Ranking offensive players, Week 8: the leaders are proud of the worry

The 2018 NFL season was defined by high power faults. And for the moment, it seems that some of them could be unstoppable.

As we approach mid-season, the NFL has more goals this year than any other year in its history. At present, there are four teams with an average of at least 30 points per game: Kansas City Chiefs (37.1), New Orleans Saints (34), Los Angeles Rams (33.6) and the New England Patriots (30.6). Six others have accumulated at least 27 points per game. Even though these offensives were good, it is likely that some of them are fighting for a championship in January.

That made me think: What offenses could I want to face LEAST in the playoffs? Here are my top five:

1) Kansas City Chiefs (6-1): The common theme of this list is that these offenses have the advantage in terms of confrontation. Chiefs more than anyone else at the moment. Under the leadership of Patrick Mahomes, the candidate for the position of most useful MP, the leaders make it virtually impossible to defend each of their weapons. The Swiss army knife, Tyreek Hill, struggles to stay out of the end zone, even in the presence of two teams, while half-round Travis Kelce is one step ahead of all defenders who are not CB1. After taking into account these two players, both of whom are in my top 15 offensive players below, the defenses are at a disadvantage before even considering Sammy Watkins (# 4 choice in 2014) and Kareem Hunt (# 3 in 2014). ranking RB index of Maurice Jones-Drew). With all these options at its disposal, Mahomes is certainly the best offensive weapon of the leaders. He extends broken games with his legs and can lift the ball literally anywhere on the court. The icing on the cake in Kansas City is the call to play that makes think of a mad scientist Andy Reid. He has such complex game designs and, more importantly, the staff to run them.

2) Los Angeles Rams (7-0): This attack concerns only Sean McVay, whose unit outclassed his opponents by 107 points this season. The second-year head coach is the NFL's best interlocutor, especially when it's about using the action against Todd Gurley's threat. The half-half is in the season's most valuable player's conversation for a second season in a row, totaling 14 touchdowns in seven weeks – up from 32 before the end of the season, which would overshadow the midfielder's record of the season of LaDainian Tomlinson. Jared Goff has been a precise smuggler, excelling particularly in action: according to Pro Football Focus, Goff is posting a 5: 0 TD / INT ratio for passes in action, recently completing four of his six throws . for 64 yards and a touchdown when the 49ers destroyed the 49ers in 39-10. Goff's receivers were also outstanding, with Brandin Cooks in the field, Robert Woods recording a career year and Cooper Kupp continuing to be a reliable target in the slot (although he currently faces injury problems ).

3) Saints of New Orleans (5-1): It's hard to believe, but the strength of this attack is not Drew Brees, the NFL's best passer. Instead, this unit is focused on running back Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram, who combined for an astonishing total of 3,094 yards in the scrum in 2017. With Ingram returning from suspension at week 5, Duo will only improve as the season progresses. Sean Payton knows how to compose well when both players – who are efficient in the race or who come out of the backfield – are in the field. Brees also has a formidable weapon in wide receiver Michael Thomas, who is very underrated – his excellent hands, racing ability and physical play make him a hard-to-defend player. Not to mention, Brees and Payton have been together for more than a decade. There is no defense this duo has not seen, and Payton's creativity prevents defensive coordinators from organizing their game plan.

4) New England Patriots (5-2): I recently wrote about the benefits of the attack led by Tom Brady when Julian Edelman is on the field. Since returning Edelman in the fifth week, the offense has been better executed than in weeks 1 to 4 without him. The Patriots average almost 16 points per game more in the last two games than in the previous four. Edelman, Rob Gronkowski (who can hope to stay healthy) and Josh Gordon all demand the attention of their opponents, and I have not seen a defense capable of stopping ALL THREE simultaneously. (Let me know when you find one.) Just as the race was starting to hit full speed, Sony Michel had a knee injury in week 7. Fortunately, his MRI returned to negative. . Even if Michel misses time, he will give a boost when he returns to the field. If this whole unit is healthy in January, I am tempted to say that we will see it again in February.

5) Atlanta Falcons (3-4): There is no doubt that Atlanta has the best receiver corps of the NFL with Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu and Calvin Ridley. And Marvin Hall contracted his muscles during a 47-yard touchdown Monday night. With all four posing as potential deep threats, with Austin Hooper, Matt Ryan has to lick his chops every time the Falcons line up in receiver sets of four or five widths. Once again, the defenses have trouble defending all these weapons. Without Devonta Freeman, the race led by Tevin Coleman was a sufficient threat to allow Ryan to get the assist. Like the Rams and Chiefs, the Falcons have been successful through the assists this season and continued to thrive Monday night against the Giants. According to Pro Football Focus, Ryan has accumulated more yards in assists in fewer attempts than in all other passes in Week 7:

Game action: 13-in-14 (92.9%), 195 yards passing, one touchdown, zero INT, 142.6 points for the passers.

No action-game: 18-in-25 (72.0%), 190 passing yards, zero touchdowns, zero INT, 93.8 passenger.

Steve Sarkisian is in his second year as offensive coordinator. Ryan is playing at least above his most valuable player form in 2016.

The offensive units of the Steelers and Chargers have almost been in the top five. The absence of setbacks is an obstacle to these two groups. While Pittsburgh has an outstanding offensive with James Conner in the backfield, the Veon Bell (who has not announced a report yet) goes even further. With the Chargers, Melvin Gordon has a career year, but we saw the impact of his absence on Sunday when the Chargers scored the lowest of the season with 20 points in their win over Tennessee. Gordon's production gave the Chargers the balanced offensive they had missed since the departure of my colleague LaDainian Tomlinson.

Each week of the 2018 campaign, former No. 1 pick and NFL network analyst David Carr will review all offensive players and rank his top 15. The rankings are based solely on the efforts of this season. Now let's move on to the hierarchy below for the 8th week.

NOTE: Arrows reflect changes from last week's ranking.

Abandoned: Melvin Gordon, RB, Chargers (formerly No. 11).

JUST OUTSIDE THE TOP 15

Melvin Gordon, RB, Chargers: Gordon, who was out on Sunday with a sore hamstring injury, has to play every week to stay in the standings. There are too many great players in this league to keep him in the top 15.

Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks: After a week off, the Seahawks (3-3) will be tested by a Lions team that seems to be in full swing. Wilson must have another good game to continue on Seattle.

Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Giants: With a good performance against the Falcons, OBJ has reached 5,000 yards in fewer games than any other player (54).

Julio Jones, WR, Falcons: Another respectable day of Julio – nine caught for 104 yards – but still no action in the end zone.

Kareem Hunt, RB, Chiefs: The second year has seen a sharp rise over the past two weeks with four total touchdowns. Hunt's nine touchdowns this season are tied for second in the league.

Follow David Carr on Twitter @ DCarr8.