By : Sean Wright

We’ve arrived at week 14 of the NFL season. The first thirteen weeks have included upsets, blowouts, blizzards and everything else in between. The Steelers lead the AFC North, Danny Jones is no longer a Giant and Baker Mayfield is a dark horse MVP candidate. Whew. With just five weeks left on the schedule, the playoff race is scrambled and there are still many questions to be answered. With that being said, if the regular season ended today, here are my top five teams. 

1. Kansas City Chiefs (11-1)

The Chiefs belong atop the list until someone knocks Patrick Mahomes off the throne come February. Their defense has been slacking the past few weeks and the offense has been shaky at best. However, they’re tied for the best overall record in the NFL. Mahomes turns into a different player come playoff time and we have no reason to believe they aren’t still the most dangerous team in the NFL. 

2. Detroit Lions (11-1)

First things first. The Lions have a 11-1 record for the first time in franchise history. The Lions have the best run game in the league. Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery have combined for nearly 1,700 yards, 21 rushing touchdowns and 92 first down runs. Defenses never get a break when dealing with the Lions run game. Jared Goff has been incredibly efficient and made plays when necessary. Without pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, the Lions will need their secondary to tighten up as the playoffs near. Regardless, the Lions have absolutely been the second best team in the league. 

3. Buffalo Bills (10-2)

The Bills took back to back losses in week 4 and 5 and haven’t looked back since. Josh Allen and the Bills offense has scored at least 30 points in their last six games. Let’s call a spade a spade, Josh Allen has absolutely propelled himself firmly into the MVP convo. Allen has kept his turnovers down and his efficiency up. James Cook and the offensive line have been consistent for the Bills offense. Cook currently has over 700 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns and he’s averaging nearly 5 yards per carry. The Bills defense has appeared elite at times this season. They’re only surrendering 18.7 points per game this season. 

4. Philadelphia Eagles (10-2)

The Eagles are clearly the hottest team in the NFL. They’ve shown the ability to win through physicality, tact and talent. The Eagles have won eight games in a row since starting off 2-2, with their most impressive win coming this past Sunday against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. The New York Giants front office has to be ripping their hair out because Saquon Barkley has been the most outstanding player in the NFL this season and it’s not particularly close. Barkley leads the league in rush yards and has added 11 touchdowns on the ground. The main reason the Eagles are appearing on this list is because of their defense. Second year defensive tackle Jalen Carter has been one of the best defensive linemen in the league. Additionally, rookie cornerbacks Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell have lived up to the hype in year one. The Eagles pose a fierce offense and a nasty defense. We could go on and on about the Eagles’ ascension. 

5. Minnesota Vikings (10-2)

Hear me out. The Vikings belong here. This entire paragraph should be about  Brian Flores. The Vikings defense has been nothing short of amazing this season under Flores. They’re the best team against the run and fifth in points given up per game. Flores’ defense leads the league in interceptions and is 4th in takeaways. The revamping of Sam Darnold’s career has been refreshing. It also helps that he’s throwing to a solid receiving core featuring Justin  Jefferson. The Vikings absolutely belong here. They’ll be a tough out come January. 

Twelve games have passed but there’s still so much season left to play. This list could get switched and flipped five more times before the playoffs arrive. Buckle up.