NFL Head Coach Power Rankings Heading into Week 10
NFL parity is dead. Long live parity.
The New England Patriots are the league's best team, while the Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers are by far the worst.
Everything between those two points is what makes the league interesting.
Nearly half of the teams own a record within one game of .500. In fact, 20 organizations own a .500 record or worse.
Some might argue this speaks to the league's mediocrity. However, the glut of teams counted among the middle class also points toward opportunity.
This is the time of year when coaches earn their paychecks as the playoff stretch begins. Four division leaders hold a 1.5-game lead or less.
Those coaches who have their teams best prepared through the final eight weeks will be those in the postseason. Click through to find out which coaches continue to put their teams in the best position to succeed.
32. Hue Jackson, Cleveland Browns
1 of 32
Last Week: 32
Quote of the Week: "It is not just about the defense. It is me. It starts with the coaching. It is a top-down deal. We are not going to go there. It is not just about that. No, we are not playing well. We are not playing well right now anyplace. It is not just defense. It is offensively and special teams. I am not just going to dump on one group. We have to play better as a team. We are not playing good enough, and that is what it is."
Things have gone from bad to worse in Cleveland for Browns head coach Hue Jackson. After Sunday's 35-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Jackson's squad is 0-9, which matched the worst start in the franchise's history, according to 92.3 The Fan's Daryl Ruiter.
Despite Jackson's statement, per the Orange and Brown Report's Fred Greetham, the defense is the biggest reason behind the team's woes.
Cleveland ranks 31st overall in defense and the unit is getting worse with each passing week. The Browns provided little to no resistance as the Cowboys rolled up 423 yards, but it could have been much more. Overall, Ray Horton's defense surrenders 421.7 yards per game. At this rate, the Browns will shatter a franchise record for defensive futility.
Yes, it's about the defense and a coaching staff that isn't getting the most out of a young and inexperienced roster.
31. Chip Kelly, San Francisco 49ers
2 of 32
Last Week: 31
Quote of the Week: "I'm the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. So, not looking at anything else. I'm here."
After a 1-7 start to Chip Kelly's first season as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, an idea surfaced he might leave the professional ranks and return to his beloved Oregon Ducks.
Kelly already denied these rumors nearly three weeks ago, per the San Francisco Chronicle's Eric Branch. But an appearance from Nike co-founder and Oregon booster Phil Knight at a recent 49ers game got the rumor mill churning.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the 49ers coach "isn't interested to returning to his former Oregon coaching job or any college job, despite speculation to the contrary."
Either the 49ers will turn around their misfortunes with Kelly at the helm or the organization will decide to go in another direction. Whichever happens, Kelly doesn't appear ready to leave the NFL.
30. Gus Bradley, Jacksonville Jaguars
3 of 32
Last Week: 30
Quote of the Week: "It's just a bad situation and we've got to fix it."
Every week, certain NFL teams talk about fixing things, as Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Marcedes Lewis did after Sunday's 19-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, per the Florida Times-Union's Ryan O'Halloran. Yet those adjustments never materialize.
The Jaguars have lost three in a row. Head coach Gus Bradley's seat grows hotter with each passing week.
"I don't think it's 'Panic Mode,' yet," cornerback Prince Amukamara said, per O'Halloran. "Some might say I'm optimistic. … We've definitely made the road a lot tougher."
It may not be time to panic in Jacksonville, but it certainly will be if the Jaguars can't secure a victory against the Houston Texans this weekend and fall further behind in the AFC South. After starting 2-6, a second-half run toward a division crown might be the only thing that can save Bradley's job.
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29. Jeff Fisher, Los Angeles Rams
4 of 32
Last Week: 29
Quote of the Week: "...I don’t think (Case Keenum's) play (Sunday) was indicative of raising the question."
Enough is enough. Los Angeles Rams head coach Jeff Fisher's reluctance to play this year's No. 1 overall pick, quarterback Jared Goff, isn't funny anymore. It's kind of sad, actually.
The Rams own the league's 31st-ranked offense, yet Fisher willfully ignores the cries of the team's fanbase as it awaits an appearance from the franchise's chosen savior.
"The fans expect production and execution and points," Fisher said after Sunday's 13-10 loss to the Carolina Panthers, per Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio. "I totally get that. I've been through that before. I totally understand their position on that. I honestly didn’t hear them root for Jared."
A coach's decision should never be swayed by fans. However, the fans are only responding to the offense's poor production and the fact Keenum did nothing noteworthy during the last two contests.
Goff may not prove to be the answer, but he provides hope to a 3-5 squad that doesn't look like it will eclipse the .500 barrier anytime soon.
28. Todd Bowles, New York Jets
5 of 32
Last Week: 27
Quote of the Week: "We didn't play as a team. There was a lot of selfish ball. That's not really going to help you win."
The New York Jets' situation has gone from bad to worse. As the team stumbled to 3-6 after Sunday's 27-23 loss to the Miami Dolphins, wide receiver Quincy Enunwa wasn't afraid to call out his teammates, per ESPN.com's Rich Cimini.
The team's selfish acts start off the field though. NJ.com's Connor Hughes reported star defensive linemen Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson "are regularly late or miss team meetings." The report indicates why both were benched to open the Dolphins contest.
On top of those issues, head coach Todd Bowles now has to deal with an injured Ryan Fitzpatrick. According to Schefter, the Jets starting quarterback suffered a sprained MCL on Sunday. Former fourth-round pick Bryce Petty might finally get an opportunity to lead the offense against the Los Angeles Rams.
"This whole year falls on Fitz and I," veteran wide receiver Brandon Marshall said, per Newsday's Bob Glauber. "We're the leaders on that side of the ball, and we're not getting it done."
27. John Fox, Chicago Bears
6 of 32
Last Week: 28
Quote of the Week: "It makes a world of difference. The attitude, the edginess that he brings to the defense, it’s infectious. You saw that last year and it has continued on this year. It’s just part of who he is. And having him out there, then you have an opportunity to keep guys fresh. Willie (Young) doesn’t have to go out there and go play 60-65 plays in a game. You can have Willie and Pernell (McPhee) at the same time, keep guys fresh going out there and keep the pressure on offensive lines."
Outside linebackers coach Clint Hurtt saw a massive difference in the Chicago Bears defense upon McPhee's inclusion to the lineup, per Larry Mayer of the team's official site.
McPhee missed the first six games of the season as he recovered from offseason knee surgery. His energy created a new attitude within the Bears defense during their 20-10 victory over the Minnesota Vikings before the bye week.
"I hope it piss everybody off," the linebacker said after the game, per ESPN.com's Jeff Dickerson. "That"s what I hope. I hope it piss everybody off and know we can really dominate the league if we put our mind to it."
With a resurgent defense and much-improved play from quarterback Jay Cutler, head coach John Fox and his team have a chance to salvage the season despite a 2-6 start.
26. Dirk Koetter, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7 of 32
Last Week: 22
Quote of the Week: "Trust me, whatever frustration anybody else has, you can multiply that by about 200,000 for me."
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter should be frustrated after Thursday's 43-28 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, per BucsWire.com's Bonnie Mott.
The Falcons scored 40 points with almost 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Koetter's defense ranks 28th overall. Meanwhile, the offense hasn't hit its stride.
"We've got to coach them better," Koetter reasoned, per Mott. "That's what a coach's job is, that's what my job is, to try to get your team to achieve up to the talent level that they have. ... I'm saying I think we have a higher ceiling than we're playing to right now."
Every NFL team is talented. Consistent execution separates the best from the rest. This is where the Buccaneers have been found lacking. Against the Falcons' explosive offense, Tampa Bay didn't force a single punt.
"I have to figure out how to reach these guys, how to motivate them, how to get them on the same page, get them to play together, to play up to the talent level that I think we have," the coach said, per Mott.
25. Mike Mularkey, Tennessee Titans
8 of 32
Last Week: 26
Quote of the Week: "We know where we're at. There’s not a lot of room for error. We have to get back in the pack."
The 4-5 Tennessee Titans aren't too far from the pack, as head coach Mike Mularkey said, per the team's Twitter feed. After Sunday's 43-35 loss to the San Diego Chargers, Tennessee remains a game and a half behind the idle Houston Texans in the AFC South.
Despite the loss, the Titans offense continues to move the ball and score points. Tennessee has averaged 31 points during the past five contests.
During that span, Marcus Mariota has thrown 12 touchdowns to just three interceptions—although the quarterback committed three turnovers against the Chargers.
"My faith is in Marcus more than anyone on this team," left tackle Taylor Lewan said, per ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky. "Marcus is going to take care of Marcus. He knows what he's doing."
If Mariota limits his mistakes and the offense continues to score, the Titans will be running with the pack.
24. Rex Ryan, Buffalo Bills
9 of 32
Last Week: 20
Quote of the Week: "We've got to run the table, it's as simple as that. You've got to try to win all these games from here on out."
The twists and turns of the Buffalo Bills season never stop. Linebacker Preston Brown's suggestion that the team can run the table seems foolhardy at best, per the Buffalo News' Vic Carucci.
Monday's 31-25 loss to the Seattle Seahawks marked the Bills' third consecutive loss after winning four straight. These streaks came after Buffalo opened the season 0-2.
This year's campaign has been dictated by the good, bad and the ugly. At times, the Bills, particularly the running game, looked exceptional. Meanwhile, the defense hasn't been as good as expected. The team can't establish any type of consistency, either.
As such, this 4-5 squad is left without any wiggle room during the final seven games.
"Every game's a must-win, guys," Ryan said, per Carucci. "This is the NFL. It's not baseball. The equivalent in baseball is a 10-game losing streak, so that's why I'd say (every game is) a must-win."
23. Adam Gase, Miami Dolphins
10 of 32
Last Week: 25
Quote of the Week: "(Jay Ajayi) knows exactly how I want to call the game. I'm never going to go away from him."
Miami Dolphins head coach Adam Gase knows where his bread is buttered, per the Palm Beach Post's Jason Lieser. The Dolphins identity is built around a ground-and-pound approach led by running back Ajayi.
"We have a physical identity, and that starts with the run game and what those guys do up front," Ajayi told Lieser. "It sets the tone, and my running style of being physical and trying to make big plays and run downhill, and we’ve been able to rack up a few wins. We want to keep it going and see what happens."
The running back accumulated 111 yards on 24 carries during the Dolphins' 27-23 victory over the New York Jets. During the last three contests, Ajayi amassed 529 rushing yards total and now resides among the league's top backs.
The J-train is a physical force when he's running the ball. His approach now defines the 4-4 Dolphins after winning their last three contests.
22. Mike McCoy, San Diego Chargers
11 of 32
Last Week: 24
Quote of the Week: "I have no problem continuing to give him the ball."
San Diego Chargers head coach Mike McCoy knows how talented Melvin Gordon is, and the coach plans to ride his running back to more wins, per the San Diego Union-Tribune's Michael Gehlken.
Gordon carried the ball 32 times for 196 yards in the Chargers' 43-35 victory over the Titans. The running back added four catches for 65 more yards.
"He's got great ability," center Matt Slauson said, per ESPN.com's Eric D. Williams. "He runs extremely hard. He's got all the tools."
His 259 yards from scrimmage were a career high, and the first time a Charger back eclipsed 200 total yards since LaDainian Tomlinson did so in 2007. The former first-round pick is also tied for the league lead with nine rushing touchdowns. All of this comes 10 months after Gordon needed microfracture surgery.
"My game is to keep pounding it and to keep at it," he said, per Williams.
McCoy will make sure Gordon keeps pounding the rock.
21. Chuck Pagano, Indianapolis Colts
12 of 32
Last Week: 23
Quote of the Week: "Everybody knew exactly where we were and what the stakes were. It's a whole different world today, right now, and tomorrow will be a whole different world. (A record of) 4-5 is way different than going back home being 3-6."
What a difference a victory makes. One win can change a team's entire mentality, as Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano stated after Sunday's 31-26 victory over the Green Bay Packers, per ESPN.com's Mike Wells.
The Colts thoroughly outplayed the Packers, but one performance isn't enough. The team needs to build on the effort instead of regressing.
"It can't be where all of a sudden we're inconsistent again," linebacker D'Qwell Jackson said, per Wells. "This is the time you start to make a push. ... These are the types of games we clearly want so we can make a run at the playoffs."
Indianapolis enters its bye week in the right frame of mind. But the Colts must build upon the performance upon their return with important contests against the Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, Minnesota Vikings and Oakland Raiders among their final seven-game stretch.
20. Bill O'Brien, Houston Texans
13 of 32
Last Week: 18
Quote of the Week: "To be able to go into your bye week 5-3, 2-0 in your division, winning all your home games, it means so much at the halfway point."
Among the division leaders at the halfway point, the Houston Texans elicited the least amount of attention. Bill O'Brien's squad doesn't have J.J. Watt dominating on defense, and the team's $72 million quarterback, Brock Osweiler, hasn't performed to his contract status.
As much as anyone might want to pick apart the Texans, the team, particularly Osweiler, understands how important it is to control its destiny, per ESPN.com's Sarah Barshop.
"We want more," Osweiler said. "We want to be a great football team and we want to do special things."
How the Texans perform away from NRG Stadium will be key. Four out of the team's next five games will be outside of the state of Texas.
"(We) certainly could be better," offensive coordinator George Godsey told Barshop. "We're back on the road here (for our) first game coming off the bye week, so it'll be another test. We spoke with the unit, and that’s something we're looking to overcome."
19. Doug Pederson, Philadelphia Eagles
14 of 32
Last Week: 13
Quote of the Week: "I think the decisions to go for it just shows confidence and belief in the guys at that time. I felt like we were moving the ball, and again, at the end of the day when you look at it, we had more opportunities in this game. To me, in my opinion, it didn’t come down to those two plays. There were enough things in this game, again, that cost us this football game. I still stick by what I did, how I chose to go for it in both of those situations."
Most NFL contests come down to a handful of plays that ultimately decide the outcome.
When Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson decided to have his offense go for it on fourth down twice while deep in New York Giants territory only to fail, he ultimately cost his team points that could have led to a victory. Instead, the Eagles lost 28-23 to their rival.
Of course, a coach won't admit he could've been wrong in those instances. Pederson certainly didn't, per ESPN.com's Tim McManus.
"I felt comfortable in everything we did, the way I called the game," the Eagles coach reiterated.
Pederson shouldn't feel comfortable since Philadelphia has lost four of its last five games. As a result, the Eagles are in the NFC East's basement.
18. Jay Gruden, Washington Redskins
15 of 32
Last Week: 15
Quote of the Week: "People can take it in a lot of different ways, but Trent's done a lot for this team, for this franchise and he's done a lot for the young guys in this building. ... So it doesn't have any effect whatsoever on his captain [status] in my mind."
When a player is handed a league suspension, he's usually swept under the proverbial rug until his return.
Trent Williams' situation is different. The offensive lineman is the Washington Redskins' best player, and he has the full support of his head coach, Jay Gruden, per ESPN.com's John Keim.
Literally and figuratively, Williams is a large part of Washington's success. The organization will eagerly await his reinsertion into the starting lineup, which won't come until Dec. 11 when Washington faces the Philadelphia Eagles.
"As a young offensive lineman on the team, you look up to him and you see him do things," right tackle Morgan Moses said, per Keim. "Being able to work with him the last couple years has been big, not just a leader and a captain, we're losing a hell of a player as well."
Until then, Gruden will rely on the much-traveled Ty Nsekhe to man the blind side.
17. Jim Caldwell, Detroit Lions
16 of 32
Last Week: 21
Quote of the Week: "Hey, luckily we got those two seconds. If we didn’t, who knows? Maybe we run a different play at the end. I don't know."
Football is often described as a game of inches. In the Detroit Lions' 22-16 overtime victory over the Minnesota Vikings, it became a game of seconds, as wide receiver Andre Roberts noted, per MMQB's Peter King.
The weekend's best pure coaching decision came from the Lions' Jim Caldwell. He correctly argued for two extra seconds with just over a minute remaining as the Vikings held the ball during their final scoring drive.
Detroit got the ball back with 23 seconds remaining and drove 35 yards for kicker Matt Prater to attempt a 58-yard field goal. Only two seconds remained when the Lions snapped the ball for the game-timing field goal. Without Caldwell's attention to detail, the Lions would not have been in position to tie the game and win in overtime.
The Lions have now won five games in the final 90 seconds. As a result, Caldwell has his team in position to compete for an NFC North crown.
16. Ron Rivera, Carolina Panthers
17 of 32
Last Week: 19
Quote of the Week: "It's turning right before our eyes."
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is partially right about his team's season turning before everyone's eyes, per the Charlotte Observer's Scott Fowler.
Yes, the Panthers won their last two contests and improved to 3-6 overall. But we've yet to see if they've truly turned their season around based on wins against an underachieving Arizona Cardinals and offense-deficient Los Angeles Rams.
Those were games Carolina had to win, but they're not true indicators of how good head coach Ron Rivera's squad really is.
"When you don't play great and you can win, that’s a good sign in this league," tight end Greg Olsen stated after Sunday's 13-10 victory, per Fowler.
What happens when a team doesn't play great yet faces much better opposition? The Panthers should find out sooner rather than later with upcoming contests against the Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks.
After that stretch, everyone will know if the Panthers really had the ability to turn around their season.
15. Ben McAdoo, New York Giants
18 of 32
Last Week: 17
Quote of the Week: "We say it all the time: Stats are for losers."
Tell us how you really feel, Ben McAdoo. Clearly, the New York Giants head coach isn't a fan of stats, per Newsday's Brian Heyman. He must be a results-oriented coach.
For example, the Giants are 5-3 overall and two games behind the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC East.
But McAdoo was referring to the team's sack total. Overall, the Giants rank among the league's worst with only 11 sacks. Even when the team's overall pressure and quarterback hits are taken into account, the Giants are still graded among the five-worst in pass rushing, according to Pro Football Focus.
"It doesn't show on film because of the sack ratings, but we know what we're doing over here," veteran defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul said, per Heyman. "Sacks come. I know sacks are coming."
Neither stats nor the film shows how good of a pass rush the Giants supposedly have, but stats are for losers. Maybe the Giants just aren't that good at getting after opposing quarterbacks.
14. Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints
19 of 32
Last Week: 16
Quote of the Week: "I know for me, this is one of those games where I still have a bad taste in my mouth. Anytime you're giving up damn near 400 yards passing ... we're still going to go in tomorrow, and they're going to say, 'The Saints are ranked last in passing.' We're still going to see that stat. And that's who you are. And to me, that's unacceptable.
Stop me if you've heard this before: The New Orleans Saints defense isn't very good.
Surprising, right? No? The players aren't thrilled with their performance either, as safety Kenny Vaccaro's statement clearly illustrated, per ESPN.com's Mike Triplett.
The Saints surrendered 393 passing yards during Sunday's 41-23 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
Prior to this weekend's performance, a 49ers quarterback hadn't thrown for more than 243 yards in any contest. In fact, it became only the second time this season a 49ers quarterback eclipsed 200 passing yards.
Head coach Sean Payton isn't discouraged, though.
"I think overall our third-down number(s) were good and our red-zone efficiency was good in the second half," he said, per the team's official site. "We had a couple series where they went three and out. I thought we affected the quarterback better than we did in the first half."
13. Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals
20 of 32
Last Week: 12
Quote of the Week: "We have a lot of guys that have been here a long time, that have been fixtures in our system for a long time. But, like I told them, it's a production business. So even though you've been kind of a guy that's been here and I think there's going to be a younger player that I think can do it better at this point, whether it be for 15 more snaps, I've got to look at that because some of the guys that have been here, that have been fixtures here, for some reason or another, whether it's age or whatever it is, they are not playing at a high level and I've got to figure out where I can inject some other guys that can do it better or at least try to."
Bye weeks are an opportunity to reassess where a team stands during the regular season. For the 3-4-1 Cincinnati Bengals, the coaching staff took a close look at a defense ranked 25th overall, and defensive coordinator Paul Guenther clearly isn't adverse to making changes to the lineup, per the Cincinnati Enquirer's Jim Owczarski.
How much will change? That's yet to be determined, but the Bengals need to improve on that side of the ball when it's clear the sixth-ranked offense can amass yards and score points.
Bengals fans should expect younger players to receive more playing time during the second half of the campaign.
"It's a production business and there is a certain loyalty to the guys that have been here, that have been the core players for us. But at the same time, I have to do what's best for the team,” Guenther said, per Owczarski. "And, I think everyone in the room understands that."
12. Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers
21 of 32
Last Week: 10
Quote of the Week: "We didn't make plays. I didn't make plays. I didn’t convert third downs. ... I hold myself to a higher standard."
Sometimes a head coach like the Pittsburgh Steelers' Mike Tomlin needs to do what's best for a player and not the team. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger wasn't ready to start against the Baltimore Ravens after only three weeks of recovery from MCL surgery.
Of course, neither would admit the quarterback came back too soon from injury.
"He was healthy to play," Tomlin insisted after Sunday's 21-14 loss, per ESPN.com. "He was willing to play. I appreciate his efforts and his display of will."
Instead, Roethlisberger took the blame, per ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler. The quarterback completed only 51 percent of his passes and just didn't look like himself.
No player wants to sit out a game, but sometimes the head coach and the organization must make the best decision on long-term goals instead of rushing someone back to obtain a short-term gain. In the Steelers case, the team didn't gain anything even with Roethlisberger in the lineup.
11. Mike McCarthy, Green Bay Packers
22 of 32
Last Week: 9
Quote of the Week: "I don’t understand it. I mean, this is what we get paid to do, is to bring it every week, … I mean, I love this game and I bring energy. I'm not a rah-rah guy, but I'm a focused, enthusiastic player, and I don't know what the lack of juice was. You kind of felt it over the entire sideline. We didn't have the same kind of enthusiasm and encouragement that we had the previous two weeks. So we've got to look deep in the mirror there, because that's just not acceptable."
Will the real Green Bay Packers please stand up? The 4-4 Packers have lost three of their last four games after winning three of their first four.
Aaron Rodgers' indictment of the team's energy level Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, per MMQB's Peter King, directly reflects on head coach Mike McCarthy and his coaching staff.
Yes, these are professional football players, but it's the job of the coaches to have their team fully prepared and ready to play. Neither was true during this past weekend's 31-26 loss.
"I mean, we feel it," Rodgers said, per ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky. "It's not something that's some mystery. You feel the energy and excitement and the focus, it just wasn't where it needed to be, and that's on everybody—myself included. We've got to find a way to get guys dialed in."
This isn't something the quarterback should be saying. McCarthy needs to directly address these issues if the Packers are going to rise above mediocrity.
10. John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens
23 of 32
Last Week: 14
Quote of the Week: "We're making progress in many areas. The things that were holding us back in this game were across the board a little bit in every area. We just have to get better."
The Baltimore Ravens are better. In fact, they're sitting atop the AFC North standings after Sunday's 21-14 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh should be ecstatic with his team's play based on the fact it won its first contest since September. Baltimore may not have been perfect, but it was good enough.
This is a team close to being very good if it executes on a consistent basis.
"We're doing it a lot of times, but we're not doing it consistently," Harbaugh added, per the team's official site. "That's what we have to find a way to do. I'm absolutely certain that we will do it."
A meeting with the winless Cleveland Browns usually makes every team look even better. The Ravens travel to Cleveland for a Thursday night meeting with an opportunity to build a two-game winning streak and set the pace for the rest of the division.
9. Jack Del Rio, Oakland Raiders
24 of 32
Last Week: 11
Quote of the Week: "We're growing to expect success now. We know we're a good team."
There won't be any excuses moving forward for the Oakland Raiders. As head coach Jack Del Rio stated, this is a very good team, per ESPN.com's Paul Gutierrez. Sunday's 30-20 victory over the Denver Broncos solidified their status as the Raiders improved to 7-2 overall and took sole possession of first place in the AFC West.
This isn't a team that's just going to rely on Derek Carr's arm and a potent passing attack to win games. The offensive line can take over, too, and pave the way for Latavius Murray. The running back carried the ball 20 times Sunday for 114 yards and three scores.
"Those guys create a new line of scrimmage for me, and it makes it easy," Murray told Gutierrez. "The O-line gets to have a little fun."
With a balanced offense and improving defense, the Raiders should expect success, because they're counted among the league's best.
8. Bruce Arians, Arizona Cardinals
25 of 32
Last Week: 6
Quote of the Week: "I’ve been through a hell of a lot worse. This is just another good challenge. I love it when we're the underdog. That's the easiest coaching in the world. I'm looking forward, as our players are."
It's hard to play the role of underdog as one of the league's most talented teams, but players and coaching constantly search for motivation. Head coach Bruce Arians and his squad found theirs after a 3-4-1 start, per Kyle Odegard of the team's official site.
"There's still a chance for us to get hot," linebacker Kevin Minter said. "I would say to people to not give up on us. We haven't given up on ourselves."
Obviously, the Cardinals haven't played nearly as well as last year when the team finished 13-3 and captured an NFC West crown. However, the team's core remains the same and a favorable schedule should help them in the coming weeks.
The 1-7 San Francisco 49ers are next on the docket before facing the fading Minnesota Vikings. These two contests should place the Cardinals in a favorable position without being considered an underdog.
7. Mike Zimmer, Minnesota Vikings
26 of 32
Last Week: 4
Quote of the Week: "For the first time in three weeks, this team really fought like I expect them to fight. We'll continue to do these kinds of things, and we'll win football games."
But the Minnesota Viking aren't winning football games, as head coach Mike Zimmer suggested, per Craig Peters of the team's official site. His squad lost its third straight contest Sunday when the Detroit Lions managed a 22-16 overtime victory.
"Obviously, we didn't get it done, and there's no guarantees, but I'd rather go into a fight with these guys the way they were today than the last couple of weeks," the coach added.
What makes the loss even more frustrating is the fact Detroit needed to move 35 yards in 23 seconds and convert a 58-yard field goal before time expired just to force overtime. The Vikings' usually reliable defense wasn't up to the task. The league's third-ranked defense then allowed Lions wide receiver Golden Tate to break tackles and scamper for the game-winning 28-yard touchdown during the extra period.
After a 5-0 start, the Vikings no longer look like one of the NFC's best teams. Zimmer might have liked what he saw during Sunday's performance, but it still wasn't good enough.
6. Dan Quinn, Atlanta Falcons
27 of 32
Last Week: 7
Quote of the Week: "Just going to the right places with the ball. He's been attacking coverages and not really forcing it. (He’s) finding the weaknesses in the coverage and going to right person, whoever it is, if it is a back, a receiver or tight end. He’s done a good job of executing the offense and getting the ball in the right spot."
Dan Quinn is a defensive-minded head coach, but the NFL South-leading Atlanta Falcons are built around their offense. Said offense is built around quarterback Matt Ryan.
Ryan leads the league with 2,980 passing yards and 23 touchdown tosses. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan described why his quarterback is playing so well, per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's D. Orlando Ledbetter.
The franchise signal-caller isn't trying to force plays.
"That's the thing about our offense right now is that everybody is patient," Ryan said, per Ledbetter. "Everybody understands that with time the ball is going to come their way and when it does, make the best of that opportunity."
With Ryan playing as well as any quarterback and an improving defense, Quinn prevented his team from experiencing a midseason swoon like it did a year ago.
5. Gary Kubiak, Denver Broncos
28 of 32
Last Week: 2
Quote of the Week: "That's a team not playing good enough to win, and that's what I just told the players."
The cracks are starting to show in Denver after the Broncos' 30-20 loss to the Oakland Raiders, per the Broncos' official site.
Gary Kubiak knows his team is struggling. Trevor Siemian hasn't played well in recent weeks. Very little production has come from the ground game. Even Denver's vaunted defense is dinged, which negates some of its effectiveness.
But the lack of balance within the offense causes the most concern. Since the team's Thursday night meeting with the San Diego Chargers on Oct. 13, Siemian threw 150 passes in four games. Denver's running backs combined for 83 carries over the same period.
"They mix some coverages, but [it was] pretty consistent with what we thought they'd do," Siemian said about the Raiders secondary, per Aric DiLalla of the official site. "But, yeah, you know, certainly maintain a balance. … If you don't have that balance, they're able to do a little more to you, but nothing that we didn't expect."
Siemian has played well in stretches, but he can't carry the team without any real semblance of a running game.
4. Jason Garrett, Dallas Cowboys
29 of 32
Last Week: 8
Quote of the Week: "Being in the moment is the goal. There are going to be some things we like and there are going to be some things that aren't so good. We have to take that same approach and get back to work."
The above quote from the Dallas Cowboys' Jason Garrett is nothing more than coachspeak, per ESPN.com's Todd Archer. However, the quote speaks to the team's consistent approach. The 7-1 Cowboys sit atop the NFC East, but they've yet to buy into their success.
"Oh, I wouldn't dare make that comparison," Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said when asked if the Cowboys are the NFC's best team, per Archer. "What I would compare it to is how and where we were this time last year. Now that's vivid to me."
A year ago at this time, the Cowboys were 2-6 and in the midst of a six-game losing streak.
This season, the entire team is better. Rookie quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott have performed well beyond expectations. The offensive line remains dominant. And the defense ranks fourth overall in points per game.
As long as Dallas continues with the same approach, it will earn the title of being the NFC's best team.
3. Pete Carroll, Seattle Seahawks
30 of 32
Last Week: 5
Quote of the Week: "We've got too many special players not to, and I thought Coach (Darrell) Bevell did a great job calling the plays tonight and us being aggressive, but also still being smart too."
The Seattle Seahawks are slowing rounding into shape, particularly on offense, where the unit looked far more explosive during Monday's 31-25 victory over the Buffalo Bills.
Three things occurred that make Pete Carroll's team extremely dangerous.
First, quarterback Russell Wilson credited his offensive coordinator, Bevell, for improved play-calling, per ESPN.com's Sheil Kapadia.
Second, Wilson continues to get healthier with each passing week. The quarterback completed 76.9 percent of his passes for 282 yards and a pair of touchdowns against Rex Ryan's defense.
"I felt great out there," Wilson said, per Aron Yohannes of the team's official site. "I felt normal as possible and I felt really strong. I felt quick, I felt fast. I didn’t try to push it too much, I tried to be smart."
Last and certainly not least, the team rediscovered the type of beast Jimmy Graham can be if healthy and given opportunities. Graham dominated the Bills with eight receptions for 103 yards and a pair of one-handed touchdown grabs.
2. Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs
31 of 32
Last Week: 3
Quote of the Week: "It's nice to be 6-2. We appreciate every one of them. They don't give you any of these in the National Football League. The margin between winning and losing in this league is a minute, so as easily as you win that game, you could have lost."
Quietly, the Kansas City Chiefs continue to chug along in the competitive AFC West. As head coach Andy Reid noted, per BJ Kissel of the team's official site, the Chiefs are 6-2 after Sunday's 19-14 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
An opportunistic defense continues to drive the team's success. The unit caused four turnovers, which helped an offense sans starting quarterback Alex Smith. The Chiefs' first 10 points were a direct result of Jaguars turnovers.
"That's what we were talking about before the game—just winning the turnover battle," safety Eric Berry said, per Kissel. "It was big, man. That's just the way it goes sometimes, you try to get things to roll...your way, and the ball was just rolling our way (Sunday)."
The Chiefs' approach can be described as old-school. Reid expects his offense to play efficient football, while the defense remains disciplined. There's nothing flashy about it, yet Kansas City continues to win.
1. Bill Belichick, New England Patriots
32 of 32
Last Week: 1
Quote of the Week: "We're pretty far ahead on Seattle. We've had a chance to work on them all week, done all their games up through the Saints game (in Week 8), so there's no more to do, and there won't be any more to do until Monday night. I think Monday night will be a good opportunity to kind of take a look at the game against Buffalo with a little bit of a blank slate."
What did the 7-1 New England Patriots do during their bye week? Bill Belichick and his coaching staff finished all of the homework early so they could watch the their next opponent, the Seattle Seahawks, on Monday Night Football.
The Patriots are already the league's most prepared, but the extra time gave them an unique opportunity to do something out of the norm. They planned to watch the live broadcast, per ESPN.com's Mike Reiss.
Monday's matchup proved to be even more interesting since the Seahawks played an AFC East rival in the Buffalo Bills.
"Buffalo is a team that we know well from just having played against them and being a division team, so I think when we see what Seattle is doing, we'll be able to figure out why they're doing it, what they perceive as an area to attack or what type of game plan to utilize," Belichick said, per Reiss.
New England is always looking for an edge even if it's just watching the telecast like everyone else.
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