NFL Week 10 power rankings: Rams, Bills on rise, new No. 1 after another top-10 shakeup
After four of the top six teams lost, the top 10 has a new look — and a new No. 1 — as we hand out our midseason report cards.
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The NFL regular season is halfway over.
With Week 9 in the books, it’s time to hand out our team progress reports. Fear not, Titans and Dolphins — there’s no need to get this signed by a parent.
With plenty of turnover in this season of parity, it’s a fun way to reset and look at which teams are meeting expectations and which ones aren’t. Let’s dive in.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (6-2)
Last week: 3Sunday: Bye
Midseason grade: A-
It hasn’t always looked pretty, and drama continues to swirl, but it’s hard to be too nitpicky about a 6-2 start after winning the Super Bowl. Oh, and they loaded up before the trade deadline, acquiring Jets cornerback Michael Carter and Dolphins pass rusher Jaelan Phillips. Ho-hum, just another stacked roster in Philly.
Up next: at Packers, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
2. Los Angeles Rams (6-2)
Last week: 5Sunday: Beat Saints 34-10
Midseason grade: A
The Rams have survived a couple of Puka Nacua injuries, and Matthew Stafford is playing at an MVP level. Sean McVay has this team rolling once again, yet it’s not the offense that’s carrying the team. L.A. quietly ranks No. 1 in defensive expected points added per play.
Up next: at 49ers, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
3. Buffalo Bills (6-2)
Last week: 10Sunday: Beat Chiefs 28-21
Midseason grade: A-
Their consecutive losses in October feel like ancient history after throttling the Panthers and dispatching Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. The defense still needs to be better against the run, but the Bills are rounding into form as we head into the second half.
Up next: at Dolphins, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2)
Last week: 7Sunday: Bye
Midseason grade: A-
The Bucs entered the season as a fun Super Bowl pick, and so far they’ve backed it up in a tough NFC. The running game needs to improve — and probably will once Bucky Irving gets healthy (the team ranks 25th in rushing success rate and EPA) — but the defense is legit, and Baker Mayfield is playing well.
Up next: vs. Patriots, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
5. Indianapolis Colts (7-2)
Last week: 1Sunday: Lost to Steelers 27-20
Midseason grade: A+
No team has improved its Super Bowl chances more this season than the Colts — and that’s even after turning the ball over six times in a loss Sunday. Those kinds of games don’t happen often. This team will be just fine.
Up next:vs. Falcons, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET (in Germany)
6. Seattle Seahawks (6-2)
Last week: 11Sunday: Beat Commanders 38-14
Midseason grade: A
Halfway through the season, Sam Darnold should be the MVP front-runner. He left a quarterback-friendly scheme (and roster) in Minnesota only to completely flip Seattle’s offense. Darnold ranks first among quarterbacks in EPA per play, success rate and yards per attempt.
Up next: vs. Cardinals, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
7. Detroit Lions (5-3)
Last week: 2Sunday: Lost to Vikings 27-24
Midseason grade: B
Their running game was stuck in the mud Sunday against Brian Flores’ Vikings defense, but this is still a really good football team. There won’t be many more opponents who can bottle up Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery the way Minnesota did.
Up next: at Commanders, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
8. Denver Broncos (7-2)
Last week: 8Sunday: Beat Texans 18-15
Midseason grade: A-
The Denver defense is again among the best in the NFL, but questions exist offensively. Bo Nix ranks 31st in success rate among 34 qualifying quarterbacks, ahead of only Dillon Gabriel, Cam Ward and Russell Wilson. There’s a lot to like elsewhere, though.
Up next: vs. Raiders, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET
Stefon Diggs leads a pre-rehearsed touchdown celebration during the Patriots’ win over the Falcons on Sunday.Maddie Meyer / Getty Images
9. New England Patriots (7-2)
Last week: 9Sunday: Beat Falcons 24-23
Midseason grade: A+
Maybe the most shocking stat of the first half of the season is that the Patriots — a team that went 4-13 in each of the last two years — now have the best odds of any team in the league to make the playoffs (97 percent), per our playoff simulator. Everything is breaking right in Mike Vrabel’s first season.
Up next: at Buccaneers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
10. Kansas City Chiefs (5-4)
Last week: 4Sunday: Lost to Bills 28-21
Midseason grade: B-
The underlying stats are still great and point to the Chiefs being just fine for the second half. Their offense ranks fifth in EPA per play and fourth in success rate. But your record matters, and a tough schedule leaves them barely above .500 entering their bye.
Up next: Bye