No team analysis or anecdotes this week. Just a bit of soliloquy for a Christmas football weekend and a big ol’ NFL power rankings list.
The general theme for about half the league with just 3 weeks to go is that a potential Super Bowl run starts now. Running the last few weeks of a season in impressive fashion has led to plenty of ‘ships over the years.
Since 1980, 7 wildcard teams have won the Super Bowl (“wildcard” meaning non-division winner, not just a team that played on Wildcard Weekend). Among them was the 2007 Giants, who went 10-6 in the regular season, finishing with a loss to the undefeated Patriots. But it was an impressive loss that gave them confidence that powered them through the playoffs and a Super Bowl win over those same Patriots, ending New England’s attempt at a perfect season.
My point is, as much as it seems like we’re headed to an obvious Ravens-49ers Super Bowl, don’t think the Eagles are out. Don’t think the Cowboys are out. Don’t think the Jaguars are out. Chiefs, Dolphins, Bills, Lions, even the Rams (especially the Rams), and others all have either started or could at any time start a run that powers them to February.
The holiday season is about hope, for now, for the future. Until your team is mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, never give up hope. If your team is already out, start watching the young players on their roster and look for things to be excited about.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all who’ve ventured to this corner of the internet for a weekly dose of my football weirdness. I truly appreciate every comment and engagement here and on various social media.
As always, may all your teams win, and to all a good night.
- Baltimore Ravens
- San Francisco 49ers
- Miami Dolphins
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Buffalo Bills
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Dallas Cowboys
- Cleveland Browns
- Houston Texans
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Indianapolis Colts
- Los Angeles Rams
- Detroit Lions
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Seattle Seahawks
- Denver Broncos
- Green Bay Packers
- New Orleans Saints
- Tennessee Titans
- New York Giants
- Minnesota Vikings
- Atlanta Falcons
- Vegas Raiders
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- New York Jets
- Chicago Bears
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Washington Commanders
- Arizona Cardinals
- New England Patriots
- Carolina Panthers
The Dolphins should be pissed at how they’re being labeled soft by a lot of the national media. It’s up to them to prove the critics wrong.
Tua’s presser was fire. I love that guy. A Dolphins-Ravens AFC Championship would be awesome, cause then at least one of Tua or Lamar could maybe shut up the doubters.
It would work for me!