Week 9 in the NFL didn’t shake things up too much with the league’s powerhouses, despite the fact one of them, the Bills fell in upset fashion on the road to the Jets. There’s still one undefeated team in the NFC, the Eagles, as teams have turned the corner toward the second half the season and the revving up of the playoff races.
Buffalo and Philadelphia remains on track to be the Super Bowl matchup favorite, but behind them, Kansas City, San Francisco and other teams are ready to flex down the stretch. Here’s breaking down how all of the league’s teams stack up against each other after half of the season, from 1-32:
MORE: Updated NFL playoff picture after Week 9
NFL power rankings Week 10
1. Philadelphia Eagles 8-0 (previous ranking: 1)
The Eagles were more methodical than dominant in taking care of the Texans in Week 9, but they need to save their offensive and defensive pop for the long haul with the Super Bowl win and undefeated season, in that order, being the priorities. There’s still plenty of unfinished business in the second half, including winning the tough NFC East.
2. Buffalo Bills 6-2 (2)
Josh Allen didn’t play well again beyond his early big running as the Jets’ defense with Sauce Gardner under Robert Saleh was up to the task in a big spot. Buffalo is also showing a major issue against teams that stick with the running game against its defense.
3. Kansas City Chiefs 6-2 (3)
The Chiefs didn’t play their best offense against the physical Titans again, but they pulled out the victory because of Patrick Mahomes’ passing, running and mental toughness. The defense did show up to shut down the run before it was too late.
4. Minnesota Vikings 7-1 (4)
The Vikings aren’t racking up style points but they are doing what they supposed to do with the offense of Kirk Cousins, Justin Jefferson and Dalvin Cook leading the way, supported by timely complementary defense. Kevin O’Connell needs more rookie attention as coach of the year love as an ace Sean McVay pupil.
5. Dallas Cowboys 6-2 (5)
The Cowboys put it all together with a healthy Dak Prescott, running game and defense before the bye. They still have their work cut out to the chase down the Eagles, but they have improved makeup from the playoff-disappointing
6. Seattle Seahawks 6-3 (6)
The Seahawks’ defense keeps improving with every week with the Pete Carroll fundamentals of pass rush and outside coverage being the foundation. Geno Smith can now rebound from big mistakes by just leaning on his great wide receivers and awesome rookie running back behind a sturdy line.
7. New York Giants 6-2 (7)
The Giants got a bye to recuperate after losing at the Seahawks. They need to find a way to generate more offense around Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley. They also need to clean up their run defense.
8. Baltimore Ravens 5-3 (8)
The Ravens are seeing a lot of key offensive skill players get hurt around Lamar Jackson. But their run-first identity and playing off that with a comfortable passing game won’t change. Their defense also is finding its groove at the right time.
9. San Francisco 49ers 4-4 (10)
The 49ers will be happy be well rested and healthier for the second half of the season with Christian McCaffrey in two for what might become league’s most diverse offense. The defense, however, remains the backbone for another Super Bowl run.
10. Los Angeles Chargers 5-3 (11)
The Chargers have injuries on their offensive line, defense and in their receiving corps. But they have fought hard with Justin Herbert and Austin Ekeler leading the way with just enough timely stops. Brandon Staley is doing an underrated job of coaching with a shorthanded team.
11. Tennessee Titans 5-3 (9)
The Titans tried as best as they could to win without Ryan Tannehill with rookie Malik Willis with a heavy dose of physical defense and Derrick Henry. Unfortunately, that combination wasn’t quite enough with both sides’ issues with the pass.
12. Cincinnati Bengals 5-4 (13)
Joe Burrow needed a lot more help from the running game and Joe Mixon without Ja’Marr Chase after the Cleveland disaster. He got just that in a big way against Carolina and it also helped the defense rebound.
13. New York Jets 6-3 (14)
The Jets are one of the NFL’s best stories with their youth-served defensive turnaround and gritty, physical offense based on the running game. Beating the Bills after losing to the Patriots was huge to stamp their resume.
14. Miami Dolphins 6-3 (12)
The Dolphins’ offense is unstoppable when the speed of Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Raheem Mostert are working well off each other. But the defense is a growing concern after letting the Bears explode on them, despite having Bradley Chubb.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4-5 (15)
The Buccaneers are still struggling offensively, but their defense had their back against the Rams and Tom Brady seemed to get a big proverbial monkey off his back with that amazing one-minute drill. It will be tough.
16. New England Patriots 5-4 (18)
The Patriots are winning ugly again with their running game and defense to get into the wild-card race, probably how Bill Belichick likes it, especially to take attention off Mac Jones staying as the starting quarterback.
17. Los Angeles Rams 3-5 (16)
The Rams continue to play well defensively with their stars, but Cooper Kupp needs a lot more help offensively. Sean McVay’s team doesn’t look like a playoff team anymore.
18. Washington Commanders 4-5 (19)
The Commanders got fortunate they didn’t lose worse with Taylor Heinicke and the offense struggling against the Vikings. The defense is playing better to give them a chance every week.
19. Atlanta Falcons 4-5 (20)
The Falcons did their best to hang with the Chargers with plenty of their run-heavy offense with Cordarrelle Patterson back. But their own secondary issues hurting their pass defense might be too much to overcome going forward.
20. New Orleans Saints 3-5 (23)
The Saints got a much-needed stellar defensive performance under Dennis Allen in Week 8 but now get the Jackson challenge at home in Week 9. Andy Dalton is also getting the ball to their best remaining playmakers offensively.
21. Cleveland Browns 3-5 (24)
The Browns saved their season by pounding the Bengals in Week 8 and were rewarded with a much-needed bye to keep cleaning up their defense. They are just looking to stay afloat in the wild-card race until Deshaun Watson returns in Week 13, and Jacoby Brissett has played pretty well in his place.
22. Green Bay Packers 3-6 (17)
The Packers are officially not a good team anymore this season after losing their fifth straight game, to the Lions in Detroit, of all opponents. Aaron Rodgers is now playing poorly to drag things down more offensively.
MORE: What’s wrong with the Packers?
23. Indianapolis Colts 3-5-1 (21)
Sam Ehlinger starting at quarterback has provided zero spark, just more issues to an offense down Jonathan Taylor with shaky run blocking and now no downfield passing game. Frank Reich is in trouble because the Colts aren’t winning enough games with defense alone.
24. Denver Broncos 3-5 (25)
The Broncos found some answers offensively late to win their game in London before the bye and will look to build on that momentum after the bye. Defense actually might be the bigger issue going forward minus Bradley Chubb.
25. Chicago Bears 3-6 (27)
How about Justin Fields? The Bears, with their depleted and rebuilding defense, have completely flipped the switch to be a diverse, versatile and explosive offensive-minded team for a change. It helps when it looks like they indeed have their long-term franchise passer (and runner).
26. Arizona Cardinals 3-6 (22)
The Cardinals’ offense is a mess with Kyler Murray off target and under siege often behind a shaky injury-marred offensive line. Their defense keeps overachieving with big plays to help, but Kliff Kingsbury’s charge has been a huge disappointment.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars 3-6 (29)
The Jaguars showed continued offensive fight and improvement under Doug Pederson with the young combination of Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne Jr. having their best game together in Week 9. The defense also was served well by youth to spark the comeback vs. the Raiders.
28. Detroit Lions 2-6 (32)
The Lions got up to show some defensive roar against the Packers, with help from Aaron Rodgers and the Packers’ offense shooting itself in the collective foot. They might do enough to feel better about Dan Campbell coaching them into 20223.
29. Pittsburgh Steelers 2-6 (28)
The Steelers had a bye to help them regroup in a rare rebuilding and initial losing season for Mike Tomlin. They will hope to get better defensively soon with better health and Kenny Pickett should also turn the corner to finish strong as a rookie passer to give them some needed promise for 2023.
30. Las Vegas Raiders 2-6 (26)
The Raiders blew their third massive lead of the season of 17 points or more as they went cold after letting the Jaguars come all the way back in Jacksonville. The offense revved up more with Derek Carr and Davante Adams, but their running game and defense were huge disappointments. The seat of Josh McDaniels is much hotter than expected after the first half.
31. Carolina Panthers 2-7 (30)
The Panthers lost all their good vibes from beating the Buccaneers and pushing the Falcons by not showing up until the second half against the Bengals. Their run defense woes resurface and their offense went into total meltdown with P.J. Walker, creating more questions about Baker Mayfield in the process.
32. Houston Texans 1-6-1 (31)
The Texans have some talented rookies in running back Dameon Pierce and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., but their biggest issues are with second-year QB Davis Mills and an atrocious run defense. They are headed to a high pick with which to replace Mills.
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