Defense drives Rams

1. Chiefs 8-1 (last week: 1): The

Chiefs emerge from their week off with road games vs. the

Raiders and Bucs. The back half of the schedule isn’t too challenging, as it includes games vs. the

Broncos, Falcons and Chargers.

2. Steelers9-0(2): At the risk of being mocked, I wonder if the

Steelers are the least impressive

9-0 team of all time.

3. Packers 7-2 (5): The Packers got a bigger challenge than they might have expected from the

Jags, but they were playing without their starting corners.

4. Saints 7-2 (3): There’s concern moving forward as Drew

Brees left the Saints’ win over the

49ers with broken ribs and a collapsed lung.

5. Rams 6-3 (11): The Rams had six sacks and recovered a fumble as they smotheredRussellWilson to forge a three-way tie atop the NFCWest.

6. Buccaneers 7-3 (9): TheBucs bounced back from a bad loss to the Saints, rolling up 544 yards of offense in a 46-23 road win vs. the Panthers.

7. Seahawks 6-3 (7): RussellWilson is fantastic but he can’t do it alone.

8. Dolphins 6-3 (10): Tua Tagovailoa hasn’t been flashy and he doesn’t have to be. The key is not making mistakes, and he was solid again in winning his third straight start.

9. Cardinals 6-3 (12): KylerMurray ran for two TDs, giving him at least one rushing score in five straight games, and DeAndre Hopkins hauled in his 43-yard HailMary to sink the Bills.

10. Bills 7-3 (4): The Bills did a nice job making Kyler Murray uncomfortable most of the game.

11. Ravens 6-3 (6): The Ravens offense is struggling to create explosive plays, an ongoing issue.

12. Colts 6-3 (13): RookieWRMichael Pittman Jr. had 101 yards in a 34-17 victory over the Titans.

13. Raiders6-3 (14): TheRaiders ranfor 203 yards and the struggling defense throttled Broncos QB Drew Lock, picking him off four times in a 37-12 blowout.

14. Titans6-3 (8): The Titans lost for the third time in four games, and now they’re chasing the Colts in the division.

15. Browns 6-3 (15): Nick Chubb came off IR to rush for 126 yards and KareemHunt had 104 as the Browns beat the gusty elements and the Texans in Cleveland. 16. Vikings 4-5 (16): The Vikings have won three straight and now have three consecutive home games. They could be in the playoff mix soon.

17. Patriots 4-5 (26): The Patriots still come up with excellent game plans, and that was the case Sunday night vs. the Ravens.

18. Falcons 3-6 (19): The Falcons were 1-7 last season when they went to New Orleans after their week off and stunned the Saints. They’re struggling again, although they’ve been better lately, and again they head toNewOrleans after theirweek off.

19. 49ers 4-6 (21): The 49ers are too decimated by injuries to make big mistakes against good teams.

20. Bears 5-5 (17): The offensewas struggling to start the season. Nowit’s staggering.

21. Lions 4-5 (23): Matt Prater nailed a 59-yard field goal on the final play to avoid a meltdown vs. Washington.

22. Giants 3-7 (28): Yes, the Giants are absolutely in the thick of the NFCEast race.

23. Panthers 3-7 (20): QB Teddy Bridgewater exited the Panthers’ loss to the Bucs with a knee injury.

24. Eagles 3-5-1 (18): The Eagles healed up a little over theirweek offbut still got beat 27-17 by the Giants. 25. Broncos 3-6 (22): Drew Lock is really struggling, and John Elway might have missed on yet another QB. 26. Bengals 2-6-1 (24): Rookie WR Tee Higgins has emerged as a nice target for Joe Burrowon the outside. 27. Chargers 2-7 (25): The lack of a running game is hurting rookie QB Justin Herbert, and the Chargers have lost three in a rowand seven of eight.

28. Texans 2-7 (27): Reports that 73-year-old Romeo Crennel could have the interim tag removed and become the head coach moving forward seems like such a poor idea that it’s not even possible.

29. Cowboys 2-7 (29): If the Cowboys are to have any shot at sticking around in the NFC East, Andy Dalton has to return healthy and playwell.

30. Washington 2-7 (30): Alex Smith threw for a career-high 390 yards, but a roughing-the-passer call on Chase Young set up the Lions for a winning kick. 31. Jaguars 1-8 (31): The Jags have lost eight straight. 32. Jets 0-9 (32): The Jets, who had theweek off, are 0-9 for the first time in franchise history.