The SPECTRUM

Volume 31

The SPECTRUM

The SPECTRUM

NFL Power Rankings

1. Saints (11-2)

After a Thursday Night loss to Dallas, the Saints are reluctantly still on top of the power rankings. Their offense did not look sharp with a typically dominant Drew Brees only throwing a mere 127 yards, on 18/28 attempts. The NFC South division leaders look to regain their momentum facing a weaker Tampa Bay team next week.

2. Rams (11-2)

The Rams are a perfect example that teams can have an off week. They lost 6-13 against the Chicago Bears. Their offense did not look as good as they normally do, as the Bears defense managed to subdue them to a mere 6 points. We hope to see the Rams continue their success after this slight bump in the road when they go to face the Eagles next week at home.

3. Chiefs (11-2)

The Chiefs, in a tight battle, beat the Raiders last Sunday 40-33. A very surprising score given the Raiders are 2-10 and so the Chiefs have fallen a little bit in our rankings because of this.

4. Chargers (10-3)

The Chargers beat the Steelers in a nail-biter maintaining their reputation as super bowl contenders. Every aspect of their team ran like clockwork with the offense exploding for 400+ yards.

5. Bears (9-4)

Last week, the Bears managed to beat the Rams. Their defense, arguably one of the best in football, kept a normally explosive Rams offense to a mere 6 points. The Bears are one of the most exciting teams to watch right now, and you can expect the Bears to be making a deep playoff push this year.

6. Patriots (9-4)

A Patriots team lacking their star wide receiver Josh Gordon, beat the Vikings progressing to 9-3 on the season. Definitely, expect a deep push into the playoffs under the leadership of Bill Belichick and dominant quarterback Tom Brady.

7. Texans (9-4)

The Texans lost to the Colts moving their record to 9-3. Deshaun Watson was a plus, as he threw for 200+ yards and two touchdowns. We will look next week to see if the Texans can regain their previous momentum going into playoffs.

8. Cowboys (8-5)

The Cowboys won an intense contest against the Eagles. While their defense looked extremely good in the first half shutting out the Eagles, in the second half, they sputtered allowing the Eagles 24 points, while their own offense exploded throughout the game getting 500+ total yards against a good Eagles defense

9. Steelers (7-5-1)

The Steelers fell to the Raiders in a surprise defeat add comma 21 to 24. They got pushed back in the rankings because of this should have been an easy win for them. Antonio Brown had a lowly 35 yards on 6 completions, his lowest stats of the season, while young phenomenon Juju-Smith-Schuster exploded for 2 touchdowns and 135 yards. He looks to be a franchise player for the Steelers in the coming years.

10. Seahawks(7-5)

The Seahawks played the Monday Night game beating the 49ers 43-16. This contest showed that the Seahawks are a force to be reckoned with in the NFC West. Russell Wilson looked smooth in his throws, completing 11 out of 17 attempts. The Seahawks defense forced a turnover creating momentum that the 49ers couldn’t stop. Don’t count the Seahawks out of the hunt just yet.

11. Colts(7-6)

The Colts beat the Texans 24-21 in an incredible upset. T.Y Hilton, their star receiver, had an outstanding game with 199 yards total. Andrew Luck looked at peak performance, and the defense managed to hold out against a late Texan push to take a win. The Colts are finally catching momentum, but unfortunately it was too little too late.

12. Titans (7-6)

With a win against the Jets, the Titans move up our power rankings. While not being the most consistent team in the league, the Titans are still looking for a possible playoff spot.

13. Ravens (7-6)

The Ravens lost 24 to 27 to the Chiefs, in a game that went to overtime. The Ravens rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson looked as if he was finally losing his rookie facade. He is truly special as he mixes not just crisp throws, but also a strong run game in his plan of attack against defenses. Look to see him become the next franchise quarterback with an outdated Joe Flacco, in his last years in the league.

14. Dolphins (7-6)

With a good win comeback win in week 13 the Dolphins rise up the table. With a bit of luck the Dolphins might be able to clinch a wildcard spot.

15. Vikings (6-6-1)

The Vikings lost to the Patriots, effectively eliminating their chances of making the playoffs. Their performance in this game could best be categorized as average with the offense sputtering for a mere 200 yards total. While they may be out of the competition next year, expect the Vikings to make a resurgence next season.

16. Eagles (6-7)

The Eagles need a miracle after losing to the Cowboys last week. Now they are two games back in their Conference. Don’t worry Eagles Fans because in the second half of the game the Eagles offense looked as if they had returned to their previous glory. If a couple questionable calls had been reversed the Eagles could very well have tied for top in their division.

17. Broncos (6-7)

With a win against the Bengals the Broncos are starting to come into a bit of form late into the season. Things will need to be more consistent if they hope to rise in their division.

18. Redskins (6-7)

Without their starting quarterback, Alex Smith, the Redskins season is more or less over. With a loss to the Eagles, the Redskins goal for the season should be to get over the .500 mark.

19. Panthers (6-7)

The Panthers fell in our power rankings after losing to the Browns 20-26. Christian McCaffery dominated again continuing his hot streak for the past 5 games scoring 2 touchdowns. Unfortunately, even his efforts couldn’t propel his team past the Browns and the Panthers are now on a five game losing streak.

20. Giants (5-8)

The Giants have proved that they have great potential, following a three point win in week 13. Odell Beckham showed that he really can do it all, with one of the season’s only 100% completion games to go along with a receiving touchdown of his own. Saquon continued to make his case for Rookie of the Year, rushing for the fourth highest total of the week With a season that keeps on improving, we’re left to wonder how deep of a playoff run this year’s Giants could have had without their multiple close losses.

21. Browns (5-7-1)

Led by rookie quarterback, Baker Mayfield, the Browns have improved immensely from their past seasons. After winning only one game in the previous two years, five wins and a tie shows that things are looking up in Cleveland.

22. Packers (5-7-1)

The Packers bested the Falcons 34-20. The Packers offense worked well together as their run attack was successful with star running back Aaron Jones scoring yet another touchdown. Aaron Rodgers had another successful day as quarterback breaking a record for most consecutive games without an interception. As a Packer fan, you can only hope they will rebound and regain their previous glory in the upcoming season.

23. Buccaneers (5-8)

Coming into their Sunday night game against the Saints, the Buccaneers had very little hope of pulling off and upset. With a 14-3 lead at half time it looked like they might pull it off, but in the second half they dropped off and lost 28-14. With quarterback Jameis Winston looking a bit more consistent, the future of the Buccaneers is looking a little bit brighter.

24. Bengals (5-8)

The Bengals stand at the bottom of the AFC North and with a five game losing streak it seems like the bottom is where they’ll stay. Things will need to improve if Cincinnati wants better results.

25. Lions (5-8)

Despite holding the Rams to only 13 points in the first half, the Lions ultimately lost. Despite the result the Lions put up a good showing and have now laid down the blueprint on how to beat one of the most potent offenses in the NFL through a s
trong defensive showing.

26. Bills (4-9)

With a week 13 loss to the Dolphins the Bills season has been an overall disappointment. Last year Miami was a playoff team but now are struggling to make things click like last year. Hopefully things will improve for next season.

27. Jaguars

Coming into the 2018-19 season people were saying that their defense would be the best in the league, but it is apparent they are not living up to the hype when you look at their lost to the Titans. For a team with so much potential, the 4-9 Jaguars season has to be seen as major disappointment and they hopefully figure things out come next season.

28. Jets (4-9)

The Jets almost pulled off an upset against the high flying Texans but ultimately let themselves down with a collapse in the fourth quarter. The Jets will hopefully pick things up with the return of their quarterback Sam Darnold.

29. Falcons (4-9)

The Falcons have hit a spell of bad form with fives losses in a row. Performances will need to improve if they hope to rise from the bottom of the division.

30. Cardinals (3-10)

With a win against the great Aaron Rodgers, the Cardinals rise in our power rankings. The win against Green bay is the Cardinals first win against the Packers since 2010, and while things are looking up for Arizona, you know something isn’t quite right when the opposing team’s coach gets fired after a loss to you.

31. 49ers (3-10)

There’s not much you can expect from a team reaching this far into their depth chart this season. With a sound defeat to the Seahawks the only thing a 49ers fan can do is wait until next season for the return of their star quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

32. Raiders (3-10)

For a team trying to tank, the Raiders put up a good show for their fans against the Chiefs. Quarterback Derek Carr led his team to their second highest scoring game of the season but still came up short. With an overall disappointing season the Raiders can be happy once they get their high draft pick.

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