1. New England Patriots (7-0; Last Week- No. 1)
Is it too early to start the 16-0 watch for the Patriots? Because at the moment, it looks like a real possibility.
This team is on another level than anyone else in the NFL right now, and only two of their remaining games are against teams with winning records. One of those games is in Week 16 against a Jets team they’ve already beaten, while the other will be a Week-12 showdown in Denver against the Broncos.
2. Denver Broncos (7-0; Last Week- No. 5)
Their performance over the Packers on Sunday night was the most eye-opening one in the NFL this season. The Broncos proved to everyone –including themselves– that their offense is still capable of stepping up and winning games. It’s like their 2014 offense just took the first six games of the season off.
And even though we all knew their defense was special, it was still amazing to see just how much they good they were against Aaron Rodgers.
3. Cincinnati Bengals (7-0; Last Week- No. 3)
It wasn’t pretty, but a win in Pittsburgh is huge. 7-0 record, and four games up on the Steelers in the loss column for the AFC North crown.
The Bengals’ next two games are against the Browns and Texans at home, so it would be surprising if they’re not 9-0 heading into their Week 11 game at the Arizona Cardinals. That game has been flexed to Sunday Night Football, by the way.
4. Green Bay Packers (6-1; Last Week- No. 2)
A very humbling 29-10 loss to the Broncos. That should get Aaron Rodgers and the Packers extra focused heading into Week 9, and they will need to be in order to knock off the undefeated Panthers on the road for what could be an NFC Championship preview.
5. Carolina Panthers (7-0; Last Week- No. 4)
That would’ve been a devastating loss to the Colts on Monday night after being in total control for three and a half quarters. But they found a way to get the win and are 7-0. They’ll gladly take it.
6. Arizona Cardinals (6-2; Last Week- No. 6)
A classic tale of two halves. After being down 20-10 in the first half to a bad Browns team, the Cardinals stopped screwing around and dominated Cleveland 24-0 in the second half to get the win.
Carson Palmer is tied with Tom Brady for the NFL lead in touchdown passes with 20. He also has the highest yards per pass attempt (9.18) in the NFL since Aaron Rodgers’ mark of 9.25 in 2011.
7. Seattle Seahawks (4-4; Last Week- No. 10)
The defense has looked like the typical Seahawks defense of late, but the offense still has plenty of room for improvement. They now have a Bye week to make some adjustments in preparation for a huge game against the NFC West-leading Cardinals in Week 10.
8. Minnesota Vikings (5-2; Last Week- No. 9)
The Vikings’ win in Chicago was every bit as much about the Bears giving the game away, but no road win in the NFL is easy, and they’re now 5-2 with three straight wins.
The schedule gets much tougher for the Vikings now though. Here are their remaining games, in order: vs Rams, at Raiders, vs Packers, at Falcons, vs Seahawks, at Cardinals, vs Bears, vs Giants, at Packers.
So, if the Vikings are to get an NFC playoff spot, they will have definitely earned it.
9. St. Louis Rams (4-3; Last Week- No. 12)
It’s time to take the Rams seriously, and for two reasons: Todd Gurley, and the defense.
Gurley has played only five games in the NFL, and you could make a great argument (if it even is an argument) that he’s already the league’s best running back. The rookie is tied for the NFL lead in yards per carry at 6.1, and is the only back with four carries of 40+ yards. In fact, he’s had carries of at least 48 yards, in all of his last four games, and three carries of 52+ yards over that span.
10. Oakland Raiders (4-3; Last Week- No. 15)
It feels weird to see the RAIDERS playing so well, but at the same time, it’s not much of a surprise given their talent level either.
That’s particularly the case at the quarterback position, where Derek Carr is ballin’. The second-year quarterback has 15 touchdown passes (tied for 5th), just three interceptions, and a 105.7 QB rating (5th). He’s looking like the best quarterback of the last few classes, and he has the skillset to keep getting better.
And on defense, 2014 first-round pick Khalil Mack is an absolute stud. Pro Football Focus gave the outside linebacker a +7.0 grade against the Jets, and he’s their highest-graded 3-4 outside linebacker on the season.
11. Atlanta Falcons (6-2; Last Week- No. 8)
An impressive 6-2 record, but anything but an impressive team over the last month. The Falcons are looking like pretenders.
12. New York Jets (4-3; Last Week- No. 7)
The quarterback position is now a major concern with Ryan Fitzpatrick suffering torn ligaments in his thumb, and the defense was very bad in a 34-20 loss to the Raiders.
The Jets should be able to get back in the win column this week against the Jaguars, but they need Fitzpatrick healthy, and for the defense to play like it was earlier in the year, if they want to contend for an AFC Wild Card spot.
13. New Orleans Saints (4-4; Last Week- No. 16)
Drew Brees is stepping up to new heights to give this team a chance to win. It took seven (!) touchdown passes and 505 passing yards to get it done in a #MACtion style 52-49 overtime win over the Giants.
If you have a great quarterback, you always have a chance in this league. That’s what we’re seeing with the Saints.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-4; Last Week- No. 11)
Right when the Steelers finally get Ben Roethlisberger back, they lose star running back Le’Veon Bell for the season. A very frustrating season for Pittsburgh, because when healthy, they can beat anyone.
It’s also sucks for football fans that we’re robbed of the chance to see that highly explosive offense in action.
15. New York Giants (4-4; Last Week- No. 14)
The good: They scored 49 points and Eli Manning threw for six touchdowns.
The bad: They allowed 52 points and Drew Brees threw for seven touchdowns.
16. Miami Dolphins (3-4; Last Week- No. 13)
Nothing like facing the Patriots in New England to ruin all those good feelings your team had.
17. Philadelphia Eagles (3-4; Last Week- No. 17)
They needed that Bye week to make adjustments, and figure out what the heck they are. They also will get Kiko Alonso back which should be a boost for the defense.
18. Buffalo Bills (3-4; Last Week- No. 19)
The Bills were impressive in the first few weeks of the season before tailing off over the last month, so it will be interesting to see how Rex Ryan’s squad looks coming off the Bye. Having Tyrod Taylor back and healthy would certainly be big news for the offense, because they’re not going to win games with EJ Manuel.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4: Last Week- No. 26; Biggest Riser)
That was a terrific win for the Buccaneers on the road over the Falcons. At three wins, Tampa Bay has already topped their win total (2) of 2014!
Jameis Winston is making impressive strides. After looking very much like a rookie and throwing four interceptions against the Panthers in Week 4, the No. 1 overall pick has not thrown an interception over the last three games.
20. Kansas City Chiefs (3-5; Last Week- No. 24)
Well it’s clear the Chiefs are a big step above the NFL’s worst teams, at least. A 45-10 blowout win over the Lions on a neutral field (London) in Week 8.
Charcandrick West isn’t Jamaal Charles, but he’s done a great job filling in for Charles over the last couple weeks and seems like a good bet to keep doing so.
21. Indianapolis Colts (3-5; Last Week- No. 18)
Scapegoat for the embarrassing season identified! It was the offensive coordinator obviously and not all the guys playing terribly.
22. Washington Redskins (3-4; Last Week- No. 22)
As blah as Washington has been, they’re still just a half game out of the wide-open NFC East race. They may also get DeSean Jackson back this week, which would provide Kirk Cousins with a needed big-play threat.
23. Dallas Cowboys (2-5; Last Week- No. 21)
Five straight losses without Tony Romo. They’re lucky to be in the NFC East, as they’re likely to still be within striking distance when Romo is eligible to return in Week 11.
24. Chicago Bears (2-5; Last Week- No. 23)
For the second straight week, the Bears looked like the better team for most of the game, but blew it late. They’re competing, but they just have so little room for error with the low talent level on defense, and with a makeshift offensive line.
Jay Cutler is playing terrific football, however. He could be in the long term plans for the new regime after all.
25. Baltimore Ravens (2-6; Last Week- No. 28)
They had been getting so close to winning games for weeks and finally were able to close the deal against the Chargers. It’s a start.
Losing Steve Smith for the season is huge though.
26. San Diego Chargers (2-6; Last Week- No. 20)
Four straight losses and injuries all over the place. The season-ending injury to highly underrated wide receiver Keenan Allen is particularly a killer.
27. Houston Texans (3-5; Last Week- No. 32)
Ranked at the very bottom of our Power Rankings last week, the Texans are now tied for first place! That’s all you need to know about the AFC South.
28. Cleveland Browns (2-6; Last Week- No. 27)
Yet another disappointing loss, and they now have to play an undefeated Bengals team on the road, on a short week, with Johnny Manziel at quarterback. The Browns are well on their way to locking up another losing season.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5; Last Week- No. 29)
The Jaguars have a -60 point differential, and are only a half game out of first place. Because, again, AFC South.
30. Tennessee Titans (1-6; Last Week- No. 31)
Losers of six straight games, and they have only scored over 14 points in one of those games. The offense has looked decent at times with Marcus Mariota at quarterback, and it appears he will be good to go in this one. That’s good news because the offense is downright hopeless with Zach Mettenberger playing.
31. Detroit Lions (1-7; Last Week- No. 30)
An embarrassing loss on a neutral field in London, to what we had thought was a nearly-as-bad Chiefs team.
32. San Francisco 49ers (2-6; Last Week- No. 25; Biggest Faller)
Colin Kaepernick was not playing well, but being benched for Blaine Gabbert? The 49ers are a disaster.
