Thanksgiving is over and we go from being thankful to being hopeful as we near the Christmas season. This is the 11th hour in the NFL season, the month that decides the season’s biggest questions like which teams will make the playoffs and which teams will not. Entering December only two out of the NFL’s 32 teams are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs (Jets and Jaguars), that means that over the course of the month we will see a ton of shifting in playoff seeding and eliminations from potential playoff runs.
In last week’s power rankings, we decided to look at what each team is thankful for in celebration of the holiday, now we are switching to another holiday and looking forward to what each team is hopeful for. We are not quite to Christmas yet, but by that point the season will be almost over, so we are going at the beginning of December what is each team most hopeful for over the remainder of the season.
Just like every team has something to be thankful for, every team has something to be hopeful for as well, whether that be making the playoffs or that be the upcoming draft. This one is a bit different than last week’s because this is not strictly focusing on this season, this could range from this season into next season. Without any more rambling let’s turn our focus on to each team to see what they are hopeful for moving forward.
Rank Pittsburgh Steelers (11-0)
1 Prev. (1 ⏤)
Week 12 Result: 19-14 W against Baltimore
What They’re Wishing For: First Round Bye
The playoffs are a little different this year as opposed to years past and assuming there are no cancellations throughout the remainder of the season then there will only be one bye week in the postseason and that will be for the number one seed. The first-round bye does not always mean they will win the next week but getting the rest you need cannot be understated in the long run. The Steelers are currently the best all-around team in the league and at this point it seems like they may not lose again, which is good because that is the only sure way of earning that bye with the Chiefs looming in the background.
Rank Kansas City Chiefs (10-1)
2 Prev. (2 ⏤)
Week 12 Result: 27-24 W against Tampa Bay
What They’re Wishing For: A Steelers Loss
The Chiefs won the Super Bowl last season and there is nothing more they would like to do then repeat as champions, a great first step would be earning that one seed. Last season the Chiefs got the two seed in the AFC, but that’s when two teams had byes, this season only one team gets a bye and currently that is not them. Obviously, a bye will not lead them to a Super Bowl but basing this off last season then it is a good start. Currently they Chiefs have one loss and assuming they go undefeated the rest of the way which they easily can then they need the Steelers to lose at least one game within the conference. Since they do not play each other there are numerous tiebreakers to look at, but the only way they can get in that situation is if the Steelers lose.
Rank New Orleans Saints (9-2)
3 Prev. (3 ⏤)
Week 12 Result: 31-3 W against Denver
What They’re Wishing For: A Swift Return for Brees
The Saints are in the lead in the NFC right now when it comes to seeding and that could help immensely leading up to the playoffs. For the past two weeks they have been able to win games without their hall of famer in Drew Brees, but their best hope to make the Super Bowl will be getting a healthy Brees back. Brees still has a long way to go before he becomes healthy and that is partly why this is a wish. There are still five weeks before the playoffs start and if they can somehow manage to retain the one seed come playoff time then that will give Brees even more time to recover before the playoffs start.
Rank Green Bay Packers (8-3)
4 Prev. (5 ↑1)
Week 12 Result: 41-25 W against Chicago
What They’re Wishing For: The #1 Seed
Green Bay currently has the two seed in the NFC playoff race and like every other team they are fighting for that number one seed so they can have the bye. The rest of their schedule leads us to believe that a one seed is entirely possible even though they play the Titans, but they need to have the current one seed lose at least one game to cause a tie. They have a tiebreaker over the Saints right now that would give them the leg up if those two teams are tied, but the real threat could be Seattle. Either way, the best way to ensure a bye is to win out, if you do that then it is out of your control, focus on what you can do and not the others. Giving Rodgers a bye with this team could be the difference maker between playoff run and Super Bowl run.
Rank Buffalo Bills (8-3)
5 Prev. (6 ↑1)
Week 12 Result: 27-17 W against Los Angeles Chargers
What They’re Wishing For: AFC East Victory
Entering this season, the Bills were favorites in the AFC East since the Patriots lost Tom Brady and they still are, but Miami is creeping up on them quickly. They have a couple of tough games ahead of them and it could all boil down to week 17 when they fact Miami. Miami has been well ahead of schedule this season and though they still have a few issues to work around they are right there to make the playoffs. A division victory would mean a home playoff game and even though home field advantage is different this season being at home will still be huge considering they are 5-1 at home this season.
Rank Seattle Seahawks (8-3)
6 Prev. (8 ↑2)
Week 12 Result: 23-17 W against Philadelphia
What They’re Wishing For: A Home Playoff Game
The NFC West is one of the most crowded divisions for first place (NFC East) while also being the most competitive division. Seattle has some easy games ahead of them so the biggest thing will be not to get too confident and put away the teams you should. 11 wins may not be enough to win this division so they need to win every game they can. Like other teams though, focus on what you can control and let everything else control itself. Seattle is undefeated at home this season and they would love to be back home for a playoff game for the first time since 2016 but the only way to ensure that is to win the division.
Rank Tennessee Titans (8-3)
7 Prev. (10 ↑3)
Week 12 Result: 45-26 W against Indianapolis
What They’re Wishing For: Colts Losses
Tennessee already has a one game lead in the division, and they don’t play the Colts again, but to guarantee a division win then they need more Colts losses. Tennessee has a favorable schedule over the next five weeks that should bring more wins than losses and if that is the case then they will win the division, but if the Colts go undefeated than it will make it that much tougher. However, if the Colts lose some games and the Titans go even 3-2 then they will win the division and therefore have a home playoff game.
Rank Los Angeles Rams (7-4)
8 Prev. (4 ↓4)
Week 12 Result: 23-20 L against San Francisco
What They’re Wishing For: The Offense Reverts to 2018
This season the Rams have a great defense and a below average offense, if they revert their offense back to how it was in 2018 then they will have the best offense to go along with a great defense. Los Angeles currently sits in second place in the NFC West and part of that is due to their offense not being as good as it could be. In 2018 the Rams ended up making the Super Bowl in part to their offensive ability, if they can get some of that magic to go along with their defense then they could find themselves right back in that situation even if they don’t end up winning the division.
Rank Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5)
9 Prev. (9 ⏤)
Week 12 Result: 27-24 L against Kansas City
What They’re Wishing for: NFC South Win
The Buccaneers are coming up on their bye week and they need some help over the remainder of the season. Bringing Tom Brady in was supposed to lead to the playoffs, division win, and Super Bowl and they are still all possible, but right now they have three more losses than New Orleans. The Saints also own the tiebreaker so even if the Buccaneers go undefeated from here on out the best they are looking at if the Saints win two more games is the wild card. The wild card would not be the end of the world for a team looking to make it back to the playoffs, but like any team who makes the playoffs, they would rather win the division. If they want any chance, then they need the Saints to lose at least four games.
Rank Cleveland Browns (8-3)
10 Prev. (11 ↑1)
Week 12 Result: 27-25 W against Jacksonville
What They’re Wishing For: A Playoff Spot
Ever since Baker Mayfield’s rookie season it looked like the Browns were finally destined to overcome the laughingstock status in the NFL. They still easily can, but they are not quite there yet, in order to do that they need to make the postseason. This is the first season since 2007 that the Browns will have at least a .500 season and while that is better than they have been they are still not a playoff team, yet. While 2007 they went over .500, they did not make the playoffs, that has not happened since 2002 so if they can make it they will have made history. They don’t have an easy upcoming schedule though, so they will need improved play in order to get in, but a playoff spot will mean wonders for this franchise.
Rank Indianapolis Colts (7-4)
11 Prev. (7 ↓4)
Week 12 Result: 45-26 L against Tennessee
What They’re Wishing For: A Playoff Spot
The Colts were on a good path to the playoffs and then last week they lost to Tennessee and right now it’s up in the air whether they will make the playoffs. They don’t have the easiest schedule in upcoming weeks as the play the Texans twice, Las Vegas, and Pittsburgh. With how loaded the AFC is this season than it could be tough to make the postseason without a division win. It just seems like the Colts can never bring both the offense and the defense together and if they can’t then they will not make the postseason. If they don’t make the playoffs it will be seen as a huge waste since they brought Rivers in for this sole purpose.
Rank Baltimore Ravens (6-5)
12 Prev. (12 ⏤)
Week 12 Result: 19-14 L against Pittsburgh
What They’re Wishing For: Health
Baltimore has had a rough week and that is putting it very lightly. Their game against the Steelers kept getting postponed because they kept dealing with positive COVID cases. The best thing they can wish for at this point in the season is the health of their team. Over the week they have had to place 20 plus members on the reserve list and nearing playoff time they need their healthiest team out there. However, this is about more than football, they want the health of all these players for their day-to-day lives and once that is established then they can worry about the playoffs, but it all starts with getting healthier.
Rank Miami Dolphins (7-4)
13 Prev. (15 ↑2)
Week 12 Result: 20-3 W against New York Jets
What They’re Wishing For: A Playoff Appearance
Miami was one of the worst teams in the league last season and this season was only supposed to be slightly better, instead they are in a position where they could make the postseason. Miami still has its problems, but they are well ahead of schedule and they have one of the better defenses in the league. If their offense can come around to work with the strength of their defense than a postseason appearance is possible. Making the playoffs is not a necessity this season, but it will bring a ton of hope to the team that may have drafted their franchise quarterback last season.
Rank Arizona Cardinals (6-5)
14 Prev. (13 ↓1)
Week 12 Result: 20-17 L against New England
What They’re Wishing For: A Sweep of the Rams
The Cardinals have lost two games in a row and they still have two of their most important games ahead of them in Los Angeles. The Cardinals and the Rams sit in second and third place in the NFC West right now and with two games still to be played against these two teams there may only be room for one of these teams in the playoffs. It starts next week with a home game and with a win they will be tied with the Rams, but if they lose then they can be out of the playoff race as early as next week. Even with a sweep they may not make the playoffs, but if the Cardinals want any shot to make the postseason then they are going to need to sweep their division rival.
Rank San Francisco 49ers (5-6)
15 Prev. (16 ↑1)
Week 12 Result: 23-20 W against Los Angeles Rams
What They’re Wishing For: Health
The 49ers are somewhat like the Ravens as they are wishing for health, but they are different as it is not due to guys on the COVID list. The 49ers have dealt with a ton of injuries this season and even through all of that they still have a chance to see the postseason if they can go undefeated to finish the season. They still may not get all of their top players back before the end of the season, but if they can manage to make the playoffs then they will enter them with some health. Even if the playoffs are not made, they still will wish for health so next season they will be at full strength.
Rank Las Vegas Raiders (6-5)
16 Prev. (14 ↓2)
Week 12 Result: 43-6 L against Las Vegas
What They’re Wishing For: They Play Every Team like the Chiefs
The Chiefs offense is very good and may be the best in the league so it is no secret that they will score and to stay in the game it will need to be high scoring, but after those games the Raiders do not play well. In the two games against Kansas City this season they have had some of their best offensive games even though they did not play well on the defensive end. The defense has been poor all season long so there is really nothing they can do to fix that now, but they can use the same sense of urgency they have against the Chiefs and use that in all other games. Vegas is on the brink of the playoffs right now and if they continue with an up and down offense, they will miss it, but if their offense plays like they are facing the Chiefs then the postseason can become a reality.
Rank New England Patriots (5-6)
17 Prev. (20 ↑3)
Week 12 Result: 20-17 W against Arizona
What They’re Wishing For: A Playoff Spot
Losing Tom Brady meant that the Patriots time in the playoffs was over, well, that’s what it was supposed to mean, but having one of the best coaches in the league will continue to keep you in the picture. The issue with the Patriots this season is how inconsistent they are, they have played their best against the good teams whether that means wins or losses and have slacked against some of the bad teams. Well, since they have played their best against the good teams it is entirely possible, they see the playoffs. Their remaining schedule is no cakewalk, and they will have to fight to stay in every game, making the playoffs will help show that they don’t need Brady, so these next five games are of huge importance.
Rank Minnesota Vikings (5-6)
18 Prev. (21 ↑3)
Week 12 Result: 28-27 W against Carolina
What They’re Wishing For: Their Defense to Show Up
Imagine what the Vikings could do if they had a defense, in all of their losses they have allowed at least 27 points and that makes it tough to win when that is the case. During all of their victories their defense has been playing well and making the job for the offense easier. Minnesota has a couple of games against high powered offenses coming up, so the defense will need to step up if they want to make the playoffs. The offense can do whatever they want, but if they want to make the playoffs then they are going to need the defense to show up over the last five weeks like they had in week eight to week ten.
Rank Denver Broncos (4-7)
19 Prev. (19 ⏤)
Week 12 Result: 31-3 L against New Orleans
What They’re Wishing For: A Franchise QB
Before we talk about what they are wishing for I want to say that they did not change rankings because it is unfair to judge a team with no quarterbacks. That being said, the wish for them is that they find their franchise QB. Of course, they hope that it will be Drew Lock, but there is a chance that Lock is not the future of the team and if that is the case then they need a true franchise QB. All good teams have that one cornerstone in the QB, and the Broncos have a chance to be that sort of team, but they need a QB. Again, if Lock is that guy then great, otherwise they need to get him.
Rank Chicago Bears (5-6)
20 Prev. (17 ↓3)
Week 12 Result: 41-25 L against Green Bay
What They’re Wishing For: Mitchell Trubisky to be the Franchise QB
When the Bears drafted Trubisky they had very high hopes for him and so far, he has failed to live up to expectations, this season they signed Nick Foles because the trust in Trubisky was so low. Now though, Foles is injured and Trubisky is back from injury so it is his team once again. This is when he needs to show that he is the guy who will lead this franchise for years to come and if he does not then he will be off the team. You don’t draft a player that high only for them to turn out to be a bust, so the Bears are wishing this is when Trubisky finally shows he can lead the team, but this could be the last opportunity for him if he doesn’t prove anything.
Rank Houston Texans (4-7)
21 Prev. (24 ↑3)
Week 12 Result: 41-25 W against Detroit
What They’re Wishing For: Help for Watson
Losing DeAndre Hopkins going into this season hurt the Texans mightily, luckily, they still had a potential number one in Will Fuller, now he’s out though so what now? When healthy Fuller is a great receiver, the problem is that staying healthy is a game. Now he is out for the remainder of the season after testing positive for a banned substance and that leads Watson to not much help once again. This season may be a failure for Houston but getting help for Watson does not have to be. Watson signed a long-term contract earlier with Houston, but if they are going to go anywhere with him offensively then they need help and that all starts this offseason.
Rank New York Giants (4-7)
22 Prev. (28 ↑6)
Week 12 Result: 19-17 W against Cincinnati
What They’re Wishing For: Division Win
Whoever wins the NFC East will get a home playoff game which is completely unfair this season since all of them are under .500 right now. While that may be unfair, what is not unfair is that they make the playoffs and right now the Giants are currently leading the division. That is not saying much but making the playoffs in a year when you lost your top running back early on would be huge for the upcoming seasons. It will not be easy though as they have a tough upcoming schedule which pits them against the Seahawks, Cardinals, Browns, and Ravens over the next four weeks. It won’t be easy, but if they could fight their way into the playoffs then the upcoming years will look bright.
Rank Atlanta Falcons (4-7)
23 Prev. (25 ↑2)
Week 12 Result: 43-6 W against Las Vegas
What They’re Wishing For: A Defense to Keep them in Games
The Falcons could easily be one of the best teams in the league this season with eight wins, but in close games their defense almost always fails them and that is why they sit at 4-7. The offense has had their problems, but if the defense could keep them in games then they would have a real shot at winning the division. The remainder of their schedule will show if their defense has gotten any better, they play the Saints, the Buccaneers twice, and the Chiefs, so they face good offensive teams. Atlanta has an offense that can keep them in games, but the defense has been failing, if that can change then they can make it back to the postseason even if that means next season.
Rank Philadelphia Eagles (3-7-1)
24 Prev. (22 ↓2)
Week 12 Result: 23-17 L against Seattle
What They’re Wishing For: Offensive Line Health
There have been a ton of issues in Philadelphia this season including starting quarterback Carson Wentz, but maybe the biggest reason as to why the Eagles are having an issue is because they don’t have an offensive line. When healthy the Eagles still have one of the better offensive lines, but they have dealt with so many injuries this season and it makes the entire offense worse as a result. The sad thing is, they still have a chance this season to make the postseason, but without a line in the playoffs they won’t go anywhere. This season Carson Wentz has been sacked 46 times, if that stays then the passing game will never do anything. Whether it’s this season or next season they need health to have a passing game that can work with Wentz.
Rank Carolina Panthers (4-8)
25 Prev. (18 ↓7)
Week 12 Result: 28-27 L against Minnesota
What They’re Wishing For: A Healthy McCaffrey
The Panthers have had some troubles offensively some games this season and though they have managed themselves pretty well without their best player it will be much better once McCaffrey is back and healthy. McCaffrey came back for one game this season after being injured and then reinjured himself to where he is out for who knows how long. Having the best dual threat running back in the game helps and offense and that is no different for Carolina. He would help Bridgewater so much and the offense could become a legitimate threat with a healthy running back. McCaffrey still may return this season and we can see what the offense can do when fully healthy, next season though when we have a full year, we could see some great things.
Rank Washington Football Team (4-7)
26 Prev. (29 ↑3)
Week 12 Result: 41-16 W against Dallas
What They’re Wishing For: A Division Win
As stated with the Giants, the NFC East is wide open right now and the Football Team has the same record as the Giants. The problem for Washington though is that they lost both games to the Giants this season so if they end up with the same record then the Giants have the tiebreaker. That will not be an issue if they end up with more victories, but their remaining schedule is not easy with the Steelers, 49ers, and Seahawks remaining. The pass defense has been what has kept them in the division race and that should continue, but if they want to win then the offense needs to play like they did against Dallas.
Rank Detroit Lions (4-7)
27 Prev. (26 ↓1)
Week 12 Result: 41-25 L against Houston
What They’re Wishing For: A Good Coach
After the Lions lost to the Texans on Thanksgiving, they got rid of both their GM and their Head Coach. Now they will be using an interim coach for the remainder of the season and over the offseason the main piece they will be looking for will not be a player, it will be a coach. Matt Patricia had his opportunity, and he was not able to make the most of it so now they need to find someone who will. The Lions do not have the most talented roster in the league, but they need a coach who will help things turn around for the future.
Rank Los Angeles Chargers (3-8)
28 Prev. (27 ↓1)
Week 12 Result: 27-17 L against Buffalo
What They’re Wishing For: A New Coach
The Lions already got rid of their coach so they will go through the rest of this season with an interim coach, but they will be looking for a new coach come season’s end, that is what the Chargers need to do as well. Lynn went from a second-place team to a wild card team in his first two seasons, but since then he went to five wins and last in the division to three wins and currently last in their division. Lynn does not look like he is the answer for the Chargers as he has made some poor coaching decisions there, the best thing to do with a young quarterback would be to get a head coach who will lead this team for both to grow together and if Lynn is that guy great, but if not then use the offseason wisely.
Rank Dallas Cowboys (3-8)
29 Prev. (23 ↓6)
Week 12 Result: 41-16 L against Washington
What They’re Wishing For: Healthy Return of Dak Prescott
Dak Prescott will not be back this season and that is pretty obvious, but they are still wishing for a healthy return of Prescott. They still have a shot to make the postseason this year without Prescott, but this season has only shown how important Prescott is to this organization. There is no need to rush back for Prescott, but when he is healthy and ready to return than the Cowboys will definitely improve thanks to him on the field. Even if the Cowboys make the playoffs without him, they will not make a run, their best shot is to get Prescott healthy for a playoff run.
Rank Cincinnati Bengals (2-8-1)
30 Prev. (30 ⏤)
Week 12 Result: 19-17 L against New York Giants
What They’re Wishing For: A Safe Recovery for Burrow
Joe Burrow may not even be ready next season to play and if he is then he could potentially take the year off either way. The Bengals invested a lot in Burrow and seeing him go down the way he did will hurt anyone that watches it, so they are waiting for him to get healthy. Having him back will not be an immediate fix for any problems that the Bengals may face, but they are definitely hoping for a safe recovery. Like Baltimore this is more than just about football, this is about his personal life, but when he is ready to play football then it will be about football and he is still immensely talented. The Bengals will be thrilled when he returns and by then they could have the talent to make a playoff run, but a safe recovery is priority number one.
Rank Jacksonville Jaguars (1-10)
31 Prev. (31 ⏤)
Week 12 Result: 27-25 L against Cleveland
What They’re Wishing For: #1 Pick
There are more than two teams vying for the number one pick right now, but in reality, there are two teams in the picture, the Jaguars and the Jets. Both of these teams have more issues than just quarterback, but there is potentially a game changing quarterback in the draft in Trevor Lawrence and with a franchise QB it would be insane to pass that up. It is usually important to have weapons surrounding the franchise QB, but it is not so often that a franchise QB comes in the draft so when they’re there you take them. The Jaguars have one more win than the Jets this season and in order to get the number one pick then the Jets will have to win a game, or the Jags will have to trade up, let’s see how much they are pushing to get that pick.
Rank New York Jets (0-11)
32 Prev. (32 ⏤)
Week 12 Result: 20-3 L against Miami
What They’re Wishing For: Incoming #1 Pick
The Jets, like the Jaguars are looking for their franchise QB, depending on how much they trust Darnold, and right now they are in line for Lawrence. Depending if they trust Darnold though, they have a ton of options with that pick. If they don’t trust him, they get Lawrence and if they do then they trade back and get picks and build the team around the QB. Even if the Jets drafted Lawrence, they still have a ton of issues outside of the QB, so he would not be likely to change anything in the immediate. No matter what they decide to do though, if they get the number one pick then they have loads of options before the draft takes place.