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. Steelers 9-0 (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 smothered Russell Wilson to forge a three-way tie atop the NFC West.

6. Buccaneers 7-3 (9): The Bucs 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): Russell Wilson 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): Kyler Murray ran for two TDs, giving him at least one rushing score in five straight games, and DeAndre Hopkins hauled in his 43-yard Hail Mary 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): Rookie WRMichael Pittman Jr. had 101 yards in a 34-17 victory over the Titans.

13. Raiders 6-3 (14): The Raiders ran for 203 yards and the struggling defense throttled Broncos QB Drew Lock, picking him off four times in a 37-12 blowout.

14. Titans 6-3 (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 Kareem Hunt 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 to New Orleans after their week 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 offense was struggling to start the season. Now it’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 NFC East 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 their week 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 WRTee Higgins has emerged as a nice target for Joe Burrow on 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 row and 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 play well.

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 the week off, are 0-9 for the first time in franchise history.