by Vegas Writer
Tuesday, Nov 28, 2023Back in action with NFL Power Rankings, and once again there's been a bit of a shake-up in the Top 10.
Philadelphia is back on top of the rankings, followed by the resurging 49ers. The defending champs stumbled down to No. 3.
From there it's muddled with new names.
The biggest surprise? How about the suddenly improved Broncos?
Let's get to it:
THE UPPER TIER
1. Philadelphia (10-1) - The Eagles are the clear leader in the NFC and in my power poll after registering their fourth straight comeback win. They’ve shown resiliency at the right time of the year while Jalen Hurts is playing at an MVP level. Philadelphia faces the 49ers and Cowboys in its next two games. (Last week 2)
2. San Francisco (8-3) - The 49ers have gotten healthy at the right time and came out of the bye week better than before. They geared up for Sunday's NFC championship rematch against Philadelphia with a dominating 31-13 win at Seattle on Thanksgiving. (Last week 7)
3. Kansas City (8-3) - The Chiefs rebounded from a home loss to Philadelphia, one laced by dropped balls, by rallying for a 31-17 win in Las Vegas. Though it took a quarter to get going against the Raiders, Patrick Mahomes completed two touchdown passes while Isiah Pacheco ran for two scores. (Last week 1)
4. Dallas (8-3) - The Cowboys trounced the Commanders 45-10 on Thanksgiving, their seventh win by at least 23 points. Dak Prescott threw four touchdown passes, DaRon Bland set an NFL record with his fifth pick-six of the season and Micah Parsons added to his sack total. If only they could beat elite teams. (Last week 8)
5. Baltimore (9-3) - The Ravens will spend this weekend watching Miami, Jacksonville and Kansas City try to pull even with them atop the AFC. Baltimore won its second straight after holding the Chargers to 279 yards of offense. (Last week 3)
6. Jacksonville (8-3) - Trevor Lawrence threw for 364 yards and one touchdown and ran for a score to help the Jags stymie division-rival Houston, 24-21. Jacksonville now holds a two-game lead over the Texans (6-5) and Indianapolis Colts (6-5) in the AFC South. (Last week 5)
7. Detroit (8-3) - The Lions were ascending in the overall NFC standings but took a major step back when they were outplayed on Thanksgiving in a 29-22 loss to the Green Bay Packers. And that was after needing to rally to beat the lowly Bears four days prior. Jared Goff, once again, has critics questioning his legitimacy. (Last week 6)
8. Miami (8-3) - The Dolphins continue to win, somehow, and now have three straight opponents with a combined 12-22 mark. Then, however, the Dolphins finish with three tough games against Dallas, Baltimore and Buffalo. (Last week 11)
9. Denver (6-5) - The hottest team in the league resides in the Mile High City, as the Broncos are relevant heading into December for the first time since 2016. It's hard to believe after they stumbled to a 1-5 start. (Last week 19)
10. Cleveland (7-4) - First Deshaun Watson, and now Dorian Thompson-Robinson. The Browns continue to get bitten by the injury bug at the quarterback position. The Browns have a long road ahead the last six weeks. (Last week 9)
11. Buffalo (6-6) - The Bills, who entered the season with Super Bowl expectations, collapsed in Philadelphia as they blew several leads, including one in overtime, before losing 37-34. The loss dropped them to 10th in the AFC. (Last week 10)
12. Seattle (6-5) - The Seahawks were climbing, and even had a chance to regain the lead in the NFC West but were no match against the 49ers. They've lost two in a row and are scrambling. (Last week 12)
13. Pittsburgh (7-4) - The Steelers fired then-offensive coordinator Matt Canada, and then went out and topped 400 yards for the first time in more than three years, moving the ball fluidly against the Bengals. Now they're atop the AFC wild-card race. (Last week 16)
14. Houston (6-5) - The Texans' hard-to-swallow loss to the Jaguars could fuel their fire down the stretch. Matt Ammendola’s 58-yard field goal attempt bounced off the crossbar at the end, otherwise, this team might be in the Top 10. (Last week 20)
15. Green Bay (5-6) - The Packers have made a statement with two straight wins, including the upset in Motown over the NFC North-leading Lions. They're within reach of a playoff spot in the NFC and fans are rejoicing knowing Aaron and Davante aren't even close. (Last week 18)
16. Cincinnati (5-6) - The Bengals' demise continues without Joe Burrow, as they've lost three in a row and now travel to AFC South-leading Jacksonville. (Last week 4)
THE LOWER TIER:
17. Minnesota (6-6) - Two straight losses, including Monday at home to the Bears. Maybe Joshua Dobbs isn't the answer. (Last week 14)
18. L.A. Chargers (4-7) - Is Brandon Staley still coach? (Last week 13)
19. Indianapolis (6-5) - One of the more confusing teams in the AFC, the Colts have the wild-card race muddled. (Last week 23)
20. New Orleans (5-6) - The Saints have lost two in a row and do have three straight at home. They need a strong showing during the homestand. (Last week 15)
21. Atlanta (5-6) - The Falcons come out of a bye week with a win over the Saints, snapping their three-game skid, and now have three winnable games in front of them. (Last week 24)
22. N.Y. Jets (4-7) - Don't bother forcing a return Aaron, there's no reason to further damage your Achilles when this team isn't going anywhere. (Last week 17)
23. L.A. Rams (5-6) - The Rams might be the NFC's version of the very strange and confusing Colts, as they've suddenly won two straight and are knocking on the wild-card door. (Last week 27)
24. N.Y. Giants (4-8) - Not sure where the Giants' two-game win streak came from, and now they get a bye week before winnable games against Green Bay and New Orleans. (Last week 30)
25. Las Vegas (5-7) - Four of the Raiders’ final five games are against teams with winning records. Interim coach Antonio Pierce needs to be competitive to be considered long-term. (Last week 22)
26. Chicago (4-8) - The Bears beat the Vikings on Monday, but it also might be safe to say Minnesota keeps beating itself. (Last week 31)
27. Tennessee (4-7) - The Titans will finally play at home for consecutive games, looking for a winning streak after a 17-10 win over Carolina. (Last week 25)
28. Washington (4-8) - The Commanders should do Ron Rivera a favor and let him go somewhere he can utilize his coaching abilities. (Last week 21)
29. Tampa Bay (4-7) - I can't believe I'm saying this, but the Buccaneers are still in a position to control their destiny considering how weak the NFC South is this year. (Last week 26)
30. New England (2-9) - Once Staley is fired, Bill Belichick should make a move out West. (Last week 28)
31. Arizona (2-10) - The Cardinals' rebuild won't be easy, but it may start with a fresh look at quarterback. (Last week 32)
32. Carolina (1-10) - Frank Reich became the second in-season firing. The Panthers now may have their second straight No. 1 pick. (Last week 29)
Philadelphia is back on top of the rankings, followed by the resurging 49ers. The defending champs stumbled down to No. 3.
From there it's muddled with new names.
The biggest surprise? How about the suddenly improved Broncos?
Let's get to it:
THE UPPER TIER
1. Philadelphia (10-1) - The Eagles are the clear leader in the NFC and in my power poll after registering their fourth straight comeback win. They’ve shown resiliency at the right time of the year while Jalen Hurts is playing at an MVP level. Philadelphia faces the 49ers and Cowboys in its next two games. (Last week 2)
2. San Francisco (8-3) - The 49ers have gotten healthy at the right time and came out of the bye week better than before. They geared up for Sunday's NFC championship rematch against Philadelphia with a dominating 31-13 win at Seattle on Thanksgiving. (Last week 7)
3. Kansas City (8-3) - The Chiefs rebounded from a home loss to Philadelphia, one laced by dropped balls, by rallying for a 31-17 win in Las Vegas. Though it took a quarter to get going against the Raiders, Patrick Mahomes completed two touchdown passes while Isiah Pacheco ran for two scores. (Last week 1)
4. Dallas (8-3) - The Cowboys trounced the Commanders 45-10 on Thanksgiving, their seventh win by at least 23 points. Dak Prescott threw four touchdown passes, DaRon Bland set an NFL record with his fifth pick-six of the season and Micah Parsons added to his sack total. If only they could beat elite teams. (Last week 8)
5. Baltimore (9-3) - The Ravens will spend this weekend watching Miami, Jacksonville and Kansas City try to pull even with them atop the AFC. Baltimore won its second straight after holding the Chargers to 279 yards of offense. (Last week 3)
6. Jacksonville (8-3) - Trevor Lawrence threw for 364 yards and one touchdown and ran for a score to help the Jags stymie division-rival Houston, 24-21. Jacksonville now holds a two-game lead over the Texans (6-5) and Indianapolis Colts (6-5) in the AFC South. (Last week 5)
7. Detroit (8-3) - The Lions were ascending in the overall NFC standings but took a major step back when they were outplayed on Thanksgiving in a 29-22 loss to the Green Bay Packers. And that was after needing to rally to beat the lowly Bears four days prior. Jared Goff, once again, has critics questioning his legitimacy. (Last week 6)
8. Miami (8-3) - The Dolphins continue to win, somehow, and now have three straight opponents with a combined 12-22 mark. Then, however, the Dolphins finish with three tough games against Dallas, Baltimore and Buffalo. (Last week 11)
9. Denver (6-5) - The hottest team in the league resides in the Mile High City, as the Broncos are relevant heading into December for the first time since 2016. It's hard to believe after they stumbled to a 1-5 start. (Last week 19)
10. Cleveland (7-4) - First Deshaun Watson, and now Dorian Thompson-Robinson. The Browns continue to get bitten by the injury bug at the quarterback position. The Browns have a long road ahead the last six weeks. (Last week 9)
11. Buffalo (6-6) - The Bills, who entered the season with Super Bowl expectations, collapsed in Philadelphia as they blew several leads, including one in overtime, before losing 37-34. The loss dropped them to 10th in the AFC. (Last week 10)
12. Seattle (6-5) - The Seahawks were climbing, and even had a chance to regain the lead in the NFC West but were no match against the 49ers. They've lost two in a row and are scrambling. (Last week 12)
13. Pittsburgh (7-4) - The Steelers fired then-offensive coordinator Matt Canada, and then went out and topped 400 yards for the first time in more than three years, moving the ball fluidly against the Bengals. Now they're atop the AFC wild-card race. (Last week 16)
14. Houston (6-5) - The Texans' hard-to-swallow loss to the Jaguars could fuel their fire down the stretch. Matt Ammendola’s 58-yard field goal attempt bounced off the crossbar at the end, otherwise, this team might be in the Top 10. (Last week 20)
15. Green Bay (5-6) - The Packers have made a statement with two straight wins, including the upset in Motown over the NFC North-leading Lions. They're within reach of a playoff spot in the NFC and fans are rejoicing knowing Aaron and Davante aren't even close. (Last week 18)
16. Cincinnati (5-6) - The Bengals' demise continues without Joe Burrow, as they've lost three in a row and now travel to AFC South-leading Jacksonville. (Last week 4)
THE LOWER TIER:
17. Minnesota (6-6) - Two straight losses, including Monday at home to the Bears. Maybe Joshua Dobbs isn't the answer. (Last week 14)
18. L.A. Chargers (4-7) - Is Brandon Staley still coach? (Last week 13)
19. Indianapolis (6-5) - One of the more confusing teams in the AFC, the Colts have the wild-card race muddled. (Last week 23)
20. New Orleans (5-6) - The Saints have lost two in a row and do have three straight at home. They need a strong showing during the homestand. (Last week 15)
21. Atlanta (5-6) - The Falcons come out of a bye week with a win over the Saints, snapping their three-game skid, and now have three winnable games in front of them. (Last week 24)
22. N.Y. Jets (4-7) - Don't bother forcing a return Aaron, there's no reason to further damage your Achilles when this team isn't going anywhere. (Last week 17)
23. L.A. Rams (5-6) - The Rams might be the NFC's version of the very strange and confusing Colts, as they've suddenly won two straight and are knocking on the wild-card door. (Last week 27)
24. N.Y. Giants (4-8) - Not sure where the Giants' two-game win streak came from, and now they get a bye week before winnable games against Green Bay and New Orleans. (Last week 30)
25. Las Vegas (5-7) - Four of the Raiders’ final five games are against teams with winning records. Interim coach Antonio Pierce needs to be competitive to be considered long-term. (Last week 22)
26. Chicago (4-8) - The Bears beat the Vikings on Monday, but it also might be safe to say Minnesota keeps beating itself. (Last week 31)
27. Tennessee (4-7) - The Titans will finally play at home for consecutive games, looking for a winning streak after a 17-10 win over Carolina. (Last week 25)
28. Washington (4-8) - The Commanders should do Ron Rivera a favor and let him go somewhere he can utilize his coaching abilities. (Last week 21)
29. Tampa Bay (4-7) - I can't believe I'm saying this, but the Buccaneers are still in a position to control their destiny considering how weak the NFC South is this year. (Last week 26)
30. New England (2-9) - Once Staley is fired, Bill Belichick should make a move out West. (Last week 28)
31. Arizona (2-10) - The Cardinals' rebuild won't be easy, but it may start with a fresh look at quarterback. (Last week 32)
32. Carolina (1-10) - Frank Reich became the second in-season firing. The Panthers now may have their second straight No. 1 pick. (Last week 29)
