We awaken to a new, more orange world this morning but that doesn’t stop what we do here with the NFL Power Rankings. The season marches on and here’s where the balance of power is as we begin Week 10.
1. Dallas Cowboys – (7-1) Dak Prescott had one job facing a vastly inferior Cleveland Browns team last Sunday; destroy them. And he did, putting just one more stamp on his file card to keep his job when Tony Romo is fully healthy. Prescott’s biggest test comes this week with the Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger. All eyes will be on him. Last week: 1
2. New England Patriots – (7-1) Is Tom Brady an MVP candidate? I don’t think so. Not because he isn’t playing great, but there are a couple of facts that work agaisnt him. First, he missed the first four games of the season, so a guy like Matt Ryan just has a longer resume to show. Second, the team went 3-1 without him. How can a guy be the most valuable player when the team won nearly half its games with him on the couch? Last week: 2
3. Atlanta Falcons – (6-3) The Falcons are surging at the right time, stacking up quality wins while the perceived NFC powers fall to the wayside. As long as as Atlanta can continue to score like this, they’ll be in the mix for a long while. Last week: 4
4. Seattle Seahawks – (5-2-1) A few years ago a game against the Patriots put the Seahawks on the map. It was the origin of the “You Mad, Bro” meme and served notice that a new power had arisen in the NFC. Seattle comes into this game on a different trajectory but can make a similar announcement with a win at Foxboro Sunday. Last week: 5
5. Oakland Raiders – (7-2) The Raiders are not only for real, they now control their own destiny. The Playoffs, barring some catastrophic injury, look like a done deal. Oakland can not only win the AFC West over the next month, they can contend for home field advantage with a little luck. Last week: 9
6. Denver Broncos – (6-3) As spotty as Trevor Siemian played Sunday, he still made some incredible NFL throws. He still doesn’t look like the long term answer at QB for the Broncos, but he’ll get them to at least 10 wins this season. Last week: 3
7. New York Giants – (5-3) The Cowboys continue to rue the NFC East, but the Giants have found their grove, winning three straight with solid offensive and defensive performances. Last week: 11
8. Kansas City Chiefs – (6-2) Nick Foles was good last week in a win over the hapless Jaguars, but let’s not toss Alex Smith out just yet. He did get you here at 5-2. Last week: 12
9. Minnesota Vikings – (5-3) That’s three losses in a row for the Vikings and a suprisingly tough Redskins team on the schedule this week could make it four. The early NFC Super Bowl frontrunner might not even make the playoffs. Last week: 6
10. Pittsburgh Steelers – (4-4) Ben Roethlisberger suited up and played as as often happens when he comes back too early from an injury, took a shit right there in the middle of the field. It doesn’t get any easier with the Cowboys coming to town this week. Last week: 7
11. Philadelphia Eagles – (4-4) As hot as this team started and as well as they continue to play, the Eagles could be staring at 4-5 this week with the Falcons coming to Philly. Last week: 8
12. Green Bay Packers – (4-4) What’s wrong with the Packers? The same thing that’s always been wrong with them; Mike McCarthy’s playcalling, play design and gameday coaching. Lucky for him he gets a break this week when Mike Mularkey rolls into Lambeau. Last week: 10
13. Arizona Cardinals – (3-4-1) The Cardinals come off their bye week with an early gift, a home game against the San Francisco 49ers. Time to even up that record again, Arizona, and pretend you’ve righted the ship for at least a week. Last week: 13
14. Houston Texans – (5-3) If the Texans make the playoffs, and the should, it will only be because they play in the AFC South against two of the worst-coached teams in the history of the NFL. Last week: 16
Click here for Part 2 of the NFL Week 10 Power Rankings.
