Week 14 is nearly over in the 2020 NFL season.
Now we know who the bad teams are in the league, and there are some really, really, really bad teams.
And that’s why we do these rankings, as those bad teams look like they could be in the running for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, where the prize could be Trevor Lawrence, the superstar-in-the-making Clemson quarterback.
So let’s run through our latest edition of the un-power rankings in the NFL. It’s worth noting there’s a clear No. 1, so it could mean there are teams jockeying to see if they can pick Ohio State star Justin Fields.
9
NFC East second place team
GIANTS REMAINING SCHEDULE: vs. CLE, at BAL, vs. DAL
EAGLES REMAINING SCHEDULE: at ARI, at DAL, vs. WSH
WASHINGTON REMAINING SCHEDULE: vs. SEA, vs. CAR, at PHI
I give up on trying to handicap this division race. One of these teams is going to end up the runner-up in the NFC East and will get a top-10 pick. The Giants are No. 10 (per Tankathon) right now, the Eagles are ninth and Washington, of course, is leading the division.
8
Detroit Lions
REMAINING SCHEDULE: at TEN, vs. TB, vs. MIN
Fun fact: I actually had them in last week’s rankings but ultimately deleted them — could they really find their way into the top nine or so with five wins? They’re at the 11th position right now.
The answer, especially if Matthew Stafford misses any of the three remaining games? I think so! They face the Titans, Vikings and Bucs, three teams good enough to beat them.
7
Los Angeles Chargers
REMAINING SCHEDULE: at LV, vs. DEN, at KC
Ranked slightly lower than the Falcons — the team they just beat — because maybe they have a shot vs. the Broncos.
6
Atlanta Falcons
REMAINING SCHEDULE: vs. TB, at KC, at TB
There’s no way they’re winning those three games, which means their loss to the Chargers was HUGE — they’ll end the season with four wins and likely move up from No. 7 at the moment.
5
Carolina Panthers
REMAINING SCHEDULE: at GB, at WSH, vs. NO
That Week 16 game against WFT looms large. They win that and down they go in the draft order (they’re currently No. 6). Lose out and they may have a top-five selection.
4
Dallas Cowboys
REMAINING SCHEDULE: vs. SF, vs. PHI, at NYG
At this point, I also think they lose out despite beating a very bad Bengals squad. They’re No. 4 in the real draft order at the moment, and now we get to the chalky portion of our rankings.
3
Cincinnati Bengals
REMAINING SCHEDULE: vs. PIT, at HOU, vs. BAL
They’re pretty much locked into the No. 3 spot unless some miracles happen in Jacksonville.
2
Jacksonville Jaguars
REMAINING SCHEDULE: at BAL, vs. CHI, at IND
Yep. Justin Fields could be a Jag!
1
New York Jets
REMAINING SCHEDULE: at LAR, vs. CLE, at NE
Ahhh. That’s better. No more winning games the rest of the way, and that includes that Patriots contest.
