There are key risers and fallers and a new top three in the Week 10 NFL power rankings after the trade deadline.
1. Buffalo Bills (6-2) | Last week: 8 (+7)
I was wrong for having the Bills so low in the power rankings after a couple of down games. Second-year safety Cole Bishop was excellent with by far his best game, first-round cornerback Maxwell Hairston looked like the perfect pick to match up with the Chiefs in the AFC, and the pressure Joey Bosa and the defense are generating the past two weeks is very promising. Also, it’s good to see Buffalo stick with James Cook III on the ground and utilize start tight end Dalton Kincaid as the guy in the passing game.
2. Denver Broncos (7-2) | Last week: 4 (+2)
With how close and open the NFL looks this season, it’s a major positive for the Broncos to be so battle tested. Bo Nix has been an elite performer in the fourth quarter, again making enough plays against a very tough Texans defense on the road to extend the winning streak to six games—with a clear shot to threaten in the AFC West.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (6-2) | Last week: 5 (+2)
The Eagles had off, but it was an excellent week for them. The Lions and Packers losing helped push them to the early No. 1 seed in the NFC, and I like the decision not to trade superstar wide receiver A.J. Brown—while adding Jaire Alexander, Jaelan Phillips, and Michael Carter II to the defense.
4. Detroit Lions (5-3) | Last week: 2 (-2)
Playing after their bye week at home, I fully expected the Lions to dominate versus the Vikings; so, their loss in Week 9 was among the most disappointing. The struggles started with the offensive line routinely getting blown up by Minnesota’s defense, which is a rare sight (but similar to what we saw at Lambeau Field in the season opener). Still, Detroit had a chance to win even while playing about as bad as you’ll see from Dan Campbell’s squad.
5. Indianapolis Colts (7-2) | Last week: 3 (-2)
I’ll say it again—and as might have been the case for the Lions—off games just happen, and the Colts turning the ball over six times at Pittsburgh certainly qualifies. They just never found a rhythm. However, the acquisition of All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner for two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell was a home-run swing and one that’ll inject juice for Indy.
6. Kansas City Chiefs (5-4) | Last week: 1 (-5)
That the Chiefs played a subpar game on both sides of the ball but still only lost by seven at Buffalo is notable. It might not be the case this season given they already had three losses, but we should keep in mind that Andy Reid seemingly doesn’t show his full hand against the Bills during their regular season matchups, knowing they might meet again in January. They now have the bye to regroup, and left tackle Josh Simmons is back with the team after missing a few games for personal reasons.
7. Los Angeles Rams (6-2) | Last week: 7
The Rams are one of a few two-loss teams that can be higher in the power rankings, and they’re coming off a dominant effort in a rout of the Saints. Second-year running back Blake Corum’s emergence along with Kyren Williams adds even more depth to LA’s offensive attack ahead of a rematch with the Niners.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2) | Last week: 9 (+1)
Hopefully the Bucs—including running back Bucky Irving and wide receiver Chris Godwin on offense—are healthier after the bye week, as Baker Mayfield was off in his previous two outings. Tampa Bay returns to host a surging Pats team.
9. New England Patriots (7-2) | Last week: 10 (+1)
The road matchup with Todd Bowles’ defense will be a great test for second-year quarterback Drake Maye, who said he must play better after a couple of turnovers helped the Falcons climb back into a game New England was controlling in Week 9. After this, the three opponents for Mike Vrabel’s squad taking them to the middle of December are the Jets, Bengals, and Giants.
10. Seattle Seahawks (6-2) | Last week: 12 (+2)
Seattle is feeling it on both sides of the ball, and it’s amazing how well it’s worked out so far to bring in Sam Darnold as their quarterback. Darnold has an awesome new weapon in Rashid Shaheed, who is very underrated in his ability to stretch the field to not only make big plays but open things up even more for everyone else. Last year in New Orleans, Shaheed averaged 17.5 yards per reception before his season was cut short due to injury in Klint Kubiak’s offense.
11. San Francisco 49ers (6-3) | Last week: 11
With a much easier matchup at the Giants after losing the previous outing to Houston, the 49ers got back on track completely with a balanced offensive attack. George Kittle didn’t play in the previous victory against the Rams, and pass rusher Bryce Huff (hamstring) is expected to play after missing a couple of games. But for the season, first-round pick Mykel Williams (torn ACL) was another loss on defense.
12. Green Bay Packers (5-2-1) | Last week: 6 (-6)
This might be too big of a drop for the Packers, but not only losing to Carolina—a squad that took it to them on the ground and held down Jordan Love on the other side of the ball—but also losing tight end Tucker Kraft for the year due to a knee injury is tough. Consistency remains a question for Love, and I’m eager to see how they play against the Eagles on Monday night.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3) | Last week: 14 (+1)
The simplification of the Pittsburgh defense—including moving Jalen Ramsey to basically a full-time safety role—did wonders in stopping a top Colts offense. The Steelers clearly played a lot faster and got more pressure on the quarterback. I was a bit surprised they didn’t make a move at receiver at the deadline, but Calvin Austin III stepped up last week.
14. Los Angeles Chargers (6-3) | Last week: 13 (-1)
Justin Herbert started last week’s win at the Titans with a pick-six, and I have some concerns with how he’s seeing the field at times this year. The offensive line being decimated with injuries—with Joe Alt now out for the season along with Rashawn Slater—might be why that’s seemingly been the case. Getting the run game going like they did a couple of games ago versus the Vikings is the best path to continued success.
15. Baltimore Ravens (3-5) | Last week: 16 (+1)
In his return to the lineup from a hamstring issue, Lamar Jackson threw four touchdowns in a TNF win at Miami. Paired with Derrick Henry running well and a defense looking to turn it on down the stretch like they did last season, watch out for Baltimore. Rookie safety Malaki Starks got his first career interception in Week 9, and we could see a lot more of them over the years.
16. Chicago Bears (5-3) | Last week: 17 (+1)
Ben Johnson was cooking in the shootout win over the Bengals, with Caleb Williams doing damage as a passer (280 yards, three touchdowns), runner (53 yards), and receiver (2/22/1). Also, rookie tight end Colston Loveland had 118 yards and two touchdowns including the game-winner, and rookie running back Kyle Monangai (176 yards on the ground) was outstanding with D’Andre Swift out. We’ll see if the banged-up defense can bounce back for a matchup with rookie Jaxson Dart and the Giants this Sunday.
17. Carolina Panthers (5-4) | Last week: 19 (+2)
Getting quarterback Bryce Young back after missing just one game with his ankle injury was huge, and that paired with the commitment to Rico Dowdle at running back was a recipe for an upset of the Packers. It’s not an exaggeration to say that Dowdle has been one of the best players in football this season.
18. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-3) | Last week: 18
Travis Hunter’s knee injury suffered in practice—which’ll keep him out at least the next three games—was unfortunate given the clear plans the Jaguars had for him as they returned from their bye week. But holding on to win against the Raiders in overtime probably sparked the Jakobi Meyers trade as Jacksonville looks to compete in the AFC.
19. Houston Texans (3-5) | Last week: 15 (-4)
You can argue things would’ve been different if C.J. Stroud didn’t leave with a concussion, but Davis Mills operated effectively and the bottom line is the Broncos made more plays in a defensive battle—and, despite promising flashes, the Texans offense hasn’t been good enough to complement DeMeco Ryans’ defense for consistent wins.
20. Minnesota Vikings (4-4) | Last week: 23 (+3)
The most impressive performance of Week 9 might go to the Vikings, as getting Andrew Van Ginkel back on defense was part of an overwhelming effort in disrupting Detroit’s top-notch offensive attack. He’s still rough around the edges, but J.J. McCarthy has confidence to make plays and has won both division starts of his career.
21. Arizona Cardinals (3-5) | Last week: 25 (+4)
The Cardinals are another team with an impressive performance last week, as the defense held down a Dallas offense that scored 40+ in each of its first three home games. And Arizona is wisely sticking with what’s working offense—essentially naming Jacoby Brissett the starting quarterback over Kyler Murray moving forward.
22. Dallas Cowboys (3-5-1) | Last week: 20 (-2)
I considered putting the Cowboys back up above the Cardinals after a trade deadline that saw them add star defensive lineman Quinnen Williams and linebacker Logan Wilson, but they’re obviously in a big hole at 3-5-1 in the crowded NFC. They’ll take the bye to acclimate the new additions before what’s almost a must-win at Vegas in Week 11.
23. Atlanta Falcons (3-5) | Last week: 21 (-2)
It’s typically been a week-to-week thing, but the loss to the Patriots was a one-game microcosm of the Falcons’ inconsistency in 2025. Drake London was exceptional with three touchdown grabs, but Atlanta must get Bijan Robinson going on the ground moving forward.
24. Cincinnati Bengals (3-6) | Last week: 24
The Bengals feeling exactly like they did last season—but with Joe Flacco at quarterback instead of Joe Burrow—is eerie, and frustration is mounting for Ja’Marr Chase and that side of the ball in terms of not winning games. Through half the year, it’s fair to say former defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo was not close to the problem with the Cincy defense.
25. Washington Commanders (3-6) | Last week: 22 (-3)
A team that feels totally different than last season is the Commanders (obviously). We’ll see if they can eventually get back on track, likely in future seasons, but right now 2024 looks like a momentary Cinderella story to some extent. This regime targeted veterans the past two offseasons, but the roster just isn’t good enough right now.
26. Miami Dolphins (2-7) | Last week: 26
The identity of the Dolphins was clearly faltering recently, especially during the offseason. It was a matter of time before general manager Chris Grier moved on. Now, head coach Mike McDaniel and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in particular are playing for their futures.
27. New York Giants (2-7) | Last week: 27
The thicker frame helps, but when you see what’s happening with Jayden Daniels in Washington it’s hard not to be concerned about the arguably reckless way Jaxson Dart is being used at times as a rookie. He’s taking a lot of big hits. The defense stepping up and finding a consistent run game with Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary would help not put so much on Dart running around to make plays.
28. Cleveland Browns (2-6) | Last week: 28
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has again relinquished playcalling duties, this year giving them to new offensive coordinator Tommy Rees during the bye. Ideally, they can establish Quinshon Judkins and allow Dillon Gabriel to play distributor.
29. Las Vegas Raiders (2-6) | Last week: 30 (+1)
They couldn’t finish with a victory, but it was great to see star tight end Brock Bowers healthy and doing serious damage with three touchdowns against the Jags. Maxx Crosby must wreck the game to pull off an upset of the Broncos on Thursday night.
30. New Orleans Saints (1-8) | Last week: 29 (-1)
The Saints weren’t really a match for the Rams, and the degree of difficulty for rookie quarterback Tyler Shough as he starts the rest of the season increases after trading away Rashid Shaheed. Alvin Kamara has been far too quiet in 2025, and he’ll be a key to making New Orleans more competitive like they were earlier in the season.
31. Tennessee Titans (1-8) | Last week: 32 (+1)
The Titans battled with a pick-six by Cody Barton and a punt return touchdown by Chimere Dike, but 206 yards of offense and 1/10 combined on third and fourth down—including getting stuffed at the goal line—makes it difficult to win games in the NFL.
32. New York Jets (1-7) | Last week: 31 (-1)
Looking to the future, the Jets drop to No. 32 in the power rankings despite the week off, as they are an even weaker roster after trading away All-Pros Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams. It’d be a positive sign if Aaron Glenn can get his guys to rally and show up for a winnable matchup with the Browns, though. Before the bye, New York won at Cincy and lost the previous two contests by a combined nine points.