Mid-Season NFL Power Rankings

The Best Chance at the First Pick in a Bad Draft Division

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-8)

            It’s hard on the eyes to watch Blaine Gabbert try to be a NFL quarterback.

31. Kansas City Chiefs (1-7)

            Kansas City valiantly attempted to tank the rest of the year by naming Brady Quinn the starter, but a concussion has forced Matt Cassel back into the line-up.

Awful Yet Spunky Division

30. Tennessee Titans (3-6)

            Jake Locker coming back won’t lead to a miraculous playoff berth, but it will allow them to verify that they have a franchise quarterback.

29. Cleveland Browns (2-7)

            You have to give the Browns credit for being competitive in nearly all of their games.

28. Buffalo Bills (3-5)

            The only team that has been able to slow down C.J. Spiller this season has been the Buffalo Bills.

27. Oakland Raiders (3-5)

            Unless you’re a Darren McFadden owner in a non-PPR league, Oakland has proven to be a fun fantasy team.

26. Carolina Panthers (2-6)

            Carolina has shelled out $125 million to Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams the past two off seasons. They both suck.

25. New York Jets (3-5)

            No other organization is in more dire need of a complete purge (players, coaches, and GM included) than the Jets.

24. St. Louis Rams (3-5)

            Hard to believe that I’m typing this, but Danny Amendola’s injury was a back breaker. Nevertheless, still reason for optimism with all the picks they’ll get from Washington the next two years.

23. Cincinnati Bengals (3-5)

            A promising 3-1 start has been all but forgotten. At least Bengals fans can still watch A.J. Green every week.

22. Arizona Cardinals (4-5)

            This year’s winner of the “If They Only Had a QB” award.

 

Why the Giants Can Cruise the Rest of the Year Division

21. Philadelphia Eagles (3-5)

20. Washington Redskins (3-6)
19. Dallas Cowboys (3-5)
            These three shitty teams currently have a combined nine-game losing streak. Don’t be surprised if Sunday’s Cowboys-Eagles game ends in a tie.
 

The Rise From the Ashes Division

18. New Orleans Saints (3-5)

            With each passing week, the Bounty-Gate Saints have looked more and more functional. Unfortunately, they need to win seven of their last eight to have a chance at the playoffs.

The Best Days Have Already Happened Division

17. Minnesota Vikings (5-4)

            Christian Ponder is going to look even worse this week without Percy Harvin on the field.

16. Miami Dolphins (4-4)

            Ryan Tannehill has looked surprisingly competent since his disastrous debut at Houston.

The Life Support Division

 

15. Detroit Lions (4-4)

            Thought for sure Detroit was on it’s way to a 4-12 season, but their upset of the Eagles appears to have saved their season.

14. San Diego Chargers (4-4)

            Cheering for the Chargers must be like being a Cowboys fan, minus the ability to brag about the Jimmie Johnson years.
 

The Playing For the Right to Get Slaughtered in Round 1 Division

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4)

            As Doug Martin has evolved into a one-man fantasy football winning demolition machine, Tampa Bay’s offense has found another gear.

13. Indianapolis Colts (6-3)

            Andrew Luck won’t win the Rookie of the Year award, but when it’s all said and done, he will be the most successful quarterback of the 2012 draft class.

11. Seattle Seahawks (5-4)

            Seattle would be a top-5 team if Matt Flynn was starting.

The Flawed Contenders

10. Baltimore Ravens (6-2)

            Unless Baltimore has been Milton Berle-ing it all season (intentionally pulling out just enough to win), the Ravens haven’t laid the smack-down on anyone since Week 1.

9. New York Giants (6-3)

            Being ranked ninth on this list is exactly where Tom Coughlin wants the Giants to be to set up another Super Bowl run.

8. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3)

            Getting the running game back on track is what Pittsburgh needed to become a Super Bowl contender again.

7. Green Bay Packers (6-3)

            Aaron Rodgers is brilliant, but this still feels like a team that can be pushed around.

6. San Francisco 49ers (6-2)

            Their defense is brilliant, but this still feels like a team that is quarterbacked by Alex Smith.

5. Denver Broncos (5-3)

            Peyton Manning has exceeded all expectations in his return to the field. Based on what we saw from the Broncos with Tim Tebow under center last year, Manning should be the MVP.

4. New England Patriots (5-3)

            No team has outsmarted themselves more often this year than the Patriots. If they stick to basics offensively, New England still is capable of being the scariest team in the AFC.

The Favorites

3. Atlanta Falcons (8-0)

            Even with the undefeated record, Atlanta still feels like a team that’s going to get thumped at home in the divisional round of the playoffs. 

2. Houston Texans (7-1)

1. Chicago Bears (7-1)
            We’ll determine which one of these teams is #1 after Sunday night’s mammoth tilt at Soldier Field.