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#13 Cleveland Browns (2-2)
It only takes one big win against the number one team in the division to completely flip the script. Coming off a week where Freddie Kitchens had to defend a draw call on fourth-and-nine and not handing the ball to Nick Chubb inside the ten once, Baker Mayfield getting into arguments with former coaches on TV and being questioned for their only victory coming against a Jets team down to their third quarterback, people wanted to completely write them off already.
Instead, the Browns came out with a different mindset against the AFC North-leading Ravens and put up 40 points against them. Nick Chubb went off for 165 yards on the ground and three touchdowns, Jarvis Landry could not be slowed down with eight catches for 167 yards and the defense sacked the elusive Lamar Jackson four times.
I said it before the season started and I still believe that this is one of the most talented teams in the league and they just won in Baltimore despite Odell Beckham Jr. not catching a single pass until the fourth quarter. Their defensive front is nasty and if they let the offense run through Chubb, they could be a dangerous player in the AFC.
#14 Baltimore Ravens (2-2)
It hurts me to put this Ravens squad so low, because as of last week I would have probably put him third behind the Chiefs and Patriots as that next tier of AFC contenders.
With the Bills putting up a good fight against Tom Brady and company as well as owning a better record and that direct loss to Cleveland, I had to put them this low, but just like I talked about people overreacting to the Browns’ early-season struggles, everybody just seeing the highlights or looking at the numbers is way too down on the Ravens defense and Lamar Jackson.
While the defense could not stop Nick Chubb all game, a lot of that had to do with Brandon Williams being out as the leader upfront and they are still without starting cornerback Jimmy Smith.
On the other hand, they still rushed for 173 yards, averaging six yards per carry themselves, Marlon Humphrey looked like a star shutting down OBJ and Lamar’s two picks came on a deep ball to Mark Andrews, where the defense should have been called for pass interference, and a tipped ball by a defensive lineman.
Lamar is still phenomenal as a dual-threat, the defense should get healthier and this team won’t hang their heads after one bad performance.
#15 Minnesota Vikings (2-2)
At this moment, every Vikings fan feels like Kirk Cousins stole 84 million dollars from the team and people even believe Adam Thielen low-key took a shot at his QB with post-game comments about how they needed to get the passing game going.
While I would have defended him for most of last year, when the O-line was atrocious and he was blamed for several losses that were not on him, I can’t defend him so far. I said it right after the season-opener – Dalvin Cook is as explosive a back as we have in the league.
He had no room whatsoever against the Bears without their top interior D-lineman in Akiem Hicks and a talented young linebacker in Roquan Smith.
Still, this zone rushing attack directed by Gary Kubiak is for real and it’s now about Cousins making a few plays off those bootlegs and extending drives with crucial passes on third down.
Until he does so, I don’t think the Vikings are quite there with the playoff contenders, but their ceiling is very high. The defense is loaded at every level with several great veterans and an emerging young safety in Anthony Harris. Right now, the Vikes are at the bottom of the NFC North, but still in the top half of the league considering this right now is the best division in football.
#16 Carolina Panthers (2-2)
Two weeks for Kyle Allen – two wins for the new starting quarterback. I loved what I saw from him against the Cardinals, where he showed a lot of composure and play-making ability. With three lost fumbles against Houston, there is some reason for concern, but he did come through for them late by shaking off J.J. Watt and setting up that final field goal.
With skill position talent led by Christian McCaffrey, the second-year QB has plenty of talent around him and a defense to rely on.
Right now, Carolina leads the league with 18 sacks and they rank first in passing yards allowed, while having gotten better every single week. Donte Jackson is turning into a star at the cornerback position to go with James Bradburry, who has done well watching up with the bigger-bodied guys, and their linebackers can fly around.
I thought all along that this defense could be one of the best in the league and I had CMac as a finalist for Offensive Player of the Year. If they can keep this up and get a few big plays from Allen, I think they could still make the Wildcard even without Cam.
