by Vegas Writer
Thursday, Dec 28, 2023Two weeks left in the season and we have 10 NFL teams entering this week better than they were the year before, already compiling more wins than they had in all of 2022.
In 18 of the last 20 seasons, at least one team has won its division the year after finishing last or tied for last.
Will Houston join that worst-to-first group this season?
Week 17 features eight matchups between teams in contention for Super Bowl LVIII, and five games between teams from the same division.
Let's get into this week's rankings:
THE UPPER TIER:
1. Baltimore (12-3) - Back-to-back statement wins by the Ravens, both on the road in Jacksonville and San Francisco, the latter being the most impressive. And suddenly, the Ravens are the team to beat. (Last week 3)
2. San Francisco (11-4) - The 49ers' six-game win streak was snapped by possibly the lone legitimate contender in seven games. Wait, are the 49ers imposters considering their opponents? (Last week 1)
3. Miami (11-4) - Move over Tua and Tyreek. Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert now has 21 scrimmage TDs this season, the second-most TDs by an undrafted player in a season since 1967. (Last week 6)
4. Dallas (10-5) - There go the Cowboys, doing Cowboysie things again. Two straight losses, albeit on the road to two very good AFC teams that could end up in Las Vegas in February. Nevertheless, beat someone worthwhile, would ya Pokes. (Last week 2)
5. Philadelphia (11-4) - Yes, the Eagles finally secured a win and snapped their three-game losing skid. Yep, it was only against the Giants and they could have lost that game. I no longer know if they even get to the conference championship. (Last week 4)
6. Detroit (11-4) - WR Amon-Ra St. Brown is heating up, as he had 12 receptions for 106 yards and one touchdown last week, and now has 302 receptions to become the fourth player in NFL history with at least 300 catches in his first three seasons. (Last week 7)
7. Kansas City (9-6) - I can't tell you how interested I am to see the Chiefs lose the rest of the way and open the door for the Raiders to close the season strong and win the AFC West. Wait, never mind, they end the season on the road versus the Chargers. (Last week 5)
8. Buffalo (9-6) - Josh Allen is reminding us just how dangerous he can be, as he totaled three touchdowns last week, including two on the ground. He now has 51 rushing TDs, joining Cam Newton as one of two QBs in NFL history with 50 or more. (Last week 9)
9. Cleveland (10-5) - Just let anyone throw the ball at this point. I mean, we did just see WR Amari Cooper register a single-game franchise-record 265 yards and on 11 receptions, include two touchdowns, in the Browns' 36-22 win over Houston. (Last week 10)
10. Cincinnati (8-7) - The Bengals travel to face the Chiefs, and this might be a great spot to bounce back from last week's loss in Pittsburgh. I mean, the Raiders did leave a blueprint on how it's done. (Last week 12)
11. Denver (7-8) - And just like that, the injury clause in Russell Wilson's is under protection. Jarrett Stidham will now step in as quarterback to protect Denver's bankroll, the same way he did the final two games in Las Vegas last season. (Last week 8)
12. Green Bay (7-8) - Alright Packers fans, riddle me this: has Jordan Love done enough for this organization and proved he is the franchise quarterback of the future? (Last week 14)
13. Jacksonville (8-7) - Good news, they host the lowly Panthers this week. Bad news, they close the season with upset-minded Tennessee and could still miss the postseason. This is the team that will make the last two weeks in the AFC South fun. (Last week 11)
14. Houston (8-7) - I'm holding out hope the Texans get C.J. Stroud back and close the season 2-0 and sneak into the playoffs. This is the team that will make the last two weeks in the AFC South fun. No wait, that sounds like déjà vu. (Last week 13)
15. Indianapolis (8-7) - This is the team that will make the last two weeks in the AFC South fun. Wait a minute, I believe I just read that somewhere, twice. So, déjà vu vu? (Last week 15)
16. Seattle (8-7) - The Seahawks are learning how to win. They're the third team since 1970 with four game-winning touchdowns in the final two minutes of regulation or in overtime in a season. (Last week 19)
THE LOWER TIER:
17. Minnesota (7-8) - I'm beginning to wonder if WR Justin Jefferson deserves better. (Last week 16)
18. Pittsburgh (8-7) - Who will it be: Mason Rudolph or Kenny Pickett? (Last week 17)
19. L.A. Rams (7-8) - If the Rams sneak into the postseason, Matthew Stafford better buy Puka Nacua a new watch, cause this dude is right on time. (Last week 24)
20. Tampa Bay (8-7) - Mike Evans might be the MVP of this team. He has 13 TD receptions and is the fifth player in NFL history to record at least 12 TD catches in five or more seasons. (Last week 26)
21. Las Vegas (7-8) - When will Mark Davis remove the interim tag from Antonio Pierce's title? (Last week 28)
22. Atlanta (7-8) - The Falcons aren't dead yet. Plenty of work to do. (Last week 21)
23. N.Y. Jets (6-9) - It's understandable why head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas will be back next season, as they deserve a chance with a healthy Aaron Rodgers. (Last week 23)
24. Chicago (6-9) - I respect this team. How can you not after seeing a very respectable brand of football following a 0-4 start, having gone 6-5 since? (Last week 25)
25. New England (4-11) - I have to wonder why Bill Belichick isn't as interested in the Patriots' draft position as the team may be. Oh yeah, cause he's got one foot out the door. (Last week 30)
26. New Orleans (7-8) - Both Tampa Bay and Atlanta won last week, thus pushing the Saints into third place in the NFC South. This week versus the Bucs won't be pretty. (Last week 20)
27. Tennessee (5-10) - Who needs a quarterback when you have a RB like Derrick Henry, who just had his third-career game with both a TD pass and rushing TD. (Last week 27)
28. N.Y. Giants (5-10) - Fantasy people? RB Breece Hall became the second player in NFL history with at least 10 receptions, 95 rushing yards and 95 receiving yards and two rushing TDs in a game. (Last week 22)
29. L.A. Chargers (5-10) - I feel bad for interim coach Giff Smith. Just two more weeks. (Last week 18)
30. Washington (4-11) - A four-win team suddenly amid a quarterback controversy. (Last week 29)
31. Carolina (2-13) - The Panthers have been more competitive of late, so they're back to being second-worst in the league. (Last week 32)
32. Arizona (3-12) - Will Kyler Murray be on the roster next season? (Last week 31)
In 18 of the last 20 seasons, at least one team has won its division the year after finishing last or tied for last.
Will Houston join that worst-to-first group this season?
Week 17 features eight matchups between teams in contention for Super Bowl LVIII, and five games between teams from the same division.
Let's get into this week's rankings:
THE UPPER TIER:
1. Baltimore (12-3) - Back-to-back statement wins by the Ravens, both on the road in Jacksonville and San Francisco, the latter being the most impressive. And suddenly, the Ravens are the team to beat. (Last week 3)
2. San Francisco (11-4) - The 49ers' six-game win streak was snapped by possibly the lone legitimate contender in seven games. Wait, are the 49ers imposters considering their opponents? (Last week 1)
3. Miami (11-4) - Move over Tua and Tyreek. Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert now has 21 scrimmage TDs this season, the second-most TDs by an undrafted player in a season since 1967. (Last week 6)
4. Dallas (10-5) - There go the Cowboys, doing Cowboysie things again. Two straight losses, albeit on the road to two very good AFC teams that could end up in Las Vegas in February. Nevertheless, beat someone worthwhile, would ya Pokes. (Last week 2)
5. Philadelphia (11-4) - Yes, the Eagles finally secured a win and snapped their three-game losing skid. Yep, it was only against the Giants and they could have lost that game. I no longer know if they even get to the conference championship. (Last week 4)
6. Detroit (11-4) - WR Amon-Ra St. Brown is heating up, as he had 12 receptions for 106 yards and one touchdown last week, and now has 302 receptions to become the fourth player in NFL history with at least 300 catches in his first three seasons. (Last week 7)
7. Kansas City (9-6) - I can't tell you how interested I am to see the Chiefs lose the rest of the way and open the door for the Raiders to close the season strong and win the AFC West. Wait, never mind, they end the season on the road versus the Chargers. (Last week 5)
8. Buffalo (9-6) - Josh Allen is reminding us just how dangerous he can be, as he totaled three touchdowns last week, including two on the ground. He now has 51 rushing TDs, joining Cam Newton as one of two QBs in NFL history with 50 or more. (Last week 9)
9. Cleveland (10-5) - Just let anyone throw the ball at this point. I mean, we did just see WR Amari Cooper register a single-game franchise-record 265 yards and on 11 receptions, include two touchdowns, in the Browns' 36-22 win over Houston. (Last week 10)
10. Cincinnati (8-7) - The Bengals travel to face the Chiefs, and this might be a great spot to bounce back from last week's loss in Pittsburgh. I mean, the Raiders did leave a blueprint on how it's done. (Last week 12)
11. Denver (7-8) - And just like that, the injury clause in Russell Wilson's is under protection. Jarrett Stidham will now step in as quarterback to protect Denver's bankroll, the same way he did the final two games in Las Vegas last season. (Last week 8)
12. Green Bay (7-8) - Alright Packers fans, riddle me this: has Jordan Love done enough for this organization and proved he is the franchise quarterback of the future? (Last week 14)
13. Jacksonville (8-7) - Good news, they host the lowly Panthers this week. Bad news, they close the season with upset-minded Tennessee and could still miss the postseason. This is the team that will make the last two weeks in the AFC South fun. (Last week 11)
14. Houston (8-7) - I'm holding out hope the Texans get C.J. Stroud back and close the season 2-0 and sneak into the playoffs. This is the team that will make the last two weeks in the AFC South fun. No wait, that sounds like déjà vu. (Last week 13)
15. Indianapolis (8-7) - This is the team that will make the last two weeks in the AFC South fun. Wait a minute, I believe I just read that somewhere, twice. So, déjà vu vu? (Last week 15)
16. Seattle (8-7) - The Seahawks are learning how to win. They're the third team since 1970 with four game-winning touchdowns in the final two minutes of regulation or in overtime in a season. (Last week 19)
THE LOWER TIER:
17. Minnesota (7-8) - I'm beginning to wonder if WR Justin Jefferson deserves better. (Last week 16)
18. Pittsburgh (8-7) - Who will it be: Mason Rudolph or Kenny Pickett? (Last week 17)
19. L.A. Rams (7-8) - If the Rams sneak into the postseason, Matthew Stafford better buy Puka Nacua a new watch, cause this dude is right on time. (Last week 24)
20. Tampa Bay (8-7) - Mike Evans might be the MVP of this team. He has 13 TD receptions and is the fifth player in NFL history to record at least 12 TD catches in five or more seasons. (Last week 26)
21. Las Vegas (7-8) - When will Mark Davis remove the interim tag from Antonio Pierce's title? (Last week 28)
22. Atlanta (7-8) - The Falcons aren't dead yet. Plenty of work to do. (Last week 21)
23. N.Y. Jets (6-9) - It's understandable why head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas will be back next season, as they deserve a chance with a healthy Aaron Rodgers. (Last week 23)
24. Chicago (6-9) - I respect this team. How can you not after seeing a very respectable brand of football following a 0-4 start, having gone 6-5 since? (Last week 25)
25. New England (4-11) - I have to wonder why Bill Belichick isn't as interested in the Patriots' draft position as the team may be. Oh yeah, cause he's got one foot out the door. (Last week 30)
26. New Orleans (7-8) - Both Tampa Bay and Atlanta won last week, thus pushing the Saints into third place in the NFC South. This week versus the Bucs won't be pretty. (Last week 20)
27. Tennessee (5-10) - Who needs a quarterback when you have a RB like Derrick Henry, who just had his third-career game with both a TD pass and rushing TD. (Last week 27)
28. N.Y. Giants (5-10) - Fantasy people? RB Breece Hall became the second player in NFL history with at least 10 receptions, 95 rushing yards and 95 receiving yards and two rushing TDs in a game. (Last week 22)
29. L.A. Chargers (5-10) - I feel bad for interim coach Giff Smith. Just two more weeks. (Last week 18)
30. Washington (4-11) - A four-win team suddenly amid a quarterback controversy. (Last week 29)
31. Carolina (2-13) - The Panthers have been more competitive of late, so they're back to being second-worst in the league. (Last week 32)
32. Arizona (3-12) - Will Kyler Murray be on the roster next season? (Last week 31)
