I have this problem where I think way too big and try to do everything all at once. The problem is, I end up doing a mediocre job analyzing 32 teams each week instead of focusing on a smaller group. So, new format, and my NFL power rankings will henceforth be an analysis of the those worthy of making my top 10.
I’ll still rank each team every week on my Power Rankings landing page, which is a fluid page that’s constantly updated throughout the season. Nothing there is ever set in stone.
On to more important stuff. I’m now 2 episodes into The hell going on Podcast, which you can find here, or pretty much anywhere you listen to podcasts. Please keep in mind that I’m extremely new at this and I’m my own producer, writer, and sound engineer.
To give you and idea how the first week went, in episode 1, my dogs wouldn’t shut up. So in episode 2, I decided to introduce them at the beginning in preparation for their inevitable interruption… and then, not a peep. They knew exactly what they were doing.
Whatever, literally every one of my dogs has a massively larger following than I do, so I assume they’ll continue sabotaging me to keep it that way.
On to the rankings! As always, may all your teams win or your dogs be selfish jerks.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (7-0)
W vs Buccaneers 30-24 (OT)
I thought for a split second it might happen.
When the Chiefs were down 17-10 to the Bucs on Monday night, I assumed they would come back. And they did. Then I assumed they would take the lead. And they did.
With the score 24-17, Baker Mayfield led an improbable drive throwing to the emerging Cade Otton, the forgotten Sterling Shepard, and finally a touchdown to the unknown Ryan Miller.
The Bucs were on the road, playing the undefeated defending champs, it’s raining, and they had all the momentum. I will never, ever understand the why they kicked the extra point to tie it instead of going for the win.
I know it’s easy to say that in hindsight. Maybe if the Chiefs didn’t win the overtime toss, it would’ve been different, and we would all have forgotten about that extra point. But the Bucs needed to put more trust in an offense that was rolling to get 2-1/2 more yards instead of crossing their fingers they win the toss and win it in overtime. Grab the win while you can and run out like you stole something.
But alas, the Chiefs are gonna Chief, and they once again found a way. The only way I see them lose a game this year is if someone blows them out right from the start. Otherwise, Andy Reid will dive into his second set of playbooks and Patrick Mahomes will deliver a perfect drive.
2. Detroit Lions (7-1)
W @ Packers 24-14
The most dangerous thing about the Lions is the number of different ways they can beat you.
This is where they’re starting to encroach on the magic of the Chiefs. They’ll scorch you down the field, grind it out on the ground, punish your offense, sit back and create turnovers… they have all of those tools.
But as great as he is as a coach and leader, I still don’t trust Dan Campbell to make the right decision when it matters most.
And no, I along with many other Packers fans did not think Brian Branch should’ve been ejected. Penalty, yes. But the ejection really muddies the waters of what it should take to get ejected. You can bet in the coming week, there will be memes showing someone else hitting someone similarly or worse without an ejection.
3. Buffalo Bills (7-2)
W vs Dolphins 30-27
Only in this game can a kicker miss an early extra point that comes back to bite the team when the opposing team ties the game late, then that same kicker wins it with a 61-yard field goal.
I love this league.
That was a tough win, and now they get a Colts warmup/trap game before facing the Chiefs at home.
4. Baltimore Ravens (6-3)
W vs Broncos 41-10
I want to believe last week was Baltimore recovering from an embarrassing loss to the Browns, but it was also equal parts exposing the Broncos. Denver could very easily go from 5-3 to 5-6 over the next couple weeks.
Baltimore’s schedule isn’t much easier, but they’ve at least shown the ability to beat good teams this year.
In this bizarro existence, the Ravens defense badly needs to sort out who they are and what they can bring so they can show their face in front of the their juggernaut offense. The defense shut down Bo Nix and the Broncos sad offense… good start, but the offense has put up 41 points in 3 of the last 5 games, and last weekend was the first time the defense didn’t still allow it to be close.
As for the offense, I know there are a lot of really good statistical seasons happening, but at this point, I don’t see how Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry aren’t 1 and 2 for MVP, or 1 and 1 for MVP and OPOY. Or both. As with last week, I’ll just show you the pace they’re on statistically and you can go ahead and draw your own conclusions.
Lamar Jackson
Passing: 4,494 yards, 38 TDs, 4 INTs (68.2% completion percentage)
Rushing: 954 yards, 4 TDs
Derrick Henry
Rushing: 1,987 yards, 21 TDs (6.3 yards per carry!)
5. Washington Commanders (7-2)
W @ Giants 27-22
The score of the Commanders-Giants game suggests a different story, but it wasn’t this close. Even with Brian Robinson, Jr. taking a break, they slotted in Chris Rodriguez, Jr. to split carries with Austin Ekeler and deliver what they needed.
I’m not sure how much more I can say about Jayden Daniels. He keeps looking better, more mature, more in control, every week.
6. Minnesota Vikings (6-2)
W vs Colts 21-13
Not the prettiest win, and that’s 4-1/2 games now of questionable play going back to halftime of the Packers game.
However, they have what might be the most forgiving schedule coming up. They could very easily be 9-2 by the end of November and we’ll still be scratching our heads about which tier they belong in.
7. Philadelphia Eagles (6-2)
W vs Jaguars 28-23
Saquon Barkley is ridiculous. Between him and Henry, we’re watching two generational talents at the same time.
I can’t say it enough… do not sleep on the Eagles. I still hear almost no chatter inside or outside Philly about how far they could go. I assume everyone is waiting for some inevitable plummet.
But what if it never comes? They’ve won four in a row, and their remaining schedule isn’t that hard outside the Ravens and a pair against the Commanders.
By the way, Eagles and Ravens is December 1. Saquon v. Henry. That’s a heavyweight bout.
8. Atlanta Falcons (6-3)
W vs Cowboys 27-21
Whatever team got walloped by the Seahawks a few weeks ago seems to have been a group of impostors. Before and after that game, they’ve looked like a deep playoff team.
Since that game, Kirk Cousins has completed nearly 80% of his passes for 7 TDs and 0 picks. Bijan Robinson is on pace for his first 1,000 yard rushing season (after coming up 24 yards short last year), and the defense… well, they’re hanging in there.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)
Bye
Perfect time for a bye last week as Russell Wilson continues to acclimate and the Steelers prepare for back-to-back bangers against the Commanders and Ravens.
I’ve been curious how much Justin Fields has been taking scout team reps to help the defense get ready to face Daniels and Lamar. It’s a great opportunity to face a QB who can make you miss in the open field, but Russ could go down anytime, and Kyle Allen can’t take those reps.
10. Green Bay Packers (6-3)
L vs Lions 14-24
I’ll never understand sending Jordan Love with a pulled groin out there against the Lions in the pouring rain. This is simple risk-reward, and the risk was far too great.
Everyone knew the ground game would have added importance for both teams in the conditions, and Malik Willis has shown himself to excel in that area. So why not let the backup go out and give Love another week to rest?
I know a “pulled groin” sounds minor, but soft tissue injuries linger and over time, they change the way the rest of the body reacts in order to compensate for the injury.
You can bet the MCL from week 1 played into the groin injury, and if he doesn’t give it the necessary time to heal, the groin injury will lead to an ankle injury, or a hip injury, or another knee injury, but worse this time.
He could mess up his hip flexor. You ever tried to play football with a hip flexor injury? You ever tried to walk with a hip flexor injury? I have, and I tried to tough it out for two weeks. The result was that I was worthless on the field, and when I finally fessed up, my recovery took longer than it should have. That was a quarter century ago and I still feel it sometimes.
Take a break, Jordan. Be the QB who puts his health first because he knows football games are won by healthy players.
