Blaze Review

A new #1 has emerged.

1.) Detroit Lions (9-1)

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It felt like only a matter of time before The Detroit Lions were sitting atop of the power rankings. They have been playing the best overall football over the past two months now, The Chiefs were narrowly edging them out due to the perfect winning percentage. Scoring 50 points in a game isn’t sustainable, though. They’ll need to make sure they’re not peaking too early.

2.) Buffalo Bills (9-2)

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The Buffalo Bills were facing a 4th and 2 from the 26 yard line on Sunday, with an opportunity to go up 5 points with a field goal. The Bills went for the kill shot by going for the 4th down, scoring a touchdown to take a 9 point lead instead, ending the Kansas City Chiefs undefeated run. Buffalo feels like the most complete team in the AFC right now. They’ll be hoping for another KC loss that way they can truly compete for the 1 seed. They’ve proven in years past they can beat The Chiefs in the regular season, but in the playoffs Josh Allen is still winless against Pat Mahomes.

3.) Kansas City Chiefs (9-1)

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The two time defending champion Chiefs suffered their first loss of the 2024 season. I’d imagine both Chiefs players and fans alike would try to find solace in the loss, as the 1972 Miami Dolphins are the only NFL team to go undefeated through the championship. The Chiefs also don’t want to clinch the 1 seed too early, and end up losing momentum, or anything like that. They proved last season a switch can be flipped, but they can’t play with fire.

4.) Pittsburgh Steelers (8-2)

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The Pittsburgh Steelers beat their divisional rivals to take a commanding lead in the AFC North. Russell Wilson remains undefeated as the starter for The Steelers (despite throwing one of the worst interceptions of the year). They did it without scoring a touchdown for the 2nd time this season (6 field goals). They’re winning games their style, which is important. This feels like the year Pittsburgh can make a deep playoff run.

5.) Philadelphia Eagles (8-2)

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Saquon Barkley has got to be the free agent addition of the season for my money. He has had a Christian McCaffery like impact on this Eagles team. The Eagles feel primed for a matchup with The Lions in the NFC Championship game. As long as their three headed monster of Barkley, Hurts, and Brown can stay productive I like their chances.

6.) Minnesota Vikings (8-2)

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While it wasn’t always the prettiest, The Vikings offense got back on track Sunday with a win over The Titans. During their 3 game win streak, The Vikings defense has only surrendered an average of 11 points a game. Pat Jones, Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard all have over 7 sacks on the season. If they can play clean football on offense, Brian Flores defensive unit can take this team on a run.

7.) Baltimore Ravens (7-4)

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Lamar Jackson falls to a 2-5 record against The Steelers. The Ravens divisional rival always seems to have the answers for their MVP winner. Baltimore still look poised to make a playoff run, but from time to time they abandon what makes them so good and it’s what always seems to cause them to lose.

8.) Green Bay Packers (7-3)

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Sometimes, you just get lucky. The Green Bay Packers got pretty lucky against The Chicago Bears this past weekend. The Bears were poised to win the game with a 46 yard field goal attempt, but Green Bay blocked the kick to hold on. While there is certainly a level of skill in blocking a kick, the luck comes from Bears head coach Matt Eberflus’ settling for the 46 yarder (Bears kicker Cairo Santos has never missed from 40 and closer with Chicago).

9.) Los Angeles Chargers (7-3)

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The Los Angeles Chargers almost suffered a catastrophic collapse on Sunday Night Football this past weekend, nearly, blowing a 21 point lead to Cincinnati in their own house. Thankfully for them, Evan McPherson exists. Oh, and JK Dobbins too.

10.) Arizona Cardinals (6-4)

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While they were on their BYE Week enjoying some much deserved rest, The Cardinals retained 1st place in the Wild West. Seattle knocking off The 49ers was big for Arizona. Now they have a chance to extend that lead with a game of their own against Seattle.

11.) Washington Commanders (7-4)

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The Commanders allowed Saquon Barkley to score 2 touchdowns in 20 seconds on Thursday. While they fought till the 4th quarter, The Eagles were too much for Washington. Jayden Daniels is the quarterback of the future for Washington, experience in vital divisional matchups will only help this young Commanders team grow.

12.) Houston Texans (7-4)

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Houston got back on track this week with an emphatic win against cross state enemy The Dallas Cowboys. Houston ran all over Dallas, with Joe Mixon having a hat trick of touchdowns. An important bounce back win, Houston needs to put a few more together if they want to build off last seasons playoff run.

13.) Denver Broncos (6-5)

David Zalubowski / AP Photo

Has Bo Nix taken the lead for offensive player of the year? Whether you think it’s Nix or Daniels, there’s no denying Nix has changed The Broncos. The days of “Broncos Country, Lets Ride!” feel like a distant memory now that Nix is in town. A dominant 38-6 has Denver in the driver seat for a wildcard berth.

14.) Los Angeles Rams (5-5)

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Its never easy for a west coast team to pack it up and play on the east coast at 1pm EST. But that’s exactly what The LA Rams did on Sunday. It was also Matthew Stafford’s first 4 touchdown 0 interception game since 2021 too. The Rams are rounding into form, and are only a game out of the division.

15.) Seattle Seahawks (5-5)

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Another team that’s rounding into form at the right time is The Seattle Seahawks. Picking up a much needed win over San Francisco, Seattle are joint 2nd place in the division. With the leading Cardinals coming to town, Seattle can jump to 1st with a win.

16.) Atlanta Falcons (6-5)

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The Atlanta Falcons embarrassingly lost 38-6 against in Denver over the weekend. It’s 2 in a row for Atlanta. Feels like just yesterday they had a prime opportunity to clinch the south by the 1st week in December. They’ll have work to do if they still want to go to the playoffs, this feels very much apart of the Kirk Cousins experience, though.

17.) San Fransisco 49ers (5-5)

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After this past weekend, I think its finally time to hop off the 49ers hype train. I thought with McCaffery returning, it would unlock a new level of the offense but I stand corrected. Kittle is hurt, and now Bosa is too. Time is running out for the 49ers.

18.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6)

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Getting healthy on the BYE week and divisional rivals above them losing is about as good as the BYE could’ve went for the Buccaneers. An easier portion of the schedule is coming up, a perfect shot to get back into the race.

19.) Indianapolis Colts (5-6)

Seth Wening / AP Photo

After the Fiasco of Anthony Richardson’s benching was handled, The Colts were able to turn the page with a win over The New York Jets. Not only did The Colts win though, AR had one of the best games of his young career. It goes to show these kids need some time to develop. Colts are still alive in the playoff hunt, and will need Richardson to play well for the remainder of the season.

20.) Miami Dolphins (4-6)

David Santiago / Miami Herald

Just two weeks ago it seems like The Miami Dolphins were dead. But a 2 game win streak has them right in the thick of the playoff race. They’ll need to remain near perfect if they want to get in.

21.) Chicago Bears (4-6)

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It looked like Chicago was going to get back on track after firing offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. But instead, more coaching malpractice happened. Matt Eberflus’ reluctance to try to gain a few more yards before attempting the potential game winning field goal. Prior to the disappointment though, there were signs of encouragement from Caleb Williams and the offense. He was more decisive with his decision making, and it led to better execution.

22.) Cincinnati Bengals (4-7)

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In order to make the playoffs this year, The Bengals will need a lot of luck, and to win their remaining schedule. All this, in spite of Joe Burrow and Jamarr Chase having career seasons. The Bengals have issues, and one of the main ones is kicker Evan McPherson. He missed two field goals that would’ve secured a lead for Cincy.

23.) New Orleans Saints (4-7)

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Interim head coach Darren Rizzi is 2-0 since taking over. I don’t know how long this will last, but after losing 7 straight, it’s a much needed change of pace in New Orleans.

24.) New England Patriots (3-8)

Barry Chin / Boston Globe

Ever since Drake Maye became the starter, The Patriots have been more competitive and exciting. He adds a dynamic element that Jacoby Brissett simply didn’t have. Maye’s presence alone has improved the team.

25.) Carolina Panthers (3-7)

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Carolina enjoyed a BYE week in week 11, They’ll host The Chiefs on Sunday.

26.) Dallas Cowboys (3-7)

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Losing the battle of Texas in the manner they did (34-10) will not sit well with Jerry Jones. The Cowboys are experiencing a miserable season. They had aspirations to make the playoffs, after going “all in”. They can only do so much without Dak Prescott.

27.) New York Jets (3-8)

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If you didn’t think the Aaron Rodgers experiment was a complete and utter failure, Tuesday’s dismissal of general manager Joe Douglas would’ve probably done the convincing. The Jets are cooked, seasons over. It’s time for them to clean house and restart fresh (again).

28.) Tennessee Titans (2-8)

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Outside of a 98 yard passing touchdown from The Titans, they were pretty bad on Sunday. They held Minnesota to only 23 points, but could never really put much together outside of the one big play.

29.) Las Vegas Raiders (2-8)

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The Raiders hung in there for a while, but eventually ran out of gas. Blown coverage on a 57 yard passing touchdown for the Dolphins put the game out of reach. Despite having 8 losses on the season, The Raiders aren’t an easy out. They’ll still be a tough matchup for anyone the rest of the season.

30.) Cleveland Browns (2-8)

Matt Starkey / Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns allowed Taysom Hill to run for 138 yards for 3 touchdowns on 7 carries over the weekend, losing 35-14 to a team that was on a 7 game losing streak just 2 weeks ago. The Browns have the opportunity to play spoiler to a few teams down the stretch. But they don’t really seem to be playing for much more.

31.) New York Giants (2-8)

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If not for a crushing loss like the one The Jags endured, Big Blue would still be 32. The Daniel Jones era is officially over, having announced Tommy Cutlets (Devito) as the starting quarterback for the remainder of the season.

32.) Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9)

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The Jags lost 52-6 against The Lions, the worst loss in franchise history. Also the largest loss in Doug Pederson’s coaching career. Pederson is a dead man walking at this point. There have been rumblings about Bill Belichick coming in next season. Hard to believe that, but this team is done. They can only really hope for the #1 draft pick come the 2025 NFL Draft.