AMLoB Season 8 Power Rankings v4

by Ljdubzero | 6 years ago | 0 Comments

1.) Carolina Panthers (13-0)

 

Here we are going into week 15 and one of the two undefeated teams are the defending Super Bowl champions. The fact this team has avoided to have a Super Bowl hangover is amazing. The team is firing on all cylinders as they look to make another run this season for back to back titles which would be their 3rd title in 4 seasons. The defense has looked amazing as they lead the league in sacks, interceptions, points allowed, point diff. and turnover diff. Kizer has been playing at an MVP level and the WR’s have balled this season. Injuries have been tough on this team as of late though as CMC is out for the season and Cockrell wouldn’t come back til the potential NFC Championship game. Let’s see if the injuries derail their chances.

 

[Prev. Rank: 1]

 

2.) Cleveland Browns (13-0)

 

Just as dangerous as the #1 team, the undefeated Browns are continuing their regular season dominance in the league. Their leading MVP candidate Adrian West is the one constant in that equation. Since he’s arrived in Cleveland he is playing at an elite level and makes his team look dominant in the process. The defense is strong, the offense is better than that and the coach has this team looking playoff ready at 13-0. After suffering the tough loss in the championship game last year after a 16-0 regular season, the Browns plan to make their Super Bowl run this year. The playoff woes of this team I think can be righted this year as they look focused on the task at hand and taking care of business. Potential undefeated Super Bowl matchup? We shall see.

 

[Prev. Rank: 2]

 

3.) Green Bay Packers (11-2)

 

As this team continues to overachieve given the talent on the roster, this team has played with the best of them coming in at 11-2. So many strong wins and an upcoming match in week 16 that decides the division with a win against the fellow top 5 division rival Lions. Holland is having a great sophomore campaign to prove his rookie season wasn’t a fluke and the weapons on offense are just flowing well. The defense has been pretty good but not quite played to the level the offense has to this point. Overall this team is dangerous regardless of how you look at it, with a good coach and guys that fit his scheme. The real question is can this coach take this Packers team to another Super Bowl similar to his run as he Colts coach.

 

[Prev. Rank: 3]

 

4.) Detroit Lions (11-2)

 

The Lions at 11-2 are contenders as they were last season. This team has looked great aside from a tough loss to the division rival Packers that they get a 2nd chance against in week 16 and the top ranked Panthers. With a playoff spot locked up they now have their sites on a potential division title for the 2nd straight year and a potential bye that could come with that. Lewerke hasn’t played well this year despite his weapons looking really good but between LJ Scott and Weston Bridges they have taken this offense from good to great this season. I look to the Lions to really make a lot of noise this postseason and maybe even bring a title to Detroit. This coach is a native of the city and it would mean a great deal to him, the fans and organization if they can make it happen.

 

[Prev. Rank: 6]

 

5.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-2)

 

When interviewed the coach made it very clear that he’s ecstatic to be “Top 5, top 5, top 5” once again. Putting together such an impressive season it’s well earned though. With their only 2 losses coming to the division rival Panthers in games that the score doesn’t quite indicate the tightness of the game, this team has pretty much rolled. Clinching their first playoff appearance under their current coach, this team looks like they can contend with the best of them. Atwater has been playing at a great level as he’s made plays all season long, and Harmon has been big for this receiving core. The big question with this team now that they’ve clinched a spot is just how well will this level of play translate to the playoffs? Can they win and potentially bring a title to Tampa?

 

[Prev. Rank: 7]

 

6.) New York Jets (10-3)

 

Probably the hottest team in the league right now aside from the undefeated teams as they’ve won 8 of the last 9. The Jets have looked great this season as they’ve made a lot of noise especially as of late. The numbers may not be setting the world on fire but the fact they continue to find ways to get it done especially as reigning AFC champs says a lot. As they look to control their own destiny with a win against the division rival Patriots, they look to defend their crown in the AFC this season. The offense hasn’t really played great including Watson who has looked pedestrian this season but the defense has been playing great football over the last few games. This team can contend and plan to show everyone they can repeat last year’s playoff run.

 

[Prev. Rank: 11]

 

7.) Arizona Cardinals (10-3)

 

Winners of 5 of their last 6 and sweeping the division have the Cardinals coming in at number 7. This team has been really good this season with their only 3 losses coming to teams in the top 10 including 2 in the top 5. The offense is playing at an elite level thanks mostly to rookie Malcolm Greene’s explosion with great numbers on the ground. Hangartner is coming around too with Kirk and Booker making plays at wideout. The defense has come around too as they’re looking like the Cardinals defense of old or at least a good resemblance of the super bowl winning defenses they had. Loaded at every position, I fully believe this Cardinals team can make another run at a Super Bowl in a tight NFC playoffs that’s on the horizon.

 

[Prev. Rank: 8]

 

8.) Kansas City Chiefs (10-3)

 

So many different dynamics to this team this season as they’ve looked great at times and not so much at others. Supremely talented and another potential contender to come out of the AFC, the Chiefs have been good overall this season. Battle continues to show his elite level talent at the WR position in this offense and Tarrant hasn’t had quite as spectacular of a sophomore season but even with that; he is on pace for another 1,000 yard season. With the AFC West essentially clinched, I think the Chiefs are shifting their focus to playoff football and making sure they can try and get it done this season. With so much young talent, some tough opponents and a tough loss last year to get bounced, I think the Chiefs could be a team to watch this postseason.

 

[Prev. Rank: 4]

 

9.) New England Patriots (10-3)

 

The Patriots continue to fly under the radar as one of the better teams in the AFC. They dropped 3 spots, the Pats have looked really good this season with some really big wins. Both sides of the ball they have played well as Brandin Cooks continues to get it done at WR and McNabb playing better than the numbers show, with playmakers on defense. The numbers they’re putting up aren’t necessarily eye popping but they somehow find a way regardless of the circumstance. The team looks ready to go into the postseason with a playoff spot all but official to make some noise and try to get a super bowl win. The consistency of this team in the regular season the last couple seasons needs to translate to the postseason and I think they can make that happen.

 

[Prev. Rank: 5]

 

10.) Houston Texans (10-3)

 

The Texans round out the top 10 this time around as they climbed from number 12. With 2 of their 3 losses coming to top 5 teams and another to a division rival those losses aren’t bad at all on the resumé especially with a few nice wins. Taulia has been nothing but efficient this season as he’s spread the ball around to the tune of 28 TD’s to 11 INT’s. The defense has been solid but even at 10-3 this coach feels like his team should be doing more. Overachieving with a not so talented team is no easy feat and this coach has made sure that they’ve continued to play well to sustain this level of success. His coaching has gotten this team to a potential playoff berth so look for him to continue as they try to make a statement in a loaded AFC field.

 

[Prev. Rank: 12]

 

11.) Los Angeles Rams (9-4)

 

[Prev. Rank: 14]

 

12.) Denver Broncos (8-5)

 

[Prev. Rank: 10]

 

13.) Jacksonville Jaguars (8-5)

 

[Prev. Rank: 13]

 

14.) Washington Redskins (10-3)

 

[Prev. Rank: 19]

 

15.) Baltimore Ravens (8-5)

 

[Prev. Rank: 16]

 

16.) San Francisco 49ers (7-6)

 

[Prev. Rank: 9]

 

17.) Pittsburgh Steelers (5-8)

 

[Prev. Rank: 21]

 

18.) Chicago Bears (5-2)

 

[Prev. Rank: 20]

 

19.) Los Angeles Chargers (4-9)

 

[Prev. Rank: 23]

 

20.) New Orleans Saints (6-7)

 

[Prev. Rank: 18]

 

21.) Atlanta Falcons (7-6)

 

[Prev. Rank: 15]

 

22.) Cincinnati Bengals (6-7)

 

[Prev. Rank: 17]

 

23.) Seattle Seahawks (4-9)

 

[Prev. Rank: 26]

 

24.) Indianapolis Colts (3-10)

 

[Prev. Rank: 22]

 

25.) Dallas Cowboys (2-11)

 

[Prev. Rank: 25]

 

26.) New York Giants (2-11)

 

[Prev. Rank: 31]

 

27.) Tennessee Titans (2-11)

 

[Prev. Rank: 24]

 

28.) Philadelphia Eagles (1-12)

 

[Prev. Rank: 32]

 

29.) Miami Dolphins (0-7)

 

[Prev. Rank: 29]

 

30.) Buffalo Bills (1-12)

 

[Prev. Rank: 27]

 

31.) Oakland Raiders (0-13)

 

[Prev. Rank: 31]

 

32.) Minnesota Vikings (0-13)

 

[Prev. Rank: 28]