NFL power rankings 2015: Week 10 (Tuesday edition)
Getting all up in the NFL power rankings for Week 10 of the season.
In a week that saw the Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers and Gus Bradley’s back fat all exposed, Monday Night Football showcased one final bizarre turn of events: the Houston Texans, fresh off a bye week, rolled into Paul Brown Stadium and beat the previously undefeated Cincinnati Bengals, 10-6.
Next: Texans Down Bengals, Chart Coarse For The Playoffs
So now it’s time to have a serious discussion about a joke of a division, the AFC South. This sucker is a three-way horserace between the Indianapolis Colts and Texans, who both sit at 4-5, and the Jacksonville Jaguars who are 3-6. Theoretically, the 2-7 Tennessee Titans are still very well in the mix, but given their youth and shaky line it looks unlikely that they’ll claw to the top of this tire fire.
So who, of the Colts, Jags and Texans, has the best shot at coming out on top? Indy, who had been playing with house money all year, is now in dire straits with Andrew Luck prepared to miss significant time. Also, road contests against the mercurial Falcons, tough-minded Steelers and rejuvenated Dolphins don’t forecast well.
Meanwhile, the Texans only real challenge is the AFC East. The New England Patriots sit on the docket, so that’s a probable L. Other than that, there’s nothing but winnable games. Perhaps the fulcrum to the season is a Week 11 game agains the New York Jets. Houston win that, they’ll be on a solid three-game win streak and possess enough confidence in their suddenly active defense to cause other teams pause.
And then there’s the Jaguars. Sunday’s win from against the Baltimore Ravens was a godsend and effectively kept Jacksonville in the race. Of their remaining games, only a December 20 contest against Atlanta feels like a definite defeat for the Jags. Things are lined up for Jacksonville to make a run at this thing if the team feels so inclined.
We’re now living in a world where a playoff berth potentially hinges on the Week 17 contest between the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars. A masochist’s paradise.
On to the weekly power rankings (the sexy blue button below will take you to an even sexier infinite scroll list – have fun out there).