NFL Power Rankings, Week 10: A new No. 1 sets the stage for what could be a fun second half

In this week's edition of the BSJ NFL Power Rankings, there's a new No. 1, as well as some movement up and down the top half of the board. Houston and Miami are among our big movers this week as the second half of the regular season looms. Read on to see where your favorite team landed.



1. Saints (7-1 — last week, No. 3): If you’re in the top three already and you knock off the No. 1 seed, you instantly shoot to No. 1, as far as I’m concerned. That game against the Rams was an absolute blast — I don’t think anyone would be upset with a rematch in January. This week: at Bengals.

2. Patriots (7-2 — last week, No. 2): They aren’t putting up style points, but they keep winning. Considering the opposing quarterback, that victory over the Packers likely represents the best defensive performance of the season for New England. This week: at Titans.

3. Rams (8-1 — last week, No. 1): Now, we really get a chance to see who the Rams are. It’s easy to have fun when everything is going right. Now, how do you respond to a little adversity? We’ll see if Los Angeles has the temperament of a champion in the following weeks, with upcoming games against the Chiefs and Eagles. This week: vs. Seahawks.

4. Chiefs (8-1 — last week, No. 4): We’re starting to reach a point in the regular season when you start to compare the schedules of the AFC’s elite to figure out just who might have the inside track on home-field advantage. The best chance for New England to make up some ground? It might come next week when Kansas City visits the Rams. This week: vs. Cardinals.

5. Panthers (6-2 — last week, No. 5): Cam Newton and the Panthers have committed only seven giveaways this year, tied for the third-fewest in the league. That ability to tale care of the football has gone a long way toward their success over the first half. This week: at Steelers.

6. Chargers (6-2 — last week, No. 6): And there sit the Chargers, simply sitting out there and winning these less-than-aesthetically pleasing games, week after week after week. This is a good team that is starting to pick up steam. Looking at their schedule, this is a double-digit win team, which just might make that Dec. 13 game at Kansas City really mean something. This week: at Oakland.

7. Vikings (5-3-1 — last week, No. 7): As God as my witness, I will never understand how this team lost to the Bills. Maybe that’s the reason I’m not completely on board with them yet. That and that offensive line. This week: Bye.

8. Steelers (5-2-1 — last week, No. 9): Ben Roethlisberger pulled off a surprise lefty punt this past week against the Ravens. If he ever needs a gig, maybe Bill Belichick — who has a thing for lefty punters like you read about — can make him the next Tom Tupa. (By the way, I think it’s funny that “Tom Tupa” autocorrects to “Tom Tupac.” This week: vs. Panthers.

9. Eagles (4-4 — last week, No. 8): Do yourself a favor and catch the “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” Super Bowl episode. I’m no conspiracy theorist, but it could explain a lot about what happened at the end of the game. This week: vs. Cowboys.

10. Texans (6-3 — last week, No. 12): Had a snarky Tweet ready to go when Houston was at 0-3, hinting that Bill O’Brien could follow the same path as Josh McDaniels did when he was let go by the Rams and rejoined New England at the end of that season as a “consultant.” Then, the Texans rip off six wins in a row and vault right back into the playoff picture. Shows what I know. This week: Bye.

11. Packers (3-4-1 — last week, No. 10): Man, after seeing that Green Bay team in person Sunday night, I could see why Aaron Rodgers would be a little miffed about the group that’s been assembled around him. Guy deserves better. This week: vs. Dolphins.

12. Bears (5-3 — last week, No. 12): Three straight divisional games will give Chicago a chance to show the rest of the league whether it’s going to be taken seriously in the race for the NFC North. This week: vs. Lions.

13. Titans (4-4 — last week, No. 16): Sunday will mark the first time Bill Belichick will be in a head-to-head coaching matchup with one of his ex-players. (For what it’s worth, it’s happened multiple times in league history, including when Tom Landry faced the likes of Dan Reeves and Mike Ditka.) This week: vs. Patriots.

14. Bengals (5-3 — last week, No. 14): A.J. Green is going to miss multiple weeks. That’s not good news for a Cincy team that appeared to have a legit shot at a wild-card spot. This week: vs. Saints.

15. Falcons (4-4 — last week, No. 15): Three straight wins have put Atlanta back in the playoff picture. With games against Cleveland and Dallas the next two weeks, the Falcons could start dreaming of a wild-card spot. Next week: at Browns.

16. Jaguars (3-5 — last week, No. 11): Jacksonville was on a bye last week, but that doesn’t change the fact that ever since the Jags won their September Super Bowl over the Patriots, they’ve lost five of six. This week: at Colts.

17. Redskins (5-3 — last week, 17): I find it hard to believe Washington is in first place in the NFC East. And with a top 10 defense. Really? This week: at Bucs.

18. Dolphins (5-4 — last week, No. 22): “Stuck at .500: The Miami Dolphins Story.” This week: at Packers

19. Seahawks (4-4 — last week, No. 19): I refuse to give up on Seattle, even after taking that home loss against the Chargers. Not saying they’re a Super Bowl team, but there’s some scrap left in that group. This week: at Rams.

20. Ravens (4-5 — last week, No. 18): Bleh. I’m done with these guys. This week: Bye.

21. Buccaneers (3-5 — last week, 21): Tampa Bay is one overtime victory against the Browns away from a six-game losing skid. The Bucs can’t figure out the quarterback position, and they have (statistically) the worst defense in the league, allowing an average of 34.4 points per game. Other than that, everyone is great. This week: vs. Redskins.

22. Lions (3-5 — last week, No. 20): This isn’t a great sign. At all. This week: at Bears.

23. Broncos (3-6 — last week, No. 23): Texans didn’t win that one as much as Denver lost it. I like that defense, but that offense is just … adrift right now. This week: Bye.

24. Jets (3-6 — last week, No. 24): Can’t win divisional games on the road when your quarterback throws four picks. This week: vs. Bills.

25. Colts (3-5 — last week, No. 26): They put up 42 against the Raiders so you take it with a grain of salt, but that Indy offense is starting to click. Provided they take care of business the rest of the month, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the Colts end up playing meaningful games down the stretch. This week: vs. Jaguars.

26. Cowboys (3-5 — last week, No. 25): Per ESPN, the Cowboys 14-point loss on Monday night is their worst coming off a bye since Week 5 of 2004 vs Giants when they lost by 16 (26-10). This week: at Eagles.

27. Browns (2-6-1 — last week, No. 27): The Browns head coaching job is going to be a coveted spot this offseason. It’s going to be fascinating to see who gets the call. This week: vs. Falcons

28. Cardinals (2-6 — last week, No. 28): Arizona is 17-point underdogs going into this weekend in Kansas City. It’s the biggest line of the season. This week: at Chiefs.

29. 49ers (2-7 — last week, No. 30): Love the Nick Mullens story. Wonder what Jimmy Garoppolo was thinking watching that one. This week: vs. Giants.

30. Bills (2-7 — last week, No. 29): The Buffalo quarterbacks have three passing touchdowns this year. Pat Mahomes had three last week. This week: at Jets.

31. Giants (1-7 — last week, No. 31): With the season fundamentally done, it’s time to take a look around and assess the future in New York. Give the ball to Saquon 20 times a game, get some rookies and other youngsters some snaps, and see what happens. On to 2019. This week: at Niners.

721. Raiders (1-7 — last week, 32): So who’s it going to be with the No. 1 pick. Nick Bosa? Quinnen Williams? Justin Herbert? This week: vs. Chargers.