NFL 2017/18: Top 10 teams entering week 16
With just two weeks to go in the regular season, it is crunch time for many teams in the NFL either just trying to stay alive to make it to the playoffs or win the division. It's quite bizarre to think that the regular season is almost over.
Also Read: NFL Top 10 Teams Entering Week 15
Let us take a close look at this week's top 10 NFL teams.
#10 Atlanta Falcons (9-4)
Matt Ryan played much better against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and he did not turn the ball over. Devonta Freeman rushed for 126 yards and a touchdown and that's a good sign for the Falcons.
Last week's ranking: not ranked
#9 Kansas City Chiefs (8-6)
Kareem Hunt put the Chiefs on his back. He rushed for 155 yards and a touchdown and he also caught seven passes for 51 yards receiving and a touchdown. The pass rush is suddenly coming alive.
Last week's ranking: 10
#8 Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4)
They dominated the Houston Texans 45-7 on Sunday. The Jaguars defense plays with a ton of pride and Blake Bortles is slinging the ball right now with confidence.
Last week's ranking: 8
#7 Carolina Panthers (10-4)
Cam Newton threw for four touchdowns passes against the Green Bay Packers and he made there defense look silly. Carolina's defense forced four turnovers and that is the key in winning football games and possibly championships.
Last week's ranking: 7
#6 New Orleans Saints (10-4)
The Saints didn't look that impressive against the New York Jets. New Orleans is having issues in the red zone right now. They are struggling to score touchdowns down their and they are turning the ball over as well. Marshon Lattimore continues to be a shutdown man in the Saints secondary.
Last week's ranking: 6
#5 Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3)
The Steelers faltered down the stretch against the Patriots. Pittsburgh had a Jesse James touchdown overturned late in the game and it should have been a touchdown, but it wasn't. Ben Roethlisberger threw an interception late in the end zone. They will be without wide receiver Antiono Brown until the postseason with a calf injury. JuJu Smith-Schuster is going to have to step up.
Last week's ranking: 2
#4 Los Angeles Rams (10-4)
With the Rams destroying the Seattle Seahawks 42-7, it seems as if the Seahawks reign in the NFC West is over. Todd Gurley ran wild. He rushed for 152 yards and three touchdowns and Gurley also had three catches for 28 yards receiving and a touchdown. The Rams defense sacked Russell Wilson seven times. Aaron Donald is one of the best defensive players in the NFL.
Last week's ranking: 5
#3 New England Patriots (11-3)
Tom Brady hasn't looked the same in the past couple of weeks, but Rob Gronkowski saved the day this week for the Patriots offense. Gronkowski caught nine passes for 168 yards receiving. He also caught a 2-point conversion. Gronkowski was a headache for the Steelers defense. The Patriots defense picked off Roethlisberger late in the game after the overturned touchdown.
Last week's ranking: 4
#2 Minnesota Vikings (11-3)
The Vikings dominated the Cinicinatti Bengals 34-7. Case Keenum played well again, but quarterback Teddy Bridgewater saw the field for the first time in a couple of years after his ACL injury. The Vikings crowd gave him a big standing ovation. Minnesota's defense is elite.
Last week's ranking: 3
#1 Philadelphia Eagles (12-2)
Nick Foles threw for 237 yards and four touchdowns in a Eagles 34-29 win against the New York Giants. The Eagles special teams blocked an extra point, field goal, and a punt. That will be key if the Eagles defense is struggling. It will give the Eagles good field position.
Last week's ranking: 1