Teams 21-13
21. Los Angeles Chargers (2-4)
It’s actually hard to watch Phillip Rivers get battered behind this decimated offensive line. The Chargers seasons tarted with a ton of promise, but injuries and assorted problems have halted their early momentum. They can still climb, but… now. Start now.
20. Denver Broncos (2-4)
I’m not entirely sure they are better than the Chargers, but they are currently playing better than them, so they’re up to 20. A shutout over the Titans was a nice step in the right direction for an improving defense. Joe Flacco has been… above average. Sound familiar?
19. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-4)
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This is a snake-bitten team. From losing superstars up and down their offense to losing backups at the quarterback position to now losing stud defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt, they can’t catch a break. Sure, that makes me giggle a little, but it does stink for them.
18. Oakland Raiders (3-2)
So, the Raiders are a team that might be better than I thought. Well, I thought they were a Dumpster fire, so they are better than I thought. They’re coming out of their bye week, so it will be interesting to see if they continue to improve from here.
17. Philadelphia Eagles (3-3)
They are better than this. They really are, but their defensive backs are struggling badly to cover, and that pass rush doesn’t seem as dominant as we’ve come to expect. This is still a team with super Bowl aspirations.
16. Los Angeles Rams (3-3)
Like the Eagles, I expect them to improve from this spot. But they do have serious problems with their interior line and run game, and that changes everything with their offense. They have smart coaches and good players, and should improve, but that Super Bowl Hangover is real.
15. Carolina Panthers (4-2)
This team might be very, very good, led by stud running back Christian McCaffrey, quarterback Kyle Allen and a swarming defense. But there’s just something about them that keeps me from proclaiming them to be in that upper class. Yet.
14. Detroit Lions (2-2-1)
That is not a great record, I get that. But their two losses came in a nail-biter against the Chiefs, and Monday night’s loss to Green Bay, which saw some truly poor officiating. The Lions play good defense, can run and have a quarterback who might not be great, but he is resilient.
13. Indianapolis Colts (3-2)
This is a team that could climb these rankings very quickly with some quality wins. Like the Lions, they can play defense and run the ball. They do throw it better at this point, though, and are coached extremely well. Losing Andrew Luck hurt them, but they are still good.