25. Detroit Lions (29)
What’s gone relatively unnoticed in an otherwise tough season for the Lions is that quarterback Matthew Stafford is truly playing a great brand of football. The Lions have been hit with some very tough, very key injuries and simply don’t have the depth to overcome these injuries. They are also stuck with a poor coach that the current GM did not pick. The play of Stafford though could attract a good coach to lead this team next year.
26. New York Giants (21)
Winning in Lambeau isn’t an easy task. Despite the loss, the Giants didn’t play bad Sunday night. They even picked off Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay—twice. If the Giants can stay healthy on the defensive side of the ball, and find a way to get Odell Beckham Jr. going, they could still win the division and return to the playoffs. Then again, every team in the NFC East can say that they are the favorites in the division for their own reasons.
27. San Diego Chargers (25)
How’s this for a stat: No team in the NFL has been ahead in their games for more time this season than the San Diego Chargers. This is a team that has been ahead in the fourth quarter of every game they have played. How they are 1-4 is becoming a nationwide mystery. So what’s next? Just a Thursday night date with the defending champion Broncos who aren’t going to be happy after suffering their first loss. Yikes.
28. New Orleans Saints (26)
The Saints had an entire week to digest how the Chargers just handed them their first victory of the year. At 1-3, they are only two losses behind the Falcons. The good news is they are ahead of the Panthers. The Saints still have true problems on the defensive side of the football, and likely won’t be able to stop anyone from scoring points on them.