NFL Week 9 Power Rankings: The Colts run game, Micah Parsons and other scary things
The Week 9 power rankings arrive with a new No. 1, the Packers and Eagles on the rise and something scary about each team. Happy Halloween!
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Halloween is just around the corner, which means the NFL season is starting to get serious. With that in mind, we’re looking at something scary with each team. These could be scary for their opponents, scary for themselves or just scary for the rest of us — we’re looking at you, NFC South.
1. Indianapolis Colts (7-1)
Last week: 2Sunday: Beat Titans 38-14
Something scary: The run game
The Colts’ EPA per rush (0.20) not only leads the NFL, but also is almost double that of the second-place Bills (0.12). So far, this is the best team rushing season since at least 1999, according to TruMedia. Jonathan Taylor added another 153 yards on Sunday. He already has 12 rushing touchdowns, putting him on pace for 26, which would be the most since LaDainian Tomlinson’s record of 28 in 2006.
Up next: at Steelers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
2. Detroit Lions (5-2)
Last week: 1Sunday: Bye
Something scary: Aidan Hutchinson
The Lions’ fourth-year pass rusher leads the NFL in pressures (48) even after his bye week, according to TruMedia. He’s on pace for 116 pressures (which would be more than any player since at least the 1999 season) and 14.5 sacks in his first season back from a season-ending knee injury. Hutchinson already has three strip-sacks and four forced fumbles.
Up next: vs. Vikings, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
3. Philadelphia Eagles (6-2)
Last week: 5Sunday: Beat Giants 38-20
Something scary: A fully operational Death Star
Saquon Barkley: 150 yards. Jalen Hurts: four passing touchdowns, no interceptions. DeVonta Smith: six catches for 84 yards. The problem for the rest of the league is that the Eagles can be a hot mess for a month and then immediately turn back into the team that dominated the Super Bowl a year ago. That, and the fact that referees refuse to officiate the Tush Push at all.
Up next: Bye
4. Kansas City Chiefs (5-3)
Last week: 4Monday: Beat Commanders 28-7
Something scary: They’re baaaaack
The NFL’s hardest team to kill has now won five of its last six games. Patrick Mahomes was solid, and Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice both had big nights in the passing game on Monday. Kansas City has scored at least 28 points in each of its last three games, and over that stretch, the Chiefs lead the NFL in margin of victory at plus-65.
Up next: at Bills, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
5. Los Angeles Rams (5-2)
Last week: 3Sunday: Bye
Something scary: Matthew Stafford’s witchcraft
Remember when Stafford, 37, could barely walk in the preseason? Well, he leads the league with 17 touchdown passes, is second in passing yards per game (266.6) and has only two interceptions this season. “I think there’s this narrative that we were just faking it because he’s played so well,” Sean McVay said last week on “The Rich Eisen Show.” “He’s in total command. I’m going to cherish however long he plays.”
Up next: vs. Saints, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
6. Green Bay Packers (5-1-1)
Last week: 7Sunday: Beat Steelers 35-25
Something scary: A motivated Micah Parsons
Since Week 4, when the Packers played Parsons’ old team, he is second in the league in sacks (five) and pressures (26), according to TruMedia. Oh, and Jordan Love completed 20 straight passes at one point Sunday and threw for 360 yards and three touchdowns. This is the Packers team that looked like a Super Bowl contender early in the season.
Up next: vs. Panthers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2)
Last week: 6Sunday: Beat Saints 23-3
Something scary: Baker Mayfield regression
Everything is going great right now as the Bucs have a two-game lead in the NFC South despite a slew of offensive injuries. The looming issue is that Mayfield has had his two worst passer ratings of the season in the last two weeks. He only threw for 152 yards Sunday, and Tampa Bay only had 212 yards of offense. It was enough to beat the Saints, but the schedule gets tougher after the bye.
Up next: Bye
8. Denver Broncos (6-2)
Last week: 10Sunday: Beat Cowboys 44-24
Something scary: The Broncos when they face the Cowboys
Denver beat Dallas for the seventh straight time Sunday. The last Cowboys team to beat the Broncos was coached by Barry Switzer and got 114 rushing yards from Emmitt Smith. Bo Nix threw four touchdown passes and J.K. Dobbins rushed for 111 to keep the streak alive.
Up next: at Texans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Quarterback Drake Maye had another huge game for the 6-2 Patriots, throwing for 282 yards and three touchdowns and adding another 50 yards on the ground.Bob DeChiara / Imagn Images
9. New England Patriots (6-2)
Last week: 11Sunday: Beat Browns 32-13
Something scary: Another talented Patriots quarterback
NFL fans who grew sick and tired of Tom Brady are going to hate Drake Maye. The Patriots’ second-year quarterback is second in the league in EPA per dropback (0.27) and tied for ?? in touchdown passes with 15. He also has 250 rushing yards, fourth among quarterbacks this season. The Patriots lead the AFC East and have the easiest remaining schedule in the league, according to Tankathon.
Up next: vs. Falcons, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
10. Buffalo Bills (5-2)
Last week: 12Sunday: Beat Panthers 40-9
Something scary: The wide receiver room
It didn’t matter Sunday because James Cook ran for 216 yards and the Bills were playing the Panthers. But this team’s ceiling is going to be limited if it doesn’t get more from its wide receivers. Khalil Shakir had 88 yards Sunday to finally pass tight end Dalton Kincaid in receiving yards. Meanwhile, Josh Palmer missed the game due to ankle and knee injuries. Keon Coleman is 71st in the league with 267 receiving yards.
Up next: vs. Chiefs, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET