Another week of NFL action means another edition of our NFL Power Rankings. The Chiefs and Patriots crash the top 10 after impressive victories, while the wild-card races continue to be a confusing mess of mediocrity and five win teams. Don’t like where your team is ranked? That’s not my problem. Go call up your favourite team’s headquarters and tell them to start playing some better football, because the Intermission’s NFL Power Rankings are here!
1. Green Bay Packers (8-2)
Previous Rank: 2
With Green Bay’s defence playing lights out, they look like one of the most balanced teams in the NFL. The Packers registered an impressive shutout against a Seattle led offence that’s never been shut out before with Russell Wilson behind the reins. While Wilson’s rustiness from returning for his first game since injury certainly had a part in that, it’s still impressive nevertheless. Next up, a rugged divisional matchup versus Minnesota.
2. Tennessee Titans (8-2)
Previous Rank: 4
The Titans are the hottest team in football right now, and they’re not slowing down anytime soon after a gritty 23-21 win over the Saints. While the offence does feel limited with Derrick Henry on the shelf, the defence is vastly improved and has been a key part to their five game winning streak. The MVPs of their defence so far have been Jeffery Simmons, who has five sacks in his last two games and Kevin Byard, who is playing like one of the best safeties in the league already securing five interceptions (including a pick-six) on the season.
3. Arizona Cardinals (8-2)
Previous Rank: 1
The Cardinals imploded in a 34-10 loss versus the Panthers. In Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins absences, Colt McCoy couldn’t get anything going against a solid Carolina defence. However, the Cardinals are doing the right thing. When Murray tried to play through a shoulder injury last season, their playoff hopes imploded. While doing this may lead to games like this, Arizona is still in a great position and should be okay in the long run.
4. Dallas Cowboys (7-2)
Previous Rank: 5
Poor Atlanta. They were an unfortunate victim against a Cowboys team that was fiending for blood after last week’s brutal blowout loss versus the Broncos. Dallas spared no one, absolutely demolishing the Falcons 43-3. Dallas even held a 36-3 lead heading into halftime. With this win, Dallas is now one game out of the top spot in the NFC. It won’t be easy though; games against the Chiefs, Raiders and Saints are coming over a 12-day span. Buckle up.
5. Buffalo Bills (6-3)
Previous Rank: 8
A nice dominating win is just what the Bills’ slumping offence needed after last week’s embarrassing showcase against the Jaguars. Josh Allen picked apart a helpless Jets defence, throwing for 366 yards with two scores in a 45-17 win in New York. Allen was connecting with Stefon Diggs all day, who enjoyed only his second 100-yard day of the season. However, this Buffalo offence is yet to have a statement game against a legitimate defence and we’ll need to see more out of them to prove if they’re really the real deal.
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3)
Previous Rank: 3
The Buccaneers' struggles continued in an upset 29-19 loss to the Washington Football Team. Tom Brady had no interest in speaking with the media after the loss and you can’t really blame him; he lost to a team with no name. It’s the first time that’s ever happened to Brady in his career, and I love to see it. The offence couldn’t get a groove going the entire game, and the defence surrendered a maraton 19-play, 80-yard drive in the fourth quarter that ended with a touchdown effectively putting the game out of reach.
7. New England Patriots (6-4)
Previous Rank: 11
The evil empire is back. I’m terrified. When Brady left, that was supposed to be the end of this. The Patriots demolished the Browns for their fourth consecutive victory and now look like a possible contender in the AFC. Mac Jones continues to look like the new potential franchise quarterback. His precision and good decision making helps him lead this Patriots’ offence almost the way that dude Tom Brady did for two decades. Someone put me out of my misery please.
8. Los Angeles Rams (7-3)
Previous Rank: 6
It’s a good thing the Rams don’t play Kyle Shanahan and his 49ers every week, or things probably wouldn’t end up too well. The Rams' struggles continued in a 31-10 loss versus the 49ers. This marks consecutive prime-time losses for Los Angeles, and the team’s fifth straight loss against San Francisco. This isn’t what we really expected from a team who’s “all in”.
9. Kansas City Chiefs (6-4)
Previous Rank: 12
Patrick Mahomes is back? Seems like it after a 41-17 beatdown of the Raiders in Vegas. It was the best performance by this offence easily this season. Mahomes completed 35 of 50 passes for 406 yards, five touchdowns and no turnovers. He took what the defence gave him, which is something Mahomes hasn’t been doing much this season, and it benefited him and the Chiefs greatly this season.
10. Baltimore Ravens (6-3)
Previous Rank: 7
Lamar Jackson and co. were a disaster against Miami on Thursday Night Football. The team could never get a rhythm going the entire night, struggling to deal with the numerous blitzes Miami coach Brian Flores sent at Baltimore the entire night. Lamar couldn’t get anything going on the ground or the air, which makes you wonder if the Dolphins have provided the blueprints on how to stop Jackson and his dangerous skill set.
11. Los Angeles Chargers (5-4)
Previous Rank: 9
The Chargers remain a frustratingly inconsistent project, the latest a 27-20 loss to the Vikings. The offence has been hit-or-miss this season and that comes down to the play of sophomore Justin Herbert. We know what he’s capable of, but it just seems like he sometimes doesn’t bring it to every game.
12. Cleveland Browns (5-5)
Previous Rank: 10
The Browns will be the Browns. The only thing truer that will stand the test of time is the Baker Mayfield cycle. The cycle goes: play like crap, be criticized, have a good game against a bad opponent, then call out the doubters. Right now, we’re at “play like crap,” after Sunday’s embarrassing 45-7 shellacking at the hands of the Patriots. Both sides of the ball were trash, and this team remains the most inconsistent team in the NFL.
13. New Orleans Saints (5-4)
Previous Rank: 13
Give the Saints some credit. They fought hard against the hottest team in the NFL while dealing with multiple starters out with injuries and just came up short in a 23-21 loss against the Titans. New Orleans missed two extra points, which ended up hurting them as they had to go for a two-point conversion in the final minute to try to tie the game. However, New Orleans missed out on a golden opportunity to move into a first-place tie with the Bucs atop the NFC South, something that probably stings pretty bad right now.
14. Minnesota Vikings (4-5)
Previous Rank: 21
The Vikings offence looked revitalized in a 27-20 win over the Chargers. Kirk Cousins’ stopped playing concervative and started tossing the ball deep, specifically to Justin Jefferson, and it worked out greatly. Jefferson hauled nine catches for 143 yards, including a crucial late 27-yard catch in the fourth quarter that helped Minnesota run out the clock to seal the win.
15. Indianapolis Colts (5-5)
Previous Rank: 19
I’m not sold on this Colts team at all. The offence looked questionable as hell against Jacksonville, struggling to get anything really going after a fast start and Carson Wentz was making suspect throws the entire day. The defence hasn’t been spectacular this season either. The Colts have yet to win against a team with a winning record this season but will look to change that with upcoming matches against the Bills and Buccaneers on tap.
16. Cincinnati Bengals (5-4)
Previous Rank: 16
The bye week couldn’t have come at a better time for Cincinnati. After being the best defence in the NFL through the first seven weeks, the team imploded in back-to-back losses versus the Jets and Browns which saw them surrender 75 points. Cincinnati will hope this bye week will revitalize their squad after that horrific two week slump.
17. San Francisco 49ers (4-5)
Previous Rank: 24
The 49ers were in must-win territory sitting at 3-5 and heading into a matchup versus a Super Bowl favourite. However, Kyle Shanahan cooked up his best game plan of the season which resulted in a blowout of the rival Rams. Jimmy Garrapolo continued his strong play and Deebo Samual delivered another exceptional performance and continues to showcase he’s one of the premier wideouts in the NFL. It was San Francisco’s first victory at Levi’s Stadium in 393 days. A complete effort by the 49ers as they look to re-assert themselves in a wide open NFC postseason race.
18. Las Vegas Raiders (5-4)
Previous Rank: 15
Here is it Raiders fans: the infamous midseason collapse! After an offensive collapse versus the Giants in Week 9, the Raiders were blown out of the water versus the Chiefs in a 41-14 loss. It’s the type of demoralizing loss that makes you feel like it’s only the beginning of something even worse for Las Vegas.
19. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3-1)
Previous Rank: 14
Pittsburgh. That was one of the most pathetic excuses I’ve seen for an effort I’ve ever seen. The offence was flat, T.J. Watt, who is the heart and soul of this team, is now missing some time after avoiding a major injury, and the playmakers were giving away the ball like it was an all-you-can-eat buffet after two crucial fumbles in overtime that could’ve potentially sealed the game. And somehow, this team that TIED one of the worst teams in the NFL is still only 0.5 games from leading their division. What is this sorcery?
20. Carolina Panthers (5-5)
Previous Rank: 25
Cam Newton and Christian McCaffrey are back in Carolina, and it’s brought Carolina fans a euphoria of happiness. While bringing back Newton may have just been fan service in order to sell more tickets, you really can’t get much worse at quarterback when Sam Darnold or P.J. Walker is leading the way. Newton is set to be the starter on Sunday, and it’ll be interesting to see how this team does with him behind the reigns.
21. Seattle Seahawks (3-6)
Previous Rank: 18
Russell Wilson looked like a shell of himself in a 17-0 loss versus the Packers at Lambeau Field. In his first game back after a four-week layoff, Wilson was shut out for the first time in his NFL career. His passer rating (39.7) was the equivalent of if he spiked the ball every single play. Some rough stuff.
22. Philadelphia Eagles (4-6)
Previous Rank: 26
The Eagles still have a shot to potentially make the playoffs in a wide open NFC wild-card race after Sunday’s impressive win over the Broncos. The defence made big time plays coming from “Big Play Slay”, who had an 83-yard fumble return. Jalen Hurts’ play is also steadily improving as he adjusts to becoming a pocket passer in the NFL.
23. Denver Broncos (5-5)
Previous Rank: 17
The Broncos wanted to prove that last week’s dominant win versus the Cowboys wasn’t a fluke. But instead, they proved everyone who doubted right after an uninspiring 30-13 loss versus the Eagles. Teddy Bridgewater played his worst game as a Bronco as the offence couldn’t get anything going the entire day.
24. New York Giants (3-6)
Previous Rank: 22
Injuries have swarmed the Giants this season, so this bye week couldn’t have come at a better time. Almost every starter, including most of the Giants offensive playmakers, have been sidelined this season and yet, they’re not completely out of a NFC wild-card race that’s wide open. If the Giants can get healthy and play up to their potential, they can be a possible dark horse candidate in the NFC.
25. Washington Football Team (3-6)
Previous Rank: 28
Where the hell has this been Washington? Now the defence decides they want to show up? This is the defence head coach Ron Rivera was expecting out of you guys this season. The defence held Tom Brady in check, keeping them under 300 yards while picking off Brady twice. The offence also had a very impressive marathon drive in the fourth quarter to kill any chances of a Bucs comeback. Unfortunately, star pass rusher Chase Young tore his ACL and must undergo surgery. Just one of those years.
26. Chicago Bears (3-6)
Previous Rank: 23
This team is boring. I just hope that they continue to cater this offence around Justin Fields. He’s the man of the future for this team and he’s shown flashes of potential. Don’t screw it up, Chicago.
27. Atlanta Falcons (4-5)
Previous Rank: 20
That was pathetic. I don’t care if you’re playing one of the best teams in the NFL, at least show some effort on either side of the ball. Dallas led 36-3 going into halftime. This isn’t what anyone expected from an offence that was touted as one of the more explosive offences heading into this team.
28. Miami Dolphins (3-7)
Previous Rank: 29
The Dolphins needed that win. Brian Flores needed that win. Tua needed that win. Dolphins fans everywhere needed that win. The 22-10 upset win over the Ravens was a memorable game -- for reasons that there was the greatest fat guy touchdown that didn’t count. The defence looks revitalized over the past few weeks, but it may be too little too late for this Miami squad as they’ve already dug themselves into a considerable hole.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-7)
Previous Rank: 27
You guys fought hard, I’ll give you that. This is positive progress forward over the past couple weeks after a horrible start to the season. Josh Allen (the linebacker one) continues to be the MVP of this Jacksonville defence that continues to show signs of improvement. However, the Jags must devote some resources to give their No. 1 overall pick some weapons for next season.
30. Detroit Lions (0-8-1)
Previous Rank: 31
Hey! You guys didn’t win, or lose? Only the Lions could end a losing streak by tying. It’s hilariously sad and pathetic but I love it.
31. New York Jets (2-7)
Previous Rank: 30
The Mike White era was fun while it lasted, but just like all good things in life, they have to come to an end at some point. You will forever be remembered as someone with a computer generated name who dotted up defences for two weeks with a passion. You will be missed, Mr. White.
32. Houston Texans (1-8)
Previous Rank: 32
Delete. Your. Franchise. That is all.