With the final week of the regular season here it's time to sort the real Super Bowl contenders from the rest.
The Contenders
1. Cardinals (13-2)
Previous rank: 2. Result: Won 38-8 vs. Packers. Next: Sun. vs. Seahawks.
Sure the Packers are fading but the Cardinals have dominated plenty of teams with the league-best scoring margin of 206.
2. Panthers (14-1)
Previous rank: 1. Result: Lost 20-13 at Falcons. Next: Sun. vs. Buccaneers.
The Falcons showed how to beat them: blitz Cam Newton, and max protect and throw against the aged secondary.
3. Patriots (12-3)
Previous rank: 3. Result: Lost 26-20 (OT) at Jets. Next: Sun. at Jets.
Bill Belichick's decision to kick off to begin overtime showed that he's not very confident about his staggering offense.
4. Seahawks (9-6)
Previous rank: 4. Result: Lost 23-17 vs. Rams. Next: Sun. at Cardinals.
Just when you think they are back on track they get swept by the hapless Rams. Now they are looking at starting the playoffs on the road at the NFC North champ instead of the NFC East winner.
The Challengers
5. Chiefs (10-5)
Previous rank: 7. Result: Won 17-13 vs. Browns. Next: Sun. vs. Raiders.
They've won nine in a row and could have a favorable wild card matchup at Houston.
6. Bengals (12-3)
Previous rank: 6. Result: Lost 20-17 (OT) at Broncos. Next: Sun. vs. Ravens.
They blew a chance to secure a much-needed bye when QB AJ McCarron fumbled a snap in OT at Denver.
7. Vikings (10-5)
Previous rank: 10. Result: Lost 23-20 at Cardinals. Next: Sun. vs Bears.
They can be dangerous if QB Teddy Bridgewater delivers but I'm thinking he needs more seasoning.
8. Jets (10-5)
Previous rank: 10. Result: Won 19-16 at Cowboys. Next: Sat. at Cowboys.
Win and they are in.
The One-and-Dones
9. Broncos (11-4)
Previous rank: 4. Result: Won 20-17 (OT) vs. Bengals. Next: Sun. vs. Chargers.
I still don't think they are going places with QB Brock Osweiler, especially if they stumble against Chargers and don't get a home playoff game.
10. Packers (10-5)
Previous rank: 8. Result: Lost 38-8 at Cardinals. Next: Sun. vs. Vikings.
They get one final chance to win the NFC South but no area of the team is playing well.
11. Steelers (9-6)
Previous rank: 5. Result: Lost 20-17 at Ravens. Next: Sun. at Browns.
Just when you think they are back on track they get swept by the hapless Ravens. Now they need help to get in the playoffs.
12. Washington (8-7)
Previous rank: 12. Result: Won 38-24 at Eagles. Next: Sun. at Cowboys.
Nice victory at Philly but this is a weak division champ.
13. Texans (8-7)
Previous rank: 14. Result: Won 16-10 at Colts. Next: Sun. at Dolphins.
Win and they are in--and then they'll quickly be out.
The Also-Rans
14. Falcons (8-7)
Previous rank: 13. Result: Lost Won 23-17 vs. Panthers. Next: Sun. vs. Saints.
Spirited effort against the Panthers didn't get them a playoff bid but did earn them some respect.
15. Colts (7-8)
Previous rank: 17. Result: Won 18-12 at Dolphins. Next: Sun. vs. Titans.
They need the Texans to win and a lot of other things to happen to win the AFC South.
The Rest
16. Raiders (7-8)
Previous rank: 15. Result: Won 23-20 (OT) vs. Chargers. Next: Sun. at Chiefs.
17. Bills (7-8)
Previous rank: 18. Result: Won 16-6 vs. Cowboys. Next: Sun. vs. Jets.
18. Saints (6-9)
Previous rank: 22. Result: Won 38-27 vs. Jaguars. Next: Sun. at Falcons.
19. Bears (6-9)
Previous rank: 23. Result: Won 26-21 at Buccaneers. Next: Sun. vs. Lions.
20. Rams (7-8)
Previous rank: 24. Result: Won 23-17 at Seahawks. Next: Sun. at 49ers.
21. Eagles (6-9)
Previous rank: 16. Result: Lost 38-24 vs. Washington Next: Sun. at Giants.
22. Lions (6-9)
Previous rank: 26. Result: Won 32-17 vs. 49ers. Next: Sun. at Bears.
23. Giants (6-9)
Previous rank: 17. Result: Lost 49-17 vs. Vikings. Next: Sun. vs. Eagles.
24. Buccaneers (6-9)
Previous rank: 19. Result: Lost 26-21 vs. Bears. Next: Sun. at Panthers.
25. Ravens (5-10)
Previous rank: 32. Result: Won 20-17 at Steelers. Next: Sun. vs. Bengals.
26. Jaguars (5-10)
Previous rank: 21. Result: Lost 38-27 at Saints. Next: Sun. at Texans.
27. 49ers (4-11)
Previous rank: 25. Result: Lost 32-17 at Lions. Next: Sun. vs. Rams.
28. Dolphins (5-10)
Previous rank: 27. Result: Lost 18-12 vs. Colts. Next: Sun. vs. Patriots.
29. Chargers (4-11)
Previous rank: 28. Result: Lost 23-10 (OT) at Raiders. Next: Sun. at Broncos.
30. Cowboys (4-11)
Previous rank: 29. Result: Lost 16-6 at Bills. Next: Sun. vs. Washington.
31. Browns (3-12)
Previous rank: 30. Result: Lost 17-13 at Chiefs. Next: Sun. vs. Steelers.
32. Titans (3-12)
Previous rank: 31. Result: Lost 34-6 vs. Texans. Next: Sun. at Colts.
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