Week 10 NFL Power Rankings


1 (1) Indianapolis Colts (8-0)

Absolutely dominated the Patriots - so there’s only one question about the Colts: Can they be beaten? I don’t think it can be done. With their newfound defense this team may very well be invincible. We could be looking at the next dynasty, as there are only three or four teams in the league that come close to the completeness that the Colts have.



2 (3) Seattle Seahawks (6-2)

They had no problem beating the Cardinals, although that isn’t saying much. This week they have a pivotal game against the St. Louis Rams, and a win by the Seahawks would all but lock up first place in the NFC West.



3 (4) Cincinnati Bengals (7-2)

One of the few teams in the league that matches up against Indianapolis, one of the very few that has a legitimate chance to actually beat them. However, they’ll struggle due to their lack of big game experience. Soon though…



4 (8) Denver Broncos (6-2)

Leading the division in the AFC West is no small task, and the Broncos deserve it. They’ve played well for the majority of the season, and like the Bengals have a chance at stopping the Colts. However, they need to shore up their pass defense to stand a chance.



5 (10) New York Giants (6-2)

They beat the 49ers when they were on cruise control, and they should have a similar experience against the Minnesota Vikings. Eli Manning could very easily take this team to the Super Bowl - they have the talent in the weak NFC.



6 (9) Carolina Panthers (6-2)

Is Carolina that good, or is Tampa Bay really that bad? The Panthers had a pretty easy time, stacking eight guys in the box and forcing Chris Simms to beat them with his arm - which he couldn’t do. Carolina is poised to make some noise this year, and could return to the Super Bowl.



7 (6) San Diego Chargers (5-4)

They had a harder time against the Jets than they should’ve, but they did win. They will have to be better than that if they want to stay in the playoff race. Fortunately they have a bye-week coming up to work on those things that are lacking.



8 (2) Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)

They won - so why the drop? The reason: the absence of Big Ben. Until Ben Roethlisberger gets healthy, the Steelers are not an elite team. A very good team, yes, but not an elite team.



9 (7) Atlanta Falcons (6-2)

They let the Dolphins hang around in the 4th quarter, but still came away with the win. They shouldn’t have many problems with Green Bay, but after that they’ve got Tampa Bay, and if Chris Simms has found his arm, the Bucs could give them some problems.



10 (5) Dallas Cowboys (5-3)

A terrible week in practice dropped the Cowboys five spots - actually, the drop is due to other teams playing well and passing the Cowboys, rather than bad practices. They have a huge game coming up against Philadelphia on Monday Night - a win here would almost knock the Eagles out of the divisional race.



11 (12) Jacksonville Jaguars (5-3)

Only beat the Texans by a touchdown - they’re going to need to play much better to have similar success against the Baltimore Ravens this week.



12 (13) Chicago Bears (5-3)

Chicago could be the spoiler in the playoffs. They have the defense, and the offense is slowly coming together. If it every gets on track, this team will be dangerous. This week against the 49ers is just another opportunity for them to cement the NFC North title.



13 (11) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-3)

Until Chris Simms proves he can win games, Tampa Bay is going to continue their freefall. You have to have a somewhat balanced offense to win games in the NFL, and Cadillac Williams can’t do it all. The defense is still there though.



14 (19) Washington Redskins (5-3)

It wasn’t pretty, but a victory over Philadelphia has to count for something. They looked a lot better in an ugly win than the 36-0 loss to the Giants. They’ll need to be better to catch the Giants though.



15 (18) Kansas City Chiefs (5-3)

A brilliant call by Dick Vermeil gave the Chiefs a much needed win over the Raiders. They shouldn’t have too much trouble against the Buffalo Bills this week… and they better hope they don’t, otherwise the Broncos will continue to slip away with the division.



16 (17) Oakland Raiders (3-5)

After last week’s game against the Chiefs this team does look like a playoff caliber team. It may be a case of too little too late though.



17 (14) Miami Dolphins (3-5)

They look like a shadow of the team they were when they handled Denver at the start of the season. They hung around against the Falcons, but just couldn’t pull it off. Things might be getting worse, as the New England Patriots are coming to town.



18 (15) New England Patriots (4-4)

Well, the good news is they’re playing in a fairly weak division this year. Which team do you think is better than them? Buffalo? Miami? No, not yet. Their defense must be improved for them to go for that third straight Super Bowl, but don’t count on it.



19 (16) Philadelphia Eagles (4-4)

Fresh off a loss against the Redskins, the Eagles have to face the Cowboys on Monday Night Football - minus Terrell Owens. This game has so many storylines - have the Eagles lost their season? Can they win without Terrell Owens? Who will step up to fill the void?



20 (20) Tennessee Titans (2-7)

They’ve been competitive in almost all of their games, but they just can’t buy a break. They’ve got a week off coming up, maybe they’ll be able to salvage something. One thing is for sure - the Titans aren’t going to make the playoffs.



21 (21) Detroit Lions (3-5)

Hammered by the Vikings of all teams, that’s not good. Will they show any signs of life against the Cardinals this week?



22 (23) St. Louis Rams (4-4)

They had the bye-week leading into what may turn out to be the most important game of the year for the Rams - the game against the Seahawks. If they lose they are essentially four games back, if they win, they’re back by one.



23 (24) Buffalo Bills (3-5)

Did the bye-week give the Bills enough time to prepare for the Chiefs, and keep the slim chance of winning the division alive? Doubtful, at best.



24 (22) Baltimore Ravens (2-6)

This offense can’t do anything. Not just their passing game, but their running game as well. These last eight games may be Kyle Boller’s last chance to show that he belongs in the NFL.



25 (28) Cleveland Browns (3-5)

They won against the Titans, but asking for a win in Pittsburgh - even when they’re without Big Ben, is way too much. It’s not going to happen.



26 (27) New York Jets (2-6)

They almost - ALMOST - were able to pull off the upset against the Chargers. In the NFL, though, almost isn’t good enough. They’ll need to play perfectly to keep pace with the Carolina Panthers this week.



27 (25) Green Bay Packers (1-7)

This just in - Brett Favre can’t do it all. He needs to have some form of a team around him, and the Packers management are just realizing that. It’ll be disappointing if he goes out like this.



28 (29) New Orleans Saints (2-7)

They kept pushing against the Bears, but that defense just wouldn’t give. They’ll finally get a chance to catch their breath this week, giving them time to reflect on the disaster this season has become. Everything that can go wrong - will.



29 (26) Arizona Cardinals (2-6)

Will the real quarterback please stand up? This team lacks a leader, among other things. Until they find one, they’re doomed to be a laughingstock.



30 (31) Minnesota Vikings (3-5)

Oh joy they get to go and play one of the best teams in the NFC. Well, as long as they take the plane there and not a cruise ship.



31 (32) Houston Texans (1-7)

They kept pace with the Jaguars, but in the end it just wasn’t enough. Traveling to Indianapolis this week is not going to be pretty. I’ll be surprised if they stay within 14.



32 (30) San Francisco 49ers (2-6)

They were out of the basement for a week, but after being dominated by the Giants, they’re right back in it. They have a shot against the Bears, but don’t put money on it.