What a week 9.
With some massive upsets (congratulations to the Steelers, Cardinals, Vikings, and *checks notes* Panthers), the top of the NFL power rankings saw plenty of movement this week. The playoffs
are fast approaching as we get into the heart of November, and teams like the Ravens, Jaguars (I guess), and Steelers are making late-season pushes to guarantee a spot in the postseason dance.
With the Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, and Tennessee Titans resting up this week, let’s get into the Week 10 NFL Power Rankings.
1) Seattle Seahawks (6-2) (+3)
Total. Domination. The Seahawks dismantled the Commanders by halftime, proving why they deserve to be seen as one of the top teams in the league. Add in the blockbuster trade for Rashid Shaheed, and a week to acclimate him to the offense, and this has a chance to be a fun home stretch.
2) Los Angeles Rams (6-2) (+3)
Matthew Stafford is on a heater. Another game with three-plus touchdowns with zero interceptions, his fourth out of the last five weeks, and the defense has shown they are not to be messed with, allowing ten or fewer points for the third-straight game. This might be the most complete team in the NFC, if not the NFL.
3) Buffalo Bills (6-2) (+4)
It’s not a playoff win, but any victory over the Chiefs in this day and age has to feel like a weight lifted off their shoulders. Josh Allen is still playing like one of the best quarterbacks in the world, and the Dolphins have only won two of the past 16 meetings against the Bills.
4) Detroit Lions (5-3) (-3)
Division games are always a bit wonky, but losing this one to this version of the Minnesota Vikings doesn’t feel good. The Minnesota defense literally got back on track with this game, generating pressure on over 47% of Goff’s dropbacks.
5) Indianapolis Colts (7-2) (-3)
Speaking of defenses that got back on track, the Steelers rendered the seemingly unstoppable Colts’ running game powerless. Jonathan Taylor was held under 50 yards rushing for the first time this season, and Daniel Jones threw three interceptions. But if there is any team that can get another team’s rushing attack going again, it is the Atlanta Falcons.
6) Green Bay Packers (5-2-1) (-3)
What the hell, man?
Just figure out what to do against the Eagles on Monday night.
7) Denver Broncos (7-2) (+1)
Listen, it wasn’t pretty, but the Broncos continue to find a way. Now, all they have to do is find a way against the Raiders on Thursday night.
8) Kansas City Chiefs (5-4) (-2)
Well, that was not a great showing, but a nice week of rest should be enough to get them back on track for a showdown with the AFC West-leading Denver Broncos next week.
9) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2) (even)
The rest was much needed, and, even though there weren’t a lot of improvements on the injury report, the Patriots should still be on the lookout for this offense.
10) Philadelphia Eagles (6-2) (even)
After a week off, the Broncos’ defense is not the first that you want to see, but it is a nice test to see how good this Eagles offense really is.
11) Los Angeles Chargers (6-3) (+1)
Closer than you’d like, but a win in the NFL is still a win. A much tougher test descends upon Los Angeles as the Steelers come into SoFi Stadium for what could be a potential key tiebreaker battle in the AFC wildcard race.
12) New England Patriots (7-2) (+1)
Drake Maye may have played one of his ugliest games this season, but the Patriots and their disciplined team found a way to win this ballgame. Now, for a much tougher NFC South test: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
13) San Francisco 49ers (6-3) (+1)
Game of the week probably goes to the 49ers-Rams matchup to decide who is going to be the king of the NFC West for now. Quite frankly, any Sean McVay-Kyle Shanahan matchup should be the game of the week.
14) Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3) (+2)
Mike Tomlin is imposing his will defensively, the Arthur Smith-Aaron Rodgers marriage is going better than expected, and the Steelers are in the thick of the playoff race going into November. Because, why not?
15) Baltimore Ravens (3-5) (+2)
If there’s any team that can derail the Steelers’ chances at hosting a home playoff game, it’s the Baltimore Ravens. And with Lamar back at full strength, they showed why they are a force to be reckoned with…now let’s do that against a team that’s not the Miami Dolphins.
16) Minnesota Vikings (4-4) (+4)
A whole lot of talk surrounding J.J. McCarthy’s “Nine” persona this week, but honestly, the number Lions fans need to remember is 63. McCarthy completed 63.6% of his passes while pressured on Sunday, including one of his two touchdowns. Not bad.
17) Chicago Bears (5-3) (+1)
Both defenses did everything in their power to lose this game on Sunday, but the Bengals just did a little bit more. But if I’m a Bears fan, I’m not looking at any of that, because Caleb Williams had maybe his best game as a pro. Yes, it’s against the Bengals defense, but we’re taking wins wherever we can get them.
18) Houston Texans (3-5) (-7)
After a crushing loss to the Broncos, I think it’s finally time to knock the Texans out of the top 15. They’re probably not making the playoffs; NFL.com gives them a 20% chance currently, but this defense is one of the more fun units in the NFL.
19) Carolina Panthers (5-4) (+2)
Speaking of teams that deserve to be in the playoff hunt, hello to the Carolina Panthers. Bryce Young may not be the prince that was promised, but Rico Dowdle has more than made up for Young’s shortcomings. With a game against the Saints and another meeting with the Falcons, Carolina has a chance to make a run at the playoffs.
20) Washington Commanders (3-6) (-5)
Wow. That went downhill fast.
Luckily, Jayden Daniels will be okay, but this season, which had so much promise, has been plagued by the injury bug.
21) Jacksonville Jaguars (5-3) (+1)
If you’re wondering why the Jaguars are so far down this list, despite currently being the last team in, according to the current playoff picture, it’s because I’m from Jacksonville, Florida. I’ve seen how this movie ends, and it always ends the same way.
22) Arizona Cardinals (3-5) (+2)
The Cardinals get a massive win and bring up even bigger questions now that Kyler Murray is injured. Is this offense…better…with Jacoby Brissett? In a league full of redemption stories, could Brissett be the next one? And what does that mean for Murray? The Cardinals’ defense is also pretty good.
23) Atlanta Falcons (3-5) (-4)
It’s time to face facts with this team; the season is probably over. Unless they can pull off some miracle stretch, never before seen by this franchise, this season is over. With no first-round pick next season and a regime change almost imminent, this feels like a really low point for Falcons fans. On the bright side, if Penix looks good, there’s at least that to help entice a new head coach and GM.
24) Dallas Cowboys (3-5-1) (-1)
I mean, that was an ugly loss. Josh Sweat ran rampant, and this iteration of the Cowboys defense did exactly what they’ve been doing all season. I’m not entirely sure how immediately impactful the Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson acquisitions will be, but they have to give you something better than this.
25) Cincinnati Bengals (3-6) (+1)
Simply because the Bengals offense has some sort of teeth, they moved up a spot, but this is a truly awful defense. Like, finding a way to ruin one Joe Flacco masterclass in 2025 is something, but ruining two of them in back-to-back weeks? Go ahead and pack it in.
26) Miami Dolphins (2-7) (-1)
Well, that celebration didn’t last very long. And after that shellacking, they get to host…the Bills…hooray.
27) New York Giants (2-7) (even)
A fight was had…at first. But the 49ers just overpowered the Giants after a while. Maybe a game against the Bears’ defense will be a good tune-up for Jaxson Dart and company.
28) Las Vegas Raiders (2-6) (even)
The Raiders didn’t play last week, and everyone was better for it. Now, they have to play against the…Broncos…and their top-five defense…this may not be good.
29) Cleveland Browns (2-6) (even)
The toilet bowl that is this Sunday’s game should have so many different warning labels on it…Browns-Jets will be unwatchable, and I’m sorry for everyone who will have to watch it. Myles Garrett may set a record, though.
30) New Orleans Saints (1-8) (even)
Yeah, they got beat up by the Rams, okay, cool. The Saints have the chance to do the funniest thing on Sunday with a Panthers team that has playoff aspirations. Will they pull it off? Probably not, but would it be hilarious to see? Absolutely.
31) New York Jets (1-8) (even)
The fire sale this week should dip you to the bottom, but it won’t. There’s a plan in place here, and I’m hoping the Jets have the right brass in place to take advantage of it.
32) Tennessee Titans (1-8) (even)
Just keep Cam Ward safe.
