updated 12/2/21
1) Green Bay Packers – The returns of Jaire Alexander, Za’Darius Smith and David Bakhtiari make the NFL’s best team downright scary going into the playoffs.
2) Arizona Cardinals – The Cards have alternated wins and losses in their last four, but still maintain the NFL’s best record at 9-2.
3) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – The Bucs are in firm control of the NFC South, and now have their sights set on the NFC’s top seed.
4) New England Patriots – The Patriots have outscored their opponents 211-63 during their current 6-game winning streak.
5) Buffalo Bills – The loss of corner Tre’Davious White could loom large for the NFL’s second-ranked defense.
6) Kansas City Chiefs – After ranking dead last in defense earlier in the season, the Chiefs have climbed to 13th in the NFL.
7) Dallas Cowboys – The Cowboys are only 2-2 in their last four, but they face a favorable schedule to close out the season.
8) Baltimore Ravens – The Ravens still lead the AFC North, but Lamar Jackson and the offense need to find more consistency to stay there.
9) Los Angeles Rams – After starting out 7-1, the Rams have been outscored 95-54 in their last three games, all losses.
10) Tennessee Titans – Injuries have decimated the Titans’ offense, and their defense isn’t good enough to make up for the losses.
11) Cincinnati Bengals – After losses to the Jets and Browns, the Bengals outscored the Raiders and Steelers 73-23 in their last two games.
12) San Francisco 49ers – The 49ers are finally meeting expectations after a disappointing start to the season.
13) Indianapolis Colts – Another close loss has Carson Wentz and the Colts sitting at 6-6, but still within striking distance in the AFC South.
14) Los Angeles Chargers – The Chargers rank 29th in the NFL in scoring defense, and the offense has been feast or famine lately.
15) Denver Broncos – Aside from a 30-point game against the Eagles, the Broncos third-ranked defense has given up 17 points or less in four of its last five games.
16) Las Vegas Raiders – The Raiders have been one of the NFL’s most unpredictable teams this season, yet they remain in the race for the AFC West title.
17) Washington Football Team – After being left for dead, Washington suddenly holds the NFC’s last Wild Card spot after winning three straight.
18) Minnesota Vikings – The Vikings’ rollercoaster season continues after a loss to the 49ers, and now they have to go without Dalvin Cook.
19) Cleveland Browns – The Browns have scored 17 points or less in six of their last seven games.
20) Pittsburgh Steelers – This season will reportedly be Ben Roethlisberger’s last in Pittsburgh, and it may not include a postseason berth.
21) Philadelphia Eagles – The Eagles were averaging 34.5 points over their last four games before laying a 7-point egg against the Giants.
22) Miami Dolphins – The Dolphins have given up a combined 46 points in their last four games, all wins.
23) Carolina Panthers – Cam Newton and the Panthers had momentum after upsetting Arizona, but the last two weeks have brought them back to reality.
24) New York Giants – The Giants have risen to 15th in scoring defense, and now have Saquon Barkley and Kenny Golladay back on offense.
25) New Orleans Saints – Injuries and defensive struggles have derailed a once-promising season.
26) Atlanta Falcons – The Falcons are 5-6 despite ranking 27th in scoring offense and 31st in scoring defense.
27) Seattle Seahawks – The Seahawks offense is averaging 9.3 points and 247 yards per game since Russell Wilson’s return.
28) Chicago Bears – The Bears’ anemic offense ranks 29th in scoring and 30th in yards.
29) New York Jets – The Jets defense has been better the last two weeks, but they still rank last in the league.
30) Jacksonville Jaguars – The last-place Jaguars rank 31st in scoring and 26th in scoring defense.
31) Houston Texans – The Texans rank in the bottom five in both scoring and scoring defense.
32) Detroit Lions – The Lions may not win a game this season, but at least they won’t go 0-17.