Woodward Sports is excited to put out a weekly power rankings for the NFL. Here is our Week 10 edition of our NFL Power Rankings.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (8-1)
Week 9 Ranking: 1
The Chiefs yet again showed they can win football games in many ways. The defending Super Bowl champions stay at the top spot this week after a 33-31 win against the Carolina Panthers. Patrick Mahomes is having an incredible season – now on pace to finish with his highest Passer Rating & Completion Percentage.
2. Buffalo Bills (7-2)
Week 9 Ranking: 6
Josh Allen and the Bills showed up on Sunday and beat argubaly the best team in the NFC (Seattle Seahawks). I wrote last week that their defense hasn’t lived up to expectations – and from a far, a 44-34 scoreline would make it seem that way. That being said, they forced the Seahawks into 4 turnovers which ended up making the difference in the game.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-0)
Week 9 Ranking: 2
In a very unconvincing win over a terrible Dallas Cowboys team, the Steelers remain undefeated. I have a lot of questions marks about this teams playoff contender abilities – I don’t see them giving the Chiefs a run for their money. That being said, they’re still undefeated and only fall down a place due to the Buffalo Bills performance against Seattle. Steelers end up at No.3 in this weeks NFL Power Rankings
4. Seattle Seahawks (6-2)
Week 9 Ranking: 3
Still top of their division, the Seahawks suffered a tough loss against a very good Buffalo Bills team. Turnovers told the story – and if Seattle protects the ball they probably win that game. Seattle has yet to put together a complete performance on the defensive side of the ball, which is concerning no matter how good Russell Wilson and the offense are. The Seahawks go into their Bye-Week with a 6-2 record and comfortably sitting at the No.4 spot in our NFL Power Rankings.
5. Baltimore Ravens (6-2)
Week 9 Ranking: 4
Coming off a loss to the Steelers, the Ravens were handed another tough test against the Indianapolis Colts – who showed yet again their flaws on offense. The Ravens were able to hold the Colts on offense and came out with a 24-10 convincing victory. The Ravens fall down a spot this week only because of the Bills signature win.
6. Green Bay Packers (6-2)
Week 9 Ranking: 7
The Green Bay Packers beat down an already beaten team in the 49ers. It was a convincing win – but didn’t change my mind about the team. I still have questions about how they perform when they’re backed into a corner. Not every game is going to be easy – especially playoff time. Green Bay moves up a spot in our NFL Power Rankings, and could be a top 5 team by the end of Week 10.
7. New Orleans Saints (6-2)
Week 9 Ranking: 10
Another dominating performance against the Buccaneers, they’ve now outscored them 72-26 in their two meetings this year. Sean Payton yet again proves he’s more than capable of putting together a scheme to hurt opposing defenses – my only concern is the defense has only played well against the Buccaneers. So I’ll need to see more from the defense – but with Michael Thomas back in the lineup, the Saints find themselves in pole position to compete for the NFC crown.
8. Tennessee Titans (6-2)
Week 9 Ranking: 8
The Titans ended their two-game losing streak with a win against the Chicago Bears. The play of A.J. Brown has been at an elite level. The most important compliment I can give the Titans is their ability to adapt and play any type of game. Like they showed last year – they’re a tough out in the playoffs and will look to open their division lead when they play the Colts on Sunday Night Football.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3)
Week 9 Ranking: 5
All of my concerns about this team came together Sunday Night against the Saints. The Buccaneers are still a playoff team – but performances like that can’t happen. Tom Brady looked average and the defense looked below average. Tampa Bay do have things to look forward to – considering they’re only 0.5 games back of the Saints in the division. The Buccaneers fall to No.9 in our NFL Power Rankings after a bad loss.
10. Miami Dolphins (5-3)
Week 9 Ranking: 13
The Miami Dolphins? You’re damn right. I love what Brian Flores is doing there – and Tua Tagovailoa played drive for drive against Kyler Murray. Now, realistically this team is still very far from making any noise in the playoffs – but at least we have a vision and blueprint of what Flores wants this team to look and play like. Miami make a jump from No.13 to No.10 in our NFL Power Rankings – who would’ve thought that before the year started?
11. Arizona Cardinals (5-3)
Week 9 Ranking: 9
A loss to the 34-31 Miami Dolphins surprised most experts on Sunday (except me). This was a tricky game for Arizona – their defense hasn’t been all that good and giving up 34 points to a rookie-led offense isn’t a good look. Yes, the offense is dynamic with Kyler Murray, Chase Edmonds and DeAndre Hopkins – but they’ll need better overall play if they want to do anything in the playoffs.
12. Cleveland Browns (5-3)
Week 9 Ranking: 12
I really like this team with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt in the backfield. Having said that – the Browns are coming off a Bye-Week, and it looks like Nick Chubb will be coming back for the second-half of the season. The Browns next three games really suits them – with matchups against the Texans, Eagles and the Jaguars. The Browns stay put at No.12 in our NFL Power Rankings – and 3 weeks from now could be a top 10 team.
13. Indianapolis Colts (5-3)
Week 9 Ranking: 11
This team really drives me nuts – they can be very dynamic at almost every position except Quarterback. That will be their downfall this season, and I don’t expect them to give any AFC team a problem in the playoffs. With the right Quarterback, the Colts could be one of the more dynamic teams in the NFL with their elusive backfield. The loss against Baltimore was expected, and I know everything I need to about this team to say that they’ll be a Wild Card and out team at most.
14. Las Vegas Raiders (5-3)
Week 9 Ranking: 14
The Raiders are another team that are just hard to place. I could easily have them over the Colts and Browns – but they’ll stay put this week at No.14. A win against the Los Angeles Chargers didn’t show me much – and I left the game more excited about the Chargers future than I did for the Raiders. I still have questions about their offense, it’s a bit predictable and really isn’t threatening any of the top teams in the AFC.
15. Los Angeles Rams (5-3)
Week 9 Ranking: 15
Sean McVay and the Rams are coming off their Bye-Week – with a Home matchup against the Seattle Seahawks waiting for them. Although this game has huge divisional implications, the NFC West is so strong that this isn’t a make or break game. A potential record of 5-4 with 7 games remaining gives the Rams more than enough time to find their stride. The game against Seattle will tell us if this team can find their Super Bowl identity on both offense and defense.
16. Philadelphia Eagles (3-4-1)
Week 9 Ranking: 19
The Eagles are coming off a Bye-Week, and hopefully that means the team is getting healthier. Philly moves up 3 spots without having played a game really because how bad the teams in front of them performed on Sunday. The Eagles will visit the Giants, and can take full control of the division with a win.
17. Minnesota Vikings (3-5)
Week 9 Ranking: 22
I’m not saying this is a playoff team – but they’re going to be a pain in the ass to play over the next 8 games. A healthy Dalvin Cook and a competent Kirk Cousins gives the Vikings a chance to beat most football teams any given week. Minnesota makes a huge jump this week, moving up from No.22 to No.17 in the Woodward Sports NFL Power Rankings.
18. New England Patriots (3-5)
Week 9 Ranking: 25
Yes it was only a win against the winless Jets, but this is exactly what the Patriots needed. They have a lot of holes in the team, but Monday was a good look for both Bill Belichick and Cam Newton. The jump from 25 to 18 in our rankings is really down to how poor the Bears, Lions, Broncos and more teams look.
19. Chicago Bears (5-4)
Week 9 Ranking: 17
I really don’t like this team. I said it last week, and I’ll say it this week. Nick Foles isn’t the answer and neither is Mitchell Tribusky. The Bears are flattering themselves with 5 wins this year – and I expect them to finish with no more than 7 or 8 wins. Matt Nagy needs to reset, admit failure with moving up for Mitchell and move on. The Bears are wasting a good defense and key offensive weapons.
20. Carolina Panthers (3-6)
Week 9 Ranking: 20
Gosh, the Panthers went toe to toe with the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Christian McCaffery looked amazing in his return – although he suffered a shoulder injury on one of the final plays of the game. This is what Carolina fans can look forward to under Matt Rhule, the team was creative on offense and special teams. The Panthers stay at No.20 this week.
21. San Francisco 49ers (4-5)
Week 9 Ranking: 21
This was expected. The 49ers are dealing with a ton of injuries in key positions. They’ll continue to fall in the rankings as I see them winning maybe 1 or 2 more games for the rest of the season.
22. Detroit Lions (3-5)
Week 9 Ranking: 18
This team isn’t good enough. In all phases of the game – on and off the field. Detroit could easily end up 5-5 in two weeks time, but with the way they’re playing. This team are more than likely going to finish with below average record and won’t contend for a Wild Card spot this season.
23. Cincinnati Bengals (2-5-1)
Week 9 Ranking: 23
Joe Burrow is the real deal, and Bengals fans will wake up every Sunday for the next 10-15 years knowing that they have a shot because of their Quarterback. That being said, they’re coming off a bye without much expectations for the rest of the season. Just sit back and enjoy watching their offense.
24. Atlanta Falcons (3-6)
Week 9 Ranking: 27
The Falcons beat the Denver Broncos on Sunday, giving them some positivity. It really doesn’t change much, but I really like how dynamic their offense is. This just isn’t their year and they’ll need to address the roster in the offseason.
25. Denver Broncos (3-5)
Week 9 Ranking: 21
It’s a young team. That’s all I can really say. They’ve won and lost games and continue to commit turnovers. There will be a learning curve with this team, and they drop two spots this week after their loss to the Falcons.
26. Houston Texans (2-6)
Week 9 Ranking: 26
The Texans were able to beat the Jaguars in a close game. Giving them a 2-2 record under Romeo Crennel. The team that was once competing for the division now find themselves searching for what’s next. We’ll see what happens with this team – but I can imagine them winning 4 or 5 games and giving teams trouble.
27. Los Angeles Chargers (2-6)
Week 9 Ranking: 25
There’s lots to be excited about if you’re a Chargers fan. The future is bright at QB, but right now the Chargers find every possible way to lose football games. It wouldn’t surprise me if they finished with double-digit losses this year and double-digit wins the next.
28. New York Giants (2-7)
Week 9 Ranking: 30
The Giants beat the Washington Football team – giving them a feel good till next Sunday. The team just isn’t good enough, but they are good enough to move up past the Cowboys and Washington Football Team.
29. Washington Football Team (2-7)
Week 9 Ranking: 28
Again, I’ll let their name speak for itself.
30. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-7)
Week 9 Ranking: 31
This is a bad football team, only reason they moved up a spot is because how bad the Dallas Cowboys are.
31. Dallas Cowboys (2-7)
Week 9 Ranking: 29
How bout’ them Cowboys. Given all their talent, they’re easily one of the more disappointing stories this season. All I can say is I was right about Zek, trade em.
32. New York Jets (0-9)
Week 9 Ranking: 32
The Jets did what the Jets do best – lose football games. That was the case on Monday Night when they blew a 10 point 4th Quarter lead and only ran 4 offensive snaps the entire quarter.