Nickel City Power Rankings: Week 9
Nickel City Power Rankings
Everyone else does power rankings – why not us? Here’s where we think the league stands at this point:
1. Indianapolis Colts (7-1) – I keep waiting for Daniel Jones to fall off. It only results in disappointment. Even if he does, the way Jonathan Taylor is playing, I think they’re fine.
2. Detroit Lions (5-2) – They’re scary. They always tend to drop a game or two, but they continue to be scary. The most complete team in the league.
3. Green Bay Packers (5-1-1) – Jordan Love keeps getting better. This was his best game of the year. And Tucker Kraft is an animal.
4. Kansas City Chiefs (5-3) – The two years of their offense looking broken were fun. They’re back to looking like the most terrifying offense in football. They have five receivers on their roster that I would love to have one of.
5. Philadelphia Eagles (6-2) – It’s weird to say about a 6-2 team, but they don’t look as scary as normal. They look beatable. But 6-2 is 6-2.
6. Los Angeles Rams (5-2) – Matthew Stafford might be the most underrated quarterback of our time. He’s great, and rarely gets put in the greats. The Rams are good.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2) – I gave up my tickets for this one. Really wish I hadn’t. “Why would I want to watch the Bucs” I said. Turns out, Baker Mayfield is so fun to watch.
8. Buffalo Bills (5-2) – It’s nice to know they can win (by a lot) on the back of James Cook. It would be really nice to know that the passing game could also win you games, if it’s needed.
9. Denver Broncos (6-2) – This is a team that I would like for them to drop a game or two. And I think they will. But that defense is great. And Bo Nix looks like the real deal.
10. Seattle Seahawks (5-2) – JSN looks elite. And Sam Darnold is good enough to get him the ball. This team is frisky.
11. New England Patriots (6-2) – It was jarring to see that I had them at 11 to me, too. They’re good. Drake Maye is a franchise quarterback. I still think they drop a few games, despite a cupcake schedule.
12. San Fransisco 49ers (5-3) – They are still managing a winning record with McCorkle Jones playing quarterback. A loss last week, but they’re clearly still a decent team.
13. Los Angeles Chargers (5-3) – I would ask what happened to the team that we saw at the start of the year, but it’s the Chargers. This is what they do. The most inconsistent team in the league.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3) – I mean, they’re serviceable. Right? Aaron Rodgers was never going to turn them into world beaters. They’ll somehow go 9-8 and sneak in as a 7 seed if that’s not good enough to win their division.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-3) – I want to like this team. I want to like Trevor Lawrence and Travis Hunter. I just can’t get myself there.
16. Chicago Bears (4-3) – I really thought that they could win their fifth straight game. I thought they were going to do it. But they didn’t. They’re a middle of the pack team.
17. Houston Texans (3-4) – What a weird team. They don’t look good to my eyes, and somehow still pull out a few wins. I’m actually kind of nervous about when the Bills play them in a few weeks.
18. Dallas Cowboys (3-4-1) – If this team had even the semblance of a defense, they could be really good. What they really could use is an elite, playmaking pass rusher. Right, Jerry?
19. Carolina Panther (4-4) – They could be good. Dave Canales needs to realize who his best back is. And, even after the Buffalo game, I think Dalton gives them a better shot to win than Young.
20. Washington Commanders (3-5) – Even when Jayden Daniels has played, they seem to have regressed this year. I think they can still turn it on, but he needs to be in the lineup to do so.
21. Minnesota Vikings (3-5) – If you’re a Minnesota Vikings fan and you don’t miss Sam Darnold, you need to start missing Sam Darnold. Trade with the Falcons to get Kirk Cousins back, or something. Please.
22. Atlanta Falcons (3-4) – I really don’t know what to make of this team. And can’t believe they beat the Bills. That’s going to look like a bad loss. Woof.
23. Baltimore Ravens (2-5) – How many 2-5 teams have ever had a legitimate shot to come back and win their division. I actually think that’s possible here. But I also hope they drop at least three more games.
24. Cincinnati Bengals (3-5) – Is Joe Flacco elite!? No. But he might be serviceable enough to get you through. To keep you in it. Don’t let them stay in the race until Burrow is back.
25. Arizona Cardinals (2-5) – Imagine being the Cardinals. Your franchise QB gets hyped up every year, and every year is a disappointment. And then Jacoby Brissett comes in and somehow makes you look more competent. Yikes.
26. New York Giants (2-6) – People were talking as if Jaxson Dart was going to come in and save Brian Daboll’s job. I don’t know if that happens, at this point.
27. Miami Dolphins (2-6) – Yeah, I’m shocked that I have them this high, too. This is a team that looks like it needs a complete overhaul. Trade Waddell to the Bills, please.
28. Cleveland Browns (2-6) – The defense is the only thing that keeps them above 30. But even a 5 sack performance by Miles Garrett can’t even win them a game. Should have kept Flacco.
29. Las Vegas Raiders (2-5) – I don’t know what to say. They have Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty and don’t use either of them correctly. The game has passed Pete Carroll by.
30. New Orleans Saints (1-6) – This team just posted not only that Tyler Shough is their starter, but declared that the future is now.
31. New York Jets (1-6) – They were excited about Tyrod Taylor starting, only for him to immediately get hurt in practice. Aaron Glenn is going to be one-and-done.
32. Tennessee Titans (1-6) – This has to be, if not unanimously, than as close to unanimous as possible, the worst team in the league. I can’t believe they’ve even won one game.