NFL Power Rankings (Week 10)
Only one team from my top tier won last week, with four of them losing and the other one on a bye. So despite them losing, there’s not much movement. The Packers claim my top spot simply because they played without Aaron Rodgers. Their defense once again was impressive, and I have no question that with Aaron Rodgers, they will put up points. The Rams only drop to the second spot because in my eyes, they are still the most talented roster in football. The fact that they are behind the Cardinals and have lost a head to head against them scares me, because being the 5th seed in the NFC is not a good spot to be in (neither is the 4th), but I still think they are a top team. The Bills and Cowboys had the two most shocking losses of the season. As basd as they both played, I still look at the full body of work for these two teams and can see either of them playing into February. The Buccaneers had a bye, and in a week with all of the top teams losing, good for them.
The AFC continues to have complete dominance over this second tier. The Titans keep looking incredibly impressive week after week. The only reason I can’t put them into that top tier is the Derrick Henry injury, otherwise they would absolutely be up there. Neither the Ravens nor the Chargers impressed, but they did both get wins. They both still have a shot.
The Browns moved up a bit this week as they continue to show that they’re a better team without Odell. What a statement game that was. The Chiefs nearly lost to the Packers without Aaron Rodgers. They stink, but it’s tough to justify putting them below some of these other teams. The Raiders looked lifeless against a lower-tier team, and will look for Desean Jackson to fill in as their deep threat WR, which I actually see as working. The Patriots continue to win, despite having no talent on offense. The Colts were impressive just manhandling another NFL team on the offensive line. I can see them continuing to rise the rest of the way with that formula.
The Bengals have disappointed two weeks in a row now, which is serious cause for alarm for what was recently thought of as a legitimate contender. The Steelers were gifted a win by the referees on Monday Night against a bad team, but did not look good. The Seahawks had a bye, and with Russell Wilson looking to return soon, could move up this tier. The Saints and Vikings both got losses, but in a top heavy NFC, will both be in playoff contention, despite not being that good.
Impressive wins by the now 5–4 Broncos and the now 4–4 Falcons. These are not good teams, but those are respectable records. If they keep winning, they’ll move up a tier for sure. The 49ers got embarrassed this week, dropping them a tier. I’m done thinking they’re any good. They’re not. The Giants had another impressive showing in a win this week. They’re not far from being playoff-caliber in the NFC. The Bears and Eagles both looked decent, albeit in losing efforts. The Panthers are officially a horrible team. Sam Darnold had us fooled for a while. Not anymore. The Football Team had their bye.
The Dolphins got their first win since Week 1. Good for them. The Jaguars absolutely stifled the Bills, and proved that they have the superior Josh Allen (for one week at least). The Jets and Texans played as you’d expect them to. The Lions didn’t lose!
