The Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens all could easily have lost in Week 10. But they all found a way to snatch victory from the jaws defeat. That, along with their obvious talent, is a major reason why they are the best three teams in the league and topping these rankings.
- Detroit Lions --
The Lions had been perfect on offense for more than a month and then had to overcome five Jared Goff interceptions last weekend. Go figure. But overcome them they did and they remain the NFC's top seed.
- Kansas City Chiefs --
The Chiefs are not lucky, they are talented, well prepared and proven winners. That was not luck when Leo Chenal blocked Denver's game-winning field goal attempt on Sunday. That was the result of preparation and football smarts.
- Baltimore Ravens --
If I'm a Ravens fan, I'm loving the form of Lamar Jackson this season. It has a Super Bowl look to it. If I'm a Ravens fan, I'm terrified about the pass defense. That has a pre-Super Bowl playoff exit written all over it.
- Buffalo Bills --
The Bills are 8-2 and can further push themselves into the AFC Super Bowl representative conversation with a win over Kansas City in Week 11. But it's about getting past that team and going all the way in January.
- Philadelphia Eagles +2
The Eagles stretched their winning streak to five games on Sunday and the result in Dallas was never in doubt. And having just taken over first place in the NFC East, they have to defend it on Thursday night against the Commanders.
- Minnesota Vikings --
Minnesota's offense has not really clicked since the first half of a Week 5 win at Lambeau Field. The Vikings were restricted to just four field goals in Jacksonville last weekend. They need to re-discover their groove in Week 11.
- Pittsburgh Steelers +2
The move to Russell Wilson at QB is appearing to pay dividends and even though the Steelers don't always look like a true contender, it's hard to argue with their 7-2 record. A first place battle with Baltimore awaits.
- Washington Commanders -3
Jer'Zahn Newton jumping offside ended the game for Washington but there was blame to go around. The Commanders had a 10-point lead but couldn't put the Steelers away and that was not Jayden Daniels' best game.
- Green Bay Packers -1
Let's see if Jordan Love can replicate the second-half-of-the-season form he showed in 2023. The bye week rest would certainly have done his knee and groin injuries good. Now, he must take care of the football.
- Arizona Cardinals +4
The Cardinals probably could do without their bye week as it halts the momentum of a four-game winning streak that has seen Kyler Murray look like one of the most productive quarterbacks in the game.
- San Francisco 49ers --
Christian McCaffrey didn't really catch the eye upon his 49ers return as he rushed 13 times for 39 yards and added six catches for 68 yards. But he will get stronger and more effective as time passes for a team that is now 5-4.
- Los Angeles Chargers +3
The Chargers would be better labelled as efficient rather than exciting, but head coach Jim Harbaugh couldn't care less what you or I think of his team. He loves his six-win outfit and adores quarterback Justin Herbert.
- Houston Texans -1
That was a frustrating week for the Texans, who couldn't win despite those five interceptions of Goff against the Lions. Houston have lost three of four but have the NFL's ultimate 'get right' game on Monday – away to the Dallas Cowboys!
- Atlanta Falcons -4
The Falcons have gone 2-2 in the past month and remain an inconsistent side that is hard to gauge. It won't be an easy outing this weekend as Atlanta – who had problems on both sides of the ball in Week 10 – head to Denver.
- Denver Broncos +3
There are no moral victories in the NFL and the Broncos should be kicking themselves for letting the Chiefs off the hook. But there must have been a part of Sean Payton that was happy on Sunday night. He is building a competitor.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers -3
The Bucs have looked about as good as a team can look when on a four-game losing run. Those defeats have come against Baltimore, Atlanta, Kansas City and San Francisco and each has been a close-run affair.
- Cincinnati Bengals --
There are few players performing as well as quarterback Joe Burrow and receiver Ja'Marr Chase across the NFL. I feel sorry for them because Cincinnati don't have enough difference-makers around that elite pairing.
- Miami Dolphins +5
Have the Dolphins left it too late? They are 3-6 and two games off the final playoff spot in the AFC, currently held by the five-win Broncos. Three of Miami's next four are at home against Las Vegas, New England and the New York Jets.
- Los Angeles Rams -3
Just when I started to believe that anything was possible with Matthew Stafford at quarterback, the Rams got held out of the end zone in a Monday Night Football defeat to the Dolphins. Inconsistency reigns.
- Seattle Seahawks -1
I hope the Seahawks performed some voodoo magic to rid themselves of bad spirits during their bye week, shaking off five losses in the previous six games. A huge challenge is now in front of them as they face the 49ers.
- Chicago Bears -1
Shane Waldron is fired as offensive coordinator and there are whispers that suggest veterans within the Chicago locker room wanted to see quarterback Caleb Williams benched for Tyson Bagent. Is Matt Eberflus next to fall?
- Indianapolis Colts -1
Joe Flacco has not been able to ride to the Colts' rescue in the way that most NFL story-tellers would have hoped. Indianapolis have lost three in a row and that has sparked a return to Anthony Richardson for the remainder of the year.
- Dallas Cowboys -1
I could not quite believe my ears when Cowboys' owner and general manager Jerry Jones said he thought the offense would be better without Dak Prescott in Week 10. That's the guy you committed $60 million per year to. What a mess!
- New York Jets --
As we get deeper into the 2024 season, you have to wonder how much Jets' management think about the Aaron Rodgers experiment. He lasted four plays in 2023 and now leads a team with a 3-7 mark in 2024. Not what they imagined.
- Cleveland Browns --
The Browns are coming off their bye week, nothing to see here. Any semblance of saving a 2-7 season has to begin with a win in New Orleans on Sunday.
- New Orleans Saints +3
The Saints rose up and played hard for Darren Rizzi in Week 10, against a division rival in Atlanta. Can they capture that emotion and do the same again in Week 11? Derek Carr enjoyed some positive moments which was encouraging.
- New England Patriots +3
The Patriots are most definitely a work in progress on the offensive side of the ball, but their defense gives them a chance to hang around in quite a few games. Maybe they're not as soft as their coach once suggested?
- Carolina Panthers +4
Bryce Young was efficient in Munich and didn't need to be more than that because Chuba Hubbard was so good on the ground. He got paid last week and the next to be taken care of should be cornerback Jaycee Horn, who impressed in Germany.
- New York Giants -2
Daniel Jones seems like a nice guy and all that and he has some positive moments. But he is not the answer for the Giants and I still think a benching could come soon. If not, I think he is gone in 2025.
- Jacksonville Jaguars -4
I'm sorry to say that I think a head coach change is coming in Jacksonville in the next couple of weeks. Doug Pederson is under intense pressure. His team has lost six one-score games. Next up, Mac Jones against the Detroit Lions.
- Tennessee Titans -3
Not for the first time this season, the Titans made a decent start – against the Chargers – and faded into oblivion. This is a team treading water, at best. A big couple of seasons are needed in terms of adding talent.
- Las Vegas Raiders -1
The Raiders are coming out of their bye week with a 2-7 record and little hope for the immediate future. The long-term success of this franchise will rest on finding a long-term answer at quarterback.
