Week 10 Power Rankings
November is finally upon us! The leaves are falling and the cold weather is starting to set in. This is football weather. Teams are hitting and running the football is paramount as the season drags along. For the first time in over a month, we have a mainstay at the number one spot as the Philadelphia Eagles held on this week to defeat the Dallas Cowboys. This week’s theme? The middling teams. The teams jarring and jockeying for playoff positioning. That is now an important thing. We’ve had 9 rookie quarterbacks start a game this season, which is on the cusp of an NFL record, but guys are getting healthy. We can expect Deebo Samuel back this week for the 49ers as they travel to Jacksonville in one of, if not the best game of the week. Justin Fields also may return tomorrow against Carolina. So guys are getting healthy. And if you think your team is out - my Jaguars were 2-6 at this point last year before they went on their run. So anything is possible. Lets get to it!
POWER RANKINGS - WEEK 9 (November 2nd - November 6th)
Playoffs Already? Yes, Playoffs Already
Philadelphia Eagles (-) The Eagles broke the mini curse. After defeating the Cowboys in a 28-23 thriller, Philly just keeps racking up wins. Have they looked as dominant as last year? No. Bust does it matter? Also no. The Eagles are 8-1 and will be in the playoffs again looking to get back to their second consecutive Super Bowl.
Baltimore Ravens (-) The Ravens answered the bell yet again against a premiere opponent by destroying the Seahawks on Sunday. While the division may not be a lock yet, the playoffs absolutely are. This team is 7-2 and is not looking back. They are extremely dangerous.
Kansas City Chiefs (-) This team just doesn’t lose back to back games. The defense was on display again as they thwarted any type of Dolphins comeback Sunday morning in Germany. The offense still seems “broken” but while it finds itself, the defense is carrying the load. The secondary is the best its ever been under Reid.
The Kings of the Jungle
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (-) The Jags were on a bye this week, and the most important thing is that this team got healthy. Going into their game against the 49ers Sunday, all but Zay Jones should be suited up and playing. If the Jaguars came beat San Francisco at home, the team is officially a Super Bowl threat and a lock for the playoffs. Make no mistake, its a big game Sunday in Duval County.
5. Detroit Lions (+1) Our first mover of the week even though they were on bye. Their hold on the NFC North is strong, but all of the sudden the Vikings are coming up fast in the rearview mirror. An important game against the Chargers in LA is on deck. A loss and a Minnesota win shrinks the NFC North lead to one game.
6. Cincinnati Bengals (+2) Last week I said they were back. Boy, are they really back. Joe Burrow has looked incredible and the Bengals are back to being firm Super Bowl contenders. However, the hole they dug at the beginning of the year now causes every game to be important here on out in a crowded AFC.
All Eyes Are On You
7. San Francisco 49ers (+3) A week off for Frisco showed how good they actually are. Coming off a bye, look for things to get right as they travel to Jacksonville for a 1pm game. It should be a great game. Look for the Niners to get back to running the ball.
8. Dallas Cowboys (-1) A tough fought loss at Philly drops them a spot, but it seems we are the point in the year where “experts” are talking about the Boys in blue as Super Bowl contenders. Reminder - this team hasn’t been to a conference title game since 1995. And they will be judged on that and only that.
9. Miami Dolphins (-4) 0-3 against teams over .500. Not good enough. The Dolphins are officially the Cowboys of the AFC until they prove otherwise. This team is not a lock for the playoffs until they can beat those teams. A week off is much needed as they need to figure things out.
Getting Taped Up for the Fight
10. Cleveland Browns (+4) The defense did its job but pitching a shutout against rookie Clayton Tune and the Arizona Cardinals. They are sitting at 5-3 and currently the six seed in the AFC standings. Let’s see how good they are this week when they play the Ravens for a second time. Last time didn’t go well, and they want to be in the dance, they are going to have to beat their AFC North counterparties.
11. Minnesota Vikings (+1) And another one! Josh Dobbs doesn’t know anyone, but who cares. The Vikes fought back and stunned the Atlanta Falcons and are over .500 after starting 0-3. An incredible turnaround. Kevin O’Connell deserves a bunch of credit.
12. Seattle Seahawks (-3) Embarrassed in Baltimore. When Detroit did, they answered the bell the following week. Seattle is home for Washington this week. They should beat them. The difference between 6-3 and 5-4 is monumental. And Geno Smith needs to pick it up.
13. Houston Texans (+3) The CJ Stroud game. The kid is a baller and pulled a rabbit out of his hat Sunday. The front runner for the OROY, the Texans may have found something. They are on the outside looking in right now, but they are for sure in the fight.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (+1) They cooled down the Will Levis train on Thursday as they handled the Titans, but they continue to win ugly. I’m extremely skeptical that it's sustainable but your record says who you are, and the Steelers are 5-3.
15. Buffalo Bills (-2) If the season ended today, the Buffalo Bills wouldn’t qualify for the playoffs. A lot of people in the off-season thought that Buffalo may not up to snuff this year and so far it’s been true. Yea, their talent is really good, but they need to win games. A hot Denver team is on deck at home Monday Night.
16. Los Angeles Chargers (+2) A statement win on Monday in Metlife against the Jets. Their offense wasn’t great, but the defense stepped up big time. The Chargers are now 4-4 and firmly in the hunt. They have a massive game at home against the Lions Sunday.
17. New Orleans Saints (-) They won a game they were supposed to. They are now 5-4 in what continues to be a see-saw season. They were the favorites for the division going into the season and may be the best of the bunch when it's all set and done.
Stuck in the Atmosphere
18. New York Jets (-7) An extremely uninspiring performance from the Jets on Monday where they really could’ve taken control of a ton. The offense simply didn’t show up. Zach Wilson aint it. The offensive line is terrible. And Robert Saleh should be coaching for his job. Don’t care about the Rodgers injury.
19. Washington Commanders (+4) It’s hard to pinpoint where they truly belong in the NFL. They are 4-5 and I think that’s about right. They gave up both of their young, premiere EDGE rushers at the deadline, sending a message to fans that they are essentially starting over. I think Ron Rivera’s days are numbered.
20. Indianapolis Colts (+5) In a game a lot of people thought they could lose, they handled their business. This isn’t a playoff team, but it’s not an easy out either. Take away their two losses to Jacksonville and this team is 4-3!
21. Las Vegas Raiders (+5) Pretty wild how much Josh McDaniels affected that locker room. An inspiring victory against the Giants at home on Sunday sets them up for a big, big matchup against the Jets on Sunday Night. A win puts them at .500 and in the mix for a wild card spot. Wild stuff.
22. Denver Broncos (-1) On a bye last week, Denver is sitting at 3-5 and made no moves at the trade deadline. Extremely interesting. I don’t hope this team thinks they have a shot at hell at the playoffs, but its going to be really interesting to see what happens down the stretch.
FRAUDS
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-4) This team is cooked. I would’ve kept the door open if they won that game in Houston but after blowing it I’m done. And this isn’t Baker’s fault either. Its about everyone else outside of Baker that’s the problem.
24. Atlanta Falcons (-2) Arthur Smith should be fired. If not for anything else, for his usage of Bijan Robinson alone. You’re not smarter than everyone else man. Your team is under .500, so whatever you are doing isn’t working.
25. Tennessee Titans (-5) When we believe, they let us down. Will Levis wasn’t bad on Thursday, but he also wasn’t fantastic. Yes, he made a couple of throws, but as Mike Vrabel said - WE lost. The Titans can theoretically only afford two more losses and I just don’t think that’s in the cards.
What Do You Provide, Exactly?
26. Green Bay Packers (+4) Sure, they won. They beat Brett Rypien and didn’t look great doing it. Not a good first year under Jordan Love for the Pack.
27. Los Angeles Rams (-3) We got fooled and thought this team was decent. They are not. They are bad. 3-6 at the break and two games out of a wild card spot they are alive, but they need to go on some sort of run and still have to play the 49ers and Seahawks again.
28. Chicago Bears (-) I swear, this team just exists. Cole Kmet had a pulse Sunday. And this kid Bagent isn’t awful. But hey, Justin Fields may come back against the PANTHERS, so when he lights it up lets not forget to act like he’s Steve Young.
The Shit Under My Shoe
29. New England Patriots (-2) Holy shit, they’re terrible. We all saw it coming, but I think its worse than we anticipated.
30. Carolina Panthers (-1) Bryce Young, you have a TON of work to do.
31. New York Giants (-) My fucking lord. Just good christ. The fall from grace is astounding.
32. Arizona Cardinals (-) Kyler comes back this week. Soooooo about the tank?
