10-2
2 Packers 9-3
3 Buccs 9-3
4 Cowboys 8-4
Wild Card
5 Rams 8-4
6 Football team 6-6
7 49ers 6-6
In the hunt: Eagles, Saints, Vikings, Panthers, Falcons, Giants, Bears, Sehawks
There are some things to unpack. At the top 5 we are seeing the same top 5 we have been seeing all year with no changes and no surprises. In the wildcard, #6 is where it gets interesting. We have seen several different teams throughout the course of the season buying for these last 2 spots. The Washington Football team has just entered the playoff #6 seed for the first time all season long. The 49ers appeared to be on a winning streak as of late until their surprising loss to the Seahawks this weekend. The other teams who are really in this race are the Eagles Saints Vikings and Panthers. Now, the problem with all of these teams is that none of them stand out. They may win 3 games and then lose to a bad team. For instance, the Eagles were playing on a high level beating the Saints and Broncos and almost beating the Chargers before losing to the Giants. Now all these teams have games like this. That’s why it's hard to tell what 2 teams will make it. The Eagles have to play the Washington team twice— 1 of those 2 teams will probably make it. The Eagles also have the strongest strength of schedule remaining. I predict the Eagles and the 49ers will reach the playoffs gaining the 6 and 7 seeds.
Division leaders
1 Patriots 9-4
2 Titans 8-4
3 Ravens 8-4
4 Chiefs 8-4
Wildcards
5 Chargers 7-5
6 Bengals 7-5
7 Bills 7-5
In the hunt: Steelers, Colts, Raiders, Browns, Broncos
There is a little less to unpack here. We again see the top 4 teams that we have seen all year, leading their divisons. The Colts and Steelers are really trying to make a playoff push. Now the Steelers beat the Ravens this week but lost in blowout fashion to the Bengals the previous week. The Steelers pathetic tie to the 1 win Lions could end up keeping them out of the playoffs. The Colts have not had their bye week yet and sit at 7-6 so if any of the 5 6 or 7 seed lose this week the Colts could enter the playoff picture. I just think it is interesting how there really isn't a single team in the AFC dominating. All of these teams are razor close for instance. The Steelers (#8) beat the Ravens (#3) this past week. The Bills (#7) barely lost to the (#1) Patriots 14-7. All of these teams are super close which always leads to a more interesting playoffs. The 2 seed could lose to the 7 seed. Anything can happen.
Now onto my favorite part of the monthly update of my personal top 10 teams. I know every month I make it a point to say: it's just my opinion and it's subjective. Just don't take it personally if your favorite team didn't quite crack the top 10.
1- Packers 9-3
2- Cardinals 10-2
3- Buccs 9-3
4- Chiefs 8-4
5- Patriots 9-4
6- Titans 8-4
7- Rams
8- Ravens 8-4
9- Bills 7-5
10- Cowboys 8-4
Let me start off by saying with all the really good teams in the NFL this season this top 10 was extremly difficult to make. The one team who was so close to making the list and just missed deserves an honorable mention; that would be the Los Angeles Chargers. Now I can begin defending the teams I do have on the list. The Cowboys at 10. They have one of the most
dynamic offenses in the league. That is why I just can't take them off the top 10. They still average the most total yards per game in the league. They have 2 very good running backs in Tony Pollard and Zeke Elliott. They also have a solid qb and an assortment of good wideouts and tight ends. Their defense has improved enough, to the point that they can win games. That's why the Cowboys are at 10. The Bills are at 9. Now I still like the Bills as a Super Bowl threat but right now they just can't run the ball well enough to do so. They still have a +9 point differential putting them at 4th in the league. They don't turn the ball over and they get takeaways, they usually win by blowouts, and they have a knockout punch quality. Their offense and defense are both solid landing them at number 9. Number 8 is the Baltimore Ravens. They have one of the best running games in the league, and have the 4th best rush yards per game in the league. Their defense is stifling. The only thing holding them back is in the last month their offense has been struggling. They scored under 20 the last 2 weeks against the Steelers and the Browns. I am still holding out on them to turn things around and get back up closer to the top 5. I trust Lamar Jackson to lead the offense back to where it was 2 years ago. Number 7 is the Rams. Their offense is clearly one of the best in the league. They lost Robert Woods to a season ending injury which hurts them, although the signing of Odel Beckham should help turn this receiving core back around. They still have Cooper Kupp, a great coach in Sean Mcvay. The only thing wrong with them is their defense and the inconsistent play by their qb. If they can fix these 2 things though they are easily a top 4 team. They have an explosive passing game with the 3rd highest passing yards per game. Next is #6 which is the Titans. They just barely edged out the Rams because they beat them. The Titans have an overall solid team. They run the ball really well, but they can get the ball over the top. They have a borderline top 10 defense. They get to your QB. They also win the field position battle and time of possession which makes them difficult to defeat. Now onto the top 5 coming in at #5 We have The Patriots, the hottest team in the league. They have won 7 straight behind the league's best defense. They also have great coaches Bill Belicheck and Josh Mcdaniels. They are going to be tough to beat. They run the ball really well and have a solid play action game. The only thing wrong with them is they can't throw the ball down the field; if they could, I would have them ahead of the 4th place Chiefs. The Chiefs have one of the best coaches and qbs. They have an explosive offense and an improved defense. They're not quite the same as last year as they're not blowing teams out. They still have some troubles running the ball consistently and effectively. Even with all these problems they are still 8-4 and have the 4th best offense in yards per game. I see them as very close with the Patriots except they have an edge at qb and they can throw the ball over the top. #3 and #2 are so super close at 3 is the Buccaneers and at 2 is the Cardinals. I gave a slight edge to the Cardinals because they seem to be clicking on all cylinders right now and have won a few games with a backup qb. The Buccs though have an extremely hot offense and running game. Tom Brady will probably win MVP. I see these teams as almost identical. The Cardinals have a slightly better point differential coming in at 2nd in the league at +12 but the Bucs have the 2nd highest yards per game on offense. These 2 teams are super close. I will give a slight edge to the Cardinals for now just because Kyler Murray is so dynamic. This could change though. Coming in at #1 we have the Packers. They beat the Cardinals earlier this season 24-21. They are extremely injured and still playing at a super high level. When they get fully healthy, they will be even better. They are one of the deepest teams in the league. They do everything well: they run well and pass well, and their defense is one of the best secondaries in the league. I would put them toe to toe with any other team in the league. I also trust Aaron Rogers a lot.
This was my top 10 and another NFL sports update. The next time I talk to you, we will be in the playoffs. It will be really exciting! Thank you for reading this article. I can’t wait until next month.