PackFan’s NFL Power Rankings 2018: Week 10

PackFan2005 Man, what a week. The last undefeated team has been defeated, and there’s a new team sitting at number one. Who is it?

#1. New Orleans Saints (7-1) +3 ⬆️
Here we go. For the first time in weeks, there’s a new team at #1 on my power rankings. They beat up the Rams in a thriller on Sunday, and largely held Todd Gurley down. Their offense was a force to be reckoned with, as Michael Thomas had over 200 yards receiving with a Joe Horn tribute touchdown celebration, and Alvin Kamara had over 100 yards and three touchdowns. The Saints are officially the NFL’s team to beat.

#2. Los Angeles Rams (8-1) -1 ⬇️
We all knew it was coming. The Rams suffered their first loss of the season. But it may be their last loss. I can see them going 15-1, pending their upcoming games against the Seahawks, Chiefs, and Bears.

#3. Kansas City Chiefs (8-1) -1 ⬇️
Don’t worry, Chiefs fans. The only reason they moved down a spot is because the Saints moved up. The Chiefs are as good as ever, with Patrick Mahomes definitely the front runner for NFL MVP.

#4. New England Patriots (7-2) -1 ⬇️
They pretty much decimated the Packers defense with their no-huddle offense at times, and trick plays. Shows you just how complete the Patriots are once again.

#5. Los Angeles Chargers (6-2)
They managed to hold off Russell Wilson in Seattle, and came away with a narrow victory. However, they’re not at full power on defense. I am still waiting for Joey Bosa’s return.

#6. Carolina Panthers (6-2)
To no one’s surprise, they manhandled the Buccaneers, further solidifying themselves as a playoff wild card. This is the most complete Panthers team since 2015.

#7. Chicago Bears (5-3) +1 ⬆️
Well, against the Nathan Peterman led Bills, the Bears dominated on defense, against one of the worst offenses I have actually ever seen. Peterman of course threw three picks, and yes, there were fumbles too. The Bears capitalized on it and scored two defensive touchdowns in the first half alone. This wouldn’t have happened if this were the 2016 Bears. But things are different this year.

#8. Minnesota Vikings (5-3-1) -1 ⬇️
Their defense is definitely back, with Danielle Hunter as the NFL’s new sack leader with 11.5. However, Adam Thielen didn’t break Calvin Johnson’s 100 yard record, as the Lions held him to under 50. Kirk Cousins didn’t look too comfortable that Stefon Diggs was absent from the game. But other than that, the Vikings are back.

#9. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2-1)
Pittsburgh achieved revenge on their cocky division rival in the Ravens. Now they are in a showdown with the Bengals for the AFC North. Now the Steelers head into a Thursday Night clash against my #6 team, the Carolina Panthers.

#10. Houston Texans (6-3) +3 ⬆️
In a close duel with the Denver Broncos, they prevailed, and now have won six straight games. Somehow, after starting 0-3, they are one of the AFC’s top teams. Now they get to head into a bye week with momentum on their side.

#11. Cincinnati Bengals (5-3)
It’s time to get back to work after a week of rest and healing. They have to catch up to the Steelers.

#12. Washington Redskins (5-3) -2 ⬇️
What happened to them on Sunday? Off day or what? This Redskins defense allowing 38 points is just not natural. Now, the injury bug has bitten them, as key players have now landed on their injury report. Can they keep their division lead over the Eagles?

#13. Atlanta Falcons (4-4) +4 ⬆️
Want the reason they are behind the team they beat 38-14? It is just that, I do not know about this team. Was this a fluke win? Or can they keep up their three game win streak? Remember, Keanu Neal, Deion Jones, and Ricardo Allen are still absent.

#14. Philadelphia Eagles (4-4) +1 ⬆️
They too, had a bye week. Now, we’ll get to see what Golden Tate has in store for them. The Lions sure miss him after all.

#15. Baltimore Ravens (4-5)
What happened to them? They used to lead the AFC North, but now they’re with a losing record, a floundering quarterback, and a head coach on the hot seat. They must be suffering from Denver Broncos disorder. Yes, I have classified that as a serious illness for NFL teams. Here’s the definition-
Denver Broncos Disorder- the act of starting a season out hot, but eventually plunging into the pits of misery.

#16. Green Bay Packers (3-4-1) -2 ⬇️
This team is just so... bland. Mike McCarthy isn’t showing any variety with play calling whatsoever, making Green Bay too predictable. He’s wasting Aaron Rodgers’ prime years. Just fire him, Gute! I think Green Bay could coax Josh McDaniels out of New England. After all, what coach wouldn’t want to work with an all-world quarterback?

#17. Seattle Seahawks (4-4) -1 ⬇️
They came a dropped touchdown pass away from stunning the red-hot Chargers. The game also came at another big cost. Chris Carson went down with an injury. But hey, at least first round bust Rashaad Penny is still available. Right?

#18. Miami Dolphins (5-4)
“A win is a win,” as they always say, but we could maybe make an exception for the Dolphins’ 13-6 drubbing of the Jets. They didn’t score a single offensive touchdown, and had to rely on Sam Darnold throwing four interceptions and a defensive touchdown to win. They may have a winning record now, but how long will it last?

#19. Indianapolis Colts (3-5) +1 ⬆️
Now fresh and clean after a bye week, the Colts look ready to take on the floundering Jaguars at home on Sunday. I predict a win for Indy and their high flying offense, and better-than-average defense.

#20. Tennessee Titans (4-4) +6 ⬆️
I know it is a bit of a stretch to put Tennessee at #20, but they really showed up against the Cowboys. I mean, not in the first quarter, but throughout the rest of the game. Now they have the opportunity to take advantage of the Texans’ bye week.

#21. Detroit Lions (3-5) -2 ⬇️
Mathematically, the Lions are still in the playoff race, but it looks very grim. I’d assume Lions fans are somewhat frustrated with Matt Patricia so far. After all, Jim Caldwell did lead the Lions to consecutive
9-7 seasons in 2016 and 2017. Now, their top receiver is gone. Things are heating up in the motor city.

#22. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-5) +2 ⬆️
They really needed their bye week. In fact, I think they really have a legitimate chance to beat the Colts on Sunday, even though it’s a road game. They need good Blake Bortles, which is hard to find nowadays.

#23. Denver Broncos (3-6)
Brutally, they ended up a missed field goal away from being 4-5. Now sitting at 3-6, they have little hope in the playoff race, and despite it just being his second season, Vance Joseph is in boiling water.

#24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5) -3 ⬇️
Such a promising start to the season didn’t last. After the first three weeks, people thought Tampa Bay would surge to the playoffs, and maybe even a playoff bye week. But now we know that those were overreactions, and that those first few games were just flukes. With the way Tampa Bay is playing right now, you would never have known they found success earlier in the season.

#25. Dallas Cowboys (3-5) -3 ⬇️
While I enjoyed Kevin Byard’s interception celebration, it sure looks like Dallas didn’t. Anyway, maybe they’re just mad because even with a new wide receiver, they didn’t show up. This team is broken right now, and Jason Garrett is not the guy to fix it.

#26. San Francisco 49ers (2-7) +2 ⬆️
First of all, do not, under any circumstances, get high on Nick Mullens yet. He played against a terrible Raiders team. This week, he gets to play against a terrible Giants team.

#27. New York Jets (3-6) -2 ⬇️
Sam Darnold has been the NFL’s most inconsistent rookie quarterback. Yes, even more so than Josh Allen. After a four interception performance against the Dolphins in week 9, he now has the grand total of 14 picks on the season. Turnovers were a problem for Darnold at USC, after all. Anyway, the season has pretty much been lost for New York, but hey, at least they may get to pick high in the draft and get players to develop around Sam Darnold.

#28. Cleveland Browns (2-6-1) -1 ⬇️
Well, this is the rare case of a team with a large amount of talent, but are losers. Coaching has been an issue here for years, and after this year, they need to put head coach before anything else.

#29. New York Giants (1-7)
They probably embraced their bye week, as they head into a winnable matchup against the 49ers on Monday Night. But if a third string quarterback in Nick Mullens outperforms two time super bowl champion Eli Manning... then I won’t even know what to say.

#30. Arizona Cardinals (2-6)
Well, unfortunately for them, they’re 17.5 point underdogs against the Chiefs, but it could be worse, right? If we want to look at the positives here, Josh Rosen and Christian Kirk look to be a duo to watch out for down the stretch. The other positives include... er.... Budda Baker?

#31. Buffalo Bills (2-7)
Nathan Peterman yet again threw multiple interceptions in a game. In fact, he is so bad, that a Bills fan started a GoFundMe page to raise $1,000,000 to pay Nathan Peterman to retire. I can’t make this stuff up.

#32. Oakland Raiders (1-7)
Yeah, it’s pretty sad that a third string quarterback with no NFL experience whatsoever can rout your team in primetime. I pity this Oakland team.

Comments

Saints will be even more dangerous with Dez Bryant now on the squad. Look out NFL - visitor

Giants should be next to last sure they have the talent better than the other two below them, but like Raiders there fighting to tank for 1st overall pick. Colts are a bit too high sure there offense might be good, but now its gonna be tested by the rest of the division left on the schedule. Golden Tate leaving isn't why Lions sucked, the offense overall played horribly all around, and will most likely to continue that struggle for the whole month seeing who they have to go. - visitor