Written by Emilio Peña
We are a quarter (roughly) of the way though the 2022 NFL season, and parity is as prevalent as it ever has been. There is one remaining undefeated team, one remaining winless team, a few 3-1/1-3 teams and a whole lot of 2-2 teams in between. The gaps between each team is as narrow as they’ve ever been, making each game that much more important moving forward.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (-)
The Eagles are the last remaining undefeated team in the NFL. Despite being down 0-14, The Eagles were able to fight back to win 29-21. The ground game led the way, with 210 rushing yards on a rainy day. Eagles fans should be proud of the team’s effort.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (+3)
Patrick Mahomes and The Kansas City Chiefs used their SNF showdown with Tampa Bay to show what this team is truly capable of. Redeeming their week 3 loss by scoring 41 on one of the best defenses in the league. Mahomes magic was on display for all of America to see. This was a statement win.
3. Buffalo Bills (+1)
After being down 20-3 late in the second quarter, The Buffalo Bills scored 20 unanswered to take down the Baltimore Ravens in dramatic fashion. The elements prevented this game from being the offensive clinic we all imagined it might be, but the result is all that matters for Buffalo.
4. Miami Dolphins (-2)
Lost in the shuffle of the Tua Tagovailoa concussion situation, was The Dolphins effort post injury. Teddy Bridgewater came in and led Miami to their first touchdown of the night, and kept them in the game until a costly interception all but ended their hopes. I can only imagine what was going through every Dolphins player’s mind after the Tua injury, they played well despite the situation.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+2)
Despite the loss, Tampa Bay had their best showing (offensively) they have had all season. Tom Brady looked like Tom again, but a fumble on the opening kickoff handed Kansas City great field position to start the game.
6. Green Bay Packers (-)
It only took 70 minutes, but Aaron Rodgers and The Green Bay Packers were able to defeat Bailey Zappe and The New England Patriots. The Packers probably deserve to get dropped down a few spots but they were able to win the game and go to 3-1 while a lot of the league is at 2-2. As long as they have #12 behind center, you can’t count them out. They head to London to play another team with injuries at quarterback. This is a chance for Green Bay to show they are worthy of a top ranking 4 weeks into the season.
7. Minnesota Vikings (+2)
While Minnesota leads the NFC North at the moment at 3-1 (tiebreaker against GB), they were not dominant in week 4 either. With New Orleans down several key starters, this was a chance for The Vikings to send a message. But instead they squeaked by thanks to a double doink missed 61 yard field goal. It’s never easy to travel across the world to play a game, so credit to Minnesota for the win, a week 5 divisional game against Chicago presents an opportunity to show what the team is capable of.
8. Cincinnati Bengals (+2)
The Bengals woke up the previous Sunday at 0-2 and woke up the following Friday at 2-2. This team continues to resemble the team that made the Super Bowl last season, and that continued when they gave Miami their first loss of the season.
9. San Francisco 49ers (+4)
Talk about a statement win. A dominant 24-9 win against the LA Rams on MNF led by arguably the best defense in the NFL. Seven sacks on Matthew Stafford and a pick six from Talanoa Hufanga (who’s looking like an all-pro), then on offense Deebo Samuel did things only Deebo Samuel can do. The defense will legitimately win games for this team, while Jimmy G starts to take form.
10. Baltimore Ravens (-7)
Up 20-3 at the 2 minute warning before half, it appeared The Ravens had control of the game. Baltimore did not score again the rest of the game. Late in the 4th quarter, tied 20-20, Baltimore had a chance to take the lead but turned it over on 4th and goal. The decision to go for it rather than kick the field goal is a reflection on how Coach John Harbaugh feels about his defense. It hasn’t been pretty this season.
11. Dallas Cowboys (+1)
Cooper Rush became the first quarterback in Cowboys history to start his career 4-0. As much credit as Rush deserves the defense deserves some credit too. They have brought the heat during their 3 game win streak. It’ll be interesting to see how they handle the quarterback position if Rush keeps winning games.
12. Los Angeles Rams (-4)
The defending Super Bowl champions have not been the same this season. Matthew Stafford looks like he has taken a major step back this season, due in part to the newly constructed offensive line. Stafford continues to force feed Cooper Kupp, as Allen Robinson has become a glorified blocker. Might be time to call Odell.
13. Jacksonville Jaguars (+1)
After a 2 game win streak, the Jaguars have fallen back to Earth. At one point, it looked like the Jags were going to take down the undefeated Eagles, but then they gave up 20 points in the second quarter and lots of turnovers in between. They look to get back in the win column with a week 5 matchup against Houston.
14. Los Angeles Chargers (+1)
This was such a Chargers game. Starting the game with a 24-7 lead, The Chargers allowed Houston to bring it within 3 points before Austin Ekeler iced the game with a 14 yard receiving touchdown to make the final score 34-24. Let’s see if they can put together a full game against Cleveland next week.
15. Cleveland Browns (-4)
The Browns took a trip to Atlanta and took a page out of the Falcons playbook, getting outscored 13-7 in the 4th quarter, to lose 23-20. Jacoby Brissett only has two interceptions this season, but both have been very costly (game sealing vs Jets, and now Falcons). The Browns were also without All Pro pass rusher Myles Garrett as well as Jadevon Clowney, which helped to allow Atlanta to rush for over 200 yards.
16. New York Giants (+2)
Potentially the biggest surprise of the season so far, The New York Football Giants are sitting at 3-1 and would be in the playoffs if the season ended today. Unfortunately for them, there is lots of season left. New York found a way to win despite injuries to both quarterbacks. Next up is Green Bay in London, if Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor can’t play, New York will have to get a quarterback with a passport.
17. Tennessee Titans (+6)
After an ugly 0-2 start to the season, The Tennessee Titans have won their last 2 and are starting to look more like the Titans teams of the last couple of seasons. King Henry did his thing on Sunday, but The Titans allowed Indy to fight back and make it close. With a game against the Commanders next week, Tennessee needs to send a message if they want to be atop the AFC rankings like they were last season.
18. Arizona Cardinals (+3)
The Cardinals continue to start games slow. Granted, their opponent was the Carolina Panthers so it did not matter. Deandre Hopkins only has 2 more games left in his suspension, maybe when he returns the Cardinals might be able to put together complete games.
19. Denver Broncos (-3)
Broncos Country, the ride has been very up and down. Russell Wilson is slowly starting to look like the Russell Wilson of the past, but The Broncos just lost Javonte Williams to a season ending injury (as well as losing Randy Gregory for at least 4 games). Last week the defense looked incredible, but this week it was carved up. A quick turnaround TNF matchup against Indy presents a chance for Denver to build some momentum and get the ride back on track.
20. New York Jets (+10)
The Milfinator Zach Wilson has returned and put the team on his back. Despite a few turnovers (presumably due to rust), the BYU product was able to lead The Jets to a 24-20 win, including a 14 point comeback. It’s still early, but it’s starting to look like The Jets could give teams fits this season.
21. Atlanta Falcons (+6)
Speaking of teams that’ll give other teams fits this season, enter The Atlanta Falcons. Arthur Smith has the team looking competent week in and week out, something some of the previous Falcon teams cannot claim. I’m excited to see when they’ll decide to go with rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder, as Marcus Mariota has been holding the team back.
22. Las Vegas Raiders (+6)
It only took 4 weeks, but The Raiders finally got their first win. They were in each of the last 3 games, down to the last couple of minutes, and have looked solid (despite the losses) all season. Vegas has The Chiefs next on MNF, looking to see if they can get another one in the win column.
23. Seattle Seahawks (+8)
This is a weird team. Right when they looked like they were dead in the water, Geno Smith turned into 2018 Russell Wilson. The Seahawks dropped 48 points on Detroit’s head for the highest scoring outage of the 2022 season so far. Is this sustainable? Who knows. But in order to prove so, Seattle will have to keep stacking wins, but they have impressed so far.
24. New Orleans Saints (-2)
Down their starting quarterback, running back, wide receiver, offensive tackle and safety, New Orleans still almost got to overtime against Minnesota. They played incredibly well in the second half but it was not enough. Coach Dennis Allen has an interesting decision moving forward with the quarterback position after the way Andy Dalton played in London.
25. Chicago Bears (-8)
This team is hard to watch. Suffering a 20-12 loss to The Giants, The Bears put up four field goals. There are not many positives to take away from this game. Justin Fields needs to put this team on his back if he wants to remain the quarterback in Chicago for the long term, it hasn’t been working.
26. Detroit Lions (-6)
The best offense in the NFL by yards per game and points per game is The Detroit Lions. The worst defense in the NFL by yards per game and points per game is The Detroit Lions. Detroit has no issues scoring points, but the defense is hemorrhaging points. If they want to make an impact this season they’ll have to start holding teams below 30 on a consistent basis.
27. Indianapolis Colts (-8)
Last week’s win against The Chiefs appears to be an aberration. There isn’t anything to be proud of with this team. Matt Ryan continues to turn the ball over, and Jonathan Taylor can’t get anything going on the ground. The aforementioned Taylor also suffered an ankle injury against The Titans.
28. New England Patriots (-4)
Backup quarterback Brian Hoyer suffered a concussion early in the game meaning 4th round rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe had to lead the team. He had an admirable performance and took Aaron Rodgers to overtime but ultimately lost. Until Mac Jones returns from injury its hard to see this team doing very well.
29. Pittsburgh Steelers (-4)
It’s Kenny Pickett time. Pickett relieved Mitchell Trubisky at halftime of their week 4 loss to The Jets and scored a pair of rushing touchdowns. Unfortunately the rook had some turnovers which allowed The Jets to fly in and get the comeback win. With Buffalo, Tampa, Miami and Philly next on the schedule, Coach Mike Tomlin is throwing the only 1st round quarterback of the 2022 draft into the deep end.
30. Carolina Panthers (-1)
The Baker Mayfield revenge tour hasn’t been going the way he imagined. He is missing open receivers and having his passes batted down on the regular. Matt Rhule is in over his head with this job, and sadly it wouldn’t be shocking if he is the first head coach to be fired this season.
31. Washington Commanders (-5)
Carson Wentz has looked worse and worse each week this season. In his defense, his offensive line has not been doing him many favors. Ron Rivera has a lot of work to do to get this team turned around.
32. Houston Texans (-)
The Texans are the last remaining winless team in the NFL. While they presumably will get at least 1 win, there isn’t much hope for the 2022 season. It’s not all bad though. Dameon Pierce has proven to be a valuable player, and proven to be a building block for this team moving forward. That should be the team’s goal for the season, to establish who is in the plans for the future, and who is not.
You must be logged in to post a comment.