NFL Week 10 Power Rankings

The last of the winless teams put a 1 in the win column last week as the Buccaneers pulled off the upset against the Packers. Meanwhile, the two undefeateds remain, but the Colts nearly went down for the second week in a row, and now face the Patriots this week. The Giants have lost five straight, the Broncos have lost a pair in a row, and the Titans are on a two game win streak. Let's see how things are shaking up.

1. New Orleans Saints (8-0) [1] - The Panthers have been pretty bad this year, but these NFC South games are always tough battles, so a win for the Saints last week is another positive step. They shouldn't have to worry about losing this week, facing the Rams.

2. Indianapolis Colts (8-0) [2] - Their defense got crippled by injuries over the course of the past week, but they still came out on top against the surging Texans. It was not a convincing victory though, and you have to wonder how much longer Peyton Manning can carry this team. They face a big test this week when the Patriots come in though.

3. Minnesota Vikings (7-1) [3] - I was very close to putting the Steelers ahead of them this week after Pittsburgh's big win, and the fact that the Steelers beat the Vikings earlier at Heinz Field, but I hate to drop them down following their bye week. One shouldn't be so quick to forget how impressive the Vikings have been this season in all aspects. They could be in trouble though if the Steelers pull off another big win this week; the Vikings won't prove much of anything facing the Lions.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) [5] - After a very shaky start, the Steelers have now won five straight, including victories over the Vikings and Broncos. They will carry this momentum into a huge home game this week against the division-leading (with tiebreaker) Bengals. Ben Roethlisberger looked in a bit of trouble early in the game; a more solid effort could have vaulted the Steelers to #3. But this defense is still very good, and Rashard Mendenhall (155 yards rushing against what has been a very good Broncos rush defense) has solidified the running game.

5. Cincinnati Bengals (6-2) [6] - The Bengals defeated the Ravens for the second time this season and have earned a spot in the Top 5. Cedric Benson once again had a big rushing day with 117 yards on the ground (120 in the previous matchup). They go into Heinz Field this week for a huge divisional game though.

6. New England Patriots (6-2) [7] - Like the Steelers, the Patriots have bounced back and are looking impressive after a rough start, scoring a divisional win last week against the Dolphins. However, they face currently 8-0 teams on the road in two of the next three weeks, starting with the Colts this week. Some people are still skeptical in this team, so this stretch of games will show their true colors either way.

7. Dallas Cowboys (6-2) [10] - The Cowboys continue to maintain momentum and swagger since inserting Miles Austin into the starting lineup. He only had one catch last week, but it was for a big touchdown as they beat the Eagles 20-16 in Philadelphia to take hold of the NFC East.

8. Denver Broncos (6-2) [4] - The Broncos have now lost two in a row, and although they were both against strong AFC North teams, they were outscored 58-17 in the losses and have seemed far from the team that got off to a 6-0 start.

9. Philadelphia Eagles (5-3) [8] - It was disappointing losing the home matchup against the Cowboys who they were tied for in the NFC East, and they will have to rebound on the West Coast against a Chargers team that is much better than the Raiders that beat the Eagles earlier.

10. Baltimore Ravens (4-4) [9] - The Ravens have faced a rough schedule so far. They are a better team than their record indicates. But at some point you have to start winning some of these big games. Cleveland should be no problem this week, then they host the Colts and Steelers.

11. Atlanta Falcons (5-3) [11] - Michael Turner had a huge day last week as the Falcons easily beat the Redskins. Matt Ryan didn't do much but he didn't have to, as the game was won quite early on.

12. Arizona Cardinals (5-3) [14] - After an embarrassing loss against the Panthers, Kurt Warner turned a five interception game into a five touchdown game with no interceptions last week in blowing out the Bears. This team can potentially be very good, but there needs to be better consistency.

13. Houston Texans (5-4) [15] - Ryan Moats is not the answer in Houston. Slaton did not start but still scored a touchdown last week in a close loss to the Colts. This is a team to be feared right now, they just need to solidify the running game.

14. San Diego Chargers (5-3) [16] - This team seems up and down every week. They escaped New Jersey with a one-point win last week despite LaDainian Tomlinson leading the team with 22 rushing yards.

15. New York Giants (5-4) [12] - The Giants have now lost four in a row as they spiral down. However, there is still reason to remain optimistic. They are only a half game behind in the Wildcard, and will use their much-needed bye week to get their defense healthy. Linebacker Michael Boley and cornerback Aaron Ross should be ready for full action in Week 11.

16. Green Bay Packers (4-4) [13] - 16 seems a bit generous for them as they have been very shaky all year, culminating in a loss to the Buccaneers last week. They still have a lot of talent on that team though.

17. Miami Dolphins (3-5) [18] - The Wildcat was not enough to beat the Patriots this time around, but that offense is still very dangerous. The Patriots were also able to keep Ted Ginn quiet in the return game. They have a lot of winnable games left this season, and they are playing at home against the three teams left that are actually decent.

18. New York Jets (4-4) [19] - Hopefully the Jets got things figured out in their bye week, because they have been going in the wrong direction lately, and could face a hard time against Maurice Jones-Drew this week without Kris Jenkins.

19. Chicago Bears (4-4) [17] - The Bears were dominated last week against the Cardinals, and they have failed every kind of challenge this year. Their record is deceiving, with wins over the Seahawks, Lions, and Browns; the win over the Steelers in Week 2 is looking more and more like a fluke every week.

20. Tennessee Titans (2-6) [27] - Vince Young hasn't done much of anything in his two starts this season, but the fact is the Titans are now 2-0 with him as a starter. Most of it has to do with Chris Johnson, as well as the defense finally turning things around.

21. Carolina Panthers (3-5) [22] - DeAngelo Williams is continuing to show how dangerous he can be, adding 149 yards rushing with two touchdowns in a 10 point loss to the Saints, in which Carolina lead 14-0 after the first quarter. This team is still far from good though.

22. San Francisco 49ers (3-5) [20] - I have absolutely no faith in Alex Smith at quarterback, and the 49ers are now losers of four straight games. What looked like a very promising start is now far from memory.

23. Buffalo Bills (3-5) [23] - Trent Edwards returns following the bye week, although that is not necessarily a good thing.

24. Seattle Seahawks (3-5) [21] - The Seahawks are happy with a win, albeit against the Lions. They were almost embarrassed after falling behind 17-0 in the first quarter, but ended up winning 32-20.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-4) [24] - Congratulations to beating the Chiefs at home last week by a whole three points.

26. Washington Redskins (2-6) [25] - It was another rough day for the Redskins, losing big to the Falcons, and losing Clinton Portis for some time due to a concussion. Ladell Betts could surprise in replacing Portis, but he won't be good enough to turn this team around.

27. Oakland Raiders (2-6) [29] - Darren McFadden may be set to return, which could make this team slightly better, but in the end, they will still be the Raiders.

28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-7) [32] - The Buccaneers have gotten a win! Unlike the Rams, who beat a Calvin Johnson-less Lions, and the Browns, who won a 6-3 "battle" against the Bills, the Bucs actually beat a decent opponent in the Packers. Could Josh Freeman be the answer?

29. Kansas City Chiefs (1-7) [26] - With the Larry Johnson fiasco now behind them, the Kansas City Chiefs are still losers.

30. Detroit Lions (1-7) [28] - After going up 17-0 in the first quarter against the Seahawks, they completely disappeared as they were outscored 32-3 the rest of the way.

31. St. Louis Rams (1-7) [30] - I don't suppose the Rams were able to develop a good enough game plan during their bye to stop the Saints this week.

32. Cleveland Browns (1-7) [31] - And with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers being a winner of a football game this season, I can finally put the Browns where they belong! They return to Brady Quinn at quarterback this week, but the fact that it took them this long to do so says a lot about the faith in Quinn right now.