Once again, I would like to remind you of my pick ‘em league on ESPN.com. Free to join and all that, of course, but most of all, it’s for fun. Nothing is at stake, unlike the NFC, where the defending champion Seattle Seahawks reign. But first, there are other teams to get to, starting with the NFC East.

• NFC East

  • Dallas Cowboys

    • Is this finally “the year,” as Cowboys fans would put it? Probably not, but they’ve got just a good chance as any to take the NFC East crown, especially if the Eagles have a down year. Dak is still their quarterback and the offense is still a good unit overall, but will the defense improve? I don’t know, but I did like the Caleb Downs pick. Somebody has to win this division, and if I choose to ignore the fact that the Commanders are going to win the Super Bowl this year, then I would pick Dallas to take the top spot in this division.

  • Philadelphia Eagles

    • Nick Sirriani succeeds in spite of himself and I would expect nothing different from this season. Oh, and he really wants to let you know how much he loves using artificial intelligence. Probably because Sirianni himself has no actual intelligence to speak of. But still, these birds still possess a good defense and Saquon Barkley might still have a good year or two in him before he inevitably hits the runningback wall. As much as I—and the rest of the NFC East, for that matter—would love to see the Philadelphia Eagles crash and burn, they’ll probably stumble to 10 or 11 wins and end up making the playoffs.

  • Washington Commanders

    • So it’s come to this. Going into the preseason, the Commanders had a lot riding on their much-improved defense and exciting new coordinators. Then the Tunsil injury happened, shaking up the core of the offensive line and highlighting the glaring weaknesses that could end up becoming a problem all season. And with Jayden Daniels, it is important to protect the franchise. Now, that is much more uncertain. Still, I think they’ll improve somewhat, even if it looks as if their odds of making the postseason are lower than other teams. The games have yet to be played and anything can happen, after all. But for now, Washington missing the playoffs is one prediction I hope that I’m wrong about.

  • New York Giants

    • There’s a strange amount of hype surrounding the Giants and I don’t really see it. There’s some good about this team—taking Reese in the first was good and Malik Nabers will be a valuable contributor once he’s healthy—but a lot of uncertainty around the QB position. I’m not sold on Dart as a starter, even if he cuts back on his recklessness, and Skattebo, as much as I admire his running style, isn’t exactly a lead back. John Harbaugh might still be a good coach, but he was run out of Baltimore for a reason and there’s a chance they will end up being right about him. But anything can happen and maybe the Giants make the playoffs if the NFC East as a whole has a down year.

• NFC South

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers

    • Really, the entire NFC South could win this division (except maybe the Falcons—sorry), but only one team is likely to make the playoffs and if I had to choose, I’d say the Buccaneers do it. Yes, the vibes have been off and Todd Bowles is something of a lame duck coach, but I don’t have confidence in any one team and Tampa Bay is probably the most well-rounded of the division. Baker Mayfield is still a solid start in the league, obviously, and they did just re-sign Vita Vea after that whole saga earlier. Just take the win, okay?

  • New Orleans Saints

    • Tyler Shough is the trendy QB pick in a lot of NFL pundit circles from what I’ve gathered, but he hasn’t played enough significant football for me to be high on him. I might get proven wrong, but the Saints still feel a step away from being truly relevant, if at all. Of course, this being the NFC South, all it takes is one mishap and New Orleans could be playing a home game in January. Then again, I know better than to put my trust in an NFC South team.

  • Carolina Panthers

    • Speaking of which, the Panthers. They’re here and are also in contention for the honor of winning “King of Garbage Mountain,” aka the NFC South. Yes, the Panthers made the playoffs last year, but it took Atlanta losing for them to do so. Of course, they did play competitively against the Rams, but so much can change between seasons that I feel like the Panthers are due for a regression. Or not, depending on how volatile this division ends up becoming.

  • Atlanta Falcons

    • If it weren’t for the uncertainty surround the QB position, I’d have the Falcons as a dark horse playoff favorite because they do have some talented players on offense in Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts. Alas, Atlanta cannot have it too good, as the battle between oft-injured Tua Tagovailoa and oft-injured Michael Penix Jr. does little to inspire confidence in this team.

• NFC North

  • Detroit Lions

    • You could make a case for any of these teams to win the NFC North, but if I had to choose, I’d pick the Lions. I still believe in them, even if they did take a step back in 2025. Maybe it’s due to how random this whole division is, but it could be very possible that all four teams finish in playoff contention and it could also be possible that only one team makes the playoffs from this division. Thus, I’m picking the Lions.

  • Chicago Bears

    • It’s very easy to pick the Bears for regression and while there is a very good chance of it happening, I still think that the Bears can make the playoffs even if their defense may end up being not that good this year. Caleb Williams is a playmaker, which should keep Chicago in games, but I do expect that the defense will take a step back when it comes to turnovers. Even more, Chicago had a lot of luck last year and that doesn’t always carry over season-to-season. But if the offense is great, then Chicago should at least be a playoff contender.

  • Green Bay Packers

    • It’s going to take some time for Micah Parsons to come back from his injury, which is a setback for the Packers’ defense. But the Packers go as Jordan Love goes, so if he does well, then Green Bay should have a shot at the playoffs. Whether or not they can make it higher than the 7th seed, however, is a different story.

  • Minnesota Vikings

    • And here come the Vikings. Will Kyler Murray be the answer at QB Minnesota’s been looking for? Probably not, but Murray is most likely better than JJ “Nine” McCarthy. Maybe. The Vikings do have talented skill position players like Justin Jefferson and a defense coached by Brian Flores, but unless Kyler Murray can prove it was Arizona’s problem and not him, I have a hard time seeing the Vikings making the playoffs.

• NFC West

  • Los Angeles Rams

    • With the Myles Garrett trade, the Rams became the favorite in the NFC to make the Super Bowl. That doesn’t mean that it’s a guarantee, but the Rams were just in the NFC Championship game last year and still have essentially the same roster. The NFC West is a tough battle, though, and the Rams have their work cut out for them. I choose to believe the hype, at least when it comes to the regular season.

  • Seattle Seahawks

    • The defending champs, the Seahawks enter this season looking to repeat (hopefully they decide to run it next time). Sam Darnold, the feel-good story of last season, may not reach the highs of the last season but that supporting cast is good enough to help him. And the defense, the strength last year, should be much the same. But I think that the Rams are going to do slightly better in the regular season, which is why Seattle ends up in second place.

  • San Francisco 49ers

    • At this point, it should be asked who isn’t injured on the 49ers. Blame it on the electrical substation or don’t, San Francisco is a well-coached team with a ton of bad breaks that may impact this season overall. But Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey, as long both stay healthy, should keep the 49ers competitive. That’s much better than the following team, at least.

  • Arizona Cardinals

    • What better way to end this than to go over what may end up being the worst team in the NFL this season? The Cardinals have very few qualities that fans could look forward to but overall, this is not a team expected to do much this season. I struggle to find any real redeeming factor about this team, though I guess Jeremiyah Love could be fun. And Trey McBride, too, but that’s about it. Get ready for a long season of mock drafts, Arizona, because it’s not looking good.

And that does it for the regular season division predictions. Next up will be the power rankings heading into week 1, then game predictions. Not sure how I’ll cover Washington this year, but I’ll try to have some sort of write-up each week. Your support is greatly appreciated and I thank you.

Anyway, it’s time to begin the season predictions for both conferences. I’m going to start with the AFC first, then the NFC. This may be the easier conference to predict compared to the NFC, but as with every season, you never truly know for certain until the games are played. There are the obvious favorites and teams to predict to finish last, but maybe we’ll see some surprises along the way.

Teams I predict to make the playoffs will be in bold, just so you know.

• AFC East

  • 1. Buffalo Bills

    • To be honest, you could make an argument for either team in slots 1 and 2 here. I am going to take Buffalo to win the division here because I think that they have a slightly easier schedule and you can’t just bet against Josh Allen in the regular season. Joe Brady may not change this team’s chemistry too drastically, but time will tell if this was the right choice by the Bills’ front office. At least, for the time being, you can still trust Buffalo to get it done up until January. After that, well, that’s a different thing entirely and not one Buffalo fans are willing to confront.

  • 2. New England Patriots

    • It’s going to be interesting to see how the Patriots try and run it back because by most accounts they have generally improved. Drake Maye looks to be taking the next step and getting AJ Brown does help fill in the gap left by Stefon Diggs’s departure. The schedule will get tougher, sure, but the Patriots have what it takes to get back to the postseason. Getting back to the Super Bowl? That’s another story.

  • 3. Miami Dolphins

    • A contender in the quest for the number one overall pick, Miami doesn’t have a lot going for it. Malik Willis is an interesting add but not much else I can say regarding this team. At the very least, they should be marginally better than the Jets.

  • 4. New York Jets

    • Typically, teams that are projected to be the absolute worst tend to overachieve, if even by a little bit, but the Jets possess so few redeeming factors that it’s hard for me to imagine them winning a single game. David Bailey was a good pick, but this is about all I can truly give them. You guys still have the Knicks, though, but I imagine that’s only so long until James Dolan decides to stick his nose back into team affairs again.

• AFC South

  • 1. Houston Texans

    • This is a make-or-break year for CJ Stroud, who has yet to match the highs of his rookie season, but the Texans overall are a team that could be a sneaky Super Bowl contender if all goes well. The defense should still be top tier and keep them in games; it all really depends on the offense at this point. But also, this is a weaker division and I think that Jacksonville will take a step back compared to last season. So Texans it is.

  • 2. Jacksonville Jaguars

    • I would like to be proven wrong here, but history is not on the Jaguars’ side in this prediction. Since 1999, the Jaguars have failed to make consecutive playoffs and I think it’s going to continue as Jacksonville will play a first place schedule and the tape on them is much more known. Trevor Lawrence is who he is at this point: good enough but may not be the guy to do it all on his own. Travis Hunter is much more of a corner than receiver, but staying healthy is the most important part. Maybe I’ll be wrong here.

  • 3. Indianapolis Colts

    • Daniel Jones has never played a full season in his career and I don’t think that’s going to change soon. The Colts, I feel, may be a surprise candidate for the top pick in next year’s draft based on their schedule. At least if they end up getting the number one overall pick, they can hang a banner for that.

  • 4. Tennessee Titans

    • The Titans have made some improvements, but I feel like they’re still a couple years off from being truly competitive. Cam Ward gets to start his second year here, but will he improve enough? I’m not certain and I don’t think that there’s a chance the Titans make the playoffs unless everything goes right.

• AFC North

  • 1. Baltimore Ravens

    • The Ravens have the talent, but as of late, the coaching has held this team back. Gone is John Harbaugh (who’s off to prove he’s still got in the New York), now arrives Jesse Minter (who’s here to prove that he’s not just some random coach picked up off the street). But the main question, as per the usual for Baltimore, is whether or not Lamar Jackson will be able to get it done in the playoffs. He’s got the accolades sans the most important one that’s eluded him his entire career, but at least, in regards to the regular season, I have Jackson and the Ravens winning this division.

  • 2. Cincinnati Bengals

    • It’s the Bengals time to shine. The darlings of the offseason, Cincinnati is serious about making a return to the playoffs, which is why they went out and traded for Dexter Lawrence. And if Joe Burrow can play the full season, look out, because the playoffs is where the magic happens. Granted, the Bengals actually need to make the playoffs and the defense needs to step up, but it’s a start. I was debating between them and the Steelers, but I give the edge to the Bengals only because of reasons I will explain in the next line down.

  • 3. Pittsburgh Steelers

    • Father Time is undefeated, at least in the battle against NFL quarterbacks and I think Aaron Rodgers is going to hit that wall and hard. Mike McCarthy may or may not be a good pickup, but there’s not much I can say I particularly like about the Steelers. They just feel sort of… there, you know? Like having to talk about them just for the sake of doing so, Pittsburgh has some talent but for the most part, I either see them barely missing out or actually having a losing for the first time in what feels like forever. Maybe then, they might actually do something.

  • 4. Cleveland Browns

    • And then there’s the Browns. The Browns, long been the perennial losers of the NFL ever since their return, enter this season with next to no expectations. The quarterback room is a mess, the offensive line is uncertain, and they’ve traded their best player away. Jared Verse could end up being a good successor to Myles Garrett, but again, it’s Myles Garrett you’re replacing which is a tough task. Start getting those mock drafts ready, Cleveland, because this is going to be a long season yet again.

• AFC West

  • 1. Los Angeles Chargers

    • It’s a bit of a toss-up between the Chargers and Broncos, but I’m giving the edge to Los Angeles solely because I think that the Broncos will slightly regress this season. The Chargers, a team without hometown identity ever since departing San Diego years ago, do have a solid quarterback in Justin Herbert and good pieces on offense and a good defense, as well, but it’s never really come entirely together when it comes to the postseason. No matter how good the Chargers appear in the regular season, it always end up falling apart in January when it matters the most. Could that change this season? Never say never, but the odds aren’t favorable. Still, they have just a shot as anyone in the AFC to fill the vacancy left by Kansas City and are likely to win the division.

  • 2. Denver Broncos

    • The Broncos are kind of a mystifying team in a way. They had several close victories last season and managed to make the AFC championship despite losing Bo Nix to injury. They would have beaten the Patriots, too, were it not for a couple of questionable decisions and the game becoming a snowstorm as the game went on. But that’s last season and this season, the Broncos still have a good team. What matters most is if Bo Nix can improve upon his return to the lineup and if the defense can remain consistent. Do those two things and it’s very possible that the Broncos could make another deep run if not make the Super Bowl.

  • 3. Kansas City Chiefs

    • How the mighty have fallen. After tormenting the NFL for several years, the Chiefs no longer look like the menace that attended five Super Bowls and won three. Patrick Mahomes is still recovering from a torn ACL but is looking to get back in the game as soon as he can. I say to him: take a rest. You’ve already proven so much already, so take the year off (maybe next year, too) and let someone else have a chance to take the crown. But seriously, the Chiefs do feel like they’re at least a year from being competitive once again, even if I do like the selection of Mansoor Delane in the first round.

  • 4. Las Vegas Raiders

    • The Raiders made some big, splashy moves this offseason, but I think it’s still too early for them to make the big step necessary. It will be some time before Fernando Mendoza gets to start, but the question is how long will that be, not if he starts this season at all. Kirk Cousins is clearly continuing his “bag earning” phase by signing with Las Vegas, but there is some talent on the offense to help him out with Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty. Still, this is the Raiders and I can’t exactly see them being competent just yet. Just have fun out there, okay?

That’ll do it for the AFC predictions. Next up is the NFC, where there’s a bit more uncertainty, though you could say it could still be as consistent as the AFC. I’ll get into it in the next post, but for now, the AFC is done.

One such move involved getting much more younger and much more faster on both ends of the ball, adding players like Chig Okonkwo and Rachaad White on offense and Odafe Oweh, Leo Chenal, and Nick Cross on defense. That emphasis was further addressed in the draft by selecting linebacker Sonny Styles with the seventh pick, turning an old and slow unit into a younger and faster one.

Of course, even with all of these moves, the main factor in the Commanders’ success this season lies on Jayden Daniels and if he can stay healthy. Last year proved to be a season to forget for Daniels—as he played less then half of the season with Marcus Mariota playing in relief. With the rumors of the offense turning to a more traditional style of play, Daniels will find himself playing under center more often and running an offense similar to that of Kevin O’Connell or Ben Johnson as Blough has worked with both coaches in the past. Should Daniels stay healthy this season, Washington has a very good chance of rebounding from a dismal 2025. Of course, nothing is certain but it is fun to speculate.

For this schedule prediction, I am going to go through each game week by week and predict whether the Commanders win or lose. Full disclosure: I will be a bit more optimistic in my predictions as I tend to imagine a possibility where Washington wins, but I won’t go too out there. It’s very possible for the Commanders to start slow given the fact that they’ve got two new coordinators and it could take a couple of weeks for the team to find their rhythm. The same could be said for their opponents. But all in all, this is mostly for fun, so don’t take this too seriously.

Anyway, it’s time to begin.

SCHEDULE:

• Week 1 - September 13 at Philadelphia Eagles (4:25 PM EST)

  • The season starts off tough on the road against the reigning NFC East champions and the Commanders definitely have their work cut out for them. These are the types of games that can define your season right away and if Washington isn’t careful, it could be a disastrous start if they start slow. There isn’t a lot we know about the scheme from both coordinators so far, so this could end up being a rough go if the Eagles appear ready. But divisional games tend to be unpredictable and maybe the Commanders can pull off the upset. Unfortunately, I’m not so sure things will go their way to start the season, so I will have to predict a loss here. Maybe close. Prediction: L (0-1)

• Week 2 - September 20 at Dallas Cowboys (4:25 PM EST)

  • The test continues for the Commanders here as they go on the road and face Dallas. The Cowboys are somewhat in a similar position to the Commanders as both teams missed the playoffs last season and both teams boast new defensive coordinators, as well as both teams selecting Ohio State defenders with their first round picks. Depending on how things go, this could either be a defensive battle or a shootout but I’m not entirely sure. This could be ugly if the Commanders drop two in a row to start the year, but I’ll be a bit more optimistic for now and say that Washington gets the win against an old rival in a close one. Prediction: W (1-1)

• Week 3 - September 27 vs. Seattle Seahawks (1:00 PM EST)

  • Fortunately, things get easier after this. But the Seahawks are tough and that defense is tougher. These two teams met last season and it didn’t end well for Washington. Hard to see a win here against a genuinely great team. Maybe Sam Darnold takes a step back, but even if he does, he has the supporting cast to elevate him. Not exactly the easiest outing to start the season, is it? Prediction: L (1-2)

• Week 4 - October 4 vs. Indianapolis Colts (London) (9:30 AM EST)

  • Possible hot take: the Colts might be a sneaky bad team this year. Their schedule is tough to begin with and they could be a Shane Steichen could be the first coach to get the boot if the Colts struggle. But this blurb should stick for this game only, which I think that the Commanders have a good chance of winning this game. Jones is a wild card and has somewhat had Washington’s number in the past, but those days are behind us and I believe that the Commanders take the win here to get back to .500. Prediction: W (2-2)

• Week 5 - October 11 vs. New York Giants (1:00 PM EST)

  • The Giants are said to be improved over the offseason and John Harbaugh has a reputation as a good coach. However, winning the offseason means very little and there was a good reason why many Ravens fans were happy to see Harbaugh go after last season. I’m not buying into the hype until I can see it and the Commanders should still win against this Giants team. Prediction: W (3-2)

• Week 6 - October 19 at San Francisco 49ers (Monday) (8:15 PM EST)

  • This depends on what version of the 49ers we’ll see this season. Will we see a juggernaut on both sides of the ball or an injured squad struggling to field players because their substation exists? Either way, I’m going to go and assume that the 49ers will be in contention this season and that this game will be a tough outing for the Commanders on the road Monday night. Prediction: L (3-3)

• Week 7 - BYE

  • In some ways, this could be a blessing depending on how the early season goes. If Washington rolls out of the gate slow, this bye will come at the right time and give them time to recover. Still, should be a good rest week since the next game certainly isn’t going to be easy.

• Week 8 - November 1 vs. Philadelphia Eagles (8:20 PM EST)

  • The rematch. The Eagles, despite being utterly despicable and having no redeeming qualities whatsoever, are no pushovers. But there is some wonder about how the season for the Eagles could go at this point in the season and if their offense is as sluggish as they were last season, then the Commanders have a chance. In a show of optimism, I think that Washington will win this game and split the season series with the hated rival up north. Prediction: W (4-3)

• Week 9 - November 8 vs. Los Angeles Rams (1:00 PM EST)

  • The Rams have been very good the past couple of seasons and I don’t think that this season will be any different for them. It is a west coast team making the trip east, but the Rams aren’t going to make it easy for the Commanders. Washington could certainly try to keep this one close, but I’m leaning towards the Rams to win this one. Prediction: L (4-4)

• Week 10 - November 12 at New York Giants (Thursday) (8:15 PM EST)

  • It’s a short week and it’s against a division rival, but as I’ve said earlier, the Giants need to prove it before I can truly believe they have a chance at winning anything significant this year. But this game could be a fight depending on a few things, mainly in how healthy both teams are at this point, but I’ll give this one to Washington. Prediction: W (5-4)

• Week 11 - November 23 vs. Cincinnati Bengals (Monday) (8:15 PM EST)

  • The last time these two teams faced on Monday night, the Commanders won in a thrilling shootout. Could the same thing happen here? The Bengals do have Joe Burrow who, provided he stays healthy this season, is one of the top quarterbacks in the league. But questions do remain regarding their defense even after adding one of the best defensive linemen in Dexter Lawrence. This is very much a “prove it” towards the Bengals, who haven’t fielded a good defense in the past couple of years. Add in the additional rest and I think that Washington wins this one, hopefully much more comfortably this time. Prediction: W (6-4)

• Week 12 - November 29 at Arizona Cardinals (4:25 PM EST)

  • A road game, yes, but one against a team many are projecting to be one of the worst—if not the worst—teams in the NFL. This and next week are the easiest parts of the schedule and it’s hard to imagine a scenario where the Commanders lose to the Cardinals. Pretty much a lot has to go right for the Cardinals to even have a chance at winning here. Prediction: W (7-4)

• Week 13 - December 6 at Tennessee Titans (1:00 PM EST)

  • Tennessee should be improved somewhat, though I think they’re still a ways away from being good. Washington should roll to a win here and keep their streak going. Prediction: W (8-4)

• Week 14 - December 13 vs. Houston Texans (1:00 PM EST)

  • The Texans were one of the best defenses last year and were it not for CJ Stroud melting down against the Patriots, they could have been in the Super Bowl. This game is at home for the Commanders but will be a tough outing no matter what. Depending on how things go, this could be a low scoring game with it being decided by a single score. I want to give the edge here to Washington, but think that Houston will pull off the victory here. Prediction: L (8-5)

• Week 15 - December 20 vs. Atlanta Falcons (1:00 PM EST)

  • The jury is still technically out on whether or not Michael Penix Jr. can be the guy in Atlanta, but so far, it hasn’t looked too good. The Falcons did get the better of the Commanders last season, but for the most part, Washington has had their number in recent years, included a win two years ago in overtime. What we will see from the Falcons this year depends on the QB situation and if they’ll be competitive enough to contend for the playoffs. For me, I’m going to give the edge to the Commanders here as I think they’ll be much more improved here and handle whatever Atlanta has in store for them. Prediction: W (9-5)

• Week 16 - (FLEX) at Minnesota Vikings (TBD)

  • Last year was a game to forget when the Commanders faced the Vikings, but will this season have a different result? It’s hard to tell, but what seems likely is that JJ McCarthy may be heading on his way out given that Minnesota signed Kyler Murray to compete with him. That defense should still be great and should prove to cause some trouble. Add in the fact that it’s on the road and it’s a tough battle for the Commanders to face. Vikings probably win this one. Prediction: L (9-6)

• Week 17 - (FLEX) at Jacksonville Jaguars (TBD)

  • Jacksonville is a tough team to predict this year. They finished strong to make the playoffs but went out in the wildcard. I think Coen is a good coach and Trevor Lawrence is a good enough QB, but it will take a lot more to prove to me that this Jaguars team isn’t just a one season wonder. This is the penultimate game of the regular season, so this game could mean something for both teams, one team, or neither of them in terms of the playoff hunt. Jacksonville is a tough go, but I believe that the Commanders will find the advantage and pull off the needed win to stay in the playoff hunt. Prediction: W (10-6)

• Week 18 - (FLEX) vs. Dallas Cowboys (TBD)

  • The regular season finale. At this point, Dallas could be contending for the division or they could be looking at a higher draft pick. This one may end up being the last game of the regular season depending on the course of the season, with both teams playing for the division title if Philadelphia and New York both look bad. But given the circumstances in this hypothetical scenario, Washington will want to bring their all against Dallas and get the win in a close battle that sends them to the postseason. Prediction: W (11-6)

So there you have it. An 11-6 record for Washington, granted all goes well and they avoid any major injuries/setbacks. Good enough for a playoff spot but is it good enough to make a run for the Super Bowl? With the increasing arms race in the NFL and other teams improving this offseason, it will be tough to tell, but this is a league where teams can turn it around quickly. Why not the Commanders? After all, the 2024 season showed us what Jayden Daniels and this team is capable of doing, so it’s okay to believe in this season.

I had a whole idea to cover most of the teams that attempted to improve this offseason, but it proved to be much too tedious. So while I’m going to cover as best I can the teams that made interesting moves, I will be doing a top ten overall to see which teams remain the teams to beat for the upcoming season. Without further ado, let’s begin.

The Ultimate Battle of Attrition AKA the entire NFC East is going to be a bloodbath next season if this offseason is anything to go by:

• I should probably start with the reigning division champions and go over the Philadelphia Eagles. First of all, they fired offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, which is basically addition by subtraction. They made a few moves in FA, their biggest move being the signing of Riq Woolen away from the Seahawks. During the NFL Draft, they also traded with the Vikings for Johnathan Greenard in exchange for a couple of draft picks. As for the draft itself, Howie Roseman did it once again as he pulled off a trade up with the Cowboys in order to draft my personal favorite receiver of the class in Makai Lemon. That probably means AJ Brown is on the way out, though I doubt he’ll be missed that much in Philadelphia. Perhaps the most interesting of the Eagles’ prospects is their seventh rounder Uar Bernard, a defensive lineman from Nigeria that was drafted via the NFL’s International Player Pathway. Bernard’s has not played a single snap of football, but I’m sure that he’s going to be a menace in the NFC East for years to come, knowing the Eagles and their luck.

• The Dallas Cowboys didn’t do too much in free agency, their most notable moves being the acquiring Rashan Gary from the Packers via trade and placing the franchise tag on George Pickens. But the biggest move Dallas made was in the draft, trading up to select safety Caleb Downs, touted by many as the best defensive player in the draft, and following that up with selected Malachi Lawrence later in the first, even if I do think it’s slightly a bit of a reach. Both are sure to become immediate starters but time will tell if this will actually put Dallas over the hump.

• There is a little skepticism about the New York Giants and if John Harbaugh can truly be the guy to lead them to success. Yes, he has won a Super Bowl with Baltimore, but that was over a decade ago and there was a reason why many Ravens fans were fine with the team firing him. Still, I do like their offseason moves, which was mainly just signing a bunch of Ravens castoffs, though the draft really did a lot to boost the Giants and their stock. Taking Arvell Reese, another Ohio State prospect and potentially best player in the draft, with the fifth overall and selecting tackle Francis Mauigoa with the tenth pick obtained via the Bengals does help, as well as taking cornerback Colton Hood early in the second. Overall, while the games still need to be played, this is a good start for the Harbaugh era in New York.

• And to round out the NFC East, the Washington Commanders. After what was a disappointing season mired in injuries and an overestimation of their defense, the Commanders needed to get younger and faster. Their offseason moves reflect that as their FA signings went big on youth and potential, with the signings such as Odafe Oweh, Leo Chenal, and Nick Cross on the defense and Chig Okonkwo and Rachaad White on offense. Great signings on paper, but whether or not they’ll execute on field is to be determined. Draft-wise, of all the top prospects in the draft, I think it was down to either Carnell Tate or Sonny Styles and when Tate went off the board, it was big for Washington when KC traded up to select Mansoor Delane before them, setting up the perfect situation to go ahead and draft Styles at seven. Styles has the potential to be a long term starter and eventual captain of a defense that is sorely lacking in talent. In addition, the Commanders also picked Antonio Williams in the third round, who could be the perfect compliment to Terry McLaurin, and Joshua Josephs in the fifth, who will most likely be depth this year with a chance to become a solid starter in a few years. Kaytron Allen, a two-time 1000 yard rusher for Penn State, and Matt Gulbin, more offensive line depth for an offense that can’t never have too much o-line depth, were the picks in the sixth round while in the seventh, Washington added some depth to their quarterback room by taking Athan Kaliakmanis out of Rutgers. So while results remain to be seen, this is a good start in what many fans see as a crucial year for the Dan Quinn regime.

The Perennial Losers Who Got Better, Yet the Main Piece Continues to Evade Them AKA this year’s candidates for the Arch Manning sweepstakes:

• The New York Jets did make some interesting moves with their free agency and draft picks, most notable taking David Bailey at second overall as well as selecting Kenyon Sadiq and Omar Cooper Jr. later on. I doubt Cade Klubnik is the answer at quarterback going forward, but the Jets should be better everywhere else, at least on paper. If they do have yet another dismal season, then they would be in play for one of the top QB prospects for next year. Dante Moore might still end up being a Jet after all, huh?

• I actually like what the Cleveland Browns did in the draft, bolstering their offensive line with Spencer Fano and doubling up on wide receiver with the selections of KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston. The only problem is, much like the Jets, the Browns don’t really have an answer at quarterback. They’re still technically paying for the Watson trade and Sanders most likely isn’t the guy. Otherwise, Cleveland should be good for at least a couple of wins in the AFC North.

• If there’s one team that’s the favorite for the number one overall pick, it has to be the Arizona Cardinals. Not only do they play in a tough division, but there’s no definitive answer at QB. Jacoby Brissett is holding out, Gardner Minshew is a good back-up at best, and Carson Beck will need a prayer if he has any hope of success in the NFL. Fortunately, they used their third overall pick wisely… right? Jeremiyah Love? Really? Hasn’t anyone learned from the Giants that you don’t take a runningback that high? Anyway, good luck out there, Jeremiyah, because you’re going to need it.

TOP TEN:

1. Seattle Seahawks (Season finish: Super Bowl Champions)

   1. Number one until proven otherwise. The reigning Super Bowl champs were relatively quiet in offseason, mostly making sensible moves and re-signing Jaxon Smith-Njigba to an extension. Their most notable more has to be their pick at 32 overall, selecting Jadarian Price as their Kenneth Walker replacement. Of course, there’s a very good chance that the NFC West is a gauntlet yet again, so Seattle should have their work cut out for them. Good luck.

2. Baltimore Ravens (Season finish: Missed playoffs)

   1. This is perhaps the hottest take in this entire power ranking, but not only do I think that the Ravens will be fine, they’ll be one of the top contenders in the AFC this upcoming season. Lamar Jackson will be back at 100 percent and their draft was generally pretty solid, improving the offensive line with Vega Ioane at guard. They ultimately lost out on Maxx Crosby, but got Trey Hendrickson as more than viable substitute. If Jesse Minter can improve the defense, then watch out.

3. New England Patriots (Season finish: Super Bowl loss)

   1. The Patriots have had a completely normal and controversy-free offseason so far, right? Nothing too out of the ordinary? I guess we’ll see what becomes of the whole affair (pun intended) at the moment, but otherwise, the Patriots should still be a good team heading into the 2026 season. The Caleb Lomu pick may be a bit reactionary after Drake Maye’s postseason struggles, but it’s never a bad idea to bolster the offensive line. They might take a step back, but should still be good considering that the rest of the AFC East, besides the Bills, are most likely going to be bad this season.

4. Los Angeles Rams (Season finish: NFC Championship loss)

   1. The Ty Simpson selection aside, the Rams should still be contenders heading into this upcoming season. Stafford still should have some gas left in the tank and barring Puka Nacua being… well, Puka Nacua (in this case, off the field), the offense should still be good. Add in their offseason acquisitions, and the Rams have a good case for challenging the Seahawks for the division title once more.

5. Chicago Bears (Season finish: Divisional round loss)

   1. The Bears made the most of their first round pick, selecting Dillon Thieneman after he fell to them. That’s what the good teams do: take the best player available at the moment. Chicago should look to be good for next season, but a regression on defense is certainly possible, especially when it comes to the Bears’ turnover production. That usually isn’t sustainable and it will be interesting to see how the Bears’ defense will do if those numbers do plummet. Still, if anyone has a chance at the NFC North, Chicago is the one in the driver’s seat.

6. Jacksonville Jaguars (Season finish: Wildcard loss)

   1. This is where it gets hard to rank these teams in the offseason, because you don’t know how everything will truly carry over. Jacksonville had a really good season last year only to one-and-done in the playoffs against Buffalo, though the team itself had been playing at a high level in the regular season. Will that continue into next year, or will the Jaguars take a big step back? I like what Liam Coen did, so I may be higher on the Jaguars than most, but who knows. Just don’t talk about what happened in the draft.

7. Houston Texans (Season finish: Divisional round loss)

   1. The CJ Stroud questions aside, Houston still should be good to go for next season when it comes to their defense. Keylan Rutlege, while perhaps a reach, will hopefully look to improve that offensive line and netting Kayden McDonald early in the second will help their defensive line. But it is hard to ignore everything surrounding CJ Stroud as he does enter a contract year. Finding a franchise quarterback is tough and it’s no certainty that the Texans will find someone better whether it’s by free agency or the draft. If Stroud doesn’t step up, then those calls will only get louder.

8. Denver Broncos (Season finish: AFC Championship loss)

   1. Bo Nix, while there is some debate about how good he really is, is still a serviceable starter and as long as the defense remains great, then Denver should still contend for the AFC West, especially with the Chiefs having a down year. The offseason proved to be rather quiet free agency-wise and the Broncos didn’t have a draft pick until the third round, but I assume that they’ll be good to go regardless. Probably.

9. Buffalo Bills (Season finish: Divisional round loss)

   1. As long as Josh Allen is at the helm, the Bills will always be in contention. Whether or not it will translate to a Super Bowl appearance is another story. Gaining DJ Moore is a good move and should help the offense, and selecting TJ Parker in the draft is sure to help the defensive unit. I would say that this could be Buffalo’s best chance to go all the way this season, but they will definitely need to go and prove it first.

10. Detroit Lions (Season finish: Missed playoffs)

    1. The Lions needed help on both offensive and defensive lines, which is what they addressed in their first two draft picks in Blake Miller and Derrick Moore respectively. I still think that the Lions have a chance at returning to form for this season, though the window itself may already be closed. It depends on how the team handles the quarterback situation going forward, as while Jared Goff is starting caliber, there was a reason why the Rams parted ways with him. And in a competitive NFC North, Detroit needs all the advantages it can get.

And that will do it for the offseason power rankings! As usual, any thoughts, opinions, or disagreements can go down in the comments, but until then, it’s mostly barren until the preseason in August.

The last round, I went an even 4-4. Both of my early Stanley Cup Final picks, Dallas and Tampa Bay, both went out and the Penguins were a bunch of idiots and lost the first three games only to storm back to win the next two games, just to lose in overtime anyway. And, well, the Mammoth did not win like I had hoped, so there’s that. That’s it, really, so let’s get into the next round.

• (1) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (3) Philadelphia Flyers

  • Sorry Penguins, but if you wanted to win another Stanley Cup so badly, you have to go through the Capitals first. That’s the rule, apparently. Anyway, the Flyers dispatched the flightless birds and now face off against the most excruciatingly boring hockey teams in terms of play. Carolina’s usually good up until the Eastern Conference Finals, so this series is probably going to be over in the blink of an eye. Prediction: Hurricanes defeat Flyers 4-0

• (1) Colorado Avalanche vs. (3) Minnesota Wild

  • Okay, who turned off the defense for both teams in game one? The Wild win a playoff series for the first time in over a decade, whereas the Avalanche continue to put on a scoring clinic. Maybe if it were the Stars, the Avalanche might be sweating but I don’t know if the Wild put up as good of a fight here. Minnesota might need a lucky break or two to win this one. Going Avs. Prediction: Avalanche defeat Wild 4-1

• (1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (3) Anaheim Ducks

  • Vegas always finds themselves in the mix no matter what and this year was no different. Sometimes it’s about timing and that’s exactly what happened here and what might happen against the Ducks. Then again, Anaheim did win all three match-ups in the regular season. But then again, those results don’t always indicate what will happen in the playoffs. Of all the series in the second round, this one has the chance to go to seven and in that case, I would take Anaheim, though I have a feeling that Vegas is going to win anyway. Prediction: Golden Knights defeat Anaheim 4-2

• (1) Buffalo Sabres vs. (3) Montreal Canadiens

  • Montreal proved that all you really need to do to win is have your goalie play out of his mind and score on a couple of opportune shots. Where have I seen this before, I wonder? Anyway, that may steal a series or two, but it isn’t necessarily a sustainable method of victory in the later rounds. They could do it against Buffalo here, especially since the Sabres’ powerplay is lacking, but I’m going to take Buffalo to win this series and move on to the ECF. Prediction: Sabres defeat Canadiens 4-1

On an unrelated note, congratulations are in order to the Philadelphia 76ers and Joel Embiid for defeating the Boston Celtics. Good job for getting over the hump. That’s about as far as I can go, though. Anyway, let’s get on with the hockey.

This is perhaps the most entertaining part of the playoffs because there’s always a chance of an upset: a team that dominates the regular season goes up against an underdog who barely snuck into the playoffs proceeds to lose to them in a hard-fought seven game series. Who could forget the Blue Jackets sweeping the juggernaut Lightning? And perhaps at my fandom’s expense, the Canadiens storming back from down 1-3 to take the series against the Capitals? (Yes, that series still hurts but at least there’s always 2018 to look back on.) All bets are off in the first round, where anything and everything can happen.

I don’t want to waste any more time, so let’s get into the first round set of series!

• (1) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (4) Ottawa Senators

  • Full disclosure: I hate the Hurricanes and the way they play the hockey. They’re a lot like the Steelers, if you want an NFL equivalent, in that Carolina just makes every game SO… BORING. Yawn. Ottawa, on the other hand, surged into these playoffs, winning 20 out of 29 games to make the dance. Good for them. What’s not gonna be good is probably losing this series in unspectacular fashion. Wish I could give you more, Senators, but sometimes life just isn’t fair. Prediction: Hurricanes defeat Senators 4-1

• (2) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Minnesota Wild

  • This is one of those match-ups that makes a fan ask “why is this a first round series” as both teams were pretty good this season. You could consider this series a coin flip as it’s very possible this one goes all the way to seven. The Stars are no stranger to playoff success as their last three playoffs ended with trips to the conference final, though maybe this will be the year they finally break through and make it to the Stanley Cup Final. At least, I’m gonna go with Dallas here. Prediction: Stars defeat Wild 4-3

• (2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (3) Philadelphia Flyers

  • Can both of these teams lose? Or at least make it so that the series is delayed indefinitely due to some sort of technical error? Who told the Penguins that they could make the playoffs, anyhow? Well, my disdain aside, this is sure to be yet another battle of Pennsylvania that no one, save for these two deplorable fanbases, asked for. I’m sure that no love will be lost here and that every game will be more toxic than the last, but I think that Pittsburgh will get the last laugh here. Penguins are an overrated animal, anyway. Nothing but a bunch of OTL merchants. Prediction: Penguins defeat Flyers 4-2

• (1) Colorado Avalanche vs. (4) Los Angeles Kings

  • Speaking of OTL merchants, the Kings may be the most egregious of them all these playoffs. Man, the Western Conference was a mess this year, huh? Well, not like it matter because the Avalanche are the best team in the league this year. Maybe we’ll see an upset, but most likely not. Avs win. Prediction: Avalanche defeat Kings 4-1

• (2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (3) Montreal Canadiens

  • The experienced Lightning squad takes on the upstart Canadiens in this one. Tampa still has their main core of players but Montreal could make this one interesting. But I'm going to go with the Lightning in this one. Prediction: Lightning defeat Canadiens 4-2

• (1) Buffalo Sabres vs. (4) Boston Bruins

  • Welcome back to the dance, Buffalo. A not-so-welcome back to the Bruins. I'd say in my list of least favorite teams, Boston makes the top five just below Pittsburgh, the Rangers, Philadelphia, and Carolina. Anyway, it's the Sabres story, so we should all hope they don't screw it up. They're not, right? We don't need to see Boston win more. Prediction: Sabres defeat Bruins 4-1

• (1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (4) Utah Mammoth

  • And this is an interesting match-up between the Knights, a team already battle-tested with two finals appearances and a Stanley Cup win under their belt, and the Mammoth, a team that, up until very recently, was going nowhere in Phoenix until they moved to Utah. Everyone loves a good underdog story and the Mammoth could be an interesting one if they get past the first round. In fact, based solely on pure vibes, I'm going to go bold and take Utah in a tight seven game series. Prediction: Mammoth defeat Golden Knights 4-3

• (2) Edmonton Oilers vs. (3) Anaheim Ducks

  • I have decided that the Ducks are my bandwagon team for John Carlson alone. That doesn't necessarily mean they'll win, but it does make it more interesting for me. The Oilers, meanwhile, have been here before though they're not nearly as good as years prior. Again, the west is mid as hell this year and either one of these teams could win this series. Give me the Ducks. Prediction: Ducks defeat Oilers 4-3

That does it for first round predictions. I'm glad that you stuck around until the end and also for me getting this out on time.

Wait a minute, I'm receiving a note. Hold on, what do you mean the playoffs have already started? No one told me befell?! Whatever, this post is over! See you later.

So, for this mock draft, there will be no projected trades. Not that there won’t be on draft night, but it’s not really my style to do so. Also, I don’t follow college football too closely, so I’m not going to go in-depth in regards to the players here. There’s bound to be a lot I’ll get wrong here, but at least I don’t claim to be an expert. It’s all in good fun. Without further ado, let’s get into the mock draft.

1. Las Vegas Raiders

   1. Fernando Mendoza (Quarterback - University of Indiana)

      This is perhaps the most obvious selection in the draft, given the Raiders’ position. They had a pretty good free agency, signing the top center in Tyler Linderbaum and getting some quality defensive players in Nakobe Dean, Quay Walker, and Kwity Paye. So, in this new regime led by coach Klint Kubiak, who else but the top quarterback from the national champshionship winning team in Fernando Mendoza? Whether he starts right away is the question, though I suspect he’ll get the nod right away.

2. New York Jets

   1. Arvell Reese (Linebacker - Ohio State University)

      A tougher call since there’s no definitive number two quarterback here for the Jets to draft (I know Ty Simpson exists, but I would be surprised if he got selected in the first round), so I’m having them pick who I think is the best defensive player available in Arvell Reese. Reese has the potential to be one of the best linebackers/edge rushers in the class, so even the Jets can’t get this wrong here.

3. Arizona Cardinals

   1. David Bailey (EDGE - Texas Tech University)

      The Cardinals were one of the worst teams last season and 2026 is looking to be more of the same. With no real answer at quarterback and having to be in a competitive NFC West, the Cardinals are set to embrace the tank this coming season. So either way, whatever Arizona does here may not help their team right now but could be a key contributor for the future. And what better way to establish the future than to get the one edge rusher who has the potential to make life hell for opposing quarterbacks? David Bailey may not be as balanced as Bain, but he’s a solid pass rusher nonetheless.

4. Tennessee Titans

   1. Sonny Styles (Linebacker - Ohio State University)

      It is a tough choice here for the Titans, who were pretty unremarkable on both sides of the ball. It’s possible that this could be the destination for someone like Jeremiyah Love or Carnell Tate, but I’m mocking Sonny Styles to them given that Robert Saleh is a defensive-minded HC and would probably want a defining piece on Tennessee’s defense to build around.

5. New York Giants

   1. Jordan Tyson (Wide Receiver - Arizona State University)

      There’s also rumors here that this could be another potential landing spot for Love, but I think that they lean towards receiver and take a chance on Jordan Tyson to help bolster that offensive. Time will tell if Jaxson Dart is the franchise QB, but having Tyson opposite Nabors will go a long way in Dart’s development (granted Dart stays healthy, of course).

6. Cleveland Browns

   1. Monroe Freeling (Offensive Tackle - University of Georgia)

      Shedeur Sanders isn’t the guy, nor is Watson. Cleveland’s so-called franchise quarterback doesn’t exist on this roster, nor is there one in this year’s draft that they could select. So to prepare for next year’s draft where better prospects exist, the Browns build up their offensive line and select Freeling to anchor the line. It’s gonna be another long year for you all, Cleveland. Not that you’re unfamiliar with it.

7. Washington Commanders

   1. Carnell Tate (Wide Receiver - Ohio State University)

      Washington is in a good position where they don’t have to be completely desperate for a need, as their free agency signings helped address several concerns on both offense and defense. The only real concerns I would say are center (which we’ll see if they stick with Nick Allegretti or take someone later in this draft), safety (Downs has potential but other options exist as well), and wide receiver (plenty of options in this draft). Were it up to me, I’d pick defense, but I feel like Carnell Tate is a guy that this team really likes and if he’s there at seven, the Commanders will waste no time picking him. And it would be a very good pick as it would give Jayden Daniels another weapon to work with and a potential successor to Terry McLaurin.

8. New Orleans Saints

   1. Rueben Bain Jr. (EDGE - University of Miami)

      The Saints might be a sneaky candidate to make the playoffs in 2026. With how unpredictable the NFC South looks, New Orleans might be able to take advantage if Tyler Shough is the real deal. They could go receiver here and give Shough someone opposite Olave, but they could stand to improve their defense and take Rueben Bain here. Bain has had some concern over his arm length, but he’s got the talent to be a difference maker in the right situation.

9. Kansas City Chiefs

   1. Mansoor Delane (Cornerback - Louisiana State University)

      The Chiefs find themselves in somewhat of a rebuild as Patrick Mahomes continues to rehab. Depending on when he’ll be available, Kansas City could go offense here but in this mock, I have them taking one of the top corner prospects in Mansoor Delane to replace Trent McDuffie. If there’s one strength of recent Chiefs teams, it’s their defense and taking Delane would help maintain that secondary.

10. Cincinnati Bengals

    1. Caleb Downs (Safety - Ohio State University)

       To put it simply: the Bengals need defensive help if they want to be competitive in the AFC North. Whether or not Joe Burrow stays healthy is one thing, being able to stop opposing offenses is another. So taking Caleb Downs here would mark significant improvement on a defense that sorely needs playmakers.

11. Miami Dolphins

    1. Francis Mauigoa (Offensive Tackle - University of Miami)

       Yeah, the Dolphins are pretty much rebuilding again. I do feel bad for Malik Willis, who played well enough to earn a big contract only to end up on a team that’s stripping everything down the the studs. Well, perhaps having a tackle like Mauigoa will make things better for Willis and the Dolphins, though that likely doesn’t change their predicament.

12. Dallas Cowboys

    1. Dillon Thieneman (Safety - University of Oregon)

       The Cowboys were one of the worst defenses last year, and I’ve seen some pretty bad defenses (one of which shares a division with said Cowboys, in fact), so they’ll need help pretty much everywhere. Safety might not be the highest of positional values, but Thieneman would be a help in improving Dallas’s defense.

13. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons)

    1. Jeremiyah Love (Runningback - University of Notre Dame)

       And here’s the Jeremiyah Love selection. The Rams probably don’t need him, but could Sean McVay pass him up for someone else? In this mock, let’s say the Rams take Love and make that offense even better than it already is. What was already a Super Bowl-caliber team now becomes the number one favorite to win it all on paper. And it would be a lot of fun to see that offense in general, so why not go with the flashy pick here?

14. Baltimore Ravens

    1. Jermod McCoy (Cornerback - University of Tennessee)

       Originally, McCoy was a pick that in my head, he sounded like a Minnesota Viking, so I mocked him to the Vikings when writing this, but ultimately, I decided that since the Ravens hired a defensive-minded head coach in Jesse Minter, they will go and improve upon their defense and take Jermod McCoy to help their secondary. Besides, it’s very much a Ravens' thing for them to take a guy who slides just out of the top ten (like Kyle Hamilton). Just got to hope he stays healthy, that’s all.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

    1. Keldric Faulk (EDGE - Auburn University)

       It would be interesting to see where the Buccaneers go here, given that they were a fringe playoff team in such an awful division. I don’t particularly have a ton of faith in Todd Bowles as a head coach and feel like he should’ve gotten the boot last season, but I suppose that they’ll have to stick with the philosophy that worked so well last season, so why not take an edge rusher like Keldric Faulk and just go with it?

16. New York Jets (via Indianapolis Colts)

    1. Makai Lemon (Wide Receiver - University of Southern California)

    2. The Jets could take Ty Simpson here, but like I said previously, I would be surprised if he’s anywhere near the first round. Better to build a team ready for next year’s quarterback class and take one of the best wide receiver prospects in Makai Lemon. I think Lemon has what it takes to be a star receiver in the NFL, though I don’t know if the Jets will be the one to unlock that potential. Still, the Jets badly need players on both sides of the ball, so Lemon it is.

17. Detroit Lions

    1. TJ Parker (EDGE - Clemson University)

       The Lions took a step back last season and part of the reason why was due to how depleted they were on defense. Detroit doesn’t really have anyone on EDGE after Aidan Hutchinson, so a guy like TJ Parker could help compliment the other end and bolster that defensive line. Also, they need to stay healthy, but that’s another topic for another day.

18. Minnesota Vikings

    1. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Safety - Toledo University)

       Safety is a big need for the Vikings, especially after Harrison Smith’s departure. This might be a bit of a reach in some minds, but McNeil-Warren would fill that hole and become a contributor day one in Minnesota’s defense.

19. Carolina Panthers

    1. Akheem Mesidor (EDGE - University of Miami)

       The Panthers had a lot to build on last season, but the verdict is still out on whether or not Bryce Young is the guy. However, it would not be a bad idea to improve on defense by adding an experienced edge rusher in Mesidor, who partnered well with Bain in Miami. And in the NFC South, this defensive improvement should be enough to win the division.

20. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay Packers)

    1. Kenyon Sadiq (Tight End - University of Oregon)

       I know a lot of the time, people (including myself) like to make fun of the Cowboys for making the flashy, unconventional pick in the NFL Draft, but that isn’t always the case. Here, though, the Cowboys could settle upon the top tight end prospect in Sadiq and give Dak Prescott a target who could create problems for opposing defenses.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers

    1. Omar Cooper Jr. (Wider Receiver - University of Indiana)

       This could be a destination for Ty Simpson, but I’m betting on Aaron Rodgers returning to Pittsburgh and the Steelers drafting a quality receiver in Cooper, who did very well in Indiana. Given Mike McCarthy’s experience, it would make sense.

22. Los Angeles Chargers

    1. Olaivavega Ioane (Offensive Guard - Penn State University)

       Basically, it’s about keeping Justin Herbert upright and this pick with Ioane would help that. The Chargers could use help in other areas, but protecting the franchise quarterback should be the top priority here.

23. Philadelphia Eagles

    1. Spencer Fano (Offensive Tackle - University of Utah)

       Somehow, the Eagles always end up drafting a player who slides further than expected. I’m not sure if Fano actually ends up sliding this far down, but in this mock draft, the Eagles would probably take a chance and select him here to strengthen up their offensive line once more.

24. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville Jaguars)

    1. Kadyn Proctor (Offensive Tackle - University of Alabama)

       Again, the Browns aren’t exactly competing for the playoffs anytime soon, so it would be best for them to continue to bolster their offensive line and prepare for next year’s draft to take a quarterback. Maybe they go receiver here, maybe they don’t and take Proctor like I’ve got them doing here. But they do need a lot of work on the offense in general, so line it is.

25. Chicago Bears

    1. Kayden McDonald (Defensive Tackle - Ohio State University)

       The Bears were a bit of surprise on defense last year, where they led the league in turnover differential. That’s generally a difficult stat to maintain year-to-year, but one way they could attempt to do it is by improving their defensive line and getting McDonald to fill the interior defensive line.

26. Buffalo Bills

    1. Denzel Boston (Wide Receiver - University of Washington)

       The Bills did just trade for DJ Moore, but it doesn’t hurt to give Josh Allen more targets to throw to on offense. Is it weird that I have them drafting a guy with the last name Boston considering who Buffalo’s rival is? Probably not.

27. San Francisco 49ers

    1. Caleb Lomu (Offensive Tackle - University of Utah)

       There is some uncertainty surrounding Trent Williams and his future in San Francisco, so regardless of what happens, the 49ers need to think of the future. Thus, taking Lomu here would be a good choice for the long term.

28. Houston Texans

    1. Chase Bisontis (Offensive Guard - Texas A&M)

       CJ Stroud needs to play better this upcoming season, but it doesn’t hurt to improve the offensive line and give him more time to work. With the AFC South, though, Houston may not need to worry about making the playoffs depending on what happens to the Jaguars.

29. Kansas City Chiefs (via Los Angeles Rams)

    1. KC Concepcion (Wide Receiver - Texas A&M)

       KC to KC? It’s makes sense in more ways than one. Whenever Mahomes returns, he’ll get help with another target to throw to and perhaps someone who could emerge as a number one threat in KC Concepcion. You’re welcome, Chiefs fans.

30. Miami Dolphins (via Denver Broncos)

    1. Brandon Cisse (Cornerback - University of South Carolina)

       Continuing with the rebuild, the Dolphins should focus on defense here and help their secondary by drafting Cisse. Not like it changes their situation, but it’s a start.

31. New England Patriots

    1. Max Iheanachor (Offensive Tackle - Arizona State University)

       The Patriots made the Super Bowl last season, but it was clear that it was due to their defense as Drake Maye could not get comfortable at all behind New England’s offensive line. Thus, it makes sense to improve the trenches and give Maye some much needed protection and help keep him upright.

32. Seattle Seahawks

    1. Colton Hood (Cornerback - University of Tennessee)

       You could argue here for other positions, but Hood would be the Woolen replacement and the Seahawks are coming off a Super Bowl victory, so improving on what got them the win here would help.

So that’s the end of my mock draft. If you have any thoughts, opinions, disagreements, or just want to call me an idiot for having your team not pick the player you want, leave it in the comments. Until then, have a great day.

The circumstances don’t matter too much, as you can probably read a much more detailed account of the game somewhere else, but I did want to talk about how apathetic it has been as an on and off Wizards fan (and a part-time Oklahoma City Thunder fan, but that’s another thing entirely). Really it could extend to the NBA as a whole, but for the Wizards in particular, there hasn’t been too much to write home about. Sure, there’s a chance that they could be good in a couple of years, but I’ve been waiting a while for the Wizards to get good, as it were, and it’s not as if my interest was that big to begin with ever since the John Wall era. Most Wizards games have been boring, uneventful match-ups where they either lose big or do just enough to make you think they’ve turned a corner only to throw it all away in the end. At least with last night, the Wizards got to participate in history and as the opposing team, no less! No such thing as bad publicity, am I right?

Well, that and the fact that the Wizards will at the very least be the answer to a trivia question a few years down the line. As for what happens after, your guess is as good as mine. I just know that this is as good as it’s going to get for a while if things stay the same way. Oh well, better hope the NBA Draft lottery yields a good result for the Wiz.

Obviously, there are two factors at play: how the first six picks play out and whatever happens in free agency. There is a lot at hand in free agency, as it’s easy to say that the Commanders should sign this guy and that guy, but other teams are looking at those players, too, and while it would be great to sign all the available players heading into free agency, it’s not that simple. And while there was much to debate on whether or not Washington hurt themselves in the draft by winning the final game of the regular season, it matters not now as the pieces have been set. All the mock drafts in the world mean absolutely nothing (not that they ever meant anything to begin with) but speculation is always fun and with the list of players available, I’ve decided to go over the players that could be available at pick seven.

For this list, there’s the guys that are can’t miss, really good players that might be available even with a trade back, good players that will definitely be there later in the round, and just a couple of “do not draft” options. For year three of this regime, this is the most pivotal draft yet and the difference between success and failure could very well ride on this first round pick.

CAN’T MISS, RUN UP TO THE PODIUM IMMEDIATELY IF THEY’RE STILL ON THE BOARD AT 7 (AKA ALMOST ALL OF THE STAR PLAYERS FROM OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY)

• Arvell Reese - Linebacker - Ohio State University

• Rueben Bain - Edge - University of Miami

• Caleb Downs - Safety - Ohio State University

• Carnell Tate - Wide Receiver - Ohio State University

• Sonny Styles - Linebacker - Ohio State University

It’s easy to see why Ohio State has the reputation that they do when it comes to skill players as four of the top players here all attended OSU. Reese is the top overall player according to many, but Rueben Bain Jr. out of Miami is just as good, if not better, at playing defense. There is some concern regarding Bain’s arm length, but the guy is tenacious and Washington could use either his or Reese’s talent. Same for Caleb Downs, who also possesses that same ballhawk ability and would instantly improve any defense (though some recent rumors about his knee may hurt his stock). And Styles, while not at a position that is considered premium, is also touted as having star potential and a possible replacement for Bobby Wagner. Carnell Tate, the sole offensive player on this list, would fulfill a big need in the receiving game and give defenses someone other than Terry McLaurin to watch out for. Basically, if any one of these players is at seven, Adam Peters should waste no time submitting the card to Roger Goodell with one of these guy’s names on it. Were it up to me, it’d be between Bain or Styles, but any of these guys would be more than satisfactory.

STILL GOOD, BUT PROBABLY COULD’VE TRADED BACK AND STILL GOTTEN THEM IF YOU WANTED THEM

• David Bailey - Edge - Texas Tech University

• Jordyn Tyson - Wide Receiver - Arizona State University

• Makai Lemon - Wide Receiver - University of Southern California

• Mansoor Delane - Cornerback - Louisiana State University

• Jermod McCoy - Cornerback - University of Tennessee

In the case that the top five are not on the board by the time the seventh pick rolls around, these players would be satisfactory were the Commanders to select one of them. Bailey is a solid edge rusher and his numbers show it, though he may be considered a pass rusher first and foremost compared to his run defense. Tyson, while touted as really good, does have an injury history and that could be a problem considering Washington’s terrible injury luck last year. Lemon is also good, but a little less so, but I think he might be the best receiver out of this draft depending on where he is picked. Both Delane and McCoy would be good pickups, too, but corner is a little lower on the list of needs for Washington (though a corner wouldn’t be a bad pick in this draft or in free agency). All in all, these are good players, but in the case of the Commanders, they could still select one of these players were they to trade back.

NOT MY PREFFERED PICK, BUT I CAN UNDERSTAND IT FROM THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE (BUT PROBABLY COULD’VE TRADED BACK TO GET THEM)

• Jeremiyah Love - Runningback - University of Notre Dame

• Peter Woods - Defensive Lineman - University of Clemson

• Keldric Faulk - Edge - Auburn University

• Kenyon Sadiq - Tight End - University of Oregon

I’m not opposed to the idea of Washington selecting Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love considering the fact that they don’t have a true elite playmaker outside of Terry McLaurin, and he isn’t exactly getting younger. Kenyon Sadiq could also be a sensible selection, but he’ll be around in the late teens to early twenties were the Commanders to trade back. Woods isn’t a player at a position of great need but in my opinion, it’s never a bad idea to bolster up the trenches and there is some uncertainty surrounding Daron Payne’s future after the 2026 season. Faulk plays at a position of need, but he’s comparably raw to the other edge rushers in this draft.

JUST DON’T, SERIOUSLY, JUST DON’T DO IT

• Quarterback

• Offensive Line

There’s little to suggest that there’s a first round quarterback beyond Mendoza in this draft, so Washington drafting a QB would be extremely foolish. Perhaps signing one as an undrafted free agent or as a seventh round pick, but that’s it. Also, while I always think it’s a good idea to invest in the offensive line, the Commanders don’t really need a starting tackle. Basically, things would have to go really wrong really fast for this situation to arise.

But that’s about it. There’s little else to talk about right now, so in terms of the NFL, unless something big happens, I’ll come back with a mock draft around April before the real thing begins.

A good start is with the coaching philosophy, as evidenced with their promotion of assistant quarterbacks coach David Blough and the hiring of defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator Daronte Jones from the Minnesota Vikings. It is a big risk to go with two coaches who have never held coordinator jobs before but it does show Dan Quinn’s willingness to think outside the box and put his coaching career on the line in order to succeed. If it works out, Quinn will be seen as a genius. If not, then the seat he’s sitting on will only get hotter. Not that I think that year three is make-or-break for the Dan Quinn regime, but that it will become harder to ignore the calls for change should Washington put up another disappointing season.

Free agency is also important, perhaps even more so than the draft, as there are several players who Washington could sign and make an immediate impact. Whether or not they can sign some big names is yet to be seen, as the first two years under Adam Peters had him bring on more over the hill type guys to fill in the many gaps left by the previous regime. I, as I’m sure many fans would agree, would like to see Peters bring over some younger stars in order to help bolster both sides of the ball. An established receiver like Alec Pierce or Kyle Pitts would be an immediate addition to the offense, as both are proven playmakers and could shine in Blough’s offense if given the chance. Meanwhile, the defense has a lot to be improved on that any sort of free agent could improve the team just from their addition alone, such as Devin Lloyd or Riq Woolen. Again, it isn’t a matter of if the Commanders add these players or not, but if they want to. Hopefully, Peters and crew will be able to know the goal and add the right players.

There’s a lot to talk about in terms of the offseason, but I will leave the upcoming draft for another post. Don’t know when that will be, but I do want to go over a few of the players that have been mocked to Washington at pick number seven. There are some players there would be a great fit and would have an immediate impact to the roster, but there is also the option of trading back and getting more draft capital. I’ll talk more about it whenever I decide to write the next post. Until then, it’s seven months of NFL offseason.

After a long season of twists and turns, with some surprises along the way, we are finally here. The Super Bowl. Many teams have tried to reach this goal, but only two teams remain ready to take the crown. Whoever wins this game will be immortalized in NFL history, while the loser will wonder what could’ve gone better. Legacies are both created and cemented in the big game, both for better and for worse. This is it: there are no do-overs.

Out of the AFC, we’re met with a franchise familiar to the big stage, though with different faces. Rumors of the New England Patriots demise were greatly exaggerated as they took the 2025 season by storm. Drake Maye, second year quarterback, had a season worthy of Most Valuable Player. Almost everyone who stood in their way had no chance, though the talent level of the majority of those teams do leave something to be desired. Nonetheless, it’s a week-to-week league and the Patriots could only play who was in front of them. Mike Vrabel, in his first year as New England head coach, has this team believing in his message and it translated well on the field. Should they win the Super Bowl, it will signify the return of a football empire, much to the chagrin of the rest of the league.

In the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks emerged at nearly the last moment, with a single bounce on a two point conversion being the difference between homefield advantage and a wildcard spot. The Seahawks are a team with very few flaws, though they generally remain good enough to overcome said flaws due to their great defense. Sam Darnold, once considered to be yet another quarterback draft mishap by the New York Jets, is playing some of his best football even if he does make the occasional flub. You would expect Darnold to play it more conservatively, but he’s not afraid to take shots and with a receiver like Jaxon Smith-Njigba, why wouldn’t he? Compared to the Patriots, you would say that the Mike Macdonald-led Seahawks are a bit more battle tested thanks to their competitive division, which includes wins over both the 49ers and the Rams in the divisional and conference championship rounds respectively. Should the Seahawks triumph, it will be the biggest win their franchise has seen in over a decade as well as a completion of Sam Darnold’s turnaround.

I got both predictions correct, even getting the AFC championship right in that it would be a close game. For this final game, I’m going over the various aspect of the game and who is better in each category. Then, I will predict the winner.

Previous week: 2-0

Season Overall: 178-106

The history will be made.

• QUARTERBACK

  • There’s no question about how well Drake Maye did in the regular season, as he was one of the best quarterbacks in the league next to Matthew Stafford. You could make a case for either one winning, but regardless, Maye is here to stay. However, his performance in the playoffs are less than great, as in all three games leading up to this moment had him completing less than 60 percent of his throws. Granted, two of them had Maye dealing with the elements, but it is a cause for concern that he has yet to have that decisive moment in the clutch. But there is no doubting his potential, which could come up in this game should it be close late.

  • On the other end, Sam Darnold has had quite the journey to get here. Were you to say to someone two years ago that Darnold would not only revitalize his career but also help lead his team to a Super Bowl, you would probably be met with some raised eyebrows at best and derision at worst. But the results speak for themselves: Darnold helped lead the Seahawks to the Super Bowl. A year ago, it was his performance that cost the Vikings both the NFC North and their playoff hopes, but this season, Sam Darnold overcame the ghosts of the past and threw three touchdowns against the Rams in the NFC championship. If he can have another performance like that in the Super Bowl, then this game will not be close. If he struggles, then it will likely be a lot closer.

  • Overall, despite Maye’s struggles in the postseason and Darnold’s overall emergence as a good quarterback, I feel like this might be a bit of a push. If I had to give the edge to someone, then I’d probably lean slightly towards the Patriots because of Drake Maye’s athleticism.

• RUNNINGBACKS

  • The Patriots have a solid rushing attack, though no one would call either TreVeyon Henderson nor Rhamondre Stevenson elite. Both are good and can make plays, but neither have really broken out in the postseason. Still, the Patriots did boast a top ten rushing attack in the regular season, which is notable.

  • For the Seahawks, their run game is either really good or nonexistent. Losing Zach Charbonnet for the rest of the season doesn’t help, but it’s not like Kenneth Walker III is a nobody. However, Walker is set to be a free agent after this season and I’m not certain if he will be back after this year.

  • This one feels more like a toss-up to me, so I’m going to go and say that this is EVEN between the two.

• RECEIVERS

  • The Patriots don’t exactly have a true lead receiver, though Kayshon Boutte has made a couple of explosive plays in the postseason. Stefon Diggs is still capable of making amazing plays on the field (even if he is pretty awful off the field), and could make a big play at any time. Hunter Henry is also on the team as well, but his impact is less so compared to the others. The rest of the receiving group isn’t as noticeable.

  • Seattle boasts one of the best wide receivers in the game with Jaxon Smith-Njigba, but they do have other options. Cooper Kupp may be a little older, but he’s still just as capable. AJ Barner has had a decent season as well, though he’s only caught two passes so far in these playoffs. And while Rashid Shaheed isn’t known on the Seahawks for his receiving presence, he is fast and could net a big play if Darnold throws in his direction.

  • While the Patriots have a decently balanced receiving room, I’m going to give the edge to the Seahawks here because of JSN and the experience Kupp brings.

• OFFENSIVE LINE

  • I will refer to the PFF rankings here, as New England has the slight edge over Seattle in terms of offensive line rankings, ranking 11th to the Seahawks’ 15th. But regular season rankings don’t always translate to the postseason, as the Patriots were pushed around much more against some of the better defenses in the league. In comparison Seattle has had an easier time keeping Darnold upright and creating run lanes for Walker to go through.

  • Based on playoff performance, I’d give the edge to the Seahawks, though if the Patriots offensive line can make life easier for Drake Maye, then New England could have the edge instead.

• DEFENSE

  • This is probably where the game will be won and lost. Both the Patriots and the Seahawks boast top ten defenses in terms of yards allowed and top five defenses in terms of points given up. However, in terms of turnovers, Seattle does rank higher in that department, though they are just as prone to giving the ball away against opposing defenses. Turnovers were a big part of why the Patriots made it this fa and if they can get the Seahawks to make mistakes, that could turn it in their favor.

  • But I do have to give the nod to the Seahawks due to having the better overall talent. Not that the Patriots have no one, just that they are a step below.

• SPECIAL TEAMS

  • Seattle has one of the better special teams units in the NFL as their return game is led by Rashid Shaheed, who has both a kick return and punt return touchdown this season, as well as a kick return in against the 49ers these playoffs. Jason Myers has made 41/48 kicks, which is generally considered good the last time I checked. And in punting, Michael Dickson was sixth best in punting average.

  • The Patriots don’t really have a standout return guy for the Super Bowl, though D’Ernest Johnson and Efton Chism have split the duties these playoffs. Andy Borregales handles field goals, though has yet to hit a field goal over 40 yards this postseason. Meanwhile, Bryce Baringer has a good percentage when when it comes to putting the ball inside the 20.

  • It’s a tough one, but I give the edge to the Seahawks because of the return game and Rashid Shaheed.

• COACHING

  • Mike Vrabel, after losing a power struggle in Tennessee, showed the Titans why they made a big mistake in letting him go. And based on the results, regardless of whether or not the Patriots win on Sunday, Vrabel looks to be the clear winner in that battle. Perhaps the Patriots arrived a bit earlier than expected and they may be a bit outmatched, but you can’t deny that they play hard. Whatever the Seahawks bring, I’m sure that Vrabel and his coaching staff have a good plan to try and counter it.

  • Mike Macdonald, on the other side, is only in his second year as a head coach but already has a lot of success. And with his experience coaching some great Ravens defenses, Macdonald brought that style of play to the west coast with great results. That he has been able to coach the Seahawks into the Super Bowl in only his second season is impressive. Given how successful prior defenses were able to pressure Drake Maye and bully the Patriots offensive line, that is the key element that I’m sure Macdonald and crew will focus on this Sunday.

  • Mike Macdonald is already pretty accomplished in just his second year as coach, but the edge goes to the Patriots and Mike Vrabel solely for his prior experience coaching in Tennessee.

• FINAL PREDICTION

  • Some people have this as a blowout in the Seahawks favor, and while I could see that if everything goes Seattle’s way, these playoffs and this season have been unpredictable. It’s very possible for the Patriots to win if this becomes a low scoring affair and New England’s defense is able to rattle Darnold early. Plus, there’s the factor that the Patriots have benefitted from being in the right place at the right time and being able to take advantage of luck in situations. However, I’m more inclined the pick the Seahawks here because I believe them to be a much more talented team. Where the Chargers, Texans, and Broncos suffered on offense, the Seahawks are miles better in that regard and should be able to handle whatever the Patriots throw at them. I do expect this to be close for most of the game, but overall, I am picking the Seahawks to come out on top and deliver a second Super Bowl victory to Seattle. Prediction: Seahawks: 24 - Patriots: 20

  • Super Bowl MVP: Jaxon Smith-Njigba

It’s the end. Well, at least until August. And even then, there’s still the offseason to talk about. Until then, may the best team win on Sunday.

But whether or not the Bills will make the right choice remains to be seen. In other news, the Arizona Cardinals still do not have a head coach. Are we sure that they even exist?

Last week… well, I got a game right, though it was the most obvious prediction anyone could have made. No matter. What’s done is done and now we know that the Texans still can’t get it done in the divisional round.

Previous week: 1-3

Season Overall: 176-106

Begin the conference championships.

• New England Patriots (16-3) at Denver Broncos (15-3)

  • I think that it’s a little impulsive to assume that this will be an easy victory for the Patriots. Is Jarrett Stidham going to play up to the level of Bo Nix? Most likely not, but I doubt that the Broncos’ game plan will involve a heavy passing game to begin with. Though I do think that the Patriots defense will try to make life tough for the Broncos offense, if Denver can make this a close, low-scoring game, then they have a chance to win. Not a great chance, mind you, but a chance nonetheless. Limit New England’s rushing attack and pressure Drake Maye into fumbling will help create opportunities for the Broncos to take advantage of if they want to win. On the Patriots’ side, the way to win is simple: keep doing what they’ve been doing on defense. Force mistakes out of Stidham and make Denver one dimensional through the entire game, and the Patriots will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. If they do that, then Drake Maye and the offense will not need to do too much. So, it’s going to be the Patriots for me. It’s almost like they never left, huh? Prediction: Patriots: 24 - Broncos: 17

• Los Angeles Rams (14-5) at Seattle Seahawks (15-3)

  • Another round three matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and one of their NFC West rivals, this time being the Los Angeles Rams. The last time these two met, it turned out to be one of the best games of the 2025 season as Seattle mounted an impressive comeback to win in overtime. Since then, the Seahawks have looked like the clear favorite to win the Super Bowl while the previous frontrunner, the Rams, have been somewhat of a roller-coaster in terms of their performance. They did make it here, however, and that isn’t nothing. Los Angeles still boasts a talented roster on offense and defense, though they did look off in the elements versus the Bears. If any team can hang with the Seahawks right now, it’s definitely the Rams. On the other side, Seattle has just been that good at football. Sure, Sam Darnold doesn’t do a lot, but when the defense is playing as lights out like this and the special teams are good, he doesn’t really need to. Their game against the 49ers ended as quickly as it began thanks to their kick return unit and the Seahawks made a great case for why they’re the favorite. A lot of credit is due to head coach Mike MacDonald, who has this team believing and playing extremely well. This has the potential to be an amazing game, but it can also just as easily tilt in favor of one of these teams. But since it’s in Seattle, I’m more inclined to give the edge to the Seahawks to get the win. Prediction: Rams: 20 - Seahawks: 38

Whatever happens after this Sunday, just know that this upcoming Super Bowl will either be between a Mike and a Sean, a Sean and a Mike, a Mike and a Mike, or a Sean and a Sean. In fact, both matchups are between a Mike and a Sean. It doesn’t mean much, just thought it would be nice to mention.

Second, I must tip my cap to Caleb Williams. After what was such a rocky start to his career in his rookie year, Williams has improved as a leader on the Bears offense. Though there is still much to work on heading into the offseason, Caleb made plays that only a select few can make. That’s one thing that can’t be taught. I look forward to seeing future duels between him and Jayden Daniels.

As for the Bears, they had an impressive season and defied expectations, but it’s easy to say that they’ll be back in this position or better next season. Both the Commanders and the Lions can attest to how hard it is to follow up previous success and teams tend to change drastically year-to-year. And it’s not as if the NFC North is a cakewalk division, as Detroit, Green Bay, and Minnesota all have well-run teams. In addition, Chicago profited off an amazing turnover differential and success in close games, both of which tend to be pretty unsustainable year-to-year as well. Add the first place schedule as a result of winning the division this year, and Chicago’s got a tall task ahead of them going into year two of the Ben Johnson experience.

I would talk about the Bills and their playoff futility, as well as the firing of Sean McDermott, but I’ll save that for the predictions post.

This will be the final power rankings of the 2025 NFL season. Next meaningful week will be the Super Bowl, which wouldn’t be that exciting to rank as there would be just two teams left. Obviously. Of the four teams left, perhaps one may feel weaker than the others, but they did earn their spot in the conference championships. Now let’s get to the rankings.

POWER RANKINGS:

1. Seattle Seahawks

   1. Confidence Rating: 4.5/5

   2. If there’s a clear frontrunner right now, it’s Seattle. The Seahawks took the lead early on with a Rashid Shaheed kick return touchdown and never looked back. The defense made life difficult for Brock Purdy and the 49ers, holding them to two field goals and forcing three turnovers. Kenneth Walker had a solid performance as well, gaining over a hundred yards and scoring three touchdowns. Oh, and Sam Darnold threw a touchdown pass as well. As long as Darnold isn’t asked to bear the load, then the Seahawks will win the Super Bowl. Awaiting Seattle in the NFC Conference Championship is a familiar foe in the Los Angeles Rams, who the Seahawks split the regular season series with.

2. Los Angeles Rams

   1. Confidence Rating: 4/5

   2. It wasn’t easy, but the Rams overcame the Bears to earn the right to face the Seahawks one more time. In the frigid Chicago cold, the Rams defense picked off Caleb Williams three times, the last one helping set up the opportunity for the Rams to score the game-winning kick. They rank a step below Seattle because the Rams still haven’t found their game just yet, but rank above both remaining AFC teams because I think they are better all around. I’m not sure if this is Matthew Stafford’s last year, but if he and the Rams go on to win the Super Bowl, then that would be a good way to go out.

3. New England Patriots

   1. Confidence Rating: 3.5/5

   2. The Evil Empire has returned, somehow. Say what you will about their schedule or the quality of their opponents, but the Patriots have made the most of it and capitalized when needed. Their defense is solid even if they faced off against a Chargers team with no offensive line to speak of and a Texans team whose quarterback decided to meltdown and literally gift New England the game. Nonetheless, the Patriots are here in the AFC Conference Championship because of their defense, while Drake Maye and the offense have generally been serviceable, but not great. Against a more competent team, Maye’s penchant for fumbling would be a detriment, but for now, the Patriots seem pretty fine with where their team is. Their return to the Super Bowl is all but guaranteed.

4. Denver Broncos

   1. Confidence Rating: 2/5

   2. It may not be fair to rank them this harshly, but them’s the breaks sometimes. Denver’s fans were feeling pretty Umazing upon defeating the Buffalo Bills, but after learning of Bo Nix’s season ending injury, the fans are feeling Awful. But even though it is a down feeling in regards to the quarterback situation, the Broncos still boast a good defense that should be able to create some opportunities for the offense. Whether or not Stidham and the offense can do so is a bit of a different story, though.

Time for the last week of football before the Super Bowl. Yes, there is the Pro Bowl, but that’s an exhibition more than anything else. As always, opinions, thoughts, and disagreements go in the comments. Thank you for reading.

1. Ravens: The top destination. You have a franchise QB in Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry is the best runningback in the game still. An offensive mind like McDaniel would be good here, though Baltimore may want to explore hiring a someone like Seattle’s Kubiak or someone like that.

2. Steelers: The roster is a little flawed, but a head coach here would have the ultimate job security as ownership is extremely patient. QB is pretty uncertain as it’s likely Aaron Rodgers may play somewhere else or just end up retiring. Given the past two head coaches, it seems likely that Pittsburgh would want to favor hiring a defensive-minded coach like Brian Flores, who is available. On the other hand, the Steelers may promote from within.

3. Falcons: Atlanta actually has a decent roster with talented players. It’s just that the coaching hasn’t worked out. With an experienced coach like John Harbaugh, the floor for Atlanta would be raised. However, I think that the Falcons would be a perfect team for Mike McDaniel to go to as Bijan Robinson is one of the most exciting players in the league to watch and seeing how McDaniel could utilize him would be interesting.

4. Giants: The front office is not that great, but the pieces are there, at least on the offense. You have Jaxson Dart (who could be good so long as he doesn’t try to hurt himself on the field), Cam Skattebo (a fun player to watch), and Malik Nabers (a young receiver who has already shown how good he can be). This might be the destination for John Harbaugh, but anything could happen. (As of this morning, John Harbaugh is officially the Giants head coach.)

5. Titans: A tougher sell, but Cam Ward has potential. The rest of the roster isn’t that great but as long as they have QB solved, Tennessee only has to worry about building up the rest of the team.

6. Dolphins: A reset at the front office helps, but with uncertainty around Tua Tagovailoa, it’s going to be rough for Miami, especially having to deal with both the Bills and Patriots in their division.

7. Browns: Cleveland has a good defense, but that’s about it. QB situation is a mess and a lot of work needs to be done in fixing the offense. Good luck to whoever goes here.

8. Raiders: They have the first overall pick (which is 99.9% likely to be Mendoza), but I just don’t know. They do have a couple of pieces on the offense in Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers, but that’s kind of it. Defensively, Maxx Crosby is still around but will most likely be traded. May be a situation where a young coordinator gets a shot before getting canned in two or three years.

9. Cardinals: Yikes. This is the worst opening of the bunch. Not only do the Cardinals play in a division with three really good teams, but they aren’t exactly known for success in their history. Might have to tough it out for a few years tanking, but I’m wary about trusting Arizona to do that.

It is going to be weird not seeing Mike Tomlin on the sidelines next season. I’ve read he may not want to coach again and if that’s the case, it’s perfectly understandable. He’s established a lot in Pittsburgh having to follow up Bill Cowher, so Tomlin may just want to leave not putting his 19 season streak of above .500 seasons in jeopardy. Though things ran thin in Pittsburgh, I still believe Mike Tomlin to be a good coach and would improve any team that hires him.

Last week, I did okay. I missed on Green Bay (thanks a lot, Matt LaFleur) and Jacksonville (the dream got cut short), but even with the wackiness of the games, I held up well. Hopefully I can get a sweep this weekend given that there’s only four games, but you never know.

Previous week: 4-2

Season Overall: 175-103

We are almost there.

• Buffalo Bills (13-5) at Denver Broncos (14-3)

  • You can make a case for either team here. Denver is the number one seed, has one of the best defenses in the league, and they have the power of the horse behind them. They have homefield advantage and one of the toughest stadiums for opposing teams to play in. Bo Nix, while not the most exciting or best quarterback, is capable of making plays when needed. Sean Payton has won a Super Bowl before. It all aligns perfectly for the Broncos, especially since the Bills have had their share of playoff disappointments. But after they defeated the Jaguars in Jacksonville, I feel like this truly could be Buffalo’s year. Even more so when Josh Allen’s biggest rivals aren’t in the playoffs. As long as he and James Cook are producing, then the Bills certainly have a chance to go all the way. That, and the fact that I can’t completely trust the Broncos offense, is why I’m going to go with the Bills here. Prediction: Bills: 23 - Broncos: 20

• San Francisco 49ers (13-5) at Seattle Seahawks (14-3)

  • Round three between the 49ers and Seahawks. The battered and bruised San Francisco versus Sam Darnold and the ghostbusting Seattle. Last time these two faced off was just a couple of weeks ago and Seattle proved the victor. Now with homefield and the rosters largely the same (though the 49ers are missing Kittle), it should be expected that the result may be more of the same. Were it not for a couple of missed field goals, the Seahawks margin of victory would have been much greater. But even if the Seahawks don’t generally score a lot of points, they are talented enough on defense that it may not matter anyway. This spells a bad matchup for the 49ers and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a repeat of week 18. Though it is a little tempting to go against the grain, I’m going to stick with the Seahawks as the safe pick here. Prediction: 49ers: 10 - Seahawks: 24

• Houston Texans (13-5) at New England Patriots (15-3)

  • This could be a great defensive battle between the Texans and the Patriots. Houston’s defense is just fun to watch in how relentless they are and New England, while not on the same level, could make things difficult for CJ Stroud. If the Patriots were to win this game, it would be because they did what the Steelers could not and capitalized off of Houston’s turnovers. That, however, would involve solving the Texans defense, which very few teams have done this season. If Houston were to win this game, it would be because the offense put up, at the very least, an average performance and kept the ball safe. But Houston tends to be a mixed bag on offense, with my of the results being nothing to write home about. If both offenses are even, I would give the edge to the Texans. So I’m going to go with Houston to win. Prediction: Texans: 17 - Patriots: 13

• Los Angeles Rams (13-5) at Chicago Bears (12-6)

  • This is, perhaps, the toughest game to predict out of all four. On one hand, the Rams were the favorite throughout most of the season, only to slip up at the end. They won their wildcard game, but doubt remains as to whether or not they can win the Super Bowl. They boast a strong offense, but the defense can be suspect in defending the pass. Chicago, meanwhile, has been a team that has been living on the edge, pulling off close win after close win. They remind me a little of Washington last year in how they pulled off some big wins when it seemed like they shouldn’t have had a chance to do so. However, the Bears do have talent on the offense to carry them and Caleb Williams can deliver in the clutch. If Chicago has the ball at the end, it’s very easy to pick them. The weather will also be a factor as well, though if it’ll affect the Rams or not remains to be seen. Logic dictates that this is the Rams game, but this season has been anything but logical at times. The Bears have the luck on their side and something tells me that it would be unwise to go against them, at least right now. Sorry, Rams, but I can’t go against that. Prediction: Rams: 29 - Bears: 30

That will do it for the predictions this week. Two more weeks to go and then it’s finally over. It’s been one amazing season, though some parts of it I’m not going to miss. Onward.

Last weekend proved one thing: we still have no idea who the clear favorite is to win the Super Bowl. Four of the six games came down to the wire, with three of them having the eventual winner trailing in the final two minutes of the game. Chicago mounted an epic comeback against Green Bay, while the Panthers gave the Rams a good fight to the very end. Buffalo and Jacksonville went back and forth, as did San Francisco and Philadelphia. Even the games on Sunday and Monday night were close for a while until the dam broke in favor of New England and Houston respectively. If this is an indicator for how the rest of the playoffs will go, then we’re in for a ride.

Now that we’re down to eight teams, there is a chance for everyone involved. I think every team here has a shot at winning the Super Bowl. No one seems too obvious, nor is there a team that I feel does not belong. This is perhaps the most wide open playoff field I can recall since… well, ever, really. Without further ado, let’s get to the rankings!

POWER RANKINGS:

1. Seattle Seahawks

   1. Confidence Rating: 4/5

   2. The Seahawks get their next opponent: a rematch with the 49ers. Last time they met, Seattle shut down San Francisco’s offense, holding the 49ers attack to only 3 points. If the defense shows up once again for the Seahawks, then they’ll claim a spot in the NFC Championship game. Of course, Sam Darnold and the offense need to put up much more than 13 points if they want to make the Super Bowl.

2. Denver Broncos

   1. Confidence Rating: 4/5

   2. Denver feels, to me, like they are overachieving and underachieving at the same time. Their defense is one of the best in the league, yet on the offense, they tend to be not so much. How far this team goes will depend on if the defense can hold up in spite of the offense. The Bills should be a good test for the Broncos this weekend.

3. Buffalo Bills

   1. Confidence Rating: 3.5/5

   2. This might be the team of destiny now. The Bills, after I’d somewhat counted them out against the Jaguars, have perhaps the best chance for Josh Allen to claim his first Super Bowl victory. No Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, or Lamar Jackson to stop Allen and the Bills, so there shouldn’t be any excuse. If they can get past the Broncos, then I’ll believe in the Bills.

4. Houston Texans

   1. Confidence Rating: 3.5/5

   2. This is a Super Bowl caliber defense. The offense… well, if CJ Stroud can stop turning the ball over, they’ll be fine. Even a slightly below average offense can pass so long as the Texans defense remains relentless. Going into Foxborough will be a big test, however, as Drake Maye is a much more mobile quarterback than Aaron Rodgers.

5. New England Patriots

   1. Confidence Rating: 3.5/5

   2. So we can officially say that the Patriots beat a team with a winning record, right? Then again, the Chargers were banged up on the offensive line and couldn’t protect Justin Herbert to save their lives. Whatever. The Patriots moved on and while Drake Maye looked okay, he will have a much tougher task ahead of him facing up against the Texans defense. This will be the true test for this New England offense.

6. Chicago Bears

   1. Confidence Rating: 3/5

   2. The Bears did it again. They got away with it. After going down early against the Packers 21-3, Caleb Williams and the Bears climbed out of the hole and emerged victorious against their rival. No longer can the Packers and Jordan Love claim ownership; in fact, you could say that Caleb owns the Packers now as he is 3-2 against them in his young career. That defense is still spotty, however, and a strong offense in the Rams comes to town to face them. The weather is in Chicago’s favor, so we’ll see how things play out.

7. Los Angeles Rams

   1. Confidence Rating: 3/5

   2. It can never be easy with the Rams, huh? In an near repeat of the regular season, the Rams nearly gave the game away to the Panthers. Fortunately, Los Angeles came up victorious in the end. But Matthew Stafford and the Rams have to be better—especially against the stronger competition—if they want to win the Super Bowl. Can they get back to form against the Bears this weekend? We shall have to see.

8. San Francisco 49ers

   1. Confidence Rating: 3/5

   2. The fact that the 49ers are at the bottom of this week’s rankings does not mean that they have no chance of winning it all. As a matter of fact, I think they have just as good a chance as the other seven teams remaining. The only concern I have is the injuries. They lost George Kittle to an ACL injury against the Eagles and the defense remains depleted. They might get Fred Warner back soon, though, so that would be a great help against the Seahawks. Just got to figure out how to get past that pesky Seattle defense first.

As always, any opinions, disagreements, or other thoughts can go in the comments. Next up is predictions and then after that, who knows? Well, I would know, at least.

The bow has been neatly tied on the regular season, with several surprises and a few not-so-surprising things happening. Kansas City’s collapse was a little surprising, though perhaps not that much given how stagnant their offense had become. Once Patrick Mahomes went down, it was over. And who could see the Patriots being this good this quickly? Chicago seemed to take that next step, though the jury’s still out on whether or not they’re legitimate.

My Super Bowl prediction before the season, Baltimore over Detroit, turned out to be way off the mark as both teams struggled throughout the season and failed to make the playoffs. The end of the season ended on a down note, too, as I went 7-9. It was a down year in terms of my predictions, to be fair, but that changes here. At least I hope so.

For these playoffs, it should be exciting since there seems to be so much uncertainty surrounding each of the teams. There’s no clear favorite that stands out, though some teams stack up on paper better than others. It will be fun to see as we’ve got some pretty good matchups in the wildcard round and I genuinely think that we could see an upset or two. So, without further ado, let’s get into the predictions.

Previous week: 7-9

Season Overall: 171-101

Time to climb the mountain.

• Los Angeles Rams (12-5) at Carolina Panthers (8-9)

  • In the regular season matchup, Carolina was able to force three turnovers off of Matthew Stafford as the Panthers upset the Rams in a close one. I’m not so sure that Stafford and the Rams will be making the same mistakes twice, so they should be much more secure with the ball. And while Bryce Young is capable of making big plays, he is far too inconsistent for me to trust him against this Rams defense. I wouldn’t be too surprised if the Panthers won in another one score game here, but this is one of the matchups where nine times out of ten, the better team wins. Prediction: Rams: 38 - Panthers: 17

• Green Bay Packers (9-7-1) at Chicago Bears (11-6)

  • Round three between the Packers and Bears should be a fun one as both teams look to prove themselves. After spending most of the early season as Super Bowl contenders, the Packers came crashing back to Earth when the injuries began to pile up, most notably Micah Parsons on defense. It should be easy to write the Packers off considering that they’re entering the playoffs on a four game losing skid, but the thing about the playoffs is that anything can happen. On the other side, the Chicago Bears, after an 0-2 start to the season, they seemed to find their identity as the season went on as a team with a flair for the dramatic as 11 of their games came down to a single score. They are very strong on the rushing attack balanced by D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai, while Caleb Williams has become very good in clutch moments. Both games between these teams came down to the final play by way of Williams’s arm, and it would not be surprising to see this game come down to Williams once again. The Bears boast a more complete team on paper and it would be easy to pick them here, but I feel like this might be the worst matchup they could have gotten out of all the potential WC opponents. I like Green Bay’s chances here to pull off the upset. Prediction: Packers: 23 - Bears: 20

• Buffalo Bills (12-5) at Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4)

  • The Bills have spent the last few playoffs coming up just short of the mark, with a heartbreaking loss each year. Whether it’s by losing the coin toss, getting blown out, or having their kicker shank it in the final seconds, Buffalo has not had much success in the Josh Allen era, though not for a lack of effort on Allen’s part. I think this may be Sean McDermott’s make it-or-break it moment, because if Buffalo happens to lose big, he may be looking for a new job soon. And it’s not like it will get easier, either, as the Jaguars are far from being a pushover. The Jaguars of old would’ve been a gimme, but the 2025 team has teeth and are perhaps the most balanced team in the playoffs. Trevor Lawrence is finally looking like the guy that Jacksonville hoped he’d become and the defense is pretty good, too. They’re especially strong against the run, too, leading the league in fewest yards allowed on the ground. That will certainly be a challenge for Buffalo, who boasts the best rushing attack in terms of yardage. But perhaps the biggest factor in play is the fact that in Sean McDermott’s tenure, the Bills have not won a road playoff game, going 0-5 in such games. It’s not to say that Buffalo can’t break that trend, but considering how their season has gone and how good Jacksonville is overall, it will take a lot for the Bills to go all the way. Prediction: Bills: 20 - Jaguars: 27

• San Francisco 49ers (12-5) at Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)

  • On one end, you’ve got the so-called unstoppable force versus the so-called immovable object. On the other, you’ve got the stoppable force versus the movable object. In a battle between the runner up in the NFC West and the defending Super Bowl champions, this may be the toughest game to predict. You could make a case for either team to win here, but only one of these teams will be able to move on to the next round. The 49ers are a resilient bunch, as in spite of their injuries, they still managed to come just one game short of the number one seed and the NFC West crown. Kyle Shanahan has a good case for coach of the year based on that alone. The offense is very good, led by Brock Purdy, who has a disposal of weapons to throw to while Christian McCaffery is having another great season. However, the same can’t be said about their defense, which has been suspect over the past few games. The Eagles, meanwhile, return with most of their main cast but there have been a few more speedbumps compared to last season. The offense isn’t nearly as good as it was last season and though Jalen Hurts is good, he isn’t good enough to take the game into his own hands and lead the Eagles to victory. But the defense remains great thanks in part to their defensive line and Vic Fangio’s playcalling. Either the Eagles could win this game close or the 49ers blow them out in their home, because I don’t think there’s going to be any in-between. I think Nick Sirianni’s going to regret not playing for the win in the final game, if I’m being honest. Prediction: 49ers: 31 - Eagles: 10

• Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) at New England Patriots (13-4)

  • In this battle between the 2 and 7 seeds, the Patriots enter loaded with a significant advantage on paper. They are the healthier team and Drake Maye has an MVP-type resume, with seemingly very few flaws to go with it. However, the Patriots haven’t faced much remarkable competition, even if all they can do is play who is in front of them. The Chargers, meanwhile, come into this game off of a loss and Justin Herbert rested and ready to go. Though the offensive line is somewhat depleted, Herbert can still sling it downfield if needed to. On defense, the Chargers are good and could cause trouble for the Patriots offense if they aren’t careful. This could go either way, but I’m going to take the Patriots at home. Prediction: Chargers: 17 - Patriots: 24

• Houston Texans (12-5) at Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)

  • And so, the final FINAL Monday night game of the season takes place between the surging Texans and the surviving Steelers. Houston, after an 0-3 start to the season, went 12-2 the rest of the way with an eight game win streak to close off the season. A lot of that can be attributed to the Texans defense, which leads the lead in fewest total yards allowed and is second in points allowed. They don’t let up a lot, and the offense doesn’t give up a lot, either. Houston is second only to Chicago in terms of turnover differential AND they have the stout defense to back it up. On the other side is the Steelers, who made it in thanks to a missed kick from Baltimore’s Tyler Loop. Pittsburgh also has a good turnover differential as well (4th best), as they manage to get game changing turnovers when needed while Aaron Rodgers takes care of the ball on the other side. This has all the makings of a close game, but I think that Houston and their defense may just be too good for Rodgers to pick apart. Prediction: Texans: 23 - Steelers: 10

So that’ll do it for the wildcard predictions. We’ve finally made it and there’s only so many games left. Appreciate them, because when the season’s over, we’re all going to be wishing for the game over the summer.

A full 18 weeks have led us up to this moment. After all of the excitement, disappointment, and twists and turns of this year, we’re finally at the point where the games matter the most. Going forward, 14 teams are going to be playing for the Super Bowl and only one will emerge victorious. Whoever wins this year will be immortalized in NFL history, furthering the tale that is the National Football League. But who is the favorite among this seemingly open field of playoff teams? The defending champion Philadelphia Eagles are in it, but they have obvious flaws. Many of the other teams do, too. So really, the best thing to do is rank them from who I think has the best chance to win it all down to the longshots.

Obviously, it’s anyone’s Super Bowl to lose, but of the 14 teams remaining, there’s only a handful that I’m truly confident in. There’s also the factor that some teams are more interesting to root for over others, which is just the nature of the game. In addition, while all these teams have good reason to win it all, the flaws are glaring and if any of these teams lose, it will most likely be for these flaws. That’s how I’m going to rank these teams here today and I hope you’re ready for this week’s playoff rankings.

POWER RANKINGS:

1. Seattle Seahawks

   1. Confidence Rating: 4.5/5

   2. Why Root for Them: A Sam Darnold redemption arc would be an amazing story to cap off a potential Seahawks Super Bowl victory. In addition, Seattle’s defense has been very good this season, posting top ten rankings in yards and points allowed. They are just a very efficient defense to watch and what they did against the 49ers in the regular season finale only strengthens the notion that Seattle stands as the favorite to win the Super Bowl this season.

   3. Why They Could Fail: Depending on the matchup, it could spell trouble for Sam Darnold and the offense if Darnold is asked to carry the load for the offense. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is one of the greatest receivers in the game right now, but the talent after him isn’t nearly as good. Shut JSN down and things could end disastrously for Seattle.

2. San Francisco 49ers

   1. Confidence Rating: 4.5/5

   2. Why Root for Them: This offense is a lot of fun to watch with Brock Purdy under center. They can hang with many teams and can put up points at will, which is reflected by the fact that they don’t punt much. Kyle Shanahan has been to the big game twice already and could lead the 49ers there once more.

   3. Why They Could Fail: Injuries have hampered this defense and they’re not nearly as good without their star players. In addition, against the wrong defense, the 49ers offense could end up going cold.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars

   1. Confidence Rating: 4/5

   2. Why Root for Them: Jacksonville is just a fun team to root for, and in terms of pure vibes, no other team can quite match them. The Jaguars might be the most balanced team in the playoff field, not in the sense that they’re good at everything, but that they can win games in multiple ways. Trevor Lawrence is playing the best football of his career right now, which is very good for the Jaguars going forward.

   3. Why They Could Fail: Of course, Lawrence is prone to a mistake from time to time, but he’s minimized those in the past few weeks. Of course, teams could still find ways to try and stop Jacksonville’s offense. The Jaguars rush attack is the weakest part, at least in terms of yardage, so I would say that forcing them to run could be a problem.

4. Denver Broncos

   1. Confidence Rating: 4/5

   2. Why Root for Them: I don’t know, I guess Bo Nix is kind of cool or something? Anyway, this defense is really, really good and has carried the Broncos to many wins this season. Though a lot of those wins tended to go down to the wire, Denver could rely upon their defense to make the crucial stop when needed.

   3. Why They Could Fail: Yeah, the Broncos offense isn’t nearly as good as the defense. Also, despite being the number team in the AFC, they tend to look less than spectacular overall. A bad matchup could mean an early exit if the offense doesn’t get going.

5. Los Angeles Rams

   1. Confidence Rating: 4/5

   2. Why Root for Them: A Super Bowl victory would be the perfect ending for Matthew Stafford if he decides to hang it up after this season. The Rams boast a strong offensive attack led by Stafford, who is complimented with both Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, both solid receivers in the own right. The rushing attack is not too bad, either, with Kyren Williams and Blake Corum providing another dimension to the Rams offense.

   3. Why They Could Fail: They enter the playoffs losing two of the final three games, which is a cause for concern. Though there aren’t many flaws on paper, slumping into the postseason usually isn’t a good way to begin your Super Bowl run. They draw the Panthers in the wildcard round, who they did lose to earlier in the year, but we’ll see if the Rams learn from their mistakes.

6. New England Patriots

   1. Confidence Rating: 3.5/5

   2. Why Root for Them: It’s been so long since the Patriots were relevant, don’t you think? But for New England, Drake Maye has taken that next step and is the front runner for the MVP award. Though his stats may not have as much volume compared to Stafford, Maye is efficient and just seems to pull off great throws no matter what.

   3. Why They Could Fail: They didn’t exactly face off against the toughest competition compared to other teams, so it’s easy to say that they aren’t as battle-tested like the Broncos or the Jaguars. Whether that will be the Patriots undoing is yet to be seen, but something to take a note of in these playoffs.

7. Chicago Bears

   1. Confidence Rating: 3.5/5

   2. Why Root for Them: The Bears make games exciting. Ben Johnson has the Bears operating at a high level and Caleb Williams just looks like he’s getting better every week. The rushing attack is also good, which is not a surprise given Johnson’s playcalling history. The defense boasts a league leading +22 turnover differential, which is a good thing to have if you want go far in the playoffs.

   3. Why They Could Fail: The Bears have had many games this season go down to the wire, with eleven games being decided by one score. It’s one thing to pull off last second victories in the regular season, but up against better competition? It’s an entirely different story. And while the defense is great at generating turnovers, Chicago’s defense itself is more towards the bottom in terms of both yards and points allowed. For the Bears to make it far, not only does the offense need to play well, but the defense must also lock down when it matters most.

8. Houston Texans

   1. Confidence Rating: 3.5/5

   2. Why Root for Them: You believe in this defense. This is one of the best defenses in the league, if not the best overall. It’s tough to find a significant flaw in this defense, which is why I wouldn’t be surprised if the Texans make a deep playoff run. CJ Stroud has been playing more like his rookie year self in recent weeks, which is also good news for Houston. Also, they draw a favorable matchup in the wildcard against the Steelers, which has the chance to end in a blowout in Houston’s favor.

   3. Why They Could Fail: Where the defense is consistently good, the offense is less so. The Texans are middle of the pack in terms of yardage, but even worse in the run game. If teams can stifle Stroud and limit the pass game, that will not end well for the Texans. Just have to hope the offense can do just enough and not let the defense bear the load in the playoffs.

9. Los Angeles Chargers

   1. Confidence Rating: 3/5

   2. Why Root for Them: Justin Herbert is cool and fun to watch when he isn’t getting beaten up in the pocket. The Chargers have a pretty good defense, which is solid enough to win them games. Herbert himself had a good year despite injuries along the offensive line. Jim Harbaugh generally knows how to win in the NFL, so it’s possible for the Chargers to make a run if everything goes right.

   3. Why They Could Fail: Life as the Los Angeles Chargers hasn’t been so great, but even without all of the ghosts, the Chargers miss their starters on the offensive line dearly. They cannot afford to start out slow and having Herbert take a ton of pressure. If Los Angeles wants to defy the odds and make their Super Bowl run, then they need the depth to step up.

10. Buffalo Bills

    1. Confidence Rating: 2.5/5

    2. Why Root for Them: They’re the long-suffering fanbase that’s been waiting for a Super Bowl victory. Josh Allen is an incredible talent at quarterback and when he’s allowed to let it rip, he can make great plays happen with his arm and his legs. James Cook is a great compliment to Allen and if the Bills go all the way, it’ll be behind these two.

    3. Why They Could Fail: It’s like clockwork how the Bills manage to screw it up and even though Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs aren’t in the playoffs, I’m not exactly confident in the Bills defense to lock in and deliver when it matters most. I’m not sure if Buffalo’s window is even open at this point with rising stars in the AFC in the Patriots, Jaguars, and Broncos. For the Bills to defy the odds and win it all, a lot will have to go in their favor.

11. Philadelphia Eagles

    1. Confidence Rating: 2.5/5

    2. Why Root for Them: You hate fun. But to be serious, the Eagles still boast a strong defense led by Vic Fangio. Jalen Hurts can make the occasional big play. Saquon Barkley is a talented runner. This team has talent on both sides. That’s about it.

    3. Why They Could Fail: Kevin Patullo’s playcalling is atrocious and Nick Sirianni, for all of his cockiness, doesn’t really seem to do much else as a head coach besides squawk. If the defense is out for an extending period of time, they will tire out and a better team will take advantage of that. The Eagles’ greatest enemy isn’t the field, but quite possibly themselves and it will be of no surprise if that is their undoing.

12. Green Bay Packers

    1. Confidence Rating: 2/5

    2. Why Root for Them: Jordan Love fulfills the 27 prophecy like Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre before him and leads the Packers all the way. Green Bay was a lot more exciting before Micah Parsons went down, but the possibility of them upsetting the Bears exists and it would be kind of cool (no offense, Bears). Other than that, the Packers will need a miracle and then some to win the Super Bowl this year.

    3. Why They Could Fail: The NFL is a war of attrition sometimes and sometimes you just don’t have enough to keep going. The Packers enter the playoffs depleted on both sides of the ball and have to have everything go right if they’re to win it all.

13. Carolina Panthers

    1. Confidence Rating: 1.5/5

    2. Why Root for Them: You want Bryce Young to succeed. Yes, he can be inconsistent, but when Young plays well, it’s very well. Carolina isn’t exactly entering the playoffs on the best terms, having to have Atlanta do their work for them, but they could surprise the Rams in the first round. It could happen.

    3. Why They Could Fail: It’s a tough road ahead for the Panthers. Not that it’s impossible for them to win, but Carolina needs to have more than just luck on their side in order to win the Super Bowl. Other teams have to falter in catastrophic ways if the Panthers want to lift the Lombardi Trophy. Then again, the last time Carolina entered the postseason with a losing record, they made the Super Bowl the following year. So even if they don’t go far this year, there’s reason for hope yet, Panthers fans.

14. Pittsburgh Steelers

    1. Confidence Rating: 1.5/5

    2. Why Root for Them: The chaos is more important than anything else. Aaron Rodgers, for as controversial as he is, gets one last chance to get to the Super Bowl and ride off into the sunset. Of course, a lot (and I'm putting that lightly) needs to go right in the Steelers’ favor for that to happen.

    3. Why They Could Fail: This is far from a good team. The Steelers needed a missed field goal from the Ravens to make it in and even then, Pittsburgh has to square up against a Houston team that boasts a strong defense. I would be surprised if the Steelers make it past the wildcard round.

That ends the power rankings for the wildcard week. After the games are played, I’ll be ranking the remaining teams left heading into the divisional round. Any thoughts, opinions, or whatever, share in the comments. Other than that, thank you for reading.

The Washington Commanders capped off a dismal 2025 season with a victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, winning 24-17 after the Eagles made the decision to rest their starters and prepare for the playoffs. Despite their best efforts (or lack of effort, if you prefer), the Eagles could not stop the Commanders from scoring the go-ahead touchdown late in the 4th quarter. Overall, it’s a meaningless win that may or may not end up hurting Washington in the long run.

To be completely honest, it’s conflicting. On one hand, it would have been better in the long term to lose and net a higher draft pick, but on the other, beating the Eagles and denying them an easy first round match-up with the Packers is good just to see Eagles fans seethe over Nick Sirianni decision making and Kevin Patullo’s playcalling. Would I have been happy with a loss? Not really, but at the same time, getting the draft pick right is more important than where the Commanders would pick. And there’s no certainty that fans would be happy with the decisions made by this front office regardless of where Washington would pick, anyway.

With the offseason ahead and uncertainty surrounding the team, Washington has to get it right. Adam Peters needs to restore faith in the fans and prove that there is a vision for the Commanders, which begins with finding suitable replacements for Joe Whitt and potentially Kliff Kingsbury. If this team is to progress—and I’m not talking about making the playoffs—then the hires have to be home runs. Washington needs playcallers who can effectively utilize the players on the field to their potential and be able to adjust when needed. Whitt wasn’t able to do that, and while I still believe Kingsbury to be a good offensive coordinator, it was obvious that his style had reached a limit in DC. Dan Quinn will at least get next year, but if the result of next season is the same or worse, then we’ll be looking at a new regime come 2027. Also, it’s very important that Jayden Daniels is able to stay healthy, just putting that out here right now.

Free agency and the draft are also key as this team needs to add playmakers and not just stopgaps. If the Commanders are serious about contending, then they’ll make those moves. Sign up-and-coming players and good players, not aging veterans on one year deals, and draft players that will instantly make an impact on the field. Fortunately, Washington still has a good pick at number 7 and a good deal of players, both offensive and defensive, that will be there when they’re on the clock. Whether they stay put at 7 or trade back, the Commanders have to get that pick right. We’ll just have to see in April.

Anyway, there’s not much else to say here. The season is over for Washington and there’s a lot for them to address. Year three is going to have one big question for Washington to answer: are they closer to the 12-5 team in year one that could pull off wins behind Jayden Daniels or are they more like the disastrous 5-12 team that couldn’t get out of their own way most of the time with Daniels unable to stay on the field? Time will tell, but I am hoping that it will be more the former than the latter.

Most of the playoff field has been set, but there’s still a little bit to determine the final two playoff spots and the seeding. Time to go over it.

In the AFC:

• Six teams have clinched playoff spots: the Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, and Los Angeles Chargers. If Denver wins their final game(or ties with a NE loss/both the Patriots and Jaguars lose), they gain homefield advantage. If the Broncos fail to do that, the Patriots can grab number one with a win. If both Denver and New England happen to lose, then Jacksonville can get homefield with a win.

• Speaking of Jacksonville, if they somehow lose to the Titans, then Houston can clinch the AFC South with a win. The Texans cannot be the number one seed.

• It’s very simple for both Baltimore and Pittsburgh: win or go home. Whoever wins will win the AFC North.

• Both the Bills and Chargers cannot win their divisions and can really only affect who they’ll play in the wildcard round depending on the results.

In the NFC:

• The Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles (boo), San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams, and Green Bay Packers are in the playoffs. Only Seattle and San Francisco can get the number one seed and they’ll play each other for it; if Seattle wins/ties, they get homefield advantage, otherwise the 49ers get it with a win.

• The Bears hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Eagles, so if they win on Sunday, they’ll be the number two seed. Both teams have clinched their divisions.

• Here’s where it gets a little interesting: the Carolina Panthers have two chances at winning the NFC South. If they defeat the Buccaneers, then the Panthers are in. If Tampa Bay wins, then they better hope that the New Orleans Saints defeat the Atlanta Falcons, because if the Falcons win, then Carolina is in no matter what.

• The Green Bay Packers are locked into the seventh seed and cannot change their position. Meanwhile, the Rams can either be the sixth or fifth seed. Play the winner of the NFC South or play the Bears/Eagles? I wonder which is the better choice…

That’ll do it for that. Now let’s get to the games at hand. Like last season, I’m going to order the games from least important to most important.

Previous week: 10-6

Season Overall: 164-92

Hopefully this year will be the better one.

TEAMS ELIMINATED: New York Giants (Week 12); Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals (Week 13); Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets, Washington Commanders (Week 14); Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings (Week 15), Dallas Cowboys (Week 16), Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts (Week 17)

• Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals

  • The two Ohio teams face off to end the season and I don’t know if anyone outside these two fanbases really care. There’s a chance that Cleveland might clean house and if so, then maybe Washington could reach out to Jim Schwartz and see if he’d be interested in being the DC next season. That’s about the only interest I have in this game, which I think that the Bengals will win. Prediction: Browns: 14 - Bengals: 31

• Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants

  • New York still has a shot at the number one overall pick, but no matter what, I’m not sure if it’ll change things immediately. The Giants have been picking in the top ten for the past few years and haven’t gotten anywhere as a result. Dallas, on the other hand, just isn’t bad enough to pick high nor are they good enough to make a serious playoff run. Cowboys will win and maintain mediocrity going into the offseason. Prediction: Cowboys: 34 - Giants: 24

• Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders

  • The Chiefs could lose this game but this is the Raiders we’re talking about, so regardless of the result, this game will be unwatchable. Prediction: Chiefs: 17 - Raiders: 10

• Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings

  • Ultimately, the Packers stay stuck in the seventh seed for the third consecutive year and are injured to boot. But the Vikings are putting forth Max Brosmer again, who just isn’t cut out to be an NFL quarterback. This game is basically the sports equivalent of the saying “this could’ve been an email.” Packers win, I guess. Prediction: Packers: 16 - Vikings: 14

• Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams

  • The Rams are kind of stumbling to the finish line like their shoelaces have become untied, but overall, this is still a talented squad. Luckily for them, they can get right against the Cardinals. Prediction: Cardinals: 17 - Rams: 33

• Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles

  • Finally, this nightmare of a season can be over for Washington, who I’m sure will be happy to get to the offseason and start making some necessary moves to get back to relevance in 2026. I’ll try and go over what I think they should do, but for now, I just want them to close things out here against the Eagles. One last go for the 2025 season. Prediction: Commanders: 17 - Eagles: 20

• Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears

  • I guess that it comes down to if the Bears want to play the Packers again or not. I suppose that they do. Bears win. Prediction: Lions: 20 - Bears: 24

• New York Jets at Buffalo Bills

  • The Jets fans can’t wait for this to be over. It’s finally, finally here, guys. Prediction: Jets: 10 - Bills: 21

• Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots

  • So Drake Maye might win MVP after all. Whatever. The Patriots have been playing a cupcake schedule, so it will be interesting to see how they’ll measure up against better competition in the playoffs. But for now, the Patriots close the regular with a win. Prediction: Dolphins: 13 - Patriots: 24

• Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans

  • And so the Philip Rivers comeback story comes to a close. Didn’t think that the Colts were going to do much with Rivers under center, but it was a nice story for a couple of weeks. All Indianapolis can do now is just wait for the season to finally end. Texans win. Prediction: Colts: 17 - Texans: 24

• Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars

  • Cam Ward might be something in the future, but for now, the Titans just want to get this season over with. Jacksonville has playoffs on their mind and a potential number one seed hanging in the balance. Prediction: Titans: 14 - Jaguars: 27

• Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos

  • Had the Chargers won last week, this could have been more interesting. Alas, some things were not meant to be. Denver’s been pretty suspect for the past few weeks but still should be good to go for the playoffs. Guess I’m picking the Broncos, then. Prediction: Chargers: 13 - Broncos: 20

• New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons

  • A game of interest only because the Falcons decided to play good football well after they’ve been eliminated. The Saints might have a quarterback with Tyler Shough, but I think that the Falcons will win this, ultimately rendering the result of Carolina/Tampa Bay irrelevant. Prediction: Saints: 24 - Falcons: 27

• Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Saturday #1)

  • So far for the Panthers, it’s been win-loss-win-loss-win-loss… You get the idea. They lost last week, so this should be a win. Even if you don’t take that into account, the Buccaneers’ season has been basically on life support and even with a win, the Bucs still need Atlanta to lose. I just don’t see it happening. Prediction: Panthers: 23 - Buccaneers: 16

• Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers (Saturday #2)

  • A lot of people probably wanted to see this as the Sunday night game, and while I agree with them, I still believe that this game has the potential to be really good. The Seahawks have had a few slow starts in recent weeks, which is a concern heading into the playoffs, but they are still really good on both sides of the ball. Meanwhile, the 49ers have been electric on offense, though their defense is a little questionable. It’s a tough one to predict, but I’m leaning towards San Francisco only because they’re the hotter team at this point. Prediction: Seahawks: 27 - 49ers: 30

• Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday Night)

  • And so, this is the final game of the regular season. I guess since it’s a true “win or go home” game, it deserves the Sunday night slot, but I still can’t help but think that this is going to be one of those games that’s either going to be a low scoring snore or a complete blowout. The Ravens have been disappointing for most of the year, with Lamar Jackson being hurt and not playing to his usual greatness and Derrick Henry being underutilized, while the Steelers feel routine at this point with how they’re so set at maintaining mediocrity that it won’t be surprising if they lost this game. Honestly, I have to take the Ravens here because I just don’t trust the Steelers to win this. Somebody’s got to win and I guess it’s Baltimore’s chance. Prediction: Ravens: 31 - Steelers: 10

The fact that you’re reading this in 2026 means that you’ve made it. Thank you, and I hope that you’ll give this new year everything. A lot of things may not be ideal right now, but you’ll persevere. We all will. Here’s to a better 2026.

This will be the last week of regular season power rankings, as I will be shifting things to rank the playoff teams. And since there’s no need to talk about teams not in the post-season, the categories will take the rest of the season off. I’ll go into further detail next week, but I will try to make the playoff rankings interesting for all of you reading. But now, it’s onto the week 18 Top Ten power rankings.

ON THE FRINGE:

• I was going between these two teams for a bit, but in terms of vibes, I’m going to have to give the Baltimore Ravens the fringe spot over the Steelers mainly because the Ravens won and their rival did not. After the debacle against the Patriots, it seems as if John Harbaugh learned his lesson and leaned into running the ball with Derrick Henry, which paid off greatly as Henry scored four touchdowns and ran for over 200 yards on 36 carries. There may never be another runningback quite like Henry ever again, so it’s best to appreciate these moments where he just gets to impose his will against opposing defenses. Just please remember to use him next week, John. Thank you.

TANK WATCH:

• In a competition of complete football incompetence, there is no equal to the Las Vegas Raiders. With their loss to the Giants on Sunday, the Raiders control their path to the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The only team standing between Vegas and Fernando Mendoza are the Kansas City Chiefs, who have been phoning it in since Patrick Mahomes got injured, so it’s not exactly a guarantee that the Raiders will secure the first overall pick. Granted, the Raiders are bad but the Chiefs may be worse without Mahomes.

• In the event the Raiders win week 18, they still have a shot at keeping first overall, but tiebreakers are in play depending on the other games going on. The New York Giants still have a shot at the top pick, but there’s a lot at hand for them to get it.

IN THE HOLE:

• It wasn’t a sure thing to have the NFC South wrapped up last Sunday, but the Carolina Panthers can’t exactly like their situation after losing to the Seattle Seahawks. Tampa Bay may have lost, but there’s still a chance that the Buccaneers can win against the Panthers now and clinch the division. Week 18 will certainly be interesting for these two teams.

FRAUD ALERT:

• Let’s talk about the Philadelphia Eagles. Though they ultimately won over the Bills, the Eagles cannot look at that game and act as if everything is A-OK on offense. Jalen Hurts, in particular, completely disappeared in the second half, completing none of his passes. There are some Eagles fans who like to call foul whenever Josh Allen has a bad performance, and yes, Allen did screw up on the go-ahead two point conversion, but that is no excuse to Hurts’ spectacularly bad second half. Nothing about this game has changed my mind about the Eagles, who I’m sure will be a wildcard exit at this point.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT:

• The vibes around the Tampa Bay Buccaneers must be completely awful right now, as the Bucs are hanging to their playoff hopes only because of the Panthers’ inability to put together a win streak. I’m still kind of surprised at how badly Tampa Bay fell off and feel like there has to be some sort of change at the coaching level, though it might not matter at all if they beat Carolina. Someone has to win that division, after all.

TOP TEN:

1. New England Patriots (+1)

   1. Complete dominance. Sure, the Jets were basically phoning it in, but the Patriots did what they needed to do and blew them out. Drake Maye had another amazing game, completing all but two of his passes and throwing five touchdowns in an effort to cement his MVP cause. Now with the AFC East wrapped up, the Patriots look to secure homefield advantage next week.

2. Seattle Seahawks (-1)

   1. It was a little worrisome in the first half, but the Seahawks pulled away from the Panthers in the second half and got the win. They remain in control of the NFC West, but they have to beat the 49ers first if they want to get that homefield advantage.

3. San Francisco 49ers (+4)

   1. Most of the primetime games this year have generally been very good, but the 49ers win over the Bears may be second best only behind the Rams/Seahawks Thursday night game the week before. There’s a lot to like about San Francisco’s offense as Brock Purdy is making a really good case for why he should be given a lot more respect as a quarterback. Meanwhile, Christian McCaffrey continues to put up great numbers as well. The defense is a bit of a concern going forward, but as long as the offense can perform like this, the other side just needs to be just enough.

4. Los Angeles Rams (-1)

   1. It is concerning to see the Rams stumbling to the finish line, but this is still a talented team that can make a run. It'll just have to be on the road, which is a tougher task. Matthew Stafford had the MVP nod in his hands, but after last night, it's no longer a sure thing.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars (-1)

   1. The Jaguars survived the scare and remain in the driver’s seat for the AFC South. They also have the number one seed in play, but that has to be sorted out with the other games first. This has been quite the turnaround for Jacksonville and now they’re this close to hosting a playoff game. The Titans stand in their way of doing that, and while Tennessee hasn’t been that great, they do tend to be a thorn in the Jaguars’ side from time to time. But I think that Jacksonville’s got this one.

6. Chicago Bears (-1)

   1. Just a few feet short of victory. Though Caleb Williams stepped up and delivered underneath the lights, the 49ers offense was too much to handle on Sunday night. But Ben Johnson’s squad has what it takes to keep up with teams and has at least one guaranteed home game in the playoffs. Though it would be tempting for the Bears to rest their starters in week 18, I feel as if a third round against an ailing Packers team would be too good for Chicago to pass up.

7. Houston Texans (+3)

   1. Well, for the first quarter, it looked as if the Texans would run away with the win against the Chargers. However, Houston’s offense went quiet afterwards and ended up hanging on after a late penalty by the Chargers helped net the Texans much needed relief. The defense is still championship caliber, of course, but CJ Stroud and the offense will have to step up if Houston wants to make a deep run.

8. Denver Broncos (-2)

   1. Either the Broncos are winning the Super Bowl or are going one-and-done. There’s no in-between. I’m done trying to make sense of Bo Nix and whether he’s great or not, but the defense is solid enough. They do like to keep it close even if the other team isn’t that good. The one thing that will help Denver, though, is if they secure the number one seed as Mile High is a tough place to play.

9. Los Angeles Chargers (-1)

   1. It was a valiant effort, but the Chargers came up short. Injuries have made this season a tough out for Justin Herbert and the Chargers, who will be playing on the road in the playoffs. When fully healthy, this is a team that can compete with anyone, but life in the NFL is anything but fair. Thus, the Chargers have their work cut out for them going forward.

10. Buffalo Bills (-1)

    1. In retrospect, it would have been better had the Bills opted for the extra point. The Eagles weren’t doing anything on offense and the Bills had the momentum, so they would’ve had a chance to win in overtime had it gone to that. But hindsight is a funny thing. With the AFC East a lost cause and the Bills trying to find their footing again, it may be better to just rest up next week and prepare for the wildcard. They may even face the Patriots again if things align correctly, and Buffalo has beaten them in Foxborough already.

And that'll do it for the regular season power rankings. Come back next week for the playoff rankings!