by Vegas Writer
Thursday, Oct 19, 2023Since we last spoke, most teams have played two games, 26 to be exact, with six others having a bye in Week 5 or 6. Of those who did play two, only seven enjoyed a 2-0 mark, and it's caused a bit of a ripple in the power rankings.
I won't waste your time with jibber-jabber and will get right to it with this week's rankings:
THE UPPER TIER
1. Kansas City (5-1) - Back to the top for the Chiefs, who went 2-0 the last couple of weeks. And while we've yet to see the offense click, that's what makes this team so scary. Imagine when Patrick Mahomes and that offense does kick in. For now, the Chiefs' defense has them back at No. 1. (Last week 3)
2. Miami (5-1) - The big test is Sunday night against Philly, but for now I still say the Dolphins could easily represent the AFC in February. They're averaging 6.5 yards per rushing attempt, which is hard to believe when Miami has neither a running quarterback nor a star running back. Run and win by committee. (Last week 6)
3. San Francisco (5-1) - Not so invincible as everyone thought, eh? When the 49ers faced the No. 1 defense in the league, they had their bell rung convincingly. Then again, the Niners are a Jake Moody missed field goal away from a win. (Last week 1)
4. Philadelphia (5-1) - Speaking of running into a staunch defense, like the 49ers, the Eagles hit a snag against the pesky Jets. Chalk it up for suffering through a bad day. Problem is, the blueprint may have been laid out. (Last week 2)
5. Buffalo (4-2) - The Bills bounced back from their loss across the pond by knocking off the Giants. Of course, it took a fourth-quarter surge to get it done. Considering a split the last two weeks, and last week's lackluster performance, it's a one-spot dip. (Last week 4)
6. Dallas (4-2) - After being humiliated by the 49ers two weeks back, the Cowboys responded with a resilient win Monday over the Bolts. Perfect timing for their bye week, as they'll have the right mindset while healing up. (Last week 5)
7. Detroit (5-1) - This is the team that has my intrigue right now, especially after going to Tampa and limiting the Buccaneers to no touchdowns. Huge statement for their defense. Right now, the Lions might be the NFC's best. (Last week 9)
8. Baltimore (4-2) - Dropping the Ravens one spot because I am perplexed with what looks to be a clunky offense. The Ravens may have found a way to hold on against the Titans in London, but they're not complete, yet. (Last week 7)
9. Jacksonville (4-2) - Thursday will tell us a lot, especially if Trevor Lawrence doesn't play. The Jags have won three straight and now lead the AFC South. Let's see how they march out of New Orleans. (Last week 11)
10. Seattle (3-2) - Off the bye, the Seahawks took an L. You can't blow that many scoring chances against a team like the Bengals and expect to win. Heck, you can't do that against the 32nd team in the league. (Last week 8)
11. Cleveland (3-2) - Out of their bye, the Browns pull off the resounding upset of San Francisco. The Browns move up thanks to their defense, which everyone clearly knows about now, after shutting down the 49ers. Now they need to figure out the offense. (Last week 13)
12. L.A. Chargers (2-3) - If Monday didn't define what Chargers fans annually experience, I'm not sure what else will. Blown chances result in close losses. It seems define the Bolts. Now they have to play the Chiefs and are in jeopardy of slipping down the AFC West. (Last week 10)
13. Tampa Bay (3-2) - The Bucs ran into a wall, but I won't punish them that much. Detroit is a good team and it's an acceptable loss. Well, unless you ask Baker Mayfield, who ripped himself and the offense. They need to learn how to beat the league's elite. (Last week 12)
14. N.Y. Jets (3-3) - From 1-3 to .500 with two wins, and suddenly those who thought the Jets could get it done with Aaron Rodgers, are becoming believers thanks to their defense. Don't sleep on the Fly Boys just yet. (Last week 16)
15. Cincinnati (3-3) - Another team that started 1-3, but went 2-0 the last two weeks and now has a perfect spot to enjoy its bye week. Joe Burrow can get healthier, and that'll be dangerous for opponents. (Last week 17)
16. Green Bay (2-3) - The Packers lost two weeks ago and now come into Week 7 off their bye much healthier. The loss to the Raiders could've been a win, had Jordan Love not thrown three picks. Let's see how they respond. (Last week 14)
THE LOWER TIER:
17. Pittsburgh (3-2) - The Steelers knocked off the Ravens and went into their bye week. Did they fix their offense? (Last week 18)
18. Minnesota (2-4) - Did last week's win over Chicago save the season? (Last week 15)
19. New Orleans (3-3) - Losing on the road in Houston was not a good look. (Last week 19)
20. Houston (3-3) - Beating the Saints the way the Texans did was a good look. (Last week 23)
21. L.A. Rams (3-3) - All things considered, is McVay a Coach of the Year candidate? (Last week 24)
22. Washington (3-3) - How did the Commanders get outgained by Atlanta, 402-193, and win? (Last week 25)
23. Las Vegas (3-3) - The Raiders were left for dead two weeks ago. They've got life heading to Chicago this week. (Last week 30)
24. Atlanta (3-3) - How did the Falcons outgain Washington, 402-193, and lose? (Last week 27)
25. New England (1-5) - The Patriots' anemic offense should have Bobby Kraft thinking about making a coaching change. (Last week 20)
26. Denver (1-5) - The Broncos' anemic offense should have Greg Penner thinking about making a coaching change. (Last week 21)
27. Indianapolis (3-3) - No more Anthony Richardson isn't a bad thing. But Gardner Minshew might be. (Last week 28)
28. Tennessee (2-4) - Two disappointing losses bring a bye at the right time. (Last week 22)
29. N.Y. Giants (1-5) - We finally saw the Giants win a first half. Then they lost, again. (Last week 26)
30. Arizona (1-5) - The Cardinals can't hang a win over Dallas over us that long. (Last week 29)
31. Chicago (1-5) - The Bears could have two wins going into this one, but don't. Can they beat the Raiders? (Last week 32)
32. Carolina (0-6) - Nobody in their right mind thought the Panthers would hold on to that 14-0 lead. (Last week 31)
I won't waste your time with jibber-jabber and will get right to it with this week's rankings:
THE UPPER TIER
1. Kansas City (5-1) - Back to the top for the Chiefs, who went 2-0 the last couple of weeks. And while we've yet to see the offense click, that's what makes this team so scary. Imagine when Patrick Mahomes and that offense does kick in. For now, the Chiefs' defense has them back at No. 1. (Last week 3)
2. Miami (5-1) - The big test is Sunday night against Philly, but for now I still say the Dolphins could easily represent the AFC in February. They're averaging 6.5 yards per rushing attempt, which is hard to believe when Miami has neither a running quarterback nor a star running back. Run and win by committee. (Last week 6)
3. San Francisco (5-1) - Not so invincible as everyone thought, eh? When the 49ers faced the No. 1 defense in the league, they had their bell rung convincingly. Then again, the Niners are a Jake Moody missed field goal away from a win. (Last week 1)
4. Philadelphia (5-1) - Speaking of running into a staunch defense, like the 49ers, the Eagles hit a snag against the pesky Jets. Chalk it up for suffering through a bad day. Problem is, the blueprint may have been laid out. (Last week 2)
5. Buffalo (4-2) - The Bills bounced back from their loss across the pond by knocking off the Giants. Of course, it took a fourth-quarter surge to get it done. Considering a split the last two weeks, and last week's lackluster performance, it's a one-spot dip. (Last week 4)
6. Dallas (4-2) - After being humiliated by the 49ers two weeks back, the Cowboys responded with a resilient win Monday over the Bolts. Perfect timing for their bye week, as they'll have the right mindset while healing up. (Last week 5)
7. Detroit (5-1) - This is the team that has my intrigue right now, especially after going to Tampa and limiting the Buccaneers to no touchdowns. Huge statement for their defense. Right now, the Lions might be the NFC's best. (Last week 9)
8. Baltimore (4-2) - Dropping the Ravens one spot because I am perplexed with what looks to be a clunky offense. The Ravens may have found a way to hold on against the Titans in London, but they're not complete, yet. (Last week 7)
9. Jacksonville (4-2) - Thursday will tell us a lot, especially if Trevor Lawrence doesn't play. The Jags have won three straight and now lead the AFC South. Let's see how they march out of New Orleans. (Last week 11)
10. Seattle (3-2) - Off the bye, the Seahawks took an L. You can't blow that many scoring chances against a team like the Bengals and expect to win. Heck, you can't do that against the 32nd team in the league. (Last week 8)
11. Cleveland (3-2) - Out of their bye, the Browns pull off the resounding upset of San Francisco. The Browns move up thanks to their defense, which everyone clearly knows about now, after shutting down the 49ers. Now they need to figure out the offense. (Last week 13)
12. L.A. Chargers (2-3) - If Monday didn't define what Chargers fans annually experience, I'm not sure what else will. Blown chances result in close losses. It seems define the Bolts. Now they have to play the Chiefs and are in jeopardy of slipping down the AFC West. (Last week 10)
13. Tampa Bay (3-2) - The Bucs ran into a wall, but I won't punish them that much. Detroit is a good team and it's an acceptable loss. Well, unless you ask Baker Mayfield, who ripped himself and the offense. They need to learn how to beat the league's elite. (Last week 12)
14. N.Y. Jets (3-3) - From 1-3 to .500 with two wins, and suddenly those who thought the Jets could get it done with Aaron Rodgers, are becoming believers thanks to their defense. Don't sleep on the Fly Boys just yet. (Last week 16)
15. Cincinnati (3-3) - Another team that started 1-3, but went 2-0 the last two weeks and now has a perfect spot to enjoy its bye week. Joe Burrow can get healthier, and that'll be dangerous for opponents. (Last week 17)
16. Green Bay (2-3) - The Packers lost two weeks ago and now come into Week 7 off their bye much healthier. The loss to the Raiders could've been a win, had Jordan Love not thrown three picks. Let's see how they respond. (Last week 14)
THE LOWER TIER:
17. Pittsburgh (3-2) - The Steelers knocked off the Ravens and went into their bye week. Did they fix their offense? (Last week 18)
18. Minnesota (2-4) - Did last week's win over Chicago save the season? (Last week 15)
19. New Orleans (3-3) - Losing on the road in Houston was not a good look. (Last week 19)
20. Houston (3-3) - Beating the Saints the way the Texans did was a good look. (Last week 23)
21. L.A. Rams (3-3) - All things considered, is McVay a Coach of the Year candidate? (Last week 24)
22. Washington (3-3) - How did the Commanders get outgained by Atlanta, 402-193, and win? (Last week 25)
23. Las Vegas (3-3) - The Raiders were left for dead two weeks ago. They've got life heading to Chicago this week. (Last week 30)
24. Atlanta (3-3) - How did the Falcons outgain Washington, 402-193, and lose? (Last week 27)
25. New England (1-5) - The Patriots' anemic offense should have Bobby Kraft thinking about making a coaching change. (Last week 20)
26. Denver (1-5) - The Broncos' anemic offense should have Greg Penner thinking about making a coaching change. (Last week 21)
27. Indianapolis (3-3) - No more Anthony Richardson isn't a bad thing. But Gardner Minshew might be. (Last week 28)
28. Tennessee (2-4) - Two disappointing losses bring a bye at the right time. (Last week 22)
29. N.Y. Giants (1-5) - We finally saw the Giants win a first half. Then they lost, again. (Last week 26)
30. Arizona (1-5) - The Cardinals can't hang a win over Dallas over us that long. (Last week 29)
31. Chicago (1-5) - The Bears could have two wins going into this one, but don't. Can they beat the Raiders? (Last week 32)
32. Carolina (0-6) - Nobody in their right mind thought the Panthers would hold on to that 14-0 lead. (Last week 31)
