NFL Power Rankings Week 10: Initial Standings Post-Thursday Night Football

    Chris RolingFeatured ColumnistNovember 11, 2016

    The winds of change continue to blow in the NFL power rankings realm.
    The winds of change continue to blow in the NFL power rankings realm.Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

    Week 10 kicked off without much in the way of change in the NFL power rankings department as the Baltimore Ravens whipped the Cleveland Browns 28-7 on Thursday Night Football. 

    To be fair, Cleveland took a 7-6 lead into halftime and had many thinking upset. Instead, Baltimore turned it around in the second half to secure an otherwise easy win, reaffirming the team's status as one of the hottest risers in recent weeks.

    Here's a look at the updated power rankings after the predictable outcome: 

    RankTeam
    1New England Patriots
    2Dallas Cowboys
    3Oakland Raiders
    4Atlanta Falcons
    5Kansas City Chiefs
    6Denver Broncos
    7New York Giants
    8Philadelphia Eagles
    9Green Bay Packers
    10Baltimore Ravens
    11Seattle Seahawks
    12Miami Dolphins
    13Pittsburgh Steelers
    14Minnesota Vikings
    15Detroit Lions
    16Washington
    17New Orleans Saints
    18San Diego Chargers
    19Buffalo Bills
    20Houston Texans
    21Arizona Cardinals
    22Indianapolis Colts
    23Cincinnati Bengals
    24Carolina Panthers
    25Tennessee Titans
    26New York Jets
    27Los Angeles Rams
    28San Francisco 49ers
    29Chicago Bears
    30Tampa Bay Buccaneers
    31Jacksonville Jaguars
    32Cleveland Browns
    Author's rankings.

    Cleveland had a chance to move up with a win. Not far, considering a win Thursday would have been the first on the year. Instead, the Browns yanked starting quarterback Cody Kessler in favor of Josh McCown, who wound up throwing two interceptions. In the end, Cleveland rushed for 33 yards and threw for 111.

    Baltimore doesn't move much, either, which is what happens when quarterback Joe Flacco throws three scores to two picks and the offense can only rush for 3.5 yards per carry against an 0-10 team.

    The rest of the Week 10 slate, at least, offers plenty of contests capable of majorly shifting league power rankings. Here's a look at two teams facing major potential shifts.

        

    Saints 

    1. Winners and Losers of the 2017 NFL Draft

    2. Winners and Losers of the 2017 NFL Draft Day 2

    3. Insider Buzz: Jaguars May Not Use Option on Bortles

    4. Grading the Trubisky Pick

    5. Former Pitt RB Beat Cancer, Now Sets Sights on NFL

    6. What Are the Hottest Match Ups of the 2017 NFL Season?

    7. What Changed for Tony Romo on Day 1 of NFL Free Agency?

    8. What Will It Take for Tony Romo to Land in Denver?

    9. Tony Romo Says Goodbye to Cowboys

    10. Deal Alert: Grading Alshon Jeffery to Philadelphia Eagles Free Agent Signing

    11. Deal Alert: Grading DeSean Jackson to Tampa Bay Buccaneers Free Agent Signing

    12. Insider Buzz: Deep CB Draft Class Helped Patriots Outbid Teams for Gilmore

    13. Matt Miller's Winners and Losers from the NFL Combine

    14. Insider Buzz: AP May Return to Vikings as Other Teams Show Little Interest in FA

    15. Insider Buzz: Desean Jackson Will Get Big Payday; Could Set Brandin Cooks Market

    16. Deal Alert: Grading Brandon Marshall to New York Giants Free Agent Signing

    17. Insider Buzz: Hue Jackson 'Loves' Mitch Trubisky; Chance to Be #1 Overall Pick

    18. Top Performers from the 2017 NFL Combine

    19. Rumor Alert: San Francisco 49ers Targeting Free Agent WR Kenny Britt?

    20. Insider Buzz: Dolphins May Pay Big Money for Stills; Parker's Future in Question

    21. Rumor Alert: Bears Will Make 'Major Push' for Free Agent QB Mike Glennon?

    22. NFL Free Agency 2017: Where Will Former Redskins WR DeSean Jackson Land?

    23. NFL Free Agency 2017: Why Teams Should Be Targeting WR Terrelle Pryor

    24. Myles Garrett, Top Edge Rushers Absolutely Owned the 2017 NFL Combine

    25. Insider Buzz: 49ers Targeting Mike Glennon If Cousins Deal Doesn't Develop

    26. NFL Free Agency 2017: Why Teams Should Be Targeting RB LeGarrette Blount

    27. Insider Buzz: Romo to Denver 'Gaining Momentum', Lack of Other Options

    28. NFL Free Agency 2017: Where Will Former Chicago Bears WR Alshon Jeffery Land?

    29. The Explosive, West Coast Kid: Meet the Ultimate Deep Threat John Ross

    30. NFL Free Agency 2017: Where Will Former Vikings RB Adrian Peterson Land?

    31. Insider Buzz: Glennon Offered Top Backup QB Money by Bucs, CHI & NYJ Interested

    32. Insider Buzz: Raiders Will Wait to See Murray's Market Before Targeting Peterson

    33. Insider Buzz: JPP Not Expected to Agree to Long-Term Deal, NYG Could Draft DE

    34. Rumor Alert: Titans Most Likely to Trade for Saints WR Brandin Cooks?

    35. Rumor Alert: Philadelphia Eagles Will Evaluate Signing RB Jamaal Charles?

    36. NFL Free Agency 2017: Where Will Tony Romo Land If Cut by Dallas Cowboys?

    37. Matt Miller's Rapid-Fire Predictions for 2017 NFL Combine

    38. Insider Buzz: Kirk Cousins Open to Being Traded to Cleveland Browns

    39. Insider Buzz: Adrian Peterson, Vikings to Determine Future at NFL Combine

    40. Meet the Biggest Sleeper DB Ready to Tear Up the NFL Combine

    41. Insider Buzz: Cutler Won't Accept Any Trade by Bears, Could Threaten to Retire

    42. Insider Buzz: NFL Won't Rush to Interfere in Revis, Jets Contract Situation

    43. Top Landing Spots for Tony Romo If Released or Traded by Dallas Cowboys

    44. Top Landing Spots for Former New York Giants WR Victor Cruz

    45. Insider Buzz: Redskins Interested in Tony Romo; Could Trade Kirk Cousins

    46. Insider Buzz: Jets Can Get Out of Revis Contract Due to Incident in Pittsburgh

    47. Insider Buzz: Jets Can Get Out of Revis Contract Due to Incident in Pittsburgh

    48. Insider Buzz: QB Mitch Trubisky Is a 'Lock for the Top 5' in 2017 NFL Draft

    49. Insider Buzz: Salary Cap Increase Could Lead to Uptick in Franchise Tag Use

    50. Tim Tebow Gave 75,000 Kids with Special Needs a Night They'll Never Forget

    51. Insider Buzz: Tony Romo Could Retire from NFL to Pursue TV Career

    52. Insider Buzz: Aldon Smith Reinstatement in Jeopardy with Latest Controversy

    53. Insider Buzz: 49ers Open to Keeping Kaepernick but Not at Current Salary

    54. History Will Never Forget New England Patriots 5th Championship in Super Bowl LI

    55. Simms: Blame Falcons' Conservative D, Not Aggressive Offense, for SB LI Collapse

    56. A7FL No-Pads, Full-Contact Football League Claims It's Safer Than the NFL

    57. Gridiron Heights: Patriots Win Super Bowl LI

    58. NFL Comeback Player of the Year Jordy Nelson

    59. Top 5 NFL Interception Leaders of 2016

    60. Insider Buzz: Rams Could Let Trumaine Johnson Walk in Free Agency

    61. Insider Buzz: NFL Being Urged to Decrease TNF Games; Goodell Not Budging

    62. Insider Buzz: Las Vegas Deal Dead, but Raiders Haven't Contacted City of Oakland

    63. Insider Buzz: Belichick Could Pull Out Old Trick to Slow Down Julio Jones in SB

    64. Tale of the Tape: Do Patriots or Falcons Have Advantage in Super Bowl LI?

    65. NFL Award Predictions: Who Will Take Home Hardware at 'Honors' Ceremony?

    66. Why Dion Lewis Will Be Patriots Good Luck Charm in Super Bowl LI

    67. Which Group of Road Graders Will Win Offensive Line of the Year at NFL Honors?

    68. Deflategate to Lady Gaga: Prop Bets That Will Keep You Hooked on Super Bowl LI

    69. Insider Buzz: Patriots Will Move Fast on Garoppolo Trade This Offseason

    70. Insider Buzz: Romo Wants to Face Cowboys in 2017 Season

    71. Can Super Bowl LI Patriots Cement Legacy as Top Team of New England Dynasty Era?

    72. Fake Brady Makes Appearance at Super Bowl 51 Media Day

    73. Insider Buzz: John Elway, Rich McKay Endorsed John Lynch for 49ers GM Job

    74. Insider Buzz: Raiders to Vegas Hits a Snag, Lease Proposal Seen as 'Insulting'

    75. Why One of College Football's Worst Teams Will Be a Winner in Super Bowl LI

    76. Atlanta Falcons X-Factors to Disrupt Patriots Offense in Super Bowl LI

    77. Insider Buzz: 'Unconventional' John Lynch Hire Won't Impact Shanahan to 49ers

    78. Insider Buzz: Teams Take 'Precautions' Before Facing Patriots, Shred Game Plans

    79. NCAA Lacrosse to Super Bowl LI: Patriots WR Chris Hogan's Rise to the Top

    80. Simms in 60: Falcons and Patriots Have Most Creative Offenses, Take Notice NFL

    81. Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa Is Much More Than "The Next Marcus Mariota"

    82. Who Had the Best Attendance in the NFL in 2016?

    83. Insider Buzz: Former Bills Coaches Angry at 'Lazy' Dareus' Criticism of Rex Ryan

    84. Insider Buzz: Spanos Denies Wanting to Move Chargers Back to SD, Won't Sell Team

    85. Insider Buzz: Outgoing Rams Coaching Staff Blames Todd Gurley's Struggles on Him

    86. From College Lacrosse to Super Bowl 51: Chris Hogan's Journey

    87. Insider Buzz: Stanford's Solomon Thomas Looking Like Top-10 Talent

    88. Jackson vs. Garcon: Redskins Are Facing Difficult 2017 Free Agent Decision

    89. Simms' Hidden Truth: Falcons Use of Julio Jones Too Dynamic for NE to Shut Down

    90. Insider Buzz: Chiefs' Chris Ballard Emerging as Favorite for Colts' GM Job

    91. Insider Buzz: 3 Teams Eyeing Free Agent DeSean Jackson If Let Go by Washington

    92. Simms' Hidden Truth: X-Factors for Patriots to Slow Down Explosive Falcons in SB

    93. Insider Buzz: Collins Deal Will Be Baseline for Patriots to Ink Dont'a Hightower

    94. Insider Buzz: Raiders Hope Carr Contract Won't Reset QB Market, No Rush on Deal

    95. Gridiron Heights Episode 20: Roger Goodell Hosts the Griddies

    96. How Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the Patriots Rewrote the History Books

    97. Chris Hogan Lived Up to His "7/11" Nickname in Patriots AFC Title Victory

    98. Insider Buzz: CLE & SF Both Landing Spots for Kirk Cousins in Offseason

    Week 10 marks the time for the New Orleans Saints to shockingly announce themselves as contenders or fade away into the murky pond that is the NFC South behind the 6-3 Atlanta Falcons.

    The Saints have won two in a row and four of their last five behind the arm of Drew Brees, the NFL leader at 336.1 passing yards per game. Over his past five outings, Brees had 13 of his 21 passing scores.

    D. Ross Cameron/Associated Press

    Now he just has to keep it moving in Week 10 against a Denver Broncos defense that happens to rank first against the pass, allowing just 183.3 yards per game.

    Easier said than done, though an emerging ground game doesn't hurt. Thanks to the combination of Tim Hightower and Mark Ingram, the Saints have had consecutive 100-yard rushers in back-to-back weeks after having none all year through six games. The defense has tightened up, too, allowing a maximum of 23 points over the past two wins.

    Early in the season, New Orleans' encounter with Denver looked predictable. But both teams have gone different directions in recent weeks, with the Broncos losing three of their past five and even falling to third in the AFC West.

    The war of wills here between the Saints offense and Broncos defense has the makings of the Week 10 matchup most liable to produce a huge shift in power rankings, with the Saints having the most to gain.

          

    Steelers

    1. Winners and Losers of the 2017 NFL Draft

    2. Winners and Losers of the 2017 NFL Draft Day 2

    3. Insider Buzz: Jaguars May Not Use Option on Bortles

    4. Grading the Trubisky Pick

    5. Former Pitt RB Beat Cancer, Now Sets Sights on NFL

    6. What Are the Hottest Match Ups of the 2017 NFL Season?

    7. What Changed for Tony Romo on Day 1 of NFL Free Agency?

    8. What Will It Take for Tony Romo to Land in Denver?

    9. Tony Romo Says Goodbye to Cowboys

    10. Deal Alert: Grading Alshon Jeffery to Philadelphia Eagles Free Agent Signing

    11. Deal Alert: Grading DeSean Jackson to Tampa Bay Buccaneers Free Agent Signing

    12. Insider Buzz: Deep CB Draft Class Helped Patriots Outbid Teams for Gilmore

    13. Matt Miller's Winners and Losers from the NFL Combine

    14. Insider Buzz: AP May Return to Vikings as Other Teams Show Little Interest in FA

    15. Insider Buzz: Desean Jackson Will Get Big Payday; Could Set Brandin Cooks Market

    16. Deal Alert: Grading Brandon Marshall to New York Giants Free Agent Signing

    17. Insider Buzz: Hue Jackson 'Loves' Mitch Trubisky; Chance to Be #1 Overall Pick

    18. Top Performers from the 2017 NFL Combine

    19. Rumor Alert: San Francisco 49ers Targeting Free Agent WR Kenny Britt?

    20. Insider Buzz: Dolphins May Pay Big Money for Stills; Parker's Future in Question

    21. Rumor Alert: Bears Will Make 'Major Push' for Free Agent QB Mike Glennon?

    22. NFL Free Agency 2017: Where Will Former Redskins WR DeSean Jackson Land?

    23. NFL Free Agency 2017: Why Teams Should Be Targeting WR Terrelle Pryor

    24. Myles Garrett, Top Edge Rushers Absolutely Owned the 2017 NFL Combine

    25. Insider Buzz: 49ers Targeting Mike Glennon If Cousins Deal Doesn't Develop

    26. NFL Free Agency 2017: Why Teams Should Be Targeting RB LeGarrette Blount

    27. Insider Buzz: Romo to Denver 'Gaining Momentum', Lack of Other Options

    28. NFL Free Agency 2017: Where Will Former Chicago Bears WR Alshon Jeffery Land?

    29. The Explosive, West Coast Kid: Meet the Ultimate Deep Threat John Ross

    30. NFL Free Agency 2017: Where Will Former Vikings RB Adrian Peterson Land?

    31. Insider Buzz: Glennon Offered Top Backup QB Money by Bucs, CHI & NYJ Interested

    32. Insider Buzz: Raiders Will Wait to See Murray's Market Before Targeting Peterson

    33. Insider Buzz: JPP Not Expected to Agree to Long-Term Deal, NYG Could Draft DE

    34. Rumor Alert: Titans Most Likely to Trade for Saints WR Brandin Cooks?

    35. Rumor Alert: Philadelphia Eagles Will Evaluate Signing RB Jamaal Charles?

    36. NFL Free Agency 2017: Where Will Tony Romo Land If Cut by Dallas Cowboys?

    37. Matt Miller's Rapid-Fire Predictions for 2017 NFL Combine

    38. Insider Buzz: Kirk Cousins Open to Being Traded to Cleveland Browns

    39. Insider Buzz: Adrian Peterson, Vikings to Determine Future at NFL Combine

    40. Meet the Biggest Sleeper DB Ready to Tear Up the NFL Combine

    41. Insider Buzz: Cutler Won't Accept Any Trade by Bears, Could Threaten to Retire

    42. Insider Buzz: NFL Won't Rush to Interfere in Revis, Jets Contract Situation

    43. Top Landing Spots for Tony Romo If Released or Traded by Dallas Cowboys

    44. Top Landing Spots for Former New York Giants WR Victor Cruz

    45. Insider Buzz: Redskins Interested in Tony Romo; Could Trade Kirk Cousins

    46. Insider Buzz: Jets Can Get Out of Revis Contract Due to Incident in Pittsburgh

    47. Insider Buzz: Jets Can Get Out of Revis Contract Due to Incident in Pittsburgh

    48. Insider Buzz: QB Mitch Trubisky Is a 'Lock for the Top 5' in 2017 NFL Draft

    49. Insider Buzz: Salary Cap Increase Could Lead to Uptick in Franchise Tag Use

    50. Tim Tebow Gave 75,000 Kids with Special Needs a Night They'll Never Forget

    51. Insider Buzz: Tony Romo Could Retire from NFL to Pursue TV Career

    52. Insider Buzz: Aldon Smith Reinstatement in Jeopardy with Latest Controversy

    53. Insider Buzz: 49ers Open to Keeping Kaepernick but Not at Current Salary

    54. History Will Never Forget New England Patriots 5th Championship in Super Bowl LI

    55. Simms: Blame Falcons' Conservative D, Not Aggressive Offense, for SB LI Collapse

    56. A7FL No-Pads, Full-Contact Football League Claims It's Safer Than the NFL

    57. Gridiron Heights: Patriots Win Super Bowl LI

    58. NFL Comeback Player of the Year Jordy Nelson

    59. Top 5 NFL Interception Leaders of 2016

    60. Insider Buzz: Rams Could Let Trumaine Johnson Walk in Free Agency

    61. Insider Buzz: NFL Being Urged to Decrease TNF Games; Goodell Not Budging

    62. Insider Buzz: Las Vegas Deal Dead, but Raiders Haven't Contacted City of Oakland

    63. Insider Buzz: Belichick Could Pull Out Old Trick to Slow Down Julio Jones in SB

    64. Tale of the Tape: Do Patriots or Falcons Have Advantage in Super Bowl LI?

    65. NFL Award Predictions: Who Will Take Home Hardware at 'Honors' Ceremony?

    66. Why Dion Lewis Will Be Patriots Good Luck Charm in Super Bowl LI

    67. Which Group of Road Graders Will Win Offensive Line of the Year at NFL Honors?

    68. Deflategate to Lady Gaga: Prop Bets That Will Keep You Hooked on Super Bowl LI

    69. Insider Buzz: Patriots Will Move Fast on Garoppolo Trade This Offseason

    70. Insider Buzz: Romo Wants to Face Cowboys in 2017 Season

    71. Can Super Bowl LI Patriots Cement Legacy as Top Team of New England Dynasty Era?

    72. Fake Brady Makes Appearance at Super Bowl 51 Media Day

    73. Insider Buzz: John Elway, Rich McKay Endorsed John Lynch for 49ers GM Job

    74. Insider Buzz: Raiders to Vegas Hits a Snag, Lease Proposal Seen as 'Insulting'

    75. Why One of College Football's Worst Teams Will Be a Winner in Super Bowl LI

    76. Atlanta Falcons X-Factors to Disrupt Patriots Offense in Super Bowl LI

    77. Insider Buzz: 'Unconventional' John Lynch Hire Won't Impact Shanahan to 49ers

    78. Insider Buzz: Teams Take 'Precautions' Before Facing Patriots, Shred Game Plans

    79. NCAA Lacrosse to Super Bowl LI: Patriots WR Chris Hogan's Rise to the Top

    80. Simms in 60: Falcons and Patriots Have Most Creative Offenses, Take Notice NFL

    81. Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa Is Much More Than "The Next Marcus Mariota"

    82. Who Had the Best Attendance in the NFL in 2016?

    83. Insider Buzz: Former Bills Coaches Angry at 'Lazy' Dareus' Criticism of Rex Ryan

    84. Insider Buzz: Spanos Denies Wanting to Move Chargers Back to SD, Won't Sell Team

    85. Insider Buzz: Outgoing Rams Coaching Staff Blames Todd Gurley's Struggles on Him

    86. From College Lacrosse to Super Bowl 51: Chris Hogan's Journey

    87. Insider Buzz: Stanford's Solomon Thomas Looking Like Top-10 Talent

    88. Jackson vs. Garcon: Redskins Are Facing Difficult 2017 Free Agent Decision

    89. Simms' Hidden Truth: Falcons Use of Julio Jones Too Dynamic for NE to Shut Down

    90. Insider Buzz: Chiefs' Chris Ballard Emerging as Favorite for Colts' GM Job

    91. Insider Buzz: 3 Teams Eyeing Free Agent DeSean Jackson If Let Go by Washington

    92. Simms' Hidden Truth: X-Factors for Patriots to Slow Down Explosive Falcons in SB

    93. Insider Buzz: Collins Deal Will Be Baseline for Patriots to Ink Dont'a Hightower

    94. Insider Buzz: Raiders Hope Carr Contract Won't Reset QB Market, No Rush on Deal

    95. Gridiron Heights Episode 20: Roger Goodell Hosts the Griddies

    96. How Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the Patriots Rewrote the History Books

    97. Chris Hogan Lived Up to His "7/11" Nickname in Patriots AFC Title Victory

    98. Insider Buzz: CLE & SF Both Landing Spots for Kirk Cousins in Offseason

    With a notable such as New Orleans rising, one can expect a noteworthy faller losing grip while trying to avoid a complete disaster.

    That team is unexpectedly the Pittsburgh Steelers.

    The Steelers started the year winning four of five, only to succumb to a three-game skid against a mixed bag of competition while dealing with an injury under center.

    Not that the Steelers have given in to the panic. Just look at a recent quote from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger:

    Confidence is good, but Big Ben suffered an injury in Week 6 during a 30-15 loss to the Miami Dolphins, missed a 27-16 loss to the New England Patriots and then rushed back in Week 9 to wobble through a 21-14 defeat at the hands of the Ravens.

    This puts the Steelers in a hole in the AFC North, sitting at 4-4. A rightful spot, really, when one considers Big Ben wasn't healthy for the Baltimore game, and the team committed a gaudy 13 penalties.

    Now the Steelers have to deal with the 7-1 Dallas Cowboys. Those Cowboys have a rookie quarterback-running back tandem for the ages with Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, not to mention a defense that only allows an average of 17.5 points per game.

    Given such a matchup, the Steelers can prevail with a healthy Big Ben and a recommitting to what had the team rolling through the early schedule. It'd make a huge difference in the power rankings, though whether the Steelers can make it happen against one of the NFL's best remains up for debate.

          

    Stats courtesy of NFL.com. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus. 

    Follow Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) on Twitter.