1. Detroit Lions (11-1)
Last Week: 1
The Lion’s win streak is now at ten games after Chicago blew a longshot chance at a comeback on Thanksgiving. Despite a lackluster win, Detroit holds the top spot rather easily. The Lions host Green Bay and Buffalo over the next two weeks. Detroit’s grip on the division and home field is in the balance.
Christmas List: The Lions are managing a pass rush without Aidan Hutchinson. They need Santa to bring health and better play to the secondary. The back four have been the team’s lone weakness.
2. Buffalo Bills (10-2)
Last Week: 2
The Bills seemed to be the only team on the field Sunday night that didn’t mind the weather. Their seventh win in a row clinched the woeful AFC East for Buffalo. The Bills travel to play the Rams this week followed by a trip to Detroit in a potential Super Bowl preview.
Christmas List: A dependable number one wide receiver is what Buffalo needs most. The Bills are second in points per game (29.6) despite an average passing attack. Josh Allen is forced to create yards with his legs too often. Allen’s health and the Bill’s chances at the Super Bowl depend on someone getting open more consistently.
28. New York Jets (3-9)
Last Week: 28
The Jet’s offense shut down with over ten minutes left in the first half against Seattle on Sunday. That was when the team scored their final points for the day. The defense couldn’t hold on, and New York lost for the eighth time in nine games. The game was a statistical deadlock, but the difference came when Seattle got a defensive touchdown in the second quarter from former Jet and Giant defensive lineman Leonard Williams. Williams took an Aaron Rodgers interception 92 yards.
Christmas List: The Jets need continued development of their young players for Christmas. The season is lost, so the rest of the games must be played with an eye to the future. Olu Fashanu played exceptionally well Sunday starting at tackle. The first-year lineman did not allow a sack, and he gave up just two quarterback pressures. The Jets need to see how all their young players perform during the last games of the season, so they can make decisions on how the roster will look in 2025, and they can determine how to spend what looks like yet another top-ten pick in the draft.