After another week my power rankings don’t differ much from the previous week. This is because I am not grading teams on how they have done rather my power rankings are projecting into the future. There are some teams that shocked me this week and a few that disappointed and thus the rankings may appear slightly different. The only addition I must add now is that it looks like there is a talent gap in the NFL not between the top teams and the bottom ones, rather between the AFC and the NFC. Based on the previous week, it is hard to believe any of the NFC teams winning the Super Bowl.
AFC Power Rankings
1. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs played in a close game against the Carolina Panthers. This week we saw once again why the Chiefs are the best team in the AFC and thus the NFL. This is a team that can beat anyone in one quarter, they can essentially win a game in 15 minutes with a few explosive drives. The Chiefs didn’t play their best game but we see a roster that looks just as good if not better than last seasons.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
This was an embarrassing game for Pittsburgh. They were 14.5 point favorites against one of the worst teams in the NFL in the Dallas Cowboys. They were trailing for most of the game but clawed back to win and keep the undefeated season going. The game certainly raises more questions for a team that looks ready to play in the Super Bowl. For starters, Ben Rothlisberger was sidelined for part of the game and we can see the clear drop off from him and the backups. The Steelers look like they will bounce back from this fluke game but there is a reason I put them as my second-best team in the AFC last week.
3. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens responded to last week’s defeat with a reminder for why they are still one of the top teams in the AFC despite being the second-best team in their own division. The Ravens played one of the better teams in the conference in the Indianapolis Colts and in a close game, they proved that they have a Super Bowl-caliber defense. The odd part about this Ravens team is their offense is what raises concerns. Lamar Jackson is still great but he isn’t running with the same intensity as he was last season and the receiving corps doesn’t scare anyone.
4. Miami Dolphins
This might be reaching for many. The Dolphins are riding a hot streak at the moment but don’t even have the best record in their own division. Why are they ahead of the Bills and other top teams like the Raiders, Titans, and Colts? After watching the Dolphins the past two games, there is reason to be more than optimistic. The Dolphins beat both the Rams and Cardinals and did so in all facets of the game. They have a good defense that continues to get better, a young promising quarterback that is growing at a rapid pace in Tua Tagovailoa, and a surprisingly talented roster. The Dolphins might not just win this division, they can be one of the top AFC teams in a few weeks.
5. Tennessee Titans
The Titans are again on this list at 5. It’s hard to see the Titans being Super Bowl contenders but this week put them back on track in the AFC South. The Titans started out the season on fire and fell apart in back-to-back games. It’s hard to see the Titans missing the playoffs but there isn’t anything special from this roster. As of now, I see them as finishing the season with a better record than other competitors like the Colts, Raiders, or Bills. Considering how they have played recently, the Titans season can easily turn on a dime.
NFC Power Rankings
1. Seattle Seahawks
This week was a disaster for the Seahawks as they were shredded by the Bills. The Seahawks defense is excruciatingly bad to watch, allowing 50 more passing yards than the second-worst pass defense. Considering how poorly the rest of the top teams in the conference have played this week, leaving the Seahawks at one if still a safe bet. This is a team that has the offense to still win the NFC and has the talent to find a way to muster some form of defense. The question is if Jamal Adams can step up, what about Quandre Diggs? At the moment, they still look like the best in the NFC but far from the best in the NFL.
2. New Orleans Saints
I had the Saints at number 2 last week and it looked misleading. After Sunday night’s demolition of the Buccaneers, we can see why the Saints were the second-best last week and now this week. The Saints are getting back Michael Thomas. The defense keeps improving. Alvin Kamara is in MVP talks. This Saints teams can win the NFC, the doubt will only be on Drew Brees and his age.
3. Green Bay Packers
The Packers had a world-class win on Thursday night. They once again reminded us that they have a complete team and a Rodgers-Adams connection that is unstoppable. The reason to hit the brakes on the Packers is the win on Thursday night came against one of the most injury-plagued rosters in the NFL in the 49ers. The Packers look good for the future but it will be hard to see if they can remain Super Bowl contenders.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I wasn’t so high on the Bucs, to begin with, this week the sky fell. The Saints exposed all the weaknesses of the Buccaneers on Sunday. Tom Brady doesn’t look like his usual self, the defense isn’t as good as we assumed, and they don’t play well in the rain (which is a problem in Tampa Bay). This game felt like an outlier only because they didn’t establish the run early on in the game. The Bucs entered obvious passing downs early on in the game which played in the Saints favor. Any team that only runs the ball five times in a game is going to be in trouble. It’s safe to assume the Bucs will run a balanced offense for the rest of the season.
5. Los Angeles Rams
This once again reminds me of how top-heavy the conference is. The Rams aren’t a good team per se, winning 5 games with 4 of those wins against NFC East teams. Yet, they look like the 5th best team in the NFC even though they aren’t near the top in any NFL power ranking. I look at two reasons for the Rams being better than perceived, I like the balanced attack on offense and the structure of the defense. This is a team that can pile on wins towards the end of the season and ends up as one of the better teams in the conference by the end of the season.
