NFL Week 10 Power Rankings: A New Number One

This week saw a lot of movement, as teams at the bottom got a small taste of victory, as well as teams near the top, felt what it is like to lose. In the third week of our power rankings, we now have had three different number ones'. Ah parity, it sure feels good. Maybe the NBA should take note...

1. [3.] Baltimore Ravens (7-2)

W 49-13 vs. Cincinnati

The Baltimore Ravens have finally started to do what they are known for and that is play defense. Marcus Peters has two pick-sixes in just as many games, and Baltimore has allowed just 30 points since his arrival. Combine that with the league’s deadliest offensive attack and you get this weeks’ number one team in the power rankings.

2. [4.] Seattle Seahawks (8-2)

W 27-24 vs. San Francisco

Seattle went into Levi’s stadium and handed the 49ers their first L of the season. Seattle’s defense, namely Jadeveon Clowney and Jarran Reed, wreaked havoc upon Jimmy G and the ‘9ers offense recovering two fumbles and an interception, while also totaling five sacks. With this defense and Russell Wilson under center, the rest of the league should be very much on notice.

3. [1.] San Francisco 49ers (8-1)

L 24-27 vs. Seattle

The last undefeated team, the 49ers, fell Monday night to the Seahawks. It was an ugly game for the ‘9ers offense, especially Jimmy Garoppolo, yet San Fran still almost came away with a victory. Jimmy G cannot play like this if the 49ers want to be playing in the big game come February, but it is impressive they still nearly won in spite of his performance.

4. [5.] New England Patriots (8-1)

Bye Week

To be honest, I do not even want to write anything about the Patriots. The regular season for them is like the regular season for Lebron in the NBA, it does not matter! No matter what happens the rest of the season the Pats will make the playoffs and likely the Conference Championship and maybe even the Super Bowl.

5. [7.] Green Bay Packers (8-2)

W 24-16 vs. Carolina

Green Bays’ defense almost choked, almost. They made a goal-line stand to save the day, and stay one game ahead of Minnesota in the NFC North. Aaron Rodgers did not throw a touchdown and only completed 59% of his passes. If the Packers can continue to play well even when Rodgers is not, well… Rodgers, teams will have a hard time taking them down.

6. [2.] New Orleans Saints (7-2)

L 9-26 vs. Atlanta

What was that? Sunday’s game versus the Saints’ biggest rival, the Atlanta Falcons, always had the potential to be a trap game for New Orleans, but they were not supposed to look THAT atrocious. Sean Payton decided he did not feel like running the ball, and that consequently led to Drew Brees (who just one week ago came back from injury) throwing the ball 45 times! Not only that, but Brees was also under pressure all day long, ultimately being sacked six times. Hopefully, this was just a one-off for the sake of Saints’ fans and their Super Bowl aspirations.

7. [11.] Minnesota Vikings (7-3)

W 28-24 vs. Dallas

Kirk Cousins finally decided to show up in a primetime game. Let’s make no mistakes about it though, this team runs through Dalvin Cook, plain and simple. As long as Cook stays healthy and Cousins can manage the game well, the Vikings will be a real threat in the NFC.

8. [10.] Houston Texans (6-3)

Bye Week

Even with a bye week, the Texans strengthened their hold on the AFC South, as the Colts lost, but the Titans did nab an unexpected win versus Kansas City. As long as Deshaun Watson can maintain his magic coming out of the bye, the South is Houstons’ division to lose.

9. [12.] Philadelphia Eagles (5-4)

Bye Week

Philadelphia may not have played a game, but they won when the Cowboys dropped a home game to the Vikings on Sunday night. The Eagles are still second in the division due to a tiebreaker, but there is still a lot of time left for Carson Wentz and this Eagles team to take control of the NFC East.

10. [6.] Kansas City Chiefs (6-4)

L 32-35 vs. Tennessee

For the first time Sunday we saw that Patrick Mahomes can have a truly spectacular game, from start to finish, and the Chiefs still lose. That spells trouble when they have to face a team that is much better than the Titans, like a rematch versus Baltimore, or dare I say… the New England Patriots. Kansas City’s defense could be the downfall of this team.

11. [16.] Oakland Raiders (5-4)

W 26-24 vs. Los Angeles Chargers

How crazy does it sound that the Oakland Raiders could run the table in the AFC West? That is right, if Oakland wins its’ next two games, versus the Bengals and Jets, they would go to Kansas City being 7-4, and needing a win to take sole possession of the number spot in the division. It is unlikely that happens, but they may not even need to win that contest, as the Chiefs go to New England in week 13. Wow.

12. [9.] Dallas Cowboys (5-4)

L 24-28 vs. Minnesota

‘America’s Team’ might be the most inconsistent team there is in the NFL. The Cowboys dropped this game at home, to a Minnesota squad that had just lost to a backup quarterback the week prior. The Vikings are not a pushover by any stretch of the imagination, but this is a game you have to win if you are Dallas.

13. [20.] Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4)

W 17-12 vs. Los Angeles Rams

This is impressive, REALLY impressive. Amid ‘Big’ Ben Roethlisberger season-long absence, the Steelers have picked it up tremendously on the defensive side of the ball. The addition of Minkah Fitzpatrick has paid its’ dividends, as he is in contention for defensive player of the year. Round of applause for coach Tomlin and this Steelers’ team.

14. [8.] Los Angeles Rams (5-4)

L 12-17 vs. Pittsburgh

The Super Bowl hangover is a real thing. If you never believed so just look at these LA Rams. After losing on Sunday to a Pittsburgh team minus its’ starting quarterback and running back, the Rams now fall to 5-4 and all hope is lost on the season as the 49ers and Seahawks continue to pull away from them in the division.

15. [21.] Tennessee Titans (5-5)

W 35-32 vs. Kansas City

Tennessee leaves Sunday as maybe the biggest winners. The Titans took down the Chiefs on a day where Patrick Mahomes three 400+ yards and 4 TDs. Tannehill is doing enough to get by and Sunday he did even more than that, leading a game-winning drive. Tennessee is still in the playoff hunt because of his play.

16. [15.] Carolina Panthers (5-4)

L 16-24 vs. Green Bay

With Cam Newton officially done for the year, Kyle Allen can now play without having to look over his shoulder. Carolina lost this week in the waning seconds after failing to convert on a goal-to-go situation. In a week that saw the division-leader New Orleans Saints lose, the Panther should be disappointed they were unable to steal a victory.

17. [13.] Buffalo Bills (6-3)

L 16-19 vs. Cleveland

For a second it looked as if the Patriots might have some competition within the AFC East. Like I said, for a second. Buffalo lost to arguably the most disappointing team of the season in the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Any hope fans had of seeing the Patriots have to play a wild card game is rapidly fading, thanks for nothing Buffalo.

18. [19.] Jacksonville Jaguars (4-5)

Bye Week

The Jaguars announced a few days ago that Nick Foles would be the starting quarterback after the bye week. For Jacksonville and their fans’ sake, I hope Foles can work some of his magic because the Jags will need it down the stretch.

19. [22.] Chicago Bears (4-5)

W 20-13 vs. Detroit

I give Chicago and Mitchell Trubisky no props for winning this game. Every other offense has had a field day versus the Lions, and Sunday should have been no different. I am more disappointed Chicago’s defense gave up thirteen points to Jeff Driskel than anything. The Bears should have dominated this contest, but they did not.

20. [14.] Indianapolis Colts (5-4)

L 12-16 vs. Miami

Can we fault the Colts for losing without their starting quarterback? Yes, we can. If it were almost any other team Indy would get a pass, but not against the Dolphins. Not against the team that was supposed to be one of the worst ever. The Colts better pick it up quick before the Texans run away with the AFC South crown.

21. [17.] Los Angeles Chargers (4-6)

L 24-26 vs. Oakland

Just when it looked like the Chargers were getting back on track, Philip Rivers goes and stinks up Oakland Coliseum on Thursday night, throwing a game-clinching interception on a potential game-winning drive. It has become more and more apparent that Rivers is done. Hopefully, the Chargers' front office sees it just like everybody else.

22. [18.] Detroit Lions (3-5-1)

L 13-20 vs. Chicago

With Matthew Stafford out, the Detroit Lions never had a chance against the Chicago Bears and their stout defense. Backup quarterback Jeff Driskel did not play bad, but he did not have a positive impact either. Stafford may miss the rest of the season, and if that happens expect Detroit to fall even lower in the coming weeks.

23. [23.] Denver Broncos (3-6)

Bye Week

Denver had a bye this week. They stay in the same spot as they were in last week’s rankings. The rest of this season is about evaluating who will be in Denver for the long haul, as their playoff hopes are all but gone.

24. [26.] Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-6)

W 30-27 vs. Arizona

Jameis Winston continues to make terrible decisions with the football. With two interceptions yesterday, he now has fourteen on the season in just nine games. Despite his carelessness, the Bucs were able to walk away from Sunday’s contest with a win. Winston has talent, but his seemingly unshakable habit of turning the ball over will likely cost him his job after this season.

25. [27.] Cleveland Browns (3-6)

W 19-16 vs. Buffalo

Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves, the Browns still are not good. Sure, they beat a pretty good, yet overrated, Bills team; but yet again, struggled to capitalize in the red zone. Not to mention Freddie Kitchens is still the head coach in Cleveland. Chill out on the 10-6 talk Browns fans.

26. [28.] Atlanta Falcons (2-7)

W 26-9 vs. New Orleans

I wanted to rank the Falcons higher after their dominating win over, the previously 7-1, New Orleans Saints; but with so many lower-tier teams winning this week as well, I just could not put them any higher than this. Atlanta’s front seven made Drew Brees wish he was still sitting on the sideline, and their offense played good enough to finally secure a win.

27. [24.] Arizona Cardinals (3-6-1)

L 27-30 vs. Tampa Bay

Kyler Murray looks better with every passing week. This Sunday was no different, as he had arguably his best game versus the Buccaneers. Yet, it was still not enough to come out victorious. It looked like the Cardinals would be able to fight to finish the season around .500, but now they are slowly falling back to the bottom of the league.

28. [29.] Miami Dolphins (2-7)

W 16-12 vs. Indianapolis

Who saw this coming? Not me, that is for sure. Miami has now almost certainly eliminated themselves from the Tank-for-Tua (Burrow/Chase Young) conversation, but they have shown that they have heart after winning two in a row. That is much more important than moving up a few draft spots.

29. [31.] New York Jets (2-7)

W 34-27 vs. New York Giants

Don’t get too excited Jets fans. You guys might have won the battle of MetLife, but best believe the Jets organization, mainly their front office, is still a dumpster fire. One win against a lowly opponent does not change that.

30. [25.] New York Giants (2-8)

L 27-34 vs. New York Jets

Daniel Jones was supposed to be the answer, he was supposed to relieve Giants’ fans of all the suffering they have gone through watching Eli Manning play quarterback the last three years. Make no mistake about it, Jones balled this week, but he has been wildly overhyped up to this point. Going into Sunday he had more turnovers than touchdowns. The potential is there, maybe an offseason of watching film and working on his game will help him put it all together.

31. [30.] Washington (1-8)

BYE

If I could rank this team lower I would, I hate this organization. Sadly, there is a team that is somehow worse than Washington and their ever-revolving door of quarterbacks.

32. [ - ] Cincinnati Bengals (0-9)

L 13-49 vs Baltimore

It was supposed to be the Miami Dolphins at this spot. Miami was the team that was supposed to be in contention for the worst team ever, instead it is Cincinnati. The Bengals got ran off their home field, Baltimore’s defense outscored Cincinnati 14-13. At least we know Ryan Finley is not the answer… right?

- Paul Hessing