Week 10 Power Rankings
Another week has gone by and we once again have to take a serious look at the power rankings. Oddly enough, there are six teams in the AFC that are 6-3. Normally, this would be problematic for power rankings. However, I am not ranking teams based on how they have done until now. I create my power rankings based on how likely I see each team in each conference reaching the Super Bowl. Without anymore stalling, let’s dive in to this week’s top five teams in each conference.
AFC
1. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs had a bye week for week 10 and thus couldn’t display any potential flaws or reasons to be concerned with their chances of playing in and winning the Super Bowl. Likewise, the Chiefs didn’t further advance their argument but since they have proven throughout the season that they are the best team in the NFL, there is no reason to waive them from this spot. Next week, the Chiefs will play the only team that beat them this season in the Las Vegas Raiders.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have now at the point in the season where they have already shrugged off the tough competition and face the easy opponents. They played the Cowboys (2-7) last week, the Bengals (2-6-1) this week, and play the Jaguars (1-8) next week. All the signs point to the Steelers going to the Super Bowl as they are the last undefeated team. The roster is built to win a Super Bowl and honestly, I only see two AFC teams that can knock the Steelers from their quest at a seventh ring. One of those teams was already mentioned, the next one is about to be mentioned.
3. Miami Dolphins
I am all in on the Miami Dolphins. This team keeps getting better by the week and what Brian Flores has built has to be regarded as one of the most impressive team turnarounds. The Dolphins defense doesn’t have the star-power that we assume comes with a great defense but has the depth and position-less players that have been giving opposing offenses Hell. The offense continues to improve with the continued development of Tua Tagovailoa, and with a strong offensive line, great jump-ball receivers, and a consistent running game, it’s hard to go wrong. The Dolphins might not be in first place in the AFC East at the moment, but they are a team built to pass the Bills in the standings and start a serious Super Bowl run.
4. Baltimore Ravens
It is hard to justify the loss to the Patriots this past Sunday night. I know that the weather created impossible conditions for any offense to thrive in. I know that Bill Belichick is the greatest coach of all time. At the same time, the Ravens just haven’t looked like the dominant team we got accustomed to last year. The offense doesn’t look explosive and many will blame Lamar Jackson for the decline, but the offensive line lost future Hall of Famer Marshal Yanda before the season (retirement) and All-Pro left tackle, Ronnie Stanley, two weeks ago (injury). The Ravens will be competitive but it’s hard seeing this team rebounding to make a Super Bowl run.
5. Las Vegas Raiders
There were a lot of teams to place in this spot. The Titans, Colts, Browns, and Bills have all been good this but honestly haven’t been great. Of all those teams, I have to say that the Raiders look better and more promising for a deep playoff run. For starters I have more confidence in Derek Carr than Ryan Tannehill, Philip Rivers, Baker Mayfield, and Josh Allen. Aside from Carr playing his best football since the leg injury in 2016, the Raiders possess one of the best rosters since 2016 as well. As I keep watching the Vegas Raiders, I see a balanced attack with a defense that is better than many give them credit for.
NFC
1. New Orleans Saints
The Saints are a difficult team to evaluate and it’s hard to beleive they are atop the NFC power rankings. That being said, many of the top teams in the NFC have been struggling recently and the Saints are still able to churn out wins. It’s hard to believe that the Saints have a six-game winning streak. Yet they own the longest winning streak in the conference nonetheless. I have been skeptical about the roster with the idea that there are too many stars putting the Saints into salary cap trouble. However, this might be the year for WhoDat Nation and they can end the string of playoff defeats.
2. Green Bay Packers
The Packers, like the rest of the NFC, convince me that whoever represents the AFC, will win the Super Bowl. They played the Jaguars who some can argue are the worst team in the NFL and only beat them by four points. Never mind the fact that they were outplayed for most of the game to Jacksonville. The Packers look a lot like last years team. They will beat the terrible teams on their schedule but won’t play well at all to any team will a viable offense and a good enough defense. Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams have been the best quarterback to wide receiver duo in the NFL but it’s hard seeing that combination carry them to a Super Bowl.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers had their bounce back game as we assumed they would. At this point, we have figured out what they are and what they aren’t. They have a great all-around team. They have a defense that has surprised many including myself considering they lost nose tackle Vita Vea for the season. In many ways the Bucs are their own worst enemy. Meaning, if they choose to abandon the run or not game plan accordingly, they will lose. The ultimate problem I see in Tampa is that I can’t see them winning three games in a row against playoff teams, they just aren’t built for that.
4-6. Seahawks/Cardinals/Rams
All three of these teams have shown their strengths and weaknesses throughout the season. The Seahawks don’t have a defense. The Rams don’t have a great offense, rather an offense that won’t turn the ball over and play good enough. The Cardinals won in the most thrilling way on Sunday, but haven’t proven that they can consistently win games (the offense only succeeds if Kyler Murray throws for 300 yards and run for 100 it seems). The three NFC West teams will play most of the remainder of the season against themselves. With that we will have clarity for which team is the best in the division and can climb the power rankings. For now, it’s too early to tell.
