With the top four teams from last week's Power Rankings all winning in Week 9, there is no change at the pinnacle of my list. The Detroit Lions remain in first place but there are some very-high-quality teams lurking just behind them as the race towards the ¹ú²úÍâÁ÷Íøplayoffs begins to gather pace.
- Detroit Lions --
The Lions are indeed built to play anyone, anywhere and in any conditions, as head coach Dan Campbell has been telling us all along. The trade deadline addition of pass rusher Za'Darius Smith made total sense.
- Kansas City Chiefs --
Baker Mayfield's reaction when Patrick Mahomes won the coin toss ahead of overtime on Monday night said it all. Opponents just know Kansas City's star is going to deliver once again.
- Baltimore Ravens --
This could be a big statement considering he has already won two ¹ú²úÍâÁ÷ÍøMVP crowns, but I've never seen Lamar Jackson play better. He and Derrick Henry are close to unstoppable in this form.
- Buffalo Bills --
The Bills reached the 30-point mark for the third game in a row in beating the Miami Dolphins. And they bucked a trend in their huge win with struggling kicker Tyler Bass landing a 61-yarder.
- Washington Commanders +1
The most impressive thing about Washington's win over the New York Giants on Sunday was that there was no emotional letdown from the Hail Mary highs of the previous weekend.
- Minnesota Vikings +1
The Vikings ticked all the boxes for their successful formula as they got back to winning ways against Indianapolis… get Sam Darnold confident, feed Justin Jefferson and play good defense.
- Philadelphia Eagles +3
The Eagles have won four in a row and are starting to resemble their Super Bowl team of 2022 with a productive Jalen Hurts, a dynamic aerial attack, good running and a playmaking D.
- Green Bay Packers -3
Jordan Love leads the ¹ú²úÍâÁ÷Íøwith 10 interceptions and has thrown at least one in seven straight games. He tidied that form up in the second half of last season and must do so again in 2024.
- Pittsburgh Steelers +1
Russell Wilson is never going to match his heady Seattle days, but he has proven he can still be effective when backed by a strong running game led by Najee Harris and an elite defense.
- Atlanta Falcons +2
After a shaky start to the season, the Falcons have found their feet as winners of five of their last six. And Kirk Cousins is delivering week after week. There is no Michael Penix Jr. chatter here.
- San Francisco 49ers +2
The 49ers are coming off their bye week hoping that Christian McCaffrey returns from his calf/Achilles injury now that his practice window has been opened. They need him badly.
- Houston Texans -4
With Stefon Diggs gone with a season-ending knee injury, the Texans need Nico Collins back from his hamstring injury in a hurry. But that won't solve the O-line issues in front of C.J. Stroud.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers --
Whatever their record ends up being by the end of this season, I'm sold on the fact that this team is in very good hands with Baker Mayfield at quarterback. He gives them a chance every week.
- Arizona Cardinals +4
The Cardinals have won three in a row and while we pay a lot of attention to Kyler Murray, James Conner and Marvin Harrison Jr., how about a defense that recorded six sacks last week?
- Los Angeles Chargers +2
Every time I see him talk, head coach Jim Harbaugh is clearly delighted that Justin Herbert is his quarterback. And that pairing of quarterbacks past and present has LA off to a 5-3 start.
- Los Angeles Rams +4
It is not always pretty with these Rams, but Matthew Stafford is one of the NFL's ultimate gamers and he delivers time and again for his team. The Rams can make another playoff run.
- Cincinnati Bengals +4
Joe Burrow served up a reminder as to why the Bengals are not out of the AFC playoff race with a five-touchdown display against the Raiders. Cincinnati remain a dangerous opponent.
- Denver Broncos -2
At first glance, a 41-10 hammering at the hands of Baltimore should be demoralising for the Broncos. But they had their chances, I like QB Bo Nix and it feels as if this team is on the right course.
- Seattle Seahawks -4
The Seahawks have battled through some testing times in recent weeks, but at least Geno Smith was making plays. But he hurt his team with three picks in Sunday's loss to the Rams.
- Chicago Bears -6
What ailed the Bears offensively in the first few weeks went away for three glorious hours in London… but it has returned with a vengeance and now Caleb Williams is under physical and mental pressure.
- Indianapolis Colts -2
It was a struggle for Joe Flacco against the Vikings last Sunday and it won't get easier in the coming weeks as he will face Buffalo, the New York Jets and the Detroit Lions.
- Dallas Cowboys --
It's shaping up to be a disappointing lost season in Dallas and quarterback Dak Prescott is now sidelined for at least four games with a hamstring injury. The nightmare Dallas fans feared has emerged.
- Miami Dolphins --
The Dolphins are also very likely done after their loss to Buffalo in Week 9, which marked the second straight defeat via a walk-off field goal. This team has gone all-in with no title challenge.
- New York Jets +4
Aaron Rodgers working with Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson looked pretty effective last Thursday night. The key for the Jets will now be to make that kind of showing happen week after week.
- Cleveland Browns --
In two short weeks, the Browns have enjoyed the full Jameis Winston experience. He was outstanding in victory over Baltimore but made far too many mistakes in losing to the Chargers.
- Jacksonville Jaguars -2
Another week, another close loss for the Jaguars. This team really struggles in big moments at the end of games. There is talent, but there is no habit for winning… and that is frustrating.
- New York Giants +2
The Giants should have a very clear plan for the remainder of 2024 – feed the football to rookies Malik Nabers and Tyrone Tracy Jr. as often as possible. Build up your future stars.
- Tennessee Titans +3
Tony Pollard and Calvin Ridley make the occasional big plays on offense but the one reliable for the Titans this season has been a stouter-than-expected defensive unit.
- New Orleans Saints -2
Dennis Allen was fired after last weekend's loss to a Carolina team the Saints had beaten 47-10 in Week 1. That was the final straw and the low point in what is now a seven-game losing streak.
- New England Patriots --
Drake Maye served up a reminder of his playmaking ability with his game-tying touchdown pass at the end of regulation against Tennessee. But this team just doesn't have enough difference-makers.
- Las Vegas Raiders -5
The Raiders are in freefall as losers of five straight and it's hard to see that narrative changing given the dearth of offensive talent, starting at the all-important quarterback position.
- Carolina Panthers --
The Panthers may be bad, but they've at least matched their win total of 2023 and they have eight more games to play. Bryce Young played his best ¹ú²úÍâÁ÷Íøgame in beating the Saints in Week 9. I'm monitoring his progress.
