I stopped writing NFL Power Rankings a couple of seasons ago ’cause nobody was reading ’em. You know – every sports media website in the world has some form of these power rankings up, so there’s a lot of competition, and the little guys like us lose out in those scenarios. It makes it somewhat pointless to do stuff like this, but whatever happened with Google’s core web vitals update back in May seems to have kicked our traffic into another gear. I guess they like us? Anyway, it made me think that maybe it was worth giving these bad boys another try. So, like I said before I stopped writing these, my NFL Power Rankings are based solely on what has happened on the field so far. I’m not taking preseason expectations or projections into consideration. These rankings are based strictly on what I’ve seen so far this season. Let’s get to it.
NFL POWER RANKINGS: WEEK 10, 2021
1. Tennessee Titans (8-2) – I mean, I don’t know what else to say…six in a row with five wins over the likes of the Bills, Chiefs, Colts, Rams, and Saints. It wasn’t pretty. They didn’t play their best football, and yet, they still found a way to win against a quality opponent. This is the most injured team in the NFL, they’ve played one of the most difficult schedules so far, and yet they’re still 8-2. It’s impressive – this looks like the best team in the league right now, all things considered. They welcome the Texans to Nashville on Sunday.
2. Green Bay Packers (8-2) – As it turns out, having Aaron Rodgers in the lineup makes the Packers a better football team. As long as he’s not on his couch, the Packers look like the best team in the NFC. After dominating the Seahawks 17-0, they go to Minnesota on Sunday.
3. Arizona Cardinals (8-2) – If you ever wonder about the duality of the NFL, and just how little separates the best of teams from the worst of teams on any given Sunday, look no further than the fact that the Cardinals trounced the Titans and also got their shit kicked in by the Panthers with Cam Newton, who was sitting on his couch a week ago. I’m just saying – after that performance, the Cardinals look like life without Kyler Murray is going to be a problem after all. They travel to Seattle on Sunday.
4. Dallas Cowboys (7-2) – Thanks for coming, Atlanta. It was nice while it lasted, but just when the Falcons were getting some confidence and had even climbed into the playoff race, the Cowboys just dropped the hammer on them. Downright dominant, and downright deflating. The Cowboys reminded us that that Broncos loss was a mirage, and this is still a Super Bowl contender. Next week, they travel to Kansas City for an interesting game against the Chiefs.
5. Los Angeles Rams (7-3) – Yeah, I know that last night was ugly. But, full disclosure, I have absolutely no idea what to do with this list beyond the top three spots. The difference between #4 and #10 isn’t all that much and from here on, all of the teams have put on some duds this season. The Rams haven’t looked particularly good in consecutive weeks, so I think there is valid reason for concern. I’m not ready to hit the eject button with all the talent they have and that coaching staff intact. They catch their bye at the perfect moment.
6. Buffalo Bills (6-3) – An absolute bloodletting of the New York Jets is just what Josh Allen and that Bills offense needed to get back on track after that weird loss to the Jaguars. Breathe a sigh of relief, Buffalo, your team is still among the best in the AFC. They host the Colts on Sunday in a rematch from last year’s wild card round of the playoffs.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3) – This is like the exact opposite of what the Bucs did last year when they started slow and got hot as the season ended. Nope – this season, they’ve started strong, but have two incredible “wtf” losses in their last two games. There are issues with this team, and it’s starting to look like it just doesn’t stack up with the legit Super Bowl contenders. They’ll have a chance to get right on Monday as they host the Giants on Monday Night Football.
8. New England Patriots (6-4) – Behind the Titans, who have won six in a row, the Patriots are the second hottest team in football right now, with four straight wins. They are poised to make the AFC East race interesting, and what was supposed to be a tight contest in the AFC was a rout. The Browns never had a chance on Sunday. Let’s give the Pats their due. They travel to Atlanta for Thursday Night Football.
9. Baltimore Ravens (6-3) – One loss isn’t going to completely derail a team’s season, but holy shit, that was an ugly one to the Dolphins on Thursday Night Football. It’s hard to see passed that, even though I know this team is capable of hanging with anyone. They have to get that offense back into gear, and they have a good opportunity to do that in Chicago on Sunday.
10. Kansas City Chiefs (6-4) – THAT looked like the Chiefs offense on Sunday Night Football, as they stomped and outraced the Raiders. If this team starts to get things right, watch out – you can’t count them out of anything just yet. They host the Cowboys on Sunday.
IF THE SEASON ENDED TODAY…
AFC
- (1) Tennessee Titans (BYE)
- (7) Los Angeles Chargers @ (2) Buffalo Bills
- (6) New England Patriots @ (3) Baltimore Ravens
- (5) Pittsburgh Steelers @ (4) Kansas City Chiefs
NFC
- (1) Green Bay Packers (BYE)
- (7) Carolina Panthers @ (2) Arizona Cardinals
- (6) New Orleans Saints @ (3) Dallas Cowboys
- (5) Los Angeles Rams @ (4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
PREDICTIONS
- Top 5 NFL Draft order: 1. Lions, 2. Texans, 3. Jets, 4. Jaguars, 5. Dolphins
- AFC Championship: Bills @ Titans
- NFC Championship: Cowboys @ Packers
- Super Bowl: Titans vs. Packers
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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