Who is the best team in the NFL right now? The answer to that question might not be as oblivious as you might think. The NFL is a game of inches, and the cliche “anything could happen on any given Sunday” is a real thing. It’s easy to look at a team’s record and say the one with a zero in the loss column is the best team, especially as the year goes on. But that logic doesn’t hold up in the National Football League for long.
Look at the Denver Broncos. They started the year 3-0, with the best defence in the league. In the three weeks since, they’re 0-3 with arguably the worst defence during that time. The Carolina Panthers are on that same list. Right when it seemed this team was proving the offensive attack was revitalized under Sam Darnold, Christian McCaffery gets hurt (again) and bam, back down the rankings they go.
To determine the best teams in the league multiple things should be taken into account, roster, injuries, strength of schedule. These types of things. In my eyes, there are five teams in the NFL right now, that are playoff locks, and Superbowl contenders. Spoiler alert, the Chiefs are not on this list.
(Youtube/ The Pat McAfee Show)
The Buffalo Bills in my opinion are the best team in the NFL. they take the top spot without question. Yes, I know they just lost to a good-not-great Titans team but let’s be honest, if Josh Allen doesn’t slip on the final play of that game, do the Titans win? No. Tennessee didn’t win, the Bills beat themselves, and in the best way possible. Being aggressive, and not taking a tie and a chance at overtime. They want to win. Being aggressive is something they’re going to need in January, and the AFC should be on full notice.
Arizona is one of those teams that could win on any given Sunday. Everyone has been looking to see how Kyler Murray was going to improve and grow to lead this team in his third season. And he’s done just that, and the organization is giving him all the pieces he needs to win. Getting Zach Ertz from Philly was a steal, and filled the biggest hole on this offence without question. But the surprise of this team has been the defence. This unit is for real and is putting up elite performances every single week. Even without Chandler Jones. Everyone considered this team to be the worst team in the NFC West, and they are proving just how wrong everyone was.
(Youtube/ The Rich Eisen Show)
Los Angeles is proving the Matthew Stafford trade was by far worth it. Sure two first-round picks is a lot to ask for a thirty-two year old quarterback, but Jared Goff simply was not it. The Rams have been in “win now” mode for several seasons now, and they finally pulled the trigger to get back to the superbowl. Sean McVay is still one of the best head coaches in the league and now has a competent signal caller to get the ball to his many weapons. And this defence is still elite, despite losing a number of pieces in the secondary, and Brandon Staley. Arizona might be the obvious favourite in this division, but watch out for Los Angeles right behind them.
(Youtube/ The Herd with Colin Cowherd)
When you look at a team like Baltimore, they don’t stand out as a team that has the whole package. How many positions are legitimately elite on this roster? Lamar Jackson, obviously. Ronnie Stanley of course, but he’s been dealing with injuries his year. Mark Andrews is arguably the best tight end in the league outside of Travis Kelce. But that’s about it? Marlon Humphrey, Patrick Queen, Marquise Brown, and Calais Campbell are all really good, but don’t quite hit that elite status. So how do the Ravens continue to win games, and dominate opponents? Well let’s say aside from the fact that Lamar Jackson is beyond elite at quarterback, the Ravens have arguably the best coaching staff in the entire league. Many thought John Harbaugh was nearing his end with Baltimore, but he has completely revitalized his career. Due in large to Lamar of course, but he made the necessary moves to support his star quarterback. He hired Greg Roman as offensive coordinator, a mastermind when working with a mobile quarterback. Put an immense focus on the offensive line to protect him. He then went out to get not one star running-back, but a committee of really good backs that can each play the role as well as the other. The only clear whole in this offence is an elite receiver, but Marquise Brown is slowly filling that role. This Ravens team will easily be around in January.
Lastly, the defending superbowl champions themselves, The Tampa Bay Buccaneers. You would think this team would be higher on the list right? They won the big one last year, and returned all members of the coaching staff, and all twenty-two starters on both sides of the ball. How could they not be? Well it’s simple, while they are still a really good football team, with talent literally everywhere, they aren’t doing anything different than last year. All their schemes are still the same. It’s become easy to prepare for them. They still have the talent to win games but teams are slowly starting to figure them out, and it’s only getting easier moving forward. The Cowboys should have beat them on opening night, and if they had the ball last they would have. And this team should be better than a field goal win over the Patriots, and that’s not even a question. The Bucs will win their division, and make the playoffs but January will tell us whether they are actually good enough to be there, or if they only got there because the NFC South offers NO competition.
It’s almost a guaranteed lock that we will see all five of these teams in the postseason this winter. And If I had to guess, 2 of these teams would be playing for the Lombardi Trophy in February. The favourites at this point to meet in that matchup, Arizona and Buffalo. Could we see a first time ever Superbowl Champion this season? I’d bet on it.