Cowboys climb, Chiefs crash in Bucky Brooks' top 10 NFL teams
The Eagles continue to be the class of these rankings, while a tough loss by the Chiefs on Sunday dropped last week's No. 2 team down a few pegs.
After Week 13, here's my take on the league's top 10 teams.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (11-1)
The most complete team in the league continues to pummel opponents, utilizing a complimentary football game plan that relies on an opportunistic defense that sets up scoring opportunities for Jalen Hurts & Co. in prime field position. Given how dominant the Eagles looked against the Titans without creating turnovers or producing defensive splash plays, the rest of the league is a step below Nick Sirianni's squad heading down the stretch.
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Watch as Colin Cowherd finally says that he is 'all-in' on the Eagles.
2. Minnesota Vikings (10-2)
Kevin O'Connell has taught his team how to win close games by dominating the "DBOs" (Don't Beat Ourselves—turnovers, big plays allowed, pre-snap penalties and kicking game errors) and finishing strong in the fourth quarter/overtime.
3. Dallas Cowboys (9-3)
The Cowboys are a legitimate Super Bowl contender if they continue to follow the blueprint that has always worked for the franchise. With a dominant running game complementing a defense that routinely delivers "splash plays" (sacks, turnovers and big hits), the Cowboys have a roster and a recipe that could deliver Jerry Jones the elusive title that he covets.
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The Dallas Cowboys dominated the Indianapolis Colts, but Colin Cowherd explains why he does not trust the 9-3 Cowboys.
4. Buffalo Bills (9-3)
It is hard to ignore the Bills' offensive firepower when evaluating the heavyweights in this league. The Josh Allen-to-Stefon Diggs combination is nearly impossible to stop, but the emergence of a young, talented collection of runners could enable the Bills to control the game with an underrated ground-and-pound approach.
5. Kansas City Chiefs (9-3)
Despite dropping another game to an AFC rival, the Chiefs remain in the conversation as a Super Bowl front-runner. Andy Reid will need to shore up the team's turnover woes, but do not count out Patrick Mahomes and Co. in the postseason tournament.
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Nick Wright shares the low points from Sunday's loss to the Bengals and what it means for the Chiefs to finally have a legitimate AFC rival.
6. Cincinnati Bengals (8-4)
Joe Burrow has helped the Bengals get back on track after a slow start. The offense is beginning to click on all cylinders, with the MVP candidate finding his rhythm from the pocket.
7. Miami Dolphins (8-4)
After suffering a defeat at the hands of one of the hottest teams in the NFC, the Dolphins must re-evaluate how they can win if their QB1 struggles a bit from the pocket. Tua Tagovailoa has played exceptionally well this season, but a subpar performance against the 49ers raises questions about how he could fare in the playoffs.
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Brock Purdy came off the bench for the San Francisco 49ers and helped lead them to a 33-17 win against the Miami Dolphins.
8. San Francisco 49ers (8-4)
The biggest bullies on the block are down to QB3 heading into a stretch run that will determine their playoff fate. Although a dynamic running game could mask some of their offensive woes, the defense will need to play at a championship level to spark a deep postseason run.
9. Baltimore Ravens (8-4)
The short-term loss of Lamar Jackson could derail the Ravens' chances of winning the division and securing a home game in the playoffs. Without the former MVP on the field, the Ravens will need to rely on a complementary football plan that ties the offensive, defensive and special teams plans together to win games.
10. Washington Commanders (7-5)
Tying a division rival could impact the Commanders' playoff chances down the line, but the continuation of a solid set of performances under Taylor Heinicke gives this team a chance to make some noise as a legitimate playoff contender.
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Jonathan Vilma and Kenny Albert praised Taylor Heinicke in the 20-20 NFC East tie.
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Bucky Brooks is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports. He regularly appears on "Speak For Yourself" and also breaks down the game for NFL Network and as a cohost of the "Moving the Sticks" podcast. Follow him on Twitter @BuckyBrooks.