Wednesday, November 8, 2017

NFL POWER RANKINGS: Where all 32 teams stand going into Week 10

1. Philadelphia Eagles

1. Philadelphia Eagles

Record: 8-1

Last week: Beat the Broncos 51-23

This week: Bye

One thing to know: The Eagles’ big trade for Jay Ajayi paid off almost immediately as he broke free for a 46-yard touchdown run in Week 9. Ajayi figures to be more involved going forward after playing just 17 snaps in Week 9, giving the Eagles one of the league’s deepest run games in the league.

2. New England Patriots

2. New England Patriots

Record: 6-2

Last week: Bye

This week: vs. Denver Broncos

One thing to know: The Patriots continue to be the most reliable bet in football on a week-to-week basis, but if Tom Brady has ever struggled with going on the road, it's been in Denver. His trip to Mile High this weekend for "Sunday Night Football" will be one to watch.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers

3. Pittsburgh Steelers

Record: 6-2

Last week: Bye

This week: at Indianapolis Colts

One thing to know: The Steelers, contrary to popular expectations, did not trade wide receiver Martavis Bryant at the trade deadline. Now we’ll see if they can reincorporate Bryant into the offense after Juju Smith-Schuster’s breakout performance in Week 8.

4. New Orleans Saints

4. New Orleans Saints

Record: 6-2

Last week: Beat the Buccaneers 30-10

This week: at Buffalo Bills

One thing to know: After starting the season 0-2, the Saints have rattled off six straight victories and rocketed their way up the standings and our rankings. The effort has been led by Drew Brees, who is currently ranked fifth in the league in passing yards, third in completions, and first in completion percentage.

5. Los Angeles Rams

5. Los Angeles Rams

Record: 6-2

Last week: Beat the Giants 51-17

This week: vs. Houston Texans

One thing to know: The Rams have been perhaps the league’s biggest surprise, but they’ll be tested in the second half of the season. Six of their last eight opponents are .500 or better.

6. Kansas City Chiefs

6. Kansas City Chiefs

Record: 6-3

Last week: Lost to the Cowboys 28-17

This week: Bye

One thing to know: After a hot start the Chiefs have now lost three of four games heading into their bye week. But with Alex Smith playing like one of the best quarterbacks in football and a matchup against the New York Giants ready to greet them after their week off, don't expect the trend to stick.

7. Minnesota Vikings

7. Minnesota Vikings

Record: 6-2

Last week: Bye

This week: at Washington Redskins

One thing to know: The Vikings have a strange quarterback situation to handle. They moved Sam Bradford to the IR and activated Teddy Bridgewater, who is yet to play since a devastating knee injury in training camp in 2016. Do they bench Case Keenum, who has played well for Bridgewater? Or do they stick with Keenum and leave Bridgewater, who once looked like their future, on the bench?

8. Dallas Cowboys

8. Dallas Cowboys

Record: 5-3

Last week: Beat the Chiefs 28-17

This week: at Atlanta Falcons

One thing to know: The Cowboys' offense is one of the most dangerous in the country when firing on all cylinders, but with Ezekiel Elliott's looming suspension in perpetual limbo, it's tough to tell how long the team will be contending at the top of the league.

9. Carolina Panthers

9. Carolina Panthers

Record: 6-3

Last week: Beat the Falcons 20-17

This week: vs. Miami Dolphins

One thing to know: The Panthers have been up and down this season, but at 6-3, they have just two more games against teams currently above .500 the rest of the way, with a Week 12 game against the Saints looming large.

10. Seattle Seahawks

10. Seattle Seahawks

Record: 5-3

Last week: Lost to the Redskins 17-14

This week: at Arizona Cardinals

One thing to know: Blair Walsh missed three field goals on Sunday against the Redskins as the Seattle Seahawks suffered a rare home loss. If he has another off day on Sunday, the Seahawks might start looking for another option.

11. Jacksonville Jaguars

11. Jacksonville Jaguars

Record: 5-3

Last week: Beat the Bengals 23-7

This week: vs. Los Angeles Chargers

One thing to know: In a surprising move for an executive, Tom Coughlin stated his support for cornerback Jalen Ramsey after Ramsey was ejected for a fight with Bengals receiver A.J. Green. Coughlin said Ramsey was "playing football within the rules."

12. Buffalo Bills

12. Buffalo Bills

Record: 5-3

Last week: Lost to the Jets 34-21

This week: vs. New Orleans Saints

One thing to know: The Bills are a perfect 4-0 at home this season, but the surging Saints will be their toughest test yet in Buffalo.

13. Tennessee Titans

13. Tennessee Titans

Record: 5-3

Last week: Beat the Ravens 23-20

This week: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

One thing to know: The Titans are hoping the return of fifth-overall pick, wide receiver Corey Davis can open up a passing game that currently ranks 21st in DVOA. With a defense that’s quietly playing well, a resurgence in the passing game could push the Titans out of the muck in the AFC South.

14. Detroit Lions

14. Detroit Lions

Record: 4-4

Last week: Beat the Packers 30-17

This week: vs. Cleveland Browns

One thing to know: Matthew Stafford was the top quarterback in football last week, throwing for 361 yards and two touchdowns. If the Lions' defense can keep it together, Detroit could pose a threat to some of the best teams in football.

15. Atlanta Falcons

15. Atlanta Falcons

Record: 4-4

Last week: Lost to the Panthers 20-17

This week: vs. Dallas Cowboys

One thing to know: The Falcons were a dropped Julio Jones touchdown away from possibly beating the Panthers in Week 9. The Jones-Matt Ryan connection has struggled this year, as Jones has come down with just one touchdown so far and is averaging almost two yards less per catch compared to last season.

16. Oakland Raiders

16. Oakland Raiders

Record: 4-5

Last week: Beat the Dolphins 27-24

This week: Bye

One thing to know: A solid win on the road against the Dolphins brought the Raiders out of the basement of the AFC West, the team still has a ton of work to do if they want to make it back to the playoffs. Oakland still has games against the Patriots, Chiefs, and Eagles remaining on its schedule.

17. Washington Redskins

17. Washington Redskins

Record: 4-4

Last week: Beat the Seahawks 17-14

This week: vs. Minnesota Vikings

One thing to know: According to ESPN, Washington has played the most difficult schedule in the league so far. At .500, with an easier road ahead, can Washington make a late playoff push?

18. Baltimore Ravens

18. Baltimore Ravens

Record: 4-5

Last week: Lost to the Titans 23-20

This week: Bye

One thing to know: Is Joe Flacco elite? Not so far this season. Flacco is currently averaging just 172 yards per game, good for 32nd in the NFL ahead of only DeShone Kizer.

19. Green Bay Packers

19. Green Bay Packers

Record: 4-4

Last week: Lost to the Lions 30-17

This week: at Chicago Bears

One thing to know: It’s fair to wonder if the quarterback room is still where Mike McCarthy wants it after backup quarterback Brett Hundley has managed just 5 yards per attempt and no touchdowns in two losing starts since Aaron Rodgers' injury. McCarthy said no one has stepped up in Rodgers’ absence.

20. Los Angeles Chargers

20. Los Angeles Chargers

Record: 3-5

Last week: Bye

This week: at Jacksonville Jaguars

One thing to know: The Chargers haven't lost to the Jaguars since 2007, having won six consecutive matchups between the teams. All but one of those six victories came by 18 points or more.

21. Denver Broncos

21. Denver Broncos

Record: 3-5

Last week: Lost to the Eagles 51-23

This week: vs. New England Patriots

One thing to know: Five losses in six games have pushed the Broncos into last place in the AFC West. Brock Osweiler, Trevor Siemian’s replacement in Week 9, was no better than Siemian, but the team is rolling with him in Week 10.

22. Arizona Cardinals

22. Arizona Cardinals

Record: 4-4

Last week: Beat the 49ers 20-10

This week: vs. Seattle Seahawks

One thing to know: Adrian Peterson continues to prove he has more left in the tank, taking a whopping 37 carries for 159 yards. It will be a tough pace to maintain for the rest of the season, but after being underused in New Orleans, it seems like AD is enjoying the workload.

23. New York Jets

23. New York Jets

Record: 4-5

Last week: Beat the Bills 34-21

This week: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

One thing to know: One week after complaining about a lack of run calls in a loss to the Falcons, Matt Forte produced for the Jets, running for 77 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries in a win over the Bills.

24. Miami Dolphins

24. Miami Dolphins

Record: 4-4

Last week: Lost to the Raiders 27-24

This week: at Carolina Panthers

One thing to know: The Dolphins might have lost on Sunday, but Jay Cutler had his best game of the season, going 34-42 for 311 yards and three touchdowns against the Raiders. Congratulations to anybody who was brave enough to start him in their fantasy league.

25. Houston Texans

25. Houston Texans

Record: 3-5

Last week: Lost to the Colts 20-14

This week: at Los Angeles Rams

One thing to know: Deshaun Watson’s value to the Texans became obvious when they scored 14 points without him and lost to the Colts. It was the first time since Week 2 that they did not score at least 30 points.

26. Cincinnati Bengals

26. Cincinnati Bengals

Record: 3-5

Last week: Lost to the Jaguars 23-7

This week: at Tennessee Titans

One thing to know: A.J. Green will be on the field on Sunday, getting out of his scuffle with Jaguars defensive back Jalen Ramsey without a suspension. Green has apologized since.

27. Indianapolis Colts

27. Indianapolis Colts

Record: 3-6

Last week: Beat the Texans 20-14

This week: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

One thing to know: Colts owner Jim Irsay believes the injury to Andrew Luck, who was recently moved to the IR, is in Luck’s head. This situation only continues to get uglier.

28. Chicago Bears

28. Chicago Bears

Record: 3-5

Last week: Bye

This week: vs. Green Bay Packers

One thing to know: Four games into Mitch Trubisky's career, he has 38 completions to his name. Last week Joe Flacco and Jay Cutler had 34 each.

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Record: 2-6

Last week: Lost to the Saints 30-10

This week: vs. New York Jets

One thing to know: The Bucs have scored 13 points combined over the last two weeks. This week, they’ll be without Jameis Winston (injured) and Mike Evans (suspended). Is it possible the offense could get even worse?

30. New York Giants

30. New York Giants

Record: 1-7

Last week: Lost to the Rams 51-17

This week: at San Francisco 49ers

One thing to know: After comments made by head coach Ben McAdoo following the Giants' embarrassing loss at home to the Rams, it's not clear that Eli Manning will be under center for much longer in New York.

31. San Francisco 49ers

31. San Francisco 49ers

Record: 0-9

Last week: Lost to the Cardinals 20-10

This week: vs. New York Giants

One thing to know: Jimmy Garoppolo was traded to the 49ers when he expressed desire to no longer back up Tom Brady. He can’t be thrilled, then, to still be backing up C.J. Beathard heading into his second game in San Francisco.

32. Cleveland Browns

32. Cleveland Browns

Record: 0-8

Last week: Bye

This week: at Detroit Lions

One thing to know: If any team could figure out a way to take a loss on their bye week, it would have been the Browns. Thankfully for Cleveland fans, the team got through their week off relatively unscathed.


Source: Business Insider India