NFL Power Rankings - Week 10: Falcons make leap, new No. 1 takes over
The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's football editors, including Mike Alessandrini, Jack Browne, Michael McClymont, and Arun Srinivasan.
1. New Orleans Saints (7-1)
Previous Rank: 3
Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara were unstoppable against the Rams in the NFL's game of the year so far. The NFC's road to the Super Bowl now runs through New Orleans, which is a frightening development for the rest of the conference. - Srinivasan
2. Los Angeles Rams (8-1)
Previous Rank: 1
The Rams were going to lose eventually, and the Saints are one of the NFL's most complete teams. However, L.A. will need Marcus Peters to play like the shutdown corner he is to win a potential rematch. - Browne
3. New England Patriots (7-2)
Previous Rank: 2
Brady prevailed over Rodgers in the GOAT Bowl, proving once again that New England is the team to beat in the AFC. And now that Josh Gordon's rolling, look out. - Alessandrini
4. Kansas City Chiefs (8-1)
Previous Rank: 4
Patrick Mahomes is getting all the love, but Andy Reid's system - which also produced an MVP candidate in Alex Smith last season - shouldn't be overlooked. Reid deserves to win his second Coach of the Year award, 16 years after his first. - Browne
5. Los Angeles Chargers (6-2)
Previous Rank: 5
The Chargers are rolling, and can still look forward to the return of star pass-rusher Joey Bosa (and perhaps even Hunter Henry). Has their luck finally turned around? - Browne
6. Carolina Panthers (6-2)
Previous Rank: 6
Concerns over whether Cam Newton has enough playmakers are beginning to look silly, with Curtis Samuel and D.J. Moore carving out clear-cut roles in Norv Turner's system. - Srinivasan
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2-1)
Previous Rank: 7
No one does drama quite like the Steelers. After a slow start amid the Le'Veon Bell situation, they've rattled off four straight wins. - McClymont
8. Minnesota Vikings (5-3-1)
Previous Rank: 8
Let's take a moment to applaud Adam Thielen's record-tying string of 100-yard games. One of the more unlikely NFL streaks didn't receive much publicity when it was snapped on Sunday. - McClymont
9. Houston Texans (6-3)
Previous Rank: 10
Demaryius Thomas got revenge on the Broncos, while J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney gave Case Keenum nightmares. Unlikely as it seemed at 0-3, Houston's running away with the AFC South. - Srinivasan
10. Chicago Bears (5-3)
Previous Rank: 12
It's important to avoid overreacting to a shellacking of the Nathan Peterman-led Bills. It's equally important to note the Bears have won two straight games without Khalil Mack. - McClymont
11. Cincinnati Bengals (5-3)
Previous Rank: 9
Remember when the Bengals were leading the AFC North? Well, now they're in their usual place behind the Steelers and A.J. Green's reportedly out for at least two weeks. - McClymont
12. Philadelphia Eagles (4-4)
Previous Rank: 13
With Washington hurting, Philadelphia's easiest path to the playoffs appears to be through a weak NFC East. A win Sunday night against desperate Dallas would go a long way toward boosting those chances. - Alessandrini
13. Washington Redskins (5-3)
Previous Rank: 11
Who are these Redskins? One week, they're delivering a stout defensive performance. The next, they're getting blown out at home. Countless injuries to the offensive line aren't helping. - Alessandrini
14. Atlanta Falcons (4-4)
Previous Rank: 21
Julio Jones finally got his first touchdown, Tevin Coleman was an all-around menace, and the Falcons looked like the team we thought they'd be prior to the season. - Srinivasan
15. Seattle Seahawks (4-4)
Previous Rank: 16
The Seahawks were sloppy and undisciplined against the impressive Chargers, but they still kept it close. While no longer a powerhouse, Seattle should make some noise down the stretch in the NFC. - Browne
16. Green Bay Packers (3-4-1)
Previous Rank: 15
The Packers probably shouldn't let any running backs touch the ball for the next few weeks. - McClymont
17. Baltimore Ravens (4-5)
Previous Rank: 14
Maybe Joe Flacco shouldn't have opened his mouth to say the first Ravens-Steelers game of the season wasn't all that tough. - McClymont
18. Miami Dolphins (5-4)
Previous Rank: 17
Miami's defense shut down the struggling Jets, but its offense isn't scoring enough. Adam Gase will have to fix that issue with three high-scoring teams on tap over the next four weeks. - Alessandrini
19. Tennessee Titans (4-4)
Previous Rank: 22
Marcus Mariota clearly benefited from the bye, as he played his best game of the season on Monday in Dallas. We'll see if his form holds up against the Patriots on a short week. - Srinivasan
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-5)
Previous Rank: 20
The Jaguars can still redeem their season, but they'll need to slow down a red-hot Andrew Luck in Week 10. - Srinivasan
21. Dallas Cowboys (3-5)
Previous Rank: 18
Amari Cooper scored early, but the Cowboys' offense still struggled. What's next for this team? - Alessandrini
22. Detroit Lions (3-5)
Previous Rank: 19
Even in a very winnable NFC North, the Lions are an afterthought. - McClymont
23. Denver Broncos (3-6)
Previous Rank: 23
If Vance Joseph continues to coach scared - as he did in the dying moments against Houston by settling for a long field goal - his time in Denver will quickly come to a close. - Browne
24. Indianapolis Colts (3-5)
Previous Rank: 25
After a bye week, Indy's presented with an opportunity to sink the struggling Jags and get back in the AFC South race. - Srinivasan
25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5)
Previous Rank: 26
At this rate, Dirk Koetter may not make it through November. - Srinivasan
26. New York Jets (3-6)
Previous Rank: 24
Sam Darnold's 11 touchdowns to 14 interceptions isn't an ideal ratio, but he's seriously lacking in offensive weapons. It may cost Todd Bowles his job. - Alessandrini
27. Cleveland Browns (2-6-1)
Previous Rank: 27
Baker Mayfield's career has so much promise. Don't you dare trap him in your misery, Browns! - McClymont
28. San Francisco 49ers (2-7)
Previous Rank: 31
San Francisco's shocking Nick Mullens-led win over the Raiders on Thursday highlighted the importance of coaching. Any talk of Kyle Shanahan on the hot seat should be extinguished immediately. - Browne
29. Arizona Cardinals (2-6)
Previous Rank: 29
Bad news, Cardinals fans. Your team's about to be the latest victim of Patrick Mahomes and Co. But there's good news, too: The Raiders are coming to town next. - Browne
30. New York Giants (1-7)
Previous Rank: 30
With the Giants on a bye, no one made fun of Eli Manning this week. New York will take every win it can get. - Alessandrini
31. Buffalo Bills (2-7)
Previous Rank: 28
Please, Bills, sign a new quarterback. Anyone, we're begging you. - Alessandrini.
32. Oakland Raiders (1-7)
Previous Rank: 32
A 31-point loss ... to a quarterback named Nicholas Clayton Mullens. And the worst part is there's still eight more games to reach a new low. - Browne