{"id":8565,"date":"2024-12-31T12:52:54","date_gmt":"2024-12-31T12:52:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/breakingnews.azontree.com\/?p=8565"},"modified":"2024-12-31T12:52:54","modified_gmt":"2024-12-31T12:52:54","slug":"nfl-power-rankings-chiefs-fall-to-no-5-despite-win-over-steelers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/breakingnews.azontree.com\/?p=8565","title":{"rendered":"NFL Power Rankings: Chiefs Fall to No. 5 Despite Win Over Steelers"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-mm-id=\"_emigdwhsq\">Kansas City has earned a first-round playoff bye, but there are several other teams that have looked like more convincing contenders throughout the season.<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_emigdwhsq\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,w_5791,h_3257,x_314,y_460\/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/ImagnImages\/mmsport\/si\/01jgdnd0zv6c3pcg19fy.jpg\" alt=\"Chiefs coach Andy Reid is on the precipice of overseeing the first 16\u20131 regular season in NFL history.\" \/><\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_emigdwhsq\"><em>Chiefs coach Andy Reid is on the precipice of overseeing the first 16\u20131 regular season in NFL history. \/ Barry Reeger-Imagn Images<\/em><\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_emigdwhsq\">Let me be the first to wish you a happy 2025 and let me also be the first to suggest eschewing the typical New Year\u2019s resolutions in favor of something more simple: In every moment, let\u2019s just try a little harder to love and appreciate one another; to work just a little bit harder and to care a little bit less about what other people think. After years of trying to do the life equivalent of running a marathon with no training, I\u2019ve become a big fan of marginal gains.<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_nsqx47kof\">The Week 17 slate wasn\u2019t necessarily beautiful or even decisive in giving us much of a clearer look at the playoff picture. But it did give us A.J. Brown firing poor Tanner McKee\u2019s first career touchdown pass 30 rows into the Philadelphia sky (the guy gave it back for a signed jersey).<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_rhdzti088\">To me, that\u2019s good enough.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"_5eyox11y7\" class=\"tagStyle_1mz4afy-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_5eyox11y7\">1. Buffalo Bills (13\u20133)<\/h2>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_39m1awjwq\">Last week\u2019s ranking: No. 1<br \/>\nLast week\u2019s result: beat New York Jets, 40\u201314<br \/>\nThis week: at New England<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_cj45wgy0j\">Good Tuesday morning to the Buffalo Bills, who have an MVP favorite, the No. 2 seed on lockdown in the AFC and will either host a rookie quarterback or the Miami Dolphins (most likely) in the first round of the playoffs. Remember back in the preseason when I picked every team\u2019s record and nervously phoned my editor to ask if it would be too controversial to have this team winning the division over the Jets?<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"_vx56gysnv\" data-mm-id=\"_vx56gysnv\">2. Detroit Lions (14\u20132)<\/h2>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_b1nlnmg9z\">Last week\u2019s ranking: No. 2<br \/>\nLast week\u2019s result: beat San Francisco, 40\u201334<br \/>\nThis week: vs. Minnesota<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_5t00ltdjx\">#GRIT<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"zxx\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/28SNisb5zK\">pic.twitter.com\/28SNisb5zK<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NFLonFOX\/status\/1873936574247035050?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 31, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_eokddr5e1\">*Also, how do you not love Aaron Glenn and Dan Campbell throwing safety blitzes at the 49ers when up 12 with fewer than two minutes to play?<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"_olq0nlwuz\" class=\"tagStyle_1mz4afy-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_olq0nlwuz\">3. Philadelphia Eagles (13\u20133)<\/h2>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_qegr7r0cx\">Last week\u2019s ranking: No. 5<br \/>\nLast week\u2019s result: beat Dallas, 41\u20137<br \/>\nThis week: vs. New York Giants<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_jwtsbl4n8\">Full column on the upcoming Saquon Barkley decision here. The TL;DR version? I can almost stomach putting Barkley out there on his own but when the record necessitates an all-in performance from a banged-up offensive line and a handful of wide receivers who have spent the season blocking for this guy downfield, is it really worth it?<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"_u317vnkpt\" data-mm-id=\"_u317vnkpt\">4. Minnesota Vikings (14\u20132)<\/h2>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_nv63glke3\">Last week\u2019s ranking: No. 4<br \/>\nLast week\u2019s result: beat Green Bay, 27\u201325<br \/>\nThis week: at Detroit<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_1jg6qtkef\">A switch to a man-heavy defense against the Packers threw a massive wrench into Green Bay\u2019s plans offensively. It led to an enjoyable game I like to call: Pause Game Pass during Vikings games just before the QB is about to throw and see if there\u2019s anyone open. Outside of a well-timed screen call from Matt LaFleur, the answer for the better part of a decisive first half was no. The Vikings just play so soundly, and even when playing crossers where defenders have to switch, there\u2019s no hiccups.<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_8p9geih7x\">Last week\u2019s ranking: No. 3<br \/>\nLast week\u2019s result: beat Pittsburgh, 29\u201310<br \/>\nThis week: at Denver<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_kpo2xywg4\">A few weeks back I mentioned that Carson Wentz didn\u2019t look bad in his limited action. If Kansas City does, indeed, decide to rest starters this weekend, it\u2019s a really interesting test to see what the Chiefs look like under similar circumstances faced by teams that have passed them by in the power rankings, like Minnesota and Philadelphia. Can Wentz hang around against a good Broncos defense? We\u2019re constantly moving the goalposts on Kansas City in this forum, but that would shock me out of my unfair bias.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"_0ncq9peqh\" data-mm-id=\"_0ncq9peqh\">6. Baltimore Ravens (11\u20135)<\/h2>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_uxmxw7k3j\">Last week\u2019s ranking: No. 7<br \/>\nLast week\u2019s result: beat Houston, 31\u20132<br \/>\nThis week: vs. Cleveland<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_h5qzwtpr1\">Just look at this thread below and ask yourself: how are we going to coach our defensive line against the Ravens in the postseason? If we\u2019re hyper aggressive, we\u2019ll get trapped at every turn. If we sit back, Derrick Henry is going to run all over us anyway. Todd Monken can be so demoralizing to play against with this personnel.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Todd Monken blessed us with a Christmas Trap-A-Thon!<\/p>\n<p>\ud83e\uddf5 Here are a few of my favorite Run Game Designs: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/4oUZ9AbcJZ\">pic.twitter.com\/4oUZ9AbcJZ<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Coach Dan Casey (@CoachDanCasey) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CoachDanCasey\/status\/1872366710537548112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 26, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"_ur9janplv\" class=\"tagStyle_1mz4afy-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_ur9janplv\">7. Green Bay Packers (11\u20135)<\/h2>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_5a58pqyes\">Last week\u2019s ranking: No. 6<br \/>\nLast week\u2019s result: lost to Minnesota, 27\u201325<br \/>\nThis week: vs. Chicago<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_0a09s34ad\">I sympathize with Matt LaFleur on the offsides call, which, I cannot say with any degree of certainty was correct or incorrect (the All-22 sideline view in this case is angled just enough to throw off the integrity of the view). But I am also so happy that he gifted us with an incredibly demonstrative timeout right afterward, making for a rare double-ice of a kicker. The world needs more people who hate to lose.<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_0a09s34ad\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,w_3221,h_1811,x_161,y_221\/c_fill,w_620,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/ImagnImages\/mmsport\/si\/01jgdnj8g8dbfk0hthqc.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<div data-mm-id=\"_zgg66vn8i\">\n<p>Steelers QB Russell Wilson has thrown for just 550 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions in Pittsburgh\u2019s last three games, all losses. \/ Barry Reeger-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"_fcl990lex\" data-mm-id=\"_fcl990lex\">8. Pittsburgh Steelers (10\u20136)<\/h2>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_uq7n1gwkh\">Last week\u2019s ranking: No. 8<br \/>\nLast week\u2019s result: lost to Kansas City, 29\u201310<br \/>\nThis week: vs. Cincinnati<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_6afrb7x1z\">A four-game losing streak to end the season is not unprecedented for the Steelers, who have routinely struggled in the month of December. But in this particular case, it would be incredibly debilitating to enter the playoffs having been soundly disposed of by the best teams on your schedule all in rapid succession.<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_eflyeqix5\">Last week\u2019s ranking: No. 9<br \/>\nLast week\u2019s result: beat Atlanta, 30\u201324<br \/>\nThis week: at Dallas<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_ghl2ic2ju\">Probably the most devastating part of the Jayden Daniels experience is that you cannot get him off the field on critical downs. In a huge game against the Atlanta Falcons, Daniels was 9-for-12, picked up 10 first downs and threw three touchdowns on either third or fourth down. That is absolutely brutal.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"_q3pcq4dka\" data-mm-id=\"_q3pcq4dka\">10. Los Angeles Rams (10\u20136)<\/h2>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_x5en2f3w0\">Last week\u2019s ranking: No. 10<br \/>\nLast week\u2019s result: beat Arizona, 13\u20139<br \/>\nThis week: vs. Seattle<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_srbdoanj6\">While this is an incredibly random sample size\u2014and in this same sample size the Raiders are the No. 1 defense in the NFL in terms of EPA per play\u2014the Rams have been one of the best defenses in the NFL over the last month. Sean McVay\u2019s club is winning shootouts but has also now gone three straight weeks without allowing double-digit points (one of those games was in inclement weather, though another was against a Jets team at home in cold weather, which would seem to be disadvantageous to the Rams).<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_x5e5ineqh\">Last week\u2019s ranking: No. 12<br \/>\nLast week\u2019s result: beat New England, 40\u20137<br \/>\nThis week: at Las Vegas<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_hypqk7k7y\">At this point, we need another HarBowl, yes? Part of me wants to see the Chargers advance and I think, even despite their rash of injuries, they would have an infinitely better chance against Pittsburgh. That said, it\u2019s time to manifest with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"_gcxpn1xn9\" data-mm-id=\"_gcxpn1xn9\">12. Cincinnati Bengals (8\u20138)<\/h2>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_v8fn6nuxm\">Last week\u2019s ranking: No. 15<br \/>\nLast week\u2019s result: beat Denver, 30\u201324<br \/>\nThis week: at Pittsburgh<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_22ifg0u0n\">The Bengals are playing like one of the 12 best teams in the NFL right now. Ideally, they are the team we had in mind when the NFL introduced a seventh playoff seed and are the perfect foil especially if we can get a repeat defensive performance out of the Bengals like we got Saturday versus Denver. If nothing else, this season of half measures will provide a personnel blueprint heading into a critical offseason for the Bengals.<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_z9kgh0a4s\">Last week\u2019s ranking: No. 19<br \/>\nLast week\u2019s result: beat Carolina, 48\u201314<br \/>\nThis week: vs. New Orleans<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_45rc0zudo\">A long and circuitous path has led us back to where we began the season: the Buccaneers are capable of losing in the first round of the playoffs and capable of beating the No. 1 seed by three touchdowns. They are nuclear level volatile and I am so much happier to see them in the postseason driver\u2019s seat than Atlanta.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"_55rqhynor\" data-mm-id=\"_55rqhynor\">14. Denver Broncos (9\u20137)<\/h2>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_3s9t0rgrp\">Last week\u2019s ranking: No. 14<br \/>\nLast week\u2019s result: lost to Cincinnati, 30\u201324<br \/>\nThis week: vs. Kansas City<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_2hr1mno3c\">If I\u2019m Andy Reid, I most certainly do not want to see Joe Burrow in the playoffs. But I would probably rather see Miami than Denver. And while I\u2019m assuming we\u2019ll be fed some platitude about how we play every game to win, Reid does have a pretty favorable schedule layout in which to determine how he wants to deploy his starters, or if he wants to at all. Losing to a mish-mosh of first stringers is a non-starter for Sean Payton and a really dangerous Broncos team.<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_2hr1mno3c\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,w_2669,h_1501,x_353,y_81\/c_fill,w_620,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/ImagnImages\/mmsport\/si\/01jgdnqkrmvpbesexc0a.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<div data-mm-id=\"_n3l7w7gry\">\n<p>Stroud posted a season-worst 13.2 QBR against a Ravens defense that has struggled at times this season to contain the pass game. \/ Troy Taormina-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_4akuy2twz\">Last week\u2019s ranking: No. 11<br \/>\nLast week\u2019s result: lost to Baltimore, 31\u20132<br \/>\nThis week: at Tennessee<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_74b1br9ne\">All of the biomarkers in a massive loss to the Ravens in which the offense was shut out were troubling. C.J. Stroud again looked frozen against split safety looks, the defense was stomped out by Derrick Henry (Houston is not alone here) and Lamar Jackson was allowed to spend more time from snap to throw than at any other point this season with no punishment. Barring a major identity shift, the Texans are looking like a prime candidate to get boat raced just as their playoff journey begins.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"_9e5tl51bj\" data-mm-id=\"_9e5tl51bj\">16. San Francisco 49ers (6\u201310)<\/h2>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_6t8jbixpy\">Last week\u2019s ranking: No. 21<br \/>\nLast week\u2019s result: lost to Detroit, 40\u201334<br \/>\nThis week: at Arizona<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_qfaup9cgh\">In the first half Monday, Brock Purdy was delivering in a game that may not have meant much for the 49ers, but meant a great deal to a quarterback who is still struggling to prove that he is worthy of a long-term deal commensurate with the market.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Brock Purdy just delivered one of the most statistically dominant halves of football we&#39;ve ever seen.<\/p>\n<p>14-16<br \/>200 yards<br \/>12.5 YPA<br \/>Perfect 158.3 rating<br \/>1.04 expected points added **per drop back**<br \/>+34.5% completion % over expectation <br \/>98.3 QBR <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/wNU2xejGmu\">pic.twitter.com\/wNU2xejGmu<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LombardiHimself\/status\/1873921001039577122?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 31, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_l53pp3zr6\">In the second half, Purdy was playing like a quarterback who was going to be subject to the most grating and frustrating offseason-long conversation in recent NFL history.<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_wj5p7z3yr\">After the game, Purdy\u2019s medical evaluation on his throwing shoulder became one of the biggest stories in the NFL with massive ramifications for the free agent QB market on tap depending on the prognosis.<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_si5lzzu2j\">Last week\u2019s ranking: No. 13<br \/>\nLast week\u2019s result: beat Cleveland, 20\u20133<br \/>\nThis week: at New York Jets<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_lnyz1pl9i\">I actually thought Tyler Huntley saw the field pretty well against the Browns. It helps when every single one of your throws to Tyreek Hill are completed and all but two of them aren\u2019t really contested all that much. Cleveland didn\u2019t show much of an interest in trying to remove Miami\u2019s best playmaker from the equation.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"_ectcgbs3k\" data-mm-id=\"_ectcgbs3k\">18. Seattle Seahawks (9\u20137)<\/h2>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_t8q3fs7o3\">Last week\u2019s ranking: No. 18<br \/>\nLast week\u2019s result: beat Chicago, 6\u20133<br \/>\nThis week: at Los Angeles Rams<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_8wc7ke8uy\">I thought Mike Macdonald handled the end of game situation really well, especially the suite of all-out blitz looks he showed Caleb Williams with the game on the line. Williams made a throw of the year candidate on one, and on the second, Macdonald didn&#8217;t drop any of the rushers at the line after dropping two from the previous look. Williams was clearly scattered and tossed up a lob that was picked.<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_uhxcp3ob3\">Last week\u2019s ranking: No. 20<br \/>\nLast week\u2019s result: lost to Los Angeles Rams, 13\u20139<br \/>\nThis week: vs. San Francisco<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_3k2d00tu5\">Sometimes teams get these weeks. They\u2019re horrible in the red zone, which negates an astronomical advantage in time of possession, total yards and first downs, all of which the Cardinals had. These strange spurts have come at a disappointing time for a Cardinals team that I thought was good enough to hang around and pester for a No. 7 seed.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"_n51qywtra\" data-mm-id=\"_n51qywtra\">20. Atlanta Falcons (8\u20138)<\/h2>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_ygwbpnlpg\">Last week\u2019s ranking: No. 17<br \/>\nLast week\u2019s result: lost to Washington, 30\u201324<br \/>\nThis week: vs. Carolina<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_45mye088b\">I am coming around a bit to Raheem Morris\u2019s Day Two explanation of timeout usage\u2014essentially that Atlanta had the defensive personnel they wanted for a more advantageous situation and so they didn\u2019t want to give the Commanders a break to switch up\u2014but I still think it\u2019s ignoring how well Penix has seen the game so far and how incredibly capable he is at throwing into tight windows. Don\u2019t get it twisted; I\u2019m not saying Raheem Morris is babying Penix or downplaying his intelligence. But I am saying that if you\u2019re drawing up a pros and cons column of using the timeout, cooling the situation down, giving him a breather and letting him rip is still infinitely better than wasting a third of the clock trying to get him a slightly better look.<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_45mye088b\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,w_3407,h_1916,x_0,y_131\/c_fill,w_620,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/ImagnImages\/mmsport\/si\/01jgdnt5r6aszpnyyqa2.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<div data-mm-id=\"_qdcjr62d6\">\n<p>Colts head coach Shane Steichen was in charge of a team that appeared to quit midway through a shellacking at the hands of the lowly Giants. \/ Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_2jm6ewooj\">Last week\u2019s ranking: No. 16<br \/>\nLast week\u2019s result: lost to New York Giants, 45\u201333<br \/>\nThis week: vs. Jacksonville<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_8xxikpevv\">The overall badness of the bottom 12 in the power rankings prevents me from adequately expressing my frustration about Indianapolis\u2019s defense on Sunday against the Giants. As I outline a few blurbs later, this was just a horrible, unwilling performance by a defense that still had something to play for. More than half of Drew Lock\u2019s passing yards Sunday came on yards made after the catch. Sure, it\u2019s Malik Nabers doing this to you, but that\u2019s still an indicator of a secondary in need of a physicality makeover.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"_vlrvoe27c\" data-mm-id=\"_vlrvoe27c\">22. Dallas Cowboys (7\u20139)<\/h2>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_273fkucy8\">Last week\u2019s ranking: No. 22<br \/>\nLast week\u2019s result: lost to Philadelphia, 41\u20137<br \/>\nThis week: vs. Washington<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_u30kpymgo\">Not a surprise, but since Micah Parsons has returned from injury he\u2019s been the best pass rusher in the NFL. Like Myles Garrett suggesting he\u2019d want to know the plan before deciding on his future in Cleveland, I\u2019d make a similar request if I were Parsons. A truly generational talent gets that kind of treatment. Why sign up to be willingly ignored and strung along contractually?<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_zd28u6pl0\">Last week\u2019s ranking: No. 30<br \/>\nLast week\u2019s result: beat New Orleans, 25\u201310<br \/>\nThis week: vs. Los Angeles Chargers<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_fogzzq25k\">An underrated aspect of Brock Bowers\u2019s multi-record breaking game on Sunday was the gap between targets and how he could involve himself in the game plan despite the way he was being covered. He was hit twice on the first two plays of the game and then was swallowed up by a fast-switching New Orleans defense that made some smart prohibitive moves. Just before halftime, though, Bowers saw Aidan O\u2019Connell in trouble and extended an in-breaking route into a wide open swath of space and went vertical behind the nearest defenders to gain space.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"_94mgq397b\" data-mm-id=\"_94mgq397b\">24. Chicago Bears (4\u201312)<\/h2>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_ue8uoltgh\">Last week\u2019s ranking: No. 26<br \/>\nLast week\u2019s result: lost to Seattle, 6\u20133<br \/>\nThis week: at Green Bay<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_z9doys9a7\">Some followers of the power rankings get quite upset when a bad team moves up after a loss. This seems especially true of the Bears. Though this was purely a factor of some other teams, like the Giants, getting a win and moving up. Caleb Williams\u2019s fourth down throw after the absolutely comical false start, punt, timeout and fourth down attempt was absolutely absurd against a nine man front that eventually dropped two and rushed seven. His talent is undeniable and, if surrounded by a true tactician who understands clock management and can force Williams to stop burning so much time, will blossom.<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_fdbe0qkh5\">Last week\u2019s ranking: No. 24<br \/>\nLast week\u2019s result: lost to Tampa Bay, 48\u201314<br \/>\nThis week: at Atlanta<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_db5jxqxrz\">The Panthers had their worst statistical outing in terms of yardage allowed since 2021. It looked a lot like this:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Yeah, that&#39;s&#8230;that&#39;s a tough one. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/wKfxnhPF3B\">pic.twitter.com\/wKfxnhPF3B<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Conor Orr (@ConorOrr) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ConorOrr\/status\/1873926189028671871?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 31, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_ifa63wgzj\">And, oddly enough, Caleb Farley was, for some reason, left alone on Evans in a goal line situation not long after that touchdown catch. It went how you might imagine it\u2019d go.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"_22od9j1nt\" data-mm-id=\"_22od9j1nt\">26. New York Giants (3\u201313)<\/h2>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_u3p75a6i5\">Last week\u2019s ranking: No. 32<br \/>\nLast week\u2019s result: beat Indianapolis, 45\u201333<br \/>\nThis week: at Philadelphia<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_72x2ls7ro\">The Giants ran into a Colts team that gave up. In my notes from this one, I had underlined several really good blocks from Daniel Bellinger, one really heads-up block from Wan\u2019Dale Robinson on the long Malik Nabers touchdown and one from Evan Neal on the previous Nabers touchdown. The flip side is a startling lack of effort from this Colts defense. The Neal block, for example, was simply the offensive tackle hurling himself at a defender and missing (for the most part). The Giants have had some bad luck this year, so it was nice to finally see them run into a team that put forth the kind of effort the Giants defense has at some points this year.<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_j86oc97yw\">Last week\u2019s ranking: No. 23<br \/>\nLast week\u2019s result: lost to Las Vegas, 25\u201310<br \/>\nThis week: at Tampa Bay<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_1lx8v6vl7\">Spencer Rattler had a kind of Anthony Richardson game in that many of his incompletions were either drops or throwaways, or a big gain was negated by some kind of disastrous penalty. He really only threw one horrible pass and it came after, you guessed it, a better pass that was negated by penalty. As much as one can come away impressed with a quarterback after losing 25\u201310 to the Raiders, I was with Rattler.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"_9vnx8m3ur\" data-mm-id=\"_9vnx8m3ur\">28. Jacksonville Jaguars (4\u201312)<\/h2>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_cgmll773o\">Last week\u2019s ranking: No. 31<br \/>\nLast week\u2019s result: beat Tennessee, 20\u201313<br \/>\nThis week: at Indianapolis<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_jja4bkzvo\">The Jaguars played a video of the opposing quarterback beating the s&#8212; out of their mascot video game style on the JumboTron on Sunday. Maybe just stick to Brian Thomas Jr. highlights!<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Jaguars?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Jaguars<\/a> displayed a boxing match between their mascot (Jaxson de Ville) and <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Titans?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Titans<\/a> QB Will Levis on the EverBank Stadium Jumbotron in which Rudolph knocked out Jaxson De Ville \ud83d\ude02 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/VpPpwUuREj\">pic.twitter.com\/VpPpwUuREj<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; DJFootball (@drew_sports_) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/drew_sports_\/status\/1873453167104708854?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 29, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_btf4fvpwz\">Last week\u2019s ranking: No. 27<br \/>\nLast week\u2019s result: lost to Los Angeles Chargers, 40\u20137<br \/>\nThis week: vs. Buffalo<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_sav2xen6i\">While the Chargers had Drake Maye\u2019s number with the blitz later on in the game, I still found him to be incredibly decisive in the first half when the game was still in a manageable score situation. He seemed to recognize quickly that there was no one there to prevent him from scrambling and, understanding the offensive line situation, he was quick to take off. His touchdown throw, which came on an offsides bonus play, was an incredible bit of situational recognition and came while he was being hit.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"_zh7e03u6z\" data-mm-id=\"_zh7e03u6z\">30. Cleveland Browns (3\u201313)<\/h2>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_878zsc17x\">Last week\u2019s ranking: No. 29<br \/>\nLast week\u2019s result: lost to Miami, 20\u20133<br \/>\nThis week: at Baltimore<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_m7z37q3jr\">We\u2019re fairly certain that the Browns\u2014again\u2014are artfully trying their best to produce a roster that is not conducive to winning games. If you\u2019d like to read about the first iteration of this attempt, check here. My question is whether the goal is to end up at the top of a bad quarterback draft class to select a quarterback, or to end up there in hopes that they can trade out of a pick that seemingly very few teams might actually want. As I have said many times in this space, let\u2019s keep an eye on those sneaky little buggers.<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_5w2t0qx2f\">Last week\u2019s ranking: No. 25<br \/>\nLast week\u2019s result: lost to Buffalo, 40\u201314<br \/>\nThis week: vs. Miami<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_xu0uplhmc\">The end of this Jets season reminds me of the finale of their 2011 year, in which a star-studded team with Santonio Holmes, LaDainian Tomlinson, Plaxico Burress and more were gutted on Christmas by the Giants and then melted down against the Miami Dolphins. <em>Those <\/em>players, like these, were just so battered from a long season that many of them seemed happy to pack up their bags and leave. Just look at what DJ Reed said on Sunday after the Jets lost to the Bills:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Loved this from <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TyDunne?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@TyDunne<\/a>&#8216;s locker room recap of the Jets-Bills game. Jets players simply abandoning niceties at this point. &#8220;Yeah Bro I&#8217;m gonna go to free agency.&#8221; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/9zKbCZaZig\">pic.twitter.com\/9zKbCZaZig<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Conor Orr (@ConorOrr) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ConorOrr\/status\/1873906839290864060?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 31, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"_l9y3ruwjg\" data-mm-id=\"_l9y3ruwjg\">32. Tennessee Titans (3\u201313)<\/h2>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_41rrbmiu5\">Last week\u2019s ranking: No. 28<br \/>\nLast week\u2019s result: lost to Jacksonville, 20\u201313<br \/>\nThis week: vs. Houston<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_ufe38abtf\">Let\u2019s check in on the Ti\u2026..<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">.<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Titans?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@Titans<\/a> HC Brian Callahan: All the losses feel terrible &#8230; It sucks, it&#39;s terrible, there&#39;s no fun in this, nothing is enjoyable<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/jwyattsports\/status\/1873476253640257780?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 29, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Kansas City has earned a first-round playoff bye, but there are several other teams that have looked like more convincing contenders throughout the season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":8566,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8565","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kansas-city-chiefs"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.7 - 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