Found Gold

In our weekly NFL team rankings, we’ll grade them by:

– Roster
– Current Injury Issues
– Coaching
– Performance
– Record

We don’t subscribe to the theory that a team with a lesser record can’t be ranked higher than a team with a better record. It’s about how they look as of now based on the criteria listed above.

Christian McCaffrey threw a TD, rushed for a TD and caught a TD in the surging 49ers’ win over the Rams.

1) Buffalo Bills (6-1, previous ranking: #2): They are the NFL’s most complete team (offense, defense, special teams), which is why we have them at #1.

2) Philadelphia Eagles (7-0, previous ranking: #1): They continue to get the job done each week and have benefitted from a great schedule. Even so, they’re clearly the NFC’s best team.

3) Kansas City Chiefs (4-2, previous ranking: #3): It will be interesting to see how they use new WR Kadarius Toney in their offense going forward and on special teams— assuming he’s healthy enough to play.

4) Dallas Cowboys (6-2, previous ranking: #4): They are one of the NFL’s most complete teams and just like the Eagles, have a very favorable schedule.

5) Minnesota Vikings (6-1, previous ranking: #5): That’s five straight wins and they have not scored less than 24 points in each of those games.

6) Baltimore Ravens (5-3, previous ranking: #8): They continue to play at a high level despite some key injuries on both sides of the ball. They clearly are the current favorite to win the AFC North.

7) Tennessee Titans (5-2, previous ranking: #10): That’s five straight wins for a team that doesn’t turn it over and plays very good defense. Oh, did I mention how good their running game is?

8) Seattle Seahawks (5-3, previous ranking: #13): Without a doubt, this has to be the NFC’s biggest surprise. Their over/under win total coming into the season was just 5.5. Their draft this year is already proving to be great, and how about the play from veteran QB Geno Smith! He’s the NFL’s most improved offensive player.

9) San Francisco 49ers (4-4, previous ranking: #16): Look for them to wind up winning the NFC West and they should get back some key players after their Week 9 bye.

10) Los Angeles Chargers (4-3, previous ranking: #9): It seemed that they were turning their season around after their three-game winning streak, but a tough loss at home before their bye to the Seahawks leaves some questions.

11) Miami Dolphins (5-3, previous ranking: #12): The offensive line injuries are concerning, but they still should wind up gaining a Wild Card berth in the AFC.

12) New York Giants (6-2, previous ranking: #6): They’re another surprising team, but they’re in dire need of help at the WR position if they want to make a run in the playoffs.

13) New England Patriots (4-4, previous ranking: #14): A nice road win over the division rival Jets, but the Patriots have been wildly inconsistent so far this season.

14) New York Jets (5-3. Previous ranking: #7): Until 2nd-year QB Zach Wilson plays at an acceptable level, the Jets won’t be a serious playoff contender.

15) Cincinnati Bengals (4-4, previous ranking: #11): The injuries are starting to pile up and they’re starting to get an idea that life without star WR Ja’Marr Chase isn’t grand.

16) Atlanta Falcons (4-4, previous ranking: #21): I gave head coach Arthur Smith a lot of credit for getting this team to overachieve, but they have to find some semblance of a passing game going forward. This isn’t 1987.

17) Washington Commanders (4-4, previous ranking: #24): That’s three straight wins and what a great win over the host Colts last week. And they’re doing it with some key players out of the lineup on offense.

18) Cleveland Browns (3-5, previous ranking: #25): A great win over the division-rival Bengals and the hope here is that they get healthier coming out of this week’s bye.

19) New Orleans Saints (3-5, previous ranking: #29): This team has been confounding so far this season, but that was a great win over the visiting Raiders last week. However, they need to get healthier at WR and at CB if they want to get into the playoff picture.

20) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5, previous ranking: #15): This is yet another team that is underachieving. Yet, the Buccaneers are still very in the picture to win the NFC South.

21) Green Bay Packers (3-5, previous ranking: #11): Even their defense isn’t what many were expecting this season, but their passing game continues to be a major problem.

22) Denver Broncos (3-5, previous ranking: #30): Well, their defense continues to carry them and at least the offense finally got something done last week.

23) Los Angeles Rams (3-4, previous ranking: #18): The issues on their offensive line and wide receiver continue to show up each week. And defensively, they don’t have the pass rush from last season.

24) Arizona Cardinals (3-5, previous ranking: #19): They do just enough each week to be competitive, but can’t seem to close games.

25) Indianapolis Colts (3-4-1, previous ranking: #20): They’ll be looking for yet another starting quarterback next season.

26) Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6, previous ranking: #22): I get that this is a new coaching staff, but this team is underachieving when you consider how much it has on both sides of the ball.

27) Chicago Bears (3-5, previous ranking: #23): It’s very clear that they aren’t trying to be playoff team this season after trading away two defensive stars.

28) Carolina Panthers (2-6, previous ranking: #27): At least they’re playing for interim head coach Steve Wilks.

29) Pittsburgh Steelers (2-6, previous ranking: #28): It’s really hard to watch their offense each week and it’s abundantly clear the scheme isn’t working.

30) Las Vegas Raiders (2-5, previous ranking: #26): What a terrible loss last week. I wasn’t high on them at all coming into the season, but they’re even worse than I thought they’d be.

31) Detroit Lions (1-6, previous ranking: #31): Firing the defensive backs coach isn’t the answer.

32) Houston Texans (1-5-1, previous ranking: #32): They are clearly the NFL’s worst team and there isn’t a close second.

– Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) is co-host of the “Inside the Birds” podcast and staff writer for InsideTheBirds.com.

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