The Taylor Swift stuff has officially gone too far. For some reason, NBC thought it was a good idea to talk about strictly Taylor Swift during a crucial drive in the 4th quarter of SNF, and the NFL decided to change their Instagram and Twitter to all things Swift despite many questionable calls that have fans claiming the NFL rigged SNF for the Chiefs to win. In other NFL news, the Browns got smoked by the Ravens as Watson decided not to play (despite being medically cleared), the Bengals are officially dead, and the Falcons might not be as good as they looked the first two weeks. Lastly, Brandon Staley tried yet again to lose a football game and was bailed out for the third consecutive week at least.
Risers
Biggest Risers: Los Angeles Rams (+8) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+8)
The Rams have been quietly a solid team this year and we're officially ready to give them their well-deserved flowers. Stafford looks much better this year and the emergence of young studs Kyren Williams and Puka Nacua have helped this offense find an identity that many thought would be missing with Cooper Kupp's injury. Aaron Donald is still one of the best defensive players in the league and is now overlooked by all the young defensive studs around the league. Stafford and Co. might regret losing to the Bengals late in this season but for now, it looks like they can hang with almost any team in the league.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the country, the Buccaneers sent a statement on Sunday. After giving the Eagles some issues on MNF last week, the Buccaneers defense took it to another level and shut down the Saints (who also had their star runningback, Alvin Kamara, return). The big story from this one though was the Bucs' offense led by Baker Mayfield who is reminding everyone that he is a solid QB in this league when he's healthy. The Bake took on the Saints and their top 5 defense and casually threw for 3 touchdowns and 1 interception despite losing his best WR, Mike Evans, early in the game to a hamstring injury.
Other Big Risers:
New York Jets (+7): There is no such thing as a moral victory in football but the Jets' loss to the defending champs on SNF is the closest thing there is to it. This one looked like it was going to get out of hand quickly, as the Chiefs quickly went up 17-0, scoring on their first three drives. However, the Jets finally saw the Zach Wilson they've been waiting to see ever since drafting him with the 2nd overall pick, as he outplayed Patrick Mahomes and played the best game of football he has ever played. If (and this is a big if) Wilson can keep this up the Jets will be just fine this season, as after those first three drives the Jets' defense proceeded to pick off Patrick Mahomes twice and hold the Chiefs to 6 points the rest of the way.
Washington Commanders (+6): The Commies almost upset the Eagles for the second year in a row. Sam Howell and the offense played extremely well but fell short in overtime, as head coach Ron Rivera didn't seize the opportunity to go for two after Howell put his team in a position to win with his touchdown pass to Jahan Dotson as time expired. Alas, Riverboat Ron decided to kick the extra point and trust his defense allowed 31 points in regulation, and had no answer for AJ Brown (9/175/2). Taking the reigning NFC Champions to the brink is still worth rising in the rankings, and we're excited to see how the Commanders play vs. teams closer to their talent level.
Fallers:
Biggest Faller: Cincinnati Bengals (-11)
The Bengals tricked us last week with their victory over the Rams. As we mentioned in the intro we're officially declaring this team dead. They are a bad team. Joe Burrow looks like a statue and has only twice as many passing touchdowns on the season (2) as Derrick Henry had on Sunday (1). The offense looks like everybody is on different pages and the running game has yet to get going this season, leaving all the pressure on an injured Joe Burrow. The defense disappeared after a great showing on MNF last week, allowing 27 points to a Titans team that is missing Treylon Burkes.
Other Big Fallers:
Atlanta Falcons (-8): For the second week in a row, the Falcons lost a game in which the offense could not reach double digits. For a team with an offensive-minded coach that has invested three top-10 picks and a third-round pick in their offense the past 3 years, this is unacceptable. Kyle Pitts continues to be a non-factor with his backup, Jonnu Smith, receiving most of the passes. Desmond Ridder is missing throws and outside of Bijan Robinson, the offense can't move the ball at all. The defense that was solid the first two weeks of the season can only do so much when they're constantly on the field.
Pittsburgh Steelers (-7): The Steelers employ the worst offense in the league as they were humiliated by the Texans on Sunday. Coach Mike Tomlin vowed that changes will be coming but outside of their win against the Raiders, this offense has had 0 bright spots. Najee Harris put together his first good game in two years, although he's no longer good enough to carry this offense. The Steelers defense also was sliced up by rookie CJ Stroud en route to putting up 30 points and 450 yards of total offense. It might be time for Tomlin to legitimately consider letting Steelers' legend Big Ben call the plays and help create the offensive game plan.
New Orleans Saints (-6): The Saints offense hasn't been good despite the addition of the second-best QB available this offseason, Derek Carr. Despite facing a good Tampa defense, the Saints' offense struggled to put up points despite their best weapon, Alvin Kamara returning from suspension. Their defense, which has been the bright spot of this team and boasts the best secondary in the NFL, was sliced up by a Tampa team that lost their best player Mike Evans early in the game. If the Saints offense doesn't figure out how to consistently move the ball and score points soon, the Saints front office should start focusing all their efforts on scouting one of the deepest QB classes in recent memory.
Full Power Rankings
The Super Bowl Contenders (1-7)
1. San Francisco 49ers (+1): A lot of the elite teams have had ups and downs this season except for one: the 9ers. CMC is proving to be a legitimate MVP candidate and Brock Purdy still has never lost a game where he can throw the football. The defense continues to give every team they face issues and this matchup against the Cowboys this weekend feels like a warmup for the rematch in January.
2. Buffalo Bills (+3): The Bills sent a massive statement to the Dolphins and the rest of the AFC with a dominant win this weekend. The Bills held an offense that scored 70 points the previous week to only 20 and held Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle to a combined 7 catches and 104 yards. The Bills' offense also put up 48 points as Josh Allen had one of the best games of his career.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (-): The Chiefs remain in the three spot after escaping SNF with a win. This one looked like it would be a blowout early in the game, but Patrick Mahomes and Co. secured the win with a nearly 8-minute drive in the fourth quarter to ice the game. Isiash Pacheco had another great performance for the Chiefs to carry the offense in a game in which Patrick Mahomes looked human and Travis Kelce was a non-factor.
4. Miami Dolphins (-3): The Dolphins received a humbling this weekend by the Buffalo Bills, losing 48-20. The offense wasn't nearly as explosive as we've grown to expect and the Bills defense was able to hold the Fins to 6 points in the second half. The defense also will need to make adjustments going forward as even an offense featuring Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle cannot be reasonably expected to score 7 touchdowns every week.
5. Philadelphia Eagles (-1): The Birds survived a dog fight this weekend against a divisional opponent this weekend and have yet to have a dominant win this season. However, wins are tough to come by in the NFL and they're 4-0 despite enduring the growing pains that come when replacing both coordinators.
6. Dallas Cowboys (-): The Cowboys returned to form after a shocking upset last week dominating the Patriots and winning 38-3. The Cowboys elite defense scored 2 touchdowns and the Patriots had no answer for Dan Quinn's unit. Meanwhile, the Cowboys offense played a clean game, protecting the ball and racking up 373 yards of total offense.
7. Detroit Lions (-): The Lions walked into Lambeau on TNF and showed the gap between them and the rest of the NFC North. David Montgomery rushed for 130 yards and 3TDs and the game was over by halftime when the Lions were up 27-3. The one downside of this game is that Goff threw an interception for the third straight game and needs to be better at protecting the football if the Lions want to compete with the best teams in the NFL.
Playoff Teams (8-12)
8. Baltimore Ravens (+1): The Ravens are dangerously close to being considered a Super Bowl Contender, as they had a dominant victory over a divisional rival beating the Browns 28-3 in Cleveland. The impressive part of this is that the Ravens offense dominated a Browns defense that quietly has been the best in the league, but the performance has a dark cloud over it due to the Browns never having a chance at winning this game with Deshaun benching himself. The Ravens did what any good team should do in that situation but the blowout is less impressive given the situation.
9. Seattle Seahawks (-1): The Seahawks, like the Ravens, blew out their opponent this week in a game that never felt close. However, unlike the Ravens, the Seahawks were playing one of the worst teams in the league in every aspect of the game. Rookie Devin Witherspoon had an unreal game, finishing with 2 sacks and a pick 6 but the Seahawks offense as a whole struggled a bit, finishing with only 281 yards and continuing the inconsistency we've seen from that unit this season. Once the Seahawks offense gets rolling, this team will be a force in the NFL and a team nobody wants to face with their season on the line.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars (+2): The Jaguars played in their second home this weekend (London) and had a dominant performance against the Falcons. This team is still struggling to find consistency but when they play their best football they can compete with any of the best teams and dominate the rest of the field. Outside of Bijan Robinson, the Jaguars' defense shut down the Falcons' offense and is starting to look like one of the better units in football.
11. Los Angeles Chargers (+3): It's getting to the point where Brandon Staley is either the luckiest person in the world or can see the future. Staley went for another stupid, stupid 4th down (that failed) and was bailed out by his defense making a late pick. However, after the pick Staley foolishly told Asante Samuel to go down in bounds rather than run back a pick 6. One of these (the pick 6) would've iced the game but since Samuel went down before the two-minute warning, it took a Justin Herbert dime to get a first down to actually ice the game. The Chargers rising up this week is a testament to how good some of their players are (Khalil Mack 6 Sacks, Herbert + Keenan another masterclass) but this team will continue to be limited by terrible coaching decisions.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+8): See Above
Fringe Playoff Teams (13-16)
13. Cleveland Browns (-3): The Browns more or less are getting a pass this week despite the blowout loss due to the fact that their starting QB, despite being medically cleared, did not want to play Sunday and risk further injury. The defense struggled to contain Lamar Jackson and the Ravens but playing with the knowledge that your offense can't score points is extremely tough to deal with as a defensive unit.
14. Green Bay Packers (-3): The Packers got annihilated at home this weekend but are still getting the benefit of the doubt. The key for Matt LaFleur and the Packers going forward is to get their running backs going to take pressure off of Jordan Love and a young receiving core.
15. Houston Texans (+5): The Texans dominated a good defense this weekend, putting up 30 points against a Steelers defense that features two all-pros. CJ Stroud has still not thrown an interception this season and despite a not-great completion percentage (53%), managed to throw for 306 yards and 2 TDs. The Texans defense dominated the worst offense in the league, holding them to only six points.
16. Tennessee Titans (+5): The Titans were humiliated by the Browns last Sunday, and immediately turned that around on the Bengals this week. Derrick Henry had a vintage performance (22/122/1) while also increasing his career passing stats to 7/8 with 4TDs with his passing touchdown this weekend. The defense dominated a lost Bengals Unit holding them to 211 yards and three points.
Mid (17-20)
17. New England Patriots (-2): The Patriots got dominated by one of the best teams in the league on Sunday, which many people probably should've seen coming. The Patriots are desperately missing playmakers on the offensive side of the ball and will continue to be limited by that going forward, but this team coached well enough to beat the bad teams in the league consistently. The big news is rookie CB Christian Gonzalez is out for the season with a torn Labrum and will be replaced by JC Jackson who is reunited with the team that helped him secure a massive contract that he has failed to live up to.
18. Los Angeles Rams (+8): See Above
19. Washington Commanders (+6): See Above
20. Indianapolis Colts (+4): The Colts lost to the Rams in OT but Anthony Richardson continues to look like a guy. The Colts are expecting to get star running back Jonathan Taylor back soon and the rookie QB will benefit from that as well.
Lower Mid (21-26)
21. Atlanta Falcons (-8): See Above
22. Minnesota Vikings (-): The Vikings continue to be a team that plays below their talent. Their inconsistency on offense continued this week, as Alexander Mattison had his first good game of the season (17/95) but Kirk Cousins struggled going 12/19 for 139 yards, 2TDs, and 2Ints, one of which was a pick 6. Luckily for the Vikings, they were playing a rebuilding Panthers team that outside of Brian Burns, is lacking talent all over the field.
23. New Orleans Saints (-6): See Above
24. New York Jets (+7): See Above
25. Pittsburgh Steelers (-7): See Above
26. Arizona Cardinals (+3): The Cardinals lost yet again this week, but again they played above their talent level. This team is becoming one of the most fun to watch as they have plenty of fight in them but had no answer for CMC (4TDs) and the rest of a loaded 9ers offense. The Cardinals offense protected the ball as Joshua Dobbs had another good game, throwing for 265 yards and 2TDs as well as rushing for another 48 on the ground.
Bad and Rebuilding (27-29)
27. Cincinnati Bengals (-11): See Above
28. Las Vegas Raiders (-5): The Raiders are getting dangerously close to mess territory. They lost a game that Chargers's coach Brandon Staley tried to gift them twice and that all-world WR Davante Adams played through injury to try to win. The big news is after the game where Josh McDaniels put the blame on rookie QB Aidan O'Connell despite not deciding he would start late in the week while also facing an angry Khalil Mack (who had 6 sacks). Additionally, All-Pros Tae Adams and Josh Jacobs both are starting to publicly show their displeasure with the team by talking about how tired they are of losing.
29. Carolina Panthers (-2): The Panthers fall in the rebuilding category of this tier but have still not won a football game. This is extremely concerning since they do not own this year's first-round pick (Trade for Bryce Young with Da Bears) and it is looking like it will be a top 5 selection. Bryce Young has been just okay but understandably Panthers fans are upset given the success that Anthony Richardson and CJ Stroud have had early this season.
Massive Messes (30-32)
30. Denver Broncos (-): The Broncos won the battle of the bad teams this week, taking down Da Bears 31-28. Their defense was decimated by Justin Fields in the first half and if it weren't for some classic Justin Fields blunders late in the fourth quarter, they probably lose this game as well. Russell Wilson played well again but still hasn't faced an above-average defense on the season, but none of that matters if the defense can't stop offenses from walking all over them.
31. New York Giants (-3): This team is not good. Despite the offseason hype around the moves made (trading for Darren Waller, drafting Jalin Hyatt, extending Andrew Thomas, keeping Daniel Jones and Saquon), Danny Dimes has looked like pre-Daboll Danny, finishing with three turnovers (two of which were returned for touchdowns). It was so bad that Daboll visibly ripped Daniel Jones on the sideline after his red zone pick 6. The Giants OL did them no favors, allowing 11 sacks in the game but at some point, the coaching and QB need to know they need to get the ball out quick.
32. Chicago Bears (-): This doesn't mean anything given how bad last week was for Da Bears, but there was only one piece of drama for this team this week: Chase Claypool being told to stay home. Claypool, who was acquired for the 32nd pick in last year's draft, has been a massive bust for Chicago and will either be traded or released in the coming days. Fields, despite starting well, still found a way to lose this game Da Bears with two late turnovers (fumble and pick), one of which was returned for the game-tying touchdown with the other icing the game for the Broncos.
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