32. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are the only undefeated team left in the NFL and there is little doubt that they have the best playing defense in the NFL. The Chiefs have 35 sacks already through seven games, which are 10 more than any other team has. Alex Smith is playing well and isn’t losing games, while Jamaal Charles and the defense are making plays to win the games.
31. Seattle Seahawks
Seattle is the most well rounded team in the NFC and they will get even better when Russell Okung comes back from injury later in the season. On top of that the Seahawks expect Percy Harvin to return in the next few weeks. If the Seahawks sure up their offensive line and add a weapon such as Harvin to this offense, look out.
30. Clevalnd Browns (via Indianapolis Colts)
I didn’t buy into the Colts before the season, but I am now. Their defense has been playing well and the offense is one of the best, despite all the injuries they have had. The season ending knee injury to Reggie Wayne hurts more than any other because he was the veteran leader of that offense.
29. New Orleans Saints
The Saints defense has been playing at an extremely high level this year and their offense has been good as always. If Jimmy Graham is out for any significant time it will hurt though. He has been almost an unstoppable weapon this season.
28. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals have always had problems defeating opponents that were playoff contenders. This year so far they have defeated the Patriots, Packers and Lions. Andy Dalton has been playing very well this season outside of the Cleveland game and the Bengals defense is again an elite unit.
27. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have been on a roll the last few weeks. Colin Kaepernick still isn’t consistent, but Frank Gore is playing as well as he has ever played. The 49ers defense is also one of the top units in the NFL as well.
26. Denver Broncos
The Broncos were once seen as the best team in the NFL and some still see them as that, however I don’t. Their defense isn’t any good and as the Colts showed us this past week, their offense can be slowed down.
25. Green Bay Packers
The Packers are another team that has been decimated by injuries. Randall Cobb was lost to a broken leg and James Jones is still missing time with a knee injury. Jermichael Finley is out for the season with a bruised spinal cord.
24. New England Patriots
The Patriots lack weapons for Tom Brady even with Rob Gronkowski being back. Their defense has also lost two of its best players in Vince Wilfork and Jerod Mayo for the season. If Brady can’t get more consistent play out of his receivers, the offense will continue to suffer.
23. Detroit Lions
The Lions are a team that is playing much like they did two years ago when they were a playoff team. Reggie Bush was a fantastic addition and Calvin Johnson is again showing why he is the best receiver in the NFL. If their defensive line can get pressure on the opposing quarterback, they are a hard team to beat.
22. San Diego Chargers
The Chargers are a team no one thought would be in the playoff talk this season, yet seven weeks in and here they are. Philip Rivers is playing as well as we have seen him play the past few seasons and Eddie Royal is catching nothing but touchdowns.
21. Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are as confusing a team as there is in the NFL. You see all this talent on the team, but they never seem to be better than an average team. Tony Romo has to get it done in the clutch or he will always be remembered as someone who couldn’t get it done.
20. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers have one of the better young defenses in the NFL this season, the only thing missing from it is a secondary. Cam Newton is one of the best playmakers in the NFL at the quarterback position. If they can get consistent play out of Brandon LaFell at the No. 2 receiver position, this team could sneak into the playoffs.
19. Tennessee Titans
Before Jake Locker got hurt the Titans were looking like a playoff team. However, the Titans may have fallen too far behind now to make that push. However, the Titans have an extremely talented team and I could see them still beating out the Chargers for the final playoff spot.
18. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are a team that should have more than three wins. Ryan Tannehill has shown the ability to be a franchise quarterback if he can get some blocking. Their defense is already very good, but what they could really use is their run game to step up.
17. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens offense just isn’t playing as well as it needs too. The defense has played very well, but paying Joe Flacco as much as they did and having to let key players leave, as well as injuries to Dennis Pitta has caused the offense to suffer.
16. New York Jets
The Jets aren’t consistent enough to be a playoff team this year, but they have the pieces in place to make a playoff push very soon. Geno Smith shows signs that he can be a franchise quarterback and their defense is legitimate.
15. Chicago Bears
The Bears were a playoff team in my mind before this past week. Jay Cutler went down to a torn groin and will miss at least four weeks. Lance Briggs also looks to be out 4-6 weeks with a shoulder injury. The Bears are too injured to make a playoff push in a strong NFC.
14. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles look to be going back to Michael Vick this week after Nick Foles failed to take the reins. The Eagles have one of the best running backs in the league in LeSean McCoy, but their defense will keep them from competing with the Cowboys for a playoff spot.
13. Cleveland Browns
Cleveland has an elite defense, but their offense has been horrible. They decided to go with Jason Campbell over Brandon Weeden this week after he has been horrible in two straight games. They have some elite weapons in Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron, they just need someone that can get them the ball.
12. Buffalo Bills
The Bills have the makings to be a good team. Their defense has been good so far and their running game is balanced. They need to improve the offensive line and protect E.J. Manuel better and give him the time to use his weapons in the passing game.
11. Arizona Cardinals
People thought the Cardinals offensive line couldn’t be any worse than they were last year, well they were wrong. The offensive line is getting Carson Palmer killed and when he is pressured he makes bad decisions. Andre Ellington is looking like a legitimate running back, but they have to improve their line.
10. St. Louis Rams
The Rams lost Sam Bradford for the season to a knee injury and signed Brady Quinn this week. The Rams were already looking like a mediocre team and now with their starting quarterback out for the season, that aren’t even that.
9. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons have been decimated by injuries and it has taken a toll on their entire team. The offense has lost the majority of its playmakers and the defense, which wasn’t very good to begin with, is even worse now.
8. Houston Texans
The Houston Texans have to be the most disappointing team in the NFL thus far. Case Keenum showed everyone some grit this past week when he went in and almost led the Texans to victory over the Chiefs. However, the bad news is that they lost Brian Cushing for the season to a knee injury.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers seem to be finally getting some things together after defeating the Ravens this past week. The defense is still playing extremely well, though they aren’t making the splash plays like they used too. The offensive line played better against Baltimore, but the running game still needs to improve.
6. St. Louis Rams (via Washington Redskins)
The Redskins are a mess on defense and special teams. They gave up 41 points to the Chicago Bears last week and Chicago scored 31 of those points after Jay Cutler was hurt. The Redskins offense seems to be coming around, but with that defense they won’t be able to win many games. This is great news for the Rams who own the Redskins pick.
5. Oakland Raiders
The Raiders seem to have found their quarterback of the future in Terrelle Pryor, but they need a lot of help on the defensive side of the ball. The Raiders could make their way closer to the 10th pick if Pryor can make some plays.
4. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are a bad team, but they are looking worse than they have too by only running Adrian Peterson 23 times in the past two weeks. I’ll have to give Josh Freeman more time before I can accurately judge him.
3. New York Giants
The Giants got their first win of the season this past Monday night against the Minnesota Vikings. That being said, the Giants still can’t run the ball or play very good defense. It would almost be unfair if they get to line JaDeveon Clowney up at one defensive end and Jason Pierre-Paul up at the other.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are in the Battle for Bridgewater with the Jaguars. It now has to be when Schiano is fired and not if he is fired. Mike Glennon has looked ok and there is a chance they could draft a non-quarterback, but it doesn’t’ seem likely.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
Once again at the top of my list are the Jaguars. I doubt they leave this spot all season, but it is possible that they get a win before the Buccaneers do.