NFL Power Rankings 10.0
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As the 2018-19 NFL season is underway, certain franchises have stepped into the spotlight. As the weeks progress, here are the NFL Power Rankings, brought to you by The Athletes Hub:
1. New Orleans Saints (8-1) (-)
After a dominant win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, the 51 points for the Saints offense goes to further prove that this is the team to beat in the NFL. At this rate, Drew Brees may become a front runner for MVP.
2. Los Angeles Rams (9-1) (+1)
Perhaps we were too quick to jump the gun on the Los Angeles Rams’ loss last week, but this defense is worrisome. Although the offense is capable of outscoring most opponents, allowing 23+ points per game won’t do much justice.
Will the @RamsNFL make it to the Super Bowl without Cooper Kupp?
— The Athletes Hub (@AthletesHub) November 12, 2018
3. Kansas City Chiefs (9-1) (+1)
The Kansas City Chiefs won with somewhat ease on Sunday, but the true test will come on Monday night against the Los Angeles Rams. With a victory, perhaps the #1 slot will be in their future.
4. New England Patriots (7-3) (-2)
Former Patriots on the Tennessee Titans roster held this to be a personal game, and because of it, New England was blown out of the water. While the Patriots do hold issues on both sides of the ball, it’s difficult to put them lower than #4 with a minimal track record of losing.
5. Los Angeles Chargers (7-2) (+1)
It wasn’t a surprise that the Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Oakland Raiders, but this helps justify their case as a powerhouse in the AFC. Often overlooked because of their inability to win previous postseason games, this year has a different feel to it.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2-1) (+1)
Despite early struggles, the Pittsburgh Steelers have found their rhythm and are running through opponents. With a flashy 52 points on Thursday against the Carolina Panthers, this will be a franchise that is more focused as time goes on.
Which conference will @LeVeonBell represent in 2019?
— The Athletes Hub (@AthletesHub) November 13, 2018
7. Carolina Panthers (6-3) (-2)
After becoming the victims of a blowout on Thursday, the Carolina Panthers are put in an awkward position. Despite a 6-3 record, is this a franchise that can truly compete with the elite in the postseason? Based on Week 10, that answer is no.
8. Minnesota Vikings (5-3-1) (-)
A bye week allows for Dalvin Cook to receive a much-needed break, as he exceeded expectations in Week 9. If the backfield can be used as a support system to Kirk Cousins, the Vikings may see success over the course of the next few weeks.
9. Houston Texans (6-3) (-)
A bye week gives the Houston Texans enough time to prepare for the Washington Redskins, who sit atop the NFC East. This will put their 6-game winning streak to the test, but will make for an exciting matchup.
10. Green Bay Packers (4-4-1) (+1)
This was a much-needed victory for the Green Bay Packers, who fought off the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. In result, this is a team that still sits 3rd in the NFC North.
11. Chicago Bears (6-3) (+1)
Many will question why the Chicago Bears aren’t above the Green Bay Packers, but there is still plenty of time left in the season. There is no track record of the Bears being able to close out a season under Mitchell Trubisky, so anything is entirely possible in the NFC North.
12. Washington Redskins (6-3) (+3)
It’s so difficult to pinpoint where the Washington Redskins stand among the rest of the league, due to their inconsistencies. The NFC East race is tight, but the Redskins deserve respect for the start of their campaign.
13. Cincinnati Bengals (5-4) (-)’
Getting rid of defensive coordinator Teryl Austin was the right move, but considering Hue Jackson for the replacement won’t do the team any favors. The Cincinnati Bengals may hit a few more bumps before the postseason, but may land in with a Wild Card spot.
14. Baltimore Ravens (4-5) (+2)
The Ravens benefited through the bye week, as the Cincinnati Bengals have lost a bit of momentum. If the Ravens can capitalize and find a centerpiece to their offense, the playoffs are a realistic goal.
15. Tennessee Titans (5-4) (+5)
With victories over the Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots in the last two weeks, maybe it’s time for us to start taking the Tennessee Titans seriously. Granted it was personal in Week 10, but the Titans have been explosive as of late.
16. Dallas Cowboys (4-5) (+6)
After a must-win game in Philadelphia, the Dallas Cowboys proved that all hope doesn’t deserve to be lost. There is worry that Week 10 may have been a fluke, but another must-win game against the Falcons on Sunday could be the start of a late-season run.
17. Philadelphia Eagles (4-5) (-7)
After losing to the Dallas Cowboys, the Philadelphia Eagles also lost a key defender in Ronald Darby. This places the Eagles at a large disadvantage going into the future, and may put a ruin on their 2018-19 season.
18. Indianapolis Colts (4-5) (+6)
After another victory, that makes 3 straight for Andrew Luck and company. Going into the next few weeks, the Colts hold manageable games against the Tennessee Titans, Miami Dolphins, and a rematch against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
19. Atlanta Falcons (4-5) (-5)
The Falcons offense is special when it’s on the same page, but losing to the Cleveland Browns can cause some lost momentum. The Falcons are now forced to play the Dallas Cowboys, as both teams are in must-win situations.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-6) (-3)
The season for Jacksonville continues to be wasted, as Jalen Ramsey even took his frustration to Twitter. Is this the beginning of another rebuild stage for the Jaguars, or do they need to reload in the offseason instead?
21. Seattle Seahawks (4-5) (-3)
Without Chris Carson, the Seattle Seahawks still hung in with the Los Angeles Rams this past weekend. Despite that, this was a game Seattle needed to take, as their chances continue to grow slimmer.
22. Miami Dolphins (5-5) (-3)
As stated last week, replacing Brock Osweiler with Ryan Tannehill wouldn’t make much of a difference for the Miami Dolphins. This is still Tom Brady’s division, and we’re all living in it until he retires.
23. Denver Broncos (3-6) (-2)
A bye week saw the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers bring in victories, as the hole grows deeper for the Denver Broncos.
24. Detroit Lions (3-6) (-1)
Another loss makes 3 in a row for the Detroit Lions, as most hope has seemingly left this franchise. With the Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams on the horizon, it doesn’t appear optimistic for this team.
25. Cleveland Browns (3-6-1) (+2)
The victory over the Atlanta Falcons isn’t something anyone saw coming, especially considering the Falcons were coming off a victory of their own in Week 9. While this season doesn’t hold a postseason slot for the Browns, the future appears bright.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-6) (-1)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue to show no commitment to the quarterback position, which has dismantled the confidence of Jameis Winston and Ryan Fitzpatrick. It’s fair to assume a new quarterback may be brought in the future, as the Bucs will attempt to start from the ground up.
27. New York Giants (2-7) (+1)
There wasn’t much to love about the Giants win on Monday over the San Francisco 49ers, but a win is a win. New York sits on the bottom of the NFC East, and the hole is far too deep to come out of this season.
28. Buffalo Bills (3-7) (+3)
One blowout win over the New York Jets was all it took for the Buffalo Bills to jump up 3 slots this week. While it’s not expected for the Bills to put up 40+ points per game, the addition of Josh Allen after the upcoming bye week will be an interesting change.
29. New York Jets (3-7) (-3)
We saw in Week 10 just how valuable Sam Darnold is for the New York Jets. I don’t think a blowout loss would have occurred has Darnold been on the field and healthy, but the Jets couldn’t get their act together on either side of the ball.
30. Arizona Cardinals (2-7) (-1)
Another loss for the Arizona Cardinals means another week went by, as the only true bright spot was David Johnson. Still, 98 rushing yards and a touchdown wasn’t nearly enough to overcome the Kansas City Chiefs.
31. San Francisco 49ers (2-8) (-1)
A defeat to the New York Giants secured the fact that Nick Mullens is not the future of the San Francisco 49ers (not surprising). Still, the dream was fun while it lasted.
32. Oakland Raiders (1-8) (-)
Once again, there is no true out there that is worse than the Oakland Raiders. Perhaps it’s all part of a master scheme to build for the future, but the Raiders will see a lot more negative outcomes than positive ones this season.
Featured Image: Yahoo Sports
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