NFL Top 10 Power Rankings Through Week 10

Week Ten of the NFL saw some changes made when the week was over.

After being cut by the Chiefs, Larry Johnson was recently signed by the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals already have another castoff in Cedric Benson, who has energized his career in Cincinnati.

If Johnson follows the same route as Benson has, who had trouble with the Chicago Bears and has been trouble-free with the Bengals, Johnson too could find himself playing more and not criticized as much.

But, it's all up to Johnson's desire to change for the better.

Also, the first coaching change finally happened in 2009 with the firing of Buffalo Bills head coach Dick Jauron. Jauron never had success in Buffalo and the team was a mess this season at 3-6 with Terrell Owens, so management felt a change was needed.

Jauron will probably end up back as a defensive coordinator somewhere in the NFL, a spot where he should stay.

The top teams of the NFL took some tough losses and a couple teams who could have moved up didn't, while some like the Eagles, got kicked off here this week. Let's see who is still remaining in the Top 10 Power Rankings for the NFL.

10. San Diego Chargers (UR) (6-3, Won 31-23 over the Philadelphia Eagles)

Just when you thought the Chargers were left for dead a few weeks ago, they have come back from the dead and are alive and well in the playoff chase.

For the first time in what seems like three years, LaDainian Tomlinson remembered how to play football and ran well, carrying 24 times for 96 yards and two touchdowns.

The Chargers did allow Donovan McNabb to throw for 450 yards, but kept the running game shut down. Brian Westbrook was held to 28 yards and LeSean McCoy was held to just five.

A few weeks ago on Monday Night Football, the Chargers were up-ended by the Broncos and it looked like Denver was going to easily win the division.

Now, the Chargers have come on strong and next week, will travel to Denver to try and re-claim the AFC West.

This may be the week where San Diego re-claims its place as the best team in the west.

9. Denver Broncos (8) (6-3, Lost 27-17 to the Washington Redskins)

This was a definition game for Denver.

The first two losses to Baltimore and Pittsburgh were to good teams. Washington sucks.

Yet, Denver allowed Washington to win a game and look somewhat decent on Sunday, so shame on the Broncos for allowing this loss.

The Denver defense allowed LaDell Betts to run for 114 yards with Clinton Portis out with an injury. Denver's defense was once regarded as the best in the NFL, now they can't stop NFL backup running backs.

After having a comfortable lead in the AFC West, the Broncos are now tied for the division and next week at home, they hope to hold on against San Diego.

Another loss for Denver and their season may be really out of control and headed in the wrong direction.

8. Dallas Cowboys (7) (6-3, Lost 17-7 to the Green Bay Packers)

Last year, the Cowboys traded four draft picks to get Roy Williams. Why?

It's becoming quite clear, he sucks as a wide receiver. He's not a number one, he drops too many passes, fumbles big catches and complains.

He's like another Terrell Owens, without the talent. And the Cowboys are stuck with him for now.

He caught five passes for 105 yards, but also fumbled a big catch when Dallas was looking to take a lead being down 3-0.

Dallas also was unable to get the running game going, Marion Barber was held to 26 yards. Some weeks you can get by without the run, but this week it ended up costing Dallas.

The Cowboys will have a chance to rebound with the Redskins coming into town. Usually Dallas plays Washington well at home, so this will be an important game for the Cowboys to rebound and win next week.

7. Arizona Cardinals (10) (6-3, Won 31-20 over the Seattle Seahawks)

The NFC West is becoming the Cardinals division. After winning it in 2008, it looks like Arizona has taken control of it again in 2009.

Kurt Warner went 29-for-38 for 340 yards and two touchdowns in another fine performance for the Cardinals.

Beanie Wells is doing a great job in his rookie season becoming the No. 1 running back for Arizona, carrying the ball 16 times for 85 yards and two touchdowns.

Last year, Edgerrin James was complaining about playing time. Now, he is a distant memory and without a team.

Some say this year's Arizona team is better than the one of a year ago that went the Super Bowl because they play a stronger defense. If that's true, the NFC better be worried, especially with the offense Arizona possesses.

The Cardinals play the Rams next week in what should be an easy win for Arizona on the road.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers (5) (6-3, Lost 18-12 to the Cincinnati Bengals)

Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice, shame on you. Shame on the Steelers.

They allowed the Bengals to just rip them to shreds on defense and did not allow a single touchdown on offense.

The Steelers scoring came from four Jeff Reed field goals. That was it.

Ben Roethlisberger just never got a decent rhythm going as he went 20-for-40 for 174 yards and one interception.

In a building where the Steelers usually dominate with the home field advantage, they were outplayed and over-powered by a division rival that might win the AFC North.

Pittsburgh goes to Kansas City to play the Chiefs next week, who just cut Larry Johnson and lost Dwayne Bowe to a four game drug suspension. Pittsburgh needs this game to get back on track.

5. New England Patriots (6) (6-3, Lost 35-34 to the Indianapolis Colts)

For 58 minutes, the Patriots looked like they would win the game against the Colts.

They made the Colts punt seven times and picked off two passes from Peyton Manning.

Yet after missing on a third and two, Bill Belichick went for it on fourth down on their own 28 and failed to make it. So Belichick put a tired defense back out with a short field for Manning to operate, three timeouts and two minutes.

The Colts ended up scoring with 13 seconds left and the poor coaching decision made Belichick this weeks NFL bonehead after he is usually a solid coach who makes few mistakes.

But on that night, Belichick was the goat. It happens. He will move on.

Next week, the Patriots will have the struggling Jets come into town and the Patriots will be looking to axe off Mark Sanchez's head. Belichick will probably look to do the same thing with Rex Ryan's head from the loss in September.

4. Cincinnati Bengals (4) (7-2, Won 18-12 over the Pittsburgh Steelers)

It's not exactly a common thing to sweep the Steelers twice in the same season.

The Steelers, who are the reigning Super Bowl Champions. The Bengals pulled that off in 2009 with their win on Sunday.

The Bengals also scored three field goals, but had the game's lone touchdown, which came off a 96 yard kickoff return touchdown by Bernard Scott.

The Bengals held Rashard Mendenhall to 36 yards and kept the Steelers offense off balanced all night.

Not only did the Bengals knock off the Steelers twice, but also did knock off the Ravens twice, so Cincinnati has beaten the two AFC teams who were in the championship game twice.

Next week, the Bengals will play the Raiders and should be able to take care of the pitiful Raiders in their building.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3) (8-1, Won 27-10 over the Detroit Lions)

From start to finish, the Vikings had total control of this game.

Adrian Peterson ran for over 100 yards in the first half, ran for two touchdowns and even fumbled a possible third one in another good performance.

Sidney Rice had a monstrous game, catching seven passes for 201 yards. He has become the main receiver for the Vikings and a great weapon for Brett Favre to throw to.

Speaking of Favre, he went 20-for-29 for 344 yards and a touchdown. At 8-1, Favre's having a fine season in Minnesota.

Minnesota will have the struggling Seahawks come into the Metrodome on Sunday. Minnesota should have no trouble going to 9-1.

2. New Orleans Saints (2) (9-0, Won 28-23 over the St. Louis Rams)

The Rams made a game out of this, but in the end, the Saints were too much for the Rams to handle.

Drew Brees went 18-for-26 for 223 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday. It wasn't his finest performance with two interceptions, but it was good enough to win.

Reggie Bush had a solid day, rushing six times for 83 yards and a touchdown and catching two passes for 15 yards and a touchdown.

New Orleans defense struggled in this game, allowing Marc Bulger to throw for almost 300 yards and Steven Jackson run for over 100 yards, but it wasn't good enough against an NFC powerhouse.

The Saints go to Tampa Bay to play the Buccaneers next week. Barring any setbacks, the Saints should be 10-0 after next week.

1. Indianapolis Colts (1) (9-0, Won 35-34 over the New England Patriots)

The Colts can thank Bill Belichick's poor coaching decision for this game and this win.

The Colts took over the ball on the Patriots own 28-yard line with two minutes to go, three time outs and a tired Patriots defense.

Like Peyton Manning needs any help to begin with, now we're going to just gift-wrap games for him.

With 13 seconds to go, Manning throws a one-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne and allowed the Colts to remain undefeated.

It wasn't pretty, and it was almost the Colts first loss of the season, but Indianapolis found a way to win the game, which is what championship teams do.

Kudos to the Colts for taking advantage of the Patriots mistakes and getting this huge win.

It doesn't get any easier for Indianapolis, as they will travel to play the Ravens. The Ravens will play the Colts tough in their building, but Manning usually finds a way to win somehow.

That does it for the Top Ten Power Rankings after ten weeks of the NFL season. As we saw, a lot of the teams in the top ten after the Bengals failed to move up and took some steps back with losses, as most of the teams after the No. 4 spot are 6-3 and with losses, could move back even further next week unless they win to survive and stay ahead.

Hope everyone has a good week and pretty soon, it'll be the weekend again and Week 11 of the NFL season will be upon us.