Remarkably, half of the 2026 NFL season is in the books. Time sure does fly.
The Arrowhead Pride Power Rankings saw one new entrant in the top 10, with the Green Bay Packers joining the rest of their NFC North brethren. If quarterback Jordan Love continues to be an absolute surgeon with the football, they will remain in the top 10 for some time. The Kansas City Chiefs exited the Top 10 to make room for the Packers. Although they came out of Week 9 with a win, their problems dropped them in the rankings.
While all four teams of the NFC North are in the top 10, the extremely-mid NFC South ranks from 18-24 in the rankings.
The NFL changes on a dime, and it truly is a “what have you done for me lately” business. Many teams have moved up or down the rankings drastically since the beginning of the season. With it being the halfway point of the season, we’ll also look back at where the Arrowhead Pride staff ranked the teams following Week 1.
Biggest risers: Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans +3
Biggest faller: Baltimore Ravens -5
This week, along with myself, staff voters were: Maurice Elston, Caleb James, Rocky Magana, and Jared Sapp.
1. Buffalo Bills (1st, initially 3rd)
The Vikings’ offense made the Bills’ defense look like the ‘85 Bears.
2. San Francisco 49ers (3rd, initially 4th)
It just feels like this team is a shoo-in for the NFC Championship game.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (5th, initially 10th)
This team is going all in for the postseason. Three big defensive trades a day before the deadline.
4. Chicago Bears (2nd, initially 8th)
The only reason the Bears won despite Caleb Williams throwing four interceptions is the fact that they played a team that couldn’t even complete a pass the week before.
5. Denver Broncos (7th, initially 12th)
I don’t want to hear a word from a Broncos fan about the officials favoring the Chiefs.
6. Cincinnati Bengals (8th, initially 6th)
I’m starting to get a little concerned about the potential of seeing this team in January.
7. Minnesota Vikings (4th, initially 16th)
What’s old is new again. Kirk Cousins returns to lead the Vikings. How happy is Justin Jefferson to have a QB that can at least convert a first down?
8. Seattle Seahawks (6th, initially 1st)
The Super Bowl hangover may be real for the Hawks. If the season ended today, they’d be on the outside looking in at the postseason.
9. Detroit Lions (10th, initially 13th)
The Lions have quietly won four in a row.
10. Green Bay Packers (13th, initially 17th)
I dream of the Chiefs having a deep passing attack like the Packers.
11. Kansas City Chiefs (9th, initially 5th)
Josh Downs undoubtedly improves the wide receiver room. But can he kick the football?
12. Pittsburgh Steelers (12th, initially 18th)
4-0 at home and 2-2 on the road. Notch a win against the Bengals in Cincinnati, and they’ll have to be taken more seriously.
13. Los Angeles Rams (14th, initially 11th)
That was the Myles Garrett the Rams traded for.
14. New York Giants (15th, initially 15th)
The Giants stood pat at the trade deadline, making no moves. This makes me think they will not be moving far up or down in the AP Power Rankings for the remainder of the season.
15. New England Patriots (11th, initially 14th)
An absolute beatdown at home. The Patriots allowed the most points in their history at Gillette Stadium.
16. Cleveland Browns (16th, initially 32nd)
Might as well let Shadeur Sanders play the rest of the way. He may or may not be the future, but they have to know Deshaun Watson is not.
17. Houston Texans (20th, initially 7th)
A game against the Chargers will right a lot of wrongs.
18. Carolina Panthers (19th, initially 26th)
They lead the NFC South with a record of 3-5…
19. Las Vegas Raiders (17th, initially 27th)
The Fernando Mendoza era has arrived.
20. Atlanta Falcons (21st, initially 28th)
Drake London would have looked fantastic in a Chiefs’ uniform.
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (22nd, initially 21st)
Wonder if they’re regretting that Baker Mayfield contract?
22. Dallas Cowboys (23rd, initially 19th)
An unserious football team. The Colts are actively trying to lose games, and they almost beat the Cowboys.
23. Baltimore Ravens (18th, initially 2nd)
Without Lamar Jackson or Snoop Huntley at quarterback, the Chargers-Ravens game next week should be aired on Comedy Central.
24. New Orleans Saints (25th, initially 23rd)
Win or lose, this is just an entertaining football team.
25. Washington Commanders (24th, initially 25th)
Jayden Daniels will be seeing Myles Garrett in his nightmares.
26. New York Jets (27th, initially 29th)
Head coach Aaron Glenn is on borrowed time. He played not to lose at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday. Repeatedly kicking field goals instead of going for it deep in the red zone is not going to win many games against Patrick Mahomes.
27. Arizona Cardinals (26th, initially 22nd)
Ouch. Rough week losing wide receiver Michael Wilson and backup quarterback Gardner Minshew for the season.
28. Tennessee Titans (29th, initially 31st)
Onto 2027. Trading Jeffery Simmons and Amani Hooker certainly does not improve the roster for 2026.
29. Philadelphia Eagles (28th, initially 9th)
They didn’t go full seller mode at the trade deadline. But their moves also signal they do not plan to compete in 2026.
30. Indianapolis Colts (31st, initially 24th)
I’m surprised Shane Steichen still has his head coaching job.
31. Miami Dolphins (30th, initially 30th)
Respect the fight this team continues to display.
32. Los Angeles Chargers (32nd, initially 20th)
As a Chiefs fan, it’s great news the Chargers were not major sellers at the trade deadline. Run it back!
