1. Chiefs (last week No. 1; 15-1): They picked the right time to play their best game of the year.
2. Bills (No. 2; 13-3): Are they ready to beat the Chiefs when it counts most?
3. Vikings (No. 3; 14-2): This is the best and most balanced team the Vikings have had since the days of Fran Tarkenton, Chuck Foreman, and the Purple People Eaters. And this might be the year they finally do what the Vikings of the ‘70s couldn’t.
4. Lions (No. 4; 14-2): If they’re going to be the top seed in the NFC, they’re going to have to earn it.
5. Eagles (No. 5; 13-3): The smart play will be to not play Saquon Barkley, even though he’s only 101 yards short of history.
6. Ravens (No. 7; 11-5): Lamar Jackson gets to make his closing argument for MVP on Saturday.
7. Commanders (No. 8; 11-5): Never mind the presidency; Jayden Daniels is already the king of D.C.
8. Packers (No. 6; 11-5): The final score against the Vikings failed to reflect how badly they were outplayed.
9. Chargers (No. 10; 10-6): Can the Jolly Good Fellow finally fell his big brother in the wild-card round?
10. Rams (No. 11; 10-6): Ugly wins continues to count as wins.
11. Steelers (No. 9; 10-6): It could be another offseason of change, if they don’t win at least one playoff game.
12. Broncos (No. 12; 9-7): If they can’t beat the Kansas City “B” team, they don’t deserve to be in the playoffs.
13. Buccaneers (No. 15; 9-7): When they play to their potential, they are a problem.
14. Texans (No. 13; 9-7): The only difference between last year and this year is a tougher schedule and a more porous offensive line.
15. Falcons (No. 14; 8-8): They’ll regret not taking that timeout for the rest of their time on earth.
16. Bengals (No. 16; 8-8): They have a much better chance of winning in Pittsburgh on Saturday than the Broncos and Dolphins have of losing on Sunday.
17. Seahawks (No. 17; 9-7): They’ve missed the playoffs for two straight years for the first time since the days before the Legion of Boom.
18. Dolphins (No. 20; 8-8): Winning in Cleveland against a tanking Browns team changes a grand total of zero narratives.
19. Cowboys (No. 18; 7-9): If Mike McCarthy’s job truly hinges on beating the Commanders, maybe he shouldn’t want it.
20. Colts (No. 19; 7-9): It feels like a housecleaning is coming.
21. Cardinals (No. 21; 7-9): Jonathan Gannon likely will get a third year. He’ll have to work for a fourth.
22. 49ers (No. 22; 6-10): Next year’s team will likely look a lot different than this year’s team.
23. Saints (No. 23; 5-11): If next year’s starting quarterback is currently on the roster, next year won’t be much different than this year.
24. Bears (No. 24; 4-12): Give Ben Johnson a blank check.
25. Raiders (No. 27; 4-12): If Tom Brady has a vote, Mike Vrabel will be the coach next year.
26. Jaguars (No. 29; 4-12): Brian Thomas Jr. could help them attract a head coach who has choices.
27. Panthers (No. 26; 4-12): The fact that “pesky and losing” is viewed as progress shows how far this franchise had fallen.
28. Jets (No. 25; 4-12): Nice knowing you, Aaron Rodgers.
29. Browns (No. 28; 3-13): If Deshaun Watson is the starter next year, the fans should move to Baltimore.
30. Patriots (No. 30; 3-13): Is it lack of talent, lack of ability, or both?
31. Titans (No. 31; 3-13): They’ll play both Mason Rudolph and Will Levis next week. The winner gets a Water-Pik.
32. Giants (No. 32; 2-13): It’s fitting that they’ll finish one of the worst seasons in franchise history by screwing up their shot at the first overall pick in the draft.
