The top four remains the same, but the Bengals enter the top five of the Week 10 NFL power rankings.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (8-1) | Last week: 1
After their thrilling Sunday afternoon win over the Cowboys, the Eagles became the first team since the Colts in 2005-2006 to start consecutive seasons 8-1. Philadelphia now has its bye week before their extremely challenging stretch continues.
2. Baltimore Ravens (7-2) | Last week: 2
The Ravens have the two close losses this season, but they’ve otherwise been mostly dominant—particularly on defense, a run that started when they stole All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith in a trade with the Bears last year. The ground game for Baltimore has been superb the past few games, with undrafted rookie Keaton Mitchell running for 138 yards on just nine attempts last week to complement Gus Edwards and Justice Hill.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (7-2) | Last week: 3
Patrick Mahomes and the offense started fast in Germany, but it was again the Kansas City defense that did most of the heavy lifting in the win over Miami. After a crafty pitch from teammate Mike Edwards after a Tyreek Hill fumble recovery, safety Bryan Cook zoomed down the sideline for a huge touchdown at the end of the second half in the victory.
4. Detroit Lions (6-2) | Last week: 4
NFL Week 10 odds have the Lions as slight road favorites over the Chargers as they emerge from their bye week, and they’ll have a healthy David Montgomery forming a phenomenal duo with rookie Jahmyr Gibbs at running back.
5. Cincinnati Bengals (5-3) | Last week: 10 (+5)
Returning from their bye week, the Bengals defense kept their strong play up by limiting the Bills to 18 points in the Sunday night win—including a key fumble forced on tight end Dalton Kincaid with Buffalo driving. We’ll have to keep an eye on Ja’Marr Chase’s back injury, but it was good to see Tee Higgins get going last week.
6. San Francisco 49ers (5-3) | Last week: 8 (+2)
Following three consecutive losses, the hope is that the 49ers will have both left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) and wide receiver Deebo Samuel (shoulder) back for Sunday against the 6-2 Jaguars. I’m very interested to see how San Francisco’s defense looks with Chase Young now added to the mix.
7. Dallas Cowboys (5-3) | Last week: 7
After coming feet short on multiple plays, including the final play of the game to CeeDee Lamb, the Dallas lost a tough one at Lincoln Financial Field. But while “moral victories” are not what they are about, I think they showed they can go toe-to-toe with any team. The Cowboys defense gets an insanely good matchup against the depleted Giants this Sunday, and they’re unsurprisingly massive betting favorites.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-2) | Last week: 9 (+1)
Both the Niners and the Jaguars are well-rested for their Week 10 matchup, and the game comes in Jacksonville. Trevor Lawrence and company seem to play best against top competition, and they can have a statement type of game this weekend.
9. Buffalo Bills (5-4) | Last week: 5 (-4)
We know how good they can be when they’re clicking, but things have simply felt off for the Bills much of this season. Injuries haven’t helped on defense, but I thought they did an OK job to help keep them in the game last Sunday night at Cincy. With the emergence of Dalton Kincaid, perhaps we can see more tempo on offense and just let Josh Allen cook.
10. Miami Dolphins (6-3) | Last week: 6 (-4)
The Dolphins are at 6-3 but have yet to beat a team with a winning record, but—despite the drop in this week’s power rankings—we can be highly encouraged by how the defense played in the second half against the Chiefs. The offense will get sensational rookie running back De’Von Achane (knee) in the lineup when they return to action in Week 11.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3) | Last week: 12 (+1)
Mike Tomlin and Kenny Pickett find a way to get close wins, and they’re now at 5-3 with a not-too-daunting schedule on paper through the start of December. The move for offensive coordinator Matt Canada from the booth to on the field appeared to allow for good discussions between everyone last Thursday night, but of course we’ll have to watch disgruntled receiver George Pickens (two receptions, -1 yard last week).
12. Los Angeles Chargers (4-4) | Last week: 14 (+2)
It’s been a rocky start to the season for the Chargers, but the defense has more than found its groove while taking on inferior offenses the past two games. It’s good to see LA’s talent shine on all three levels of Brandon Staley’s defense. This Sunday versus the Lions will be a mightier test, though.
13. Seattle Seahawks (5-3) | Last week: 11 (-2)
It’s gone a bit under the radar, but the Seahawks’ passing game has been disappointing through eight games—and it might stem from when the run game isn’t effective enough. A matchup with the Commanders defense should be the matchup to get DK Metcalf right in particular, as No. 1 receivers have torched Washington this season.
14. New Orleans Saints (5-4) | Last week: 15 (+1)
Taysom Hill threw a touchdown and caught a touchdown in last week’s win over the Bears, and it seems the Saints have finally realized they are a much better offense and team when he’s heavily involved. Defensively, cornerback Paulson Adebo picked off two passes for New Orleans in the win against Chicago.
15. Cleveland Browns (5-3) | Last week: 16 (+1)
The Browns shut out rookie quarterback Clayton Tune, 27-0, and Cleveland improved to 4-1 at home this season. Next up, a matchup with a Ravens team that handed the Browns their lone home loss of the year.
16. Minnesota Vikings (5-4) | Last week: 17 (+1)
Joshua Dobbs has been one of the best stories in sports, and he’s been a fantastic example of taking advantage of every opportunity you get. After doing an admirable job with the Cardinals, Dobbs now finds himself leading a Vikings team in NFC playoff contention. It doesn’t sound like Justin Jefferson (hamstring) will be back this week, but his return should also give the squad a jolt at some point.
17. New York Jets (4-4) | Last week: 13 (-4)
The haters love to pile on someone like Zach Wilson, but the reality is the former No. 2 overall pick doesn’t have much of a shot behind the Jets offensive line. He’s done some good things, but I agree with Troy Aikman, who basically said he’s not sure how much better New York would be with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. The offensive line is holding the team back.
18. Denver Broncos (3-5) | Last week: 18
We’ll be seeing the Broncos in primetime the next two weeks, but they’re right in the AFC wild card mix after two consecutive wins entering their bye. They emerge with a tough task facing the Bills in Buffalo on Monday night, though.
19. Indianapolis Colts (4-5) | Last week: 23 (+4)
Kenny Moore II’s two pick-sixes led the Colts to a road win at the Panthers in a win over the team’s former head coach Frank Reich. After giving up over 37 points in each of the previous three games, it was an excellent bounce back for the Indy defense ahead of a matchup with the Patriots in Germany.
20. Houston Texans (4-4) | Last week: 24 (+4)
Houston’s defense struggled all-around, but C.J. Stroud put the team on his back and threw for an NFL rookie record 470 yards with five touchdowns—including the game-winner to Tank Dell with six seconds remaining—to get the Texans to .500. It’s crazy because Stroud was actually missing some throws earlier in the game, but he caught fire and lit it up.
21. Las Vegas Raiders (4-5) | Last week: 25 (+4)
Daniel Jones (knee) leaving the game certainly helped, but the Raiders were able to play the exact style of football interim head coach Antonio Pierce wants led by running back Josh Jacobs. The other key piece Pierce wants to get going is Davante Adams, who has not been producing statistically and now faces a stingy Jets defense with his insane 13 consecutive games with a touchdown on Sunday Night Football streak on the line.
22. Washington Commanders (4-5) | Last week: 29 (+7)
The one bad interception on a pass to the end zone aside, second-year quarterback had an encouraging outing to help Washington get a win at New England—with the deep ball touchdown to Jahan Dotson being the highlight. The Commanders also got nice contributions from their young defensive players in the win.
23. Atlanta Falcons (4-5) | Last week: 21 (-2)
The Falcons defense hasn’t gotten a ton of flack because of people being unhappy about Arthur Smith’s offense, but the unit has been disappointing over the past two games in spots they should’ve had the advantage. Offensively, I like the move to stick with Taylor Heinicke at quarterback.
24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5) | Last week: 22 (-2)
Young quarterbacks had success against Todd Bowles’ defense last season, and that continued with Stroud torching them last week—which is a surprise for the aggressive defensive coach. At least the Tampa Bay offense was able to break out of its funk and get something going in the shootout loss.
25. Green Bay Packers (3-5) | Last week: 27 (+2)
The Packers defense played with a definite edge in the Week 9 win over the Rams, and that paired with an offense that played more through a healthier Aaron Jones led to a comfortable and much-needed victory.
26. Tennessee Titans (3-5) | Last week: 20 (-6)
Mike Vrabel named rookie Will Levis the team’s starting quarterback moving forward, and it makes total sense to see what you have in the rookie after he showed promising flashes through his first two career starts. He’ll face the Tampa defense that C.J. Stroud just had major success against.
27. Los Angeles Rams (3-6) | Last week: 19 (-8)
The Rams needed this bye week, and hopefully they can get Matthew Stafford (thumb) healthy and get Cooper Kupp (eight catches for 98 yards over the past three games) going down the stretch. The move to sign former No. 2 pick Carson Wentz is an interesting one. Wentz had been waiting for an opportunity and landing with Sean McVay is a plus for him.
28. New England Patriots (2-7) | Last week: 26 (-2)
Mac Jones has not played well the past two seasons, but I’d argue he’s been good enough this year for the Patriots to be closer to a .500 club instead of at 2-7. JuJu Smith-Schuster’s key drop that led to an interception on the final drive last week was the second game this season where a pinpoint throw on a potential game-winning drive was dropped by a receiver this year—and they could be at 4-5 if a couple of things went their way. Ultimately, the Patriots just aren’t “good enough,” as many have speculated Jonathan Kraft said in the owner’s box last week.
29. Chicago Bears (2-7) | Last week: 30 (+1)
They aren’t getting wins, but at least the Bears are 2-3 in their last five games, and two of those losses have been by one possession. Now they face the Panthers team they traded the No. 1 pick to on Thursday night, and I believe Justin Fields (thumb) will be back at quarterback.
30. Arizona Cardinals (1-8) | Last week: 31 (+1)
Clayton Tune was in a near-impossible spot in his first career start, but the Cardinals will now get Kyler Murray under center for the first time since he tore his ACL last season. Arizona continues to play tough every week. They might be able to pick up some wins down the stretch if Murray gives a big boost.
31. New York Giants (2-7) | Last week: 28 (-3)
Injuries have been a nightmare for the Giants offense this season, with all their top players injured at different stretches and quarterback Daniel Jones now sadly done for the year with a torn ACL. They feel like the Patriots in that it just doesn’t seem to be their year.
32. Carolina Panthers (1-7) | Last week: 32
The Panthers couldn’t carry the momentum from their Week 8 win into last week, with the offense again struggling all around, including Bryce Young having potentially his worst game as a passer. The theme for bad offenses and teams has been poor play on the offensive line, and Carolina is no different.