In the latest edition of Nick’s Tiers, the NFL rankings segment that has become a fan favorite, analysts dived deep into the current landscape of the league. Nick, alongside his colleagues, explored which teams are on the rise, which are facing elimination, and which are quietly flying under the radar. From the Detroit Lions making a surprise leap to the top of the NFC to the Kansas City Chiefs continuing to dominate despite looking far from invincible, the latest tier rankings provided plenty of fodder for discussion.

The Lions: A Surprising Rise to the Top

One of the most significant shifts in Nick’s Tiers came with the Detroit Lions being placed at the very top of the NFC. Dan Campbell’s squad has been on a tear this season, boasting a 6-2 record, and they are quickly becoming one of the most talked-about teams in the league.

“Everything about this team screams ‘playoff contender,’” Nick said, reflecting on the Lions’ well-rounded attack. With Jared Goff playing at a high level and Aidan Hutchinson wreaking havoc on defense, the Lions are looking more and more like legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Nick noted the culture Campbell has created in Detroit, with the team buying in completely to his tough, physical approach. The Lions’ offense, led by Goff and weapons like Amon-Ra St. Brown, has been efficient and explosive, while their defense has played with intensity and purpose.

“They are fully bought in,” Nick continued. “They’re the best team in the NFC right now, and they look like a team on a mission.”

As for Coach of the Year, Nick believes Dan Campbell is the front-runner, praising how he’s turned the Lions into a juggernaut with no sign of slowing down.

The Chiefs: Not Scary, But May Go Undefeated?

While the Kansas City Chiefs continue to dominate the NFL standings, Nick couldn’t help but admit that the defending champions don’t exactly strike fear into opponents the way they once did. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs have won every game so far this season, but they don’t look as dominant as they have in the past.

“I know they’re undefeated, but they don’t seem ‘scary’ right now,” Nick said with a chuckle. Despite Mahomes’ magic and the consistency of Travis Kelce, the Chiefs have struggled in some games, particularly on offense. Their defense, though solid, isn’t the world-beater it was in previous seasons. They’ve found ways to win close games—something great teams often do—but it’s been far from a perfect season for the Chiefs.

That said, the Chiefs are still the class of the AFC, and they could very well finish the regular season undefeated. “You can’t count them out,” Nick added, “because no matter how they look, they just win. If they keep winning games like this, they might not lose again all season.”

So, while the Chiefs might not be the dominant force they once were, their ability to keep finding ways to win is what keeps them at the top of the NFL. It’s a testament to Mahomes’ greatness and Andy Reid’s coaching prowess that even when the team isn’t playing their best football, they’re still nearly impossible to beat.

Facing Elimination: Jets, Dolphins, and More

As always, Nick’s Tiers included a section on teams facing elimination, and this week it featured the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins. Both teams have been on the edge of contention for the playoffs, and with midseason losses, their futures are far from certain.

For the Jets, the most glaring issue remains their quarterback situation. With Zach Wilson struggling and Aaron Rodgers still sidelined, the team’s playoff hopes are hanging by a thread. The Jets will need to string together a solid run of wins to even think about making the postseason, and their upcoming games against contenders like Arizona and Buffalo could make or break their season.

As for the Dolphins, they’re in a similar situation. After a fast start to the season, they’ve stumbled a bit in recent weeks. A loss to the Los Angeles Rams could be the final blow to their playoff hopes, as their offense has looked inconsistent at times. With Tua Tagovailoa and the high-flying Tyreek Hill leading the offense, the Dolphins are still dangerous, but they’ll need to find more consistency if they want to keep their playoff dreams alive.

The Battle of the NFC’s Best: Eagles and 49ers

The Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers continue to be the top dogs in the NFC, but both teams have shown vulnerabilities this season. The Eagles, led by Jalen Hurts and a dynamic offense, have been nearly unbeatable. But Nick pointed out that their recent struggles—particularly in the run game and secondary—have raised some concerns.

“The Eagles have been excellent, but they’ve had a couple of games where they didn’t look like themselves,” Nick said. Despite those hiccups, the Eagles are still poised to be one of the last teams standing in the NFC.

Meanwhile, the 49ers have had an up-and-down season, with injuries to key players like Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel hindering their offense. However, with one of the league’s best defenses and a capable quarterback in Brock Purdy, they remain a dangerous team.

“They’re right up there with the Eagles,” Nick noted, “but if they want to win it all, they need to stay healthy.”

Tier Breakdown: Teams That Can’t Win the Super Bowl

Nick also took time to address the tier of teams that are having good seasons but are unlikely to make a deep playoff run. The Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Commanders, and Minnesota Vikings are all playing well, but their lack of consistent play from their quarterbacks and other key positions makes it hard to believe they can win a Super Bowl.

“I respect what all three of these teams have done, but none of them are deep enough to go all the way,” Nick said, acknowledging the solid play of Kenny Pickett, Kirk Cousins, and Sam Howell but ultimately deeming them not ready for the big stage.

Teams on the Rise: Texans and Cardinals

The Houston Texans were another team that made headlines this week. C.J. Stroud has been one of the biggest surprises of the season, and with DeMeco Ryans leading the defense, the Texans have been more competitive than expected. However, despite early success, Nick questioned whether they could keep up this level of play for the rest of the season. “I’m still not sold on them as a Super Bowl contender,” Nick said, noting the team’s lack of depth and some inconsistencies.

Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals have been quietly impressive. Kyler Murray, back from injury, has shown flashes of his former self, and the Cardinals’ defense has been improving week by week. They may not be Super Bowl contenders just yet, but they’ve proven to be a sneaky good team that could cause some upsets down the stretch.

Conclusion

As the week’s Nick’s Tiers segment wrapped up, it was clear that the Detroit Lions have firmly placed themselves as legitimate contenders in the NFC, while the Kansas City Chiefs, despite not being as overwhelming as in past years, remain undefeated and poised for another playoff run. The middle of the NFL standings is as unpredictable as ever, with teams like the Jets, Dolphins, and Steelers fighting to stay relevant.

With so much football left to be played, one thing is certain: Nick’s Tiers will continue to provide the most entertaining and insightful breakdowns of the NFL season, week after week.