NFL Power Rankings: Labeling the League's Contenders & Pretenders

Obviously it's much better to be labeled a contender than a pretender, but nonetheless, with quite a bit of football still left, much can change.

To that end however, here are two of the NFL's contenders and two pretenders (one in each conference).

San Francisco 49ers (7-1) (Contender)

Before you say anything about the 49ers' weak division, let it be known that they've only played one NFC West game since the season began.

The 49ers have road wins over Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Detroit and Washington, which is pretty solid, considering that three of those four teams are still alive for the playoffs (sorry Redskins fans).

And San Fran is doing it old school, by playing defense and running the football. Their pass defense still needs some work, however; they only allow 70.8 rush yards per game, and their rush offense averages almost 140.

With out-of-division games still left against the Giants, Ravens and Steelers, the 49ers can really prove they're on Green Bay's level by finishing with a 14-2 record, which is a very real possibility.

Houston Texans (6-3) (Contender)

The Houston Texans have been without WR Andre Johnson for quite some time now. And yet they still continue to play extremely well.

Currently Houston is riding a three-game winning streak and plays at Tampa Bay before the bye week. They have a two-game lead within the AFC South, and whenever they get Andre Johnson back you can bet on the Texans hitting another level.

The Texans are the only other team to defeat Pittsburgh this season, and with games left against Cincinnati, Atlanta and on the road in Jacksonville, they will be tested after their bye.

That said, this feels like it could be a special season for Houston, because continuing to play well without their best player is very scary.

Buffalo Bills (5-3) (Pretender)

Sorry Bills fans, but your team is pretending. And the remaining schedule will prove that as the season progresses.

Buffalo has three straight road games against the Cowboys, Dolphins and Jets, as well as the Chargers and Patriots in December. Only three of Buffalo's remaining eight games are at home, but none are cakewalks at the moment.

Denver has two of their three wins on the road, Miami just crushed Kansas City at Arrowhead and the Tennessee Titans will be looking to play the spoiler role. The way Buffalo is playing right now is not the same team we saw in Weeks 1 though 3.

The offense has slowed down a bit, and although they continue to force turnovers defensively, they're still allowing quite a few points.

Unless the Bills can prove the critics wrong, they will unfortunately miss out on the postseason once again.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4) (Pretender)

After the Tampa Bay Bucs began 0-1, they won three straight games and looked as hot as any team in the league. However, Tampa is only 1-3 since beginning 3-1 and has gone from first to third in the NFC South.

They may have won two games over New Orleans and Atlanta at home, but it's proving that the Bucs have trouble playing well on the road. Even in their road win over Minnesota, they got off to a very slow start, which was exploited by San Fran and Chicago.

Now with games left against Houston, Green Bay, Atlanta, two versus Carolina (more difficult than most expect), Dallas and Jacksonville (in Jacksonville mind you), Tampa will continue to play mediocre at best.

This team has a very tough time playing a full game on the road, and they can be defeated at home. However, until Tampa can at least play well consistently away from home, they will continue to disappoint.

Week 10 NFL Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank) (* = MNF Teams)

1. Green Bay Packers (8-0) (LW 1)	17. San Diego Chargers (4-4) (LW 17)
2. Baltimore Ravens (6-2) (LW 3)	18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4) (LW 19)
3. San Francisco 49ers (7-1) (LW 4)	19. Tennessee Titans (4-4) (LW 21)
4. New York Giants (6-2) (LW 6)	20. Oakland Raiders (4-4) (LW 18)
5. Houston Texans (6-3) (LW 7)	21. Kansas City Chiefs (4-4) (LW 16)
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) (LW 2)	22. Minnesota Vikings (2-6) (LW 22)
7. New Orleans Saints (6-3) (LW 10)	23. Carolina Panthers (2-6) (LW 23)
8. New England Patriots (5-3) (LW 5)	24. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6) (LW 26)
9. Detroit Lions (6-2) (LW 9)	25. Denver Broncos (3-5) (LW 30)
10. Cincinnati Bengals (6-2) (LW 11)	26. Washington Redskins (3-5) (LW 25)
11. *Chicago Bears (4-3) (LW 12)	27. Arizona Cardinals (2-6) (LW 29)
12. New York Jets (5-3) (LW 13)	28. Cleveland Browns (3-5) (LW 24)
13. Buffalo Bills (5-3) (LW 8)	29. Seattle Seahawks (2-6) (LW 28)
14. Atlanta Falcons (5-3) (LW 14)	30. Miami Dolphins (1-7) (LW 32)
15. *Philadelphia Eagles (3-4) (LW 15)	31. St. Louis Rams (1-7) (LW 27)
16. Dallas Cowboys (4-4) (LW 20)	32. Indianapolis Colts (0-9) (LW 31)

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report. 

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