Power rankings

49ers, Rams, Seahawks:

Jaguars, Bengals, Chiefs, Patriots, Cowboys, Ravens, Bills, Bears, Broncos

Vikings

For the most part, all these teams are close, but the teams on the top are better. The teams on the same line are relatively equal, but I’ve roughly ranked those teams from left to right–better to worse.

For the top three, besides injury issues, the 49ers looks good, although the defense seems like a vulnerability. The Rams and Seahawks have played unevenly, but at this point, I think they will iron these things out. (For the Rams, this involves a healthy Garrett and Nacua.)

For next level of teams, the Jaguars seem like an overall good team, although I think Lawrence is a weak link. I don’t their offense is as good as the 49ers or Rams, and their defense isn’t as good as the Seahawks. Bengals seem good overall as well. Actually, they seem similar to the Cowboys, both in terms of the overall quality and nature of the teams (e.g., more offensive driven, with a good passing game, and good enough defense). I guess the Bears and Bills could fall into this group as well. (Allen still can make bad decisions, and I’m not sure they coaching is good enough to go all the way.)

Chiefs and Patriots seem like a well-balanced team as well. They will probably have a lot of close games, but they can win a lot. The key for the Patriots is Maye’s ball security. I guess you could put the Ravens here as well.

The Broncos have a good defense, but their offense–Nix–has looked putrid to me.

I’m skeptical about the Vikings, I feel like their record is misleading (although I didn’t see the game against the Dolphins). Their remaining schedule doesn’t look that difficult, so they could end up with a good record.

Dropping out: Texans, Eagles

The Texans defense has faced three really good offenses, but I still think they should have looked better than they did. They could move back up into the group above, but I’ll leave them here as well.

For the Eagles I view them similarly as I do the Broncos, but I think the Broncos have better offensive coaches.