Ranking NFL’s four remaining teams: Doubting reigning Super Bowl champions in favor of No. 1 seeds

It should be no surprise that ranking the NFL’s four remaining teams is even harder than choosing where to order pizza for an upcoming Super Bowl party. The 49ers, Ravens, Lions and Chiefs each possess rosters that have been good enough to get them to the brink of the big game. 

Last week, I ranked the eight remaining teams ahead of the divisional round. The results were mixed. My top-two teams — the 49ers and Ravens — rewarded my faith in them with wins. The Texans also “rewarded’ my decision to rank them last after they failed to score a point in the second half of last week’s 34-10 loss in Baltimore. 

Unfortunately, my lack of faith in the Chiefs came back to haunt me. Kansas City managed to beat Buffalo, which I had ranked one spot ahead of it. The Lions, whom I ranked seventh, also proved me wrong after beating a Buccaneers team I tabbed as the sixth-best team remaining. 

So, what did last week teach me? Not to doubt Mahomes and the Chiefs, whose championship mettle may be able to make up for their lack of talent relative to the rest of the remaining field. Last week also compelled me to give the Lions more credit despite their penchant for allowing lots of passing yards. I also am starting to warm up to the fact that the Ravens may have the NFL’s best roster despite a few flaws. 

With last week’s games behind us, here are my new rankings of the top-four teams still left. Let’s see how well this one ages when the dust settles late Sunday night. 

1. Baltimore Ravens

Alright, I’ve accepted the fact that a team without a 1,000-yard rusher or receiver may be the league’s best-remaining team. But what the Ravens may lack in individual statistics, they have more than made up for in depth. 

Baltimore’s depth at the skill positions has been the secret sauce this season under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken. Five Ravens caught at least three touchdown passes during the regular…


Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/ranking-nfls-four-remaining-teams-doubting-reigning-super-bowl-champions-in-favor-of-no-1-seeds/

Author : Bryan DeArdo

Publish date : 2024-01-27 20:19:49

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