The Big Jab

A mediocre slate this week was capped off by a great game between Philly and Kansas City, here’s my top 10 entering Week 12 (!). 

1. Philadelphia Eagles (9-1)
Back on top of the NFL yet again, the Eagles have won four straight games against the Dolphins, Commanders, Cowboys, and Chiefs. It doesn’t look pretty and I still hate how much they abandon the run, but it’s hard to argue with the results. Even when he doesn’t have his best game, Jalen Hurts finds a way to win when it matters most, and he’s now won 13 straight regular-season games against teams over .500. The gauntlet continues, but it’s hard not to think the Eagles are the best team in the NFL with the record and who they’ve beaten. A home game with Buffalo is up next.

2. Baltimore Ravens (8-3)
Somehow, some way, the Baltimore Ravens have one of the best offenses in the NFL. Despite not having many household names, this team continues to put up points behind the brilliance of Lamar Jackson and the explosive run game of Gus Edwards and Keaton Mitchell. This defense is excellent too, as they lead the league in sacks by a considerable margin, having five more than Buffalo who is in second. I’m curious as to what this offense looks like without Mark Andrews who could be done for the year, but the Ravens continue to win. Baltimore is at the Chargers on Sunday night.

3. San Francisco 49ers (7-3)
After a three-game losing streak and a bunch of injuries, the 49ers are back folks. Brock Purdy tossed a perfect passer rating and Christian McCaffrey once again found the end zone. Since the bye week, San Francisco has outscored its opponents by 44 points scoring 61 points in a two-game span. I think the 49ers could easily be at number two here and are probably the most complete team in the NFL, it was just hard to downgrade Baltimore after the big win over Cincinnati. The 49ers face Seattle on Thanksgiving night in Seattle in a big NFC West showdown.

4. Detroit Lions (8-2)
It shouldn’t have been that way, but the win over the Bears on Sunday might’ve been the gutsiest of all in the Dan Campbell era. Despite the run defense looking like the 2022 Lions and Jared Goff turning the ball over at will in the first half, Goff showed up when it mattered and the defense made the game-sealing play late. It’s hard not to root for this Lions team, but it’s also hard to believe a Lions team is a legit contender. Next up is a Thanksgiving Day home game against the Packers.

5. Kansas City Chiefs (7-3)
Would you believe me if I told you the Chiefs haven’t scored a second-half point in a month? Well, it’s true. Once again the offense was clicking in the first half and fell flat on its face in the second half due to lackluster weapons around Patrick Mahomes. Travis Kelce got in the end zone for the first time since October 22nd, but a league-leading 26 drops from receivers has me thinking of the late Aaron Rodgers-era Packers teams. Mahomes is putting this team on his back along with the defense, but is that enough to get back to the Super Bowl? Time will tell. Kansas City faces Las Vegas on Sunday in what has a bounce-back written all over it.

6. Dallas Cowboys (7-3)
After a heartbreaking loss to Philadelphia in Week 9, Dallas has responded by taking its frustrations out on two of the worst teams in the NFL, the Giants and Panthers. With wins of 49-17 and 33-10, Dallas has outscored its last two opponents by 55 points and is getting hot at the right time. The lack of a run game is still the biggest flaw, but have now rushed for over 100 yards in two consecutive games. Things remain fairly easy this week, as the Cowboys host Washington on Thanksgiving.

7. Miami Dolphins (7-3)
I hate to say this, but it’s feeling more and more like the Dolphins are pretenders. The offense has been lacking recently and Tua’s play, while still a high level, has diminished from his September form. A late game-sealing interception by Jalen Ramsey helped improve this team to 7-3, and the defense seems to be finding its stride, but every question that existed with this team remains. We’ll see if the offense gets back to its elite-level play this week when Miami faces a tough Jets defense on Black Friday.

8. Cleveland Browns (7-3)
Against all odds, Cleveland escaped with a 13-10 win over Pittsburgh on Sunday in a game that set NFL offenses back by at least 25 years. All jokes aside, this team believes in its ability to play high-level defense and in their new QB1 DTR. Cleveland will have to grind out games on defense and hope the offense can find the end zone twice a game if they want to win, but it’s a formula that’s worked all year, even with Deshaun Watson. The Browns travel to the Mile High City this week to play Denver in what should be another defensive showdown.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-3)
Easily the worst team with seven or more wins, Jacksonville, and more importantly Trevor Lawrence, got back on track with a blowout win over the Titans. Lawrence’s lackluster play behind a brutal offensive line is worrisome for their playoff prospects, but that might’ve been the biggest win of the season with Houston nipping at the heels for the AFC South crown. Speaking of which, another big game is on top where Lawrence will have to replicate Sunday’s play when they face Houston on the road in a game that could decide the division title.

10. Houston Texans (6-4)
It’s hard not to believe in C.J. Stroud, even when he plays arguably the worst game of his young career, and DeMeco Ryans might win Coach of the Year. The Texans fought to the end to earn a gutsy win over Arizona on Sunday thanks to some very questionable decision-making by Arizona coach Jonathan Gannon. Houston is firing on all cylinders, and as long as Stroud is okay from the massive hit he took, Houston will be ready to go in the biggest game of Stroud and Ryans’ young careers on Sunday at home against Jacksonville.