JOHN McCLAIN’S NFL POWER RANKINGS
WEEK 10
1
New Orleans 7-1 (last week’s ranking: 2): The Saints have a seven-game winning streak after handing the Rams their first loss.
2
New England 7-2 (3): After beating Green Bay, the Patriots have a six-game winning streak in which they’ve averaged 36.1 points.
3
Kansas City 8-1 (4): The Chiefs have the Cardinals and Raiders sandwiched around their game against the Rams in Mexico City.
4
L.A. Rams 8-1 (1): After suffering their first loss at New Orleans, the Rams return home to play Seattle before facing the Chiefs.
5
L.A. Chargers 6-2 (5): The Chargers’ next three opponents – Oakland, Denver and Arizona – have a combined record of 6-19.
6
Pittsburgh 5-2-1 (6): Running back James Conner has sparked a four-game winning streak and a return to first place in the AFC North.
7
Carolina 6-2 (7): The Panthers have won five of six and travel to Pittsburgh on Thursday. They’re one game behind the Saints in the NFC South.
8
Minnesota 5-3-1 (11): In their last game before their off week, the Vikings blew out Detroit but still trail Chicago by a half game in the NFC North.
9
Houston 6-3 (12): The Texans have a six-game win streak. They’re the first team since the 1970 Giants to start 0-3 and win six straight games.
10
Chicago 5-3 (13): The Bears pounded Buffalo to retain their slim lead in the NFC North. They return to Soldier Field to play Detroit.
11
Cincinnati 5-3 (9): The Bengals are hanging tough in the AFC North, but the schedule gets tougher with a trip to New Orleans.
12
Philadelphia 4-4 (15): The Eagles host Dallas on Sunday night. They’re one game behind Washington in the woeful NFC East.
13
Atlanta 4-4 (18): The Falcons have a threegame winning streak. Matt Ryan threw for 350 yards and four TDs in their win at Washington.
14
Washington 5-3 (8): Washington got blown out at home by Atlanta, ending its three-game winning streak.
15
Miami 5-4 (17): The Dolphins bounced back from their embarrassing loss to the Texans to defeat the Jets.
16
Seattle 4-4 (10): The Seahawks lost at home to the Chargers. Now they have to go on the road to play the Rams.
17
Green Bay 3-4-1 (14): The New England defeat left the Packers with a losing record at the midway point of the season.
18
Tennessee 4-4 (25): The Titans broke a threegame losing streak by winning at Dallas. Marcus Mariota threw for two TDs and ran for another.
19
Indianapolis 3-5 (19): The Colts earned back-to-back victories before their off week. They host Jacksonville.
20
Baltimore 4-5 (16): The Ravens have lost four of five. There are reports that John Harbaugh could be fired during their bye week.
21
Detroit 3-5 (20): The Lions have lost two in a row to fall into last place in the NFC North. They fired special teams coordinator Joe Marciano.
22
Denver 3-6 (21): The Broncos are in danger of having back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since 1971-72.
23
Dallas 3-5 (22): After losing the Monday night game at home to Tennessee, the Cowboys are the third-best team in the NFC East.
24
Tampa Bay 3-5 (23): It doesn’t matter who’s playing quarterback. The Bucs are bad and getting worse.
25
N.Y. Jets 3-6 (24): The Jets were 3-3 before their three-game losing streak. Surely, they can win at MetLife Stadium over the TD-challenged Bills.
26
Jacksonville 3-5 (26): The Jaguars are coming off their open date. They’ve lost four consecutive games.
27
Cleveland 2-6-1 (27): It doesn’t matter who their head coach is, the Browns are getting worse. They play the red-hot Falcons.
28
Arizona 2-6 (29): The Cardinals beat the 49ers before their off week. Three of their next four are on the road vs. the Chiefs, Chargers and Packers.
29
San Francisco 2-7 (32): What a schedule. The 49ers are in a stretch when they play the Cardinals, Raiders and Giants.
30
N.Y. Giants 1-7 (30): The Giants are playing another prime-time game. This one is on Monday night at San Francisco.
31
Buffalo 2-7 (28): In their last six games, the Bills have scored six offensive TDs. During that same period, they’ve allowed four on returns.
32
Oakland 1-7 (31): The Raiders have a four-game losing streak. They’ve been outscored during that streak 32.2 to 11.