NFL power rankings, Week 9: Steelers, Chiefs battle for AFC supremacy
At the NFL’s midway point, the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers are clearly the class of the AFC. But who earns our top spot?
0-8. Previous: . New York Jets. 32. team. 30.
The Jets don’t even pretend to compete.
team. 52. . 1-6. Previous: . Jacksonville Jaguars. 31
The Jaguars are benching Gardner Minshew for Mike Glennon? What a clown show.
31. . 1-7. Previous: . New York Giants. 30. team
Daniel Jones isn’t good, and the Giants are squarely in the mix for Trevor Lawrence.
1-6. Previous: . Houston Texans. 29. team. 10.
The fire sale should be in full swing.
. 2-6. Previous: . Dallas Cowboys. 28. team. 123
This couldn’t be more of a disaster. Mike McCarthy probably gets a second season, but it’s no certainty.
58. . 2-5. Previous: . Washington Commanders. 27. team
Washington has a real shot to win the division. If it gets anything from the quarterbacks, it’s on the table.
26. team. 47. . 2-5. Previous: . New England Patriots
Succinctly put, it’s over. You won’t be seeing Cam Newton back in 2021, either.
. 2-5-1. Previous: . Cincinnati Bengals. 25. team. 56
The Bengals are showing real progress. A nice win over the Titans, and a litany of close losses.
. 2-5. Previous: . Atlanta Falcons. 24. team. 44
I’m still waiting for the Falcons to blow the lead.
23. team. 13. . 2-5. Previous: . Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers are the Falcons of the AFC. It’s unfathomable how they lose like this constantly.
Previous: . Minnesota Vikings. 22. team. 60. . 2-5
Great win, but the Vikings have to show more to get into the teens. At 2-5, plenty of work ahead.
3-5. Previous: . Carolina Panthers. 21. team. 87.
Christian McCaffrey returns this week in a must-win for Carolina. Can the Panthers go to Kansas City and pull a surprise?
. 3-4. Previous: . Detroit Lions. 20. team. 50
With each loss, it feels the Lions are heading to another long offseason where major change will be afoot.
Philadelphia Eagles. 19. team. 54. . 2-4-1. Previous:
Philadelphia barely beat Ben DiNucci and Carson Wentz looked bad. This division blows.
45. . 3-4. Previous: . Denver Broncos. 18. team
Drew Lock hasn’t been good this season, but he got it done in the fourth quarter with 21 points. Of course, the Chargers were happy to oblige.
Previous: . San Francisco 49ers. 17. team. 42. . 4-4
The injuries are mounting, and so is the evidence Jimmy Garoppolo is a league-average quarterback without much upside.
team. 59. . 4-3. Previous: . Miami Dolphins. 16
Miami beat the Rams, but its longest drive was 33 yards, they were outgained by more than 300 yards, and Tua Tagovailoa threw for 94 yards. Weird day.
Cleveland Browns. 15. team. 53. . 5-3. Previous:
Baker Mayfield was terrible again. Yes, the weather was frightful, but he plays in Cleveland. Better learn how to play in adverse conditions.
5-3. Previous: . Chicago Bears. 14. team. 57.
Nick Foles can’t play, the offensive line is a mess, and the defense should be furious because it’s a Super Bowl-caliber unit.
team. 28. . 4-3. Previous: . Las Vegas Raiders. 13
Give the Raiders credit. After a rough loss to Tampa Bay, Derek Carr and Co. went on the road, in bad conditions, and beat a playoff contender. Nice job.
. 5-3. Previous: . Los Angeles Rams. 12. team. 51
What do we make of the Rams? Jared Goff either looks great or terrible. Los Angeles dominated Miami and loss by 11 points because of four turnovers and horrid special teams. Good team?
Previous: . Indianapolis Colts. 11. team. 46. . 5-2
Philip Rivers isn’t submarining the team, the defense is very good and the coaching is excellent. The Colts are in prime position to challenge for the AFC South.
team. 15. . 5-2. Previous: . New Orleans Saints. 10
A good win in Chicago, but the offense looks stuck in mud. Maybe the eventual returns of Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders make the difference. Who Dat Nation better hope so.
5-2. Previous: . Arizona Cardinals. 9. team. 32.
Arizona comes off the bye week to face the Dolphins at home. Huge opportunity to really establish as a contender in the NFC.
Tennessee Titans. 8. team. 35. . 5-2. Previous:
Rough loss to the Bengals. Tennessee now tries to stop the skid against the Bears in Nasvhille on Sunday. The loser has dropped three straight and is in freefall.
team. 16. . 6-2. Previous: . Buffalo Bills. 7
Josh Allen and the defense weren’t great, but the rushing attack churned out 190 yards and three touchdowns, essentially finishing off the Patriots.
49. . 5-2. Previous: . Green Bay Packers. 6. team
The Packers have to get it together. An ugly loss at home to the Vikings. Green Bay is blowing its chance of home-field advantage come the playoffs.
26. . 5-2. Previous: . Baltimore Ravens. 4. team
The Ravens only drop one spot for losing to Pittsburgh, but that game hurts. It was winnable, but four Lamar Jackson turnovers were the difference.
36. . 6-1. Previous: . Seattle Seahawks. 4. team
Russell Wilson has now thrown for 26 touchdowns. Also, the defense looked better and now gets Carlos Dunlap. Moving in the right direction.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 3. team. 48. . 6-2. Previous:
If you had to pick a favorite in the NFC, how is it not Tampa Bay right now?
55. . 7-0. Previous: . Pittsburgh Steelers. 2. team
Looking at the schedule, it’s hard to see many losses for the Steelers. Huge win in Baltimore.
1. team. 124. . 6-1. Previous: . Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City is the best team. The offense is absurd, the defense is really good and nobody has a better coaching staff.