AFC teams take back top two spots from NFC
1. Ravens (previous, 3): League’s most explosive offense – and new MVP front-runner Lamar Jackson (?) – deserves accolades. But ascending defense first to record TDs of 65+ yards in three consecutive games since 1970 merger.
2. Patriots (4): Super Bowl LII rematch in Philadelphia looms all the more important with Baltimore now one game from moving into top slot of AFC’s projected playoff field.
3. 49ers (2): Gut-wrenching way to suffer first defeat, but don’t forget San Francisco didn’t get help from injured George Kittle or Emmanuel Sanders.
4. Saints (1): They laid egg size of a New Orleans hangover Sunday, but let’s not read too much into it. Nine points their fewest scored at home with Drew Brees at helm.
5. Seahawks (9): Upended Niners courtesy of their most impressive performance of uneven season. Acquisitions of Josh Gordon and Quandre Diggs could really help team that needed playmakers beyond Russell Wilson.
6. Packers (6): It sounds heretical, but Aaron Jones – now tied for league lead with 14 touchdowns – is currently top-performing “Aaron” for this bunch.
7. Vikings (8): Don’t look now, but Kirk Cousins is 2-0 in prime-time games this year. Good thing, because Minnesota scheduled to have at least three more.
8. Texans (5): If Deshaun Watson and Lamar Jackson can replicate fireworks from their 2016 college showdown, then Houston-Baltimore will be game of week.
9. Chiefs (7): Patrick Mahomes now owns most passing yards (8,007) and TDs (68) in any quarterback’s first 25 NFL starts ... but it might not be enough to save Kansas City when it counts.
10. Cowboys (12): They’re 4-0 in divisional games, 1-4 otherwise. Good news/bad news situation ... bad news being Dallas only has two NFC East games left.
11. Eagles (13): Backing Brinks truck up for a guard often a questionable move ... but giving Brandon Brooks a $54 million extension could be bargain.
12. Steelers (16): Minkah Fitzpatrick now entering defensive player of year conversation, swiping leaguebest five passes in seven games with Pittsburgh.
13. Panthers (14): NFL-high 36 sacks accomplished by copious committee. Carolina has eight players with at least three, but only Mario Addison (7) has surpassed 41⁄2.
14. Colts (11): In case you hadn’t realized how capably Jacoby Brissett has filled Andrew Luck’s shoes ... welp, now you probably have pretty good idea.
15. Raiders (17): Unfair to compare rookie Clelin Ferrell and departed Khalil Mack, but let’s do it anyway. Ferrell has 31⁄2 sacks ... Mack had four his entire rookie year.
16. Rams (10): Defense accounted for nine of 12 points Sunday ... which pretty much explains why Sean McVay suffered first regular-season loss to AFC team.
17. Bills (15): Their play is getting incrementally worse, and schedule forecasts incrementally harder with Miami, Pittsburgh among opponents that no longer project as layups.
18. Titans (24): Ryan Tannehill would be league’s sixth-rated quarterback if he’d played enough to qualify in rankings. He definitely qualifies as a season saver.
19. Chargers (19): Key injuries ... Philip Rivers trying to do too much ... offfield distractions ... we’ve definitely entered “same-old Chargers” territory.
20. Jaguars (20): Fun fact – over course of his career, Nick Foles’ passer rating improves each successive month ... so November/December exactly when you want him.
21. Bears (22): Mitch Trubisky is fair game, but remember Chicago’s 36 takeaways in 2018 greatly aided him and offense. Team has 12 takeaways this year.
22. Buccaneers (26): Fair or not, NFL’s Next Gen Stats can be really unkind. Bucs’ Breshad Perriman has NFL’s worst catch percentage (32.1%).
23. Cardinals (21): Christian Kirk snagged three TD passes Sunday, matching output from his first 18 games. If he gets going, “Air Raid” could reach new level.
24. Falcons (28): Too little, too late for this team ... almost surely too little, too late for Dan Quinn, maybe even GM Thomas Dimitroff. But this team can play.
25. Broncos (23): We could be in for QB battle America never wanted – Brandon Allen vs. Drew Lock with rookie set to resume practicing this week.
26. Browns (27): Odell Beckham Jr. had three red-zone targets all year prior to Sunday, then got three in a single drive – two resulting in pass interference penalties.
27. Lions (18): Is Kenny Golladay most dangerous deep threat we don’t discuss? Back to those Next Gen Stats, no player averages more targeted air yards than his 16.5.
28. Dolphins (30): Now just imagine if they’d held on to Minkah Fitzpatrick ... they’d be – what – very possibly 3-6?
29. Jets (31): Through 19 career starts, Sam Darnold has 24 TD passes and 24 INTs. Lots of work to do if he’s to get well clear of dreaded Sanchez Line.
30. Giants (25): Real bummer watching Saquon Barkley get squandered to tune of 27 yards over his past 28 carries. No wonder his dad roots for Jets.
31. Redskins (29): Probably right call to start Dwayne Haskins down homestretch – though given supporting cast’s state, how much can be gleaned from his performance?
32. Bengals (32): Sorry, Ryan Finley, but NFL ain’t fair (ask Andy Dalton). Bet here is you’ve got seven more games to convince Cincinnati not to draft another QB No. 1.