"NFL Power Rankings: Week Ten, With A Spin"

Week nine has concluded and we're entering the month of November. 
Time fell back an hour and the trade deadline is upon us as well. For 
these following teams, making strides and dominating as they should 
regardless of the opponent. Enough with the prompt, let's dive into 
some rankings.

1. Los Ángeles Rams: 6-2 (Wk 9 ranking: 2nd) 
Championship pedigree, roster and head coach builds a lot of 
confidence for Los Angeles. A dominant win coming out of their bye 
week over New Orleans, the Rams are primed and ready to push 
beyond the division. A defense which I really like led by Jared Verse, 
LA's playoff hopes will be tested by division rival San Francisco next 
weekend. With Seattle, Tampa Bay and Carolina on docket, the Rams 
need to cover ground in a short period of time.

2. Seattle Seahawks: 6-2 (Wk 9 ranking: 4th) 
Coming out of their bye, Seattle dominated the Washington 
Commanders Sunday night. Quarterback Sam Darnold has been 
everything they'd envisioned when he signed earlier this offseason. With 
running back Kenneth Walker and receiver JSN, this offense can score 
at will. Rather it's through the air or ground, Seattle's in prime position to 
fly. A defense which is top seven can travel and make the opposition's 
quarterback miserable. 11-1 under Mike McDonald in road games. My 
only concern for Seattle is: home field advantage is needed but not 
needed. A better road team than home, but if the wrong matchup is 
given, the Seahawks can lay any egg and watch it hatch. With 
gruesome games on deck: Arizona, LA Rams, Tennessee and 
Minnesota, every game counts in clinching a home playoff spot. 

3. New England Patriots: 7-2 (Wk 9 ranking: 5th)
Sitting atop of the AFC East, New England has been one of the biggest
surprises in 2025. Quarterback Drake Maye is playing elite football and
winning games. The fanbase is feeling pretty good and morale is
second to none. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs has re-emerged as a threat
in the passing game, good run offense and stifling defense. Those are
strong sticking points for success. A tough stretch which includes:
Tampa Bay, NY Jets and Cincinnati, the Patriots control their own
destiny if winning the AFC East and hosting a playoff game.

4. Denver Broncos: 7-2 (Wk 9 ranking: 10th)
Denver rides into the top five this week in my rankings. Led by second
year quarterback Bo Nix, the Broncos are seeing winning results and it's
contagious. With an arsenal of skilled players on offense, a top five
defense and smart head coach, Denver is head and shoulders above
Kansas City and LA Chargers at this point. It wasn't the prettiest win
over Houston, but those are games teams need to win no matter who's
on the field. With a slate off games: Las Vegas (Thursday Night
Football), Kansas City with a bye week squeezed in and a road game
versus Washington, Denver is riding pretty high in the AFC West.

5. Buffalo Bills: 6-2 (Wk 9 ranking: 7th)
The showdown in Buffalo which everyone watched was highly
entertaining; as the Bills defeated Kansas City 28-21 Sunday evening.
Reigning MVP Josh Allen was great by his standards as this game
became dominant. Should've been a blowout but the miscues kept
Kansas City in striking distance. I still worry about this defense for the
most part. They did their part but what about when it matters come
January? Holding the best offense to 21 points after averaging 32 over
a four game stretch. Can the run game vastly improve with James
Cook? Absolutely! Winning regular season matchups versus Kansas
City doesn't matter come postseason. For Buffalo, games versus Miami,

Tampa Bay, Houston and Pittsburgh will test the morale of their
championship aspirations.

6. Philadelphia Eagles: 6-2 (Wk 9 ranking: 8th)
A much needed bye week before this gauntlet of games kickoff their
playoff push in November. With the drama surrounding AJ Brown, the
Eagles didn't need him in their victory over New York Giants. Saquon
Barkley finally broke out and everything seemed to click. On the flip
side... The tush-push has become unwatchable and officials seemingly
can't make calls if anyone is offsides or Jalen Hurts fumbles in forward
progress? A defense that struggles to cover in space, it's very suspect
and can be ran over. Here's what'll be the make or break for Philly:
attrition and mental fatigue with this gauntlet of games: at Green Bay
(Monday Night Football), home versus Detroit (Sunday Night Football),
at Dallas and versus Chicago (Friday after Thanksgiving). Four games
in a span of seventeen days before a few days off.

7. Pittsburgh Steelers: 5-3 (Wk 9 ranking: N/A)
A much needed get right win for Pittsburgh, as they tamed the
Indianapolis Colts Sunday afternoon. All the noise about a defense
which has been very quiet the last couple weeks showed up and forced
six turnovers. It was a masterclass far as how this team needed to
salvage disappointing losses against Cincinnati and Green Bay.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has this offense in place with Jaylin Warren
being more effective. I still don't trust Mike Tomlin's coaching as
November football is here. Tough sledding awaits: at LA Chargers,
home game versus Cincinnati, at Chicago and home showdown versus
Buffalo, can the Steelers keep momentum late into the month?

8. Indianapolis Colts: 7-2 (Wk 9 ranking: 1st)
Back to reality for Indianapolis, as the Colts had their worst game of the
season in Pittsburgh. Quarterback Daniel Jones was under pressure all

day and had a few hiccups with turnovers. Running back Johnathan
Taylor was a non-factor and this offense sputtered in a tough loss. One
thing we know is Indianapolis will regroup and get back to the basics.
Yes, it's just one game but costly mistakes can't be made in order to
compete for the postseason. With a trip overseas to play the Atlanta
Falcons, the real test will be in Kansas City. Houston is very beatable
but you can't gift the stingy Texans defense extra possessions.

9. Minnesota Vikings: 4-4 (Wk 9 ranking: N/A)
Making their season debut, Minnesota sails into ninth in my rankings. A
much needed boost from second year quarterback JJ McCarthy; as he
led the Vikings to an impressive 27-24 win over rival Detroit. What
makes them click? Defensive coordinator Brian Flores' has this unit
ready every week. Head coach Kevin O'Connell can be a wizard and
call a great game. With running back Aaron Jones slowly getting back to
form, wide receiver Justin Jefferson getting targets, this Vikings offense
can play with anyone. My biggest concern: how will McCarthy be able to
handle the playoff type atmosphere as November is here? A sailing trip
to play a revived Baltimore Ravens offense with Lamar Jackson back;
host the Chicago Bears, a short trip to Green Bay before a west coast
flight to Seattle. These next five games will make or break Minnesota's
playoff hopes with McCarthy under center.

10. Chicago Bears: 5-3 (Wk 9 ranking: N/A)
Another NFC North making their debut in my rankings, the Chicago
Bears roam their way into the final spot. A rocky start to the Ben
Johnson/Caleb Williams era, Chicago has mauled some wins over
playoff contenders. After a wild finish in Cincinnati, the Bears showed
they can win shootouts if needed. Building team morale headed into the
month of November is crucial. Offensively, it's pretty good and will only
get better. Defensively, takeaways and creating pressure up front is
bread and butter. Dennis Allen is very exotic in disguising schemes and

can make it frustrating. A *beware game* versus the New York Giants
will go either way. Roam to Minnesota for a divisional matchup, host the
man who has real estate in Chicago as Aaron Rodgers brings Pittsburgh
for a visit. A east coast trip to play the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday
after Thanksgiving will be a true road test for Williams.