Week 10 NFL Power Rankings

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Last week can be found here.

Tier I. The Super Bowl Favorites

1. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-0) | 1st last week (+0)

Offense: 5th, Defense: 4th, Special Teams: 17th

Last week: beat Cowboys 25-19

This week: home vs Bengals (-9.5), Sunday 4:25 Eastern

They beat the Titans and the Ravens on the road back-to-back, and before that they beat two bubble playoff teams in the Eagles and the Browns. They were due a trap game, and they still won. They were 8-8 without Big Ben last year. They're 8-0 for the first time in franchise history this year.

2. Kansas City Chiefs (8-1) | 2nd last week (+0)

Offense: 2nd, Defense: 6th, Special Teams: 1st

Last week: beat Panthers 33-31

This week: BYE

The Panthers made it ulcer-inducingly close, but KC squeaked out with a win. Andy Reid is maybe the best bye week coach ever. He will lay into his team for their performance at Arrowhead on Sunday. It'll be terrifying if they come out even more on their game.

3. Baltimore Ravens (6-2) | 4th last week (+1)

Offense: 8th, Defense: 1st, Special Teams: 6th

Last week: beat Colts 24-10

This week: at Patriots (-6.5), Sunday 8:20 Eastern

Gutsy win against Indianapolis this week. They played championship football and shut the door on the Colts offense multiple times at the end of the game. Philip Rivers went from the hottest quarterback out to playing his worst game as a Colt. The game was closer than the score indicates, which is a testament to Baltimore’s ability to not let the Colts close the gap. Playoff-type performance on the road.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3) | 3rd last week (-1)

Offense: 9th, Defense: 9th, Special Teams: 26th

Last week: lost to Saints 38-3

This week: at Panthers (-4.5), Sunday 1:00 Eastern

Brutal. One of the worst games of Tom Brady’s career. At home. This is the Buccaneers weakness; everyone is either new or new to the situation. They shouldn’t hang their heads over a regular season game. They need to use the next seven games to find and define their optimal play style. If they do that in time, they have the talent to beat any team and win the Super Bowl. It’s not a guarantee that they do that. They aren’t that good yet.

II. The Super Bowl Contenders

5. Tennessee Titans (6-2) | 6th last week (+1)

Offense: 7th, Defense: 16th, Special Teams: 31st

Last week: beat Bears 24-17

This week: home vs Colts (-2.5), THURSDAY, 8:20 Eastern

Ugly, ugly game. They lost two heartbreakers in a row to the Steelers and Bengals and then remembered they’re good. The Bears are an absolute enigma, dragging every team they play somewhere they don’t want to be. Derrick Henry had his worst showing of the season and Ryan Tannehill completed 10 passes, 5 of them in garbage time. The Titans were able to play that way and win comfortably, which is encouraging to say the least. Quick turnaround to a massive game for the AFC South lead against the Colts in a couple days.

6. Green Bay Packers (6-2) | 7th last week (+1)

Offense: 3rd, Defense: 17th, Special Teams: 8th

Last week: beat 49ers 34-17

This week: home vs Jaguars (-13.5), Sunday 1:00 Eastern

They took out the anger from last year’s NFC Championship game and last week’s loss to the Vikings all at once. They doubled San Francisco and the score shouldn’t have even been that close. No idea what to think of this team still, but Aaron Rodgers has not lost much of his brilliance. Hopefully his teammates keep up.

7. Seattle Seahawks (6-2) | 5th last week (-2)

Offense: 1st, Defense: 30th, Special Teams: 13th

Last week: lost to Bills 44-34

This week: at Rams (+1.5), Sunday 4:25 Eastern

They were playing from behind the entire game. The defense still has not gotten magically better. Jamal Adams hasn’t found his Jets form yet. Russell Wilson has been asked to do too much in their losses to the Cardinals and Bills. Is that the injuries to the running game, the quality of the opponents (that were both at home), or something that teams will be able to keep making happen? I don’t want to call a tough slump a fatal flaw, but they are not the team we thought they were at 5-0.

8. New Orleans Saints (6-2) | 11th last week (+3)

Offense: 4th, Defense: 14th, Special Teams: 3rd

Last week: beat Buccaneers 38-3

This week: home vs 49ers (6.5), Sunday 4:25 Eastern

The slowest starters in the NFL are proving we (especially me, and I will gladly wear that one) probably wrote them off too soon. Or maybe they just have Tompa Bay’s number. Holding any NFL team to 3 points is cause for celebration. The Saints did so with a to-that-point below-average defense, against maybe the most potent offense in the world. On the road.

III. Can win a playoff game

9. Buffalo Bills (7-2) | 10th last week (+1)

Offense: 14th, Defense: 19th, Special Teams: 11th

Last week: beat Seahawks 44-34

This week: at Cardinals (+1.5), Sunday 4:05 Eastern

No one was showing Buffalo love heading into a game against the Seahawks, despite it being a home early game against a Pacific time zone opponent. They led wire-to-wire against a team that has justified Super Bowl aspirations. The defense had to play against a team that was absolutely slinging all game and still made stand after stand. If that side of the ball has found its 2019 form, this team is the threat that their record indicates.

10. Indianapolis Colts (5-3) | 8th last week (-2)

Offense: 15th, Defense: 3rd, Special Teams: 2nd

Last week: lost to Ravens 24-10

This week: at Titans (+2.5), THURSDAY 8:20 Eastern

Everything they tried against the Ravens failed on offense. The defense did the best it could, but they didn’t have enough. They aren’t as good as the top tier teams unless the defense fires on all cylinders for 60 minutes and the offense doesn’t miss a single opportunity. However, their defense might be the best in the NFL and the offense is super cohesive and run by a Hall of Famer.

11. Miami Dolphins (5-3) | 13th last week (+2)

Offense: 10th, Defense: 4th, Special Teams: 32nd

Last week: beat Cardinals 34-31

This week: home vs Chargers (-3), Sunday 4:05 Eastern

Last week’s biggest riser in these rankings comes out, travels across the country, and outscores a top notch offense with a quarterback that had 93 career passing yards. The defense that carries the team gives up 31 in a win. They’re the surprise team of the NFL to this point. Never count wins down the schedule, but they have a chance to be playing meaningful football this year, when we all thought Tua was going to redshirt. Hats off to Brian Flores, my coach of the year, and coordinators Chan Gailey (O) and Josh Boyer (D). It’s still early to call Tua or the offense a hit, but we can’t use anything besides what we've seen.

12. Los Angeles Rams (5-3) | 12th last week (+0)

Offense: 21st, Defense: 2nd, Special Teams: 28th

Last week: BYE

This week: home vs Seahawks (-1.5), Sunday 4:25 Eastern

Huge home game to tie the division lead this Sunday. We’ll see if Sean McVay has them ready out of the bye.

Last week’s thoughts:

What a dud. Jared Goff, do you suck? The answer is probably yes, but he proves us wrong enough to earn that eye-popping contract (4 years, $134 million with $110M guaranteed if you forgot). Rams turnovers/special teams gave Miami 21 of their 28 points. So you can call it a game that should have went differently - the defense wrapped up an inferior matchup - but the offense still did the dreadful things it did. Woof.

IV. Wild Card material

13. Arizona Cardinals (5-3) | 9th last week (-4)

Offense: 6th, Defense: 8th, Special Teams: 18th

Last week: lost to Dolphins 34-31

This week: home vs Bills (-1.5), Sunday 4:05 Eastern

A home loss coming off of the bye hurts. Especially when it was one this close, to a rookie in his second game. The Dolphins had the number one defense in the NFL, and the Cardinals put up 31 on it and lost. Both teams are years away from being their best selves, but the Dolphins ended up with slightly more magic on Sunday. What a game. Don’t sleep on this squad despite the loss, which ended on a missed tying field goal.

14. Cleveland Browns (5-3) | 14th last week (+0)

Offense: 16th, Defense: 26th, Special Teams: 20th

Last week: BYE

This week: home vs Texans (-2.5), Sunday 1:00 Eastern

Great chance to get to 6-3 this week. If they’re worthy of their record, they’ll do so, and put themselves in the best position they ever have to end their 17-season playoff drought.

Last week’s thoughts:

Horrific game. The windiest NFL game I can remember watching. A kick going wide right could have missed left. The Browns should have been all about this because they lead the NFL in rushing yards per game, but they got out-smashmouthed by Jon Gruden and Josh Jacobs. First game without Odell Beckham, and a couple ticky tack touchdown calls both went Las Vegas’ way. Regroup in the bye week. This didn’t expose that much.

15. Las Vegas Raiders (5-3) | 16th last week (+1)

Offense: 11th, Defense: 24th, Special Teams: 22nd

Last week: beat Chargers 31-26

This week: home vs Broncos (-4.5), Sunday 4:05 Eastern

Win’s a win. They’re better than the Chargers, and though they needed help at the buzzer, they won like they had to. The AFC is strong, and they won’t catch the Chiefs, but they’re as good as your typical fringe playoff team. The running game kept its momentum from the win in Cleveland and rushed for over 150 yards. Derek Carr is better than a game manager, but his role entrenching around opportunism and mistake-minimization has been best-case scenario for this team.

16. Chicago Bears (5-4) | 15th last week (-1)

Offense: 28th, Defense: 7th, Special Teams: 27th

Last week: lost to Saints Titans 24-17

This week: home vs Vikings (+2.5), MONDAY 8:15 Eastern

This team is not good. I want to punish them by tossing them down the rankings, but everyone below them has 3 or less wins, or is the 49ers’ practice squad. The defense will show up every week, and whichever quarterback they play will get lucky enough times. 4-0 turned to 5-4 fast. Unless they have a signal caller miracle, they’re done.

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17. Philadelphia Eagles (3-4-1) | 19th last week (+2)

Offense: 24th, Defense: 18th, Special Teams: 21st

Last week: BYE

This week: at Giants (-3), Sunday 1:00 Eastern

In their current tier largely (not entirely!) by default. NFC Least.

V. Teams that can figure a thing out still

18. Carolina Panthers (3-5) | 21st last week (+3)

Offense: 23rd, Defense: 15th, Special Teams: 29th

Last week: lost to Chiefs 33-31

This week: home vs Buccaneers (+4.5), Sunday 1:00 Eastern

Christian McCaffrey is back and still the best running back on the planet.

19. Minnesota Vikings (3-5) | 25th last week (+6)

Offense: 12th, Defense: 25th, Special Teams: 23rd

Last week: beat Lions 34-20

This week: at Bears (-2.5), MONDAY 8:15 Eastern

Getting back to what they should've been this season after a 1-5 start.

20. Cincinnati Bengals (2-5-1) | 23rd last week (+3)

Offense: 20th, Defense: 20th, Special Teams: 5th

Last week: BYE

This week: at Steelers (+9.5), Sunday 4:25 Eastern

Solid on both sides of the ball. They already have the best quarterback of any team outside of the playoff picture besides Deshaun Watson.

21. New England Patriots (3-5) | 20th last week (-1)

Offense: 29th, Defense: 12th, Special Teams: 19th

Last week: beat Jets 30-27

This week: home vs Ravens (+6.5), Sunday 8:20 Eastern

Cam got them a win to stop the four game bleeding. Sure it was horrific, and against the Jets, but oh well.

22. Los Angeles Chargers (2-6) | 18th last week (-4)

Offense: 17th, Defense: 21st, Special Teams: 30th

Last week: lost to Raiders 31-26

This week: at Dolphins (+3), Sunday 4:05 Eastern

It is beyond astounding watching them each week. They invent new ways to lose like nothing I have ever seen before. Chargers fans are masochists.

23. Detroit Lions (3-5) | 22nd last week (-1)

Offense: 19th, Defense: 28th, Special Teams: 7th

Last week: lost to Vikings 34-20

This week: home vs Washington (-5.5), Sunday 1:00 Eastern

Fine team. Perfectly "meh." Matt Stafford, we're gonna get you outta there.

24. Denver Broncos (3-5) | 24th last week (+0)

Offense: 27th, Defense: 22nd, Special Teams: 12th

Last week: lost to Falcons 34-27

This week: at Raiders (+4.5), Sunday 4:05 Eastern

Drew Lock makes you give up and then flashes. So early in his career. The weapons rule.

25. San Francisco 49ers (4-5) | 17th last week (-8)

Offense: 18th, Defense: 10th, Special Teams: 14th

Last week: lost to Packers 34-17

This week: at Saints (+6.5), Sunday 4:25 Eastern

Can't believe they're able to field a team each week. A good draft will get them right back to their perch atop the NFC. Some fans want Jimmy G out for good.

26. Houston Texans (2-6) | 26th last week (+0)

Offense: 21st, Defense: 29th, Special Teams: 4th

Last week: beat Jaguars 27-25

This week: at Browns (+2.5), Sunday 1:00 Eastern

Deshaun Watson is magical. He's better than Stafford ever was, but I worry he could see the same career arc.

27. Atlanta Falcons (3-6) | 27th last week (+0)

Offense: 13th, Defense: 23rd, Special Teams: 16th

Last week: beat Broncos 34-27

This week: BYE

Good at offense, as always. Not much to speak of. We know what they are.

VI. Bottom feeders (the NFC East)

28. New York Football Giants (2-7) | 29th last week (+1)

Offense: 31st, Defense: 13th, Special Teams: 25th

Last week: beat Washington 23-20

This week: home vs Eagles (+3), Sunday 1:00 Eastern

Daniel Jones is 5-16 in his NFL career. He's 4-0 against Washington and 1-16 against everyone else. The 1 win was his first career start.

29. Washington Football Team (2-6) | 28th last week (-1)

Offense: 30th, Defense: 11th, Special Teams: 24th

Last week: lost to Giants 23-20

This week: at Lions (+5.5), Sunday 1:00 Eastern

Lost the turnover battle 5-0 and still only lost to NYG by a field goal. A win would have had them a half game back from hosting a playoff game.

30. Dallas Cowboys (2-7) | 31st last week (+1)

Offense: 25th, Defense: 32nd, Special Teams: 15th

Last week: lost to Steelers 25-19

This week: BYE

Garrett Gilbert is miles better than Ben DiNucci. Pay Dak.

VII. Trevor Lawrence Territory

31. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-7) | 30th last week (-1)

Offense: 26th, Defense: 31st, Special Teams: 9th

Last week: lost to Texans 27-25

This week: at Packers (+13.5), Sunday 1:00 Eastern

What is there to say? They suck like always. Maybe Jake Luton turns into Tom Brady.

32. New York Jets (0-9) | 32nd last week (+0)

Offense: 32nd, Defense: 27th, Special Teams: 10th

Last week: lost to Patriots 30-27

This week: BYE

Hey, they played a close game. Joe Flacco is staving off an involuntary retirement for one more year.