We still have one unbeaten team and two winless teams, although Tampa forced Seattle into overtime before the Seahawks won. KC has a bye, but can one of the winless teams finally gain a victory?
Top Ten [Last week's position]
1. Denver Broncos (7-1) [1] : The Broncos had a bye, but they still have the hottest offense in the league, despite two teams scoring more than 45 points this week.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (9-0) [2] : I predicted they'd do well, but even I didn't expect a 9-0 start. The Chiefs still have many of their toughest opponents ahead of them on their schedule, so we'll have to see if their unbeaten record lasts.
3. Seattle Seahawks (8-1) [4] : They nearly lost to the winless Bucs, but staged a great second half comeback. Still, they rose because the Saints lost. The Seahawks have looked the past three weeks -- they need to change that.
4. Indianapolis Colts (6-2) [8] : The Colts had to fight hard to squeak out a victory over a suddenly invigorated Case Keenum-led Texans team. Still, the Colts lept up four positions due to lackluster performances by other top teams.
5. New Orleans Saints (6-2) [3] : The Saints struggled to move the ball against the Jets. If this was earlier in Rex's tenure, I'd attribute it to a tough Jets defense, but that defense is two years ago. It was a strange collapse for the Saints. Let's see if they bounce back.
6. San Francisco 49ers (6-2) [5]
7. Carolina Panthers (5-3) [7] : They had a big game, but the Falcons are in freefall.
8. New England Patriots (7-2) [10] : They struggled early, but then their offense came alive and demolished the Steelers. Impressive game for the Pats offense, but the defense allowed too many points.
9. Green Bay Packers (5-3) [6] : Two tough losses for the Pack - to the Bears, and the injury to Aaron Rodgers. This team may fall far in the next three weeks while Rodgers is out.
10. Cincinnati Bengals (6-3) [9] : An overtime loss tumbled the Bengals, but the fact that they remain in the Top Ten shows the gap between these ten teams and the rest of the league.
Divisional rankings [Last week's position]
1. AFC West [1] : So long as they have the top two teams in the league, this division will still ride high, no matter how badly Oakland or San Diego loses.
2. NFC West [2] : Not a great week for the division, but they had such a large gap that they could afford to slip.
3. NFC North [4] : Green Bay and Minnesota battled hard in losses, and the Bears had an impressive win. It'll be interesting to see what happens to this division with Aaron Rodgers out. Still, they are the only division with three teams with winning records; that shows strength.
4. NFC South [3] : Panthers won big, but everyone else lost. The Bucs played tough, so this division may be in for a rise.
5. AFC East [6] : Miami and the Jets both win, and the Pats have a huge victory. This division is moving up.
6. AFC North [5] : Cincy and Pittsburgh both lost and Cleveland knocked off Baltimore. This division has three teams with losing records -- that matches the NFC East.
7. AFC South [7] : The Titans pulled even and Houston fought hard, but this division still has distance to go.
8. NFC East [8] : Philly had a tremendous win, the Redskins won in overtime, and Dallas gained a winning record, but this division has plenty of distance to bridge. They still have three teams with losing records.
Thursday night
Washington Redskins at Minnesota Vikings: No matter who plays quarterback, the Vikings are a train wreck. Their defense isn't consistent enough to give them hope, and the Redskins are looking better. REDSKINS, 30-23
Sunday early games
Buffalo Bills at Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers have finally admitted that their ground game stinks, and gave Big Ben the ball. They scored well, but their defense was too porous and New England took control. The Bills, on the other hand, seem a more appropriate target. Also, to get wiped out like that, you know the Steelers defense will toughen. STEELERS, 27-23
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens lost to the Browns for the first time ever. Can they bounce back? Perhaps, but the Bengals also need to bounce back from a tough overtime loss to Miami. Some sportswriters are pointing fingers at Andy Dalton, which will just inspire him to have a good game. BENGALS, 24-21
Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears: Some people are saying that Jay Cutler will play on Sunday, but Jay himself isn't so sure. It may not matter, as Josh McCown is getting comfortable under center and moved the team well on Monday. I think the Bears will use their win over Green Bay as an emotional boost that will propel them to victory, even though the Lions are the better team. BEARS, 30-27
Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans: Jake Locker and the Titans are doing well, but they don't even need to be doing well to beat the Jags. TITANS, 31-10
Oakland Raiders at New York Giants: Despite records, this game could go either way. The Giants are coming off a bye, and they were starting to catch fire before the break. The Raiders were pulverized by the Eagles and have something to prove. Who will be more committed to win this game? I think the Giants, but if they make a mistake, the Raiders will capitalize. I'm not sure the Giants have gotten over their turnover and penalty issues from earlier this season. RAIDERS, 23-20
Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Packers: With Aaron Rodgers out for at least three weeks, Seneca Wallace is called upon to lead a banged-up Packers offense. He'll need help from both the running game and the defense. He may not get that help this week. I think Philly will take an early lead, on the strength of that offense, forcing the Pack to throw more. They can't afford to put the game into Wallace's hands. EAGLES, 34-23
St Louis Rams at Indianapolis Colts: The Colts get a much easier opponent to catch their breath after a tough bout against Houston. COLTS, 30-17
Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons: I don't want to be cruel, but let's be honest -- the Falcons are in chaos. Their normally strong offense is floundering, and the defense is not helping. Seattle has been struggling, but this will be a game where they can turn that around. SEAHAWKS, 27-17
Sunday late games
Carolina Panthers at San Francisco 49ers: Carolina is looking goof, so this could be a closer game than the 49ers would like. However, the extra week gives the 49ers an advantage, both in health and in preparation. 49ERS, 23-20
Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers: The Chargers are a strange team. They have the talent, they can look good, and then they fall apart. The Chargers might lead early in this game, but that collapse will be the opening for the Broncos to come back. BRONCOS, 31-23
Houston Texans at Arizona Cardinals: Case Keenum did an incredible job last week, but the team unraveled a bit after Coach Gary Kubiak collapsed at halftime. They know his status, but he's not there, and Keenum won't surprise opponents now. The Texans will keep this one close, but I think the Cardinals will win. CARDS, 26-21
Sunday night
Dallas Cowboys at New Orleans Saints: The Saints will want to bounce back from an embarrassment against the Jets. Dallas is cruising, but they still have some cracks. The Saints will push the defense, and we'll see how well-improved the Saints defense is. SAINTS, 28-23
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Miami Dolphins at Tampa Bay Bucs: Very few teams have a better Monday Night record than Miami. Tampa is scrambling to find their first win, but it won't happen here. DOLPHINS, 24-13
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