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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:

With an overwhelming defense and top-scoring offense, the Eagles are the NFL’s top team.

1) Philadelphia Eagles (8-0, previous ranking: #2): They were pushed hard by an undermanned Texan team last week for 2 1/2 quarters, but the Eagles did what they’ve done all season— turn it on in the fourth quarter. The game against the Titans in Week 13 probably offers them their hardest test of the season.

2) Kansas City Chiefs (6-2, previous ranking: #3): They were pushed to the limit by the visiting Titans last week, but still came out on top. The game in Week 11 against the host Chargers looms large.

3) Buffalo Bills (6-2, previous ranking: #1): Blowing an 11-point lead is the least of their worries now that starting QB Josh Allen is dealing with a worrisome right elbow injury.

4) Dallas Cowboys (6-2, previous ranking: #4): They need to get more out of the wide receiver position if they want to make a playoff run. However, their defense continues to get it done most weeks.

5) Minnesota Vikings (7-1, previous ranking: #5): That’s now six straight wins by a total of just 33 points over their opponents. Winning close games is actually a sign of a good team, but the question is still there; are they as good as their record indicates?

6) Baltimore Ravens (6-3, previous ranking: #6): How could you not be impressed with that win over the host Saints?

7) Seattle Seahawks (6-3, previous ranking: #8): Besides the Jets, the Seahawks are one of the NFL’s most surprising teams and QB Geno Smith has to be in the running for MVP, plus obviously for Most Improved Player.

8) Miami Dolphins (6-3, previous ranking: #11): That’s three wins in a row after losing three games in a row. It’s hard to figure out just how good this team is because they’re uneven (great on offense, defense struggling of late), but they are fun to watch.

9) New York Jets (6-3, Previous ranking: #14): They had perhaps the NFL’s biggest upset last week over the visiting Bills and now the Jets have won five out of their last six games. And don’t forget their O/U win total for the season was just 5.5.

10) New England Patriots (5-4, previous ranking: #13): They beat a bad Colts team as they head into their bye week, but the Patriots have stacked up wins in four out of their last five games.

11) Los Angeles Chargers (5-3, previous ranking: #10): They are winning close games this year, which is an improvement from previous seasons.

12) San Francisco 49ers (4-4, previous ranking: #9): While their record may not show it, this team is one of the most talented in the NFC and they still have an excellent shot to earn no worse than a Wild Card spot.

13) Tennessee Titans (5-3, previous ranking: #7): Give them credit for almost pulling off a huge road win against the host Chiefs last week, but the Titans’ lack of a passing game continues to be an issue. And unfortunately, they just don’t have the talent at WR to improve the situation. That position must be addressed in a big way next year.

14) New York Giants (6-2, previous ranking: #12): As I thought would be the case, this team would overachieve this season due to really good coaching and good offensive and defensive schemes.

15) Cincinnati Bengals (5-4, previous ranking: #15): Their bye comes at a good time, as the Bengals are a bit banged up.

16) Atlanta Falcons (4-5, previous ranking: #16): Another tough close loss last week, but the Falcons are still in a tie for first place in the NFL’s worst division this season.

17) Washington Commanders (4-5, previous ranking: #17): They blew a 10-point lead to the visiting Vikings last week, but the Commanders are playing better football due to improvement on defense.

18) Cleveland Browns (3-5, previous ranking: #18): Can they keep the momentum going from their win before the bye?

19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5, previous ranking: #20): They beat a struggling Rams team last week and the Buccaneer offense still does not look like it will improve much going forward.

20) New Orleans Saints (3-5, previous ranking: #19): Their offensive line got moved around by a great Ravens front seven during Monday’s bad home loss. And the injuries continue to pile up on both sides of the ball.

21) Green Bay Packers (3-6, previous ranking: #21): That’s now a shocking five losses in a row, and now the injuries are piling up from both sides of the ball. Did anyone think they would be this bad?

22) Denver Broncos (3-5, previous ranking: #22): They come off their bye with a win, but this team has underachieved all season.

23) Los Angeles Rams (3-5, previous ranking: #23): That’s two straight losses and now losses in four out of their last five games. The defending Super Bowl Champions are a shell of last year’s team and there’s no help on the horizon.

24) Jacksonville Jaguars (3-6, previous ranking: #26): They were able to break their five-game losing streak last week against the lowly Raiders, but their luck likely will run out Sunday against the visiting Chiefs.

25) Arizona Cardinals (3-6, previous ranking: #24): That’s now two losses in a row and losses in four out of their last five games. Yet, they’re only one game out an NFC Wild Card spot.

26) Indianapolis Colts (3-5-1, previous ranking: #25): What an absolute disaster this team has become with no end in sight.

27) Chicago Bears (3-6, previous ranking: #27): A nice turnaround for 2^nd-year QB Justin Fields of late, but they still have to give him more of the passing game going forward.

28) Detroit Lions (2-6, previous ranking: #31): A nice win over a bad Packers team last week. The defensive changes (not blitzing as much) are starting to show a positive sign for improvement.

29) Carolina Panthers (2-7, previous ranking: #28): That was their first non-competitive game last week during their loss to the host Bengals.

30) Pittsburgh Steelers (2-6, previous ranking: #29): The lack of a running game is a big problem and won’t be able to get corrected until next season.

31) Las Vegas Raiders (2-6, previous ranking: #30): Another blown 17-point lead that led to a loss.

32) Houston Texans (1-6-1, previous ranking: #32): At least they played a competitive game last week.

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