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B/R Experts Week 10 NFL Power Rankings
Well, that was a week.
If there's one thing you can expect in the NFL, it's the unexpected. But even by its own standards, Week 9 was rather weird.
Some things went according to script. It was a little surprising how easily they did it, but the Buffalo Bills continued their regular-season dominance over a Kansas City Chiefs team that has four losses at the midway point. The Los Angeles Rams destroyed the hapless New Orleans Saints. Ditto for the Seattle Seahawks in Washington.
However, not many people (as in no one) expected the Carolina Panthers to stroll into Lambeau Field and beat the one-loss Packers. Or for the Minnesota Vikings to stun the Lions at Ford Field.
And my goodness, how do the Cincinnati Bengals keep lighting up the scoreboard and losing?
A wild Week 9 threw the NFL's pecking order into a blender. But Bleacher Report NFL analysts Gary Davenport, Kris Knox, Maurice Moton and Brent Sobleski are here to make sense of that football smoothie by ranking the league's teams from worst to first.
32. Tennessee Titans (1-8)
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Last Week: 32
Week 9 Result: Lost 27-20 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
The Tennessee Titans made the Los Angeles Chargers sweat in a competitive home loss. They took an early 14-10 lead with a pick-six and a punt return for a touchdown, but the Titans offense remains a significant work in progress.
Quarterback Cam Ward hasn't thrown for multiple touchdowns in any of his nine games this season, and Tennessee averages the fewest rushing yards per contest.
Until the Titans figure out their offensive identity, they will remain at the bottom of the standings and power rankings. -- Moton
31. Miami Dolphins (2-7)
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Last Week: 29
Week 9 Result: Lost vs. Baltimore 28-6
The teardown has already begun on South Beach. Instead of a new hotel or club, the Dolphins are trying to redecorate within their own building.
Owner Stephen Ross fired general manager Chris Grier after Thursday's embarrassing loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Edge-rusher Jaelan Phillips was traded to Philadelphia Monday.
Head coach Mike McDaniel is safe...for now. The same can be said about quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. However, no guarantee exists for either party.
It's not hard to envision this situation spiraling out of control and both McDaniel and Tagovailoa being replaced, if not during the regular season then shortly after. -- Sobleski
30. New Orleans Saints (1-8)
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Last Week: 30
Week 9 Result: Lost vs. Rams 34-10
The New Orleans Saints' blowout loss to the Los Angeles Rams shouldn't really move the needle for anyone. The Saints gave a rookie quarterback his first career start on the road against one of the best teams in the entire league.
As expected, it did not go well.
New Orleans needs to evaluate its younger players over the second half of the season, especially QB Tyler Shough. A top-10 pick in the 2026 draft feels like a lock for the Saints. -- Knox
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29. New York Jets (1-7)
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Last Week: 31
Week 9 Result: Bye Week
The Jets couldn't lose this past weekend, because they didn't play a game. The team did enter its off-week on a positive note after winning its first game of the season.
Justin Fields silenced doubters for at least one week with the Jets' comeback victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Though everyone saw the Chicago Bears do the same in Week 9.
Maybe the Bengals defense is so bad that no one should take anything of substance from those playing against the unit.
The Cleveland Browns will present a more formidable defense, which can provide a better indication of where the Jets currently are. Aaron Glenn and his coaching staff had two weeks to prepare.
Then again, the Jets might have a fire sale during this week's trade deadline and completely change the upcoming contest's outlook. -- Sobleski
28. Cleveland Browns (2-6)
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Last Week: 28
Week 9 Result: Bye Week
The Ohio teams are at opposite ends of the NFL spectrum this year.
The Cincinnati Bengals are scoring points like crazy but can't stop anyone. The Cleveland Browns have a solid defense but rank in the league's bottom three in scoring.
That veteran quarterback Joe Flacco has played for both teams this year is...confusing.
The Browns can't hand the reins of their floundering offense over to Flacco after trading him. And with each passing week it becomes more and more evident that Dillon Gabriel's NFL future (if he has one) is as a backup—his lack of arm strength is glaring.
Despite those deficiencies and calls for Shedeur Sanders to get a shot at starting, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has made it clear he intends to stick with Gabriel under center.
Apparently, at some point you just become numb to all the losing. -- Davenport
27. Las Vegas Raiders (2-6)
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Last Week: 27
Week 9 Result: Lost vs. Jacksonville 30-29 (OT)
The Las Vegas Raiders showed on Sunday they're not punting on this season. Their offense got a big boost from Brock Bowers' return, and the Raiders got a mostly good performance out of quarterback Geno Smith.
Las Vegas took the Jacksonville Jaguars to overtime in a back-and-forth battle and refused to play for a tie at the end of the extra period. After the teams traded overtime touchdowns and with mere seconds left on the clock, the Raiders tried to win it with a two-point conversion.
The attempt failed. As a result, Las Vegas fell to 2-6 and probably out of the playoff picture for good. However, Week 9 provided something on which they can build as they look to evaluate the roster over the second half of the season. -- Knox
26. New York Giants (2-7)
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Last Week: 26
Week 9 Result: Lost 34-24 vs. San Francisco
Quarterback Jaxson Dart keeps the New York Giants in games, but the team's defense can't stop anyone. Despite averaging 25.3 points in its last three outings, scoring at least 20 in each one, Big Blue lost all three.
Even though the Giants are 2-7 and will likely miss the playoffs, they should focus on acquiring young defenders to help Dart in the next two months. New York can brighten its 2026 campaign outlook with a strong finish in 2025.
For now, the Giants are a bottom-tier team in the power rankings, but they're exciting to watch on game day. -- Moton
25. Cincinnati Bengals (3-6)
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Last Week: 24
Week 9 Result: Lost vs. Chicago 47-42
The Cincinnati Bengals offense needs a hug.
For the second straight week at home, the Bengals offense lit it up—despite playing through a shoulder sprain, Joe Flacco threw for 470 yards and four scores against the Chicago Bears.
Cincinnati scored 42 points after posting 38 against the Jets last week. For the second straight game, however, the team lost—due to the league's worst defense.
After Sunday's debacle, the Bengals are allowing 426.6 yards per game and 33.3 points per game. Cincinnati has no chance of sniffing the postseason with a backup quarterback and no defense.
The last time a team scored 38-plus points in two straight games and lost them both was in 1966.
The next time Al Golden should be allowed to coordinate an NFL defense is 2066. -- Davenport
24. Washington Commanders (3-6)
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Last Week: 18
Week 9 Result: Lost 38-14 vs. Seattle
The Washington Commanders can forget about playoff aspirations. The Seattle Seahawks dominated them through four quarters, and quarterback Jayden Daniels left late in the game with an air cast on his left arm.
The Commanders weren't competitive before Daniels went down, so don't expect them to reemerge as a playoff contender without him.
Moreover, whoever starts in his place likely won't have lead wideout Terry McLaurin, who aggravated a quad injury in Week 8.
Washington appears destined to sink to the bottom of the power rankings in a regression season. -- Moton
23. Arizona Cardinals (3-5)
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Last Week: 25
Week 9 Result: Won at Dallas 27-17
The Arizona Cardinals do not have a quarterback controversy.
What they have is a quarterback problem.
There's no controversy because, for better or worse, the Cardinals are stuck with Kyler Murray through 2026 unless they can find a team willing to take on his contract in trade—which is slightly less likely than winning Mega Millions and Powerball in the same week.
There's a problem because it has essentially become impossible to deny veteran journeyman Jacoby Brissett has outplayed Murray under center this year—and it's not especially close.
Monday's win in Dallas was a temporary reprieve. A few fleeting moments of feeling good about these Redbirds.
However, this is a mediocre team with an embattled head coach and the worst kind of issue at the game's most important position.
They paid the wrong guy. -- Davenport
22. Dallas Cowboys (3-5-1)
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Last Week: 21
The Dallas Cowboys have lost consecutive games by double-digit margins, averaging 20.5 points in those outings.
While on The Stephen A. Smith Show on SiriusXM NFL Radio (h/t The Athletic's Jon Machota), Dallas owner Jerry Jones hinted the team will make a trade to address its "shortcomings."
One player won't turn this club into a contender, though, and the Cowboys should look within to fix some of their issues. They have turned the ball over five times over the last two weeks.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer must emphasize cleaner performances with his offense. -- Moton
21. Houston Texans (3-5)
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Last Week: 17
Week 9 Result: Lost 18-15 vs. Denver
The Houston Texans tumbled in our power rankings, and their playoff hopes are in dire straits.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud exited the previous game with a concussion. With him, Houston struggled to engineer touchdown drives. If he's out for the team's upcoming matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Texans could be looking at back-to-back losses at a crucial point in the season.
Expect Houston to play with desperation and urgency regardless of Stroud's Week 10 status in a critical game if it wants a shot at retaining the AFC South title and a playoff spot. -- Moton
20. Atlanta Falcons (3-5)
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Last Week: 19
Week 9 Result: Lost vs. New England 24-23
There have been points this season where it felt like the Atlanta Falcons might make some noise in the NFC playoff race. That's just not going to happen, though.
Atlanta is too inconsistent offensively and makes more silly mistakes than any legitimate contender should. On Sunday, it went on a 9-3 second-half run to nearly draw even with the New England Patriots—then watched John Parker Romo miss a game-tying extra point.
Even if the Falcons go on a late-season run, they're likely to fall just short once again. -- Knox
19. Minnesota Vikings (4-4)
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Last Week: 20
Week 9 Result: Won vs. Detroit 27-24
J.J. McCarthy's return to the lineup provided the Vikings with the presence needed to snap the squad's previous two-game losing streak.
Considering Carson Wentz had been playing through what became a season-ending injury, McCarthy provided a significant upgrade after returning from a high ankle sprain.
The 22-year-old is still in his first full season in the NFL after suffering his own season-ending injury last year, but he has the confidence of his team.
His maturation can help a Minnesota squad that may be in the NFC North cellar but is only 1.5 games behind the first-place Green Bay Packers. -- Sobleski
18. Carolina Panthers (5-4)
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Last Week: 22
Week 9 Result: Won vs. Green Bay 16-13
Sunday's win over the Packers in Green Bay shows that the Carolina Panthers aren't a bad football team. In fact, they might be the only team capable of challenging the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South this season.
Carolina has found an elite running game thanks to Rico Dowdle's emergence. It's had respectable quarterback play from Bryce Young when he's been healthy and has an underrated and ascending defense.
The Panthers will need a few breaks to reach the postseason, and they probably won't go far if they get there. However, they're also over .500 halfway through the season, which is reason enough for Carolina fans to have hope. -- Knox
17. Baltimore Ravens (3-5)
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Last Week: 23
Week 9 Result: Won vs. Miami 28-6
Don't look now, but here come the Baltimore Ravens.
After being ravaged by injuries over the first half of the season, the Ravens headed to Miami as healthy as they have been in weeks. And Baltimore looked a lot more like the Super Bowl contender we expected and less like the tomato can we got over the season's first two months.
Lamar Jackson threw four touchdown passes in his return to action from a hamstring injury. Running back Derrick Henry rushed for 119 yards on 19 carries. And Baltimore's beleaguered defense held the Dolphins out of the end zone and forced three turnovers.
There's still work to be done in Baltimore. But with a manageable month of games ahead, by the time the Ravens travel to Pittsburgh on December 7, Baltimore could be back above .500 and back in the AFC North race. -- Davenport
16. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-3)
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Last Week: 16
Week 9 Result: Won 30-29 vs. Las Vegas (OT)
In Week 9, Trevor Lawrence played with an illness, didn't have one of his top receivers in Travis Hunter, and lost a couple of his wideouts to injuries during the game. Yet he still made an impact with two rushing scores, the second coming in overtime to give Jacksonville a 30-23 lead.
Since their 31-27 Week 2 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Jaguars have found ways to grind out victories in close games. They've beaten the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders by five or fewer points.
Jacksonville deserves more respect in the power rankings. -- Moton
15. Chicago Bears (5-3)
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Last Week: 15
Week 9 Result: Won vs. Cincinnati 47-42
The Bears had no right to emerge victorious this past weekend, but the Bengals defense was so bad that three defenders somehow allowed rookie tight end Colston Loveland to race 58 yards to a game-winning score.
Still, Chicago found a way to win. The Bears did so against a woeful defense. But a win is a win, especially for a team trying to establish an identity.
Quarterback Caleb Williams made plays, but the coaching staff may have a new weapon to feature in rookie running back Kyle Monangai, who ran for 176 yards during Sunday's contest. -- Sobleski
14. San Francisco 49ers (6-3)
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Last Week: 13
Week 9 Result: Won vs. New York Giants 34-24
The San Francisco 49ers just will not die. And while not many are mentioning him as a candidate, running back Christian McCaffrey should be in the MVP conversation.
Because there's no way a Niners team that has been blasted week after week on both sides of the ball by injuries would be sitting at 6-3 ahead of a critical matchup with the Los Angeles Rams without him.
In Sunday's road win over the New York Giants, McCaffrey touched the ball a whopping 33 times for 173 yards and two scores—one on the ground and one through the air. It's a theme, as the 29-year-old has regularly carried an offense filled with as many backups as starters.
The question for the Niners is whether it's sustainable. McCaffrey's record of 229 touches already this season puts him on pace for a whopping 433 over a full campaign. -- Davenport
13. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3)
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Last Week: 14
Week 9 Result: Won vs. Indianapolis 27-20
The Pittsburgh Steelers entered Week 9 in first place in the AFC North, but after back-to-back losses, much of the shine had come off the idea of them being a legit threat in the AFC.
At least, it did until the Steelers handled the NFL's hottest team on Sunday.
The real story of Pittsburgh's victory over the Indianapolis Colts was the play of a defense that had struggled of late. The Steelers sacked Daniel Jones five times Sunday, picked him off three times, and forced two more fumbles from the QB.
The Steelers are hardly explosive offensively, but they are efficient. When the defense plays this well, they can beat anyone.
That defense will have to—Pittsburgh's next month contains games at the Los Angeles Chargers and Chicago Bears and a home date with the Buffalo Bills before a critical matchup with the rival Ravens as the calendar turns to December. -- Davenport
12. Los Angeles Chargers (6-3)
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Last Week: 12
Week 9 Result: Won vs. Tennessee 27-20
The Los Angeles Chargers also escaped with a tough road victory in a week when other top teams, including the Packers, Lions and Colts, suffered setbacks.
The Chargers didn't run the ball particularly well and gave up defensive and special teams touchdowns, but they still got a win to keep pace in the AFC West.
Unfortunately, those Week 9 issues aren't as alarming as the ankle injury that led to Joe Alt being carted off the field.
Los Angeles has shown perseverance in the face of injury adversity this season, but losing Alt for any extended period would be a massive blow. -- Knox
11. Green Bay Packers (5-2-1)
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Last Week: 4
Week 9 Result: Lost vs. Carolina Panthers 16-13
The Packers have now lost two games. In those contests, a trend emerged.
The Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers, who are limited offensively, both ran the ball well and played outstanding defense. The first issue must be sorted out by Green Bay sooner rather than later, because opponents can shorten games and lessen opportunities for the Packers.
Panthers running back Rico Dowdle accumulated 130 rushing yards during Sunday's contest. Green Bay will still face Saquon Barkley, Aaron Jones Sr. (twice), Jahmyr Gibbs, D'Andre Swift/Kyle Monangai (twice) and Derrick Henry before the regular season concludes.
Better play at the point of attack is a necessity. -- Sobleski
10. Kansas City Chiefs (5-4)
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Last Week: 2
Week 9 Result: Lost vs. Buffalo 28-21
The Kansas City Chiefs are in a bit of trouble. There's no other way to put it.
While heading into their bye at 5-4 isn't a disaster, the Chiefs are falling behind in the AFC West race. That's a problem. While we know Kansas City is always a threat once the playoffs begin, what happens if they don't reach the postseason at all?
It seems like an unfathomable scenario, considering Patrick Mahomes has never missed an AFC Championship Game. As things stand, though, Kansas City can't afford many more losses and expect to sneak into the postseason.
The upcoming Week 11 matchup with the Denver Broncos is now a veritable must-win for Kansas City. -- Knox
9. Detroit Lions (5-3)
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Last Week: 6
Week 9 Result: Lost vs. Minnesota 27-24
Some concerns should be bubbling to the surface since the Lions' offensive line, which was previously viewed as elite, has not played well in recent weeks.
In fact, Detroit's last two opponents sacked Jared Goff nine times. Minnesota sacked him five times, while adding 11 quarterback hits.
Goff is a distributor, not a playmaker. He's going to run the offensive scheme at peak efficiency if he's kept clean. He's not going to generate plays outside of structure or against significant pressure.
His skill set and its deficiencies were obvious against the rival Vikings. -- Sobleski
8. New England Patriots (7-2)
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Last Week: 10
Week 9 Result: Won vs. Atlanta 24-23
The Patriots might have needed a missed extra point to squeak past the Falcons, but that doesn't take away from the fact that New England now owns a 7-2 record, which is tied for the league's best.
Mike Vrabel's squad already has three more victories than it did through the entire 2024 campaign. Drake Maye's ascension to elite quarterback status certainly helps.
At the same time, Vrabel's presence in the locker room has made a significant difference. The Patriots are now prepared every week and ready to compete, which wasn't the case a season ago.
New England is back near the top, and it's likely to stay there. -- Sobleski
7. Denver Broncos (7-2)
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Last Week: 7
Week 9 Result: Won vs. Houston 18-15
After finding some offensive momentum in back-to-back weeks, the Denver Broncos failed to reach 300 yards or 20 points in Week 9. Of course, they were on the road and up against a league-best Houston Texans defense.
Fortunately, Denver's own defense is championship-caliber and helped keep things close enough to escape a sixth-straight win.
Are the Broncos fortunate they spent most of Sunday playing against Davis Mills instead of C.J. Stroud? Probably, but that doesn't change the fact that Denver has become a squad that just keeps finding ways to win. -- Knox
6. Seattle Seahawks (6-2)
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Last Week: 11
Week 9 Result: Won vs. Washington 38-14
The Seattle Seahawks are the best NFL team that isn't getting mentioned as one of the best teams in the NFL.
After trouncing a floundering Commanders team Sunday night, the Seahawks have won 10 straight games on the road. Quarterback Sam Darnold had more touchdown passes (four) than incompletions (three). Everyone knows wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is going to get the ball—and no one can stop them.
Throw in a defense that entered the week as a top-10 unit in points allowed, and you have a Super Bowl contender.
Seattle won 10 games last year but underwent a substantial roster overhaul in the offseason anyway. Good wasn't good enough. The Seahawks wanted to be great.
And with just one game in their next five against a team with a winning record (a Week 11 matchup with the Rams), Seattle is more than just a contender in the NFC West. They're fighting for the best record in the conference. -- Davenport
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2)
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Last Week: 8
Week 9 Result: Bye Week
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers couldn't have been much more desperate to reach their week off. They needed an opportunity to rest and regroup after a trying eight weeks and a seemingly endless parade of injuries.
Yet, the fact that Tampa has got to 6-2 while pretty much never playing with a full starting lineup should concern other NFC contenders.
If the Buccaneers can get healthier as the season goes on, they will be a problem for others. -- Knox
4. Indianapolis Colts (7-2)
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Last Week: 1
Week 9 Result: Lost 27-20 vs. Pittsburgh
The Indianapolis Colts have held the No. 1 spot in our power rankings for the last two weeks. In Week 9, though, the Pittsburgh Steelers snapped the Colts' four-game winning streak.
Despite a turnover-riddled loss, Indianapolis is still one of the league's best teams, tied with the Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos for the best record, as reflected in this week's rankings.
In Week 10, the Colts will travel to Berlin for an early kickoff against the Atlanta Falcons. With a cleaner bounce-back performance, Indianapolis will hold a comfortable lead in the AFC South standings. -- Moton
3. Buffalo Bills (6-2)
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Last Week: 7
Week 9 Result: Won vs. Kansas City 28-21
The Bills have been here before. They have beaten the Chiefs during the regular season in four straight years. The previous outcomes helped lead Buffalo to the postseason.
While there, however, the Chiefs got their revenge on three different occasions.
Sunday's performance was impressive. It shouldn't be taken as anything more than a good outing, because history tells everyone it doesn't translate.
The Bills must slay the dragon in the postseason before these regular-season victories are viewed as something more than they currently are. -- Sobleski
2. Philadelphia Eagles (6-2)
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Last Week: 5
Week 9 Result: Bye Week
In Week 8, before their bye, the Philadelphia Eagles avenged their Week 6 loss to the New York Giants. Averaging 33 points in its last two games, Philadelphia is back on the right track offensively under first-time offensive play-caller Kevin Patullo.
During their off week, the Eagles acquired edge-rusher Jaelan Phillips from the Miami Dolphins and cornerback Jaire Alexander from the Baltimore Ravens.
At the least, Phillips will add pop to a struggling pass rush, while Alexander will provide depth in the secondary. However, Alexander could immediately compete for starting snaps if Adoree' Jackson is out for an extended period with a concussion. -- Moton
1. Los Angeles Rams (6-2)
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Last Week: 3
Week 9 Result: Won vs. New Orleans 34-10
Sure, the Los Angeles Rams as the No. 1 team in my power rankings. We totally saw that coming.
Their disposal of the hapless New Orleans Saints is a microcosm of these Rams when firing on all cylinders.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford is playing at an MVP level. The Rams gained over 170 yards on the ground. Wide receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams both had big games. And the talented young L.A. defense held the Saints to 224 yards of offense and forced two turnovers.
As well as the Rams have played this season though, they can't afford to let up even a little. Next week they are headed to San Francisco for a key division matchup with the 49ers, and then it's a home date with the Seattle Seahawks.
Those contests could create some separation in a tightly packed NFC West and give the Rams a chance to strengthen their case as the best team in the conference. -- Davenport
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