NFL Power Rankings heading into 2018’s fourth quarter

#20 Green Bay Packers (4-7-1)

Arizona Cardinals v Green Bay Packers

When I first started this list, the Packers being at this spot was a big reason I wanted to stop my broader analyses here, because this team doesn’t deserve to be discussed that much after losing to an Arizona team from the desert traveling to freezing Lambeau Field. It was time for a change at head coach, no matter how successful Mike McCarthy has been for them in the past because to be frank, I’m sick of his uncreative Westcoast offense and disinterest to run the ball more. I hope they keep Mike Pettine as their DC and take the pressure off number 12 with easier completions thanks to the scheme.

#21 Cleveland Browns (4-7-1)

Cleveland Browns v Houston Texans

Man, would those Browns fans have gone crazy if the team ended the Texans’ eight-game winning streak and made it three straight for themselves. They would have also been just half a game below .500 and I would have talked more about how they are freakishly talented. Unfortunately it never really was a game and they are out of the playoff race now. Still, there is so much stuff to be excited about. Baker Mayfield is the real deal and he just had one bad game, the interior O-line is special, so is Nick Chubb and the defense has studs at every level. They’ll be in the hunt these next few years.

#22 New York Giants (4-8)

I’m starting to have a really bad feeling about this. If the Giants really stick with Eli Manning for next season, they have learned nothing. He is not the solution now, much less in the future. You have two extremely special skill players in Odell and Saquon, an excellent slot receiver in Sterling Shephard and a really athletic tight-end in Even Engram. Plus even though the O-line struggled mightily to start the year, they have really picked it up and every quarterback should be successful with those pieces around him. The defense is what I’m more concerned about, but they have a couple key pieces like Olivier Vernon and Landon Collins, if they allowed him to play like he did two years ago for god’s sake.

#23 Detroit Lions (4-8)

This has been a weird season for the Lions. They started with an embarrassing loss to the Jets, then they get that huge win over the Patriots where their head coach just came from, they beat the Packers at home, but after a win at Miami they lose three straight by multiple scores and now they sit at 4-8. You can tell that Stafford hasn’t felt comfortable in this more compact offense that plays more situational football instead of spreading things out and putting the ball in the quarterback’s hands. It was ridiculous how long it took them to figure out that Kerryon Johnson is so much better than anybody else they have out of the backfield and the defense has starting playing only recently.

#24 Washington Redskins (6-6)

What a let-down season it has been for Washington. First they lose their phenomenal rookie running back in Derrius Guice in preseason, then they get Adrian Peterson and he is running through defenses, then their two starting guards and their top deep threat go on IR, Alex Smith has that horrific knee injury and now Colt McCoy is out as well. I love the defensive personnel and Greg Manusky’s philosophy, but when Mark Sanchez starts at quarterback for you, your season is over. They are mathematically still well alive and I should talk more about them here, but it’s too rough because I had high hopes for the ‘Skins this season.