Power Rankings: Division leaders to miss playoffs
Chris Simms and Tank WIlliams break down division leaders that have a chance to miss the playoffs this season.
Video Transcript
CHRIS SIMMS: Yo, yo, Tank. What's up, man? Hope you're good.
TANK WILLIAMS: Yeah.
CHRIS SIMMS: Got a dandy for you today, all right? Got a dandy. Division leaders that could miss the playoffs, all right?
TANK WILLIAMS: Oh, right up my alley.
CHRIS SIMMS: And I think this is-- I don't know where you're gonna to go with this, but I've got three teams. And I'm pretty sold that these are the three teams that I feel really confident about. I don't even know if there's another team in the mix.
TANK WILLIAMS: Hey, as long as the Cowboys are in it, we cooking. [LAUGHING]
CHRIS SIMMS: They're in it. You can guarantee it. No doubt about it. OK, I'm going to start off with number three. Number three the Houston Texans. They're leading the division right now. We know that is a pretty good, competitive division in the AFC South.
And their schedule down the stretch, I mean, it's no cupcake. I'm gonna go with them number three. Number two, OK, is the Kansas City Chiefs. I mean, I know they got Patrick Mahomes and all these offensive stars and everything like that, but, you know-- I mean, like you.
You're a defensive guy. They don't like to play defense in Kansas City.
TANK WILLIAMS: I actually had the Chiefs at number three, and I had the Texans at two, I believe for a lot of the same reasons. But, at the same time, the reason I have the Chiefs at number three is because I feel like their path to the playoffs is a little bit easier than the Texans.
Like, we already talked about how tough the AFC South is. I can see Jacksonville-- Tennessee, after beating the Chiefs, I mean, they can actually win it, and no one would be surprised by that. And the Colts, they should get Jacoby Brissett back in another week or two.
So I think any one of those teams can compete for the AFC South, and whoever doesn't win that division is likely gonna be out the playoffs. And when you look at the Kansas City Chiefs, their Achilles heel is run defense.
And every team that they're playing, for the most part, is gonna be able to run the ball against them. But, at the same time, I feel like as Mahomes starts to get healthier, they start to pin their ears back on defense, that we could see them become the team that we always thought they could be.
CHRIS SIMMS: No doubt. And I think-- listen. We know we're going with the Cowboys one, and we'll get to that in a second. But, really, that's why I made the Texans three and the Chiefs two, though. That's why I did it. I think the Chiefs-- the Chiefs' defense just scares the hell out of me.
TANK WILLIAMS: Yeah.
CHRIS SIMMS: You saw. I mean, they blew a game last week, along with the special teams gaffes and all that. I mean, where I just gave Houston the edge a little bit, that becaause at least they do have a run defense on that side of the ball.
TANK WILLIAMS: True.
CHRIS SIMMS: And they have a run game on offense, as well. But I think, just between their run defense, Deshaun Watson, and at least they'll run the ball on the offensive side of the ball, that was a close one. I get you. I can deal with you telling me I'm wrong on that one, even though I think I'm right.
TANK WILLIAMS: Now, let's get these damn Cowboys. How about that? [LAUGHING]
CHRIS SIMMS: Dallas Cowboys, number one.
TANK WILLIAMS: Give it to me.
CHRIS SIMMS: Yeah. I'm scared as hell that they're not gonna make the playoffs. Or I'm not scared, but I mean, we, know Philadelphia is that ultimate, leg, backed into the corner, we're gonna keep fighting and pull out games.
Dallas Cowboys, on the other hand-- I mean, first off, not playing great football.
TANK WILLIAMS: How do you get this late in the season and not have an identity? Like, we know that that Dallas Cowboys offense is supposed to run and flow through Zeke, if you get him going Amar is already balling when Zeke can't run the ball, so just imagine if Zeke was getting busy.
CHRIS SIMMS: I mean, I think you're right. Two things scare me about the Cowboys. They play the same two defenses all game long, and that drives me crazy. There's no disguises. It's either three deep or man to man. That's all they do on the defensive side of the ball.
Their adjustments at halftime, Tank, sometimes, play harder, run faster. I mean, that's what they do. I'm like, oh, great. So the quarterbacks are comfortable playing them. And then I'm disappointed in Zeke Elliott right now. I'm not gonna lie.
And I know this hasn't always been great, but, like, a guy that I've pounded on the table for, going, he's the best running back in football, he should be paid like it. Well, no, I would say right now he's the fifth best running back in football.
Because he's not better than Dalvin Cook, Christian McCaffrey, Nick Chubb, or Leonard Fournette. I'm saying he's five, and that scares me that they don't have that run game to dominate and save that defense, to your point.
TANK WILLIAMS: And one thing that we talked about earlier this year, if the Dallas Cowboys do not make the Super Bowl and win the Super Bowl, it's gonna to be a failure Jerry Jones' eyes.
And if you look at the San Francisco 49ers, the New Orleans Saints, either the Green Bay Packers or the Minnesota Vikings, all those teams can run the ball, and the Dallas Cowboys won't be able to stop them. So, therefore, Jerry, you ain't making it to the Super Bowl. It's time to scrap it all up.
CHRIS SIMMS: You're right. They don't got an excuse. The talent's there on the roster. There's no doubt about that. And it does. And, to me, it comes down to a little more defensive creativity, and they've got to get that run game dominating, to your point.
But, OK, my list was a little bit better than yours, but still a good job, OK? We'll send you a second place ribbon in the mail.
TANK WILLIAMS: I'll wait for my fruit basket. [LAUGHING]