#32
Cincinnati Bengals (2-14)
Previous Rank: 32
Season MVP: Joe Mixon
Why They Stayed The Same:
Even though I picked them to win and they did, the Bengals still finished with a horrible record and they have first pick in the draft. Given this was most likely Andy Dalton’s last game with the team it was good to come out with a win against a divisional rival in the Browns.
Key Players:
Andy Dalton (190 Passing Yards, One Passing TD, One INT, One Rushing TD)
Joe Mixon (162 Rushing Yards, Two Rushing TD’s)
#31
Washington Redskins (3-13)
Previous Rank: 30
Season MVP: Terry McLaurin
Why They Dropped:
The Redskins had a chance to make something against a desperate Cowboys team. Instead, they fell with the loss of Dwayne Haskins and Terry McLaurin and relied heavily on the run game of Adrian Peterson which didn’t do much in this contest. The only positive thing is that they get Ron Rivera as their coach next year and the second overall pick in the draft at the moment.
Key Players:
Steven Sims Jr. (81 Receiving Yards, One Receiving TD)
#30
Detroit Lions (3-12-1)
Previous Rank: 31
Season MVP: Kenny Golladay
Why They Moved Up:
The Lions didn’t have a great season this year, but this game they kept it relatively close leading for a majority of the contest against a strong Packers team. I question bringing back Patricia for another year, but you can’t blame him when you lose your star quarterback, your leading running back, your tight end and your WR2 for the season. Overall, it was a very hard year for Detroit yet again.
Key Players:
Kenny Golladay (72 Receiving Yards)
#29
New York Giants (4-12)
Previous Rank: 26
Season MVP: Daniel Jones
Why They Dropped:
The Giants rode a wave of momentum from when they faced the Redskins and it costed them dearly as the Eagles torched their defense with a very injury filled roster. Pat Shurmer is out as the head coach finally so maybe this organization can finally get it together. It’s very doubtful though.
Key Players:
Daniel Jones (301 Passing Yards, One TD, One INT)
Saquon Barkley (92 Rushing Yards, One Rushing TD)
Kaden Smith (98 Receiving Yards)
Golden Tate (68 Receiving Yards, One Receiving TD)
#28
Carolina Panthers (5-11)
Previous Rank: 28
Season MVP: Christian McCaffrey
Why They Stayed The Same:
Carolina has been virtually awful this season with the exceptions of offensive stars Christian McCaffrey and D.J. Moore. With Moore out in this game suffering from a concussion Will Grier and Kyle Allen relied on McCaffrey as they have done for the majority of the season. McCaffrey also became the third player in NFL history to have a 1,000 yard rushing and 1,000 yard receiving season so congrats to that man. Hopefully, they can find a new head coach now to prepare for 2020’s season.
Key Players:
Christian McCaffrey (26 Rushing Yards, One Rushing TD, 72 Receiving Yards)
Brandon Zylstra (96 Receiving Yards)
#27
Los Angeles Chargers (5-11)
Previous Rank: 25
Season MVP: Austin Ekeler
Why They Dropped:
Philip Rivers and the Chargers offense just couldn’t get it together against the Chiefs to cause them any damage in the playoff picture. The Chargers defense did actually well here picking off Mahomes three times, but two of them coming back on penalties. Rivers said he isn’t finished, but I highly doubt the Chargers resign him at the end of his contract.
Key Players:
Philip Rivers (281 Passing Yards, Two TD’s, Two INT’s)
Melvin Gordon (46 Rushing Yards, One Rushing TD, 76 Receiving Yards)
Keenan Allen (82 Receiving Yards, One Receiving TD)
#26
Miami Dolphins (5-11)
Previous Rank: 29
Season MVP: Ryan Fitzpatrick
Why They Moved Up:
Another correct prediction for me. Yes, I had the Dolphins upsetting the Patriots in this one just like they did last year. The Patriots had the most to lose and the Dolphins had the right amount of momentum to bring them down in this contest. The team is well coached and I see maybe a brighter future next season for them and all their draft picks. They should also bring Fitzpatrick back another season.
Key Players:
Ryan Fitzpatrick (320 Passing Yards, One Passing TD, One Rushing TD)
DeVante Parker (137 Receiving Yards)
#25
Cleveland Browns (6-10)
Previous Rank: 22
Season MVP: Nick Chubb
Why They Moved Down:
The Browns had a very mediocre season with all the hype they had on their shoulders. There were a lot of things wrong this season for them. The coaching was the wrong way to go, Beckham was barely involved in the offense, Baker Mayfield was a shell of his former self. Finally the team just didn’t seem to have any discipline. Now that the coach and GM are both out, maybe Cleveland can find a way out of this hole.
Key Players:
Jarvis Landry (82 Receiving Yards, One Receiving TD)
#24
Jacksonville Jaguars (6-10)
Previous Rank: 27
Season MVP: D.J. Chark
Why They Moved Up:
A win over the Colts. Simple as that. They played a decent game, but overall this team gave up on coach Marone and now they are not planning to get rid of them. Now trying to figure out the quarterback situation is another problem with Foles and Minshew. I don’t trust their season ahead, but I do believe in Mustache Minshew Mania.
Key Players:
Gardner Minshew (295 Passing Yards, Three TD’s, One INT)
Dede Westbrook (72 Receiving Yards, One Receiving TD)
#23
Arizona Cardinals (5-10-1)
Previous Rank: 21
Season MVP: Kyler Murray
Why They Dropped:
Taking a loss to the Rams for one. Overall, though it wasn’t a bad game for the offense as Murray tossed two TD’s, but also two picks. The ground game stunned me though as it took Drake a while to get going, but he did score. The defense was what drove the stake through the heart of this team in this one however. They have to get better. Overall, Murray was very good for being a rookie quarterback this year. Well done kid!
Key Players:
Kyler Murray (325 Passing Yards, Two TD’s, Two INT’s)
Kenyan Drake (60 Rushing Yards, One Rushing TD)
Dan Arnold (76 Receiving Yards, One Receiving TD)
Damiere Byrd (74 Receiving Yards, One Receiving TD)
#22
New York Jets (7-9)
Previous Rank: 24
Season MVP: Jamison Crowder
Why They Moved Up:
A win is a win I guess. The Jets were going up against the Bills who kept some of their starters in for most of the first quarter, but then pulled them in their route to the playoffs. This game wasn’t the greatest, but the Jets won and surprised me with their record of 7-9 on the season.
Key Players:
Jamison Crowder (66 Receiving Yards, One Receiving TD)
#21
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
Previous Rank: 20
Season MVP: Chris Godwin
Why They Dropped:
They lost to the Falcons in overtime and there is one person to blame; Jameis Winston. I really don’t know what to do with this kid. He throws 5,000 yards a season and 33 touchdowns, but also threw 30 picks. They would have easily been a better team if they had a better quarterback in my opinion. He’s setting records, but some just aren’t welcome to me and that is the ability to turn the ball over that much.
Key Players:
Jameis Winston (201 Passing Yards, Two TD’s, Two INT’s)
Ronald Jones (106 Rushing Yards)
Breshad Perriman (134 Receiving Yards, One Receiving TD)
#20
Oakland Raiders (7-9)
Previous Rank: 19
Season MVP: Josh Jacobs
Why They Dropped:
They lost to the Broncos in an effort to make the playoffs. Other things had to happen, but you have to win and they didn’t do that. However, I have high hopes for this team still. Their record was a lot better than last year, and they got some stud playmakers like Jacobs, Renfrow and Waller to work with.
Key Players:
Derek Carr (391 Passing Yards, One TD)
Darren Waller (107 Receiving Yards)
Hunter Renfrow (102 Receiving Yards, One Receiving TD)
#19
Denver Broncos (7-9)
Previous Rank: 23
Season MVP: Courtland Sutton
Why They Moved Up:
They stopped the Raiders from making the playoffs and this team in my mind went from the world of suck to a decent team when Drew Lock entered back off from IR. I have good feelings about this kid and with some studs on the offense and defense still there, there’s still a shot they do good things in 2020.
Key Players:
Drew Lock (177 Passing Yards, One TD)
#18
Indianapolis Colts (7-9)
Previous Rank: 16
Season MVP: Marlon Mack
Why They Dropped:
They lost to a Jaguars team that essentially has given up so that’s not good to begin with, but overall this team was hard to read this year. They were up and they were certainly down, but they finished with a 7-9 record without Andrew Luck so I guess that is good enough for me.
Key Players:
Marlon Mack (77 Rushing Yards, Two Rushing TD’s)
T.Y. Hilton (72 Receiving Yards)
#17
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8)
Previous Rank: 13
Season MVP: T.J. Watt
Why They Dropped:
This was a pathetic display that was put up against the Ravens here. The Steelers offense could not get anything going with Duck under center. Snell showed promise on the ground, but in the end the defense let up too many yards on the ground to second stringers. You can blame the weather all you want, but in it was bad enough to see my team go out the way they did.
Key Players:
Benny Snell Jr. (91 Rushing Yards, One Rushing TD
#16
Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
Previous Rank: 17
Season MVP: Julio Jones
Why They Moved Up:
The Falcons managed to win this game and save Dan Quinn’s job for the upcoming year. They need to do better on this defense though if they hope to save his job again for the 2021 season. The defense was a major hurting factor this season, but Matt Ryan had his struggles as well this season. Overall, going 8-8 isn’t the worst for them the way they started out.
Key Players:
Matt Ryan (313 Passing Yards, One TD)
Julio Jones (77 Receiving Yards)
#15
Dallas Cowboys (8-8)
Previous Rank: 18
Season MVP: Dak Prescott
Why They Moved Up:
Though they didn’t win the division, the Cowboys still dominated the Redskins in this contest. Overall, the Cowboys need a new coach and maybe Cowboy fans will get that as the coaching costed them quite a few games this season.
Key Players:
Dak Prescott (303 Passing Yards, Four TD’s)
Ezekiel Elliot (122 Rushing Yards, One Rushing TD, One Receiving TD)
Michael Gallup (98 Receiving Yards, Three Receiving TD’s)
Amari Cooper (92 Receiving Yards)
Randall Cobb (81 Receiving Yards)
#14
Chicago Bears (8-8)
Previous Rank: 15
Season MVP: Allen Robinson
Why They Moved Up:
The Bears came out with a win in this one, but still couldn’t keep the Vikings out of the playoff picture. The passing game couldn’t get much going so they relied on David Montgomery and the run game to seal the deal. Mitch Trubisky is set to be the starting quarterback, but they need to work on his ability and the defense if they look to do anything next year.
Key Players:
David Montgomery (113 Rushing Yards, One Rushing TD)
Allen Robinson (71 Receiving Yards)
#13
Los Angeles Rams (9-7)
Previous Rank: 14
Season MVP: Aaron Donald
Why They Moved Up:
The Rams got a victory facing the Cardinals. The offense clicked and was able to score enough points to make the defense’s struggles obsolete. Overall, the Rams didn’t reach the momentum that they had from last year and the usage of Todd Gurley this year was concerning. The Super Bowl loss trend continued with the Rams and we will see what happens next year.
Key Players:
Jared Goff (319 Passing Yards, Three TD’s)
Cooper Kupp (99 Receiving Yards, One Receiving TD)
Tyler Higbee (84 Receiving Yards, One Receiving TD)
Robert Woods (67 Receiving Yards, One Receiving TD)
#12
Tennessee Titans (9-7)
Previous Rank: 12
Season MVP: Derrick Henry
Why They Stayed The Same:
The Titans dominated this game, but the Texans had nothing to lose here keeping their starters out and basically letting Tennessee take the victory in this one. Tannehill managed to turn this team around and got them into the playoffs in a wild card matchup. Let’s hope Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill can do us all proud by knocking off the Patriots in the wild card for the AFC.
Key Players:
Ryan Tannehill (198 Passing Yards, Two TD’s)
Derrick Henry (211 Rushing Yards, Three Rushing TD’s)
A.J. Brown (124 Receiving Yards, One Receiving TD)
#11
Philadelphia Eagles (9-7)
Previous Rank: 11
Season MVP: Carson Wentz
Why They Stayed The Same:
The Eagles secured their spot as the winner of the NFC East division with a win over the Giants last weekend. They won with most of their starting roster out and killed the Giants and also killed the Cowboys’ hope of making the playoffs. I hope the Eagles can make something special in the playoffs, but with very little starting talent it will be seen to what happens.
Key Players:
Carson Wentz (289 Passing Yards, One TD)
Boston Scott (54 Rushing Yards, Three Rushing TD’s, 84 Receiving Yards)
#10
Minnesota Vikings (10-6)
Previous Rank: 10
Season MVP: Dalvin Cook
Why They Stayed The Same:
The Vikings took a loss to the Bears last weekend, but they didn’t have anything really on the line. They knew they were making the playoffs so they sat their starters. Matt Boone had an incredible game though running and gashing the Bears defense. We will see how they do in the playoffs, but their first opponent; The New Orleans Saints.
Key Players:
Mike Boone (148 Rushing Yards, One Rushing TD)
#9
Buffalo Bills (10-6)
Previous Rank: 9
Season MVP: Tre’Davious White
Why They Stayed The Same:
I mean they didn’t play their starters. I get it. They still lost to the Jets though which isn’t good. Barkley did what he could when Josh Allen came out of the game, but overall it just wasn’t enough. Here is hoping they do great things in the AFC playoff run.
Key Players:
D’haquille Williams (108 Receiving Yards)
#8
Houston Texans (10-6)
Previous Rank: 8
Season MVP: DeAndre Hopkins
Why They Stayed The Same:
The same reason with the Vikings guys. They knew they were going to the playoffs so they decided to rest most of their starters. Their team got crushed, but it didn’t matter to them because they still won their division and will be competing for the chance to go to the Super Bowl.
Key Players:
A.J. McCarron (225 Passing Yards, One INT, 39 Rushing Yards, One Rushing TD)
#7
Seattle Seahawks (11-5)
Previous Rank: 7
Season MVP: Russell Wilson
Why They Stayed The Same:
They had a hard nosed fight to the finish with the 49ers, but sadly they came out the loser in this one and now will have to face the consequences from their loss to Arizona two weeks ago and fight for it in the NFC Wild Card. It is going to be interesting that is for sure with Marshawn Lynch being Beast Mode again with the team.
Key Players:
Russell Wilson (233 Passing Yards, Two TD’s)
D.K. Metcalf (81 Receiving Yards, One Receiving TD)
Tyler Lockett (51 Receiving Yards, One Receiving TD)
#6
New England Patriots (12-4)
Previous Rank: 5
Season MVP: Stephon Gillmore
Why They Dropped:
They took another loss to the Dolphins in dramatic fashion just like they did last year and now have to compete in the AFC Wild Card instead of getting a first round bye. This is a big blow to New England given that they just don’t have a lot of talent on the offense. They better bring their big boy pants when they have to face Derrick Henry and the Titans cause that man just ran over 200 yards and had three rushing touchdowns last weekend against the Texans.
Key Players:
Tom Brady (221 Passing Yards, Two TD’s One INT)
Sony Michel (74 Rushing Yards, One Rushing TD)
#5
Green Bay Packers (13-3)
Previous Rank: 6
Season MVP: Aaron Jones
Why They Moved Up:
The Packers almost didn’t do it, but they pulled out a victory over the Lions to secure a first round bye into the playoffs. They did however come very unprepared against a bad Lions team and it makes me wonder if they will be able to do anything in the playoffs with that ability. Who knows? They rely more on the ground game now anyways.
Key Players:
Aaron Rodgers (323 Passing Yards, Two TD’s One INT)
Aaron Jones (100 Rushing Yards, 43 Receiving Yards)
Davantae Adams (93 Receiving Yards, One Receiving TD)
Allen Lazard (69 Receiving Yards, One Receiving TD)
#4
Kansas City Chiefs (12-4)
Previous Rank: 4
Season MVP: Patrick Mahomes
Why They Stayed The Same:
They won against the Chargers, but I don’t think they have more power under their belts than other teams ahead of them. Mahomes while he played well should have had three interceptions in total, but two of them got called back and you never like to see that against a team like the Chargers. There is still some work, but they have a first round bye so let’s see what they can do.
Key Players:
Patrick Mahomes (174 Passing Yards, One TD, One INT)
Damien Williams (124 Rushing Yards, Two Rushing TD’s)
#3
San Francisco 49ers (13-3)
Previous Rank: 3
Season MVP: George Kittle
Why They Stayed The Same:
The 49ers almost let this one slip through their fingers, but they managed to claim a first round bye into the playoffs with a win over the Seattle Seahawks. The Hollister catch should have been reviewed more in my opinion, but a win is a win and coach of the year candidate Kyle Shanahan gets to show his stuff in the playoffs.
Key Players:
Raheem Mostert (57 Rushing Yards, Two Rushing TD’s)
Deebo Samuel (102 Receiving Yards, 33 Rushing Yards, One Rushing TD)
George Kittle (86 Receiving Yards)
#2
New Orleans Saints (13-3)
Previous Rank: 2
Season MVP: Michael Thomas
Why They Stayed The Same:
The Saints blew out the Panthers which is exactly what I thought they would do. Sean Peyton better be careful though leaving all his stars out there to make records happen. He is gonna cost some of the guys playing time if they ever get put on the injury list and need to make moves happen. Still overall very good win for them, but they still have to compete in the NFC Wild Card.
Key Players:
Drew Brees (253 Passing Yards, Three TD’s)
#1
Baltimore Ravens (14-2)
Previous Rank: 1
Season MVP: Lamar Jackson
Why They Stayed The Same:
The Ravens managed to embarrass the Steelers with a huge dominant win using their second string roster. They now gain a first round bye into the playoffs and will look to try to capture yet another Super Bowl. Nothing else much to say here. It sucks as a Steeler fan to say this, but overall Lamar Jackson was spectacular this season.
Key Players:
Gus Edwards (130 Rushing Yards)
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