KAREN GUREGIAN’S WEEK 10 power rankings
1. Saints (7-1) - They’ve won seven straight, with the last three coming over the Ravens, Vikings and previously unbeaten Rams. Hard to do much better than that.
2. Patriots (7-2) - Josh Gordon now has more receiving yards with the Pats in six games (396) than he had with the Browns from 2015 through 2018 (352). Didn’t see that coming.
3. Chiefs (8-1) - If you can’t score 40 or more points, forget about hanging with this team.
4. Rams (8-1) - If defense still wins championships, they’re in big trouble.
5. Chargers (6-2) - Forget the past. People should be talking about them as a serious threat in the AFC. That was a statement win over the Seahawks.
6. Panthers (6-3) - If Cam Newton has a completion percentage around 67.3 the rest of the year, it’s hard imagining them not making the playoffs.
7. Steelers (6-2-1) - James Conner has found the end zone 11 times in the team’s first nine games. No other Steeler has done that. Ever.
8. Vikings (5-3-1) - After a six-week absence Dalvin Cook has returned and provided the expected boost.
9. Eagles (4-4) - They had their feet up during a bye week watching the Redskins and Cowboys blow up. Doesn’t get much better than that.
10. Texans (6-3) - They’ve won six straight, but are they a legitimate contender? Let’s just say they’re still not getting much love.
11. Bears (5-3) - The defense had four takeaways and two touchdowns alone last week. OK, it was against the Bills. Can’t be too impressed.
12. Falcons (4-4) - While some analysts may have given up on them making the postseason, they clearly haven’t given up the fight.
13. Redskins (5-3) - They lost three starters for the season during last week’s game. Not what you’re looking for.
14. Packers (3-4-1) - Let’s see if Aaron Rodgers can dig them out of another hole.
15. Ravens (4-5) - Is this the same team that dominated Pittsburgh Week 4? That team is MIA.
16. Bengals (5-3) - Missing top playmaker A.J. Green the next two games not ideal while trying to keep pace in the division.
17. Seahawks (4-4) - They’re now back in an uphill battle position for a wild card spot.
18. Dolphins (5-4) - Their record suggests they still have playoff hopes. The eye test tells you otherwise.
19. Titans (4-4) - They’ll be a tough team to beat if the Marcus Mariota who showed up in Dallas continues to appear week to week.
20. Jaguars (3-5) - Leonard Fournette is expected to return this week. The hope is he can play keep away from Blake Bortles.
21. Cowboys (3-5) - Amari Cooper looked good in his debut. That was about the only bright spot against the Titans.
22. Lions (3-5) - Matthew Stafford must have had nightmares all week of the Vikings front seven after being sacked 10 times, and hit 17 more by the Purple crew.
23. Colts (3-5) - If they hope to have any chance in the AFC South, their upcoming three-game stretch at home against the Jags, Titans and Dolphins will tell the story.
24. Broncos (3-6) - If Vance Joseph isn’t on the hot seat, he should be. He helped gift-wrap a win for the Texans.
25. Bucs (3-5) - Fitzmagic works wonders with the offense. The problem is it doesn’t do a darn thing with the defense.
26. Browns (2-6-1) - The Gregg Williams Era didn’t get off to the best start. But then again, who doesn’t get creamed by Chiefs?
27. Jets (3-6) - Does anyone in Jets Nation care golden boy Sam Darnold leads the league in picks with 14? Didn’t think so.
28. 49ers (2-7) - Doesn’t everyone wish they had a third-string quarterback like Nick Mullens? How can you beat a three-touchdown debut?
29. Giants (1-7) - They had last weekend off, and the picture doesn’t look any brighter now that they’ve returned from the bye.
30. Cardinals (2-6) - Can’t think of much worse places for this team to be after coming off a bye - in Kansas City.
31. Bills (2-7) - Nathan Peterman actually lowered his career interception rate last week. He may have tossed three more, but with 49 passes, the rate dropped.
32. Raiders (1-7) Might as well pencil in 1-15,-and the No. 1 overall pick. They’re dialing it in.