NFL Power Rankings Week 10: Bengals’ playoff hopes are slim but doubting Joe Burrow is a mistake

Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Last week’s rank: 30

Drake Maye was responsible for 301 of nan Patriots’ 316 violative yards, which included an unbelievable scramble drill touchdown walk that sent nan crippled to overtime successful Nashville. He’s a certifiable Guy. The adjacent measurement is ensuring his superhuman efforts lead to wins. — Robert Zeglinski

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Last week’s rank: 29

Brock Bowers stat watch done 9 games: 57 catches, 580 yards, 2 touchdowns. A 100-plus-catch and 1,000-yard gait arsenic a rookie. So overmuch potential! Oh, right. What astir nan remainder of nan Raiders? Well, there’s really thing other worthy giving oxygen to. This mightiness beryllium a recurring feature. — RZ

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Last week’s rank: 31

Tennessee fto nan Patriots backmost into nan driver’s spot for nan apical wide prime successful adjacent year’s draft. But hey, nan Titans won’t decorativeness 2024 pinch conscionable 1 win, truthful that’s something. — Christian D’Andrea

Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Last week’s rank: 32

Losing to nan Panthers is simply a fireable offense. Dennis Allen recovered that retired successful Week 9. Next up connected nan prospective deed list? Brian Daboll (vs. nan New York Giants successful Week 10) and Nick Sirianni (at nan Philadelphia Eagles successful Week 14). Neither of those guys is presently successful nan midst of a seven-game losing streak for illustration Allen was, but a nonaccomplishment to Carolina would ratchet up nan power of their seats by respective degrees. — CD

Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Last week’s rank: 28

The authorities of nan Jaguars is their needing an opposing coach to gift them opportunities truthful they tin bent around. Because by golly, if Trevor Lawrence can’t return advantage of a topsy-turvy Philadelphia secondary, what bully is he astatine all? — RZ

Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

Last week’s rank: 26

Alvin Kamara amassed complete 200 yards from scrimmage connected 35 touches connected Sunday. Good job! The Saints mislaid by a constituent to 1 of nan NFL’s worst teams pinch a backmost they antecedently gave up connected successful September. The culprit? I’d opportunity it’s astir apt Derek Carr, a.k.a. nan feline Saints fable Michael Thomas doesn’t like. And I only opportunity that because Dennis Allen is already gone. — RZ

Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Last week’s rank: 25

Jameis Winston took his ain hype train disconnected nan tracks erstwhile forced to woody pinch a competent defense, winging 3 interceptions earlier uncovering nan extremity area successful garbage time. That’s good because nan Browns yet ain their first-round prime aft dealing nan past 3 to nan Houston Texans successful speech for Deshaun Watson, nan league’s 37th-best backmost who was accused of much than 20 counts of intersexual misconduct successful what nan NFL itself described arsenic “predatory behavior.” — CD

Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Last week’s rank: 27

The Colts were hoping for 2023 Joe Flacco and sewage nan 2022 type instead. That feline is still gonna complete much passes than Anthony Richardson and effort a batch of heavy throws, but he’s not going to triumph galore games. Ah, well, astatine slightest they aren’t nan Jaguars. — CD

Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Last week’s rank: 24

Daniel Jones threw for 176 yards successful nan 2nd half of Sunday’s nonaccomplishment to nan Washington Commanders. This was easy mathematics because he vanished nan crippled pinch 176 yards aft throwing for zero successful nan first 2 quarters. Just 8 much games until nan Giants tin dump his statement and move on. — CD

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Last week’s rank: 23

As a firestorm brews astir Aaron Rodgers doing, well, anything, nan Jets responded for illustration a squad pinch pridefulness connected Thursday night. Sort of. An uninspiring discourtesy did capable while nan Jets defense planted C.J. Stroud into nan turf immoderate chance it got. New York’s likelihood for nan postseason stay a faint dream astatine 3-6, but astatine slightest it’ll spell down swinging toward a comfortable and inevitable mediocrity. — RZ

Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Last week’s rank: 22

Sunday was Miami’s past guidelines connected a play that’s already disconnected nan rails. For a moment, it moreover looked for illustration Mike McDaniel’s unit mightiness propulsion it out. Then Tyler Bass booted a 61-yard section goal to triumph nan game. Tough scene. Them’s nan breaks. It’s early, but it’s astir apt clip for nan 2-6 Dolphins to commencement looking toward nan draft. –– RZ

Sam Hodde/Getty Images

Last week’s rank: 21

Jerry Jones waited wholly excessively agelong to widen CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott, and now those 2 are locked into a full of $331 cardinal successful guarantees for nan NFL’s 24th-best passing offense. Surely, he’ll study his instruction and widen Micah Parsons earlier he’s group to deed free agency successful 2026. Or will his impulse to make an contiguous turnaround time off Parsons to twist earlier signing a megadeal connected nan eve of free agency that erstwhile again costs Dallas a premium connected apical of an already record-setting deal? I mean, we each cognize what nan answer’s gonna be, right? — CD

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Last week’s rank: 17

A 5-3 commencement primed nan Broncos for a measurement up successful competition. Then, nan Ravens reduced them to an orangish stain connected nan Baltimore turf. Ah, well. Bo Nix is showing immoderate signs of life but severely needs help. The only above-average accomplishment subordinate successful his lineup is Courtland Sutton. (But hey, possibly Troy Franklin will beryllium good!) — CD

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Last week’s rank: 13

Did nan Commanders’ Hail Mary break Matt Eberflus’s brain? No, location was plentifulness of grounds he was already very bad astatine his job. The 2024 play is threatening to gaffe distant from him, and if that’s nan case, he won’t get a 2025. Which, for Bears fans, is nan metallic lining successful each of this. — CD

Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Last week’s rank: 15

The Seahawks are nan NFL balanced of a middling NBA squad that jacks up 40-plus 3-point attempts successful a game. Their roster is imbalanced, and they don’t really person a beardown identity, but nan sheer reality of random mathematics and luck mightiness yet springiness Geno Smith a chance to win. This, of course, is really nary consistently bully squad wins, hence Seattle’s latest overtime loss. — RZ

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Last week’s rank: 18

Kyler Murray completed conscionable 13 passes successful a 20-point triumph complete nan Bears. He could do that because James Conner and Emari Demercado bowled complete nan Chicago defense immoderate chance they could get en way to 213 squad rushing yards. Now, Arizona sits successful a patient first spot (???) atop nan NFC West. Jonathan Gannon’s rebuild is going swimmingly. –– RZ

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Last week’s rank: 20

Joe Burrow put it champion aft past week’s deflating nonaccomplishment to Philadelphia. The Bengals had to apt triumph 7 of their past 9 games conscionable to person a chance astatine nan playoffs. Sunday was a awesome start, pinch nan backmost throwing 5 touchdowns against nan hapless Raiders successful a blowout win. A marquee matchup against nan Baltimore Ravens looms, and a play expanse astatine nan hands of nan Bengals’ biggest rivals would beryllium a disaster. — RZ

Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Last week’s rank: 19

Matthew Stafford was sacked 16 times successful his first 5 games, and nan Rams went 1-4. Then, contempt still being crushed by injuries up front, Sean McVay and OL coach Ryan Wendell recovered a measurement to driblet that number down to 1 sack successful his past 3 games. All 3 were Los Angeles wins. — CD

Nov 4, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers backmost Baker Mayfield (6) runs nan shot against Kansas City Chiefs protect tackle Tershawn Wharton (98) during nan first half astatine GEHA Field astatine Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Last week’s rank: 9

Baker Mayfield led a two-minute drill to make nan people of Monday’s crippled against nan Chiefs 21-20 successful nan last seconds. Then Todd Bowles turned his backmost connected nan shot gods by failing to spell for two. One Patrick Mahomes game-winning touchdown thrust later and nan Bucs are 4-5 and, hopefully, processing a achy instruction — CD

Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Last week’s rank: 16

Justin Herbert is playing nan astir businesslike shot of his NFL career, and he’s doing it pinch Quentin Johnson, Ladd McConkey, and Joshua Palmer arsenic his apical wideouts. Jim Harbaugh whitethorn beryllium a wizard. — CD

Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Last week’s rank: 14

The full “Nick Sirianni is simply a bumbling oaf moreover connected his champion days” point looms complete these Eagles for illustration a haunting specter, but nan high-end violative talent has almost go excessively overwhelming to suffer successful spite of their coach. Jalen Hurts’ resurgence is real. Saquon Barkley is having an All-Pro-caliber season. And A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith stay intolerable to screen astatine nan aforesaid time. Philadelphia’s cognition still feels shaky, but I won’t quibble pinch a 6-2 grounds arsenic it figures retired a new, overmuch much competent identity. — RZ

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Last week’s rank: 12

The bye week gives Kyle Shanahan a chance to portion things together successful an discourtesy that will, ideally, get Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, Ricky Pearsall, George Kittle, and Jauan Jennings each connected nan section together for nan first time. — CD

Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Last week’s rank: 7

Sam Darnold is floating backmost down to world but tin beryllium a unchangeable capable backmost to support Minnesota successful nan playoff hunt. Fortunately, Minnesota is bully capable to past moreover if nan Darnold of aged comes roaring back. The Vikings person won each 3 of nan games this play successful which nan journeyman QB has recorded antagonistic expected points added (EPA), including Sunday night’s triumph against nan Colts. — CD

Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Last week’s rank: 11

Two consecutive wins successful nighttime games had nan Steelers sitting beautiful during their bye week. But nan clip for genuine accent is now. Pittsburgh will look nan juggernaut Washington Commanders and Baltimore Ravens complete nan adjacent 2 weeks successful a agelong that whitethorn specify its season. This is much aliases little precisely what Russell Wilson was acquired for. Let’s spot if he’ll deliver. — RZ

Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Last week’s rank: 6

It turns retired that nan Texans’ playmakers — specifically, Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs — mightiness beryllium important. Their absence showed during Thursday night’s loss, during which C.J. Stroud ne'er looked wholly comfortable. He completed conscionable 11 passes and was sacked 8 times. Houston will beryllium nan extremely apt AFC South champion, but it entered 2024 pinch Super Bowl aspirations. For that to happen, it needs a batch much activity connected discourtesy (namely, receiver and violative statement depth) earlier it tin situation nan AFC’s S-tier. — RZ

Junfu Han/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Last week’s rank: 5

Jordan Love remains a sloppy backmost pinch a precocious ceiling, which makes him nan cleanable ongoing task for Matt LaFleur. Seeing him get nan greenish ray while trailing intends a batch of beautifully thrown heavy balls. And a fewer that make nary consciousness whatsoever. — CD

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Last week’s rank: 10

Every clip we deliberation Jayden Daniels’ Commanders mightiness yet neglect a test, they still deliver. On Sunday, it was a amazingly feisty Giants squad pushing Washington to nan limit earlier Daniels took his squad connected a clock-killing, nine-play, 67-yard thrust to crystal nan game. At this point, a Commanders’ playoff berth feels for illustration a certainty. The adjacent trial is winning nan NFC East (hello, Eagles). — RZ

Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Last week’s rank: 8

The Kirk Cousins signing continues to look brilliant. It turns retired nan champion measurement to maximize an discourtesy pinch 3 top-10 draught prime accomplishment players was to springiness them a backmost amended than Desmond Ridder. Atlanta’s defense came done successful a large measurement Sunday arsenic well, though its expertise to get to Dak Prescott was overmuch much a presumption connected nan value of nan Cowboys’ blocking than a abrupt burst of value for nan league’s worst walk rush. — CD

Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Last week’s rank: 4

Because of Tua Tagovailoa’s presence, nan Bills astir apt sweated retired Sunday’s triumph much than they thought they would. But that’s nan bully part. With nan Dolphins pushing Buffalo’s defense, Josh Allen put connected his superhero cape for nan first clip each play and showed he’s still sewage nan juice for 1 of nan AFC’s top-tier heavyweights. Adding secondary aliases off-ball linebacker thief of immoderate benignant feels for illustration a must for a superstar backmost who remains much than tin of taking his squad to eventual February glory. — RZ

Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Last week’s rank: 3

The Ravens coming nan astir intolerable mobility to NFL defenses successful 2024. Do they waste retired to extremity Lamar Jackson, giving Derrick Henry room to run, aliases do they give everything to limiting Henry, successful move letting Jackson victimize them complete nan top? Both answers are wrong. It’s a Sophie’s Choice that makes nan Ravens nan clear No. 1 contender to nan Kansas City Chiefs’ title loop successful nan AFC. — RZ

Junfu Han/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Last week’s rank: 2

For nan 3rd consecutive year, nan Lions went into Lambeau Field and punched nan Packers successful nan rima complete and over. The league’s arguably champion discourtesy had its measurement pinch an overmatched Green Bay defense, while Jordan Love recovered himself flummoxed by a shorthanded unit. Get Detroit immoderate above-average pass-rusher to capable successful for Aidan Hutchinson astatine nan waste and acquisition deadline, and this squad feels for illustration a fastener for Super Bowl 59. — RZ

Nov 4, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (8) celebrates pinch teammates aft scoring a touchdown during nan first half against nan Tampa Bay Buccaneers astatine GEHA Field astatine Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Last week’s rank: 1

Patrick Mahomes turned DeAndre Hopkins into a prima again, terrified folks crossed Kansas and Missouri by limping disconnected nan section successful nan 4th quarter, past led a travel from down triumph anyway. Things are starting to consciousness inevitable for nan Chiefs. — CD