Week 10 in the NFL didn’t have the same crazy, unexpected results like Week 9, but there was enough to cause plenty of shakeup in the upper half of Sporting News’ power rankings. The previous No. 1 team lost while shorthanded, causing a third consecutive week of change at the top.
With some more key intraconference and interconference results, the standings were shook up across divisions. Some teams flexed more as playoff powers, while others limped further toward a second-half fade.
Here’s how SN sees how every team now stacks up against each other from 1-32 going into Week 11:
MORE: Updated NFL standings, playoff picture after Week 10
NFL power rankings
1. Tennessee Titans 8-2 (previous ranking: 3)
The Titans deserve to be at the top for knocking off yet another playoff-caliber team in tough fashion. Mike Vrabel should get more attention for coach of the year and Tennessee’s winning experience from the previous two seasons is starting to pay off big time.
2. Green Bay Packers 8-2 (4)
The Packers got through their Aaron Rodgers-less stumble in Week 9 and they went back to winning in Week 10, rolling over the Seahawks with great defense and the right pivot to more rushing offense to lift a rusty Rodgers. Now they will hope Aaron Jones won’t be lost for a long time.
3. Arizona Cardinals 8-2 (1)
The Cardinals could handle one game without Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins,, but not a second, especially when they didn’t win the turnover battle and had more major defensive issues against the run. Besides, Arizona was overdue for some more regression to the mean.
4. Dallas Cowboys 7-2 (7)
The Cowboys’ offense took full advantage of their get-well game against the Falcons’ defense with Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott and CeeDee Lamb pushing their scoring into overdrive. The bonus was Trevon Diggs and the defense also getting right in the ultimate Dan Quinn revenge game.
5. Los Angeles Rams 7-2 (6)
The Rams enjoyed the developments of Sunday, led by the Cardinals losing and the Bucs falling again. They can become the new team to beat in the NFC West by taking care of the 49ers’ division chances on Monday night.
6. Buffalo Bills 6-3 (8)
The Bills quickly forget their Jaguars clunker by making sure there was no road repeat against the Jets. They adjusted their offense well to support their defense with a strong running game and it also got Josh Allen back on track against another defense that was trying to take the big play away from him.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6-3 (2)
What was that? The Buccaneers didn’t really reset well after the bye, losing a second consecutive with Tom Brady struggling early down a few weapons and the defense not being able to stop much of anything when it counted the most in Washington, including wearing down against the run. The Super Bowl champions need to fight through a key midseason crossroads with the GOAT.
8. Baltimore Ravens 6-3 (5)
What was that? Lamar Jackson and the offense cooled off against an overachieving, blitzing Dolphins defense on the road. The Ravens seem close to putting everything together as contenders, but it’s either the passing game carrying them or the pass defense dragging them down.
9. Kansas City Chiefs 6-4 (10)
The Chiefs went into a home-like game in Las Vegas to get well by bringing out a more balanced and patient offense they needed for Patrick Mahomes. Just as important, their defense stepped up again with a strong complementary effort, a good sign for the second half.
10. New England Patriots 6-4 (16)
The Patriots have their formula down pat with Mac Jones under Bill Belichick. Keep running the ball at a high level, with whoever’s available, open up a comfortable passing game for Jones and set up the defense to do whatever it wants. They’re quickly going from fringe AFC wild-card contenders to strong playoff threat.
11. Los Angeles Chargers 5-4 (9)
The Chargers’ electric offense hit another snag with Justin Herbert with his big arm not connecting deep as much. Their major run defense problems have now leaked having some downfield coverage issues.
12. Las Vegas Raiders 5-4 (11)
The Raiders dropped out of playoff position after losing at home to the Chiefs, staying in third place behind the Chargers, to whom they also lost. Derek Carr is doing his best to overcome the defense, but his margin of error is shrinking again at the wrong time.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers 5-3-1 (12)
The Steelers don’t get a total free pass for tying the Lions without Ben Roethlisberger. They should still have done more offensively with the rest of their team against a terrible defense. They need to start making statements as a potential playoff team or they will limp into one-and-done status again.
14. New Orleans Saints 5-4 (13)
The Saints have now lost two consecutive games after their big win over the Buccaneers. They are stuck playing close games because their offense can’t light it up and as good as their defense can be, there are enough specific holes to exploit.
15. Cincinnati Bengals 5-4 (15)
The Bengals stayed put during their bye and should have loved the fact the Ravens and Browns lost and the Steelers tied. Joe Burrow gives them a chance to do anything in the second half, but they need to find their earlier-season defensive mojo, stat.
16. Cleveland Browns 5-5 (14)
The Browns’ offense can’t carry the team when they’re not running at a high level, so when their defense wilts and doesn’t adjust like it did against the Patriots, they fail to play successful complementary football. Kevin Stefanski and his staff must become more creative in the second half or risk a slide back out of the playoffs.
17. Minnesota Vikings 4-5 (20)
The Vikings are doing better with the one-possession games and their offense is at its best when Dalvin Cook’s power running and Justin Jefferson’s downfield receiving set the tone. They are developing back into pesky NFC wild-card hopefuls.
18. Carolina Panthers 5-5 (22)
The Panthers got a huge break with no Kyler Murray on the other side and it led to their defense dominating in Arizona, boosting their offense with a few early takeaways. Christian McCaffrey, not Cam Newton, sparked things most, but now the question is whether two successful gadget plays from Newton open the door for him getting a shot to start vs. Ron Rivera and Washington.
19. Indianapolis Colts 5-5 (19)
The Colts have fought back to .500 on the strength of the Jonathan Taylor-led rushing attack and some timely defense, or the formula that got them into the playoffs with Frenk Reich last season. Carson Wentz must go back to playing at a high level to put them in real contention, however.
20. Denver Broncos 5-5 (17)
The Broncos got ripped at home by the Eagles with sloppy offense and lost defense, or the exact opposite of their Cowboys thrashing on the road last week. There will be gig changes coming should they go into second-half freefall.
21. Atlanta Falcons 4-5 (18)
The Falcons are another mediocre team that’s tough to figure out, as they got destroyed by the Cowboys following their best performance of the season against the Saints. The defensive issues can continue to put a ton of extra pressure on Matt Ryan and ever-changing ofense.
22. Philadelphia Eagles 4-6 (26)
The Eagles finally have decided to support Jalen Hurts’ passing and running with a traditional rushing attack, and it’s worked, to settle his arm and his feet. The defense is also responding well in complementary football and Nick Sirianni keeps figuring more out about his team.
23. San Francisco 49ers 3-5 (23)
The 49ers desperately need to win on Monday night to step right back into the weak bottom part of the NFC playoff picture. A loss would sink them further behind the Cardinals and Rams and get closer to another disappointing injury-riddled season under Kyle Shanahan.
24. Seattle Seahawks 3-6 (21)
The Seahawks got Russell Wilson back with designs of going back to the winning team they usually are, but probably rushed back with his finger, adversely affectiing their offense to the tune of zero points. It was really bad given their defense did their best to overachieve.
25. Washington Football Team 3-6 (29)
Washington finally found its defensive groove against the Buccaneers, even though it was dealt the blow of Chase Young’s knee injury. Taylor Heinicke still isn’t a long-term answer, but he might remain the solution in the now even when Ryan Fitzpatrick can return. Credit them for continuing to grind for Ron Rivera.
26. Chicago Bears 3-6 (24)
The Bears had a bye to help Justin Fields feel his way better as a rookie passer and runner. They also needed it to get their defense healthy and effective up to its usual level.
27. New York Giants 3-6 (27)
The Giants also had a bye looking to come out with a cleaner bill of health overall, led by Saquon Barkley and the receiving corps. Daniel Jones needs to finish strong to secure his position as franchise passer for 2022.
28. Miami Dolphins 3-7 (30)
The Dolphins’ defense is starting to live up to its aggressive playmaking potential for Brian Flores again to make up for the offensive limitations. Year 2 with Tua Tagovailoa hasn’t played out as planned.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars 2-7 (27)
The Jaguars cannot play well on the road and even with their defense doing better things. They tend to get in their way offensively around Trevor Lawrence when not running James Robinson.
30. New York Jets 2-7 (26)
The Jets saw Mike White hit a wall against a mighty Bills defense with a Zach Wilson return just around the corner. The defense is doing its best to handle more of the field for Robert Saleh but there are plenty of key holes to address for 2022.
31. Houston Texans 1-8 (31)
The Texans didn’t play, so they couldn’t sink further as the Deshaun Watson-less worst team in the AFC. They need to finish with some respectability for rookie coach David Culley.
32. Detroit Lions 0-8-1 (32)
The Lions won’t become the first 0-17 team in the NFL history after salvaging an ugly overtime tie. Dan Campbell is doing whatever he can to pull out a win, but the big goose egg still is a strong possibility.