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NFL Power Rankings: Eagles, Ravens, Falcons Soar; Packers, Bears and Texans sink before Week 10
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NFL Power Rankings: Eagles, Ravens, Falcons Soar; Packers, Bears and Texans sink before Week 10

The 2024 NFL season has several loaded teams vying for key playoff positions, but it also features many teams with two wins, creating a big divide between the haves and have-nots.

Some of the league’s top Super Bowl 59 contenders faltered in Week 9, while some middle-of-the-pack hopefuls took a major dent in their chances.

Here’s Sporting News’ latest look at the pecking order, 1-32.

NFL HQ: NFL Live Scores | Updated NFL Rankings | Complete NFL Schedule

NFL Power Rankings, Week 10

Jared Goff Lions 102524

1. Kansas City Chiefs 7-0 (previous ranking: 1)

The Chiefs continue to get the job done with great offense and defense. Patrick Mahomes is also starting to warm up his passes at just the right time to believe the two-time defending champions can lead the standings.

MORE: NFL playoff picture through Week 9

2. Detroit Lions 7-1 (2)

The Lions made an NFC North statement and then some by going to Lambeau Field and delivering a complete hammering of the Packers. They remain the team to beat in the conference.

MORE: Explaining Brian Branch’s Controversial Expulsion | Amon-Ra St. Brown celebrates TD with a viral handstand

3. Buffalo Bills 7-2 (3)

The Bills are digging deep to use all of their key weapons around Josh Allen. They need to continue to rely on their loaded offense to compensate for their massive running back stopping issues in any way.

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4. Pittsburgh Steelers 6-2 (4)

The Steelers are sitting pretty in the AFC North during their bye with the QB scheme between Justin Fields and Russell Wilson working hard to better support the running game and defense. They will be able to attack their entire six-game division down the stretch.

Jayden Daniels

5. Washington Commanders 7-2 (7)

The Commanders once again faltered on both fronts against the Giants with their rushing attack and pass rush. Jayden Daniels is locked in again after the rib injury hiccup, looking like OROY on the run again.

6. Philadelphia Eagles 6-2 (8)

The Eagles didn’t need to sweat much with their red-hot offense to blow away old friend Doug Pederson’s Jaguars, despite a few late mistakes. They can deliver the knockout blow to Mike McCarthy’s Cowboys in Week 10.

MORE: Nick Sirianni calls Saquon Barkley’s hurdle ‘best play (he) has ever seen’ | AJ Brown injury update

7. Baltimore Ravens 6-3 (10)

Lamar Jackson posted a perfect passer rating to remind everyone why he is a strong candidate to win his third MVP. He runs the offense so well that he also helped push Derrick Henry into the MVP conversation.

MORE: Jackson ties record for most perfect passer rating

8. Minnesota Vikings 6-2 (9)

The Vikings bounced back from their two-game skid by tearing apart the Colts at home with their swarming defense and Sam Darnold overcoming a rough night with key passing plays.

Jordan loves the Packers 110124

9. Green Bay Packers 6-3 (5)

The Packers’ issues with turnovers and overall offensive inconsistency cost them a lot of time against the Lions, despite their best defensive efforts to stay in the game.

MORE: Matt LaFleur appears to have a NSFW message for Dan Campbell and the Lions

10. Atlanta Falcons 6-3 (12)

Kirk Cousins ​​hasn’t missed a beat with his suddenly deep receiving corps, responding well without Drake London and also benefiting from excellent balance from Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. The defense was also better at bending without breaking against Dallas.

MORE: Drake London injury update | Drake London celebrates TD with viral handstand

11. Houston Texans 6-3 (6)

The Texans were exposed with their injuries at wide receiver and pass protection issues against the Jets. Houston is also seeing its pass defense crumble, with the pass rush now worried about the health of Will Anderson Jr.

MORE: Will Anderson Jr. injury update

12. San Francisco 49ers 4-4 (11)

The 49ers need to be much healthier during the bye, with Christian McCaffrey’s potential return against the Buccaneers in Week 10 being the most key. They are able to sizzle throughout the second half to continue fighting for the top spot in the NFC.

13. Los Angeles Chargers 5-3 (15)

The Chargers still play solid defense and run their running game. The real danger is how they’ve managed to make the downfield passing game hot with Justin Herbert healthy and on point.

14. Denver Broncos 5-4 (13)

Bo Nix was ready for battle for Lamar Jackson but didn’t have the same blocking, technical support or experience. The Broncos defense also collapsed against one of the best offenses. Regardless of their final position in the AFC, the restart has been positive with Sean Payton.

15. Arizona Cardinals 5-4 (16)

The Cardinals gain a lot with the running game and defense favoring Jonathan Gannon, alleviating significant pressure on Kyler Murray. They were a pleasant surprise for first place, but might be tough to hold on to in a tougher second half of divisional play.

16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4-4 (17)

The Buccaneers try to stay in play offensively thanks to Baker Mayfield’s fearless passing and a deep backfield, but they are not well positioned to compensate for their major defensive limitations. The Chiefs on the road will have a tough draw Monday night to likely push the Bucs under .500.

Matthew Stafford, Sean McVay 05022024

17. Los Angeles Rams 4-4 (19)

The Rams are holding their own with a young, improving defense and plenty of offensive depth in Sean McVay. They’re trying to stay hot for another second-half push after getting to .500 with two big wins.

MORE: Puka Nacua shocked by expulsion for throwing punch against Seahawks

18. Chicago Bears 4-4 (14)

The Bears face additional growing pains with Caleb Williams, leading to problems on the road without a win. The pass defense has been a strength, but it falls apart too much against the run.

MORE: Is Matt Eberflus in the hot seat?

19. Cincinnati Bengals 4-5 (22)

Joe Burrow drives at a high level passing all over the field, even when Ja’Marr Chase is quiet and Tee Higgins is unavailable. Given the AFC’s precarious state at the bottom of the playoff standings, the Bengals have a real chance thanks to their QB.

Bengals Joe Burrow 103124

20. Seattle Seahawks 4-5 (18)

Geno Smith can sometimes look great throwing downfield in the new offense, but if the running game sputters and the protection breaks down, he can be in real trouble. The Seahawks need to stick with him, but he needs to cut down on turnovers.

MORE: Is Geno Smith at risk of being benched?

21. Dallas Cowboys 3-5 (20)

The Cowboys entered desperation mode with trap plays that didn’t work and a lot of defensive frustration in Atlanta. Dak Prescott couldn’t do much before he found himself paralyzed. Injuries, coaching and poor execution led to this dysfunctional disaster.

MORE COWBOYS:
Dak Prescott injury update | CeeDee Lamb injury update | Will the Cowboys make the playoffs? | Jerry Jones talks deadline deals

22. Indianapolis Colts 4-5 (21)

The Colts made the hasty decision to sit Anthony Richardson because they need to form a run-intensive team with him and Jonathan Taylor to be the most complementary to the defense. Joe Flacco’s chuck and duck routine doesn’t suit this team.

MORE: Shane Steichen commits to Joe Flacco as starting QB despite lifeless outing against Vikings

23. New York Jets 3-6 (30)

The Jets dug deep with desperation and made all the big plays Aaron Rodgers needed with their dynamic receiving duo finally living up to expectations. Their defense also had its best game in a long time against Houston, but it may already be too late.

MORE: Garrett Wilson’s incredible one-handed catch | Malachi Corley channels DeSean Jackson with goal-line fumble

24. Tennessee Titans 2-6 (31)

The Titans are still fighting hard for rookie coach Brian Callahan as they received an injury-related spark from Mason Rudolph. Their defense has been surprisingly ahead of the offense in its rebuild.

De'Von Achane

25. Miami Dolphins 2-6 (23)

Tua Tagovailoa is back, but the passing game isn’t as dangerous and De’Von Achane’s run has become their best chance to win games on offense. The aging of the defense also constitutes a greater handicap.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars 2-7 (24)

The Jaguars did their best to give Doug Pederson an improbable comeback win in Philadelphia, but they didn’t provide enough support for Trevor Lawrence and the defense gave up more than it could offer in terms of bigs games.

MORE: Why Travon Walker’s Controversial TD Return Wasn’t Overturned by Replay

27. New York Giants 2-7 (26)

Daniel Jones and the offense continue to fight hard despite some limitations beyond rookies Malik Nabers and Tyrone Tracy Jr., but that doesn’t mean much when the defense gives up too many big plays after wilting against the race.

28. Cleveland Browns 2-7 (25)

The Browns got a short-term spark from Jameis Winston, only to follow the Ravens’ home win by experiencing a major disappointment with the Chargers sapping all the energy from the Dawg Pound. The clock is now ticking until they can draft their franchise QB.

29. Carolina Panthers 2-7 (32)

The Panthers had to turn to Bryce Young at QB, and he is showing some flashes on offense with their young weapons. They could have a rather positive second half.

30. New Orleans Saints 2-7 (27)

The Saints have entered a total free fall, as offensive injuries and defensive miscues continue to cost them during a seven-game losing streak. They’re at least in a better position to land Derek Carr’s long-term replacement.

MORE: Chris Olave injury update | Michael Thomas rips Derek Carr for a pass leading to Olave’s injury

31. Las Vegas Raiders 2-7 (28)

Gardner Minshew proved to be a bridge to nowhere, as he was benched twice for Aidan O’Connell and Desmond Ridder. The Raiders are short on positives besides a few decent starts.

32. New England Patriots 2-7 (29)

The Patriots appear to have a guard at quarterback in Drake Maye, as his big plays with his arms and legs are bound to outweigh his tough mistakes in no time.