Movie quote of the day:
“Don’t you dare badmouth ‘Star Wars!’ That was all accurate!”
— Terry Hoitz, “The Other Guys” (2010)
Power rankings
Biggest riser: Kansas City (+9)
Biggest faller: Dallas (-5)
1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-6)
Postseason result: W, 25-22 vs. San Francisco in Super Bowl LVIII (OT)
Previous: 10 (+9)
We’re officially in the middle of the NFL’s next dynasty. Kansas City has now won three Super Bowls in the last five seasons. There’s a great chance that the Chiefs can be the first team to win three-straight Super Bowls.
2. San Francisco 49ers (14-6)
Postseason result: L, 22-25 vs. Kansas City in Super Bowl LVIII (OT)
Previous: 2
The Super Bowl window is beginning to close in San Francisco. The 49ers have an aging roster and will be cap strapped this year. It’s fair to argue that this was San Francisco’s best chance to win it all with its current core.
3. Baltimore Ravens (14-5)
Postseason result: L, 10-17 vs. Kansas City in AFC Championship
Previous: 1 (-2)
I still think that Baltimore was the best team in the AFC, maybe even the entire league. I don’t understand why the Ravens didn’t run the ball more against Kansas City. Not having Mike Macdonald will hurt their defense in 2024.
4. Detroit Lions (14-6)
Postseason result: L, 31-34 at San Francisco in NFC Championship
Previous: 5 (+1)
Detroit has a realistic opportunity to be the top team in the NFC in 2024. The Lions were one half away from playing in their first Super Bowl. Plus, keeping Ben Johnson around for at least one more year was huge for this team.
5. Buffalo Bills (12-7)
Postseason result: L, 24-27 vs. Kansas City in Divisional Round
Previous: 3 (-2)
Another loss to Kansas City in the postseason is deflating for Buffalo. The Bills will be in the mix to win the Super Bowl as long as they have Josh Allen. This team must get younger on the defensive side of the ball, though.
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-9)
Postseason result: L, 23-31 at Detroit in Divisional Round
Previous: 12 (+6)
I’m not sure if Tampa Bay can retain its success from this past season. The Buccaneers have several key players about to be free agents, including Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans. This team could look much differently in 2024.
7. Green Bay Packers (10-9)
Postseason result: L, 21-24 at San Francisco in Divisional Round
Previous: 6 (-1)
There aren’t many teams with a better five-year outlook than Green Bay. The Packers made it to the Divisional Round despite having the youngest roster in the NFL. We’ll see if Jeff Hafley can patch things up defensively.
8. Houston Texans (11-8)
Postseason result: L, 10-34 at Baltimore in Divisional Round
Previous: 11 (+3)
Like Green Bay, Houston has an incredibly bright future. C.J. Stroud already looks like the best quarterback in the AFC South division. The Texans probably need one more good offseason to be a true contender.
9. Dallas Cowboys (12-6)
Postseason result: L, 32-48 vs. Green Bay on Super Wild Card Weekend
Previous: 4 (-5)
I went into the postseason thinking Dallas was one of the top team in the NFC. My opinion has now changed after the Cowboys were soundly defeated by Green Bay. I think this team has reached its ceiling with its current core.
10. Los Angeles Rams (10-8)
Postseason result: L, 23-24 at Detroit on Super Wild Card Weekend
Previous: 7 (-3)
While I think the Rams overperformed in 2023, they should always be in the mix as long as they have Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay. The Rams have a lot of work to do, though, when it comes to bolstering their roster.
11. Cleveland Browns (11-7)
Postseason result: L, 14-45 at Houston on Super Wild Card Weekend
Previous: 8 (-3)
It’s great that Cleveland made the playoffs, but I think the clock is ticking on Deshaun Watson. He either has to stay healthy or play at a high level next year for me to think the Browns are trending in the right direction.
12. Philadelphia Eagles (11-7)
Postseason result: L, 9-32 at Tampa Bay on Super Wild Card Weekend
Previous: 9 (-3)
This past season was a disaster, but I’m not ready to give up on Philadelphia. I still think the Eagles are closer to the team we saw in 2022. They also hired two great coordinators to try to fix things on both sides of the ball.
13. Miami Dolphins (11-7)
Postseason result: L, 7-26 at Kansas City on Super Wild Card Weekend
Previous: 13
Miami is another team that I think has reached its ceiling with its current core. This was likely this team’s best chance to make a run in the AFC. The Dolphins now have several key players about to be free agents.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-8)
Postseason result: L, 17-31 at Buffalo on Super Wild Card Weekend
Previous: 14
I have a difficult time seeing Pittsburgh being better than what it’s been since Ben Roethlisberger retired. The quarterback position is holding the Steelers back. It feels like 2024 could be Mike Tomlin’s last year, too.
15. Cincinnati Bengals (9-8)
Previous: 15
Cincinnati should bounce back with a healthy Joe Burrow. However, I expect there to be cap casualties on this team now that Burrow has received a long-term contract. We’ll see how the Bengals handle the offseason.
16. Seattle Seahawks (9-8)
Previous: 16
I wouldn’t rule out Seattle being in the market for a quarterback in the draft. Geno Smith isn’t a long-term solution. I don’t know what the Seahawks plan to do after hiring another defensive-minded head coach, though.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8)
Previous: 17
Jacksonville has some serious question marks entering this offseason. The Jaguars played uninspired football the last few weeks of the regular season. I’m no longer convinced this team is heading in the right direction.
18. New Orleans Saints (9-8)
Previous: 18
New Orleans has been incapable of looking to the future since Drew Brees retired. The Saints still think that they’re in a Super Bowl window when they’re not. I expect more of the same with this team as we head into the offseason.
19. Indianapolis Colts (9-8)
Previous: 19
Indianapolis showed a lot promise this past season. Shane Steichen did an admirable job leading the Colts with a backup quarterback. I look forward to seeing what this team can do with a healthy Anthony Richardson.
20. Chicago Bears (7-10)
Previous: 20
This is probably the most important offseason in Chicago’s history. I’m not sure the Bears are off to a great start by retaining Matt Eberflus. I don’t think he’s a bad head coach, but there were much better candidates on the market.
21. Las Vegas Raiders (8-9)
Previous: 21
It feels like Las Vegas was pressured into hiring Antonio Pierce as its next head coach. I still think the Raiders are a ways from being competitive, so we’ll see if Pierce and this new front office can turn things around quickly.
22. New York Giants (6-11)
Previous: 22
I think the Giants are closer to the team we saw in 2023 as opposed to the team we saw in 2022. I also don’t like the reports regarding Brian Daboll, too. I could be wrong about this team once Daniel Jones gets healthy.
23. Arizona Cardinals (4-13)
Previous: 23
This team actually isn’t far from being competitive. Arizona hung tough with several teams in 2023 despite having a subpar roster. The Cardinals have plenty of draft capital, and should have a healthy Kyler Murray.
24. Denver Broncos (8-9)
Previous: 24
All the talk the last few weeks has been that Sean Payton and Denver want to move on from Russell Wilson. I’ll believe it when I see it. Doing that would set back the Broncos a ways, both competitively and financially.
25. Minnesota Vikings (7-10)
Previous: 25
Whether or not Minnesota is competitive in 2024 comes down to if the team re-signs Kirk Cousins. I’m not convinced if that’ll happen or not. It sure feels like the Vikings want to move on. These next few weeks will be interesting.
26. Tennessee Titans (6-11)
Previous: 26
By moving on from Mike Vrabel, it’s clear that Tennessee is entering a rebuild. That means that Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry have likely played their last game with the Titans. I doubt this team is competitive in 2024.
27. Atlanta Falcons (7-10)
Previous: 27
Atlanta’s front office is under the impression that it’s a good quarterback away from being competitive. That might be true when it comes to their division, but I think the Falcons are way behind the top teams in the NFC.
28. Los Angeles Chargers (5-12)
Previous: 28
The Chargers made the biggest splash of the offseason by hiring Jim Harbaugh. He’ll bring some much needed toughness to this team. With Harbaugh and a healthy Justin Herbert, I think the Chargers are legitimate contenders.
29. New York Jets (7-10)
Previous: 29
The Jets are more dysfunctional than usual. A recent article didn’t put Aaron Rodgers, Robert Saleh, or the front office in good light. I just don’t see this team being competitive next year even if they have a healthy Rodgers.
30. New England Patriots (4-13)
Previous: 30
I still don’t understand why New England moved on from Bill Belichick only to promote one of his assistants. The Patriots are likely a ways off from being competitive. The good news is that they have a top three pick in the draft.
31. Washington Commanders (4-13)
Previous: 31
Josh Harris, Washington’s new owner, has done a great job this offseason. Adam Peters might’ve been the best GM hire and I don’t dislike hiring Dan Quinn as head coach. This team is trending in the right direction.
32. Carolina Panthers (2-15)
Previous: 32
Carolina is a mess. The Panthers don’t have much draft capital after trading for Bryce Young, who was terrible as a rookie. I don’t know where this team goes from here, and I doubt Dave Canales can turn things around.
All Things Sports from a Millennial 