Some of the comments & observations are more interesting than the rankings themselves.
2. San Francisco 49ers (2): They’re the first team in league history with a running back (Christian McCaffrey), tight end (George Kittle) and two wideouts (Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk) all over 1,000 yards from scrimmage.
Kittle’s virtually a glorified WR, but the 49ers won’t debate since they still get to pay him like a TE
10. Miami Dolphins (7): If they relinquish the AFC East to Buffalo on Sunday – which seems likely – then Fins will head to Kansas City for the wild-card round … so at least we’d finally get to see WR Tyreek Hill return to Arrowhead.
That would be one interesting game. I think Miami would win
13. Jacksonville Jaguars (14): How much money will OLB Josh Allen make in free agency? Well, the franchise tag is likely to delay his payday. But consider this: He and Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor are the only players since 1982 with at least 2½ sacks four times in one season.
Since Maxx Crosby isn’t available, this might be the next best option if not franchised
14. Green Bay Packers (23): Neither Brett Favre nor Aaron Rodgers threw 30 TD passes in their first seasons as GB QB1. Jordan Love has – though the question now is whether he, too, has an ownership stake of the Bears.
17. Atlanta Falcons (16): Crazy in this day and age that they have one player averaging more than four receptions per game – and that’s a very modest 4.3 by talented WR Drake London.
They’ve got Pitts and Bijan, both top 10 picks, and that’s the best they can do. They desperately need a QB
19. Pittsburgh Steelers (19): Bit hard to believe this hasn’t happened, but OLB T.J. Watt can become the first three-time sack champion since the statistic became official in 1982.
And Bob Quinn took Jarrad Davis instead. Enough said.
20. Seattle Seahawks (12): How best to explain how they’ve transformed from possible contender to likely pretender? HC Pete Carroll’s defense has surrendered more than 1,000 yards on the ground over the past six weeks, four of those games losses.
Wouldn’t mind a rematch at Ford Field–think the Lions would win this time
25. New England Patriots (27): The last time they didn’t have a rusher or receiver break 700 yards? Try 1987, which was interrupted by a players strike.
That’s a pre-Barry Sanders level of futility
28. New York Giants (29): You’d like to see a more well-rounded game from OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux, but he’s nearly tripled his rookie sack total (4) to 11½ as a sophomore.
30. Los Angeles Chargers (30): Given how little went right for this team, credit veteran OLB Khalil Mack. Not only did he surpass 100 career sacks, he managed a career-best 16 in 2023 to do it. A guy who might be a cap casualty in 2024 should have several suitors if so.
Wonder if Brad Holmes would be interested