On Sunday, before another slew of bad calls and some sideline chaos marred the on-field product in the afternoon and late-game window, I wrote what I assume has become glaringly obvious to us all: the NFL product is substandard. And it’s not just because of the rash of quarterback injuries, or the fact that defenses have caught up and, while doing all they can to survive, have managed to slow scoring down in the process.
It’s the fact that there is no consistency or rhythm to the officiating of any football games. Forget the reality show bleed into the product. I’m talking about actively managing a football game like officials once could; where we didn’t really notice that the game was being officiated. I imagine the NFL will allow this to blow over just like it does everything else. I imagine officials will disappear in the conference title games and through the Super Bowl so as to avoid a talking point heading into their offseason jubilee and allow some miracle pass that should have clearly been flagged in the grasp.
Really, we’ve been asking these questions for years. Since 2019, after the Saints were knocked out of a Super Bowl by one of the worst missed calls in NFL history. We watch still, but the suspicion and unease surrounding the officiating crisis has certainly changed the conversation. I can’t remember the last time I’ve had a casual chat about football without being asked: what the hell was with that call?
At this point, it’s stunning to me that the NFL remains silent. At worst, this devolves into complete conspiratorial suspicion, completed via the common thread of legalized gambling. At best, it just continues being a substandard product we watch because going outside or painting a picture seems a little less interesting.
So, we will do the Power Rankings this week like we do every week. But as we get into it, I’ll as you this: does it really matter how good a team is, if an officiating crew is so nakedly capable of altering the course of a game? Do the best teams still win? Are we in a spot where that is possible?
Eric Hartline/USA TODAY Sports
1. San Francisco 49ers (9–3)
Last week: win at Philadelphia, 42–19
Next week: vs. Seattle
I was watching a long George Kittle catch-and-run with rapt attention on Sunday thinking: who is going to tackle that guy in January? The 49ers have four players who are like that; four skill position players who have the ability to break a team’s spirit, compared to maybe two on every other team. This is not unknown news, but the closer we get to the playoffs, and after a physical beatdown of the second best team in the NFL, we are realizing what a disappointment it would be if the 49ers did not win the Super Bowl.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (10–2)
Last week: loss vs. San Francisco, 42–19
Next week: at Dallas
I did a fun guest spot on 94.1 WIP in Philadelphia on Saturday, a little more than 24 hours before the Eagles game, and suggested this: what if getting blown out by the 49ers was the absolute best case scenario here? Just like San Francisco’s three-game stretch of mediocrity led the team to some answers, so too could Sunday’s blowout loss to the 49ers.
3. Baltimore Ravens (9–3)
Last week: BYE
Next week: vs. Los Angeles Rams
The No. 1 defense and No. 7 offense in the NFL emerges from its bye week to face the hot Los Angeles Rams. Amid Mike Macdonald’s masterpiece of a season, all that is left to see is how strong the Ravens will finish. Unfortunately for John Harbaugh, a renaissance season could also trigger the pilfering of his coaching staff.
4. Detroit Lions (9–3)
Last week: win at New Orleans, 33–28
Next week: at Chicago
The Detroit Lions have not been this good, this late in a season since 1962. Think about that for one second. The Lions’ first touchdown drive touched on the amount of precision that was required in order to erase decades of futility. They can run the ball and convert on a third-and-7 with relative ease. Sam LaPorta, a rookie second round pick, took two defenders clear out of a rushing play at the goal line. This team has its opponents so cross-eyed it’s incredible.
5. Kansas City Chiefs (8–4)
Last week: loss at Green Bay, 27–19
Next week: vs. Buffalo
I greatly enjoyed the pass interference no-call at the end of this game, if only because it sums up what we discussed above so well: the NFL can’t even legislate the big games and the big moments. Here’s a player chokeholding another receiver and jumping on his back and not drawing a flag. What are we doing here?
6. Dallas Cowboys (9–3)
Last week: win vs. Seattle, 41–35
Next week: vs. Philadelphia
The Cowboys survived an uproarious Seahawks team to further bolster the MVP candidacy of Dak Prescott. Since Halloween, the Cowboys quarterback has been nothing short of excellent. And while that stretch has included generous dates with the Panthers, Rams, Commanders and Giants, Prescott is playing well against the contenders, too.
7. Miami Dolphins (9–3)
Last week: win at Washington, 45–14
Next week: vs. Tennessee
Speaking of MVPs, podcast teammate Albert Breer has been leading the Tyreek-for-MVP charge based on some conversations with folks he’s had around the NFL. We talked about it on this week’s episode, and I suggest you give it a listen. The gist? (Sorry, TuAnon:) Would you rather face the Dolphins without Tyreek Hill, or face the Dolphins without Tua Tagovailoa?
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (8–4)
Last week: loss vs. Cincinnati, 34–31 (OT)
Next week: at Cleveland
Prayer circles for the lower body of Trevor Lawrence at this time. The NFL cannot afford to lose another great passer at this point in the season.
9. Houston Texans (7–5)
Last week: win vs. Denver, 22–17
Next week: at New York Jets
Full thoughts on the Texans here. I am beginning to think that, because of Houston’s cornerstone players (corner, EDGE and QB) all on affordable rookie contracts and a significant amount of salary cap space next year, the Texans will be a trendy Super Bowl pick or a deep conference title game pick. I’m not saying they’ll make it there, but it is wild to think of how far this team has come in a matter of a few months.
Mark Hoffman/USA TODAY Network
10. Green Bay Packers (6–6)
Last week: win vs. Kansas City, 27–19
Next week: at New York Giants
The Packers’ remaining schedule: Giants, Buccaneers, Panthers, Vikings, Bears. Guess what folks? Jordan Love is going to the playoffs. Against an excellent Chiefs defense on Sunday night, Love hit five receivers three or more times, and none of them were reception-gobbling checkdown running backs.
11. Indianapolis Colts (7–5)
Last week: win at Tennessee, 31–28
Next week: at Cincinnati
How are the Colts, a team that blocked two punts and also had a two-point conversion attempt returned 98 yards against them, in the time that it takes to microwave a bag of popcorn on Sunday, not your favorite team right now? They are so scrappy. And, as evidenced by the fact that Jonathan Taylor nearly caught Amani Hooker on that two-point conversion pick, dialed in and playing for one another.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers (7–5)
Last week: loss vs. Arizona, 24–10
Next week: vs. New England
There was a moment of unintentional comedy on Sunday following the loss of Kenny Pickett. The sideline reporter, just after halftime, said, we’re told nothing changes with Mitch Trubisky in. Then, right on cue, the Steelers fumble a snap and hand the Cardinals the ball. The coaches were correct in saying that, indeed, not much changes! This offense is still frustratingly inept, and had it not been for the Jets, we would be incredibly loud at the idea of wasting the rookie deals of talented receivers and other playmakers.
13. Buffalo Bills (6–6)
Last week: BYE
Next week: at Kansas City
Off the bye week, trying to stave off what has been an oncoming emotional whirlwind years in the making, the Bills get a nice trip down memory lane by taking on the Chiefs at Arrowhead in the big afternoon game this weekend. In what is effectively a playoff game for the battered Bills, we’ll see what a difference some rest makes.
14. Los Angeles Rams (6–6)
Last week: win vs. Cleveland, 36–19
Next week: at Baltimore
While Matthew Stafford is deceptively athletic, I would say that walking away from a Browns game without being sacked a single time is a major credit to his offensive line and coaching staff. The Rams were outthinking opponents all season, and are now starting to outplay them physically. Their playoff odds—50% according to the New York Times’ calculator—are better than Seattle’s.
15. Seattle Seahawks (6–6)
Last week: loss at Dallas, 41–35
Next week: at San Francisco
I know we’re not supposed to root in this game, but the Jake Ferguson/Jamal Adams showdown was one of the more satisfying moments in an NFL game this season. Adams, bless his self confidence, seems to be the only one perpetuating the idea that he’s not a drain on this defense outside of his pass rushing ability.
16. Cleveland Browns (7–5)
Last week: loss at Los Angeles Rams, 36–19
Next week: vs. Jacksonville
Here’s why I think the Joe Flacco thing can actually work: against the Rams’ pass rush, Flacco, on a third-and-medium at the beginning of the third quarter, double pumps and just as a pass rusher is closing in on him, flings an absolute dart for a first down. A few plays later, the Browns tied the game with a field goal. Obviously, the Rams began to pull away, but Flacco, outside of picking up first downs with his legs, is doing basically what the Browns want at the position. It could be enough.
17. Minnesota Vikings (6–6)
Last week: BYE
Next week: at Las Vegas
A well-deserved bye for the Vikings, who still have a puncher’s chance of rumbling into the postseason at 6–6. Ahead? Back-to-back road games against the Raiders and Bengals before a matchup against the dreaded Lions. I think Kevin O’Connell is playing with house money from here. He’s established his play calling chops and has burned down Minnesota’s reputation as a lucky team. He deserves some long-term faith and runway.
18. Denver Broncos (6–6)
Last week: loss at Houston, 22–17
Next week: at Los Angeles Chargers
I think we saw against Houston that Russell Wilson is still capable of playing really troubling football down the stretch. Three post-halftime picks are not ideal, and while I thought, on the final interception with seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, that we would see some circuitous Wilson pocket magic, we just saw another ill-advised pass. Still, Denver is in the mix each and every week.
19. Los Angeles Chargers (5–7)
Last week: win at New England, 6–0
Next week: vs. Denver
I can’t quit this team. I know. But … am I the only person who sees L.A.’s 7% chance of reaching the postseason as a little low? This Broncos game upcoming is going to be a battle for the fringes of the AFC playoff picture, featuring two coaches who desperately need a trip to the postseason, either to satisfy some loud preseason chirping, or to save a job.
Jeremy Reper/USA TODAY Sports
20. Cincinnati Bengals (6–6)
Last week: win at Jacksonville, 34–31 (OT)
Next week: vs. Indianapolis
Fair is fair, the Bengals deserve credit for sticking with the Jaguars last night, even before the gruesome Trevor Lawrence injury. After having their run game completely plugged up a week ago, the Bengals found the end zone twice with Joe Mixon and 6.8 yards per carry with Chase Brown. I said a few weeks back we’d learn a lot about Zac Taylor during this stretch, and I think we have. We’ve certainly learned something about Jake Browning, who threw just five incomplete passes on Monday night.
21. Atlanta Falcons (6–6)
Last week: win at New York Jets, 13–8
Next week: vs. Tampa Bay
It must have felt alright for Arthur Smith when that touchdown pass to MyCole Pruitt hit. Scoring just one touchdown against the Jets is good enough these days. This was the perfect opponent for the Falcons, who are having trouble lighting up the scoreboard themselves. Next week against the Buccaneers, the entirety of the Smith experiment is on the line. This is a playoff game.
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5–7)
Last week: win vs. Carolina, 21–18
Next week: at Atlanta
Mike Evans is amazing, man. Another 1,000 yard season and, as he crossed that threshold on Sunday, I thought he was going to single-handedly deny the Panthers another shot at trying to tie or win the game. Still, I can’t help but be a little disappointed that Tampa Bay let the Panthers so deeply into this one. Carolina is burning to the ground right now in a football sense. Tampa should be behaving like a team that can take control of the division next week.
23. New Orleans Saints (5–7)
Last week: loss vs. Detroit, 33–28
Next week: vs. Carolina
Despite a spirited second half against the Lions, and appearances by more wannabe quarterbacks than an adult NFL fantasy camp, the Saints have lost the plot. I feel bad for Dennis Allen, who I think did his best with this roster, but who ultimately was failed by the personnel situation on offense. Derek Carr has been dealt a tough hand this last month with another trip through concussion protocol. When healthy, though, he has not done enough to prolong this experiment.
24. Las Vegas Raiders (5–7)
Last week: BYE
Next week: vs. Minnesota
Before us, we have a path for Antonio Pierce to keep the head coaching job in Las Vegas. I see winnable games against both the Vikings and Chargers post-bye, and a trip to Arrowhead where Pierce can see if the Raiders can at least come closer to the class of the division than Pierce’s first crack just after Thanksgiving.
25. New York Giants (4–8)
Last week: BYE
Next week: vs. Green Bay
Riding a post-bye high that includes a reported 1,200% spike in Tommy DeVito jerseys, the Giants are on a path to destroy the Packers on Monday Night Football this week. O.K., maybe not, but who is going to say with any degree of confidence that the Giants won’t keep it close?
26. Washington Commanders (4–9)
Last week: loss vs. Miami, 45–14
Next week: BYE
If possible, the score of Sunday’s Commanders loss to the Dolphins looked even closer than the game actually was, and the Commanders lost 45–15. While there is no sense of comfort here, one has to imagine that life is easier for new owner Josh Harris, who, unlike some others in similar positions, doesn’t have much to fret about when deciding whether or not to wipe the slate clean at season’s end.
27. New York Jets (4–8)
Last week: loss vs. Atlanta, 13–8
Next week: vs. Houston
Cooler heads will ultimately prevail as it pertains to Zach Wilson and whether or not he actually wants to play in a football game for the New York Jets. Personally, I think he owes it to a coaching staff that defended him through some fairly merciless stretches of this football season before finally pulling the plug. But it’s hard not to feel for Wilson, too, who has to feel like his best football may simply be somewhere else.
28. Tennessee Titans (4–8)
Last week: loss vs. Indianapolis, 31–28
Next week: at Miami
I suppose that if this is what “going through it” looks like for Mike Vrabel, it’s not all that bad. Although, to have a performance jarring enough to result in the firing of a special teams coordinator is never something any team wants on its résumé.
29. Chicago Bears (4–8)
Last week: BYE
Next week: vs. Detroit
I am legitimately interested to see what the Bears do this week against the Lions coming off a bye. Many people—self included—have written off Matt Eberflus, but it’s undeniable how well Chicago’s defense has played of late, logging eight turnovers over the previous two weeks. Similarly, Justin Fields has looked as good as he has since early October.
30. Arizona Cardinals (3–10)
Last week: win at Pittsburgh, 24–10
Next week: BYE
How about the Cardinals getting the ball in this game at its own 1-yard line, then driving 99 yards down the field just before halftime? Sure, there was some poor tackling on behalf of the Steelers and a wild third-down grab by Trey McBride, but there was also a lot of efficient Kyler Murray against some faux pressure looks.
31. New England Patriots (2–10)
Last week: loss vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 6–0Next week: at Pittsburgh
There are times, like on Sunday, where I will bounce back to the idea that perhaps Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft have so delicately shielded this tanking operation, cloaking their secret desire to attain either Caleb Williams or Drake Maye in a series of unfounded reports and media speculation. Not correcting the narrative on the end of Belichick’s days in New England would throw old Goodell and Boss Hog off the scent. It’s not just brilliant, it’s classic Patriots. The guy isn’t even giving direct answers when asked if he wants to be here. Classic subterfuge!
32. Carolina Panthers (1–11)
Last week: loss at Tampa Bay, 21–18
Next week: at New Orleans
Here’s my impression of what is happening in Carolina; a gut feeling if you will. I bet that things are much stranger, and much more dysfunctional than you can imagine. I would bet that David Tepper cleans house, or at least hope that he does. I would also bet that, if Bryce Young makes it out of this season healthy and still interested in playing NFL football, it will be a minor miracle.
