NFL Power Rankings Week 10: Playoff Contenders That Will Surge

When you look up and see that the calendar has turned to November, you realize just how fast the NFL season goes and how little time there is left for playoff contenders to make their move. 

There are just eight weeks left in the season, so now is the time for teams sitting on the bubble to get hot and prove that they belong with the elite in the NFL. 

Some of them are already making those moves, while others have the talent to do so but haven't been able to put it all together for various reasons. 

Here are three teams that will climb up the power rankings with good performances in Week 10. 

 

San Diego Chargers

Maybe I am crazy, but I still have faith that the Chargers can be one of the best teams in the NFL this season. Philip Rivers is not as bad as he has played so far, though the 14 interceptions are a very troubling sign.

The biggest reason that the Chargers have struggled through the first eight weeks is because of injuries. Every team has them, but few have been hurt as much as San Diego at so many critical positions.

They have a home game against division rival Oakland on Thursday, so they can separate themselves a bit from the rest of the AFC West pack with a victory. They need to make a statement in that game to prove they are capable of being a playoff team.

 

Atlanta Falcons

After a slow start to the season, the Falcons are looking like the team that we all thought they would be with three straight victories. They are just a half-game behind the Saints, who they host in Week 10, in the NFC South.

The big key for this team the rest of the season will be staying healthy, particularly on offense. Rookie wide receiver Julio Jones returned against Indianapolis after missing two games and had 131 yards on just three catches. He is a difference-maker for an offense that does not have many.

The defensive line still has work to do in order to live up to its potential, but they have shown improvements in recent weeks.

A victory in Week 10 and this team is going to shoot right up the rankings, possibly even into the Top 10.

 

Chicago Bears

The Bears are hot right now and they have put the heat on the Detroit Lions in the NFC North. Jay Cutler was able to make it through a game without getting sacked, which is a feat unto itself.

The defense is not as strong as it was last year when they made it to the NFC Championship Game, but they are doing enough to help the offense.

Matt Forte has been an absolute stud for this team, and if not for Aaron Rodgers he would be getting more MVP love.

The Bears started out slow, but they are finding their rhythm now. The offense knows what works, and Mike Martz has actually adjusted to their limitations to play up their strengths. 

 

 

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