NFL POWER RANKINGS: WEEK 10

BY ADAM GREENE

This week the Top 10 stays roughly the same, with some slight shuffling in the latter half. Once again, it’s the bottom third of the rankings where the real movement happens as every team enters the second half of the NFL season.

1. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (8-0)

After knocking off their biggest current rival the Steelers had to make it interesting against one of their most historic rivals. Last week: No. 1

2. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (8-1)

I’m seeing a fair share of rankings putting the Chiefs at No. 1, but I don’t hold a tough game against the Cowboys against Pittsburgh. This is the NFL and, despite Dallas’ coaching and quarterback deficiencies, there’s talent on that team. And you can’t fault them for showing up to play. That being said, Kansas City probably is the best team in the league and heading for back-to-back Super Bowl titles. But no No. 1 from me just yet. Last week: No. 2

3. BUFFALO BILLS (7-2)

The Bills can claim at least a share of the NFC West title with a win over the Arizona Cardinals this week. They can add it to the trophy case when they secure the AFC East title too. Last week: No. 4

4. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (7-2)

The Saints have earned the fourth spot in the rankings with a dominating win over the Buccaneers, but I can’t help but feel this is the shakiest “good” team in the league. They’ve probably already secured a playoff spot, but don’t expect a lengthy run. Last week: No. 5

5. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (6-2)

There’s no shame in losing to the Bills in Buffalo, but it does show there’s a widening gap between the elite teams in the NFC and the AFC. Last week: No. 3

6. GREEN BAY PACKERS (6-2)

The Packers have a handful of tough games still on their schedule, but with the Jaguars, Eagles, Lions and Panthers on there too, their path to being the NFC’s No. 1 seed could be clear. Last week: No. 6

7. BALTIMORE RAVENS (6-2)

The Ravens are the AFC’s version of the Saints, a team that’s going to coast to the playoffs on their schedule and coast right out when they play a real opponent. Last week: No. 7

8. TENNESSEE TITANS (6-2)

The Titans don’t look like the world beaters they opened the season as, but, in spite of where I have them ranked, they’re probably the fourth best team in the AFC. Last week: No. 9

9. LOS ANGELES RAMS (5-3)

The Rams, coming off their bye, have a chance at taking over the NFC West with a win over the Seahawks Sunday. Last week: No. 11

10. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (5-3)

Tom Brady hasn’t taken that kind of personal beating since the last time he spent the day on the toilet after eating a bear-battered pork chop. Last week: No. 8

11. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (5-3)

Las Vegas finds itself in another playoff eliminator just as the second half of the season begins when they host the secretly dangerous Denver Broncos this week. Last week: No. 13

12. ARIZONA CARDINALS (5-3)

The Cardinals found themselves on the wrong end of a shootout with the Miami Dolphins, a team that’s stealing the Cardinals’ heat, but not yet their spot in the rankings. Last week: No. 10

13. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (5-3)

The Philip Rivers era for the Indianapolis Colts looks more like a farewell tour every week. It’s a shame it’s come to this for a guy that probably needed a Super Bowl ring to make an argument for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. As it is, he should try to put together a class action suit against the Chargers organization for saddling him with so many horrid head coaches in his career. As for the Colts, any chance of a real run has to begin against the Titans Sunday. Last week: No. 12

14. MIAMI DOLPHINS (5-3)

Tua Tagovailoa is 2-0 as a starter, but his second game is the one that counted as he went toe-to-toe with Kyler Murray of the Cardinals and came out on top. With guys like Drew Brees and Tom Brady heading off into the sunset at some point, the NFL has to feel pretty good about its young QB prospects right now. Last week: No. 17

15. CLEVELAND BROWNS (5-3)

The Browns are still in the playoff mix after a loss to the Raiders and a bye week to think about it. Now they have to hold off a much more talented Texans team to stay there and remain even with the surging Dolphins. Last week: No. 15

16. CHICAGO BEARS (5-4)

The Bears are either the best bad team or the worst good team. I think it’s probably the latter as three of their four losses have been by a single score and all four have come against teams with winning records. Last week: No. 14

17. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (4-5)

The 49ers put up a real fight to stay relevant, but when Jimmy Garoppolo and George Kittle both went on IR in the same week, the white flag was waved. Last week: No. 16

18. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (3-5)

I know it’s a win over the Jets and, well, everybody’s going to beat the Jets, but it could be the start of something for the Patriots. Until proven otherwise, Bill Belichick’s deal with the devil is ironclad. Last week: No. 22

19. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (3-4-1)

Few things can get a team on the right track than a couple of games against the Giants. Philadelphia has a chanced to get to .500 thanks to New York Sunday. Last week: No. 19

20. DENVER BRONCOS (3-5)

As forgettable as the Broncos have been from the outside this season, this is a team that’s close. Of their five losses, three have been by a single score and they’ve won three of their last five. What works against them right now is their schedule, specifically games against the Chiefs, Saints and Bills. Last week: No. 20

21. ATLANTA FALCONS (3-6)

The Falcons have won three of their last four, but don’t get too excited. This is pretty much how their last season ended and we know where that got them. Last week: No. 26

22. CAROLINA PANTHERS (3-6)

I give a lot of credence to the “one score loss,” but when you look back at NFL history, stacking those up in a season is the best indicator for success the next season. It means you’re a play or a player away from being a good team. And the Panthers have lost four consecutive one score games and five overall this season. Matt Rhule is doing a better job than this win-loss record shows. Last week: No. 21

23. DETROIT LIONS (3-5)

The Matt Patricia clock is ticking, but don’t expect it to strike midnight before the end of the season. If Detroit stuck with Rod Marinelli all the way through an 0-16 season, Patricia will at least keep his job through Christmas. Last week: No. 18

24. HOUSTON TEXANS (2-6)

The Texans’ season is ruined. Now all they can do is try to ruin everyone else’s, starting with the Browns Sunday. Last week: No. 29

25. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (2-6)

Anthony Lynn was all but untouchable last season and spent most of this one with the same protection, but there’s a rising chorus shouting that he needs to go. And that chorus is correct. The Chargers can’t do to Justin Herbert what they did to Philip Rivers. Last week: No. 23

26. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (2-6)

Speaking of coaches on the hot seat, Mike Zimmer’s pants should be downright toasty right now. Last week: No. 24

27. CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-5-1)

My guess is that Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has never lost six games a season in his life. With a trip to Pittsburgh Sunday, it’ll be seven. Last week: No. 25

28. NEW YORK GIANTS (2-7)

Look at you, Giants. Sitting here in the 20s with a second win in your pocket. Fun fact: Daniel Jones is 4-0 against the Washington Football Team as a starter and has one win against the rest of the league. Last week: No. 30

29. WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM (2-6)

Regardless of where Washington is ranked, everyone’s got to feel good to see Alex Smith healthy and back out on the field. Last week: No. 27

30. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-8)

Tanking for Trevor is off the table thanks to the Jets, but you can still Tank for Trey. Or how about Jag for Justin? Last week: No. 31

31. DALLAS COWBOYS (2-6)

The Steelers are always going to get the best from the Cowboys and even Mike McCarthy can’t ruin something like that. Last week: No. 28

32. NEW YORK JETS (0-9)

For maybe one full minute of football time, Trevor Lawrence nearly escaped your grasp. Last week: No. 32

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