The AFC now contains the teams with the two best records, as Seattle's loss ensures no NFC team has fewer than two losses. Results caused some movement among the top Power teams, but not as much as you might think. Things seem to be settling in.
Team Power Rankings [last week's position]
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-0) [1] : The Steelers came back in the fourth quarter to prevent a surprise upset by the Cowboys. Top teams are able to turn around poor performances, and the Steelers did that. Big Ben has now been put on the COVID list, so we are not sure how that will the Steelers in the next couple of weeks, but for now they have earned their top spot.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (7-1) [2] : The defending Super Bowl champs held off a challenge from Carolina this week to continue their winning streak. The Chiefs continue to have the top offense in the conference, with a fierce enough defense to hold off opposing surges.
3. Baltimore Ravens (6-2) [3] : A dominating victory over the Colts prove that the Ravens have bounced back from their loss to the Steelers and a fierce force in the league.
4. Green Bay Packers (6-2) [9] : Dominating performance against the 49ers provided an excellent rebound from the disgusting loss to the Bucs. With Seattle's loss the Packers appear to be the top team in the NFC.
5. Miami Dolphins (5-3) [8] : Tua continues to improve as the Dolphins offense is becoming a major threat.
6. New Orleans Saints (6-2) [13] : They totally terrorized the Bucs and showed that they are a force to contend with, and certainly a favorite to win the conference. Drew Brees won his bout against Tom Brady and now takes a 3-touchdown lead in the all-time total of touchdown passes.
7. Arizona Cardinals (5-3) [6] : Miami beat them, but the Cardinals made it a real challenge, as they chase Seattle for the divisional lead.
8. Indianapolis Colts (5-3) [5] : Tough loss for the Colts as the Ravens seemed to have Philip Rivers' number. Good teams bounce back, so this week's game is important.
9. Tampa Bay Bucs (6-3) [3] : A thorough thumping by New Orleans sent the Bucs spiraling down this week. Brady can come back from this, but he needs some help from his receivers, who dropped an unusually large number of passes on Sunday night.
10 (tie). Seattle Seahawks (6-2) [7] : They lost their second game of the season, but at least they lost to a strong winning team. They often lose one game a year to a weak opponent. Fortunately, that loss can fire them up for a few weeks, so we should see the Seahawks rise from this defeat like a phoenix.
10 (tie). Tennessee Titans (6-2) [11] : They beat the Bears, but their defense almost allowed a fourth quarter comeback by Nick Foles. The Titans need to tighten their game or they position in the Power Rankings is at risk.
12. Los Angeles Rams (5-3) [10]
13. Buffalo Bills (7-2) [15] : Their offense came alive in an amazing upset of Seattle. QB Josh Allen looks brilliant, but needs to work on his consistency.
14. San Francisco 49ers (4-5) [12] : They were thoroughly punished by the Packers. With so much mayhem on offense, with players going on and coming off injured reserve, they rely heavily on their defense, and that squad didn't deliver on Thursday.
15. Chicago Bears (5-4) [14] : They couldn't complete a fourth quarter comeback. Nick Foles needs to improve his game and make fewer mistakes.
16. Las Vegas Raiders (5-3) [17] : The Raiders garnered a win, but the Chargers kept it a little too close. The Raiders need to expand their playbook; they are a bit predictable.
Division Power Rankings [last week's position]
1 (tie). NFC West [1] : They remain the only division where no team has a losing point differential, all of these teams are capable of strong victories in any week. However, there is something different this week....
1 (tie). AFC North [2] : I didn't think it was possible, but another division has caught up to the NFC West! With two teams in the Top Three and the Browns looking impressive, this division certainly has the tools to compete.
3. NFC South [4] : A terrible loss by Tampa Bay doesn't diminish this division's accomplishments, as New Orleans won big, Atlanta won, and Carolina challenged.
4. AFC West [3] : KC excels and the Raiders remain a threat. Denver and the Chargers can have good games, but they aren't helping the division much.
5. NFC North [5] : Green Bay still commands, and Minnesota is improving. This division still has muscle, and possibly room to rise if the AFC West stumbles.
6. AFC East [7] : Buffalo and Miami both looked good this week, and even the Jets' offense came alive this week. Can they sustain this, or will they slip back to #7?
7. AFC South [6] : Not a great week for these teams, as Tennessee almost gave away a game they commanded, the Colts lost big, and Houston and the Jags played a close game.
8. NFC East [8] : Okay, Dallas almost pulled off the best upset of the season. They didn't, and that was the highlight of the week for this division.
Week 10 picks
Thursday night
Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans : Both teams need a strong win. The Colts want to erase their atrocious offensive breakdown from last week, and the Titans defense needs to forget their horrible fourth quarter. Who will recover better? I think the Colts can plug their offensive holes better than the Titans can adjust their defense, so I give the visiting team an edge. COLTS, 23-20
Sunday early games
Houston Texans at Cleveland Browns : The Texans are starting to catch fire. Can they burn the Browns? Cleveland had an extra week to get healthy and prepare for this game, and I think they'll do a good job with that extra time. BROWNS, 27-23
Jacksonville Jaguars at Green Bay Packers : I predict another dominating victory for the Pack. PACKERS, 31-17
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants : The Giants surprised Washington, but I don't think they'll do it again here. The Eagles are the most stable of the NFC East teams, and although Carson Wentz occasionally takes some risks, they manage their ball possession very well. Their control will show through in this game. EAGLES, 24-20
Tampa Bay Bucs at Carolina Panthers : Tom Brady had a truly atrocious game last week, so he's going to be extra determined to shine this week. Enter the tattered Panthers defense. He'll get that opportunity. BUCS, 30-23
Washington Wishing-They'd-Get-a-Name at Detroit Lions : Washington changes QB yet again, as Alex Smith will take place under center. He plays entirely different than both Kyle Allen and Dwayne Haskins, and Washington's receivers don't adjust to change well. That opens the door to the Lions. LIONS, 23-17
Sunday late games
With both networks broadcasting double headers, we have the rare occurrence of more late games than early games.
Buffalo Bills at Arizona Cardinals : Buffalo beat one NFC West opponent at home last week, and now they travel on the road for another one. The Cards will be harder, though. The Seahawks were excelling by offense, but the Cardinals have a stiff defense. Bills QB Josh Allen hasn't yet shown he can excel against stiff defenses. CARDS, 24-17
Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers : Big Ben may not play, but the Bengals are weak enough that they can win with Mason Rudolph and their running backs, especially since Derek Watt is coming back from injury to help shore up the defense. STEELERS, 23-13
Denver Broncos at Las Vegas Raiders : Denver is sputtering, which is exactly the type of opponent that the Raiders like to exploit. RAIDERS, 27-20
Los Angeles Chargers at Miami Dolphins : Tua continues to improve, while Justin Herbert seems to have reached an apex. Unless he finds a second gear, the Dolphins should win this one. DOLPHINS, 24-13
San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints : The 49ers have never been more than one game below .500 this entire season. However, I don't see them getting past the Saints. Yes, Drew Brees needs to take fewer snaps after his partial injury, but Taysom Hill has proven to be capable in his own right. The 49ers are still missing some key pieces from injury, so the Saints will have another good game. SAINTS, 27-13
Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams : Seattle will bounce back from their upset loss and take out their frustrations on the Rams. SEAHAWKS, 27-23
Sunday night
Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots : The Patriots seem lost and confused this season, a condition that the Ravens will take brutal advantage of. RAVENS, 27-16
Monday Night Football
Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears : The Bears need a good game, as they are sliding in the division. However, they do not have a good history on Monday Night Football, and the Vikings are improving. The only saving grace? Kurt Cousins still makes some dangerous throws. The Bears defense will pick him off at least twice, keeping the Bears in the game for another coronary-inducing fourth quarter comeback. BEARS, 23-20
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