NFL POWER RANKINGS - WEEK 10
By Dylan Ehle (@PaleEhle on Twitter)
It was an interesting week 10. My #1 pick of the Texans showed why they are #1, while 3 of my four dark horse teams won (Saints, Cowboys, Bengals), while only one disappointed (Lions). The Rams are our biggest mover, jumping 6 spots after their tie in San Francisco, while the Lions are our biggest loser, dropping 7 slots on the week. Let's get to it!
1) HOUSTON TEXANS
(8-1): I had them #1 last week when no one else did - now everyone has them #1.
They beat the Bears, and the Falcons finally faltered and lost to the Saints. The Texans are the most complete team in football, and once again earn the top spot in my rankings.
Change: None [1].
2) GREEN BAY PACKERS (6-3): The Packers, who were on bye last week, move up by virtue of everyone ahead of them faltering. They've won 4 straight, and should continue to roll stronger than ever after their bye. They should steamroll the Lions this week on their way to overtaking the Bears for the division title.
Change: +3 [5].
3) CHICAGO BEARS (7-2): They had a tough loss at home to the Texans, but you have to wonder if it would have ended differently if Cutler had been able to stay in the game. That's not to stay that Cutler was playing well while he was in, but that he's done enough in most games this season for the Bears to pull out victories. Anyway, they stand pat at #3 despite the loss because their defense is so awesome.
Change: None [3].
4) ATLANTA FALCONS (8-1): In my opinion, they're still ranked a bit higher than they should be, and it is only their record that merits them placement in the top 4. This team is incredibly overrated, and should have accumulated 2 or 3 more losses by this point in the season, but has had a lot of luck. I expect them to take a dive in the second half of the season.
Change: -2 [2].
5) DENVER BRONCOS
(6-3): This team is starting to get hot. Last week in Carolina, we saw them overcome an early deficit and turn the game into a rout. That's what a playmaking defense and Hall of Fame quarterback will do for you.
Change: +2 [7].
6) NEW
ENGLAND PATRIOTS (6-3): The Pats have been tough to figure out this year. They've won a few games in traditional blowout fashion, but they've also had a few stinkers (Cardinals, Seahawks), and they let the lowly Bills hang around last week. Still, they have the talent to beat almost anybody and keep a high spot in the rankings.
Change: 0 [6].
7) BALTIMORE
RAVENS (7-2): I was a bit harsh over the Ravens, and although all that they've done since then is beat the Raiders, they did so in a very convincing fashion, and that merits a jump on this list. They have a big test against the Steelers this week, and if they can't beat them without Big Ben, this could be a tough second half of the season.
Change: +2 [9].
8) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (6-2-1): Wow, that was an uninspired performance against the Rams. You have to put away divisional opponents when you're at home. They came out lazy before a burst in the second half, and they were lucky to escape with a tie.
Change: -4 [8].
9) NEW YORK GIANTS (6-4): Yet another disappointment in week 10, the Giants came out flat against the Bengals and lost their second in a row. The Cowboys are looking sharp, and the Giants had better watch their backs - the NFC East is far from over thanks to their lousy performances in the last two weeks. Change: -1 [8].
10)
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (6-3): The Steelers hold down the #10 spot this week after a pathetic showing against the Chiefs on MNF. I expected the Steelers to come out strong at home on prime time TV, but they looked out of sync all night. You can't even blame it on Byron, as Ben wasn't getting much done, either.
Change: 0 [10].
11)
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (6-3): I have to give credit where it is due, and the Colts are making a legitimate push in the AFC. I don't think that they are a strong team, but the AFC is so incredibly weak now that the Colts really should be able to make the postseason this year. They have a big test in N.E. this week.
Change: +1 [12].
12)
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (6-4): 5-0 at home, 1-4 on the road. That means they need to win their division if they want to go anywhere in the playoffs, but also that they should have no trouble making the playoffs if they can win one or two more games on the road. They took take of business against the Jets last week.
Change: +1 [13].
13) NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
(4-5): The Saints are back! Their offense is as good as ever, and their defense is starting to make some plays. Even if the defense is still giving up a lot of points, creating turnovers and stopping the opposition on 4th down as they have been will give Drew Brees enough chances to put up more points than the other team.
Change: +4 [17].
14)
TAMPA BAY BUCS (5-4): The Bucs continue to roll with a great all-around team effort against the Chargers. They've strung together three wins in a row, and have a divisional test coming up against Carolina.
Change: 0 [14].
15)
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (6-4): They continue to prove me wrong week after week, and had a nice home win over the Lions to create some separation between themselves and the bubble teams in the NFC. A.P. is an absolute beast, and a total inspiration to the organization.
Change: +1 [16].
16)
DALLAS COWBOYS (4-5): After a shaky first half, the Cowboys rallied to put away the Eagles in their NFC East showdown. The Boys are now only a game and a half behind the Giants for the division lead, and seem to be heating up just in time to make the division race interesting.
Change: +2 [18].
17)
CINCINNATI BENGALS (4-5): Not many people saw that blowout coming. Wow. The Bengals looked like the team they were in weeks 2-4 as they laid the smackdown on the Giants. 4-5 gets you in the thick of the hunt in the AFC, and the Bengals could start looking like a playoff favorite if they can get another convincing win against K.C. this week.
Change: +2 [19].
18) DETROIT LIONS (4-5): It was a very disappointing week for the Lions, who fall farther than any team on this power ranking after their loss to the Vikings. I thought the Lions were about to catch fire for a playoff run; instead, they forgot how to play football until the second half and let a great opportunity get away from them. They're now on the outside in the NFC playoff race, and are alone in the cellar of the highly competitive NFC North.
Change: -7 [11].
19)
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (4-5): This team is in disarray, but what else is new for them? If Rivers doesn't throw that pick-6 to the Bucs, I think they drive down, score, and quite possibly win the game...but, Rivers did throw that pick, and the game and possibly the entire Chargers' season went the opposite way of Rivers' pass.
Change: -4 [15].
20) WASHINGTON REDSKINS (3-6): The Skins move out five spots on their bye week due solely to the atrocious play of the five teams that were above them. They have a big game upcoming against the Eagles which represents their final chance to make a last-ditch run at the postseason.
Change +5 [25].
21)
ST. LOUIS RAMS (3-5-1): The Rams surprised me by jumping ahead 14-0 on the 9ers, but it wasn't a fluke - the Rams were playing good football, and Jeff Fisher was getting the most out of his talent (as he always does). They will be playing the spoiler down the stretch, but look for them to succeed in stealing a few games from playoff contenders in the upcoming weeks.
Change: +6 [27].
22)
CAROLINA PANTHERS (2-7): No one expected them to beat the Broncos, but most thought they'd be more competitive. I still feel that this team has the talent to win half their games for the rest of the year, but any lingering playoff hopes are now gone.
Change: +1 [23].
23) MIAMI DOLPHINS (4-5): I don't think the Dolphins are nearly as good as their record indicates, and their terrible loss to the Titans illustrates that. This team is horribly inconsistent, and always seems to get dominated in one phase of the game or another each week.
Change: -3 [20].
24) BUFFALO BILLS (3-6): They put up a good fight on the road against the Pats, but weren't able to steal a win from Tom Brady. Things are starting to look a bit brighter for them, though, and they have a good shot to beat the Dolphins this Sunday.
Change: +2 [26].
25) ARIZONA
CARDINALS (4-5): They lose ground during their bye week just because they're the Cardinals, and we all know that they are going to do nothing but lose more games unless they can clone Larry Fitzgerald to play every position.
Change: -4 [21].
26) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (3-6): Everything is falling apart for Philly. They're on a 5-game losing streak, and 3-1 seems like a lifetime ago. Now they're throwing a rookie QB to the wolves, and their once-proud defense is getting torched every other play. This is only going to get uglier.
Change: -4 [22].
27) CLEVELAND
BROWNS (2-7): The Browns move up a bit during their bye because we discovered just how bad the Jets and Raiders really are.
Change: +2 [29].
28) TENNESSEE TITANS
(4-6): The Titans came to play against the Dolphins, completely blowing them out of the water. Even Chris Johnson looked good. That moves them up a few slots this week.
Change: +2 [30].
29) NEW YORK JETS (3-6): Wow, Sanchez sucks. Wow, the defense sucks. This team is a total mess, and will be picking in the top five if they don't shake things up significantly.
Change: -5 [24].
30) OAKLAND RAIDERS (3-6): They got destroyed by a very banged-up Ravens team. No, seriously. They gave up 55 points. Anyone who says "The Raiders aren't that bad this year" needs to watch that game film.
Change: -2 [28].
31) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (1-8): They are horrible, but move up a spot just because they forced OT against the Steelers on MNF.
Change: +1 [32].
32) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-8): I hate to put my favorite team here, but there's just no denying it anymore - they are the worst team in the league, and will be lucky to win one more game this year.
Change: -1 [31].
Your comments are welcome below!
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