The Best of the Best

With just four weeks left in the NFL regular season, the playoff picture is getting clearer with every single game.

However, it’s hard to analyze teams across divisions and conferences, so it’s tough to tell which team truly is the best.

The best team in the NFL needs to be the best combination of both offense and defense, and there aren’t many teams that are just so much more elite than the others.

Using team statistics, here are my picks for the top-five teams in the NFL.

Just as a note, the defense statistics are the allowed numbers such as total yards or total points.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (11-1):

Offense– Rushing: 16^th (1,358 YDS), Passing: 1^st (5,131 YDS), Points: 2^nd (370)

Defense– Rushing: 26^th (1,589 YDS), Passing: 12^th (2,709 YDS), Points: 6^th (254)

The Chiefs are led by the best player in the NFL: Patrick Mahomes.

Mahomes carries this offense, and he is the reason this team can move the ball with ease. What’s scary about this team is that they have both Le’Veon Bell and Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and they still are only 16^th in rushing yards.

If this team gets their running game even close to their passing game, they could have the best offense in NFL history.

Defensively, the Chiefs are solid, and they have given up the 6^th fewest points this     season. They could use some help stopping the run, but the Chiefs’ explosive offense can more than cover any defensive holes.

This team is the frontrunner for a Super Bowl victory this year, and they would be one of the few teams in NFL history to win back-to-back Super Bowls.

2. New Orleans Saints (10-2):

Offense– Rushing: 7^th (1,689 YDS), Passing: 21^st (2,761 YDS), Points: 5^th (347)

Defense– Rushing: 2^nd (913 YDS), Passing: 4^th (2,553 YDS), Points: 4^th (241)

No Drew Brees? No problem!

The Saints have won nine games in a row, and they are incredibly balanced on both offense and defense.

With a mixture of Brees, Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston, the Saints’ offense continues to score at a high rate.

RB Alvin Kamara is a force as a pass catcher and as a rusher, and he is another catalyst for this offense.

Defensively, the Saints are in the top five in allowed rushing yards, passing yards and points.

Simply put, this team will score at a high rate, and they will eliminate chances for you to score.

3. Green Bay Packers (9-3):

Offense– Rushing: 9^th (1,490 YDS), Passing: 6^th (3,269 YDS), Points: 1^st (379)

Defense– Rushing: 14^th (1,381 YDS), Passing: 11^th (2,696 YDS), Points: 15^th (299)

The Packers are led by a pair of players named Aaron: Aaron Rodgers and Aaron Jones.

Rodgers is throwing his name into the MVP conversation as he continues to light opposing defenses with his sensational throws. Jones is a downhill force that carves up defenses with tough, physical rushes.

Additionally, Davante Adams has taken steps forward to vault himself into the conversation for best WR in the league.

Defensively, the Packers are average.

They don’t have the superstars of years past, but they are just formidable enough to limit opposing offenses.

This team will go as far as their offense takes them, but that ceiling could definitely be a Super Bowl win.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-1):

Offense– Rushing: 29^th (1,111 YDS), Passing: 14^th (3,027 YDS), Points: 7^th (334)

Defense– Rushing: 5^th (1,208 YDS), Passing: 1^st (2,398 YDS), Points: 1^st (211)

I’m not blown away by the Steelers just yet.

The Steelers’ offense has its woes and has proven to be their downfall.

However, Ben Roethlisberger has thrown himself into the MVP race with his solid performances.

Can he carry this unperforming offense?

On the other side of the ball, the Steelers have no issues whatsoever.

The Steelers have an elite pass and rush defense, and they are easily the best defensive unit in the league.

Defense wins championships, and if the Steelers want to win a title, they need to continue to terrify teams with their pass rush and secondary.

5. Los Angeles Rams (9-4):

Offense– Rushing: 8^th (1,676 YDS), Passing: 2^nd (3,386 YDS), Points: 11^th (325)

Defense– Rushing: 7^th (1,224 YDS), Passing: 3^rd (2,492 YDS), Points: 5^th (246)

The Rams just may be the most balanced team in the NFL.

Jared Goff has racked up a ton of passing yards, and the Rams’ backfield is anchored by three backs: Darrell Henderson Jr., Malcolm Brown and Cam Akers.

This team has the firepower to blow past opposing defenses with ease.

The Rams don’t miss a beat on the other side of the ball.

Being an elite unit at stopping both passes and rushes, the Rams’ defense continues to be one of the most stifling defenses in the NFL. Aaron Donald is a nightmare.

A balanced offense and a lethal defense could be the combination that gets the Rams back to the Super Bowl.

Honorable Mentions (In order):

• Buffalo Bills
• Seattle Seahawks
• Tennessee Titans
• Cleveland Browns
• Miami Dolphins