1- Vikings (8-1) – Their spectacular Sunday win at Buffalo capped their current seven-game winning streak. And Justin Jefferson’s incredible catch should finally give him a little more notoriety. What an athlete, this Jefferson.
2- Chiefs (7-2) – Here they are again in the driver’s seat in the American. If Patrick Mahomes keeps up the pace (326.2 yards per game), he’ll rack up 5,545 yards and beat Peyton Manning’s mark (5,477 in 2013). However, he would do it in 17 games rather than 16, as the latter had done.
3- Eagles (8-1) – Playing in prime time for the past two weeks, the Eagles have been on a downturn. The Commanders obviously wanted her more than them on Monday night, and that NEVER forgives in the NFL.
4- Dolphins (7-3) – Tua Tagovailoa’s stellar season continued against Cleveland and his efficiency rating (118.4) is now higher than any other quarterback by more than 10 points…
5- Bills (6-3) – There is sand in the gears in a team that seemed set for glory two weeks ago. Josh Allen will have to commit far fewer turnovers if the Bills are to go all the way.
6- Ravens (6-3) – It’s hard to see how they could escape the North American title since their next seven games will be against teams that are currently in deficit.
7- Cowboys (6-3) – Mike McCarthy was too greedy in extra time against his former club and the strategy blew up in his face. CeeDee Lamb and Tony Pollard are the two most dangerous players in the Boys’ attack, but the presence of Ezekiel Elliott will be essential over the next few months.
PHOTO TIM HEITMAN, USA TODAY SPORTS ARCHIVE
Cee Dee Lamb
8- 49ers (5-4) – Their record is not representative of their strength. On paper, this team is among the five most talented in the NFL and their style of play should pay off in November and December.
9- Titans (6-3) – This formation has been very good over the past few years, of course, but I admit that it really surprises me this season. I expected a considerable drop in speed in 2022. Hats off to Mike Vrabel.
10- Seahawks (6-4) – With the picks obtained from the Broncos and their own picks, the Seahawks could quickly return to the NFL’s top flight if they draft as well in 2023 as they did in 2022.
11- Giants (7-2) – Unfair not to include them in the top 10 with such a card? Maybe. But realistically, that’s the right rank for them.
12- Bengals (5-4) – Despite some performances below expectations, the offense remains one of the most formidable in the league and their defense is as solid as it was in 2021, even if there are not many “big” names. .
13- Patriots (5-4) – Last in the American East despite a winning record… Led by Matt Judon (11.5 sacks), the Pats defense has already managed 32 sacks in 9 games, she who had obtained 36 in 17 the last year.
14- Chargers (5-4) – Without his two best wide ends, Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, and his excellent left tackle Rashawn Slater, Justin Herbert cannot work miracles, as they say.
15- Throws (6-3) – If Laurent Duvernay-Tardif’s return to the team goes well, he could very well be the right guard before long. Regular starter Alijah Vera-Tucker suffered a triceps injury a few weeks ago and an undrafted Nate Herbig fills the job.
16- Buccaneers (5-5) – Has Tom Brady slowed down a bit? Sure. But his statistics remain very respectable: 66% of successful passes, average of more than 280 yards per game, 12 touchdowns and only 2 interceptions.
PHOTO ANDREAS GEBERT, REUTERS ARCHIVES
Tom Brady
17- Commanders (5-5) – Quebecer Benjamin St-Juste has been playing well since becoming one of the starters in the secondary. Monday evening, it was he who caused the breakaway which materialized the victory of his team at the expense of the Eagles.
18- Packers (4-6) – With already six defeats on their record, the Packers have almost no room for maneuver. They will need to win their Thursday night game against the Titans to stay in the playoff contention.
19- Falcons (4-6) – We’re starting to talk about rookie Desmond Ridder coming on the scene at quarterback. But the Falcons can still hope to finish first in the South of the National and must continue to trust Marcus Mariota.
20- Cardinals (4-6) – Colt McCoy may have saved the Cards’ season with his fine performance against the Rams (26 of 37 for 238 yards, 1 touchdown and no interceptions). He’s one of the most reliable backup quarterbacks in the league, even though he’s never been talked about.
21- Colts (4-5-1) – The hiring of former center Jeff Saturday as head coach was far from unanimous, but the Colts finally lived up to their talent last Sunday. With the return to the starting lineup of Matt Ryan, anything goes.
22- Browns (3-6) – Deshaun Watson has resumed training with the team and will be able to return to action on December 4… in Houston. The reception should not be very warm.
23- Steelers (3-6) – Najee Harris finally played as a 6-foot-2, 235-pound running back last week. Kenny Pickett’s progression will go much better if Harris continues to play this way.
24- Lions (3-6) – Head coach Dan Campbell still hadn’t won a road game until last Sunday when the Lions defeated the Bears, 31-30, in Chicago. His record was 0-11-1.
25- Bears (3-7) – Those who thought Justin Fields was the Bears’ problem don’t know much about football. Playing behind one of the worst lines and with one of the worst receiving groups, he threw 12 touchdowns against 7 interceptions and gained 749 yards rushing in addition to registering 6 touchdowns.
PHOTO MATT MARTON, USA TODAY SPORTS ARCHIVE
Justin Fields
26- Raiders (2-7) – They are higher than their record indicates, but significantly lower than what we thought of them before the start of the season.
27- Saints (3-7) – We knew it wouldn’t be easy to succeed Sean Payton, but the way the season is going, Dennis Allen’s stint as Saints head coach could last just one season.
28- Rams (3-7) – It’s going from bad to worse for the defending champions, who have lost five of their last six games and have only scored 87 points during this period, a mere 14 per game. Cooper Kupp’s ankle injury, which will miss several weeks, obviously won’t help.
29- Panthers (3-7) – Steve Wilks has won two of his four games since replacing Matt Rhule. Suffering from a sprained ankle, quarterback PJ Walker will be replaced by Baker Mayfield on Sunday in Baltimore.
30- Jaguars (3-7) – The Jags’ good start was fleeting, but they rarely get downgraded. But moral victories do not give anything to the ranking.
31- Broncos (3-6) – Defeated in five of their last six games, the Broncos risk seeing the Seahawks draft a prospect in the top 5 with one of the picks they traded to them for Russell Wilson. Ouch.
32- Texans (1-7-1) – It is increasingly clear that Davis Mills is not the solution. So it would be surprising if the Texans didn’t go for a quarterback with their first pick in the spring.