2020 NFL Power Rankings, Week 12 Edition: I think we have their Plan A now...

That was a mess.

That was a disgrace, a debacle, and should end, for all time, the public perception that the NFL games are fair and that the league is on the level with fair competition.

I'm not only talking that stupidity with the Broncos (a forfeit actually would been the BETTER scenario -- as of today, the quarterbacks involved have been fined!), but this whole shooting match with Pittsburgh and Baltimore and their game is just a mess (and that definitely should've been a forfeit for Baltimore's positives because of the strength and conditioning coach -- we don't know Pittsburgh's positives).

But one thing is now for certain, even if you disagree with my hypothesis which follows from it:  The NFL is using the COVID-19 policies as a function to rig the season.  You would officially have to be out of your mind to consider any other scenario.

And, as such, with the teams affected, I think it is clear we have the NFL's current Plan A.  That said, let me make clear:  PLANS CAN CHANGE.  Anyone who's seen the NFL and it's rigging the last 5-10 years knows plans can change, sometimes on a dime.

But, with five weeks to go in the regular season, I think the direction now appears clear with the NFL's COVID-related actions against Pittsburgh and to benefit New Orleans:  Kansas City to face (and sizably defeat) the Saints in the Super Bowl, should we get that far.

What happened in Denver this week was a disgrace to the sport of professional football.  They are fortunate, frankly, the Saints showed some mercy.

What happened with this Baltimore-Pittsburgh game has irreparably fucked the Steelers' season, and there's only one real reason or purpose for that -- get rid of the Steelers to promote Mahomes as the new face of the league.

And New Orleans?  That's Super Bowl XXXII Redux.  The league knowing they've fucked the Saints twice...

So, that in mind:

AFC Power Rankings:

1. Kansas City Chiefs (10-1)

I really don't even see many alternatives here.  A catastrophic Mahomes injury, at this point, could blow up the entire NFL season, in both conferences.  It was clear last season that Mahomes is now THE NEW MAN.  It would NOT be out of the question, barring such injury, a new Face of the League or the like, if, 10 years from now, we're looking at 5 titles for KC.

BIGGEST PROBLEM:  The NFL Boycott, or has the NFL finally conceded it's going to have to settle for 80 million watching the Super Bowl rather than 100-110?

2.  Pittsburgh (11-0)

And they have every right to bitch.  But the fact is that the NFL is using COVID-19 and the relevant policies to fuck them and everyone else for the result they so desire.

BIGGEST PROBLEM:  Patrick Mahomes.  Captain Fatfuck...  Patrick Mahomes.  Ben Rapistburger...  Yeah.

And I accept any criticism to "It's All About The Quarterback".  What happened in Denver this week should put that all to bed otherwise once and for all. 

3. Tennessee (8-3)

4.  Indianapolis (7-4)

Definitely beginning to see some press behind Tennessee especially here.  Not enough to justify putting them over Pittsburgh, and I think this has to be an outside backup plan if something happens.  But that tells you the gulf between 1 and 2 and even #3...

5.  Buffalo (8-3)

5A.  Miami (7-4)

Same thing I said last week, but that'll only get you so far.

NFC Power Rankings:

1. New Orleans (9-2)

I retract what I said last week, for now.  Given that New Orleans was handed a clean Free Win Card this week really gives you an indication that the Payback Super Bowl Berth IS in play.

And, just a thought:  You think that decision not to play Rapeis Winston was not racially/#NFLBoycott related?

BIGGEST PROBLEM:  Two, really.  You don't sue the NFL, especially over stuff you'll lose immediately.  And is Drew Brees going to have a set of ribs to play in January to get them there?

2.  Seattle (8-3)

Especially given this type of a season, a tribute given to the fans, especially the cult-like rabids in Seattle, would not be out of line here.

BIGGEST PROBLEM:  Washington State has not been the kindest to the conservative/freedom types the NFL loves to glorify.

3. LA Rams (7-4)

Really, because the options start running real thin here.

I do believe, end of the day, we are down to the last four teams for the Super Bowl:  Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Seattle, and the Saints.

BIGGEST PROBLEM:  The state of life in Los Angeles and especially Inglewood.  Especially if there is some desire to reboot normalcy circa next September with a vaccine, I think the LA Experiment (and it's Las Vegas counterpart) may be damn near kaput -- LA politically, and Vegas may not survive this at all in present form.  And I'm NOT talking the Raiders franchise!

4.  Tampa Bay (7-5)

Only because of what they tried to construct.

BIGGEST PROBLEM:  The first three quarters of that game with Kansas City appear to indicate the NFL is finally ready to move on unless it somehow thinks Tom Brady will come back next year.  He's definitely taken some body blows to Father Time.

5.  Green Bay (8-3)

No.

No.

No, and just no.

Jobber To The Stars again, and I really don't think people get this.  This team is one Aaron Rodgers injury away from 3-8.  And the league doesn't give a shit.

Packer Fan does not get that the league would put Tom Brady in Super Bowl LIV before it puts Aaron Rodgers in.

BIGGEST PROBLEM:  The league doesn't feel, even with what Packer Nation provides the NFL, that a small-town expansive fan-base is marketable or "money" enough in the 21st century.