week 18 power rankings

(13-3) W6

I can confidently say that this is the best roster in the NFL. There are superstars everywhere, and getting shades of the 2024 Eagles based off the pure talent on the team.

(12-4) W6

This may seem a bit extreme, but look at it this way. If San Francisco wins on Saturday against the Seahawks, they will be the 1 seed in the NFC. They will have beaten the Seahawks, Bears, and Rams, all the biggest threats to this team. Now the only way this looks dumb is if they get stomped by Seattle on Saturday, but I'm willing to bet that it's a close game.

(13-3) W2

The Patriots are the best team in the AFC, and Drake Maye will win the MVP. Now, if you don't believe that Maye will win the MVP, or doesn't deserve it, this team was projected about 7 wins on the year by just about everybody. They've clearly exceeded those expectations, but who is most responsible for them exceeding these expectations? It's Drake Maye.

(11-5) L2

I'm not too worried about the Rams. They will get Adams back, and they still remain a top 10 offense and defense in the NFL.

(12-4) W7

This is a scary team in the AFC. You almost have to expect that they are going to drop 30 on you, and rush the passer efficiently. That is a good key to success in this league, especially in the playoffs.

(13-3) W1

Part of me wants to drop them after that game against the Chiefs. No excuses, shouldn't have been close. I get it's a primetime game in KC, but that Chiefs roster is so diminished on both sides of the ball, there is no universe where that should have been close. They need so start playing well, because if you stumble into the playoffs like this, bye week or not, it's going to be hard to get any momentum.

(11-5) W8

It seems crazy, but I have less confidence in the Texans after they beat the Chargers than before they beat them. The offense was putrid. I get the Chargers are a good defense, but man, Stroud and the offense actively tried to sell that game many times. You can give props to the defense, but like the Chargers have the worst offensive line in the league, so it's no shock to me that they pressured Herbert a lot. Still think they are good, historically good on defense, but that offense is not doing them any favors.

(11-5) L1

There has been discussion for awhile about if a team can have a "good loss." Some called Denver's loss to the Jags, or Patriots loss to the Bills 'good losses', but i disagree. THIS is a good loss, because to me it shows that this Bears team can play any type of game. They can run the ball well and play good defense in a low scoring game like their game against the Eagles, or they can absolutely hold their own in a shootout like they just showed against San Fran. I think this could be a scary team in the playoffs.

(11-5) L1

Genuinely one of the worst decisions by any team all season was the Bills going for 2 at the end of that game. An honestly inexcusable decision, and I worry it was Sean McDermott's call. When a PAT ties the game against a playoff team in week 16, and you just scored 2 touchdowns in the fourth quarter, and you have held the other team to 0 points in the second half, why on Earth would you not take your points and cruise to a victory in OT. Because they absolutely win if that game goes to OT. But risk it for no reason? That is what their Head Coach would do. And decisions like that keep you from Super Bowls.

(11-5) W3

Their defense may be one of the league's best the way they are playing. Bills were the number 1 offense in the sport, and they held them to 12 points. Absurd. The win was handed to them in the end, but gotta give credit to the defense, and Hurts playing clean football.

(9-6-1) L3

Packers have now lost 3 straight, and don't seem threatening in the playoffs at all. I will say, Malik Willis will be a dog somewhere, and deserves to get paid.

(11-5) L1

If this team was healthy they could be so threatening, but unfortunately they are not.

(8-8) L1

The Foundation for a good team is here, and I do think they are a good team. They are just like a good pitcher, who only has a couple good pitches. They can win games with their defense/run game, or Bryce Young playmaking to Tet McMillan. They need a curveball to beat teams like Seattle, who can stop both.

(9-7) L1

If Tomlin does lose on Sunday night, I do think it's grounds for him to go. They could have had the division on lock, but are more likely to piss it away.

(8-8) W1

The Ravens have life for what feels like the first time this season, and it came in a game where Lamar didn't play. It's exciting while meanwhile worrysome.

(8-8) W4

"I'd like to see Minnesota go on a little run here and play spoiler to a lot of teams. They could be figuring some stuff out as a team." What i said week 16. Now, I do have major questions about McCarthy still, more accurately his health.

(8-8) L3

It's hard to feel bad when it was there for them all season. It's entirely their fault they will miss the playoffs.

(8-8) L6

Why was Rivers playing last week? I feel like that's counter-intuitive and against player development, something that you displayed there is a lack of in the NFL when you initially played Rivers.

(6-10) W4

I think the question will remain how tangible this success is that they are having. These are wins against really bad teams, but you can see the structure for them to succeed in the future.

(7-9) W3

Some big questions will be asked about Penix. They have played better with Cousins.

(6-10) W2

Fun to watch.

(7-9) W1

I would say McDaniels saved his job.

(7-8-1) W1

It feels harsh to drop them after a win, but it was a narrow one against Josh Johnson. It was the weakest of wins in this tier of teams.

(6-10) L5

They played fiesty, but that was more the Broncos shooting their own foot imo. I don't know what pieces you see from that game and say that they can build around that.

(7-9) L4

This seems harsh, but they have hardly played good football against any good teams for a while. They are not only losing, but 4 straight, and against bad teams. If they make the playoffs somehow, they will be the worst team ever to do so.

(4-12) L2

I got nothin to say about the Commanders.

(3-13) W1

They played spoiler, but basically with no help from the offense. I would say the decision on Sanders will be up to the next Head coach, because Stefanski has got to be on his way out.

(3-13) L8

Welp, I hope they can figure it out next year.

(3-13) L1

I think Cam Ward is showing a little something here at the end of the year to show a little hope in him.

(3-13) W1

And they won the toilet bowl, which I guess could mean they lose it as well?

(3-13) L4

Wow.

(2-14) L10

Even bigger Wow.