Entering the street stretch, the Lions, Bills and Eagles seem like in prime type. That’s why they’re my prime three groups this week. The Chiefs, back-to-back champions, proceed to play shut video games, choosing up a win this week towards one of many worst groups within the league. Is this a sustainable option to do three-petor? We will see.
The Packers acquired an important win this weekend, exhibiting they may very well be an issue within the postseason. Meanwhile, the Steelers’ loss to the Browns uncovered some flaws that may very well be Pittsburgh’s undoing. And the Broncos enter the fray because of the play of a rookie quarterback and a dominant protection.
Here are my prime 10 for Week 12 of the 2024 season.
1. Detroit Lions
Last week: 1
Dan Campbell’s crew is enjoying like a crew on a mission. The Lions impress opponents on each side of the ball with their superior expertise within the trenches and perimeter gamers imposing their will. While the Lions have a number of heavyweights remaining on their schedule, Motown’s scrappy group is closing in on a No. 1 seed. 1 and a slate of residence playoff video games that might make it tough for another crew to signify the NFC in Super Bowl LIX.
2. Buffalo payments
Last week: 3
The blue-collar Bills completed atop the AFC behind a superhero at quarterback who’s enjoying MVP-caliber ball. Josh Allen is crushing it, operating a balanced assault that blends a hard-hitting operating recreation with a wide-open aerial assault. With No. 17 operating the present like a stage conductor, Buffalo’s offense has change into an unstoppable pressure that few opponents have been in a position to sluggish.
3. Philadelphia Eagles
Last week: 5
Like it or not, Nick Sirianni is without doubt one of the greatest coaches within the league and has a Super Bowl crew at his disposal. The Eagles can win in a wide range of methods, with certainly one of their stars taking up the position of dominant attacking midfielder each Sunday. Whether they depend on the offense sparked by Saquon Barkley’s MVP candidacy or the protection led by a younger trio of blue-chip gamers (Jalen Carter, Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean), the Eagles’ superior expertise offers them an opportunity to hoist the Lombardi Trophy on the finish of the season.
4. Kansas City Chiefs
Last week: 4
Andy Reid by no means apologizes for profitable in an ultra-competitive league that prioritizes parity. Despite enjoying beneath league requirements, the Chiefs proceed to search out methods to win, counting on their opportunistic protection and impactful quarterback to hold them via when the sport is on the road. While the defending champions want to lift their recreation to win a three-peat, the Chiefs’ resiliency and championship DNA make them the crew to beat within the AFC, with or with out the No. 1 seed.
5. Minnesota Vikings
Last week: 6
The Vikings proceed to rack up wins behind a stingy protection and an opportunistic offense with big-play potential. While their gritty model of play lacks panache, the Vikings possess the important thing elements – disruptive protection, a robust offense with ball-control parts and a playmaking quarterback – to problem the league’s heavyweights at residence or on the street. With a killer teaching combo (Kevin O’Connell and Brian Flores) on the sidelines, the Vikings can check opponents mentally and bodily with their ways and tenacity.
6. Green Bay Packers
Last week: 9
The Packers deal with enterprise with the main focus and maturity of a championship-caliber crew. Superb effort and distinctive execution on each side of the ball exhibits a disciplined and detailed crew constructed to play playoff soccer. If Jordan Love could make ball safety a premium, the Packers are the NFC’s darkish horse with the potential to make a run from the underside of the bracket.
Tom Brady on the Packers’ dominant win over the 49ers
7. Pittsburgh Steelers
Last week: 2
Mike Tomlin haters are out within the open after the Steelers dropped a division recreation to a cellar dweller. The loss to the Browns uncovered Pittsburgh’s razor-thin margin for error, utilizing a conservative method and old-school recreation plans that flip each recreation right into a one-score affair. While the Steelers’ 8-3 mark deserves respect, disappointing losses to inferior opponents (Cowboys, Browns and Colts) make it tough to think about the confetti that may fall on this crew’s shoulders.
8. Los Angeles Chargers
Last week: 7
On Monday towards the Ravens, the soccer world may have an opportunity to measure the Chargers’ progress as a title contender. Jim Harbaugh has remodeled a gaggle of former busts right into a haymaker contender with the toughness, self-discipline and aggressive toughness to put on down foes with the physique blows of a punishing run-and-defense recreation. If the Chargers can win, the league must pay extra consideration to the Powder Blues as a reliable contender.
9. Baltimore Crows
Last week: 10
Monday night time’s matchup towards the Chargers will enable the soccer world to see how nicely the Ravens reply to adversity. Baltimore’s Week 11 loss to the Steelers, because of a sequence of self-inflicted errors, highlighted the crew’s immaturity and inconsistent focus. With a win towards an up-and-coming heavyweight, the Ravens can re-establish their identification because the baddest bully on the sector with the expertise, toughness and tenacity wanted to win a championship.
10. Denver Broncos
Last week: Not within the Top 10
Sean Payton’s teaching means and profitable pedigree rub off on the Broncos. The darkish horse of the AFC West is rising as a playoff contender behind a gutsy quarterback and a suffocating protection that makes life depressing for opponents. If the Broncos proceed to play distinctive, complementary soccer – with offense, protection and particular groups working as one – Payton may add a number of extra playoff wins to his Hall of Fame resume.
Bucky Brooks is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports. He additionally analyzes the sport for NFL Network and as co-host of the “Moving the Sticks” podcast. Follow him on Twitter @BuckyBrooks.
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