NFL Power Rankings: Last-Minute Examination of League Hierarchy Before Week 10

Week 10 began with a whimper, not a bang, as the Minnesota Vikings took down the Washington Redskins on Thursday Night Football.

It was not exactly a contest that will cause catastrophic damage to any set of power rankings.

The rest of Week 10 has finally arrived, and Sunday means that massive jumps and falls are in store for teams around the league—just like every week prior. 2013 has not been kind to power rankings week in and week out because of the unpredictability of the league—just ask Indianapolis. 

We do know where things stand heading into Sunday. Here's how it all shakes out, and enjoy it, because Sunday will cause everything to be murkier than ever.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (9-0)

The only constant in the NFL outside of a few teams at the bottom with losing streaks?

The undefeated Kansas City Chiefs. 

Last week provided a test with a scare against Buffalo, but like good undefeated teams bound for the playoffs, Andy Reid's team found a way to survive.

Earlier in the season it was easier to knock the Chiefs for a shoddy strength of schedule, and while it has not really improved, nine straight in the NFL is an impressive feat regardless.

2. Denver Broncos (7-1)

Denver is a fun team to watch.

Peyton Manning and the offense lead the top-ranked passing attack and score over 40 points per game, but the defense is second-to-last in pass defense.

Not many outgun Manning on a weekly basis, so don't expect Denver to go anywhere.

3. New Orleans Saints (6-2)

Guess what?

The New Orleans Saints have a top-five pass defense—something that was not exactly easy to see coming after last year's historically bad unit, but credit goes to coordinator Rob Ryan for making something out of nothing, given the situation he inherited.

The exception is Kenny Vaccaro. The Texas product is an absolute stud.

Look at that, a top-three Saints team and we didn't even have to talk offense. That's scary.

4. Seattle Seahawks (8-1)

Seattle has now had its close encounter with a loss to a lowly team after Tampa Bay went to CenturyLink (the Seahawks have not lost there since December of 2011) and almost pulled off the upset.

Now the 'Hawks are red hot and on a four-game streak. They not only have a top-ranked pass defense to perfectly counter the NFL's main trend but a top-ranked rushing attack to keep opposing passing offenses off the field.

The Seahawks are built to last.

5. New England Patriots (7-2)

Welcome back, Tom Brady.

The Brady bunch announced to league last week they're back to form offensively with over 600 total yards (over 400 and four touchdowns from Brady) on a Pittsburgh defense that came into the game with the second-ranked pass defense.

Even better, the Patriots have a sound defense and a great record.

6. Indianapolis Colts (6-2)

The Indianapolis Colts are in full control of the AFC South after a win over the Houston Texans last week.

Sure, the game against the Texans was a bit of a scare, but it's about time the Colts show up and don't play down to their competition.

Perhaps the best news for the Colts? Reggie Wayne is lost for the season, but T.Y. Hilton is a budding star set to take the league by storm. Reserve the jersey as a nice present for the holiday season.

7. San Francisco 49ers (6-2)

San Francisco comes out of a bye in Week 10 on a major winning streak, but one has to wonder just how legit the 49ers truly are. 

We'll find out when the 49ers take on the league's No. 3 defense in Carolina.

The problem with San Francisco is simple: its run dominance is great, but can Colin Kaepernick beat teams with his arm if necessary? We may find out on Sunday.

8. Chicago Bears (5-3)

The loss of Jay Cutler did little to stop Marc Trestman's efficient offense.

Check out how savvy veteran Josh McCown has performed in Cutler's absence:

Week/Opponent	Yards	TD	INT	Rating
Week 7 at WAS	204	1	0	119.6
Week 9 at GB	272	2	0	90.7

That kind of efficiency regardless of the man under center is hard to defeat. Better defensive play would be nice, but they'll come around at some point.

9. Cincinnati Bengals (6-3)

It's hard to digest losing via a safety in overtime, but that's exactly what Cincinnati did last week in Miami:

Now Cincinnati has to overcome the loss of its two best defensive players with Leon Hall and tackle Geno Atkins lost for the season.

We're about to find out how mature and deep this young team truly is.

10. Green Bay Packers (5-3)

While the Bengals' situation last week is tough to take, it's even harder to digest the loss of a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers.

Rodgers broke his collarbone last week and will at best be back for his team's Thanksgiving matchup with Detroit, in what should be a battle for NFC North supremacy should Green Bay keep winning:

We'll see what Seneca Wallace can pull off with help from rookie Eddie Lacy.

11. Detroit Lions (5-3)

Detroit brings an explosive offense last seen pulling off a last-second victory in Dallas, is now coming off a bye in Week 10, and finds itself smack in the middle of things in the NFC North.

As much as it's easy to love one of the NFL's best offenses, it's tough to see how far Detroit can truly go with such a woeful defense.

Matthew Stafford is elite, but it may prove difficult to continually cover for such a miserable defense.

12. New York Jets (5-4)

The New York Jets have yet to put together a streak of any kind in 2013.

Last week the Jets upset the No. 3 team on this list with an impressive defensive showing, which is not all that surprising thanks to Rex Ryan's defense.

What is surprising is the week prior the Jets were abused 49-9 at the hands of Cincinnati, a team that went on to lose by a safety in overtime.

Yeah, good luck explaining the NFL to anyone who doesn't watch.

13. Miami Dolphins (4-4)

Here is Miami, a team enshrouded in distractions as it preps for a Monday Night Football showing against in-state rival Tampa Bay (say that with a straight face).

Luckily, the Buccaneers are winless, and while Ryan Tannehill is the most sacked quarterback in the NFL, the defense has played at a high level as of late and things appear on the upswing on the field.

14. San Diego Chargers (4-4)

The Chargers can play with any team in the league thanks to a rejuvenated Philip Rivers. The playoffs are not entirely out of the question.

This will be on full display Sunday as Rivers gets a shot at the league's worst pass defense. While Rivers has to make up for his miserable defense, he's found a budding star in Keenan Allen to get the ball to in any scenario.

15. Dallas Cowboys (5-4)

The Dallas Cowboys also have an elite quarterback in Tony Romo, but he is in no way the beneficiary of a strong defense each week.

Romo has to deal with picking up the slack for one of the NFL's worst secondaries, which is not all that surprising at this point. Dallas once again has the makings of a .500 team that simply cannot win the close games.

16. Buffalo Bills (3-6)

Buffalo fans rejoice—starter EJ Manuel is back:

No more Thad Lewis (the effort is duly noted) or Jeff Tuel (yeah...) under center, so the Bills will once again be winning games as an under-the-radar team most don't realize is very sound in numerous areas.

17. Carolina Panthers (5-3)

Luke Kuechly is the next big thing in the NFL.

Give credit where it's due to Cam Newton and his MVP-esque play in the past four weeks, where the Panthers have not lost, but Kuechly leads the NFL's No. 3 overall defense.

The win streak has been nice for Carolina, but it's come over horrible teams. A win against San Francisco Sunday? Top-10 material without a doubt.

18. Cleveland Browns (4-5)

The Cleveland Browns sure know how to get the most out of the man under center (unless he's a 30-year-old in his second year in the NFL):

Jason Campbell is a great stop-gap solution at quarterback, one who most recently knocked off the defending champs (we're still trying to figure out if that's actually an accomplishment in 2013).

What is an accomplishment is the Browns currently sit in the second place in the AFC North. So much for drafting a quarterback high.

19. Tennessee Titans (4-4)

It's subtle, but Tennessee is quietly one of the best young teams in the NFL.

Cornerback Alterraun Verner is elite and the No. 2 ranked player at his position in the NFL per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). He leads one of the NFL's best pass defenses.

It's also November, which means it's time for Chris Johnson to go nuts like he did last week with 150 yards and two scores.

The Titans are 4-2 when Jake Locker starts this year. Laugh away—the Titans are playoff contenders.

20. Philadelphia Eagles (4-5)

Alrighty then.

Apparently, Peyton Manning got bored and possessed Nick Foles during his bye week, as Philadelphia's signal-caller tossed seven touchdowns against Oakland.

It's hard to imagine Foles will come anywhere close to that tally again in a single game, but the Eagles are now in a strong position to win the NFC East. Is that even an accomplishment?

21. Baltimore Ravens (3-5)

It's hard to like anything about Baltimore. 

The defense is a shell of its former self. Joe Flacco has handicapped the franchise off the field with his $100 million contract and on the field with his horrendous play.

Star back Ray Rice should be on the back of a milk carton as he averages less than three yards per carry.

Stick a fork in Baltimore.

22. St. Louis Rams (3-6)

St. Louis is down for the count as well.

Jeff Fisher and the Rams have eyes set on the 2014 draft, where they hold two picks in the opening round.

Any chance of the Rams pushing for the playoffs went the way of Sam Bradford's knee, but the team has discovered an amazing building block in rookie back running back Zac Stacy.

23. Houston Texans (2-6)

Give credit where it's due—the Houston Texans are still playing hard and have potentially found the long-term solution with quarterback Case Keenum.

It's hard to tell if the organization will want to continue onward with Keenum (it also depends on if Gary Kubiak is permitted to keep his job or not—a new coach means new a quarterback most likely), but he's certainly made a case (get it?) for himself:

Week/Opponent	Yards	TD	INT	Rating
Week 7 at KC	271	1	0	110.6
Week 9 vs IND	350	3	0	123.4

Time will tell if Keenum is the answer.

24. Arizona Cardinals (4-4)

Poor Carson Palmer.

If there is one guy who deserves a career do-over, it's Palmer.

Palmer went to the desert, and why not? He has not had a receiver like Larry Fitzgerald since Chad Johnson. Unfortunately, Palmer once again plays behind a shoddy offensive line.

Arizona won't win many more games despite a strong defense (that sorely misses Ray Horton).

25. Oakland Raiders (3-5)

Many wonder why Terrelle Pryor has struggled in recent weeks.

This about sums it up:

Oakland won't give up seven touchdowns passes to Peyton...Foles every week, but the Raiders are finally regressing into the team many thought would be picking first overall in 2014.

26. Atlanta Falcons (2-6)

Atlanta's season is over.

Steven Jackson has been a dud, which was easy to see coming, considering he lost playing time to a rookie last year in St. Louis.

Meanwhile, Matt Ryan looks more like Matt Flynn as he attempts to overcompensate on an offense riddled with injuries.

The silver lining? A healthy, talented roster in 2014 is about to receive a boost from a top prospect.

27. New York Giants (2-6)

New York is in line for another miracle run to make the playoffs.

Don't laugh—the Giants still have a shot in the NFC East and fans have seen Tom Coughlin's team do the impossible before. 

Eli Manning also finally gets some help in Week 10 with the return of Andre Brown. Don't sleep on the Giants just yet. 

28. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-6)

Yikes.

A Pittsburgh defense that entered Week 9 as the No. 2 overall unit against the pass gave up over 400 yards and four scores to Tom Brady, not to mention 600 yards overall and 55 points.

Ben Roethlisberger continues to be mauled behind a horrible line, and the Steelers defense is horrific and one of the NFL's worst against the run.

The Steelers will stay in the cellar of the AFC North.

29. Minnesota Vikings (2-7)

Somebody had to win on Thursday Night Football to kick off Week 10.

That somebody turned out to be Adrian Peterson and the Minnesota Vikings behind 75 yards and two scores from the star running back.

Unfortunately, the duo of Christian Ponder and Matt Cassel failed to do anything of merit against one of the league's worst pass defenses.

A quarterback will be the selection when the draft rolls around (don't dare bring up a guy by the name of Josh).

30. Washington Redskins (3-6) 

RGIII is a shell of his former self, in part because the league has a year of film to study, and in part because he is not a threat on the ground and has failed to prove deadly through the air.

Washington has a plethora of problems, mainly on defense, but as expected, the Redskins could not pull out a close game Thursday.

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-8)

The running joke that is Greg Schiano's team struggles with anything and everything, which is especially concerning with a defense led by major names like Darrelle Revis.

Star back Doug Martin is finally out for the year as expected:

2013 is over for Tampa Bay.

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-8)

Justin Blackmon is out for the year after yet another violation of the NFL's drug policy, per CBS Sports' John Breech.

The good news is Cecil Shorts is an absolute stud, but that's about it from Jacksonville, a team that now has its choice of any top quarterback prospect in the land next year.