B/R Experts Week 10 NFL Power Rankings

"Any Given Sunday" is most assuredly a thing in the NFL. Each and every week brings with it surprises and upsets.

OK, most weeks do, anyway.

By NFL standards, Week 9 was like a bottle of Tums—pretty chalky. For the most part, favorites and contenders won. Tomato cans and pretenders did not.

Week 9 also marked the halfway point in the NFL's regular season. The first half went according to script in some respects—the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers were expected to be good and they are. The New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals were expected to be bad—and they are.

But few predicted that the New York Giants would be running away with the NFC East. Or that the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Chargers would completely implode.

After yet another exciting weekend of NFL action, Bleacher Report NFL analysts  Gary Davenport, Kris Knox, Maurice Moton and Brent Sobleski have gathered again to assess the state of the league by ranking all 32 NFL teams from worst to first.

The team in the basement has spent so much time there this year they are paying rent.

ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND | JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN | NE | NYG | NO | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SEA | SF | TB | TEN | WAS

32. Los Angeles Chargers (0-8)

AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann

Chargers WR Ladd McConkey

Last Week: 32

Week 9 Result: Lost vs. Houston 44-22

The Los Angeles Chargers have looked and played like the worst team in the NFL since the beginning of the season, and it's hard to envision things changing in the immediate future.

The Chargers' offense continues to flounder under the direction of Mike McDaniel, and injuries aren't helping. Ladd McConkey missed another game due to injury, and now Justin Herbert is dealing with a finger injury on his non-throwing hand.

Los Angeles' defense, meanwhile, has looked like a poor imitation of last year's playoff-caliber unit.

The Chargers were just blown out by a Houston Texans squad that has also underwhelmed, though they did find the end zone for the first time since Week 5. -- Knox

31. Indianapolis Colts (2-7)

AP Photo/AJ Mast

Colts QB Daniel Jones

Last Week: 31

Week 9 Result: Lost vs. Dallas 27-23

According to The Ringer's Tom Pelissero, the Indianapolis Colts informed quarterback Daniel Jones that they won't trade him. He'll be around to play out the rest of a transition season in Indianapolis, but that doesn't mean the team will keep him as a starter for the rest of the season.

Jones hasn't played well amid the Colts' struggles. The team fired general manager Chris Ballard after a Week 6 loss to the Tennessee Titans, and head coach Shane Steichen could be next.

Indianapolis is circling the drain, and it's anyone's guess how this team will look week to week after the trade deadline. We do know it's a squad that belongs at the bottom of the power rankings, though. -- Moton

30. Miami Dolphins (1-7)

AP Photo/Doug Murray

Dolphins QB Malik Willis

Last Week: 29

Week 9 Result: Lost vs. Detroit 19-16

At 1-7, the Miami Dolphins currently own a top-three pick in the 2027 NFL draft. Yes, the draft should already be a significant point of discussion even though it's early November. This setup shouldn't come as a surprise, either. 

Entering this season, the Dolphins were already seen as the franchise fielding the NFL's worst roster. The team didn't make long-term investments this past offseason, except for quarterback Malik Willis, who signed a three-year, $67.5 million free-agent contract. 

Willis may be well on his way to a one-and-done campaign as Miami's QB1, because the Dolphins could be in a position to draft next year's top quarterback prospect. Willis could possibly stay as a bridge option, or the organization can release him and eat what he's already owned next season. Either way, Willis hasn't shown enough to warrant long-term consideration at the game's most important position. -- Sobleski

29. Tennessee Titans (1-7)

AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

Titans QB Cam Ward

Last Week: 30

Week 9 Result: Bye Week

The Tennessee Titans are headed toward their fifth consecutive losing season, but they have a silver lining that gives them hope for a better showing in the second half of the campaign. 

The Titans offense made strides in their previous two games, racking up over 321 total yards in both outings. In Week 8, Cam Ward threw for a career-high 304 yards without rookie first-round wideout Carnell Tate in the lineup. 

If Tate returns to action this week, Ward may take even bigger developmental leaps. Tennessee has to stack small victories as it builds toward the future. -- Moton

28. Philadelphia Eagles (2-7)

AP Photo/Matt Rourke

Eagles RB Saquon Barkley

Last Week: 27

Week 5 Result: Lost vs. New York Giants 19-11

The wheels are officially off in Philadelphia.

After victories in their first two games, the Eagles have dropped seven in a row after Sunday's home loss to the Giants. The Eagles are now on quarterback No. 3 for the season in Joe Milton, and was no better leading the offense than Tanner McKee before him.

While speaking to the media after the defeat, head coach Nick Sirianni admitted that changes could be coming over the team's bye week.

"We'll talk. Obviously, right now my job is to be there for our guys and to go watch the tape and go look through everything," Sirianni said. "I think we always think — we'll do everything. I'll do anything I can to help this team win football games."

Given how thoroughly the team has imploded this year, there will be those who question whether Sirianni should be one of those changes. – Davenport

27. Arizona Cardinals (3-6)

AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez

Cardinals WR Michael Wilson

Last Week: 24

Week 9 Result: Lost at Seattle 17-3

The Arizona Cardinals didn't have enough feistiness to pull off another upset last week. They didn't even score a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks' stingy defense.

The Cardinals placed rookie running back Jeremiyah Love on injured reserve, and wideout Michael Wilson is playing with broken ribs. Tight end Trey McBride is an All-Pro caliber player, but he can't carry this offense every week without another consistent playmaker to complement him.  Arizona can put teams on alert for an upset, but it's still a bottom-tier squad. -- Moton

26. New York Jets (2-7)

AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann

Jets QB Geno Smith

Last Week: 26

Week 9 Result: Lost at Kansas City 35-12

The New York Jets have quickly reached the stage where a potential coaching change may be necessary. Aaron Glenn keeps referring to the process of becoming a good team. Eventually, some type of results are necessary. Four straight losses and a 2-7 record as the team moves past the halfway point of the season simply isn't good enough in Year 2. 

What makes the situation so frustrating is the fact Glenn's squad isn't bereft of talent. If anything, the Jets are finding ways to lose and play sloppy football despite featuring significant talent at numerous levels. 

Right now, the team features an excellent rookie class, including the potential NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in David Bailey. Quarterback Geno Smith isn't playing poorly. Yet the Jets can't seem to put together a complete effort. -- Sobleski

25. Washington Commanders (2-5-1)

AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels

Last Week: 25

Week 5 Result: Lost vs. Los Angeles Rams 20-13

It's over in Washington—if it ever wasn't over.

There will be those who say that it isn't. That the NFC East is a weak division. That the Commanders showed fight Sunday against the Rams. While talking to reporters after the game, head coach Dan Quinn sounded the refrain that Washington just needs to clean some things up.

"Frustrating game," Quinn said. "Once again, we have not nailed our complementary football, and I'll keep saying it until we do. We're halfway through the season, and that all has to click. After stops, I don't think we capitalized."

The Commanders just have too many deficiencies. There have been too many injuries on offense. There are too many holes on defense. Bad decisions continue piling up weekly—both by players and coaches.

Big decisions loom in D.C., including the future of Quinn and Jayden Daniels.

But in the short-term, the Commanders are cooked. – Davenport

24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-6)

AP Photo/Melissa Tamez

Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield

Last Week: 23

Week 9 Result: Lost at Chicago 27-24

The idea of winning an NFL game without completing a pass was thought to be an aberration. Maybe the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should try that approach more often. 

With Sunday's effort, the Buccaneers became the second team in NFL history to run for 1,000 yards and create 17 or more turnovers during a five-game stretch, according to CBS Sports' Dave Clawson. Unlike the 1985 Chicago Bears, the Bucs aren't dominating opponents. However, Tampa does own a winning record during that span. 

Todd Bowles' squad also features the league's worst passing offense. Obviously, the team has a strong identity and should lean into it. At the same time, Baker Mayfield must do more if the Bucs are going to turn around this campaign and still capture a division title in the NFL's worst division. -- Sobleski

23. New Orleans Saints (3-5)

AP Photo/Ella Hall

Saints QB Tyler Shough

Last Week: 28

Week 9 Result: Won vs. Cleveland 23-22

The New Orleans Saints came out of their bye with a mindframe to be more aggressive. 

New Orleans' defense generated pressure on nearly 48 percent of the Cleveland Browns' dropbacks Sunday, according to NFL Next Gen Stats (h/t Daniel Oyefusi). The Saints blitzed 45 percent of the time. Some of this approach is due to facing Shedeur Sanders after the quarterback made certain remarks during the practice week. But New Orleans also failed to close during multiple games this season. 

In fact, Cleveland nearly made a comeback during this latest outing. However, the Saints will be far better off by remaining aggressive to try and dictate terms after three one-score losses through the first eight games. -- Sobleski

22. Atlanta Falcons (3-5)

AP Photo/Francisco Seco

Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr.

Last Week: 23

Week 9 Result: Lost vs. Cincinnati 34-17 (Madrid)

Michael Penix Jr. is a problem. He creates a problem at quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons. 

After a strong start upon taking over QB1 duties in Week 3, Penix's inability to handle opposing pressure has stagnated the Falcons offense. Penix is completing just 18 percent of his passes when facing pressure this season, according to ESPN Research (h/t Marc Raimondi). 

Penix did a nice job Sunday by extending plays with his legs, which isn't his normal modus operandi. However, the Falcons will be far better off if their quarterback can stare down the gun barrel and deliver passes accurately and in rhythm. Right now, that's simply not the case, which wastes a significant amount of talent found on Atlanta's roster. 

21. Baltimore Ravens (4-5)

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Ravens RB Derrick Henry

Last Week: 19

Week 5 Result: Lost vs. Jacksonville 33-10

Per ESPN's Ian Rapoport, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson told teammates that he intends to return this season from the fractured and dislocated thumb that landed the two-time MVP on the shelf again. His message was simple—"Just stay alive."

The Ravens swung a trade to help make that happen, acquiring Jacoby Brissett from the Arizona Cardinals. Here's hoping that Brissett is a quick learner.

Because unless Baltimore gets better in a hurry under center, the Ravens are dead.

With undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano running the offense, Baltimore has done nothing the past two weeks—against the Jaguars Thursday night the Ravens threw for just 55 yards. The team has lost four straight and just set a franchise record for consecutive games with 13 or fewer points.

The schedule is at least being a little cooperative—Baltimore's next three opponents have losing records, including a home date next week with the woeful Chargers.

But the Ravens are fresh out of margin for error at this point. -- Davenport

20. Dallas Cowboys (4-5)

AP Photo/Zach Bolinger

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott

Last Week: 22

Week 5 Result: Won at Indianapolis 27-23

Sunday's badly-needed win over the reeling Colts was the 2026 Dallas Cowboys in a nutshell—for better and for worse.

There was good—over 500 yards of offense and big games from quarterback Dak Prescott, running back Javonte Williams and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. There was bad, as there is just about every time the Dallas defense takes the field. And there was ugly—14 penalties for over 150 yards.

While talking to the media, Prescott said that style points didn't matter as much as the final score.

"We got it done," Prescott said. "It wasn't the prettiest, it wasn't the best second half from the whole team, but we got it done. We said at the beginning of the game, whatever it takes to come out with a win and we did that."

The Cowboys still have a pulse. But they are a deeply flawed team that isn't making any kind of real playoff run this year. – Davenport

19. Houston Texans (3-5)

AP Photo/Ashley Landis

Texans WR Nico Collins

Last Week: 20

Week 9 Result: Won at Los Angeles Chargers 44-22

The Houston Texans looked like world-beaters against the winless Los Angeles Chargers, and they showed flashes of that dominance in a 26-3 blowout victory over the then-winless Tennessee Titans in Week 5. They followed that outing with a quality win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, but then took a step back in an overtime loss to the New York Giants before their bye week.

The Texans need to string together more quality performances before this panel begins to believe in them again. They could pull it off against the slumping Cleveland Browns, the two-win Indianapolis Colts, and the Baltimore Ravens, who are down to their third-string quarterback, likely Jacoby Brissett, next on the schedule. -- Moton

18. Carolina Panthers (3-5)

AP Photo/Chris Szagola

Panthers LB Devin Lloyd

Last Week: 18

Week 9 Result: Lost vs. Denver 26-21

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales made the decision to relieve defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero of his duties after the team's last game. Maybe Evero wasn't the problem since an inconsistent Denver Broncos gained over 300 yards Sunday, converted 60 percent of their third-down attempts and handed the Panthers their third straight loss. 

Broncos quarterback Bo Nix was only sacked once and hit on three different occasions. Carolina is simply not getting the job done and Evero served as a midseason scapegoat, particularly since the unit has been affected greatly by injuries. 

To be clear, the Panthers' overall effort on that side of the ball hasn't been good enough. The move didn't move the needle, though. Instead, Carolina finds itself in a downward spiral. Fortunately, the Panthers play in the NFC South with three winnable games coming up next on the docket. -- Sobleski

17. Las Vegas Raiders (4-5)

AP Photo/Justine Willard

Raiders TE Brock Bowers

Last Week: 17

Week 9 Result: Lost at San Francisco 38-17

The Las Vegas Raiders are pretty much what everyone expected them to be during the offseason. They have a few nice pieces and a competent bridge quarterback in Kirk Cousins, but they're not yet ready to hang with the league's true contenders.

Things felt different during Las Vegas' 3-0 start to the season and even after a close loss ot the Kansas City Chiefs. However, the Raiders are still clearly a year away from having realistic aspirations of a deep playoff run.

The question right now is if Las Vegas has enough pieces in place to properly support rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza when or if they decide to turn the offense over to him. -- Knox

16. Cleveland Browns (5-4)

AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

Browns QB Shedeur Sanders

Last Week: 16

Week 5 Result: Lost at New Orleans 23-22 (OT)

The Cleveland Browns have their first losing streak of 2026. And they may also have a quarterback controversy.

Despite clearing the concussion protocol, the Browns sat Deshaun Watson Sunday in favor of second-year pro Shedeur Sanders. Sanders played well, throwing for 297 yards and a pair of scores while adding 28 yards on the ground.

After the loss, head coach Todd Monken praised Sanders' performance—but wouldn't give an indication while addressing the media who will start under center in Cleveland moving forward.

"How long has it been? 30 minutes since the game ended? I'm not getting into quarterback," he said. "If we want to talk about Shedeur, we can talk about Shedeur."

At 5-4, the Browns are still in the playoff hunt. But Watson is all but certainly gone after this. The argument can be made that Cleveland's best course of action is to see if Sanders can build on what happened in the Big Easy. -- Davenport

15. Los Angeles Rams (5-4)

AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough

Rams EDGE Myles Garrett

Last Week: 14

Week 9 Result: Won at Washington 20-13  

The NFL's 2026 dream team is back on the right track, winning three straight games. Star edge-rusher Myles Garrett made his return from arthroscopic knee surgery and brought new energy to the Los Angeles Rams defense, recording three sacks.

The Rams may need their defensive unit to hold opponents to a scoring minimum if Puka Nacua misses time with a knee injury. Davante Adams is on injured reserve, recovering from a hamstring injury. So, if Los Angeles is without Nacua for an extended period, it will likely need to win grind-it-out, low-scoring matchups. -- Moton

14. New York Giants (5-2-1)

AP Photo/Kyusung Gong

Giants LB Arvell Reese

Last Week: 15

Week 5 Result: Won at Philadelphia 19-11

The New York Giants just keep winning.

Sunday in Philadelphia, the Giants didn't have starting running back Cam Skattebo. The team's third starting quarterback of the season (J.J. McCarthy) injured his shoulder against the Eagles. But regardless of those adversities, the G-Men found a way to win.

While talking to reporters after the win, head coach John Harbaugh acknowledged that he'd like to try things going right for once—just as a change of pace.

 "Have there been games where everything's been going well for us this year? I would like to have one or two of those," Harbaugh said. "I think we need to find out how to win when everything's going our way and see how we are, see how we handle that."

New York is likely going to have to keep rolling with the punches—the Jacksonville jaguars, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks all loom on the schedule over the next month or so. – Davenport

13. New England Patriots (5-4)

AP Photo/Steven Senne

Patriots QB Drake Maye

Last Week: 11

Week 9 Result: Lost vs. Green Bay 45-27

These New England Patriots have experienced massive swings in their performance. During the early portions of October, Mike Vrabel's squad looked like it had everything figured out. Now, the Patriots have lost two of their last three games, with a difficult victory over the hapless Miami Dolphins sandwiched between those two contests. 

Sunday's outing against the Green Bay Packers was particularly disheartening, because wide receivers Christian Watson and Matthew Golden torched the Patriots' secondary. Plus, quarterback Drake Maye was sacked four times and hit on nine different occasions. 

The amount of damage New England's lineup has sustained is staggering, which makes week-to-week life in the NFL nearly impossible. At the same time, Maye and Co. better figure something out or risk nosediving in the coming weeks since the Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings and Kansas City Chiefs comprise four of the Patriots' next five opponents. -- Sobleski

12. Seattle Seahawks (5-4)

AP Photo/Kevin Ng

Seahawks QB Drew Lock

Last Week: 13

Week 9 Result: Won vs. Arizona 17-3 

The Seattle Seahawks bounced back from an embarrassing Monday Night Football loss, but their offense is still shaky. With backup quarterback Drew Lock under center, they won't score with style points, but the unit is efficient.

In Lock's two starts, Seattle turned the ball over only once, though both games were against the Arizona Cardinals. Nonetheless, starter Sam Darnold has thrown an interception in all seven of his starts, except the season opener, when he exited after the first drive.

Entering Week 10, Darnold is nursing quad and rib injuries, and Lock has an oblique injury. With so much uncertainty at quarterback and the passing game's recent limitations and inefficiencies, it's hard to feel confident about the Seahawks' short-term outlook. -- Moton

11. Green Bay Packers (6-3)

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

Packers WR Christian Watson

Last Week: 12

Week 9 Result: Won at New England 45-27

The Green Bay Packers might not be the team to beat in the NFC North, but they looked like a team capable of beating anyone on Sunday. They made short work of the defending AFC champions, as Jordan Love put on an MVP-caliber show.

Love has formed a dangerous connection with the ascending receiver duo of Christian Watson and Matthew Golden this season. Green Bay's defense has looked like a top-tier unit over the past couple of weeks and should soon see Micah Parsons return to the lineup.

The Packers still have questions about their ground game, especially after seeing Josh Jacobs exit with a hand injury on Sunday. However, this is a team that is starting to heat up at the right time. -- Knox

10. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)

AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers

Last Week: 9

Week 5 Result: Bye Week

Fun fact—Mike McCarthy's 6-2 start in his first year as Pittsburgh's head coach isn't unusual even a little. Back in 2007, Mike Tomlin started 6-2 in his first season guiding the Steelers. Ditto for Bill Cowher back in 1992.

This is a franchise with a long history of success. A team that expects to win. But the Steelers also haven't won a playoff game in a decade.

This may well be the year that changes. The Steelers aren't the best in the NFL at any one thing. But they also don't have any glaring weaknesses outside maybe wide receiver—a position many expect the Steelers to address before Tuesday's trade deadline. The Steelers run the ball. Play defense. And Aaron Rodgers is playing his best football in years.

Sunday night's big matchup with the 6-2 Bengals could go a long way toward deciding the AFC North this season. -- Davenport

9. Detroit Lions (6-2)

AP Photo/Doug Murray

Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs

Last Week: 8

Week 9 Result: Won at Miami 19-9

The Detroit Lions' offense experienced an unexpectedly slow start in Miami on Sunday. However, it eventually broke through to give Detroit a two-score lead in the third quarter and again in the fourth. The Lions shouldn't be concerned with their offense moving forward, despite scoring 20 or fewer points in three straight games.

The bigger question is whether Detroit's defense can build on three mostly solid performances during that three-game stretch.

The Lions came into Week 9 ranked 29th in total defense, but they've won four straight and have surrendered 17 or fewer points in their last three games. If Detroit can keep playing at an average level defensively—or even improve, possibly via a trade-deadline move—it will be a threat to make noise in the postseason. -- Knox

8. Cincinnati Bengals (6-2)

AP Photo/Francisco Seco

Bengals QB Joe Burrow

Last Week: 10

Week 5 Result: Won vs. Atlanta 34-17 (Madrid)

The Cincinnati Bengals are rolling—and so is quarterback Joe Burrow.

After a 2-2 start to the season, the Bengals have peeled off four straight victories after Sunday's win over the Falcons in Spain. Burrow is playing at an MVP level, drawing praise from head coach Zac Taylor after the victory.

 "Joe's playing at an unbelievably high level right now," Taylor told reporters. "It's difficult to not put the ball in his hands, given how everybody's playing around him as well. So, we just gotta keep this momentum going."

The Bengals had more offensive balance than in recent weeks Sunday, topping 120 rushing yards and averaging over five yards a carry. But if the Bengals are going to claim sole possession of first place next Sunday against the rival Steelers, it's going to take big games from Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase.

That hasn't been a problem over the last month. -- Davenport

7. Minnesota Vikings (6-1)

AP Photo/Rey Del Rio

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson

Last Week: 6

Week 9 Result: TBD

The Minnesota Vikings experienced their first loss of the season in Week 8, and it's fair to wonder if they're being taken seriously enough. Minnesota's defense has been championship-caliber all season, but its offense has underwhelmed with Kyler Murray at quarterback.

On Monday, the Vikings will face a team that is almost a mirror opposite in the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo's offense is both dynamic and explosive, but has been forced to carry a lackluster defense more often than not. Monday's game will show exactly how Minnesota stacks up with a team that many feel is the best in the league.

With Carson Wentz in for the injured Murray, it may also say plenty about how a quarterback shakeup might impact the Vikings' offensive ceiling. -- Knox

6. Kansas City Chiefs (6-2)

AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes

Last Week: 7

Week 9 Result: Won vs. Jets 35-12

The Chiefs managed to pull away from the Jets on Sunday, despite experiencing a scare when he suffered an apparent elbow injury.

Fortunately, Mahomes returned to the game, and he told CBS' Tracy Wolfson after the win that his elbow was "doing good."

The Chiefs' offense also did good on Sunday, thanks to another big day on the ground by Kenneth Walker III and a 72-yard performance by tight end Travis Kelce. Kansas City could still use help at receiver, though, and it'll be interesting to see if it addresses the issue before Tuesday's trade deadline. -- Knox

5. Chicago Bears (7-2)

AP Photo/Melissa Tamez

Bears QB Caleb Williams

Last Week: 4

Week 9 Result: Won vs. Tampa Bay 27-24

Not many teams are good enough to overcome five turnovers and still win, but that's exactly what the Chicago Bears did on Sunday.

It was an off night for Caleb Williams, who started hot but then threw four interceptions. Chicago's vaunted rushing offense was held to just 72 yards. Yet, the Bears defense did enough to give Williams a chance in the end, and the star quarterback delivered. He found a wide-open Colston Loveland for a long gain, setting up Cairo Santos for the game-winning field goal.

Championship teams find ways to win games that aren't going their way. The 2026 Bears have every reason to believe they can make a title run. -- Knox

4. Jacksonville Jaguars

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence

Last Week: 5

Week 9 Result: Won at Baltimore 33-10 

The Jacksonville Jaguars are a dominant team that has blown out opponents. They won four of their six games by at least 23 points, including one victory over the playoff-caliber New England Patriots. 

Since the Jaguars hired head coach Liam Coen last year, he's changed the franchise's outlook. Jacksonville is pulling away from its rivals in the AFC South. Yet this club is still underrated. 

Last week, the Jaguars cracked our top five in the power rankings and belong in the discussion as one of the league's best teams. -- Moton

3. Denver Broncos (7-2)

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

Broncos RB Jonah Coleman

Last Week: 3

Week 9 Result: Won at Carolina 26-21

The Broncos have now won 17 straight one-score games, which should give them plenty of fourth-quarter confidence in the second half of the season and in the playoffs. While It's fair to wonder how long Denver can keep flirting with thin margins, nothing about this team currently feels fluky.

The defense and quarterback Bo Nix have both started to look more like their 2025 versions after some early-season struggles, and the Broncos may have something in rookie running back Jonah Coleman.

The biggest question marks for Denver right now involve injuries, as Jaylen Waddle and Roley Moss both left Sunday's win with concussions. Fortunately, the Broncos will be on bye next week before facing the rival Raiders in Week 11. -- Knox

2. San Francisco 49ers (7-1)

AP Photo/Kelley L. Cox

49ers QB Brock Purdy

Last Week: 2

Week 9 Result: Won vs. Las Vegas 38-17 

The San Francisco 49ers shook off their first loss of the season with a dominant win after a Week 8 bye. They didn't need lead wide receivers Mike Evans or Deebo Samuel Sr. to throttle the Las Vegas Raiders, but their absences could become an issue against legitimate playoff contenders.

For now, the 49ers are ranked based on what they've done. San Francisco has won four of its seven games by 10 points or more. This team is in contention for home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs. -- Moton

1. Buffalo Bills (6-1)

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

Bills QB Josh Allen

Last Week: 1

Week 9 Result: TBD

Heading into Monday night's trip to Minnesota to face the Vikings, the Bills are tied for the top spot in these power rankings. It's essentially a "1A" and "1B" conversation between Buffalo and San Francisco. Yin and Yang. AFC and NFC.

Both could be the best teams in their conferences—as reflected in their record. But neither feels unbeatable. Buffalo's defense is bottom-10 in both yards and points allowed. It makes the Vikings an interesting test—arguably the NFL's best defense vs. arguably the NFL's best offense.

Passing that test would be a step toward Josh Allen and the Bills showing that 2026 is different. That this is the year they break through. -- Sobleski