Last night, while I was out shopping for last-minute stocking stuffers at CVS, a curious thing happened. A committee of scientists, analysts, and, notably, people who believe Russell Wilson deserves an MVP vote got together. And trust me, no one on this committee would ever entertain that notion, no matter how hard they tried. But I digress—let’s focus on what truly matters here: the rankings.

It’s always an honor and a privilege to bring you this segment, the latest installment of Nick’s Tier Rankings. Buckle up, because we’ve got a lot to discuss.

Elimination Drama

Let’s begin with the ever-growing “eliminated” page. As of this week, the San Francisco 49ers have been officially knocked out of the top tiers. We’re not just talking about a simple change in the rankings; when a team gets eliminated, there’s a special ritual we must go through. We’ve got to dig through their offseason takes, and man, did we find some spicy ones.

Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network had the audacity to predict that the Chargers would take the division, and that it was already “locked up.” Well, let’s just say, you’re out of here, Daniel.
Joe Shane said, “Even Mahomes couldn’t win behind this offensive line that I put together.” That was clearly a direct swipe at Kansas City, and now Joe’s taking the exit.
And finally, Caleb, well, Caleb had Stafford and Aaron Rodgers as his top two. Not only did Rodgers get eliminated, but Stafford’s still on the edge, and so is Caleb. You’re out, my friend.

Teams on the Brink

Now, let’s talk about the teams hanging on by a thread. Teams like the Bengals, Colts, Dolphins, and Cardinals are still alive but need to win out and get some help. It’s an uphill battle, but they’re not officially eliminated yet.

Quarterback Drama: Who’s the Real Franchise QB?

Moving on to the quarterbacks. We’ve got CJ Stroud of the Texans, who has shown flashes of greatness but has also faced some setbacks. Despite a sophomore slump, I still believe in his talent. The same can be said about Justin Herbert, who hasn’t quite lived up to expectations in big moments but remains an elite talent with a cannon for an arm.

But here’s the big question: when you look at these quarterbacks, can you truly call them franchise QBs yet? Sure, both are incredibly talented, but they haven’t had the breakthrough seasons everyone predicted, especially when compared to guys like Mahomes or Burrow.

Media Blind Spots: Colin Cowherd’s Bonick Take

Speaking of quarterbacks, I’ve had an epiphany regarding media blind spots. Colin Cowherd has been waxing poetic about Bo Nix all year, and I’ve had to ask myself: is he seeing something I’m not? Then, it hit me. This is probably how Brew feels when I talk about Geno Smith. It’s all about having those “guys” you root for, even if others don’t see them the same way.

Seahawks and Broncos: Both 8-4 Teams

In terms of rankings, the Seahawks and Broncos are sitting at 8-4, and it’s clear they’re both playoff-caliber teams, but not necessarily Super Bowl contenders. They both have good quarterbacks, but neither team is perfect. Both squads rely on solid quarterback play to make any postseason run, but their defenses have been shaky, and that’s where the question marks lie.

Rivalry Week: Steelers vs Ravens

Now, let’s dive into Rivalry Week. The Steelers vs Ravens game is one of the most intriguing matchups of the week. The Steelers may have a better record, but the Ravens are a much better team overall. If the Steelers win, they’ll lock up the division, and things could get weird for our friends at Netflix—because then, the Chiefs could lock up the top seed in the AFC.

It’s going to be a strange week for playoff positioning, and this game will be crucial for both teams. The Ravens need this one to keep pace with the Chiefs, while the Steelers will try to prove that their underdog status is no fluke.

The Lions and Rams: A Tale of Two Teams

Let’s not forget about the Detroit Lions, who were once the darlings of the league with the best point differential and Super Bowl dreams. Fast forward a few weeks, and injuries have decimated their defense. On the flip side, the Los Angeles Rams, who seemed dead in the water after a 1-4 start, have quietly put together a strong run since Week 5. If these two teams were to play now, it’d be a coin toss, and I wouldn’t bet against the Rams.

Packers and Other Contenders

Big shoutout to the Green Bay Packers for getting some respect on this tier. It’s been a long road, but this well-coached team is starting to turn some heads. They may not be elite across the board, but they’re definitely in the mix, and that defense is for real.

Meanwhile, the Eagles narrowly escaped being on “Funk Watch” after last week’s win over the Steelers. A lot of people doubted them after a few lackluster performances, but they’re still one of the top teams in the NFC.

The Chiefs: Super Bowl Favorites?

And then, of course, there are the Kansas City Chiefs, the reigning Super Bowl champs. Despite Mahomes being banged up, they remain at the top of the AFC, and it’s hard to imagine anyone dethroning them at this point. This is a team that knows how to handle pressure, and as always, they are the team to beat.

Conclusion: The Race to the Super Bowl

As we look ahead, the race to the Super Bowl is heating up. While the Chiefs continue to sit at the top, there are several teams nipping at their heels. The Lions, Rams, and Packers all have a shot, while teams like the Ravens and Steelers will continue to battle for the AFC North crown.

And let’s not forget the Texans, who are quietly making noise with a solid defense and a young quarterback trying to prove himself. While they may not be the Super Bowl favorites right now, don’t count them out just yet.

It’s a long road to the playoffs, but one thing is clear: this year’s NFL season is as unpredictable as ever, and every game matters. Stay tuned, because the best is yet to come.