Outside Looking in

Bills (7-3, not ranked)

Buffalo continues to hang around as that team win a good-looking record, yet a team that not a lot of mainstream media is high on. The Bills beat up on another bad team, Miami, with Josh Allen accounting for four scores (three passing, one rushing) and have another coming to town this week in the Broncos.

All the Bills can do is beat who is in front of them, solidify a playoff spot and then possibly spring an upset come playoff time. Until then, it’s not likely they’ll get their just due.

The Bills just eek out a spot at number 11 over the Colts (6-4) and the Texans (6-4), who ironically play against each other this Thursday night.

10.

Raiders (6-4, same)

Wouldn’t it be fitting that in the final season in Oakland before they head to Las Vegas, the Raiders make a charge in the AFC playoffs? With a matchup against the Chiefs coming in week 13, things could get mighty interesting by the Bay.

Football is always better when Oakland is good.

9.

Cowboys (6-4, up 2)

Welcome to America’s Team taking on the most hated team in America. That’s where the Cowboys find themselves in week 12.

After a 444-yard passing performance from quarterback Dak Prescott to defeat Detroit, 35-27, Dallas marches into Foxboro to take on the Patriots.

Surely, America would love for the ‘Boys' to take out New England.

Did you know that Prescott leads the league in passing yards at 3,221 (312 yards/game)? It’s one of the reasons that Dallas also leads the NFL in total offense.

8.

Chiefs (7-4, up 1)

“Two steps forward, I’ll take two steps back.” It’s not only a Paula Abdul classic, but it could be the 2019 Chiefs theme song.

Just as they get a healthy Patrick Mahomes back, wide receiver Tyreek Hill leaves Monday night’s game in Mexico City with a hamstring injury that will require an MRI to see how bad it is.

Luckily, the Chiefs have a bye this week before taking on the Raiders in week 13 for what could be the lead in the AFC West.

7,

Packers (8-2, down 2)

A bye week should give the Pack time to recharge Aaron Rodgers’ batteries, not to mention getting his wide receivers a little more healthy, before what could be a Sunday night classic in San Francisco.

Yet, don’t look now, Green Bay has company atop the NFC North standings as the suddenly streaking Vikings are now just a half-game back.

6.

Vikings (8-3, same)

So, which Minnesota team should we believe is the real deal? The Vikings who let Denver roll out to a 20-0 first-half lead or the Vikings who charged back with 20 unanswered points and denied Denver with a last-second goal-line stand.

Minnesota has won six of seven games with only a last-second field goal defeating them in Kansas City in week 9.

The question remains: can you truly trust quarterback Kirk Cousins in a big spot?

5.

Saints (8-2, up 2)

All Drew Brees needed to cure the blues of the Saints week 11 debacle against the Falcons was a visit to see the Bucs, who seem to give up nearly 30 points weekly to opposing offenses.

Three touchdowns later and New Orleans solidifies its stranglehold on the NFC South standings.

Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas is the only receiver to go over 1,000 yards so far this season (1141 yards)

4.

49ers (9-1, same)

If not for a last-second rally from quarterback Jimmy Garopollo and crew, the Niners could be slipping down the power rankings slide after starting off 8-0. Trailing 16-0 to the Cardinals, the Niners rode Jimmy G’s four touchdown passes to victory and staying atop the NFC West.

We’ll see just how good the 49ers are over the next month. If they can survive Green Bay, Baltimore and New Orleans in back-to-back-to-back weeks followed up by an Atlanta team that’s suddenly woken up, a trip to Miami in February would certainly NOT be out of the question.

3.

Patriots (9-1, same)

Maybe we are just spoiled in Patriots Nation. The Pats rally from 10 down for a 17-10 road victory at Philadelphia and all anyone can talk about is how pissed Tom Brady was at the offense after the game.

Yes, in comparison to past teams, New England’s offense doesn’t pass the eye test despite averaging 27 points a game.

They struggle to take advantage of good field position and especially in the red zone while missing their big boy target in the recently retired tight end Rob Gronkowski.

With Dallas, Kansas City and Houston the next three weeks, the Patriots are going to need to score points in the 20’s and/or 30’s to succeed.

If they can do that, Mr. Brady will turn that frown upside down and be happy again.

2.

Seahawks (8-2, down 1)

The Hawks move down a spot while resting upon the bye. In week 12, Seattle soars to the East Coast to face a Philly team that’s now got its back up against the wall after a loss to New England.

Seattle plays three of the next four games away from the 12th man in the Pacific Northwest, including a pair of East Coast trips to Philadelphia and Carolina sandwiched around a home game against the Vikings and a visit to Los Angeles to challenge the Rams.

1.

Ravens (8-2, up 1)

Is there really any doubt? Well, after back-to-back forty-point, dominating victories over Cincinnati and Houston to back up their upset of then-undefeated New England, Baltimore deserves the top spot.

They can wear you down with the run game of Mark Ingram. They can throw you down with Lamar Jackson’s arm or flat out outrun you with Jackson’s legs.

The Ravens have won their last four games by 14 or more points to boost its six-game win streak. We get a pair of possible Super Bowl previews the next two weeks as the Ravens head to Los Angeles against the Rams before entertaining the 49ers.