NFL Trade Rumors
What a week of upsets we just had. While we were all carving turkey and arguing with our extended families, all three Thanksgiving Day games were upsets. That trend continued over the weekend. With Chicago going into Philly and winning and the Rams tripping up in Carolina, we have a new No. 1 seed in the NFC: da Bears. Just like we all predicted.
Meanwhile, the AFC South might be the most interesting and competitive division race over the next five weeks, with three teams all within a game of each other and all in strong playoff positions. The Cowboys have worked their way back into the mix and the Panthers keep pulling out improbable wins.
There’s a lot left to be decided over the next five weeks and some huge games coming up on the calendar. I’ve done my best to parse where things stand at the moment.
This tier is for the one team standing above the rest right now.
Last week: L 28-31 vs. Carolina Panthers
I still have the Rams in a tier by themselves. It took three uncharacteristic Matthew Stafford turnovers — including a pick-six — to lose on the road by three. There isn’t a team I trust more in January.
This tier belongs to the locked-in Super Bowl contenders.
Last week: W 26-0 vs. Minnesota Vikings
Turnovers continue to be a problem that plagues the Seahawks and it could be their undoing in the playoffs, especially if they are forced to play on the road. But they have a complete defense and an offense that makes big plays in big moments.
Last week: W 31-24 vs. Detroit Lions
The Packers have now won three straight and seem to be building some momentum. They’re just a half-game back in the NFC North and still have both games against the Bears upcoming. The return of WR Christian Watson has done wonders for this offense.
These teams are surefire playoff teams battling for positioning in a crowded race.
Last week: W 27-26 OT vs. Washington Commanders
The Broncos keep finding ways to win despite lackluster performances week-to-week, something few teams in the AFC can say. Denver has a four-game lead on the Chiefs and a two-game lead on the Chargers in the AFC West, giving the team some breathing room heading down the stretch.
Last week: L 16-20 vs. Houston Texans
The Colts have now lost three of their last four, and that one win was in overtime in Berlin over the 4-8 Falcons. Still, all those losses have come by one score, and Indy is 3-4 in one-score games this season. I don’t think the Colts are...
