NFL Power Rankings – Week 10

Rams and Chargers Rebounding

1. San Francisco 49ers (8-0): The 49ers are the only unbeaten team in the NFL after nine weeks. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo threw for 317 yards and four touchdowns, showing the world that the 49ers do have a passing attack to go with their vaunted rushing attack. Next: -6 vs Seattle Seahawks - Mon, Nov. 11

2. New Orleans Saints (7-1): The 49ers have the best record in the NFC, but the Vegas odds favor the Saints to win the NFC. The Saints appear to be the most complete team in the NFC, maybe the NFL. Next: -13 vs Atlanta Falcons - Sun, Nov. 10

3. New England Patriots (8-1): The Patriots are struggling offensively at tight end without Rob Gronkowski, who retired after last season's super bowl. The Pats have had a total of 18 receptions and one touchdown in nine games from the tight end position without Gronk. Next: N/A at Philadelphia Eagles - Sun, Nov. 17

4. Baltimore Ravens (7-2): Quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Mark Ingram are both on a pace to rush for over 1,000 yards. Jackson is leading the Ravens in rushing with 637 yards on 99 carries. He creates problems for a defense, but can he stay healthy through 16 games? Next: -10 at Cincinnati Bengals - Sun, Nov. 10

5. Seattle Seahawks (7-2): Quarterback Russell Wilson has thrown for 22 touchdowns and only one interception through nine games. Wilson has also rushed for 203 yards and three touchdowns, as he literally carries the Seahawks to another playoff appearance. Next: +6 at San Francisco 49ers - Mon, Nov. 11

6. Green Bay Packers (7-2): The red-hot Packers were cooled off in Southern California by the Chargers this weekend. Punter Ty Long of the Chargers only punted once and the Packers could only muster 184 yards in offense, 100 of the yards coming in garbage time late in the 4th quarter. The Packers have a lot of question to answer about that performance. Or were they exposed? Next: -5 vs Carolina Panthers - Sun, Nov. 10

7. Buffalo Bills (6-2): No matter what anyone thinks of the Bills, they are 6-2 halfway through the season. They are on a pace to win 12 games. They have a top five defense and a solid running attack. But can they catch New England for the AFC East title? Next: +3 at Cleveland Browns - Sun, Nov. 10

8. Los Angeles Rams (5-3): Brandin Cooks will miss another game due to a concussion. He will see a specialist in Pittsburgh. The Rams are without a significant deep threat with Cooks sidelined. Next: -3.5 at Pittsburgh Steelers - Sun, Nov. 10

9. Houston Texans (6-3): The Texans get a much-needed bye this week to get healthy and rest. They will need to prepare for a tough three game stretch after the bye. They will play at Baltimore, then at home Thursday Night against the Colts and then come home to take on the Patriots. Next: N/A at Baltimore Ravens - Sun, Nov. 17

10. Kansas City Chiefs (6-3): It appears that Patrick Mahomes will return this weekend against the Titans. The Chiefs have survived with the help of veteran quarterback Matt Moore, who has gone 1-1 as the starter in his absence. Moore has thrown four touchdown passes and completed 64.8% of his passes with no interceptions as the starter. Next: -3.5 at Tennessee Titans - Sun, Nov. 10

11. Dallas Cowboys (5-3): Running back Ezekiel Elliott was off to a slow start after missing all of training camp due to a 40-day holdout over a contract extension. He finally looked like himself in the win against the Giants, rushing for 139 yards on 23 carries. The Cowboys need to lean on Elliott if they hope to win the NFC East division title. Next: -3 vs Minnesota Vikings - Sun, Nov. 10

12. Minnesota Vikings (6-3): Star wide receiver Adam Thielen is struggling with a hamstring pull and needs to be sidelined until he is 100% healthy. After missing a game, Thielen tried to play against the Chiefs, but lasted only seven snaps. Anyone that has ever pulled a hamstring can tell him that this will only heal with rest. Next: +3 at Dallas Cowboys - Sun, Nov. 10

13. Indianapolis Colts (5-3): The Colts suffered a tough loss on the road to the Steelers and in the process also loss quarterback Jacoby Brissett to a knee injury. They need to get him back if they are going to contend for the AFC South Division title. Next: -10.5 vs Miami Dolphins - Sun, Nov. 10

14. Carolina Panthers (5-3): Can Newton is done with the Panthers. Newton was put on injured reserve due to a Lisfranc injury to his left foot. The Panthers would save $19.1 million on the 2020 salary cap by cutting the 30-year-old Newton. This seems like an easy decision with the emergence of quarterback Kyle Allen and their 2019 third round draft pick at quarterback, Will Grier, on the roster. Next: +5 at Green Bay Packers - Sun, Nov. 10

15. Philadelphia Eagles (5-4): The Eagles went to tight end Zach Ertz early and the results were his best game of the season, in their victory over the Bears. Ertz caught eight passes for 99 yards and one touchdown. Next: N/A vs New England Patriots - Sun, Nov. 17

16. Oakland Raiders (4-4): The Raiders finally played a home game in Oakland, after a seven-week absence. The results were a 31-24 victory over the Lions. With home games against the Chargers and Bengals, followed by a road game against the New York Jets, the Raiders could be in a position to make a playoff run. Next: +1 vs Los Angeles Chargers - Thu, Nov. 7

17. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-4): The Steelers have a three-game winning streak and it all began in Carson at Dignity Health Sports Park. The fact that the Steelers were able to turn that game into a home game and feed off the energy of the "home crowd" helped turn the season around for the Steelers. Next: +3.5 vs Los Angeles Rams – Sun, Nov. 10

18. Los Angeles Chargers (4-5): The Chargers are coming off a surprisingly dominant win over the Packers. One reason is the pay of tight end Hunter Henry, who since his return from injury, has 25 receptions for 328 yards and two touchdowns in four games. He has been the most reliable receiver on the Chargers in this period. Next: -1 at Oakland Raiders - Thu, Nov. 7

19. Detroit Lions (3-4-1): The Detroit Lions rank 31st in total defense, 30th in pass defense and 27th in rushing defense. Yes, they a bad defensive team. In 2020, the Lions will need to focus on defense in both free agency and in the draft. Next: +2.5 at Chicago Bears - Sun, Nov. 10

20. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-5): The Jags have a bye this week but have already made one important decision. Head Coach Doug Marrone announced that the Jags will go back to Nick Foles as their staring quarterback in week 11 upon his return from a broken left clavicle. Next: N/A at Indianapolis Colts - Sun, Nov. 17

21. Arizona Cardinals (3-5-1): Wide receiver Andy Isabella ran a 4.31 forty at the NFL combine and if there was any doubt he is fast, those doubts were dispelled after his 88-yard touchdown reception against the 49ers. Isabella was also an Ohio state sprint champion in the 100-meter dash. Next: +4.5 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Sun, Nov. 10

22. Tennessee Titans (4-5): Derrick Henry continues to be the one consistent bright spot on the Titans inconsistent offense. Henry, who rushed for over 1,000 yards last season, has rushed for 644 yards through nine games and caught 11 passes for 164 yards. He has scored eight touchdowns in nine games. Next: +3.5 vs Kansas City Chiefs - Sun, Nov. 10

23. Denver Broncos (3-6): Brandon Allen threw for two touchdowns is his first career start to lead the Broncos to a victory over the Browns. Allen, a third string quarterback for the Rams in 2018, continued the recent tradition of ex-Rams quarterbacks playing well after they leave the Rams. He can only hope he has as much success as Nick Foles and Case Keenum. Next: N/A at Minnesota Vikings - Sun, Nov. 17

24. Chicago Bears (3-5): There was talk of the Bears being a playoff team before the season started. Yes, the defense has a lot of talent. But where is the talent on offense? Who on the offense scares a defensive coordinator preparing for the Bears? Next: -2.5 at Detroit Lions - Sun, Nov. 10

25. New York Gants (2-6): Saquon Barkley has not rushed for over 100 yards since returning from an ankle injury three weeks ago. With a young quarterback and an average receiving corps, the Giants need to get Barkley going to have any hope of winning this season. Next: -2.5 at New York Jets - Sun, Nov. 10

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-6): Bruce Arians has struggled in his first season at Tampa Bay. The Bucs have talent and they compete, but they struggle to finish games. The latest close loss was at Seattle in overtime. Next: -4.5 vs Arizona Cardinals - Sun, Nov. 10

27. Cleveland Browns (2-6): What a Train wreck! This playoff bound team with the most talent north of Atlanta has looked like a team in search of a heart, a brain and some courage. Yes, they need to see a wizard. Or at least, find a head coach who is a wizard at coaching. Next: -3 vs Buffalo Bills - Sun, Nov. 10

28. Miami Dolphins (1-7): The Dolphins are a different team with Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback. They have the look of a team that believes it can win and that alone may get the Dolphins 3 or 4 wins this season, which seemed unimaginable a month ago. Next: +10.5 at Indianapolis Colts - Sun, Nov. 10

29. New York Jets (1-7): After losing to the Dolphins, the Jets have the look of a team is headed for a top 15 pick in the 2020 draft. The Jets are ranked last in offense in the NFL, last in passing offense and 30th in rushing offense. The addition of high-priced free agent Le'Veon Bell has not made the offense better. Next: +2.5 vs New York Giants - Sun, Nov. 10

30. Atlanta Falcons (1-7): Sean Payton was asked what he sees from the Falcons. He stated that they need to work on, "Ball security and then the takeaways to give your team field position." Another way of saying, you guys are beating yourself on offense and not making plays on defense. Next: +13 at New Orleans Saints - Sun, Nov. 10

31. Washington Redskins (1-8): The Redskins will not lose this week due to a bye in the schedule. The good news is that running back Derrius Guice is coming off injured reserve from a meniscus tear and will be available in week 11. Next: N/A vs New York Jets – Sun, Nov. 17

32. Cincinnati Bengals (0-8): The Bengals are the only team left in the NFL without a victory. They will start a rookie quarterback this week and they have a roster devoid of talent. There best player, wide receiver AJ Green, has been out all season with an ankle injury. A tough spot for rookie head coach Zac Taylor to be in. Even London would not want the Bengals. Next: +10 vs Baltimore Ravens - Sun, Nov. 10

 

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